Chapter 51: Alvaric’s Arrival
The corpses of the royal soldiers were left in the desert. It was done on purpose, as Raiga didn’t dare make a firm decision. However, the forces from Chillg city had been brought back to the city.
The families left behind by the fallen soldiers would be supported for the next ten years. It was compensation for their deaths in battle.
Their bodies were also treated with proper respect, like any demi-human who passed away. A proper funeral ceremony was held. No exceptions were made.
They were honored like heroes who had died on the battlefield—but that was not the case for the soldiers of the Valanthria royal army.
Their corpses were carried by the Ant Bees into the middle of the desert and left there to rot or be eaten by Crawlers. No one cared at all.
Especially Clard and Gramn. They were thrown out alive, but their bodies were completely paralyzed. That meant they could feel every inch of their flesh being devoured by tiny creatures.
They died after seven hours under the scorching desert heat. They died in trauma.
***
The main door of the city lord’s residence in Chillg creaked open slowly. The air turned cold instantly, as if all the heat had been sucked out of the room.
Heavy footsteps echoed through the stone corridor. Each footstep brought with it a weight that pressed on their chests. The three of them—Raiga, Tamae, and Brukk—stood still, frozen in place, waiting for that figure to arrive.
And finally, Alvaric appeared in the doorway.