Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

While it was an ideal path to foster their abilities and mastery, he couldn't definitively conclude whether it was the best strategy for ensuring survival.

This issue between striving for personal development and the pragmatic necessity of utilizing tools or external aids for survival posed a significant question for Rain. He grappled with the notion that in certain situations, relying solely on self-improvement might not be the most practical or effective method for ensuring their safety and survival, and he valued efficiency a lot…

"This is tough…" Rain thought and then sighed. "No point in thinking too much about this. I just have to keep doing my best and for the best. If all else fails…"

Rain didn't want to say that out loud… he wanted to believe that his current hard work would be enough. Also, it was better not to jinx himself with negativity. Rain decided to train his kids for a bit to change his mood. That worked well since he confirmed that his kids were stronger than he was at their age… it was hard to imagine them winning, though.

Just having high parameters wasn't enough… if all the fights were a dick measuring contests, Rain would never have survived the dragons.

"Ahahah, I mean..." Rain laughed. "Maybe I would with my dragon slayer."

"What are you talking about?" Terra asked while frowning. "Do you have any item called Dragon Slayer?"

"In a way, yes," Rain said. "But never mind that. Did you want something?"

"... Asche sent a message… it seems that a group from the magic people arrived this morning and camped a few kilometers away from Teria," Terra explained. "It is a group of only ten people."

Rain's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing the unexpected news. The arrival of a small delegation from the magic people made him wonder about their intentions seriously. The mere presence of such a limited group, devoid of any significant reinforcements or suspicious elements, sparked a different line of thought in Rain's mind.

The small size of the delegation, seemingly devoid of any notable offensive or ambush contingencies, suggested to Rain that their purpose might genuinely be centered around initiating discussions for the proposed truce. He reasoned that such a small group wouldn't be sufficient for staging ambushes or setting traps.

This unforeseen turn of events stirred a sense of curiosity and caution in Rain. It prompted him to reassess the situation and consider the possibility that the magic people might indeed be seeking a sincere dialogue to negotiate the truce terms, contrary to his initial skepticism.

"I am going to check things there. You two should stay here with the kids," Rain said, and he immediately left his home.

Rain didn't give time for his wives to say anything, but they felt that a battle wouldn't take place… even if they had a plan against Rain, only ten people wouldn't be able to pull it off.

In the end, Rain found himself in a moment of uncertainty, pondering the best course of action given the unexpected arrival of the magic people's delegation. He felt a natural inclination to reach out to Branden and Esmeralda first for their counsel and input on how to handle the situation.

However, considering their current focus on their newborn child, Rain realized that they might be occupied and unavailable… he didn't want to bother them.

Diplomacy wasn't exactly Rain's forte. He recognized his limitations in dealing with delicate matters of negotiation and dialogue, especially when it came to matters involving potential truces or agreements. This realization left him feeling a bit out of his depth, unsure of the most appropriate steps to take in this unforeseen scenario.

Rain was conflicted, wavering between his inclination to seek guidance and his own apprehension about his diplomatic abilities.

"I feel like at some point I will just tell them to go eat shit for all the trouble that they had caused…" Rain thought. "Still, I can't do anything to them, even though they killed a bunch of my warriors and my allies before they took over… Man being a person with morals sure is an ass."

As Rain approached Teria, he was greeted by an impressive sight. The entire assembly of warriors and soldiers stationed there seemed poised and alert, their attention fixed toward the western direction. Rain noticed a unified focus among them as they stood prepared and vigilant, their gazes locked onto a small camp belonging to the magic people situated in the distance to the West.

The scene unfolding before him revealed a palpable tension in the air as the warriors maintained a watchful and ready stance, displaying a disciplined readiness for any potential developments or actions from the camp of the magic people. The sight of such readiness and determination among his troops conveyed a sense of anticipation and seriousness regarding the situation at hand.

"You have come… to be honest, I was about to lose my patience," Asche said while she was making a pair of arrows spin between her fingers.

After the recent battle, the group had gained valuable insights into effectively utilizing the golden bow. Through their experiences, they discovered various methods to maximize the bow's potential. Interestingly, Asche showcased a unique ability to use items of significant value for her craft.

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Leveraging this capability, she began crafting arrows using the bones of dragons—a material inherently precious and sought after by many.

These newly forged arrows possessed an exceptional quality, rendering them highly valuable and potent in combat. Their unique composition allowed Asche to imbue them with an extraordinary power, amplifying the strength of each shot fired from the golden bow tenfold.

This information significantly enhanced the destructive force behind every arrow Asche unleashed, transforming her ammunition into formidable projectiles capable of more significant impact and potency on the battlefield… they were only used once, though.

"Hold your horses. We have to ask first what our neighbors want before killing them," Rain said. "We aren't bloodthirsty barbarians, after all."