8:00 AT, Day Five | Arce Lunae / General’s Quarters

  I rise out of bed.

  I look back to Ray, who is still fast asleep. The early-morning light makes her look even cuter than usual.

  I give her a few headpats, to which she lets out a mid-sleep grumble of appreciation.

  I equip my armor, which is conveniently standing near the door, ready for quick entry and exit. It synchronizes with my exosuit and kit, and I can once again feel the augmented agility and durability. It feels nice, almost euphoric.

  I head out into the vast halls of the castle. I would get completely lost if I didn't have a map built into my vision. It's going to make sieging castles all the harder, I bet.

  I head into a room we have designated as the central command room. It comes with a map, table and several other doohickeys like hologram projectors. Emil is currently standing near the front of the table speaking with one of our new soldiers, a high-level by the name of Itvak Spole.

  “Tidings, Emil, how goes the workings of a military?”

  “Good tidings indeed, milord! Everything is going swimmingly. In fact, one of our expedition parties just gave us some very good news.”

  We have formed the backbones of a military. After we got the first soldiers equipped and familiarized with the scenario. We took out several large hunting parties, and acquired quite a few trophies that we then deposited.

  With those funds, we were able to buy lots of equipment, and rolled for even more soldiers. Our total forces are now up to 200 fully functional vessels. With who knows how many beings waiting in the storage. We have yet to get a great-level yet, but we have gotten a few dozen high-levels.

  Itvak: “Indeed we have sir, our expedition parties have been very fruitful. We now have projections that estimate we have uncovered about 55% of the entire grassland. Far better than the previous 26% that was managed before we were introduced.”

  “But, that's not the most important part. Milord, our scouts have discovered what appears to be the transition into a new biome. Some distance to the north-east.”

  “Godo work you two. And to all the members of the expeditions. Having extra hands around sure has sped up our progress, hasn't it. In just one day, more area has been uncovered than we did in three.”

  “Aye, milord, that is the power of teamwork. We are grateful to be serving under you and Lady Rayleigh. It is a great honor to all of us who have been selected to come here.” Itvak says

  “Good to hear. I hope you don't mind, but we are going to have to make great use of you folk. After all, we've got a war to win.”

  “Just give the orders, and we shall see them through.”

  We then go over a bit more details about what has been uncovered.

  It seems that two forts have been discovered in the grasslands, located about midway between the castle and the theorized biome-boundary. There is also a blank spot, where we can theorize that another fort would lay, waiting to be discovered.

  Naturally, we refocus a lot of the expedition parties towards the north-east, hoping to explore more of this new biome as fast as possible. We also send a small party to scout the likely fort location.

  As for the new biome, it seems to be a forestry-like biome. Reports have come in of gigantic trees with relatively sparse forest floors. As well as many small streams crisscrossing the landscape.

  Unfortunately, it seems the only way I can actually see what it looks like is to go there. As it stands, they are outside of the WRN network, so they are forced to send images and information via archaic radio transmissions. Which are very limited data and speed wise compared to WRN.

  In fact, they are so limited that many technologies have trouble even working with them. This advanced stuff requires such an absurd amount of data to be transmitted, it can take several hours just to send a small 3d projection of a small area. It feels like we have been thrown back into the stone age, even in comparison to the technology that humanity had.

  I can't believe civilizations ever functioned with such limited information.

  Nevertheless, we must use our creativity, our individuality and our ingenuity and adapt to the current circumstances. Stone age technology, or crazy alien technology, will win this arena.

  After all, so long as Ray and I work together, we can overcome anything. Moonlight Duo and all that other stuff.

  16:00 AT, Day Five | North-Eastern Grasslands / Border before the Great Forest

  “Look at that tree Ko! It must be taller than our high school was.” Ray says, looking super cute as always.

  She is pointing at a giant tree, perhaps 120-130m tall. I'm no tree expert, but it seems similar to giant redwoods you'd find back on Earth.

  In front of us stands a very strange sight, as the grassland gradually blends into the forest over about 200m. The forest is pretty densely populated with the giant redwoods, and some groundcover. Though, there is actually a lot of space to move around. Perfect for driving heavy vehicles and such.

  The ground is crisscrossed by a lot of streams, which would make it annoying to traverse on foot without getting wet.

  “Yeah, this place is cool. Though it also feels kinda eerie. Makes you wonder what's hiding out in those trees.”

  Ray gently punches my shoulder, “Hey, don't say things like that. They might be listening, but we don't want to provoke them!”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  “Dont worry, darling, will protect you if any scary monsters come to get us!”

  “Hah, as if, you'll run scared into a corner and I’ll have to save you.”

  “That's not true.. I'd at least cheer you on.”

  “You're so cute, darling.” She says, as she reaches over and brushes a bit of hair out of my face. With a subtle touch of the finger against my temple.

  This girl is going to kill me.

  I turn to Rigar, who is currently driving the vehicle we are in. A pretty standard truck, not too fancy. The best part is, they were cheap enough that we could get one for each expedition party. Plus a few extra for any logistics needs we might have.

  “Hey Rigar, let's head into the forest. See if we can find something interesting. Let's make Emil and Linda regret deciding to stay behind and work on boring administrative stuff.”

  “As you wish, General Kovon.”

  We proceed, the moment we cross the center of the boundary, a message appears. ‘Welcome to the Forest of the Winding Waves’ it announces. I guess that's what the name of this forest is. I ponder what the grasslands are called, and then I open up my map again.

  Surely enough, located over the grasslands it now says ‘Grasslands of the Raging Tempest’, I don't think raging tempest is quite right, but It's good enough I suppose.

  We drive deeper into the forest, until we encounter our first beast of this biome.

  It appears to be a pretty typical wolf. Though it does appear to be a bit bigger than ones that were found back on Earth. Perhaps because it hasn't had any influences to domesticate it, like most have back on Earth.

  It quickly notices us, but it doesn't run away. Rather, it just observes us from a safe distance, slowly backing away. Almost as if it's a prey animal.

  But, if a wolf is prey, what is the predator?

  “Aww, it's a wolf! Kooo do we really have to hunt it?”

  “We don't have to hunt it. But, we should learn more about it and this biome.”

  “Well fine then, ill go deal with it, you just watch from the comfy safety of this corner.” She says, as she picks up her spear from where it is resting. She then gives me a quick kiss and exits the truck.

  She uses her new fancy armor for the first time and flies into the air. It's not quite a free flight like my inae, more like a hover and dashing. She quickly rushes over to the wolf and manages to take it out before it can even react to her movement.

  She collects the trophy and quickly heads back. With one of her brilliant smiles plastered all over her face.

  Yep, she will be the death of me some day. It's a certainty.

  She enters the truck with much gusto. “See Ko! I did it, I can protect you, no biggie. Just let your darling Ray just do all the work.”

  “Very good work, darling.” I say, as I give her several pats on the head, “Do be sure to keep up the work, I'll be counting on your protection, since you are so capable.”

  “Of course, darling. Don't you remember? Ima drag you into the thousands alongside me. No way anything can stop us.”

  “Luce lunae per aspera ad astra et ultra, isn't it?”

  “Yep, and don't forget, we are the Moonlight Duo.” she says, as she flicks her head, emphasizing the crescent moon earring that hangs from her ear. Twin to my own.

  We drive through the forest for another hour or two.

  But, then we encounter another beast native to the forest.

  “What in the kek’s basement is THAT?!” Ray asks, very calmly as you can tell.

  Just in front of us is a creature. It looks like a moose, but its teeth are pointy and its antlers come to dozens of very sharp points. It also appears to have some form of claw on its hooves. As if it wasn't large and scary enough already.

  “Darling, I believe that would be the predator to the wolves.”

  “It's a klacking man-eating moose! How is that a reasonable thing to put in an arena? It looks like it is designed to gore us in several dozen ways!”

  “Well then, mighty protector of mine, could you please handle this scary monster for me? I'm just sooo scared!” I say, with a completely emotionless voice. She grabs a hold of my arm, somewhat angry at how easily I turn the tables on her previous gusto.

  “Hmm, how about we slay it together, darling?” I propose, with some amount of sympathy in my voice. She is just far too cute to tease too much.

  “That sounds like a great idea! This moose thing won't stand a chance against the almighty Moonlight Duo!”

  “Hey, Rigar, watch the truck, will ya?”

  “Of course, General Kovon. Have fun with your slaying.”

  With that, we exit the truck. Spears and my shield in hand. She decided to leave her railgun behind. It is fairly heavy, and it'd just be too easy with ranged attacks.

  We charge at the moose from the sides, hoping to avoid its nasty antlers.

  Unfortunately, it manages to step backwards at an alarming speed. It watches us. It reminds me of the major bisoclo and risps that we have fought. It must be a major, with similar intelligence.

  We quickly reorient and decide to just charge straight at its face. We've got some nice armor and speed. It can't possibly do any actual damage.

  My spear connects with its antlers, which it tries to use as a shield. But my inae enhancement just bursts right through them and through its skill.

  Ray lands a nice hit to its chest at the same time.

  The creature dies, not even getting a chance to attack us.

  “Well darling, guess our moonlight truly is overwhelming.”

  “That it is, that it is. Now, let's pack this fella up and get back on the road. We've got a meeting soon.”

  “Oh shoot, I was having so much fun on this roadtrip with my super duper cool and cute boyfriend and our awesome alien friend.

  I completely forgot we were supposed to be meeting up to investigate a fort they found.”

  I picked up the trophy. Apparently it was a major like I predicted. The game masters called the beast a Molan. Curious name, I wonder where their naming schemes come from.

  With that, we head off to meet up with an expedition team that found the farthest fort we have seen.

  With Ray and I together, we should be able to capture it, no problem whatsoever. After all, we are the moonlight duo, and so long as we are together, we will overcome anything. So, bring it on.

  End of Chapter 91

  Next: Chapter 92 | Fort Arbor