《Accursed Moon》


 Lucien Vale

    Beneath the endless void of the night sky, a crimson moon loomed like a bleeding wound in the fabric of reality. Its eerie glow bathed the world in a ghostly red, stretching the shadows into monstrous forms. The air was thick with an unsettling silence, as if the universe itself held its breath, waiting¡ªfor what, none could say.


    Under its ominous gaze, the earth felt cursed, the very laws of nature trembling in quiet defiance. It was not just a night; it was an omen, a silent whisper of something ancient, forgotten, and watching.


    The light of the crimson moon was falling over a castle¡ªnow a ruin.


    The castle was made up of black stones cut in perfect symmetry. It was like a master swordsman worked to create that castle. The light was falling over the cieling of the castle which now became a floor but the circle of light was still covered by darkness of the night.


    The cieling was connected by a fine stairs which were still in better shape. The stairs, the pillars which were lying on the ground like a broken stick, the walls, cieling, floor, everything in the castle was made up of black stones.


    But those stones were facing the wrath of the nature¡ªas they were mossy now.


    Few footsteps could be heard coming from the stairs. After few seconds, a young man climbed the cieling.


    He came towards the light of the crimson moon¡ªmore like wanting to bath in it.


    He looked above towards the moon¡ªwanting to challenge it, spready his hands wide and a smile on his face.


    " Oh, you mighty stars and the guiding moon, gaze upon me with all your wishes and curses. I, who once was forgetten and left alone to rot¡ª now seek vengeance. My name is of no care, but your bloody gaze¡ªcrimson light, is of all importance. I, who is powerless¡ªonly with a dream, shall slaughter the likes of you and rule over this world. I am Lucien, Lucien Vale¡ªmain character of my story. ".


    His outfits were bathing in the crimson light of the crimson moon. His fur mantle was still avoiding the crimson light, where as his leather armor with some metal, fur-lined vest, leather pants and boots and gloves were all bathing in the crimson moonlight¡ªlike they were accepting what was coming and challenging the moon to come down and face them.


    His black eyes and long white hair were complement to each other. His fair skin color and a scar on his face which he got from an unknown enemy showed his ruthlessness. His heavy voice and muscular body showed his achivements to the gazing moon.


    The man had a smile on his face, he chuckled, " Oh you divine moon, shall I die in my conquest, shall you be my reincarnation? " but the moon, it was silent like a dark night gazing the man with it''s bloody sight and curses but no blessings. The man laughed and came walk down the stairs to the main gate.


    The castle was in ruins¡ªbut it was also stained with blood of those who failed in their conquest of protecting it¡ªletting it becoming a ruin of memories of those who were gone.


    Lucien came out of the stained gate of the castle and his feet touched the stained grass. A sound came out from the contact¡ªa crispy sound. The land around the castle was stained in blood and in the night, it looked more horrific.


    The trees around the castle had no leaves, as the autumn winds took them from the trees. The trunk of the trees were stained with blood of the fallens.


    The crimson moonlight enchanced it more and the creatures, roaming the stained land looked more horrific with the moonlight.


    It was the time on the Earth, when the dark age just ended a century ago and the high medieval period started. Lucien, who lost everything in the war of a foolish king, was now just a mercenary¡ªwith a conquest.


    His sole conquest was not to emerge as the strongest or have an empire of his own¡ªbut to rule over the whole world with only his survival alone.


    He was neither a hero nor a messiah.


    The crimson moonlight was falling on Lucien and on the creatures roaming on the Earth surface, every crimson and black moon night.


    These creatures were monsters who come on every crimson and black moon night to satisfy their hunger and devour humans. These nights come randomly every week with 5 crimson moon nights when the creature emerges from unknown and seek shelter, 1 black moon night when every creature''s strength gets 10 times and a normal night where there are no creature.


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    Lucien kept walking ahead and the crispness of the stained grass kept increasing at every step, the echo could be heard.


    Lucien murmured, " Shop: Talent Swords. ".


    A crimson window opened infront of him out of nowhere, it was transparent. Numerous swords with different talents were hovering over the window.


    " Purchase no. 2761.".


    A sword came on Lucien''s right hand grip from the thick air. Right infront of him was a creature¡ªan ogre, bathing in the crimson moonlight.


    It''s 4 eyes, which were of crimson color looked more shining with the crimson moonlight. The orange fur on it''s body, enhanced their quality and color from the gaze of the crimson moon. It''s rotten claws and teeth, they looked like they were being forced to do their work and the drool dripping from it''s mouth was giving the grass what they longed for¡ªtheir softness and stickiness back.


    The ogre roared at Lucien, "Ggguhhhh! " and rushed at him. Lucien, who was calm like¡ªthe stillness before a storm, his silence which was heavier than an unspoken truth, stand their like a hand made puppet.


    The ogre reached out his hand to grasp his skull¡ªfelt in a never ending despair. His hand was cut in just a blink of an eye, his head which looked down on everything was now on the ground¡ªseparated from the body.


    " The irony is amusing, isn''t it, filthy moon? " he chuckled and had a smile on his face.


    He sheathed the sword and went towards his way. The sword he just purchased was a silver sword bathed in the blood of the ogre. The sword was longer than his upper body.


    He felt light of the sun falling on his body¡ªforcing him to walk on the path of the light. He looked above¡ªon the fading moon.


    " Oh you moon, curse me, curse me to my death, shall I be your reincarnation, bringing an end to this never-ending misery? ".


    Lucien, who was surrounded by stained mountains¡ªfrom between the sun was coming to shine, to force the world into the light. The autumn winds brushed his face, whispering for him to rejoice in the light¡ªbut he, who seeked the dominance over the world, walked his path of stained blood.


    The world was governed by different empires¡ªdifferent talents. The empires got their power through talents, created by legends. Those legends often sell their talents to be rich.


    Anyone, who had the potential, could create a talent and can transfer it into any weapon or use it independentaly as a spell, could even sell it in the global shop.


    The mankind, when first gained consciousness, saw a transperant crimson window infront of them with emptiness.


    Several night came, several monsters and several misery cames. They came to the verge of extinction but then, a legend emerged created a talent and passed it to different humans. Their dominance increased over the monsters, the legends increased among the humans and one legend with the talent of creation, created the global shop over the crimson window and completely slaughtered it''s empitness.


    The legend who fulfilled the emptiness of the crimson window was known by the name, Victor Gearhart.


    But to Lucien, he was of no importance.


    The sun shine more brightly, overwhelming the shining of the crimson moon. The creatures roaming the Earth couldn''t stand against the shine of the sun and were burned to nothingness. The orange light of the sun fell on the face of the Lucien which still, had the same smile.


    The stained mountains became more clear who''s natural life was gone and the trees were stained with blood. The moutains were red, red in blood. The path Lucien was walking still had the crispness and the path was full red.


    The stained blood was freezed and every step was breaking the frozen blood and the sound of crispness was echoing around. The silence was gone, Lucien could heard the screams of the creatures around him, screaming in pain to escape the torture of the sun.


    Lucien''s armor became more clear, stained with blood with the light of the sun, the fur mantle Lucien was wearing was originally white but the blood of the beings Lucien slayed, turned it red.


    Lucied walked and walked and walked and now, he was climbing the stained mountain which was covering a large empire¡ªLucien''s next destination. His whereabouts were unknown but his goal, it was to take over the world.


    Lucien was silent, silent as a dead body but his body, it was moving as Lucien wanted.


    Lucien was now surrounded by the blood stained nature, the blood stained trees around him, the blood stained path he was walking and the blood stained bushes covering the path and his surroundings were all shining with the gaze of the sun.


    There was no flower on the path, it was like someone or something picked them up to show the ruthless side of the nature. The leaves were stained red not because of it was autumn¡ªbut because the massacre of several creatures, humans and other wildlife.


    The autumn wind came and the leaves came over the face of Lucien. He remained silent because he could heard, heard something running.


    The sound became more closer, closer and closer.


    Lucien stopped because the stained bush infront of him started moving like it was alive, like it was a rabbit eating it''s carrots while looking around for danger.


    Slowly, something came out of it, a wild boar.


    The boar had couple of scars on his body¡ªscars of his battles.


    Luciens unsheathe his sword¡ªready to cut it down.


    Lucien was hungry, he had no dinner last night and no breakfast this morning but his breafast, it was right infront of him.


    The boar couldn''t sense the bloodlust from Lucien because there was none. His expression remained serene, like a river gliding in quiet harmony¡ªuntil the moment it met the untamed fury of a descending waterfall.


    His sword, even though it was stained with blood, had no bloodlust in it.


    It lay in utter silence, like the hollow stillness left in the wake of a storm''s dying rage¡ªits blade, a remnant of chaos, now at rest.


    The boar could feel the silence and calmness of Lucien''s sword strike. The boar felt no pain, no agony, no misery but death itself.


    Lucien slay down a boar with his quite beautiful sword style.


    He collected some dry stained branches fallen on the ground as an aftermath of a big war, some leaves fallen due to the ruthless rule of the autumn winds and 2 stained rocks telling their mighty stories.


    He sparked a flame using them and cooked the meat of the boar.


    It was still morning, the winds were pleasant and the meat Lucien was eating¡ªit was delicious in it''s own sense.


    After finishing, he walked down the mountain. On his way, he saw a flowing river becoming a part of a mighty waterfall.


    Lucien thought, '' I have not touched water for quite some time. ''.


    He removed his armor and every kind of clothing from his body and entered the plunge pool created by the waterfall. He could see the mist created by the waterfall acting like it hold a mystery, the foam and bubbles in the water enjoying their own bath, the rainbow¡ªmaking the view more beautiful and the raging currents, acting like a guard to protect it from the curroption of the world.


    Lucien had couple of scars on his body showing his struggle for survival and his victory over his enemies.


    His sword lay on the ground, while he leaned against the cold stone, his breath heavy with exhaustion.


    The talent his sword contain was still unknown, showing it''s importance.


    " These raging currents, they can never protect this world¡ªmy goal. I will take this world and make it a divine place, fit for my survival alone. ".

 Chapter 2. A Spanish Kingdom

    Lucien finished his bath and now he was standing infront of the main gate of a spanish kingdom.


    The surroundings were green, not like blood stained mountain and the ruined castle. There was wildlife around, deers, rabbits and other small and herbivores animals.


    The path was not crispy, it was quite soft. The grass and bushes surrounding the path were light red and orange because of the autumn season.


    The main gate of the kingdom was mainly made up of iron and silver and it has designs made up of gold metal. The gate was guarded by two soldiers wearing an armor made up of chains, the chainmail hauberk with an iron helmet. Both had iron spear in their hand who''s edge was sharp as an eagle''s sight.


    The walls surrounding the kingdom was as large as the main gate, atleast 17m tall and 3m thick. The walls were made up of greyish stones having unique pattern in them.


    Lucien could hear the chatter of the people living inside the kingdom. He hated it. He hated any type of noise pollution.


    An open wagon came and went inside the kingdom. The wagon had the mark of the sun which was the official mark of that kingdom. It was made up of oak wood, it''s plateform was of oak planks and the raised walls were of dark oak wood. Inside the wagon, Lucien can cleary see that different types of weapons were being transported inside the kingdom.


    The wagon was being pulled by an oxen and a merchant was riding the wagon.


    He walked ahead to go inside the kingdom but a guard stopped him because of his appearance.


    " Stop right here, what is your purpose inside the kingdom? ".


    From the voice of the guard, it was clear that he was in his mid 40s.


    " What I want is just to sell this weapon".


    Lucien showed the guard his sword which he just purchased last night.


    The ground below the guard was made up of orange colored stones cut in perfect symmetry to form rectangular patterns. Right infront of him was couple of stone and mud brick houses with thatched roof.


    The stones used to create the houses were gray as the color of the wall but they were not big. A 6ft man can''t go inside those houses without bending down a little. The material used for the thatched roof were mostly the autumn leaves.


    They changed the leaves every month to make them look fresh.


    Those houses continued for couple of distance and the slop of the ground increased and on the upper slope were the houses made up of wood. Those houses looked like small castles.


    The wood used to create them defy according to the house. The color was from light colored to dark colored and the dark colored houses were the biggest among them.


    The slope increased again after couple of hundred meters and the castle of the king was visible.


    Lucien could see the round pillars of the castle infront of the main gate made up of same black stone as that ruined castle. But this castle was even bigger than that in it''s finest form. The castle''s design was quite beautiful.


    Lucien could see it''s thick limestone walls covered with stucco, multiple cylindrical towers for the soldiers to watch around the castle and kingdom and a massive keep which was the strongest tower where the king resides with his queen. At the top of the massive keep, was the flag of the kingdom.


    The flag''s background was of silver color¡ªrepresenting it''s purity and wisdom, it had a crowned purple lion¡ªrepresenting courage and power. The flag''s design was quite simple and bold.


    Lucien didn''t know who was the king of this kingdom what it''s name was but he, he tried to push his luck despite his lack of knowledge.


    The guard who stopped Lucien checked the sword. From the sight of sword, the guard could tell that it was of chinese design and contained a talent.


    " What talent does this blade have? ".


    The guard asked with curious voice.


    Lucien could tell from his voice that it was the first time of the guard to hold a sword with a talent.


    He asked, " Are you interested in buying it? ".


    The guard paused for a second, got consumed by his thoughts.


    It was prohibited by the king for the lower ramk soldiers to purchase any weapon from an outsider.


    The guard questioned, " Do you have the mark of the kingdom? ".


    Lucien remember seeing a sun mark on one of the wagon which entered the kingdom.


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    " We can think about those things later¡ªbecause the most important thing currently is to sell this sword to you. ".


    The guard was now suspicious of Lucien.


    The medeival era was the time of great wars and betrayals.


    " Do you have the symbol or not!? " the guard questioned with anger.


    All the people roaming infront of the main gate looked towards the commotion between the guard and Lucien.


    " Let''s calm down and solve this matter quietly ".


    Lucien said while looking at the people.


    Among those poeple, the men were wearing a simple woolen tunic of knee-length with a loose trousers tied at the waist. Some of them were also wearing a woolen cloak as it was the time of mid autumn. The women were wearing long simple wool dresses tied at their waist. For footwear, they just wore simple leather made sandals and few women also wore veils over there head.


    The guard swinged his spear towards Lucien and Lucien took few steps back to dodge it but the guard stopped the swing right infront of his face. The spear had a different shine in it¡ªmore like showing it''s murderous aura. The pointy edge of the spear was now pointing towards Lucien face.


    The other guards also pointed there spear towards Lucien.


    Lucien sheethed his sword and raised his hand, showing his innocence against them.


    The guard asked with the same angry voice,


    " Do you have the symbol or not!? ".


    Lucien was cornered, but his abilities were enough to slaughter those guards¡ªthough he did not want to do that.


    He spoke in soft voice, " I do not have any symbol. ".


    His soft voice showed the dominance of guards over him.


    The guards calmed down and put away their spears from his face, letting him put his hands down and having a breathe of relaxation.


    A guard with a firm voice said, " Listen, fellow merchant. You must first get the symbol of this kingdom before trading here. Now, begone! ".


    Lucien didn''t want to cause more commotion so he walked away from there.


    At a distance of every wall, were big watch towers and over those towers, stand brilliant archers of the kingdom.


    Lucien walked away from the kingdom and sat on the ground near the path leading to the kingdom.


    As far as Lucien could see¡ªthere was fallen leaves of the trees and the crimson bushes. The sun was over his head¡ªshowing the noon time.


    He wanted to go inside the kingdom but had no symbol¡ªbut had a plan.


    He waited there sitting in the grass which had a softness of themself.


    The clouds looked soft as cotton candy and the cool winds made the view more amazing.


    Lucien sat there for couple of hours and the evening arrived. The sun was ready to sat down, the rays of the sun were mostly gone. The weather turned more cool and the moment came.


    Lucien heard the sound of an oxen coming towards him. He was quite far away from the kingdom and for the guards to see him.


    He stood between the way of the oxen and the kingdom and after few seconds, an oxen came running towards him with a wooden wagon covered by a wooden roof. The wood used to create that wagon was fully dark, it had two windows at opposite sites and a door at the back.


    A merchant was riding it and stopped it right in front of him.


    The merchant was an old man in his mid 60s. He had a long beard but no hair. The merchant had black eyes and he was wearing a brown tunic with a brown fur cloak over it. He was also wearing a loose trouser with a belt tied at waist. A coin pouch was also attacthed to the belt with a rusted dagger. The merchant was also wearing a brown chaperone.


    The wagon had the symbol of sun and that is what Lucien wanted.


    The merchant get off of his ride and said to Lucien with an old soft voice,


    " Young man, the night is on it''s way and the monsters have yet to come but despite that, you should not roam outside like this. ".


    Lucien was irrated by his voice but despite that, he maintain his composure and said,


    " Sir, it is not like I want to be outside. I am a traveler who seek shelter during the night but the kingdom ahead has refused to provide me with any because I do not have any money. I told them that they can have this sword enfused with a talent but they refused because I simply do not carry there symbol. ".


    The merchant looked at the sword in Lucien''s hand and at Lucien''s appearancs. He was confused and said,


    " You look more like a mercenary, young man. ".


    Lucien chuckled and said with a soft firm voice, " Do not be fool by my appearance, sir. I am no mercenary but I wear these stuff to protect myself against the horros of the night. ".


    The old merchant, who himself was carrying a dagger¡ªthough it was rusted, believed in the words of Lucien and said,


    " Young man, allow me to give you a ride and I will talk to the guards to let you stay in my care inside the kingdom. ".


    Lucien developed a smile on his face, a kind and happy smile and said,


    " How kind of you, sir. I will always be grateful to you. ".


    The merchant turned around, offering him the ride inside the wagon. He grabbed the saddle over his oxen, ready to ride it but then, felt a sharp pain in the middle of his chest.


    Blood came out of his mouth and he moaned in pain while looking down towards the chest. He saw a sharp sword coming out from the middle of his chest and slowly looked behind towards Lucien.


    Lucien had a smile, a smile showing his horrofic nature and he was holding the sword which he pierced inside the merchant''s chest.


    The merchant tried to talk while moaning in pain,


    "Wh.. why... you.. ng.. m.. "


    But before the merchant could complete his words, Lucien pulled the sword out making the merchant collapse on the ground and leaving the world.


    He was dead.


    Lucien checked his body and pulled out the pouch of coin. He opened and found couple of silver and copper coins.


    "It was worth it. ".


    He said with a happy smile.


    He went towards the wagon and check it and inside the wagon were couple of armors and different kinds of weapons with the mark of the sun.


    The time was of late evening, the sun was ready go down through the stained mountains.


    Lucien grabbed one of the helmet and wore it to hide his identity.


    He got on the saddled oxen and for the last time, looked at the dead merchants face.


    It was pale and the eyes, they were still open and there was blood flowing from the chest and from the mouth.


    Lucien said with a calm voice,


    "That''s what you get for trusting an unknown. ".


    Lucien commanded, "Walk on! " and the oxen started moving. The right wheels of the wagon drove over the face of the merchant¡ªcrushing it and making it unidentifiable.


    The wheels were now stained in blood and after a ride of few minutes, he arrived again infront of that mighty gate of the kingdom.


    But to Lucien¡ªit looked ugly.


    The guard saw the symbol and let him enter the kingdom.


    The moment he entered the kingdom, the gates were closed because the night was near and the monsters arrival was the most feared.


    Lucien looked back towards the sun which was now barely visible as the gates were being closed down.


    The autumn winds whispered through the air, stirring his hair into a wild dance. Strands swayed before his eyes, veiling his vision¡ªblinding him from the sight of the sinking sun, now lost beyond the horizon.

 Chapter 3. Money, Money And Money

    Lucien was inside the kingdom infront of the gate now. The autumn breeze was making his visit cooler.


    The guard who first stopped Lucien said,


    "Hey, merchant. "


    Lucien thought that he recognized him and felt like his whole plan was going to shatter like a glass hit by a rock.


    The guard continued, " You should not enter the kingdom with the blood in your wheel. Clean it and after that enter the kingdom. ".


    Lucien took a breathe of relaxation.


    " I apologize mister guard. I will clean it right away. ".


    The guard felt suspicious and asked,


    " Why do you have blood on your wheels and why is your voice familiar. ".


    Lucien now had to think of an excuse. He said, " The wheels have blood because I ran over an innocent rabit searching for food for it''s family and I do not know why you think my voice is familiar. ".


    The night was coming and the guards had to attend other buisnesses too, so he let go Lucien but before that, he told him to clean the blood as the creature coming in night gets attracted by the scent of the blood.


    The creatures can''t hear, can''t see and can''t taste but they can smell and sense anything. The creatures which come out at black moon night, there hearing and sensing power increases tremendously and to avoid any danger, no one is allowed to carry anything with the scent of blood.


    Lucien got off his ride, asked for some water and a cloth from the guard and started cleaning the wheel.


    The water, it was crystal clear. Lucien could see his own reflection and the reflection of the red sky inside the water. It was like he was looking into another world which was the same copy of this world. The cloth he got was a woolen white cloth.


    The sky, it was red. It was not red because of the crimson moon but because when the sun sets and come out, the sky becomes orange-red due to atmospheric refraction.


    Lucien cleaned the blood from the wheel and from the ground as he walked a few distance on his ride inside the kingdom.


    He returned the cloth and the water to the guard and he threw it out of the kingdom from a very small window in the main gate.


    Lucien get on his ride and went further inside the kingdom. He could see many flowers shop. Those shop have multiple colors of flowers and all of them were real. He could smell their pleasant scent.


    The streets were lined with countless flower shops, each bursting with blooms of every kind. For a moment, it felt as though he had stepped into a vast garden, where nature itself had painted a masterpiece. The autumn breeze curled around him, carrying the soft fragrance of petals, making the moment feel even more serene.


    Those shops were not very big; made up of mud bricks mostly. At the time when Lucien arrived there, the shopkeepers started closing them as the night was coming.


    Lucien was looking for an inn and on the street, there were not many people around.


    He stopped and asked a person about an inn nearby.


    The person was male, he was not very old, it was like his 20s just started. He had wheatish complexion and his clothes were not different from other males, knee size tunic and a trouser tied at the waist. He had short black hairs and sleepy eyes. It was like this youngster was consuming drugs.


    Lucien questioned,


    " Hello young fellow, I am looking for an inn and if you know where can I find one, can you do me a favor of telling me the way? ".


    The youngster first looked at his face and then said with a thin voice,


    " Nothing is free in this world my friend. Pay a price and know what you want. ".


    '' Nothing is free, huh. '', these words somehow made his expression change from calm to cold but he somehow still maintained his composure and asked,


    " What price are you looking for such a silly information? ".


    He replied, " Silly or not, information is an information. Pay me with 2 copper coins and get your information. ".


    His voice was telling Lucien that he was pretty much consumed my drugs. He had no control over his body and mind.


    The 2 copper coins could give Lucien a night stay in a very cheap inn(shared space only).


    He said, " Isn''t it too much for just a silly information, my friend? ".


    The youngster replied, " If you do not want to pay, get lost! Do not waste my time as it is of way more importance than your information! ".


    He increased his voice while completing his words which made Lucien irritated. His hands touched his sword, ready to slice his head off but he somehow controlled himself.


    He grabbed the coin pouch he got from the old merchant from his left hand and took out 2 copper coins from it with his right hand and payed the youngster.


    The youngster said, " See, it was this simple. ".


    A smile came on his face which was telling Lucien that he was just going to waste these coins on drugs.


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    His mouth opened to talk and a very strong smell of alcohol came out of it which made Lucien took a step back. Lucien could smell it from the beginning he started talking to him but it grew stronger now.


    The youngster started talking, " Go straight from here, take the first turn to the right, then pass 3¨C4 houses, and you''ll find the inn.".


    His mouth closed and Lucien took a breathe. He was holding his breathe until his mouth closed because of the strong smell of alcohol. Lucien hated any kind of intoxicating drink.


    He get on the oxen and gave the command, "GIDDAP! ".


    Giddap, it was a basic command given to oxen during the medieval era to walk or to walk faster.


    Oxen walked until the first turn came and Lucien gave a command, "GEE! ".


    Gee, the command to move right. Not all oxens understand these commands; only those who were trained well.


    The oxen took the right turn and by now, almost every shop was closed and there was barely any soul on the street.


    Lucien saw a inn after he crossed 4 houses.


    He gave a command to the oxen, " WHOA! ", a command to stop.


    The oxen stopped and he looked towards the inn.


    The inn was bigger than almost every house he saw here. It was of 3 stories high and it was purely made up of timber wood. It''s design, it was kind of simple. A thatches roof, with a window between the inclined surface of the top. The door was also made up of timber and clay and straw mix were used to fill walls between the wooden beams.


    There were 2 clay pot ppposite to each other and both of them had chrysanthemum flower which helped in making the look of the inn more better.


    Lucien tried both, pull and push on the door but realised that it was looked from the inside. There was a wooden handle on the door which he used to both pull and push.


    He knocked on the door and said, "Hello, I seek a room to spend my night here. ".


    After few seconds, Lucien heard that the door was opened and then someone opened a door for him. It was a chubby man in his 30s.


    His clothes were not able to cover his stomach as he was too fat. His thick hands were sweeting which made Lucien feel disgusting at the first sight.


    His soft cheeks; no, they were not soft but it was like they were falling of his face but somehow, still intact to his face.


    He could barely see his eyes because of the fat on his face. He had very short black hairs which made his look even more disgusting.


    He was no doubt, the owner of the inn.


    The chubby owner said, " Welcome sir, we have rooms available for you, from a comfortable to a very cheap room. You can get any room you want. ".


    He was standing in a welcoming gesture.


    Lucien found his way of talking very disgusting because every time he spoke, his saliva would spit out from his mouth.


    First thought Lucien had was to find an another inn but he didn''t want to push his luck anymore, he was tired for the night.


    The owner saw his wagon and said, "We also offer parking to the carriages and wagons of our fellow costumers. If you want I can show you around the parking. ".


    Again, the saliva spit put from his mouth and Lucien felt very disgusting now. He just wanted to walk away from there, but had no choice.


    He didn''t want to see the parking and said, " I''d rather let you park my wagon. ".


    The owner called his worker and the worker went to park the wagon.


    Lucien went inside the inn and from the inside, the inn was more beautiful. The fire place in the middle of the inn made up of black stones, the wooden tables and chairs, the wooden benches for drinking and the wooden shelves on the wall in a pattern to place candles for light.


    Infront of him was the benche was drinking and behind the bench were the wooden barrels which had all kind of drinks in them.


    Lucien looked around and on his left was the staircase which connected the ground floor to the first floor and beside the staircase was a corrider which led to the kitchen and probably the storage room.


    When Lucien first saw the owner, he thought that the inn would be worse from inside but from the inside, it was clean and beautiful.


    ''Never judge a book by it''s cover got real for me here. " thought Lucien with a chuckle.


    The owner noticed his chuckle and asked, "Is there any problem sir? ".


    Lucien shook his head in denial and went ahead and sat on a chair. He was hungry.


    The owner questioned, " Sir what type of room do you want and the type of meal and for how much day? ".


    Lucien questioned, " Can you first tell me the price? ".


    The owner spoke, " You can get a shared room with 3 times basic meal for 4 silver coins per day where as a private room with 3 times luxury meal for 7 silver coins per day. ".


    Lucien furthered questioned, " What type of room and meal will I get in 7 silver coins, explain me in detail. ".


    Luciens thought from the beginning was to get a private as he hated crowd and people around him.


    The owner spoke, " You will get a feather mattress, better bedding, white bread and fresh eggs for breakfast, meat stew and vegetable for lunch and roast meat, fine bread and wine for dinner. ".


    Again, the owner spit saliva while talking and his hands in a gesture intront of his chest to convince Lucien.


    Lucien said, " Can you change wine with water? ".


    First, the owner paused before saying anything because it was the first time someone denied wine but then he spoke.


    " Of course, of couse. ".


    Lucien had correct 7 silver coins in the coin pouch he got from the old merchant.


    He opened the pouch and took out all the silver coins. Those coins had shine of their own which amazed the inn owner.


    " Such fine coins. " was the only statement came out of his filthy mouth after he saw the coins.


    The grabbed the coin with his sweety hands and went to put them in his drawer.


    He ordered his chef to prepare a luxury dinner for Lucien, wine excluded.


    From the sight and the amount of workers it had, it was clear that the inn was well to do but something was annoying Lucien.


    He was annoyed by the fact that there was an area for royalty in the kingdom but despite that the inn owner opened his inn in the area of commoners.


    He sat there for a while and his meal arrived. The smell was pretty amazing and the smell the roasted meat attracted the attention of the workers.


    The inn was empty, there was no costumer except Lucien.


    Lucien took a sip from the water and first ate the roasted meat. It was delicious. The hygiene was fully mainted and it was very rare for a moderate level inn to have such hygiene.


    He finished his meal and said to the owner, "Would you mind showing me my room? ".


    It was the first time the owner saw his sword.


    He spoke, " Yes, why not sir. But before I want to ask are you by chance any mercenary? ".


    Lucien paused and looked at the owner with cold expressions which froze the owner too.


    The owner spoke, " I didn''t mean it in a rude way sir, I was just curious. ".


    Lucien spoke, " It is the basics to erase any type of curiousity which can make your constumer leave your service. ".


    The owner bent down his waist and said, " I apologize sir. ".


    Lucien remained silent and his eyes fixed at the stairs. The owner understood his sign and took him to his room on the third floor.


    On the second floor, there were the shared rooms and on the third floor, there were the luxury private rooms.


    Lucien didn''t see the second floor much but the third floor, it was luxury compared to the ground and second floor.


    The candles were placed in very attractice manner and the red carpet made the look more better.


    Lucien went inside his room and in his room, the fur mattress pleased his feet.


    There was a bed with proper bedding and a wooden table and chair beside it with few papers and inks. At that time, paper was really costly and to get it in the luxury service, Lucien found it very suspicious.


    There were 2 drawers attatched to the table and a candle on the table.


    Right above his bed was a small wooden window which he could open and close.


    The floor was made up of wooden planks and was producing sound at every step.


    Lucien looked around and on his left was a small wooden wardrobe which made him more suspicious.


    He removed every kind of clothing from his body and he went to his bed as he was quite sleepy.


    The moment he lay down on the bed, his eyes started feeling heavy. The window was opened, letting the autumn breeze come inside.


    He closed his eyes and then heard a knocking on his door, a very violent knocking.


    KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

 Chapter 4. A Bright Day With Bright Problem

    Lucien was laying on his bed, feeling the softness and warmth of the bed sheet.


    He closed his eyes, letting himself devoured by dream world and the darkness of it. His tiredness prevented him from moving even a single muscle of his body. The window was letting the whispers of the autumn winds come inside the room.


    He thought, ''Ah, this bed, it is really a luxury. '' .


    To him, that simple bed was a luxury because he never slept on such a soft thing in his life or had forget about the softness of the things he slept on in past.


    He was ready to get lost in the dream world but then, someone violently knocked at his door.


    KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!


    He asked with a sigh, "Who''s there? ".


    No reply.


    He had no choice but to go against the will of his tiredness and move his body. He wore his clothes back and went to the door to check it.


    He opened the door, it was a wooden door with a wooden handle which opened with a sound.


    keeeeeeeekkkk!


    But to his surprise, there was no one. He looked left and right and the whole corridor was full of darkness. The candles had died and there was not a single soul, a single living being except him around.


    He sighed again and closed the door with anger and a loud sound echoed in the corrider.


    Bamp!


    He did not have any strength left in his body to remove his clothes. He layed down his bed, closed his eyes and let the creature of dream world devour him.


    It was a crimson moon night again. The window was open and the crimson moon light was falling on his face, making it appear bright red.


    His hairs were messy and laying on the bed with different strands and direction.


    A cold breeze of autumn came and moved his hair quite a bit on his face. He opened his eyes and the crimson moon was right infront of his eyes.


    "This emptiness, it is all because of you. Filthy moon. " he murmured; closed his eyes and went to sleep.


    There was no light in the kingdom; it was full of darkness in the night and the only light was the gaze of the crimson moon.


    The creatures were roaming on the ground and there footsteps and growl could be heard inside the kingdom. The archers on their watch tower protecting the main gate and thick walls of the kingdom.


    Every archer had a bow infused with different talents.


    Few were sleepy but mostly, they were awake like an owl. The archers changed their duty during day and night time. The archers which worked during night time often go to sleep during day time; barely giving time to their family.


    With the growl of the creatures, voices of the trees and the insects could be heard easily.


    Lucien was sound sleep and like this, the whole night passed.


    The morning sun came and it''s rays slowly gazed upon the face of Lucien. He opened his eyes and the first thing he saw was the rising sun looking down him.


    "Ah, so you finally arrived. " he murmured.


    He tied his long white hairs and saw a mirror near the door. When he came inside the room last night; he didn''t look around much because he was sleepy and tired.


    He went near the mirror as to look inside the world inside the mirror. He could see his reflection, his pale white skin, white hairs, black eyes and his armor and other clothings and the sword.


    He looked closer and found that his facial hairs were growing slowly.


    Just a few minutes passed and Lucien was still looking in the mirror and he heard a knocking on his door.


    This time, the knocking was not violent but smooth. He even heard a voice, the voice of the owner of the inn.


    " Sir, I have brought you hot water to wash your face. May I come in? ".


    A single word came out of Lucien''s mouth, " Yes. ".


    The door opened again with the keeekkkk! sound.


    Right infront of him was the fat and sweety owner of the inn. The owner placed water on the table near his bed.


    The water was clean and transperant like it never touched dirty things. The water was inside a wooden bucket and the owner also bringed a towel.


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The owner further asked, " May I bring your breakfast inside your room? ".


    First, Lucien was confused because he could have breakfast in the hall but the owner didn''t gave him that option. But after few seconds, he started hearing voices of people from the hall.


    There were more costumers.


    The owner was looking at the expressionless silent Lucien''s face and then, after few more seconds, he spoke.


    "Yes.".


    The owner smiled and went outside to bring him his breakfast.


    Lucien went near the hot water to wash his face and his reflection was clear inside the water, more clear than it was in the mirror.


    He put his both palms inside the water in a way so that the water could come on both of his hands; he pulled his hands and poured the hot water on his face.


    The water was not very hot but not very cold. The hotness was able to overwhelm the coldness of the water but the temperature, it was quite perfect.


    After washing his face, he used the towel to wash away the remaining traces of water from his face and heard the sound of the door opening.


    keeeekkkk!!


    He was standing with his back towards the door and moved his head slightly and his eyes to see who opened the door.


    It was the owner; he brought the breakfast of Lucien.


    The owner placed the wooden tray full of Lucien''s breakfast on his bed and took his leave and said, "Enjoy your breakfast. " while bowing down.


    Lucien looked at his smile which annoyed him the most.


    He sat on the bed and saw that the wooden tray contained a glass of Ale, brown bread with some butter, a boiled egg and few grapes.


    Lucien finished the breakfast and went down in the hall. There were people all around with lots of chatter and Lucien was annoyed by it.


    He went towards the main door but was stopped by the owner''s voice.


    "Sir, our servant will lead you to your wagon. ".


    Lucien nodded his head.


    All the peoples were enjoying their drinks and food but the way they were wasting most of it; Lucien was annoyed from it.


    The servant came and when Lucien looked at his face, it was expressionless and there was no life on it. Dead pale skin with no brightness.


    He murmured, "Oh, the servant talent. ".


    Servant Talent was among the most common talent used by buisnessman and in the royal families to create lifeless servant. These servant can work 24/7 without any complaining and work with the best efficiency. The origin of this talent is unknown.


    The servant and Lucien, both walked towards the main door of the inn and when the servant was going to open it, it opened automatically.


    The reality was that it did not open automatically but someone else opened it from outside.


    A big figure was standing infront of the servant and Lucien. It was wearing the metal armor on his body with a big bow rested on it''s right shoulder. There was neither a back quiver nor any arrows. The figure was taller than Lucien and was more menacing and muscular. The armor was shining brightly and at the center of the armor was the symbol of the sun. The figure was none other than the current commander of the Archery unit of the king''s army of this kingdom.


    His face was not covered by any helmet.


    Lucien looked at it''s face and despite he was a commander; there was no scar on his face. His skin was light brown and his eyes, they were big which matched with the big size of his nose.


    He had black facial hairs covering most of his cheeks and his moustache, it stand alone despite the beard.


    He was clearly in his early 30s but despite that, he was made a commander and that was magnificent.


    His long ponytail black hairs made his look more majastic.


    But Lucien didn''t know about his position in the royal army and without any greetings or showing any respect, he passed through the gate on his way to the wagon.


    The commander looked at him by moving his eyes towards him while walking in the inn.


    Everyone who were in the inn stood up and bowed against him to show him respect and even the owner.


    The owner said to him, "Welcome back, commander Ervis. ".


    From the words of the owner, it was clear that he was a regular costumer and Lucien heard his words loud and clear.


    He was outside of the inn and the bright sun gazed upon him with it''s full might.


    Lucien ignored the sun and the people and the flower shops around him and walked behind the servant to his wagon.


    The servant took him behind the inn from a wide path; enough to contain 2 wagons in it.


    Behind the inn was a stable or can say, a barn. There were many wagons parked inside the barn. The servant showed him his wagon and went back to the inn.


    It was made up of pine wood and it''s structure was like any normal barn. A thatched roof with hay inside it to feed the animals. It also had a compostion of mud in the wooden parts.


    Lucien went inside his wagon through the back door of it and again saw the pile of weapons and armors inside it. He was short on money; he needed it but he did not know the price of those armors and weapons and where to sell them.


    He started searching; searching for any kind of information that the old merchant had left inside the wagon.


    He searched for around few minutes, checking inside and below every piece of armor, weapon, in the dark corner of the wagon even though the sun was shining with all it''s might and he finally found it what he was looking for, a ledger book.


    He opened it and found the writing of the merchant.


    The ledger book was made up of the skin of either sheep or goat and the covering was of cheap leather. It contain approx 20 pages and it was the size of an adult palm.


    The writing was of charcoal and water based cheap ink.


    He started reading it and found the price and the place to sell these armors.


    The armors were mostly chainmail hauberk but very few of them were full plate armor.


    Each armor set was enfused with a talent.


    The weapons were couple of spears, bows, arrows and swords. Each weapon had different talent.


    There was two ways to sell these armors and weapons:


    First to sell them in the local market through which Lucien could earn the real currency(copper coin, silver coin and gold coin).


    Second was to sell it in the global market through which he could earn the MOC.


    MOC in this world stands for monster originated coins but most of the people called them moc coins.


    MOC coins only worked in the global market and could only be used to buy the things available in the golbal markets.


    There was another way to obtain moc coins, hunt down the monsters which came during crimson and black nights. The stronger the monster, more the moc coins one was rewarded with.


    These moc coins were of golden color with the shine of their own and in the center of them, was written MOC. Their size was same as the modern era coins but there thickess was around 3 modern era coins and they were obtained digitally inside the crimson window.


    The best way for Lucien was to sell them through local market because he was in need of real currency.


    He was ready to go to the local marked but then heard a voice from behind, "Stay right there! ".


    He froze and thoughts starting running in his head about the identity of that person who''s voice he heard.


    ''Who is it, a thief? '' he thought and the voice further said, " Turn towards me slowly. ".


    He started turning towards him and what he saw, he didn''t expect.

 Chapter 5. Darkness Is Everywhere

    It was the time of sun rise and the sun¡ªit was slowly bestowig it''s gaze upon the world who''s destiny was unknown. The stained mountain, they were shining with the crimson light as the morning sun is often red-orange.


    The stained forest were happy to recieve the sunlight and the birds living on those stained forest; they were singing their own songs unknowm to mankind.


    The waterfall¡ªit was falling with it''s own might and the water currents, they were telling their own stories to the surrounding.


    Lucien was ready to go the place written on the page to sell the armors and weapons. He looked around¡ªa royal horse with carriage. He underatood that who was the owner of that horse with carriage.


    Then, he heard a voice.


    "Stay right there! ".


    His mind started running with thoughts, ''Wait, a robber? ''.


    The voice further speak, " Slowly turn around! ".


    Lucien listened and slowly turned around and thought, ''Ah, so a robber. ''.


    It was an armed robber and these types of activities were quite common in this time period.


    The robber said, " Give me all your valuables if you do not want to die! ".


    Lucien remained silent and still like a wall. He did not move even a single muscle¡ªthough his skills were enough to kill 100 robbers like that.


    Lucien was waiting¡ªeither for something or someone.


    The robber further spoke, " Do you not love your life!!? ".


    Lucien remained silent and still again, no expression and no movements.


    A squirrel passed by them¡ªno movement.


    A few minutes passed and the robbers expression turned to irritation and he started moving towards Lucien slowly.


    He was holding a dagger. It was very sharp, Lucien could see it''s sharpness.


    The robber came closer to Lucien but was still maintaining his distance because Lucien had his sword.


    Lucien''s hands were up but still, why take a risk?


    Few minutes more passed and a smile came on Lucien''s face.


    Robber spoke with anger, "The fuck, why are you smiling!? ".


    Lucien remained silent and the robber, he heard a breathe behind him.


    He slowly turned back and a man, taller than both of them¡ªa bow rested on his shoulder.


    The armor had the symbol of the sun and his mighty aura was enough to speak of his strength and status¡ªa commander.


    He was the same commander who entered the inn when Lucien was about to leave it and the royal horse with carriage also belonged to him.


    The commander grabbed the face of the thief and pulled him in the air¡ªhe was now floating in the air.


    The grip was so hard that the pain made him loose his grip on the dagger; it fell on the ground.


    Lucien''s hands down¡ªlooking at the scene with calm expressions.


    He thought, '' Sometime, using mental power is better than using physical. ''.


    Lucien could easily annihilate the robber by himself, but he wanted to act as a weak merchant only.


    Commander called the guard, who were nearby and the guards took the robber with them.


    Commander spoke, "Are you fine? ".


    His voice, it was very deep. It had no arrogancy, more like a voice of someone who has experienced many hardships.


    Lucien spoke, " Yes, I am alright, sir. ".


    A smile came on the commanders face but the reason¡ªit was unknown. Commander spoke, " You can call me commander Ervis. ".


    Lucien knew that already, but he acted like he didn''t.


    He said with a soft voice(though his voice was deep too), " Yes, commander Ervis. ".


    Commander further asked, " What is your name? ".


    At first, Lucien thought, ''Why is he getting so clingy? '' but then, a plan came up in his mind.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    He replied, " Medivas. ".


    Even though his real name was Lucien Vale, but he used a fake name to keep his identity hidden.


    The commander asked, " Medivas and? ".


    He was trying to ask his surname too but Lucien, he had no surname to tell. He kept his mouth shut for few seconds and spoke, " I am sorry, but my grandfather has restricted me from telling my surname to anyone.".


    Commander spoke, " Your grandfather? ".


    There was a silent among them after that for few seconds, they could even hear the birds chirping out of the kingdom walls.


    Commander spoke, " You see young man, the wagon behind you belongs to my old friend, Mediv. He often come in the kingdom around this time but I didn''t see him around yet. ".


    Lucien was put into deep thoughts because a concidence occurred just now. Lucien got that wagon from an old merchant he killed and now he learned that, that the old merchant''s name was Mediv which was similar to the made up name.


    He replied, " Wait, so you are that friend of my grandfather? ".


    Commander''s eyes widened, he opened his mouth to speak and asked, " How can that be... he never told me about his son or daughter or a grandson. He told me that he had none. ".


    A smile came on Lucien''s mouth and he speak, " That is because my grandfather always wanted to keep my identity hidden. You see, my father and mother, both belonged to different kingdom and when they married each other¡ªmany people in anger tried to kill them and after I was born, they successfully murdered them both and after that, my grandfather had took care of me. To save me from those people, he keep my identity hidden. ".


    A sadden expression came on the commander''s face, not because of the sorrowful death of Medivas'' parents¡ªbut because that his old friend didn''t trust him enough.


    He asked, " So where is your grandfather now? ".


    Lucien developed a sad expression on his face and said with a cracking voice, " You see, my grandfather.. he.... he just passed away last weak. ".


    Commander was now put into despair because he never thought that, that could be possible. He didn''t say any word for few minutes, there was silence between them.


    After few minutes silence, he spoke, " But.. but how? ".


    Lucien started explaining, "It was a crimson moon night and my grandfather heard a voice, a voice of my father from outside. He couldn''t control himself and went outside¡ªthough I tried to stop him. The moment he opened the gate, the mimicri monster came and slaughter him. I tried to protect him but as soon as I cut down the monster, he was dead. ".


    Lucien''s expression more sad from before, fake tears in his eyes.


    A mimicri monster is a monster which mimicri the voice of those who were/are very precious to us to lead it''s prey out of it''s den. It looks exactly like a skinny man with long hands and his body is covered by black furs with white bright two eyes with no life.


    Commander''s expressions were even sadder than that of Lucien''s.


    Tears started running down his cheeks¡ªthough Lucien''s tears were long gone.


    The commander spoke after clearing his tears, "So that is why you are taking care of your grandfather''s buisness now? ".


    Lucien spoke with a firm voice, " Yes! ".


    Commander offered him his condolence.


    Lucien just wanted to go to the local market and sell all the armors.


    Commander spoke, " I will guide you to the local market. ".


    It was even better for Lucien because he was just going to ask for the way to the citizens of this kingdom but now, a commander was going to guide him.


    Lucien''s eyes widened and his mouth open with the expression of happiness¡ªthough it was all fake. He nodded in approval and both of them get on their rides and went towards the local market.


    On their way, Lucien saw more people than before and more shops¡ªthough mostly were flower and cloths shop.


    Lucien could hear the chatter of the people; the most annoying thing to him. The commander was silent¡ªlost in the memories of his old friend.


    After a ride of half an hour, both of them arrived at the local market.


    The market was full of weapons, armors and orbs.


    Orbs are the source of talent through which even a commoner can control talent in the form of magic.


    You can think of an orb as a grimoire. All the orbs are silver in color and their size vary according to the amount of power they can produce.


    The noise of people was even more here¡ªthough Lucien knew that but still, it was annoying him more.


    He found the place rented by Mediv to sell his stuff and he parked his wagon nearby to it.


    His surroundings; everything was made up of cheap wood. A large sign board on every shop with their name. The design of every shop was similar to each other.


    Lucien opened the backdoor of the wagon and started taking out the stuff to sell.


    Commander also get off his ride and started helping Lucien¡ªthough he didn''t expect that.


    Few of the things also caught his eyes but he didn''t speak yet.


    Lucien successfully arranged all the armors and weapons in the shop¡ªit was not very big.


    It was cube in shape and the volume was 27m3.


    The walls, ceiling and the floor were made up of wood.


    The commander himself check some bows and he found few interesting.


    Lucien was noticing everything and knew that if he convinced the commander, he can earn some good profit.


    He asked, "Do you like anything, commander Ervis? ".


    Commander answered, " Yeah, I like few bows. ".


    He said, " You were my grandfather''s old friend, I can give you those bows for free. ".


    The commander paused for a second because Mediv himself never provided such service to him.


    He replied, " No, even though I was his friend I can not do that. I will pay the amount. ".


    Lucien''s heart was smiling as if he succeeded.


    His plan was simple, first to make commander feel special then to sell him the bows in higher price.


    He said, " Ah, okay, but still I will give you some good discount. ".


    The commander smiled and showed him a bow he liked the most. It''s color was crimson¡ªit matched the color of the crimson moon.


    Lucien opened the ledger book and checked it''s price and the talent, 13 gold coins and electric infinity talent.


    He said to commander, "Commander Ervis, it''s talent is electric infinity. You can launch infinite amount of arrows from it and every arrow will be made up of electricity. ".


    Commander''s eyes widened and a smile on his face, he spoke, " That''s what I was searching for! ".


    Lucien thought, '' Caught a good fish. ''.


    Commander asked, " What is it''s price? ".


    Lucien answered, " 27 gold coins but for you, only 17 gold coins. ".


    Gold coins were the most expensive form of currency during that period and to cut down 10 gold coins from the original price in the form of discount, it was really a big thing.


    17 gold coins were of no importance to the Commander.


    He payed the price to Lucien and Lucien sold the bow.


    Few hours passed and just like that, the evening came once again.


    The commander was gone and Lucien, he sold most of the things and earned a good profit. He was able to scam the commander but he knew that it was impossible to scam these commoners as they all know of these tricks.


    He in total earned 54 gold coins, 231 silver coins and 432 copper coins which in total accounts for 71 gold coins(1). He was at the level of low-tier noble now. Lucien really didn''t think that he could earn this much.


    There were still a few armors left to sell and he decided to call it a day.


    He loaded his wagon with the remaining stuff and went back to the inn.


    On the way, he came near a dark street, the street was full of darkness, no light¡ªas if it wanted to devour anyone near to it.


    Lucien heard a scream¡ªscream of a woman from the street. Even though it was dark, Lucien could see inside it what was going on.


    Couple of men violating a woman and her body. She screamed for help but no one, no one dare to help her.


    At first, Lucien thought, ''What good can I get from helping a lady? ''.


    His mind filled with thoughts and he gave a sigh.


    He got off his wagon and went inside the street. Every person''s gaze upon him as if he was marching to his death.


    The men violating the woman looked towards at him¡ªeach of them carrying a rusted dagger.


    Everyone of them charged at Lucien and Lucien''s eyes¡ªthey were fixed at the pitiful condition of the woman, ripped clothes, wounds on her face and body, nose bleed.


    He unsheethed his sword and in the next moment, those men fell on the ground with their head separated from their body.


    His gaze still fixed at the woman who was crying while covering her body with her hands. Her long brown hairs, brown pretty eyes, her fair skin, her body enough to make any man go mad and she was really beautiful. From her clothes, Lucien was clear that she was a noble. She was wearing chemise(2) as an upper layer, Bliaut(3), a cloak and wimple and vier(4) ¡ªthough they were ripped now.


    Lucien took off his cloak and put it on that lady to hide her exposed body.


    She was still crying but she wanted to thank him¡ªthough her voice not coming out.


    Lucien without any thought, grabbed her hands, he could feel the warmth of her hands but he had no interest. His heart was beating at the normal pace; as though he had no interest in a woman.


    He pulled the woman a little to make her stand up and walked her out of the darkness of the street to the light of the gaze of the setting sun.


    The autumn winds made her messy hair flow with them and the hair strands touched the face of Lucien¡ªhe was once again irritated and let go of her hand.


    Everyone were froze at their places as they saw Lucien and the lady coming out alive from the darkness of that street.


    Lucien''s eyes staring those people¡ªas if telling them to not look at the woman with those eyes or they must pay for it with their life.


    The stare scared those people and everyone went on their own way.


    Lucien looked at her face¡ªstill crying. Lucien gave a sigh but he knew that it was not her mistake.


    There was someone familiar standing infront of him, commander Ervis with widened eyes¡ªas though he recognized the lady.


    _________________________________________


    (1) If we take, 1 gold coin=15 silver coins


    1 silver coin = 15 copped coins,


    therefore,


    231 silver coins = 15.4 gold coins


    432 copper coins = 28.8 silver coins= 1.92 gold coins


    adding all,


    54 + 15.4 + 1.92 = 71.32, approx 71 gold coins.


    (2)Chemise: A soft linen or silk long-sleeved gown worn as an inner layer.


    (3)Bliaut: A fitted, long-flowing gown made of silk, wool, or fine linen, often with a tight waist and flared sleeves.


    (4)Wimple and Veil: A cloth wrapping that covered the head and neck (for modesty).

 Chapter 6. Reality Is Darkness Itself

    The time of dusk arrived, the crimson rays gazing upon Lucien were gone but there was light. The autumn winds were blowing with their speed of own.


    Lucien''s eyes were heavy¡ªas if they were begging him to go to bed already.


    Lucien saved the woman and took her out of that street fulled of darkness and the intentions of the devils.


    With his stare, all the people on the street stopped looking at her¡ªgoing there own way but there was someone, someone strong in front of Lucien who was not staring at the woman¡ªbut at him.


    Lucien looked at his face¡ªcommander Ervis.


    Before Ervis could say anything, Lucien spoke.


    "Commander Ervis, before you go to any kind of conclusion, please go in that street and look from your own eyes. ".


    Lucien was no more grabbing the woman''s hand and she was hiding behind Lucien; not looking at the person Lucien was talking to.


    She had covered her ears and didn''t hear the commander''s name.


    Ervis listened to Lucien and went inside the street full of darkness.


    The sky was shining with the magenta color and there was the crescent moon.


    Lucien looked above the sky¡ªto the crescent moon; the black moon. The moon was slowly turning black.


    He murmured, "Ah, so a black moon night. ".


    The woman heard him and looked above the sky, it was her first time looking at a black moon¡ªshe found it really horrific and it scared her this much that he grabbed Lucien''s right hand with both of her hands.


    Lucien''s face was still above but he slightly moved his eyes towards the woman and sighed.


    Commander slowly walked inside the street and his left foot touched something wet.


    In the street, there was darkness, darkness everywhere but commander always carried a candle with flint and steel.


    He placed the candle on the ground and struck the flint and still together couple of time to ignite the spark; the candle catched the fire.


    Now there was lighting by the gaze of the candle everywhere¡ªthere was only blood and the corpses of those men.


    Commander''s eyes widened, he couldn''t believe that a normal grandson of a normal merchant was able to do this.


    The thing which surprised him the most was the sliced head of those men. Only a perfect swordsman could slice like this.


    He could smell the blood and he too looked above the sky¡ªthe upcoming black moon.


    It terrified him to the deepest point of his body, he started sweeting. Without wasting any moment, he called his fellow soldiers and commanded them to clean it quickly.


    Couple of soldiers came with their own weapon, sword, spear and bow.


    They started cleaning it and even commoners started helping them.


    Lucien was watching all this and the woman was trembling and still holding his hand.


    The commander came out and said with his heavy voice, "Lucien, you did a great job. Not all have the courage to save a woman against these types of scum. ".


    Lucien remained silent. Commander''s eyes looked at the woman hiding behind Lucien.


    She peeked a little to look at commander''s face because to her, his voice was familiar.


    Commander said, " Lady Emily, it is all okay. I am commander Ervis, I will accompany you to your home. ".


    Her eyes widened, tears started running down her cheeks, her expression changed to happiness.


    She left the side of Lucien and hugged commander and started crying.


    Lucien murmured, " Lady? ".


    Commander asked, " Is there anything wrong? ".


    He nodded in denial and said, " Well, now excuse me. ".


    Lucien went to his wagon and went towards the inn. The commander was still looking him¡ªat his sword which he always carried.


    The darkness was coming way too fast, the might already arrived¡ªfull black night with the gazes of twinkling starts and no moon.


    Actually, there was a moon but it camouflaged with the dark sky and clouds.


    Lucien could now hear the voices of the monsters, there footsteps and rampages.


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    During the black moon night, monsters would hunt each other down because of their hunger. Their hunger would increase tremendously that it forces them to even eat their own kinds.


    All of the street suddenly became silent and as the time passed, the streets were filled of loneliness. Couple of minutes ago when there were people on the street¡ªbut now, all were gone and there was only the silence and Lucien and his wagon.


    The sound of the rampages grew stronger, it was like they were trying to destroy the walls surrounding the kingdom.


    Lucien looked towards the tower of the archer and the archers were shooting there arrow at a particular place.


    They carried no quiver and had different kinds of talent, from ice arrow to flame arrow and more different kinds but each of their bow had a command talent, infinity.


    It was a talent through which their bow can create infinite arrows and they didn''t need any arrow for that.


    Lucien was sure that the monsters were really trying to come inside the kingdom because there was still a little scent left of the blood of those men and because of their increased sense of smell, they could smell it.


    Lucien arrived infront of his inn whose door was close and there was silence around it too.


    He got off his ride and knocked the door.


    Knock! knock! knock!


    The door slowly opened with a keeeekkk! sound and again, there was him, the fat sweety owner of the inn welcoming Lucien.


    Lucien''s time of remaining in the inn was already up as he only payed to remain for one day.


    The owner said, "I am really sorry sir, but your time is already up. However, you can extend it for any number of days you like. ".


    There was no expressions on Lucien''s face as he realised that already before coming.


    He payed the owner 14 silver coins and rented a private room with luxury meal for 2 whole days.


    The owner again welcomed him and sent his servants to park his wagon. He went inside the inn, the candles were still shining brightly as if they never melt.


    Again, there was no one around except him, the owner and few of his self made servant.


    He said, "I would like to eat dinner and after that, I want you to send me some hot water so that I can wash my face. ".


    The owner said, " As you command, sir. ".


    Lucien sat on of the table to wait for his food. His seat was near to the stairs, he looked around and there was only light and darkness in the corners. Lucien could hear a sound, sound of someone fighting.


    The sound was coming inside from a shared room on the 1st floor. From the sound it was clear that they were fighting to sleep on a particular side of the bed.


    Lucien gave a sigh and murmured, "We humans, we carry an abyss within us¡ª


    A darkness deeper than the night itself.


    We do not learn from our mistakes,


    Yet we are quick to cast blame upon others,


    As if our sins weigh less when shared.".


    He rests his head on the table, exhaustion pulling him into a quiet slumber.


    The sound grew stronger, as if the argument turned to physical violence. The owner sent his servant to look what was happening and to silence them.


    A few minutes passed and the servant didn''t return. Lucien pulled back his head and looked towards the owner and suddenly, the owner felt a little shock.


    Only those with the talent to summon servants can feel this shock. They feel it when there servant dies or someone kill it.


    Suddenly, Lucien heard 2 people murmuring something and coming down the stairs with very violent aura. He looked towards the stairs and they were those people who were arguing a few minutes ago.


    They came with shouting at the owner, "Is this the kind of service you provide to your costumer, huh!? ".


    They were 2 men and each of them had dark circles below there eyes, there skin was pale as if it was dead.


    There messy long black hairs made there look even more creepy.


    They were wearing the full plate armor, as if they were mercenary. Each of them carrying a battle axe at their back and they were quite muscular.


    There voice was heavy but not as Lucien and the commander Ervis.


    The owner spoke, "There are other costumers too and I have to think of their comfort too, sir. ".


    Those men looked at Lucien as if casting their bloodlust on him but Lucien felt nothing. There brown eyes staring Lucien and Lucien''s eyes staring on them.


    One of those pointed at Lucien and asked, " Is this the costumer you are talking about!? ".


    The owner remained silent and that man came down the stairs and a sound was coming out of the floor at each step.


    keeekkkk!


    That man walked towards Lucien were murmuring something. Lucien''s eyes were heavy, he just wanted to sleep.


    That man grabbed Lucien by his hairs using his right hand and asked, "Do you know who the fuck am I!? ".


    Lucien remained silent¡ªcontrolling his actions and anger.


    The man slapped Lucien and at this point, Lucien thought, ''If the world demands I embrace the darkness,


    If fate itself tempts me toward sin,


    If the deeds of others carve a path of ruin,


    Then tell me¡ªwhy should I not walk it?''.


    He grabbed the man''s right hand using his own right hand and Lucien''s grip was so tight that man felt intense pain.


    He screamed, "You.. leave my hand! ".


    He screamed in pain again and again and Lucien, he increased his grip every second and few seconds later, Lucien broke his hand.


    Lucien was looking at him¡ªdead into his. The owner, the man and his friend could feel the bloodlust out of Lucien.


    He cried in pain as his hand was broken.


    He took few steps back, his friend said, "Hey, chill. We were just kidding. ".


    Lucien spoke, "A simple jest can wound the heart,


    Yet we stand blind, unsure of blame¡ª


    Is it the one who spoke in jest,


    Or the one who took it to pain?


    But truth lies not in fault nor name,


    For it is the moment itself to blame.".


    But they couldn''t understand Lucien''s words as his words were too complex for their tiny minds to understand it.


    Lucien draw his sword, making them fell on their knees with just his aura.


    They started begging, "Please, we are sorry. We were mistaken, we were the wrong, please spare our life. ".


    Lucien spoke, "At times, it is not the act but the moment that holds true weight.


    Sometimes, an action may deepen the wound rather than heal.


    And sometimes, time itself stands against you.


    Instead of seeking forgiveness too late,


    Let us learn to honor time before it turns away.".


    Again, none could understand his words but only him. He walked towards them and from the fear, they pissed there pants. Tears running down there dead pale skin.


    Lucien walked towards him and he crawled back with fear.


    He crawled this much that he was now in the legs of his other friend who also came down the stairs.


    Both of them were crying, they begged him continuously to spare their life.


    Lucien was looking at them and sheethed his sword back¡ªhe lost his interest.


    They took the moment to importance and ran back to their room with full might.


    At every step, the floor gave the sound keeeekkk!.


    Lucien looked at the owner and asked, "Is the dinner not ready yet? ".


    The owner was surprised to see such bloodlust from him. For few seconds he remained silent and froze at one moment but then when he understand his words, he said, " Yes.. yes.. yes just give me few minutes more. ".


    Lucien came back to his table and sat at his chair.


    His mind was overflowing with thoughts but his eyes were not supporting his mind. He could feel the weight of his eyes.


    He sighed again and heard a sound, the sound of the main door opening of the inn.


    Keeekkkk!


    Someone else also came in the inn. None expected that, neither the owner nor the Lucien.

 Chapter 7. Showing Concern Is Wrong?

    Commander Ervis arrived in the royal area of the kingdom. The woman Lucien saved was belonged to a royal family of the kingdom. She was the eldest daughter of that family.


    He came to accompany her to her home and it was very big. It resembled the castle and was made up of premium quality of stones and wood.


    Ervis knocked at the door which was a wooden door itself. The royal area was very beautiful. There were shops around too but all were close as it was the black moon night.


    There was silence all around the area.


    The royal area was separated from the palace and the area of a commoners through moat(1). Over the moat was a wooden bridge guarded by the guards so that no commoner could enter the royal area.


    A servant opened the door for commander Ervis and the woman. She was fat, very fat, just like the owner of the inn. Her clothes were that of maid but they were not for her fat body. It was like they were going to be torn apart any second. Her breasts were standing out¡ªthought it was just cuz of obesity and the size of the clothes. In any sense; she was not attractive.


    The servant greeted the woman and commander and bowed against them.


    Commander spoke to her in a firm voice, "Can you call the owner of this house, lady? ".


    Just on his one command, she went inside the house to call the man of the house. From inside, the house was very beautiful. Red carpet all around and right infront of the main door was stairs which after few steps separated into two other steps leading to the same floor.


    There were candles lighten up all around. Some other servants were also visible, mostly female.


    Commander Ervis could not get a proper view as he was standing out of the house. After waiting for few minutes, the man of the house¡ªher father arrived.


    His eyes widened after he saw his daughter''s condition.


    He asked, "What the hell happened with you, Emily!? ".


    Emily could not answer as she was sobing. Commander looked at her pitiful sight and spoke on her behalf, "Sir, let me explain please. ".


    Her father looked at commander, his expressions showed concern and anger, both.


    He said, " Yes, please! ".


    Commander explained everything to him about what happened to Emily and what not. Her father had big moustache and no beard. His moustache was the only thing which stand out the most. His hairs very short but every strand arranged in very systematic order.


    He was wearing tunic(2) and robe(3) made up of silk with gold embroidery. It was of purple color. It also had fur lines and a belt with ornate buckles(4) was worn around the waist.


    He was also wearing fur lining cloak and it was fastened with gold brooches(5).


    He was wearing an ermine cape(6) for luxury.


    He was wearing white gloves on hand made up of silk.


    A gemstone ring and decorative brooche(7) and a soft leather boot on both foot.


    His voices was deep and heavy, more than Commander Ervis.


    He was shocked to hear what happened with Emily¡ªnot because she was his daughter but because if that spread around the royal area, his reputation would be turned to dust.


    Right at that moment, a tighten his heart and slapped Emily with full force. The impact was so great that she fell on the ground and started crying heavily.


    Commander could not do anything against it because almost all the royal familes¡ªeven the king''s family treated women like that.


    Not even the royal family, commoners also treated women just to satisfy themself¡ªthat was the position of women in that time period.


    It was clear that Emily was going to be kicked out of the house and left alone to rot alone¡ªor to become a prey of another group of men.


    Her father said many cursed words to her in anger that at one point, commander covered his own ears.


    He started kicking her with his right leg¡ªhe was skinny but not much.


    At this point, commander Ervis realised that if he didn''t restrain her father now, then he would kill her before kicking her out.


    Commander used his strength and using both of his hands, restrained the skinny body of her father. He was still cursing her.


    "You fucking whore, how could you let such thing happened to yourself. You do not care of your father''s reputation!? Huh!!?? ".


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    Commander wanted to cover his ears but he could not, he had to restrain him.


    Emily was a very good person from the young age. She took care of everyone, helped her mother in every kind of work she could but she was never of any importance to her family¡ªonly her big brother was. But she never hated it; she loved her big brother.


    At this point, seeing her father''s reaction; she was broke from inside and could only wish for her brother to arrive at this place.


    Whether it was her luck or a mere coincidence, her brother arrived.


    He heard everything already and now was looking at the miserable condition of Emily.


    To her surprise, rather than stopping her father, he joined him. He grabbed Emily by her and pulled her up while cursing her. Ervis, who had only two hands restrained both the father and the brother.


    He looked at Emily as though telling her to run away. She understood his expressions and ran away with all her mighty whole crying.


    Even though she was gone, her father didn''t stop cursing her.


    Commander Ervis followed her. He found her crying at the corner of the bridge which linked the royal area and the commoners area.


    He neither had the authority nor any influence to change the system of the world but the only thing he could do for Emily¡ªprovide her comfort, shelter, clothes and food.


    He walked to her.


    She was sitting on the ground with arms wrapped around knees, head slightly down, and crying heavily.


    Commander Ervis sat on his knees right infront of her and patted her head.


    He said, " Child, I know that this world is cruel to you¡ªno, to your kind. But I know, I believe that there will be a time¡ªan era where you and your kind can be happy, can be equal. Do not lose hope and be strong, as time never stop for anyone. Just wait for your chance to come. ".


    She didn''t stop crying because what she saw was her loving father and brother becoming into monster, worse than those roaming the land.


    Somehow, commander calmed her down. The guards guarding the bridge was looking at her, at him. But the momemt commander looked at them, all of them moved their sight. There were atleast 3-4 guards guarding each side of the bridge.


    Commander said, "Follow me, little girl. I will provide you shelter, food, comfort amd clothes. ".


    Even though Emily was fully grown up, a 28 year old girl who was unmarried but despite that, she was a child to Ervis as he was quite older than her.


    Emily got up and started following him, her head slightly down and she was still crying.


    The autumn wind was blowing and moving her hairs in a uniform motion.


    Like this, they crossed the bridge and after walking for few more minutes, arrived infront of a building, an inn.


    It was the same inn in which Lucien was staying.


    Ervis grabbed the handle and checked whether it was open or not¡ªit was open.


    He opened it and it open with the keeeek!!! sound.


    Lucien was waiting for his meal to arrive and when the door opened, he looked back.


    His and commander''s sight saw each other but Lucien was not looking at him but the person standing behind him¡ªthe lady.


    Lucien showed no expression, no surprise. He just sat there like a calm man.


    Commander''s and the lady''s eyes widened after seeing him and Emily started crying more.


    The owner was looking at the scene with the expression of confusion as he was not aware of the current situation.


    Lucien got up from his chair and went to the lady¡ªhe wiped her tears.


    Commander started talking, "Medivas, you see, the thing is-".


    But before he could say anything, Lucien said, " You can explain the things later, commander. First, let her calm down a little. ".


    Commander could see that Medivas/Lucien was showing concern for Emily but he did not know that all of this was fake. He was pretty much aware of the current situation¡ªthe moment he helped Emily, he knew that all of this was going to happen because a royal family members always wears expensive things and her clothes were pretty much expensive.


    He knew that she will come back, come back to him somehow because she wanted to live.


    But how Lucien guessed all of that? Because Lucien was aware of the condition of women in the society, he knew that her father would kick her out to maintain his respect. He knew that she wanted to live because she, herself was aware of her situation and consequences¡ªdespite that she screamed for help.


    Lucien''s expressions were showing concern and sympathy for her but from inside, his heart was smiling as if he achieved something good, something very important.


    He made her sat on his chair and asked for a glass of water and in few seconds, it arrived. He offered her the glass and without any hesitation, she drank it all.


    Another came and she drank it all again, he asked for another but this time, she grabbed his hands and nodded in denial.


    Lucien himself sat on his knees and started wiping her tears with his right hand.


    He started talking, "I do not know your name, but I am aware of your plight. Fear not, for I shall stand by you in your time of sorrow¡ªI will be the guiding staff that steadies your path.".


    It was as if her pain was gone and her expressions changed, her face turned red, a blush was on her face. She covered her face with both of her hands but she was still sobbing.


    At this point, a normal man would give her some time but Lucien, he was different.


    He grabbed her head and hugged her.


    Commander tried to stop him, but it was too late. The owner himself was surprise.


    Her face turned more red, red like a tomato. But for some reason, she found comfort in his hands.


    A normal woman would push him away but she, she didn''t want him to let go.


    Everyone love savior, it is a normal human nature. You find comfort, feel safe in the hands of the one who once saved you from a very worst situation, a situation where you could have died. That''s what she was feeling, it was neither love nor affection but only gratitude but her gratitude was on a different level because his family, who she thought would understand her, acted like devils to her but a random someone who saved her and now was even providing her with help.


    After few minutes, Lucien let go of her and look dead into her eyes and questioned, "Say, I know your family has kicked you out but I can provide you a shelter in my room, do you want to? ".


    It was all of a sudden he asked this, she was caught off guard. But she had no other option because commander Ervis himself could not do anything for her.


    She knew that if she put a thought into this, she could hurt the pride of the one who saved her.


    In a few seconds, a single word came out of her mind which commander Ervis himself never expected nor the owner but Lucien, he did, "Yes! ".


    Her voice, it was soft, very soft. It was enough to melt down the heart of a normal man but Lucien, from inside he was laughing as if his plan was succesfully.


    A smile of charm came on Lucien''s face and he said, " Do not worry, I will take good care of you. ".


    Commander said, " Medivas, I am really thankful to you for providing her a shelter. You really are Mediv''s grandson. I will come everyday to check on her. ".


    Lucien thought, ''Bingo, two birds with one stone. ''.


    It was like Lucien was planning something big, very big.


    But what was that?


    The answer was in Lucien''s thoughts.

 Chapter 8. When Something Expected Becomes Most Unexpected

    Lucien''s thoughts were clear, he had a dream, a mission, a goal to fulfill. But what was his dream, goal, mission?


    That was something nobody, nobody except him knows.


    Emily was just a small key to fulfill his mission, a small path to his mission, a path which looked not much efficient but could be one of the most efficient.


    It was time for Lucien to expect something¡ªan arrival.


    Lucien said to Emily, "You can rest assure. I will take care of all your expenses. Just let me know if you want anything else. ".


    At this time period, it was extremely rare of a man to show such kindness to a woman and that is why commander and Emily could trust Lucien very easily.


    Emily spoke with her soft voice while trying not to stutter, " Yes.. yes I will. ".


    She had a smile on her face, a very beautiful and charming smile.


    The owner was looking at the whole scene, his cheeks red and a smile on his face too.


    Commander looked at him and asked, " Why are you smiling? ".


    Owner startled by the sudden question of commander Ervis and said with a stuttering voice, " No..Noth.. Nothing commander Ervis. ".


    Commander, Emily and Lucien, all three chuckled but from inside, Lucien had different plans for Emily.


    Lucien stood up, hold her left hand using his right hand and said, " Let me show you your own room. ".


    He said to owner, " I want one more room for her. ".


    Owner said, " Yes! Of course! Come, I will show you the best room! ".


    Lucien further said, " I want her room to be beside my room so that I can be available for her at any time. ".


    There was a smile on her face¡ªa smile of gratitude or a smile of affection towards Lucien, that was a good question to ask.


    She stood up while holding hands with Lucien and then, all of them heard a voice.


    BYANG!


    It was like something heavy, something mighty collapsed on the ground.


    All of them were startled by the sudden noise but Lucien, he was just faking it.


    He was waiting for this sound for a while now.


    He said to himself in his thoughts, ''Yes, finally. Finally the moment came.! ''.


    Lucien said to Emily, "Stay inside. Let us go and check. ".


    Lucien was about to go but Emily grabbed his hand, her facial expressions changed from happiness to worry and she said with her same soft and charming voice, " Please take care. ".


    It''s been quite a while since Lucien heard these words.


    He smiled and said, " Please do not worry, I will take care. ".


    She left his hand and Lucien went outside with the commander and the owner to check.


    Lucien was sure about the reason of the sound but he had to act¡ªact to prove that he didn''t.


    They opened the door of the inn and the same sound came, keeekkk!


    They looked outside and their eyes widened, it was like their eyes were going to pop out. The main door, the door made up of finest iron, gold and silver was laying on the ground. It was like something, something unnatural did that.


    An abnormal cold breeze was blowing, they could feel an unnatural cold around them. They could hear the screams of the people, rage of the soldiers, clashes of weapons, cries of those who were experiencing death.


    It was the black moon night, it was already midnight.


    In the black moon night, the night passes 2 times faster but the monster''s strength increases 10 times, all their stats increases 10 times.


    The sky was already dark blue. The moon camouflaged with the sky in such a way that it never existed.


    All three of them could hear the running sounds of beasts inside the kingdom, because the main door was laying on the ground and the monsters were being attracted by the scent of the blood of those who were dead by getting curshed by the main door.


    It was an outbreak, outbreak of all the monsters roaming the ground around the kingdom.


    Only few words came out of commander''s mouth, "What the hell is this? ".


    The owner was on his knees because right infront of him was his death¡ªhis death coming in large amount inside the kingdom.


    But to Lucien, it was his plan¡ªhis plan succeeding.


    Owner ran inside the inn and tried to lock it but commander somehow grabbed the door and opened it.


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    He said, "There''s no point in staying in this inn anymore! ".


    He took the owner and the woman and decided to go towards a safer place. He also advised the same thing to Lucien and he followed him.


    The whole ground in the commoners area was turned red, only the royalties were given priority.


    It was commander''s friendship towards Lucien that he saved the owner, Emily and Lucien.


    They could hear several monsters running behind them. Those monsters were of pale green color, running with their hands and legs. Their hands and legs were longer than their body.


    They had no fur, only pale green rotten skin.


    Two eyes, one mouth, one nose, two ears, horrifying smile.


    One of those monsters jumped on them and commander was carrying Emily and the owner, so it was impossible for him to slice it down.


    Lucien had no choice but to draw his sword and slice all of them down. In just a blink of an eye, all of them were annihilated by Lucien.


    Commander''s, Emily''s and owner''s eyes wide opened. They were too surprised to see such skills in Lucien.


    But before they could say anything, Lucien spoke, "Let''s move ahead. We can''t waste our time anymore. ".


    But before commander could take a step ahead, Lucien again spoke, " Commander, please take care of Emily and the owner. I.. I just cannot leave these innocent people behind. I cannot let them die, cannot ignore their life. ".


    Commander wanted to stop Lucien from doing something too risky but at some point, he knew that these commoners life also matters. He knew that nobody was going to help them¡ªthey were a sacrifice to the kingdom.


    Commander tried to say something but then a smile came on Lucien''s face. Tears started running down Emily''s cheeks but she was holding back her voice.


    They knew that if they let Lucien go, he will most probably die. But they also knew that there was a chance that he could atleast protect few of them.


    They knew that if they tried to stop him, it would be totally selfish.


    But they also knew that in these moments, where your life flashes back before your eyes; being selfish is not wrong.


    It is a human nature to prioritise it''s own life before anyone else''s life unless those ''anyone else'' are your loved ones.


    Emily was going to speak but before that, Lucien went back. They were speachless, helpless standing there.


    Commander turned back and moved his feet. He was running to the royal area while carrying Emily and the owner on his shoulders.


    Lucien''s main purpose was something else through this outbreak.


    Lucien caused this outbreak all by himself.


    When he entered this kingdom, he had a plan.


    To succeed in that plan, this was his first step. This morning, he had already decided to kill couple of people; doesn''t matter innocent or guilty.


    But to his surprise, he found few men violating a woman.


    He also planned to find a royal woman and to gain her trust, get close to her slowly that at one point, she can trust him with her life and using her, she can become a royalty in this kingdom.


    His reason to become royalty in this kingdom was unknown.


    But through this outbreak, what he wanted to achieve?


    When he killed those men, he was carrying a flask and in that flask, he collected their blood.


    It''s been a decade since an outbreak occured in any kingdom in the world. He knew that because these kinds of news spread the fastest.


    Because of this, all the guards became careless and during the evening time, they always change places to let the other rest but during this time, the other guards always took their time and come quite late to close the gate and guard it. Meanwhile, those who were already guarding, go back to rest leaving the gate all alone for few minutes.


    Lucien noticed all that and used that opportunity.


    He filled the flask with their blood and came back to his inn.


    His inn was the closest to the main gate and before knocking on the door, he saw towards the gate, there was no guard, ''An opportunity. '' he thought.


    He went outside the gate and spilled some blood in a spot near the gate where the guards wouldn''t notice.


    He went to the nearest structure to the main gate which was a small house and spilled the rest of the blood behind it.


    He came back to the inn and knocked on the door and waited for the commander Ervis to come to him with Emily.


    All these events occured and the main door collapsed, causing the rampage of the monsters inside the kingdom.


    But despite all that, there was still a pawn left to his plan to succeed.


    He was waiting for that pawn to arrive.


    A decade ago, there was a very big kingdom, one of the biggest.


    A rampage occured in that kingdom too due to carlessness of a single soldier.


    That soldier went out on hunting to hone his skills.


    Monsters get turned to nothingness from the gaze of the sun and to hide from it''s gaze, few hide inside the very big forests where sun could not gaze, where no sunlight reach and that guard knew that very well and despite that, he entered inside the forest.


    He slaughter many monsters and his sword, it was stained red from the blood¡ªthe blade was totally stained red.


    He was riding on his horse and came back to kingdom but he did not sheethed his sword which resulted in drops of blood falling on the ground.


    It was already evening when he returned and the guards didn''t focus neither on his sword nor on the way he was walking. They closed the main door and waited for the next guards to arrive.


    In that kingdom, guards already guarding the gate had the duty to close the main gate.


    When those guards arrived, it was already night, a crimson moon was gazing upon the kingdom. The blood drops had a different shine from the gaze of the crimson moon and when other guards arrived, they saw those blood drops.


    A shiver ran down their spines, their legs had no strength, they fell on their knees and asked, "Hey, what is that!? "  with a scared, stuttering and cracking voice.


    The other guards saw the blood drops and they too, fell on their knees.


    They realised that it was already too late because the archers, they were shooting down something, their expressions showed death and nothing more¡ªonly and only death.


    They could hear footsteps of something, something mighty walking towards their kingdom. A single step from it was enough to shake the earth beneath and the entire kingdom.


    Even their supreme commander and the other commanders came to the gate to investigate.


    Even they saw the blood drops, a shiver ran down their spines too.


    It was coming closer to the main gate, the archers were screaming.


    The supreme commander and the commanders, all of them were confused and then, it came to the main gate, it was several times bigger than the main gate.


    It had black furs all of his body, pure white eyes.


    It was skinny but had the strength to lift the whole kingdom with all the houses and other structures build over it.


    It''s claws, they were sharper than any blade on the Earth. It was atleast 216 feet tall=65.84 meters.


    All the archers had different talents in their bows, from electric to fire, from ice to water.


    All of them launched millions of arrows on it but nothing worked.


    It''s body structure, it was neither human neither of any beast or animal.


    It was something, something different.


    It''s head it was bigger than it''s torso. It''s two eyes were bigger than it''s chest.


    It''s skull was of the shape of a cone, and had no neck.


    It''s torso was of a human, it'' legs were of humans but it''s hands, they were of beast, a beast from other planet.


    It was a symbol, a symbol of pure destruction.


    That night was the last night of that kingdom, nothing worked against it.


    It was later given a name, a name enough to scare anyone to his/her soul, The Butcher Of Souls.


    It was such a horrifying incident that for several years, there was no bloodshed and now, another kind of it, another Butcher Of Souls was standing right infront of Lucien, right above the collapsed main gate of the kingdom with it''s same creepy smile.

 Chapter 9. Miracle For The Sake Of Survival(1)

    The night was dark, black moon, dark blue sky. The winds were cold¡ªnot because of the autumn but there was a different, an abnormal coldness in the wind.


    There were screams all around; echoing in ears. Ramages all around; echoing in the ears. Battles all around; echoing in the ears.


    Lucien was calm, but happy at the same time. Nobody was around him, who were, they either ran away or died by the hands of the monster.


    He was all alone, most of the commoner''s area was already destroyed. But, he had a company, a company which nobody wants but he do.


    Right infront of him was that horrifying monster with the nickname, Butcher Of The Souls.


    Lucien''s eyes were heavy, as if he never slept.


    Lucien was looking above¡ªtowards the face of the monster.


    He said, "It''s time that we all start moving. ".


    Even though Lucien was alone, he used the word all.


    Butcher of the Souls, it was considered immortal. There was no one who have slain a Butcher Of The Souls but then came someone with a victory over this creature.


    When this creature destroyed it''s first kingdom a decade ago, right after that came someone.


    2 years had passed after that incident and someone was searching for that Butcher Of Souls. But who was it?


    In the kingdom where Lucien is currently staying, there is no supreme commander. But was it like this from the beginning?


    No. There was one but he died. How did died? That is because he went in the search of the Butcher Of Souls. But why?


    He had a younger brother and his brother died in the rampage of the Butcher Of Souls. To avenge him, he went in the search of the Butcher Of Souls.


    After the journey of 6 months, he found it.


    The name of the supreme commander was Ashkaris.


    He had no surname as he had no family but only a younger brother. Ashkaris never feared anything more than his brother''s death.


    Ashkaris was a very powerful and prideful commander. His strength was not of a human. He had a talent, very rare and destructive talent. His talent was that no one could match his weapon mastery. No matter what weapon his chose, whether a bow or a battle axe, no one could match his mastery.


    The moment he touched a weapon, he would learn everything about it.


    When he went to challenge the Butcher Of Souls, he was carrying the Guandao, a traditional Chinese polearm. It has a curved, single-edged blade mounted on a long handle, often associated with the legendary general Guan Yu from the Three Kingdoms period. The design and golden engravings on this particular Guandao give it a decorative, ceremonial look rather than a purely practical combat version.


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    His Guandao had it''s own unique talent, liquid.


    His Guandao could infuse itself with any kind of liquid it''s wielder wish for. Whether it''s a harmful chemical or lava itself.


    Ashkaris had long white hair. He was in his mid 50s when he faced the Butcher Of Souls. His height was around 6''4, quite muscular with wrinkles on his face. His long white moustache and short beard made his look even more fearful.


    He always wore a golden armor which had a talent of it''s own, universal protection. No matter what kind of attack connect Ashkaris, the damage will be reduced by 40%.


    Ashkaris'' voice was deep, very deep.


    His white eyes and willpower gave him the title, Ultimate Human.


    It was during the time of dusk he found a Butcher of Souls in a dense forest.


    He saw marks on it''s body, it was the same Butcher Of Souls who killed his brother.


    Ashkaris'' rage took control over him. He screamed and charged at it without any thinking and because of his carelessness, his horse had to die.


    The Butcher Of Souls swinged it''s hands towards Ashkaris and he couldn''t dodge it because of getting consumed by his rage.


    His armor protected him from the damage but in the process, his horse was smashed into trunk of a big tree and died at the moment of impact.


    Blood started flowing out of the horse''s body like there was a river of blood around.


    In few seconds, the scent of the blood started attracting other monsters too and the moon started turning crimson. It was Ashkaris'' luck that, that night was not the black moon night.


    Ashkaris controled his anger and got ready to fight it.


    The monster swinged it''s right hand again on Ashkaris and he easily blocked it using his Guandao.


    After deflecting the strike, he jumped with all his might towards it''s face and their battle continued for hours and after that, Ashkaris easily slay it down.


    When Ashkaris came back to his kingdom, he had no horse. He covered all his distance on his legs.


    The soldiers were startled to see him because he had wounds all over his body. There was not a single part of his body where there was no wound.


    It took him more than a year to come back and it was a miracle that he lived through.


    His condition was very bed. He was took to the royal palace where he was treated under the guidance of the best medics of the kingdom but despite that, he died after a month. It was due to the after affect of that deadly battle.


    Now, another kind of that monster was in the kingdom. There was no Ashkaris to defend the kingdom against it and even if he was here, there was no way he could defeat it because it was a black moon night.


    The monster started walking towards Lucien and passed by him. For some reason, the monster didn''t even touch him.


    On it''s way, the monster crushed many innocent people which include men, women and children.


    It also destroyed many house and old people who were unable to walk, died the worst death.


    There was no one to protect to the commoners as all the soldiers were protecting the royals.


    There were 3 commanders in the kingdom, the commander of the Archers, Ervis. The commander of the swordsmen, Dante Ravencrow.  and the commander of knights, Rodrigo Perez de Willalobos.


    But all three of these commanders were protecting the royals.


    The Butcher Of the Souls was going near to the royal area as if it had no interest in the area of the commoners.


    All the houses were smashed like they were a child''s toys.


    The commoners area was silent, there was no one to scream anymore. Either they died or jumped into the water separating the royal and the commoners area or some sneaked inside the royal area.


    Lucien said to himself, "The time¡ªit has finally come. Let the world revolve around me now. ".


    The creature was near to the royal area now. Many royal families people started screaming and cursing the soldiers for only standing there and doing nothing. But what could they do?


    They were powerless against that creature. They had no strength to counter it.


    The creature striked at the royal area using it''s right fist but it was barely blocked by the struggle and strength of the knight''s commander, Rodrigo and swordsman''s commander, Dante.


    Ervis ready his bow and launched couple of arrows made up of lighting on the monster. The lighting was of light purple color and it was hot, very hot.


    The arrows touched the monster but nothing happened and then suddenly, purple lighting fall on the monster from the sky. As if the gods were refusing it''s existence but it was just another ability of Ervis'' bow.


    Author''s note: I am not feeling well so I can''t really write much, thank you!

 Chapter 10. Miracle For The Sake Of Survival(2)

    The purple lightning fall on the monster¡ªnothing happened. It didn''t even give a small wound to the monster. All the houses in the commoners'' area were destroyed. Shattered into small pieces. The black moon, it was shameless. Gazing upon the view with it''s ruthless smile which was not visible.


    The dark blue sky, it was murderous. Giving the path to these monsters to come into this world.


    The mighty sun, it was a scaredy cat, hiding behind those clouds to save itself and letting the people rot to death.


    The rampages were all around the kingdom but despite that, not a single royal was wounded. Everyone of those were fine.


    The monsters were trying to reach to them but they couldn''t, why?


    That was because, there was no path to their. All the birdges were burnt by the soldiers but the only one who could reach them, was the Butcher Of Souls.


    Everyone of them were scared. It was not a night but a deadly moment. None was able to do anything against it.


    Another strike came of the monster and Rodrigo stopped it using his spear.


    Rodrigo was older than Ervis. He was in his 40s but currently the strongest in the whole kingdom. He had dark brown short hairs, dark brown eyes, pale skin color. He was wearing the full plate armor which shine surpassed the shining of the silver itself. His spear, one of the most sharpest in the whole kingdom. His heavy voice¡ªenough to command an army.


    He was the most skilled soldiers and the candidate to become the surpreme commander.


    Dante, the strongest swordsman and the 2nd strongest in the whole kingdom. He was in his 20s.His yellow medium size hairs, yellow eyes, pale skin. He was the most handsome man in the whole kingdom. His charismatic voice was enough to make any women fall in love with him. His muscular body showed his strength. He too wore a full plate armor. His sword, it was considered the most sharpest weapon in the whole kingdom. He was the 2nd strongest in the whole kingdom and the candidate to be a surpreme commander.


    Both Rodrigo and Dante had talents in their armor and weapon.


    The monster punched with it''s right fist, using all it''s strength.


    They knew that they could not stop this strike¡ªthere was no possible way.


    Rodrigo was not considered the strongest because of his offensive skills alone, he carried a shield enfused with a talent, ultimate protection.


    His defensive skills were the most greatest, able to block any strike.


    It was time for Rodrigo to use it. He summoned his shield and it came out of the thin air in his left hand.


    The punch of the monster came closer and he used all his strength and pour it inside the shield and created a layer of protection around him and blocked the strike.


    It was a clash¡ªclash of the two most mightiest being in the whole kingdom. Rodrigo''s head started spinning¡ªthe pressure was too high.


    He was doing his best to stop it but he was just getting pushed back.


    Ervis and Dante, they grabbed Rodrigo''s each shoulder and started helping him.


    After few seconds, not only them but all the soldiers started helping them¡ªstill, not enough.


    Dante, he saw an opportunity. He left the side of Rodrigo and jumped¡ªjumped on the right hand of the monster and strike with his sword with all his might. His sword has the talent, unshakable might. No matter what was infront of it, it will never break, never back down, will cut down anything on it''s path.


    The sword striked the hand but the result? No, it was not good. The sword was only able to cut a hair on it''s hand and nothing more.


    Dante fell on the water, one of the biggest power house was gone to help them¡ªthough he was alive.


    Everything which was happening, every monent, every action, every thoughts and every possibility, they were all against them. It was as if they wanted complete annihilation of them.


    Rodrigo, he was carrying it all on his shoulders. It was as if he had the duty to protect them all¡ªhe considered himseld a true knight.


    It was his time, time to die for his lord, for his king, he thought.


    The monster pulled his punch back and Rodrigo, he said, "You filthy devil, fight me, fight me if you have the pride, fight me if your ego is greater than your hunger, fight me if your hunger is all you want to satisfy! ".


    Rodrigo was giving an open challenge to the monster, he was playing a gamble in which the only thing he could lose or the only thing he could bet was his life.


    The monster remained silent, still on a single place. The monster could not understand their language but it could feel the rage from Rodrigo. The rage was telling it that Rodrigo wanted to fight it.


    The monster took few steps back, it''s steps were like covering thousands of meters in one step.


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    The monster took back few steps and after that, stood still¡ªawaiting for Rodrigo''s presence.


    Rodrigo called his lieutenant, he was in his 20s. His lieutenant placed his hand on the ground infront of him and a wooden bridge created itself, another talent.


    It was the time, the time for a mighty battle against the Butcher and the hope.


    Rodrigo walked through the bridge, everyone seeing his back¡ªhis responsibilities. Most of the soldiers were happy because they believed that Rodrigo could take the monster down. Even the royals do. But there was only Ervis and Dante, who came out of the water few seconds ago using his talent enfused in his armor, knew that Rodrigo was only walking towards his death.


    The monster was drooling as if it was hungry was centuries. It''s drool already drowned many houses in it.


    Now Rodrigo was only standing few thousand meters away from the monster. Both of them were ready for the battle, for Rodrigo''s death.


    It was already around 3 in the morning. The time was passing on it''s own pace but to the people of kingdom, every second felt like a century.


    A growl came out of the mouth of the monster.


    GHUGHHH!!!


    The monster punched at Rodrigo and he used his speed and ran from that place to dodge it. His fist, it was big, very big.


    Rodrigo changed the shape of his spear and made a battle axe and striked it''s hand and no wound and Rodrigo''s strike was deflected and because of the impact, he was pushed back.


    How was he able to change the shape of his weapon? Shapeshift, another talent. It was a talent through which one could change the shape of it''s weapon. Rodrigo''s weapon had multiple talent.


    The monster was holding back, as if it wanted to play with Rodrigo. The monster launched dozens of punches on Rodrigo and he knew that there was no way he coupd dodge them all.


    He changed the shape of it''s weapon into a Guandao and using the Unshakable Will, a protective talent made for armors, and his shield and the sturdiness of his weapon, he blocked all those strikes.


    But how could that be possible? That was because the monster was holding back, it was just playing and Rodrigo knew that. Everyone were cheering for Rodrigo, they were screaming his, praying to their god to save them, to give Rodrigo the strength, the will power to slay down that titan, that devil.


    After blocking dozens of strikes, it was time for Rodrigo to go offensive¡ªthere was no chance of winning while being passive.


    Rodrigo looked above, towards it''s face. It has the smile, the creepy smile one should never have after massacring millions.


    The ground, it was fully stained and wet with blood. There were fleshes of those who were gone, blood of those who were sacrificed, intestines of those who became the prey to it''s hunger, the emptiness of those who had hope, trust in their god but they were still not in this world.


    Rodrigo was carrying all on his back, on his shoulders.


    He screamed and swinged his weapon¡ªcurrently in the shape of Guandao, in the air. A tornado made up of lava created and charged towards the monster with full speed. Another talent of his weapon, Magma Born.


    Magma Born is a talent through which anyone could control lava.


    The tornado was half the size of the monster, the monster striked it with just his bare left parm and it was gone. There was no tornado anymore, no damage to the monster.


    It was a scene from a nightmare, it was living nightmare infront of them.


    Ervis, Dante, Emily, and the king and his family looking at the scene from his palace, it looked like useless. It was just a way to die. Soldiers and royals, they still had hope in their strongest soldier, Rodrigo.


    Rodrigo enchanced his weapon with the magma and charged at the monster with his full speed. The air resistance increased the sharpness of the weapon and the monster, it stood still, waiting for the strike.


    He striked with all his might on the monster''s right foot but what happened? Nothing, no wound.


    When the sharpest weapon, the sword of Dante was not able to wound this monster, how can the 2nd sharpest weapon could wound it? There was no way. There was no light. There was no hope. There was no future. There was no tomorrow. There was no victory for them but the only thing there was, was their death.


    All the catholics ran inside their chruches to pray to their god, their head touchiny the ground, they all were not prayiny¡ªthey were begging. Not for their family, not for their kingdom, not for their king, not for Rodrigo, but only for themself. Selfishness.


    It is not wrong to have selfishness at these kinds of moment. We human, we are selfish from the day we are born. We want everything, just for ourself. We prioritize our happiness over others. Even if we are caring for others happiness, then that''s because we feel happy when others do, we are indirectly doing it for ourself.


    When a kid get good marks, his/her parents feel happy and so he/she do. Is he/she selfish? Yes, according to the meaning, yes, he/she is. Because when his/her parents feel happy, so they do.


    Rodrigo blocked dozens of strikes and his nose started bleeding because every impact was greater than other, the toll increased with every punch.


    He started feeling dizzy. Even the strongest in the kingdom was the weakest in front of the monster. Rodrigo had no control over his body.


    A final punch came from the monster¡ªunable to block, Rodrigo stood still on his position. The punch came closer and everyone and even Rodrigo saw his death.


    But, for some reason, some how, it stopped. As if something forcefully stopped it, not letting it reach to Rodrigo. But what was it?


    Rodrigo''s and the monster''s clashes continued for an hour and Rodrigo had to use his all talents for an hour continuously which exhausted his body pretty badly and that''s why he was feeling dizzy, his nose bleeding, his head spinning.


    But what stopped the final punch of the monster? The mighty, arrogant and wrathful sun. It was the time of dawn, the sun was slowly arriving in the world from behind the stained mountains. It''s light, it was dim, but strong enough to make any monster sweat.


    The monster pulled it''s final punch back, it could feel like it''s skin was burning, it''s fur were catching fire, it could feel it.


    It feared the sun, the gaze of the sun, the arrogant look of the sun. It turned back and ran with all it''s might out of the kingdom to hide but how? It was so big to hide inside a forest.


    There were two was for a monster of it''s size to hide from the gaze of the sun. Number one was to jump into an ocean or a sea which can consume it totally and second one was to lay inside a dense forest and let it''s skin burn slightly.


    There was the Bay of Bisca in the northern border of this kingdom and Bay of Bisca is the part of the Atlantic Ocean.


    If it reached to the depth of the ocean, it was possible for it to survive.


    Rodrigo, he exhausted himself way too much, he was laying on the ground, fainted.


    The catholics started thanking their god, as if their begging saved them, as if the god helped them.


    The crimson gaze of the sun started falling but till than, the monster already reached to the depth.


    Ervis and Dante passed through the bridge to Rodrigo, on who''s face the crimson sun was gazing.


    The kingdom, it was ruined pretty badly. Destruction everywhere, death everywhere, blood everywhere.


    But the only good thing there was, was the screams of the people screaming in joy, in happiness because they were saved.


    But who knows if the monster returned again? Who knows if something more terrifying came in future? Nobody, nobody knows that, because nobody has the power to see future!

 Chapter 11. A New Sun Shines Brightly

    The whole commoners'' area was destroyed pretty badly, barely any house remained intact to the ground. The field of wheat was totally destroyed, not a grain to eat.


    The field of Barley looked like it never existed, only dead bodies of monsters on it.


    The other fields, they all were stained pretty badly with blood. They had dozens of human dead bodies and organs, from intestine to the lungs.


    The sun was slowly entering into the world, it''s crimson gaze was all over the kingdom by now. Those monsters who were still alive and failed to enter the dense forests or into a water body, all were burned to nothigness by now.


    There was not a single soul on the commoners area except Rodrigo, who was laying on the ground, fainted. And Lucien, who was laying over a pile of dead corpses of the monsters, his eyes closed and his breathing rate, it was moderate. He had blood all over his body, his armor was turned red. His white hairs, they also had the saturation of red.


    There was no sound, only silence in the whole kingdom. Many soldiers fall, many innocent died, yet the royals, they were still standing on the top, showing their might.


    Commander Ervis and commander Dante, they both walked down to the commoners'' area through the wooden bridge made by commander Rodrigo''s lieutenant.


    Both of them running with their might to the commander Rodrigo. They were scared, they were afraid, their whole body trembling with fear¡ªfear of Rodrigo''s death. They wanted him alive, they wanted him breathing¡ªdoesn''t matter wounded or fine.


    Darkness from the sky was slowly fading away. All the birds in the stained mountain started singing their song. Few other birds flying high in the sky, eagles and hawks on their hunt. In this world, there was wildlife but they mostly remained hidden, as they were also the prey of the monsters.


    Ants were walking over the pile of corpses, taking few amount of flesh for themself and their family. They were scavenging over the dead bodies. Not even them, some other insects also. Flies were sitting over those dead bodies¡ªas if extracting their soul.


    There were many wild animals outside the collapsed main gate of the kingdom attracted by the scent of blood and flesh. Few even entered inside the kingdom to drag some dead bodies for themself.


    Few wolves even entered the kingdom to drag some dead bodies for themself but after walking a distance, they encountered brown bears and Iberian Lynx and engaged in the battle of food with them.


    Commander Ervis and commander Dante reached to commander Rodrigo, they were happy to see him alive¡ªthough he was wounded pretty badly.


    His was breathing very heavily, blood all over his face, his nose bleeding. The impact of the clashes was to great that it even broke his right hand.


    Commander Ervis and commander Dante carefully pulled commander Rodrigo and commander Ervis carried him on his back, a piggyback.


    Commander Ervis said to commander Dante, "I am sorry to ask you for a favor in such disastrous moment, but please, if possible, can you do me a favor? ".


    Commander Dante replied, " What are you saying commander Ervis!? You can ask me anything. At this moment, we must help each other, we must climb the ladders together¡ªnot leaving a single soul behind. We must ascend together. I will do anything you want! ".


    Commander Dante replied with a firm voice. He has determination in his eyes, promises in every word he spoke, he was the perfect candidate to be a supreme commander.


    Commanded Ervis spoke with a very soft voice, " Can you please find the grandson of my long gone old friend? He must be around this area, his outfits are similar to that of a mercenary. He carries a long sword, very beautiful. He have long white hairs and a scar on his face. ".


    Commander Dante put his hand on his chest to show acceptance and replied with a firm voice with his head lowered slightly, " Yes, absolutely, commander Dante! Leave this matter to me and I shall accomplish it! ".


    Commander Dante walked away from there in search of Lucien.


    He forgot to ask his name, but it was of no importance.


    A man''s name is of no importance until he have a worth in this world, until he matters to society, until he is the one who fulfills their needs.


    It was the same with Lucien, his name, for now was of no importance to anyone. He has not accomplished anything for this kingdom yet.


    Commander Dante could see broken dreams and hopes of commoners. For a common people, what could be his/her hope? What could he his/her dream?


    His/her home and family, it is their hope. Until they have a home and family to take care of them and love them, one always feel empty. A family without a home and a home without a family, it is worthless, it is empty.


    Infront of the commander Dante, many homes and families were laying on the ground, broken and dead. Even the new born children were either eaten as their guts were coming out of their body like a worm, or they were crushed by the steps of the Butcher Of Souls.


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    Commander walked few steps and infront of him was a pile of dozens of corpses of monsters, different kinds of monsters with different color¡ªthough they were not identifiable as their body was cut pretty badly, every organ of their body was visible; a very disgusting view.


    Commander Dante was only in his 20s¡ªnever saw this many and disgusting corpses. At one moment, he felt like puking, his pink lips were refusing to open the mouth, his eyes refusing to see anything, his ears refusing to hear anything and his nose, refusing to smell anything. His right palm blocking his lips from opening.


    His face started turning green and he couldn''t stop himself and puked. He looked again at that disgusting scene and saw someone laying over the pile of corpses, a human.


    He noticed that he was a male, white long hair, scar on face, mercenary outfit.


    Commander Dante was sure that it was him, the grandson of Commander Ervis''s long gone old friend.


    Commander Dante didn''t want to climb the corpses after the disgusting sight of these corpses.


    He called him, "Hey! You! On the corpses! Can you hear me!? ".


    No reply came, he called him again and again no reply.


    He assumed that he was either dead or fainted like commander Rodrigo.


    Rather than climbing the corpses, he think of another method.


    But no other method came on his mind.


    Suddenly, Lucien''s body started moving, he stood up and saw commander Dante below him.


    Commander Dante said, "See, if you walked even a step, you will fall on the gound, do you understand!? ".


    Lucien heard him but he acted like he didn''t. He walked a step and started falling on the ground.


    Commander Dante panicked and stood below him to catch him and successfully caught him.


    He looked at his face, his eyes closed again, he fained again. Commander Dante was carrying Lucien on his hands like he was his bride.


    Commander for the last time, moved his sight towards the pile of corpses of the monsters and few words came out of his mouth, "What kind of monster is this guy? Did he really hunted them down? ".


    Rather than wasting his time there, he started walking back to the royal area while carrying him on his hands. His every step felt disgusting as he had to walk over the guts, kidneys, part of brain, head of humans and monsters. Everywhere was just blood and dead bodies. It was the most disgusting sight to him. He had gone to war with other kingdoms and achieved unmatchable feats but this sight, he never saw something like this.


    He walked, walked and walked until he reached the bridge to the royal area. There, commander Ervis was standing, awaiting his and Lucien''s arrival. Commander Ervis'' eyes widened after seeing Lucien, at first he thought that he was dead.


    He came running to commander Dante and asked, "What.. what the hell happened with him!? ".


    Commander Dante replied, " Calm down commander Ervis. He is absolutely fine, he is just exhausted and having a good sleep. ".


    Commander Ervis asked, " Exhausted? ".


    Commander Dante spoke, " Yes, after killing dozens of monsters like a monster, anyone could be exhausted. ".


    Commander Ervis could not believe his own ears, the words of commander Dante. He knew that Lucien was a skilled man but to this extent, he never expected that.


    It was such a great feat that not even a dozen of soldiers could achieve, his skills were enough to get him into the personal army of the king.


    Though he didn''t waste his time thinking about this stuff for now. He took the responsibility of Lucien from commander Dante and carried him on his back.


    All three of them crossed the wooden bridge and entered the royal area where many were wounded, many were fine, many were sad, many were happy, many were crying, many were laughing, many were worried and many waited for their loved ones to come back alive.


    Emily was also among them, she was worried, waiting for Lucien''s arrival. Her sight fell on commander Ervis and the person he was carrying on his back, Lucien Vale.


    She ran to him but blocked by commander Dante.


    He spoke with a firm voice, "Woman, do you know what are you doing!? ".


    Yes, that was the place of women in that time period. Their single action was considered wrong, until that action was performed until the authority of their father or husband.


    Commander Ervis spoke, " Forgive her, commander Dante. I know her, she came to me because she was concerned about this man. ".


    Commander Dante looked towards commander Ervis, than towards Lucien and than towards Emily.


    He remained silent for few seconds and then spoke, "As you say, commander Ervis. ".


    His voice was firm as always.


    Emily spoke, "Commander Ervis, what happened to him? ".


    Her voice showed concern, her eyes full of tears, she was going to cry. Her hands, her legs, her waist, every part of her body was trembling.


    Commander Ervis spoke, " He is absolutely fine, Emily. He is just sleeping because of fatigue. ".


    A smile came on her mouth, she covered her mouth using both of her hands. Tears started running down her cheeks and few words came out of her mouth, her soft voice, " I am happy. ".


    It was as if she was in love with Lucien, to commander Dante it looked ridiculous but to commander Ervis, it looked good, a smile came on his face too.


    He gave the responsibility to Emily¡ªthough they had no home anymore, the inn itself was destroyed.


    She grabbed Lucien and kneeled on the ground. She put his head on her lap, letting him sleep with a comfort.


    Her care for Lucien was visible to commander Ervis.


    Commander Ervis spoke, "Did you went to your family? ".


    She first looked at commander Ervis but then, her eyes and head lowered, a sad expression on her face while she pat Lucien''s head. She remained silent.


    Commander Ervis got his answer. Her silence spoke more than her words, her eyes spoke more than her sentences, her expressions spoke more than her actions.


    It was a time of great destruction, the kingdom was entirely destroyed and the day only arrived.


    Commander Ervis asked, "So, what are you going to do now? You have no place to call a home, you have no shelter. ".


    For few seconds she remained silent and then spoke, " I do not know. But I know one thing that we will do something. I am sure. ".


    An unknown voice spoke, " Yeah, we will be alright, commander Ervis. ".


    They recognized the voice, it was familiar to both Emily and commander Ervis, they looked towards Lucien''s face, even commander Dante looked towards his face.


    Lucien''s eyes opened, a smile on his face and he was looking towards Emily''s face.


    First, Emily said, "You, you are awake. I am very happy. ".


    But then she realised her position and what she spoke, her face became red and she hide her face behind her soft palms.


    Lucien sat on the ground and looked towards commander Ervis and spoke, " We will be allright, I can promise you that, commander Ervis. ".


    He spoke, " Medivas, you are all right! ".


    An unknown voice spoke, "So you are the man who used the holy body of my daughter to satisfy yourself? ".


    Lucien and Emily looked behind and Emily''s eyes widened, her body trembling with fear.

 Chapter 12. A Proposal For A New Path

    An unknown voice spoke, "So you are the man who used the holy body of my daughter to satisfy yourself? ".


    Lucien and Emily looked behind and Emily''s eyes widened, her body trembling with fear.


    The man standing infront of them was in his late 40s, big white moustache, short white hair arranged pretty well. There was another man in his late 20s standing beside that old man. He had no moustache, no beard, medium size black hair arranged pretty well.


    Both had the outfits of royals. Dark blue long richly decorated with gold jewelries Tunic and a Surcoat. Both of them were also wearing a fur lined cloak fastened with gold brooches.


    Tight fitting hose paired with leather. The older man was wearing gold chains and rings in his fingers.


    He had a deep firm voice. But it was not terrifying.


    Emily was trembling after seeing them both standing infront of them. She was scared, very, very scared. As if she saw her worst nightmare.


    She said a word with a trembling and cracking voice, "Father? ".


    Lucien looked at her face where as commander Ervis had a worry expression and commander Dante, he was calm. It was none of his buisness.


    Lucien and Emily stood up, he was going to greet her father. He extended his right hand towards her father for a handshake.


    He had a smile on his face but then, the other younger guy, he slapped him.


    Emily spoke, "Brother! What are you doing!? ".


    Her brother spoke, " Shut your mouth, whore! ".


    A sadden expression came on her face, her eyes and head lowered, looking at the ground.


    To cover up the situation, Lucien spoke, " Ah, I guess you have go-".


    But before he could, her brother slapper him again with his right hand on the same left cheek.


    Lucien was going to lose it.


    He spoke again, "Sir, you shou-".


    But before he could, her brother again swinged his right hand to slap him, but this time, something else happened.


    Her brother saw that his arm was going to reach the left cheek of Lucien''s face but then, his hand got separated from his entire arm and started flying in an non-uniform motion.


    His hand was cut. Blood started coming out from his arm like a fountain, with high pressure. He felt an intense pain¡ªscreaming.


    He grabbedd his right arm tightly using his left hand to stop the flow of blood.


    But how could that happen with a royalty? And who can even do that?


    The answer was simple, Lucien Vale.


    The moment her brother''s hand was going to touch his cheek again, he draw his sword with very high speed and used it to cut his hand.


    Tears in his eyes as he screamed in pain. Her father shocked and Emily''s hands on her mouth with eyes widened.


    Commander Ervis and commander Dante, they both were shocked too and commander Dante was ready to draw his sword, his left hand grabbing his sword where as his right hand placed on the handle of his sword.


    He said with his firm voice, "What the hell do you think you are doing, commoner!? ".


    Lucien remained silent and there was only scream of her brother, stares of the royals, commoners and soldiers on them and the angry voice of commander Dante.


    At this point, commander Ervis himself could not do anything to support Lucien because, royals were considered the highest authority after the king and his ministers. There was nothing he could do¡ªbut only stand against him.


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    Commander Dante said to the soldiers standing near, "What the hell are you staring at!? Arrest him! ".


    Tears started running down Emily''s cheeks and she started begging to commander Dante and her father and brother to forgive Lucien.


    No answer, they remained silent because the thing Lucien did¡ªit was among the worst crime to do.


    The soldiers surrounded Lucien. All of them were wearing the full plate armor and some had a spear and other a sword but none''s equiment had any talent. Their face was hidden inside the helmet they were wearing.


    Lucien himself had no choice, he could easily slay them down in few seconds but to show himself as an underdog, he had to surrender.


    He let go of his sword, put it down on the ground and raised both his hands in air.


    He started cooperating with them but his expressions, they were cold and his stare was at her brother''s face.


    He thought, '' Everything is going according to the plan, Emily, just one push, do it. Only you can do it, I have trust on you. ''.


    He already had planned everything.


    (Author''s note:- Man, is he Aizen-sama or what?)


    The ground was rocky as it was destroyed by the swings of the Butcher Of Souls Everyone''s stare still fixed on Lucien. The soldiers told him to follow them and few of them walked behind Lucien.


    They were taking him to the prison. There was a prison inside the castle, it was more like a fortress.


    He could hear Emily begging to her father, he could hear Emily begging to her brother, he could hear Emily begging to commander Ervis, he could hear Emily begging to commander Dante.


    But, there was no reply.


    He thought, ''Wait, is this not going to go as I expected? ''.


    But then, a reply came. The reply was from her father.


    He spoke, "Wait, soldiers. I have a proposal to him. ".


    The soldiers stopped and looked at her father. Not only the soldiers, even the people standing there as an audiance, her brother and Emily, commander Ervis and commander Dante and even Lucien, all looked on the face of her father.


    He spoke further, " What is your name? ".


    Lucien replied, " Medivas. ".


    He further asked, " Your full name? ".


    He spoke, " I do not have any surname. ".


    At first, he remained silent, thinking about the situation. He thought, ''It is perfect. ''.


    He asked, " Listen, Medivas. I know that you know about what happened to my daughter, Emily. And I even know that you were the one who help her. Say, I will let you go, I will forgive you and you won''t be sent to the prison but only If you marry my daughter and become a part of my family. ".


    Lucien thought, ''Perfect! ''.


    But commander Ervis and commander Dante and her brother, all three of them were shocked.


    Lucien remained silent. He acted like he didn''t expect this proposal. Emily was blushing because somewhere in her heart, she liked Lucien. Her hands were covering her face and only her eyes were visible.


    Her brother was shocked to hear such words from her father''s mouth. He spoke, "Father! What are you saying!? Can''t you see what this pig has done to me!? ".


    His father spoke with a firm voice, " Silent! You do not care of your family''s reputation!? What if the words about our daughter''s violation spread in the palace!? What do you think our reputation will become!? ".


    He uttered some words, " But.. fathe-".


    But before he could, his father again spoke, "Silence! I do not want to hear any word from your mouth right now! ".


    Her borther remained silent, his eyes and head lowered, tears in his eyes and anger inside his heart.


    Her father asked again, " Medivas, I ask again, will you marry my daughter? If you do, I will forgive all your crime and guarantee you a peaceful life in the royal area. ".


    Lucien asked, " But what if in future you back off from your words? "


    Her father replied, "In that case, if I do that, you can have my life. ".


    He closed his eyes and lowered his head, showing his determination.


    Emily spoke, " Father, you do not have to do that. ".


    Even after all that humiliation, she worried about her father.


    Commander Dante spoke, " Sir, you do not have to do that. We will take care of this comm-".


    But before he could finish, commander Ervis extended his left hand towards commander Dante standing in his left and stopped him.


    He said, "Commander Dante. It is not our buisness anymore. Sir has decided to deal with it by himself. We have no authority to stand against him. So please remain silent. ".


    Commander Dante''s teeth rubbing against each other, his eyes widened and staring at Lucien with anger.


    Her father''s words gave commander Ervis an opportunity to save his old friend''s grandson.


    Lucien remained silent¡ªas if he was thinking about the matter.


    Her father knew Lucien''s answer, he knew that he was going to say yes¡ªbecause if he didn''t, he will die.


    Lucien opened his mouth and spoke, Emily was nervous, very nervous but the rest knew the answer, he said, "Very well. I will accept your proposal. ".


    Emily''s face turned red, she turned around to escape from Lucien''s eyes, she was blushing and didn''t want Lucien to see that side of her.


    Emily and Lucien were not around the same age, Lucien was older.


    Commander Ervis spoke, " Soldiers, leave Medivas alone now. Return his weapon to him. ".


    One of the soldier holding his sword gave him his sword back but commander Dante and her brother, both were not satisfied with the outcome.


    For her brother, it was clear why he was not satisfied but the reason for commander Dante was still unknown.


    Lucien got many advantages through this, number one and the most beneficial for him was that, after getting married to Emily, he will get the royal status. Number second was that he will get a shelter without spending anything because now it was her father''s duty to provide them with shelter, clothes and food.


    Number third and the second most beneficial was that he got respect in the kingdom now, without respect, his plan could never be fulfilled.


    Number four was that now he can join the army and get a good rank and he had to join army.


    Emily was still not looking at him, he touched her shoulder and she felt a chill, not because Lucien touched her but because she was not ready to face him. Her heart was beating very fast, she was afraid if Lucien heard it.


    He spoke, "Emily, are you alright? ".


    She said while stuttering, " Ye... y.. yes, I am.. al.. alright. ".


    Her father spoke, " Medivas, I am afraid but I cannot arrange your marriage currently, as you are familiar with the situation. But I can provide you both a good house and if possible, can you let my daughter¡ªI mean, your fiance live with you? ".


    He spoke, "Yes, of course... ".


    Her father spoke, " You can call me father. ".


    He said, " Yes, of course.. father. ".


    A smile came on her father''s face but her brother was angry, very angry and so was commander Dante.


    Commander Ervis was happy, very happy for Lucien and Emily.


    Lucien, Emily, her father and commander Ervis and commander Dante looked towards the broken and ruined commoner''s area from where the sun was gazing upon the kingdom and escaping from the horizon. A very terrifying but a beatiful view itself. Pile of corpses of different colors, wolves inside the kingdom, the crimson light of the shining sun, the stained mountains, screams of animals fighting, joyous cry of those who survived with their loved ones, cry of those who survived but not their loves ones.


    It was a terrifying incident. Nearly, most of the kingdom''s population was gone in one night.


    The King was sitting on his throne, there was darkness in the whole room. Not even his throne was visible. Only it''s golden color was shining. The king was talking to someone, maybe to his ministers.


    His voice, it was of a child. But there was another voice which was coming from beside him, a voice of an old man¡ªnot very old but in his late 40s. There was darkness in the room, so nothing was clear, but the king, he was a child, it was clear.


    One of the voice spoke, "But, I think this won''t work. As you know, Rodrigo is in bad condition and using this opportunity, our rival kingdom will attack on us to establish their dominance over us and we have to stop it at all cost. ".


    The voice beside the king asked to the king, " I think he is right, What do you think, Alfenso V? ".


    ________________________________________


    Chapter''s note:-


    Alfenso V:- He is inspired from the king of the kingdom of Leon, Alfonso V. Alfonso V became a king at the age of 11 but his guardians become his voice and mind until he became capable on ruling by himself.