Chapter 314: The New Morning Routine (End) Mock Wars
Lyan and Althea stood in awe as the statues from the ruins began to move, forming a neat formation. The sight of the sentinels, guards, cavalry, archers, and magicians, all animated and ready for orders, was both surreal and awe-inspiring. It was clear that Honda, Althea’s Castle Guardian Hound, had somehow awakened and commanded these stone soldiers. The air was thick with the magic that animated them, and Lyan couldn’t help but marvel at the unexpected turn of events.
Althea, still catching her breath from their recent encounter with the barbarians, looked at Honda with wide eyes. "Did... did you do this, Honda?" she asked, her voice a mix of amazement and disbelief.
Honda barked in response, its eyes gleaming with intelligence. The hound stood proudly beside its new army, as if presenting them to its master and Lyan.
Lyan chuckled, shaking his head in wonder. "It seems you’ve gained quite the power, Althea. These statues... they’re now under your control, thanks to Honda."
Althea nodded, still trying to process the situation. "I had no idea Honda could do something like this," she admitted, her voice tinged with awe. "But how are we supposed to bring all these statues back to the castle? It would cause quite a stir if people saw us marching an army of living statues through town."
Lyan pondered the question for a moment, then his face lit up with an idea. "We can use the hidden passage the Acid Ants made. It’s large enough to accommodate the statues, and it leads directly into the castle grounds. No one will see them coming."
With a plan in place, Lyan and Althea led the stone army through the forest, following the path that would take them to the hidden passage. The statues moved in perfect unison, their stone feet making a soft, rhythmic thud on the forest floor. It was an eerie but mesmerizing sight, the silent guardians marching with purpose.
As they reached the passage, the Acid Ants, acting as vigilant sentries, acknowledged Lyan and Althea with a series of clicks and chirps. The hidden entrance opened up, revealing a dimly lit tunnel lined with bioluminescent fungi. One by one, the statues filed into the passage, their presence a silent promise of protection and power.
Back at the castle, the girls were in the garden, tending to various plants and enjoying the peaceful morning. The serene atmosphere was suddenly interrupted by the sound of the passage opening. Belle was the first to notice, her eyes widening as she saw the first of the stone sentinels emerge from the tunnel.
"What on earth...?" Belle murmured, her voice trailing off as more statues followed.
Josephine, standing nearby, let out a low whistle. "Well, this is a surprise. An entire army of living statues?"