“So, that is the situation.” I responded.


    “I can’t believe Lydia doesn’t remember us anymore,” Miki responded; her eyes teary.


    “She’ll be back... right?” Celeste asked, looking no better.


    “I don’t know...” I sighed. “Only time will tell. At least she’s alive for now. I gave her a chance. However, in the upcoming fight, I’m going to need to depend on all of you even more.”


    “I see it this way...” Shao spoke up. “This just gives me one more reason to bring King Roth down. He deserves to be destroyed!”


    Shao had a dangerous expression on her face. She wasn’t necessarily the most romantic or loving person. Rather, her love was shown in her actions, which admittedly could be scary at times. It was clear she loved Lydia as well. All of the girls did. Lydia was always so confident and mature. She fought with a smile on her face, and always considered not just me, but the bigger picture of us. She may have been raised to be a prostitute, but she was the one who understood everyone’s needs the most, and she always acted to make sure those needs were fulfilled.


    “Yeah...” Celeste nodded. “I want to take him down too... and get my mother back!”


    I nodded excitedly. “I had almost forgotten about that.”


    This was a war, not a dungeon fight. The same rules didn’t apply here. As long as we could hold out and resurrect, we could keep the battle going. Admittedly, as people were being resurrected three or four times in a row, this could lead to significant trauma, but that trauma could be remedied with time using the spring! I had been sitting on these waters of life spring for all this time, never realizing just how much of a cheat-like asset it was.


    “How many can you bring?” Shao asked.


    Miki’s smile flickered slightly. “My village isn’t that large, and most of the most promising ones are children. I only have a little under 50.”


    “It’s okay...” I stroked her head, causing her ears to lay down. “Every little bit helps. It’s already amazing that of a village of a few hundred, you found so many talents.”


    When I had allowed the foxkin to stay, it had been an impulsive decision aimed mostly at making Miki happy. She had spent some time with them after, and while she had become a bit melancholy the last month or so, seeing her parents once again had seemingly given her a purpose and a desire to redeem herself. I had some thoughts of them being useful to me, but I never thought their usefulness would bear fruit so soon.


    Miki gave one of her rare smiles these days as I continued to stroke her head. I just hoped there were a lot more little bits.