Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

A sense of exasperation welled up within Rain as he observed the unfolding events. The naivety of his friends struck him like a weight, for they seemed to be unknowingly aiding those dwelling on the enemies' side. Such actions could easily be interpreted as a form of treason for many, a realization that drew a heavy sigh from Rain.

The consequences extended beyond mere misjudgment. Jori and her companions were inadvertently sowing discord and animosity on the other side of the border by aligning themselves with individuals who sought to avoid the conflict. It was an alliance that fueled resentment and hostility, leaving Rain to contemplate the choices his friends had made.

In the grand scheme, it was difficult for Rain to discern any tangible gain from their involvement. Their actions seemed to serve their conscience more than any strategic purpose, raising questions about the reasoning behind their decisions. Rain found himself wrestling with a mixture of emotions – from concern for their well-being to frustration at their seeming lack of foresight.

As he considered these thoughts, he questioned whether his perspective had been shaped by the harsh realities of war, wondering if his cynicism had been a byproduct of those experiences.

"It is all right, Rain," Jori said. "We will reach the beach in two days, and then we will dash back to the camp. We should arrive back a day late, but it will be fine."

"Are you also thinking that lying to your current commanding officer isn't a big deal?" Rain asked.

"He won't mind that much considering what we learned from them," Jori explained. "The magic people's country is in total chaos. Aside from the loss last month, it seems that they are facing some dragon warriors on the other side of their borders.

The leaders most famous of the tribes don't have a high opinion thanks to the end of the war, so there are some talks that they might send an ambassador for peace talks."

A nearly incredulous chuckle nearly escaped Rain's lips as the notion of peace was floated in his mind. The idea seemed almost surreal, especially in the wake of the ongoing conflicts he had witnessed.

He understood that peace treaties were typically brokered when both sides found themselves on relatively equal ground, each recognizing the potential losses if the fighting persisted. The balance of power played a pivotal role in such negotiations, dictating the terms and conditions of any potential accord.

In this context, the magic users seemed to lack the necessary leverage for such negotiations. With the looming threat of battles on two fronts, their position was inherently weakened. Rain recognized that the humans, in contrast, might find a persuasive pretext for invading, given the strategic circumstances.

However, the situation was a delicate one. Proceeding without due consideration could potentially escalate tensions with the dragons, an outcome fraught with its own set of risks and implications. The complexities of the geopolitical landscape were not lost on Rain.

"I am not sure that this is the best kind of information that we could have gained, but hiding things will also be troublesome," Rain said. "Even though…"

"It could be a trap as well… we know," Terra said. "We learned from them that the werewolves are heading north since there are more targets in that direction. That is why we think that you should head there. The leaders of the magic people might try to show their might using those monsters before the peace talks, and it is hard to imagine that things will end without blood being shed."

Rain found himself in agreement with the thought – employing the werewolves as a means to instill fear could potentially balance the scales for the upcoming peace negotiations. The element of fear and unpredictability could provide the magic users with an edge in their bargaining position.

However, the situation was far from simple. While curbing the threat posed by the monsters might save a handful of lives, it also carried the potential to ignite another cycle of conflict and bloodshed. Rain found himself caught in a quandary, grappling with the weight of his decision.

This moral dilemma was unlike any he had encountered before. The stark reality was that sometimes, the "right" course of action didn't necessarily align with what was "best" for everyone involved. Rain was confronted with the intricate web of consequences that arose from choices in a fantasy world, a realm where moral choices could be paradoxically complex.

As he navigated these dilemmas, Rain recognized the sobering truth – the path of honor and ethical decisions could be strewn with complexities and contradictions, echoing the intricate interplay of right and wrong within the fantastical realm he now traversed.

"... Are you guys hiding something?" Rain asked. "Now that I think about it, you guys could have waited for me or split the group to send a message, but you took some unnecessary risks with all this. Even now, you aren't trying to convince me to help."

"Well, there are the werewolves who need to be taken care of… besides, it would be difficult to involve you in this situation when you are trying so hard to prepare a good life for your sisters," Jori replied while forcing a smile.

"Very thoughtful of you," Rain asked. "What else?"

"... We heard rumors about the general that survived the war, and she is crazy about you," Terra replied. "We actually faced some of the soldiers that were chasing the refugees, and once they found us, they fought like madmen while asking questions about you."

"I want to kill her so much as well… but the situation for now doesn't allow me to do that," Rain said and then sighed. "Although, despite your stupid actions, I guess you guys understand that another confrontation now would spark another war."

It seemed logical for Rain to exercise caution in the region due to the presence of the woman who had manipulated his father's mind. The potential danger associated with encountering her made discretion a prudent choice.

THIS CHAPTER UPLOAD FIRST AT NOVELBIN.COM