"Quick, quick, quick!"
Bunduk shouted as he led his troops running along the road through the middle of the valley.
Once darkness had fully fallen, the troops had quietly taken to the valley road by moonlight, making their way toward Allen.
After all, the cave where Allen was staying lay more than a dozen kilometers from the valley entrance. If they truly waited to see the signal before setting off on a forced march to reinforce him,
it would take at least two hours, even with the troops running at full speed. They also needed to retain enough strength to fight immediately upon arrival, which would make the journey take even longer.
So, after discussing it with Deshavi, Bunduk had decided they could not leave the troops waiting idly in place. Instead, they had begun marching early under cover of darkness, though they had kept their pace slow.
As Allen's loyal retainer, the honest, good-natured Bunduk was deeply anxious. He was worried about Allen putting himself in danger this time.
After all, he had led fewer than a hundred men out to face an attack by over a thousand half-orcs. It was simply too dangerous.
Yet after Allen had laid out his plan with such confidence, Bunduk could hardly voice his objections in front of everyone. That would challenge his lord's authority.
Grateful to Allen and deeply respectful of him, Bunduk would never do anything to undermine his dignity.
He had suffered for such a mistake before, and that one incident had nearly destroyed half a lifetime's achievements. Now past middle age, he had taken that lesson deeply to heart.
Having seen the signal, Bunduk wanted only to move faster, then faster still, and bring his troops to the battlefield before Allen encountered any real danger.
Especially now that the