Even Drake who hated her the most was feeling guilty for the decision she had made.
Hunter silently returned inside the tent.
"You all are keeping something from us, aren't you?" he asked his father while the rest was busy outside.
"If there is indeed, then it is Saphira's wish to keep quiet about it. But for her to arrive to this decision..."
The others returned just as he started his last sentence.
"What have you all been doing? Knights of the Empire?" his demeanor speaks of authority.
They bowed their heads in shame.
"We... didn't heed her command, disrespected our commander and allowed casualties if not for her saving them, your majesty," Willow spoke up.
"Eradicate the darkness and save the world from the darkness are two completely different things. Your mission is to save the world from darkness. If you always hear them say eradicate and you allowed yourself to think that way then from the very beginning, you have already failed your mission."
They remained bowing.
"Did you know that girl even told me she can accept treason if there is something she didn't want to do at all cost that I will have her to do?" he told them.
"That means, even if you punish her, she won't return, unless we are to cross paths?" Hunter asked.
Reginald nodded his head.
"Finish helping Cetus Kingdom and once your done with that, if you can't cross paths with her, then look for her yourselves. Subordinates who does not listen to their leader are as good as dead to their leader."
Reginald sighed, "The gravity of what you have done this time, think about it yourselves and decide what you should do from now on. I won't guide nor your family will guide you. It is time for you to see clearly just who are you in this world."
After that he ended the communication showing how disappointed he was as well.
It was supposed to be a good night after winning such a battle but for their group it wasn't.
It was dreadful filled with guilt and shame at their arrogance.
Juno and Leon invited them to a celebratory event at the Imperial City but they declined.
They instead chose to venture to the north eastern side to check the condition in there.
They weren't commanded, they simply followed Hunter.
Since he didn't speak with them at all after that night.
He left them to do what they think they should do.
After getting there, they found two other gigantic beasts rampaging, with only about fifty knights left fending them off.
Their communication was cut off, they couldn't really ask for help.
A demonic bear and a demonic wolf.
They were fast and strong and their furs were hard enough that normal swords couldn't pierce through them.
Hunter called out Qirin and have him take the fifty knights back to the Imperial City.
Nixon called out Black Tortoise before he called out for Qirin to accompany him.
He left in order to help heal the knights who are close to death.
Willow and Azure Dragon gave the two demonic beasts some distraction while Drake and White Tiger faced them off.
Since normal swords aren't working, he opted in using White Tiger's metal power, having 'Union' and allowed his hands to be as sharp as White Tiger's claws.
With this, together with him having additional metal attacks from all sides, caused damage after damage to the demonic beasts.
Hunter and Stormie together with Roc and Black Tortoise fought against the smaller beasts.
Somehow in here, the others can see.
If they really were judging things properly, looking at a bigger picture, they could actually fight against this humungous demonic beasts even though they are not doing it together.
With proper coordination, they actually won't be hindering anyone.
And would instead help each other in strengthening their own attacks.
Something they neglected because they would sometimes follow Saphira's command.
Now that no one is commanding them, they are forced to think things more thoroughly.
And even though it took time before Willow and Drake finished the two demonic beasts, they were still able to win it and received little damage as compared to when they fought against the jelly fish.
Drake knew how arrogant he was then.
He was metal and the jelly fish has electric attck. If he fought in land with the others instead of fighting with the jelly fish.
Then lesser casualties would have happened and he wouldn't have received too much wound.
He saw it now that he fought with these two.
He was at an advantage because of his ability.
The reason why Hunter didn't battle with them.
Drake's ability was the best counter for these two demonic beasts.
Just as how he was at a disadvantage with the jelly fish.
The five of them was now thinking how stupid they were all along.
Soon, they went all over the kingdom's land.
This took them about two weeks and they were finally able to lessen the number of demonic beasts that they can now leave Cetus Kingdom on its own and they will be able to defend on their own.
They have met the knights who were sent here and found that they have decided to stay in this place.
Hunter didn't stop them for all of them have no families to return to .
Meaning they have no wives and children waiting for them.
Because if there is then he would have asked them for a better reason why they had wished to stay and leave their family behind.
News of their survival will just be sent to their families and that they wish to stay in Cetus Kingdom.
During these two weeks, Hunter have not spoken to any of them, no matter how much they try to have some conversation, Hunter remained silent.
Ever since they reunited, this is the first time that they really couldn't speak with Hunter no matter what they do.
"It feels like we became even more separated right now," Stormie sighed.
"Basically, this is our fault for being too arrogant," Nixon followed.
They have stayed in the forest all this time, they weren't too keen of staying with the people of this kingdom.
They were hailing them as heroes but that just brought them even more guilt because they knew better that they lacked so much in their battles.
"Are you really not going to accept your fault?" Ridge asked Drake.