That very night the news spread: The Big Man had issued another marching order.
But not everyone was satisfied with that. They no longer wanted to search for unknown and forgotten lands, with all the dangers that entailed. They wanted to stay or return home.
Neo then decided that those who wanted to return to Opal could do so. He was very reluctant, but he feared that otherwise mutiny would break out. Staying put wasn't an option because the local population would be overburdened.
The news then spread and preparations were made to retreat to Opal via Neopolis now ruled by Bernadotte.
The marshals had decided to go with Neo, once again seeking fame, fortune, and perhaps even a kingdom of their own.
Local warlords also signed up to join Neo's army from that perspective.
And so the largest army ever seen on this continent set out on a long journey through the desert into the unknown.
Even though Neo had lost several thousand soldiers in their retreat home, the army remained an impressive snake that moved slowly and windingly across the landscape.