《LAST FEAST》


 Chapter 0: Prologue

    140 billion creatures in different continent are at risk of annihilation. Be it Dragons, Phoenix¡¯s, Demons, Demigods, and Humans alike.


    Everyone thought this is the final battle for their world¡¯s survival. The most precious thing they have created bite them back, they are supposed to be in the civilization''s epitome, the most prosperous era that should have united every being in the planet.


    In every part of Gaelth, the roaring sea of the east, the blizzard heim on the north, the greater grasslands of the west and the demon realm of the south are filled with warriors and non-mana beings ready to stake their lives on the line facing the monsters they have created.


    ¡°I never thought I would one day entrust my back to a demon!¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°It¡¯s just you humans who are miserably filled with doubts and secrets.¡±


    Oddly enough, their goal to be united was achieved, though not what they expected. Even lifelong enemies became best friends in face of extinction; from the Overlords of the sky, sea and land up to the goblins that held broken daggers.


    They are all ready for battle, facing the monsters that are neither made of flesh nor inanimate material, they come in different shape and sizes, but they can compare the smallest one to an adult Dragon.


    The war raged for 100 years. They triumphed over the catastrophe, but civilizations fell, technology vanished, and it buried history underneath the ashes of those who died in battle.


    The World of Gaelth entered its darkest era, the mana was thin; the survivors are few, and those who remembered the war are only the beings with a long lifespan and can be counted with your fingers.


    Life always finds its way. A new bud from the survivors of war is slowly crawling their way up to usher a new era.


    The new era that will be known as The Greatest Feast.

 Chapter 1: The Chicken

    Hundred Fang Mountains, far northwest of Red Dragon City. A guy in his early teens is pulling a wagon with a bunch of materials, money, and equipment that can only be seen on a noble¡¯s household treasury that has centuries of history. The wagon is covered with dirty ragged cloth to avoid prying eyes and weighs almost a ton.


    His short hair with a slight hint of copper color due to extended exposure to the sun is shining because of the grease. Tanned skin with robust healthy muscle makes his aura seemed like a person that has plenty of manual labor experience.


    He has brown sleepy eyes and eyebrows that feels as if he is ready to take a nap anytime, and his height of 210 cm is intimidating from a commoner¡¯s point of view, especially for those that have had no contact with him. But he¡¯s not aware of how others view him from a foot below his head.


    This was not what he looks like before nor expecting that he would walk the path of a Swordsman in a world full of mystery, magic and the unknown.


    The way his skin color, dark hair, brown eyes, and tall figure sticks like a sore thumb in the Red Dragon Empire that consist of people with red, ginger-colored hair, blue or green eyes and pale white skin.


    He spent almost a week getting his Steel Badge that consist of physical test, mana compatibility test, written exam and practical quest.


    He was able to pass the test with a baffling result that will be forever be recorded as a highlight for the Swordsman Guilds in a few years¡¯ time. But for now, he¡¯s satisfied to receive his 3rd-Rank Steel Badge.


    Every Badge has a shape corresponding to your main profession that will be useful as an identity and a proof that you¡¯re capable to undertake professional missions.


    Wearing a leather attire with a worn-out thin breastplate that covers half of his front upper body, and a long sword without a guard that¡¯s hanging in his left waist, one glimpse and you will conclude that he¡¯s living in a simple household.


    His family is not an ordinary one but it¡¯s the kind that was built from the ground up, despite the syndrome that he has ever since he was born, they still handled it regardless of the expensive medication and a severe lack of knowledge on how to treat the sickness.


    While pulling the cart his muscles twitched, and it became increasingly itchy as time went by. It goes off and on at random intervals. When he was younger, he can¡¯t even control the words that come out from his mouth and kept cussing nonstop whenever he tries to express his thoughts.


    With enough practice, self-control, and medication he could manage somehow.


    A very uncomfortable itch was crawling in his body from the inside. He took a break sitting on the driver¡¯s seat of the wagon and took out a bamboo pipe the size of a pen, it¡¯s already filled to the brim with dried Chonkee mushrooms, in the other end of the pipe is a stuffed compact piece of cotton that acts as a filter. He then lit up the other end with a flint.


    This has become a nasty habit, but it works. Beggars can¡¯t be choosers.


    The scenery in front of him are the oddly shaped mountains that resemble giant fangs sticking out from the ground. Stories from Bards and Myth states that the Red Dragon slew Zyganar Lifestealer a dragon that devours the life span of any living being that is weaker than himself.


    Unfortunately, one of the creatures that Zyganar killed is the eldest son of the Red Dragon which gained the ire of the rampaging mother. After his death, Zyganar¡¯s body was shattered into pieces and became the foundation of the Red Dragon Empire. It is also a common belief that the noble citizens are the descendants of the Red Dragon, that¡¯s reflected on their fiery red hair.


    Finishing his medicine, his muscles stopped twitching and the extreme itchiness is gone and was replaced by a serene feeling. Reminiscing his time at the city he vaguely remembers the song that was sung by the Bards in the city square, it plays over his head while puffing out smoke that was carried away by the wind.


    ~The traveling lamp sets due west


    dram creatures did lie in rest


    lifeless eyes and their rotten bones


    did damage hearts and burn¡¯d homes


    Thousand days battle came and went


    sc¡¯rching sun that lady ferocity vent


    ¡­¡­..


    Suddenly.


    A feeling of death rushed through his entire body.


    Everything his eyes can see is frozen in time, the falling leaves of the tree nearby, the sound of the river water hitting the rocks, the whistle of the wind that brushed through his ears, even the birds and insects that are flying about.


    All the things he feels, smell and see are static and monochrome as if life itself refuses to move.


    The only thing he can control right now is only his thoughts.


    This sensation is not foreign to him, he has been in a lot of life and death situation, he lost count on how many they have been. But there is a special feeling of a sure death with no chance of escape that he only encountered once before, and this will be the second time it will happen.


    Ah! this is why I hate surprise parties.


    His thoughts ran rampant thinking of what¡¯s happening, how it happened and how to escape the predicament.


    Through his peripheral vision he could glimpse a shining black hair and a pair of black slippers, these are the only things moving and has vibrant in this dimmed and gray world.


    The whole area around him vibrated and he could hear a voice that sounded like a hundred people trying to speak all at once.


    ¡°Human,"


    ¡°Pledge an oath and swear to obey me until your death, I¡¯ll give you 5 seconds to decide!¡±


    He counted inside his head, preparing for the worse.


    5


    Is this it?


    4


    3Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    So unlucky encountering this psycho.


    2


    He was expecting an unbearable pain, but it didn¡¯t come.


    1


    With a woosh! Everything moved again, akin to a cat that¡¯s following a red dot he leaped as fast as he can. A tinge of pain was felt in his heart, so he looked back to take a last view at the wagon that was filled to the brim before he leaves it forever.


    What he saw baffled him, he slowed his footsteps and took a good stare at the creature that was threatening his life a moment ago.


    He was at awe at what was laid before his eyes. A glittering body with a straight obsidian color hair that reach the feet, child-like face, very large black scarf that¡¯s covering the whole body, pair of black slippers that¡¯s loose and too big for its wearer, sharp pointed ears and the most striking of all was the huge pair of butterfly wings that the creature is holding tightly in its hand. The wings seem to be ripped forcefully and were covered in blood.


    Unconscious. There isn¡¯t any movement to be seen aside from the hair that¡¯s blowing in the wind.


    He approached the wagon slowly to inspect. The creature seems to be around the height of a child that¡¯s about 6-7 years old.


    His steps are careful and full of curiosity. Because a being that can cast that kind of enormous magic is not something you can encounter in your daily life and live to tell the tale.


    He examined every detail of the unwanted guest in his wagon. During his time at the Empire¡¯s Academy, he got a decent score at Monsters & Creatures 101, and upon further investigation, he concluded that it resembled a Pixie but a rather different kind.


    The Pixies that are written in the books are just about palm size, was never aggressive to humans or to any creature and always have a vibrant color.


    There are even examples in the book about Pixies giving blessings to weary travelers and in exchange, the Pixies will ask them items like cloth, spices and other things the travelers have in their cargo or belongings that are not excessive.


    A fair trade to the blessing they will receive, but if the transaction isn¡¯t satisfied the blessing would turn to be a curse, like any other temporary buff the curse will go away in a period of time.


    So, he did what any mature and sensible human being would do.


    He poked it with his sword.


    Sure enough, after several pokes of the sheathed sword, there doesn¡¯t seem to be any reaction.


    Just to make sure it¡¯s not a threat anymore, he poked it one last time on the cheeks and at the same time, the tip of the sheath was lightly embedded on the creature¡¯s face. The Pixie opened its eyes.


    He immediately pulled his sword back faster than the eyes could see, in case of misunderstanding.


    Glaring intensely at him, with a confused and wronged look, tears flowed down its cheeks and continued to drop on top of the bloody butterfly wings. The pixie hugged the wings like it''s the greatest treasure in the world.


    Huuuuuh!? Why do I feel like I¡¯m suddenly the bad guy here?


    While the tears leak down its deep dark eyes, the listless face with freckles looked left and right as though searching for something or someone in a distressed manner. The pixie suddenly spoke in a very raspy voice typical of a person that has a dry throat from sniffing and crying for quite a while.


    ¡°Mother!¡±


    Panicked and afraid. The little creature fell down the wagon''s seat dropping face first on the gravel, compared to a newborn fawn that¡¯s trying to stand. The pixie kept stumbling away from the wagon and just made it at a mere meter then collapse.


    ¡°Dead, they are all dead! kihihihi!¡±


    He kept hearing unintelligent and deranged mumbles coming from the Pixie. The people that have lost their sanity sounds like this. He came to understand that the power he experienced earlier didn¡¯t come from this broken kid. Because to cast that kind of large-scale magic you¡¯ll be needing a sound mind and an indomitable will.


    He got the gist of what happened a few moments ago, he felt pity, he might not know what happened to this little being and the things it¡¯s mumbling about, but he knows it¡¯s suffering an immeasurable pain in its heart. That even a flushed unconscious face a while ago is being contorted.


    Taking a step forward and drawing his long sword that¡¯s almost the same height as the crying Pixie in front of him. He intends to end its suffering here and now. He knew from experience that a shattered heart, mind and soul is not only dangerous to oneself and will bring forth endless suffering, but also a danger to the people that will encounter this mess.


    He took it upon himself to take responsibility. It all sounds effortless to describe. But for those that haven¡¯t even slew a chicken or have the stomach to watch a butcher in the course of strangling its neck while his knife cuts through the feather, skin, and flesh.


    Its warm blood dripping on your bare hands, feeling its muscles jerk and struggle in your grasp, letting out squawking noises holding for its dear life and worse of all when it somehow managed to escape your grip. Witnessing a thrashing chicken, neck half tore and dangling, blood gushing about while it slowly loses its life twitching on the floor is a sight for a horror story.


    Needless to say. Killing another being with intelligence and resembling a human child.


    ¡°I hope you find peace in the afterlife, my name is Rus, 4th Head of the Tessaro Familia, if there¡¯s a reincarnation you can seek revenge to any person that bears the last name Tessaro!¡±


    Compared to seeing a magician that pulled a rabbit out of the hat, the Pixie slowly stood up with snot, red eyes and tears, looking up at the tall man in front it without fear in its eyes.


    There are three words from what he said that resonated in the depths of the Pixies consciousness and pulled its mind out from drowning in self-destruction.


    Still holding the bloody butterfly wings, the black-haired Pixie bowed lightly and made an impulsive decision.


    With a grating sound coming from its throat due to crying for a long time, the Pixie uttered her greetings.


    ¡°My mother taught me that when someone introduced themselves it¡¯s the proper manner to respond in kind. I am Semira Zyganar, one of the daughters from the Night Pixie Tribe, I¡­.I..came to give you weary traveler a blessing,"


    According to what was written in the books of Monsters and Creatures 101, Pixies cannot receive anything without giving out something with magic that¡¯s connected to them first. It¡¯s not out of morals but they are biologically engineered that way since ancient times and was mentioned in one of many books relating to Pixies.


    ¡°Hnnnngggg!, Hnnnnggggg!, Hnnnnggggg!¡± *huff* *huff*


    At least she tried to, but no magic came out. Lock and loaded she¡¯s already gearing to start bawling out again. but another idea popped up from that wee head of hers.


    With a shaking hand and an obvious body language that¡¯s full of unwillingness, Semira extended her hands that¡¯s holding the butterfly wings while her legs shook, holding the wings on a position that¡¯s offering it to the other party, but her hands are still tightly clutched on to it. But this is the only thing in her possession that has mana and connected to her.


    His right eyes twitched, not because of the ailment that he has, but because of the awkward situation. Not knowing its value or the consequences attached to the thing that¡¯s being offered to him. Rus shamelessly grabbed it, and what happened irritated him.


    Semira isn¡¯t letting it go. Resulting in both of them staring at each other again and a small tug of war between the two was started. Due to her small figure and lack of physical strength Rus was able to get hold of the bloody butterfly wings.


    He lifted the ragged cloth covering the items inside the wagon and carefully put the wings inside. Seeing the content of the wagon, Semira confirmed that she had made a wise choice.


    ¡°What do you want in exchange?¡±


    Semira thought of the things that flashed through her mind earlier that seems to be a foolproof plan.


    ¡°Uhmm Water, Food, Shelter..¡±


    With half her sentence not quite audible because Rus pulled the wagon again, and its wheels grating on the gravel. He couldn¡¯t hear the other half of the sentence. Focusing at stirring the wagon in the right direction without damaging the goods inside.


    He barely made out what was said by her. Rus thought she was talking about what happened to her family dragon tribe, and due to his natural instinct to not pursue people¡¯s pass and be nosy about it. His mind acted like it¡¯s listening at a spoiler for a movie and filtered the most important part of what Semira said.


    With her voice dimming down from shame, Semira said the other half of her request.


    ¡°..Family and help me destroy the whole Blaze Fairy Tribe along with the Red Dragon,"


    ¡°All right hop on the wagon, the water and food are just behind the seat and we¡¯re going to a place which will have lots of shelters,"


    ¡°Can you promise that you will fulfill the request I said earlier?¡±


    ¡°Yes, of course. I Rus Tessaro promise that I will fulfill all your earlier request.¡±


    Without anyone noticing. The blood on the black butterfly wings vanished after he replied.


    Continuing his journey back home along with a little extra baggage and a treasure of unknown value. Rus was very much satisfied with the result of this encounter.


    Unbeknown the both is a huge wall of misunderstanding regarding the deal that has been made.


    Semira¡¯s expectation is bloating up like a balloon from the promise that has transpired, and from the thought that this young man is someone important.

 Chapter 2: Boy Meets Girl

    One man and one hybrid pixie traveled through the jagged mountain terrain. Rus is doing all the work like what a proper host should do, sometimes even carrying the wagon on his back to traverse a spot that could damage the wagon.


    He was away from home for 4 weeks, 11 days of those were used in the city and the rest was spent on the road. Going west and traveling for half a day they will reach the border of Manus Kingdom.


    The Manus Kingdom is one of the eight Kingdoms that¡¯s under the control of the Red Dragon Empire. Its location is at the forefront of war along with the other two kingdoms in the northwest and southwest part of the Empire.


    From the crooked hilltop, both saw the Manus Kingdom. Rus took a break lighting up his usual medicine, he did this every day after lunch. According to her observation, it seems like he belonged to a military lineage that¡¯s fighting within the borders with the Sydu People of the Togoah Desert.


    But everyone silently knows the aim of the Empire is not defending the borders or the safety of its citizens, but to ransack the Togoah Desert with its vast natural resources like minerals, metal mines and the most important of all. Genoa.


    Genoa is also used as currency called Genny and if it¡¯s processed, it can be mixed with other material and will give that certain item a capability to store or manipulate mana, it can only be done once, and you¡¯ll need an extremely large amount.


    Semira took this time to strike a conversation to gain more information about Rus and his affiliation with the Manus Kingdom.


    ¡°Hey, Rus what type of house will you provide me with? The Kingdom has many people, I don¡¯t want to be in a crowded place.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Who said I¡¯ll give you a house?¡±


    ¡°But you said you¡¯ll fulfill your promise!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I will. But who mentioned it will be a house from the kingdom?¡±


    ¡°You mean!!!¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


    It could be a barn, it would be uncomfortable but I can bear with it, but what if it¡¯s a pigpen, a small dog''s house, wet cave, or an ancient dungeon?¡­. What if winter came? Did I make a mistake? It can¡¯t be. My Mother transported me near him. There must be something, anything.


    Semira¡¯s thoughts ran wild, she regretted not being able to specify what type of shelter she needs.


    Since the stories he heard from her parents and traveling merchants about the Empire, Kingdom, and Cities are extremely lacking.


    ¡°Trust me, you¡¯ll meet my wonderful family tomorrow morning,"


    My mom always told me that those who say the words ¡°Trust me¡± are full of confidence or will fail miserably.


    Semira kept the thoughts in her head but her face reveals what she¡¯s feeling inside. He can feel the anxiety just by looking at her. So, he grabbed the wooden shaft of the wagon and pulled it opposite to the direction of Manus Kingdom.


    ***


    Somewhere inside the Hundred Fang Mountains, there is a canyon, and in the middle, a river is flowing through between the curved jagged rocks.


    6 people found a road leading inside the canyon. Half of them are trying to finish their proficiency rank examination, specifically the Practical Quest.


    But the Manus Kingdom is near the border of the desert and the target they are searching for are Threat-Level 3 Monsters. To pass the examination they need to kill at least three, One kill per person.


    But this place is lacking in monsters and creatures, it¡¯s just that this area is the safest among others and that¡¯s why they could get permission from their family to conduct the practical quest in this location.


    Holli Heisen, 17 years old, 2nd-Rank Swordsman, daughter of a Viscount in Manus Kingdom and knight in training for House Heisen. To be recognized as a full fledge knight she needs to have a 5th-Rank Badge from the Swordsman Guild.


    ¡°This armor is so last year¡¯s model, I feel fat and ugly wearing them, I wish daddy would buy me the ones that came out a few days ago. They are light and comes in a different color now, they are pricey but it¡¯s worth it.¡±


    Justin Liler, 17 years old, 2nd-Rank Bard and son of a wealthy merchant, their influence spreads in Manus up to two other kingdoms in the border of Togoah Desert.


    They mainly sell war supplies like arrows, rations, tents and the likes, they are the main supplier for the army of House Heisen. He¡¯s been pursuing Holli ever since their parents introduced them with each other and wouldn¡¯t miss this chance to be with her.


    ¡°Lady Holli, your unmatched figure can be compared to a sculpted flawless white jade, no matter what you wear your beauty will shines beyond the horizon. If you want when we get back, I¡¯ll buy the armor for you. No! I¡¯ll buy the whole shop!¡±


    Ronald Isley, 18 years old, 2nd-Rank Mage and one of the apprentices of a 5th-Rank Wizard living in Manus City. His master¡¯s reputation is widespread. Wizards and Arch Wizards are famous with firepower, especially during a war and when you became an apprentice of a wizard that means you have a bright future ahead of you.


    Justin considered Ronald as a rival in love. They have been pursuing the same girl for quite some time now, no matter the timing these two won¡¯t miss the chance to blow on airs at each other.


    ¡°The only redeeming quality you have is your money, and that isn¡¯t even yours. Lady Holli¡¯s gracefulness can¡¯t be measured by any monetary value you present. We all know inside that head of yours is a dirty lump of dung.¡±


    Hodin Zabaza, 22 years old, a 3rd-Rank Acolyte, got surprised on a Practical Exam mission from the Adventurer''s guild because of the high commission that was posted. Now he knew why no one was taking it, these types of Evaluation missions are normal.


    A 1st-Rank or an Iron badged Novice will be surveyed by a 2nd-Rank Copper badged skilled personnel and vice versa. But from 3rd and up they will rely on their own because from the 3rd-Rank you are deemed a professional. Hiring someone else to do your mission is contradicting the purpose of being an adventurer to earn money.


    Getting a promotion in rank will depend on the authenticity and evidence of your exploits. But there is always an exception.


    ¡°Sigh!¡±


    Beside him is the reason for the sigh that came out of his nose.


    Sergio Blue, 29 years old, 4th-Rank Paladin, he is the personal guard of Holli. This practice is highly discouraged at every guild because to test the real combat and survival capabilities of an individual there shouldn¡¯t be any external Help during the Exam period. Even though he said that he would just observe and won¡¯t help with the exam, his presence alone is enough to remove the sense of danger and tension from the examinee.


    This is one of the reasons a divide has formed between ranked nobles and ranked commoners.


    From a commoner¡¯s point of view having a noble in their company is like having a paper tiger and will all put them in danger when the going gets tough, sure there are nobles that really distinguish themselves above the rest but those are few in numbers and even them are being affected by it.


    In a noble¡¯s point of view, commoners are just leeching off them because they can always hire a high-ranked adventurer to accompany them to do their bidding, and thus a gap was formed.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Aside from that, there are many reasons they won¡¯t join a group of commoners, but among the very top is a lot of nobles view the commoners as a lower kind of species. They strongly believe they are the descendants of a Dragon.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough you two, let¡¯s go to the path we saw earlier after we eat breakfast, there might be some Threat-level 3 monsters there. I don¡¯t want to stay in these mountains for a month, and our supplies are getting smaller, I don¡¯t even have any make-up left!¡±


    At the very back leaning on a tree and staring at the 3 red-haired youth that¡¯s arguing, is a blond guy with green eyes around his 30s. Beside him is all the luggage of his clients; tents, food, clothes, kitchen wears that¡¯s x3 as big as him and anything that the clients feel like not carrying is handed to him.


    Please! we would all die from hunger, but you¡¯ll never run out of make-up.


    The Porters Guild also require their members to have enough physical strength to be listed in the Adventurers List as qualified porters. Like a regular guild, they have a collection of knowledge from porters that contribute to the organization because they are expected to do all the menial task.


    ¡°Porter, prepare something for breakfast,"


    ¡°What would you want to eat Milady?¡±


    ¡°Anything,¡±


    He skillfully took the kitchen supplies from the clustered items that were bundled and tied together like a professional Jenga player. They can compare the outdoor cooking station to a mini kitchen from a small household.


    He cooked a simple meal comprising fried eggs, honey bacon, tomato soup, and a garlic baguette finally placing them on top of the foldable table. This set of meal is a luxury to the blond guy since all the ingredients he used are top-notch.


    The four guys sat on their chair ready to eat while the noble lady just stands near the table they are sitting, arms crossed.


    ¡°The food is not to my liking!¡±


    This has been the 19th time the situation occurred during their travels, he has been a porter for almost 15 years, encountered new and old adventurers alike, survived countless dangerous moments.


    But this is a first for him, truly heaven doesn¡¯t disappoint when it comes to trials for the mortal man. He could only calm his nerves and swallow his thoughts.


    If only there¡¯s a cure for such disorder.


    The porter was about to whip out a new set of meal for the lady because he has no answer for the riddle this girl is playing. Suddenly the paladin raised his hands and signaled everyone to be on alert! He spotted something.


    The atmosphere suddenly went from a merry picnic to a vigilant state.


    All of them quickly ditched the meal they are about to have and scouted the area leaving the porter aside. Surveying the location roughly a hundred meters away from the entrance they found leading to a canyon. They spotted an Orc and 2 Goblins walking side by side.


    The 3rd-Rank Acolyte Hodin assessed the monsters he saw and if it¡¯s fit to be the practical exam targets. What he saw surprised him because he was expecting this trip to be a failure with no monster or creature showing up and him cashing out the remaining half of the reward.


    ¡°1 High Orc and 2 mutated Goblins your luck is good, just 6 days in the safe zone and there¡¯s a Threat-level 3 High Orc and two Threat-level 3 Albino Goblins. They might even sell for a good price if you capture the two Albino goblins alive. It¡¯s considered pass if you slay or capture the 3 of them. Since they seem to be a group you can also take them down by cooperating with each other."


    The 3 red-haired youth planned their strategy on how to take care of the monsters. On the side, the Paladin was chanting a spell that¡¯s obvious to the Examiner.


    ¡°Forge from the will of the Holy Maiden [Sacred Protection], Defy the law of life [Dew of Vitality]¡±


    All the buff was targeted at Holli, Hodin was irritated by what he saw and quickly stopped what the paladin was doing but it¡¯s already too late. The buffs were already released, and it will stay for at least 10 minutes.


    ¡°Hey! You said you will just observe! Why did you cast support skills to the girl, I might as well report a failure on my end.¡±


    ¡°Sure, you will, just remember that we¡¯re out here in the wild no one will know if you encounter danger and got killed in action, and beside the High Orc is not suitable for a practical exam target. It might suddenly endanger the Lady."


    ¡°Are you threatening me? Any more help from you and the assessment for the 3 will be a failure."


    ¡°No of course not, I¡¯m just reminding you that the Lady¡¯s father is a Viscount and one of the Vice Generals of Manus Kingdom."


    ¡°Tsk! damn nobles!¡±


    While the Acolyte and Paladin are talking. The 3 finished their preparation for battle. The bard strummed the strings of his sanxian that can also act like a wooden mace in times of need.


    He played the basic [Song of the Wind], that increase the agility of the target audience. The only drawback is he cannot stop playing and the audience needs to be in a distance where they can hear the song.


    The mage cast [Fire Arrow] to lure the orc in their location while the swordsman was waiting behind a large boulder to start an attack and ambush the enemy.


    Orcs are generally green in color, as they grow stronger the color darkens and most High Orcs have grayish dark skin. The Orc they are trying to hunt is a female with short curly hair and seems well equipped for its kind.


    The magic that was flying towards the Orc was parried by the broadsword with a huge swing. The speed that the Orc manifested was unexpected from its size. Dust flew everywhere by the collision of the sword and fire magic. Holli was nervously preparing to unleash her skill as soon as the monsters passed by the boulder and go for the kill.


    This is it. After capturing these beasts, I can finally go back and take a long bath and beauty rest.


    The Acolyte and Paladin are still observing in a distance and it seems that everything is in favor of the three 2nd-Ranked Adepts. The dust finally settled down and the monsters should rage in anger and rushing towards the mage, contrary to their expectation the 3 monsters ran away.


    ¡°Quickly slow it down so I can hack it with my sword!"


    ¡°Guide the cold winter breeze [Ice Arrow]¡±


    The magic traveled fast hitting the shoulder of the Orc. They could hear it growling from a distance, but the 3 monsters kept running.


    Holli, Justin, and Ronald have no choice but to give chase. These are the only Threat-level 3 creatures they saw in the past week of traveling through the Hundred Fang Mountains.


    It¡¯s clear that the three monsters are native in this rocky environment and is not running aimlessly wanting to flee.


    They tried their hardest to catch up with the monsters and almost losing sight of them at times, and then an opportunity arrived.


    Ahead of them is a blockade of huge rocks with only a small clearing, and in that small space, an almost 7ft tall guy is pulling a wagon. The wagon was filled to the brim with a little girl on the driver¡¯s seat and was passing through the open path.


    Holli cannot help but rejoice in this opportunity, she quickly raised her voice so the guy pulling the wagon can hear her clearly.


    ¡°Hey! You! The guy pulling a wagon. I¡¯ll give you the privilege to let me owe you a favor, tilt your wagon vertically and block the monsters going your way!!!¡±


    The sleepy look on Rus¡¯s face is gone and was replaced with alertness, he ignored the request that the female swordsman made, he dashed forward facing the 3 monsters and passed them by.


    Rus came face to face with Holli, pulling his arms and punching the lady¡¯s face pummeling her head to the ground, her body bounced once due to the impact. Rus drew his sword, grabbed Holli¡¯s hair, lifted her head up and planted the edge of the sword in her neck.


    Everyone was aghast due to the sudden turn of events, they are not aware of the reason this guy would suddenly attack them. The examiner and supposed to be observer Hodin and Sergio hasten their steps to the scene.


    With a loud voice Rus finally opened his mouth and ask a question in an angry tone.


    ¡°What are you doing here!?¡±


    With an expression of pride and indignation, the bard was the one to answer Rus.


    ¡°I, Justin Liler, 2nd son of the leader of Liler Merchant Group, the dumb-looking mage is an apprentice of a 5th-Rank Wizard, and the lady you¡¯ve just assaulted is the only daughter of a Viscount and Vice General of Manus Kingdom!¡±


    The acolyte and paladin finally arrived and was shocked at the sight they saw. The personal guard of Holli cannot help frowning and demand for her release.


    ¡°Commoner! Do you know who you¡¯re messing with? Release her Lady right now or I will take your life!"


    Noticing the Silver Badge shaped like a shield, he knew this party will be hard to deal with. But the answer he¡¯s looking for has not been heard. The acolyte tried to mitigate the situation since this is not something he signed up for.


    ¡°Hello. I¡¯m Hodin, 3rd-Rank Acolyte and Examiner for these 3, Brother there might be some misunderstanding here."


    Everyone around him was not prepared for the following events that will occur in a few seconds.


    The answer he was waiting for finally arrived, it¡¯s just not what the people around him have been hoping to hear.


    ¡°Sorry, Father *chwik*¡±


    ¡°We" ¡°Smelled¡± ¡°father¡± ¡°far¡± ¡°away¡± ¡°to¡± ¡°welcome¡± ¡°back¡±


    Seeing someone hurt his family member after a long journey, sends pangs of pain in his heart and at the same time warms it. Because they welcomed him, and they knew the right action to take in case danger comes along.


    The Orc can speak well since she has been taught by Rus since childhood until finally becoming a High Orc, though She still can¡¯t help but to let out a grunt now and then when speaking. The albino twin Goblins can only speak one word at a time, they speak in tandem to finish the things they were trying to say.


    Among all of them in the scene, the most devastated of all was Semira. This isn¡¯t what comes to mind when she heard him say 4th Head of a family. Unfortunately, there¡¯s no going back now! She already made a bet with this human.


    Whether it was fulfilled or not, she can take back the wings when the promise is broken or if Rus died.


    Swollen face, and a broken nose, Holli was tearing up from anger and humiliation! Finally, Rus looked at the people in front of him answering the questions they pose earlier.


    ¡°Son of a merchant, dumb mage, daughter of a noble, examiner and a babysitter.


    Now let me ask you all a question, do you know who I am?¡±


    ¡°No!!!!¡±


    The five coincidently answered in unison.


    The whole time Semira was traveling with Rus She has never seen him smile. But right at this very moment, you can see a wide grin on Rus¡¯s face. A sinister smile that looks like the incarnation of all evil things combined.


    The nightmare started when Rus asked a question.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that such a wonderful thing?¡±

 Chapter 3: La Familia

    The solid ground was cold, stiffening and the heat of the afternoon sun is scorching hot. There are crawling insects on top of the ground, and you will see five heads sticking out from the dirt.


    Holli¡¯s face was swollen with missing teeth, and the makeup she carefully put on are now abstract art of a kid, she also has a few broken bones due to the event that happened a few hours ago.


    ¡°Sergio! tell me why a girl had to take a beating for 4 guys, look what happened! How can a 4th-Ranked Paladin be so useless!!!! Once I get out of here, I¡¯ll have you all tortured and killed by my dad.¡±


    ¡°My Lady, I have no excuse for myself. I want to say that it¡¯s better to be alive than dead.¡±


    ¡°Fortunately, they left us in our underwear before burying us in the ground.¡±


    ¡°Fortunate? you call this fortunate? Fart Face! If my fellow apprentice mage finds out, I¡¯ll be mocked and possibly be expelled by my master.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t get paid enough for this. Hopefully, that porter gets back to town to report our current situation or else we¡¯ll die here eaten by monsters or worse; starved to death and our carcasses will be nourishment for mother nature.¡±


    ***


    It all started with this sentence that let them all knew that this guy isn¡¯t messing around.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that such a wonderful thing?¡±


    Rus Kicked Holli¡¯s knees making her kneel on the ground while still grabbing her hair.


    ¡°Everyone, drop your weapons!¡±


    No one seems to be listening to him, so he punched her face breaking several teeth. The situation becomes tense. They can hear the cries for help that¡¯s coming from Holli¡¯s mouth, Rus then stepped on her ankle dislocating the bones. You can feel the pain just by hearing the sound that was made.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t shut up, I¡¯ll just kill you right now.¡±


    Holli shut her mouth and an eerie silence crept around them.


    *Clang*


    The paladin dropped his sword and shield. Though he can survive on his own if Holli dies there will be no place for him anymore. Not only his life but the life of the people he knew will be affected.


    Holli¡¯s dad isn¡¯t very well known for his kindness, in fact, it¡¯s the exact opposite.


    Following the paladin¡¯s example, the other guys seem to have lost their will and dropped their weapons. Rus unclasped the armor Holli is wearing with his sword, even the tied leather attire was removed only leaving her with undergarments that looks like bloomers and a regular shirt.


    The two young red-haired youth Justin and Ronald cannot hide their perverted gaze, because you can see the drool coming out of their mouths. The words uttered by Rus woke them up from their daydreaming.


    ¡°Strip, all of you!¡±


    Seemingly not satisfied by their reaction, Rus stepped on the other ankle of Holli. The terrifying scream made their unwilling bodies move and unequipped their armor and clothes until the bare minimum was left.


    He ordered the four to dig 5 holes burying the paladin first, 2nd the acolyte, 3rd the bard, 4th the mage and lastly the swordsman.


    The porter already ran away when the party is already incapable of fighting. The porter¡¯s priority is to escape as fast as he can, ditch everything and make sure that his safety is above all else.


    This action isn¡¯t considered heartless. In the early days, they thought porters to be disposable products even making them the bait to lure monsters, subjects of mockery because they can¡¯t wield mana and a bunch of horrible things happened to porters everywhere.


    These all change when the Porter¡¯s Guild was formed and attached themselves to the Adventurer¡¯s Guild. They established rules and most of it consists of not going above their job description. Not just for their safety but also for the sake of information gathering in case their clients didn¡¯t come back alive.


    Rus took everything, from the armor, leather, and clothes they are wearing up to the dropped luggage of the porter until the camp where the served breakfast was now cold.


    A High Orc, two albino Goblins, a gloomy-looking Pixie a tall guy pulling a wagon and a blonde guy that¡¯s tied at the back being pulled against his will.


    ¡°Should we make a meal out of him? chwik¡±


    ¡°Do," ¡°Humans,¡± ¡°Taste," ¡°Good?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know chwik, let¡¯s find out hik hik hik!¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t eat me, I¡¯m a dirty human being, I visit the brothels a lot, I take addictive substances and I have 10 younger siblings to feed!!!¡±


    Rus¡¯s normal face is back with a sleepy vibe as if saying ¡®he wants to go to bed¡¯, taking his medicine for the day he offered some to the tied-up guy, but he vehemently refused. Any addicts of the empire would know what the substance he¡¯s taking and could not resist getting a free fix.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry they are good kids and just messing with you.¡±


    ¡°What are you planning to do to me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking of hiring you as a porter, so forget what you saw earlier and just say they have been eaten by bears or something.¡±


    ¡°Eh!?, you cannot buy my pride as a porter!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll pay you 10% more than the regular porter fee, your missing payment from your previous employer and an advance for this whole month.¡±


    ¡°Quinn Pateli at your service!¡±


    It¡¯s nice having money.


    The porter immediately half bowed when he heard the offer is higher than the amount he would regularly get, the average salary for a porter per day ranges from ¡ì350-¡ì500 Genny, and a meal for a single person cost around ¡ì250-¡ì300 and that¡¯s for the lower-class citizens of a city. He immediately asked to be released so he can sign a new contract.


    Quinn pulled out his ledger to let Rus saw the amount of time that was spent with the guys that were buried alive. He paid him a total ¡ì15,000 in a form of 3 Damac Cards,


    These cards are produced in the Damacium Republic by the Damac Corporation.


    The payment he received excite Quinn and gave him a little fear because Rus handed it to him with full confidence.


    He took the handle that Rus was pulling and diligently did his job as a porter. Meanwhile, Semira was getting depressed every minute that passed by, her bloated up expectation is blowing up in her face.


    Going through the canyon, Rus and Co. were greeted with a sight of a flowing river and going further there is an angled rock that you wouldn¡¯t see the entrance unless you go near it and peek at what¡¯s behind the rock.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Eight oddly shaped carriages are arranged to form a circle and in the middle is a big cooking pot where you can smell beef stew with milk and mixed vegetables. Just a few meters away is an old man with white hair, and 2 missing legs sitting on a wooden wheelchair dozing off.


    ¡°Bathel, why are you all alone? Where¡¯s Korpic?¡±


    ¡°Boss! that young¡¯un said he¡¯ll meet us at Inedge Town, and who¡¯s that cute little one beside you?¡±


    Almost forgetting about Semira¡¯s existence he asked everyone to prepare for lunch, but before they could, Quinn already arranged the chairs, table, bread and table wares. They do not understand how he found them in that short time and it¡¯s even the things they usually arrange for daily use.


    The stew that was cooking before will take a few more minutes to be done, all of them took a seat and Rus began his introduction.


    ¡°Semira is a Pixie, I promised to give her someplace to live. And with that, I¡¯ll give her the 6th carriage¡±


    Semira inspected the carriage, its size from the wheel to roof is around 14¡¯, width 8¡¯ and the length is 24¡¯ the wheels of the carriage is underneath the base and its roof is shaped like a bow.


    Semira stood up and walked towards the carriage, the entrance is higher than her head. Rus accompanied her and pulled out the ladder at the bottom of the door. For the first time, she was satisfied with what she saw. Inside the carriage are a bed, a small study table, windows, a closet and a separate room for the lavatory. She got to admit that this was better than what she painted on her mind a day ago.


    Standing on the bed and looking out the window she can see Rus arms crossed, eyes closed, and head tilted up as if waiting for something from the heavens to fall.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Waiting for the blessing, since I already gave you the shelter you asked for!¡±


    He was wondering if he could get those rare permanent blessings. Since the value of the things, he gave out was quite big. Exhaling through his nose the blessing still didn¡¯t come.


    ¡°But you still need to provide me with a family!¡±


    ¡°Huh? that¡¯s not part of the deal.¡±


    Not wanting for his pose to go to waste Rus opened his right eye and asked her seriously.


    ¡°Since you have nowhere to go do you want to become a part of my family? But you must call me either Boss, Head or Father.¡±


    Hearing the tense conversation, the other members of Rus¡¯s family chimed in to lighten up the mood.


    ¡°Ehem, you can call me daddy if you want.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t chwik go near anywhere that old lolicon chwik¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not like that, I just love children¡±


    ¡°He,¡± ¡°lost,¡± ¡°his,¡± ¡°legs,¡± ¡°cause,¡± ¡°he,¡± ¡°kidnapped,¡± ¡°little,¡± ¡°girls,¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to them, I¡¯m an honest and decent guy!¡±


    With a slight smile and a teary eye, Semira nodded in approval while Rus is still in his pose waiting.


    It will come now for sure, I wonder what kind of blessing it will be?


    ¡°Hmm, why is it still not activating?¡±


    ¡°Uhm, you still need to kill the Red Dragon and Eliminate the whole Blaze Fairy Tribe!¡±


    ¡°What!?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Rus knew it will be a hard-fought road until he gets the special fx he wanted. He¡¯s still a little disappointed that there¡¯s no light pouring down from the heavens for him to bask on.


    Quinn was scooping up the stew and plating them neatly, He had no clue he¡¯s witnessing one of the greatest moments in history that will never be written in the books and he could only tell his grandsons and their friends about what happened during that period.


    Rus and Semira went back to the table, the stew is ready to be eaten along with a crunchy ciabatta.


    ¡°Let me introduce the members of our family, High Orc Emeralda!¡±


    ¡°Finally, a female member besides me chwik, you can call me Emy. chwik¡±


    ¡°The Albino Twins, Geal and Byal!¡±


    ¡°Welcome,¡± ¡°to,¡± ¡°the,¡± ¡°family.¡±


    ¡°Retired Doctor Bathel Grayfield!¡±


    ¡°You can ask me anything you want to know regarding the family, no! just ask me directly I¡¯ll even give you cookies!¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s one more, but he¡¯s not here. We¡¯ll meet with him later, and since we have a new member state the house rules before, we eat.¡±


    Every place or organization have rules to follow, some even have a soul binding contract that will leave you crippled or dead when you break the rules, Semira was aware of it but she¡¯s not prepared on what she¡¯s about to hear coming from the mouths of her newly found family.


    ¡°No.1 Loyalty to chwik the family comes over everything else. chwik¡±


    ¡°Number,¡± ¡°two,¡± ¡°Always,¡± ¡°wear,¡± ¡°a,¡± ¡°respectable,¡± ¡°attire,¡± ¡°when,¡± ¡°you,¡± ¡°go,¡± ¡°to,¡± ¡°battle.¡±


    ¡°No.3 Lies and deceit can only be used outside the family.¡±


    ¡°No.4 If you can¡¯t decide chwik your superiors will do it for you. chwik¡±


    ¡°Number,¡± ¡°Five,¡± ¡°Follow,¡± ¡°orders,¡± ¡°from,¡± ¡°your,¡± ¡°superiors.¡±


    ¡°No.6 Never take sides with anyone against the family.¡±


    ¡°No.7 Always return favors. chwik¡±


    ¡°Number,¡± ¡°Eight,¡± ¡°Your,¡± ¡°goal,¡± ¡°is,¡± ¡°the,¡± ¡°families,¡± ¡°goal,¡± ¡°your,¡± ¡°troubles,¡± ¡°are,¡± ¡°the,¡± ¡°families,¡± ¡°trouble.¡±


    ¡°No.9 Don¡¯t make yourself look big, by pointing out how small someone is.¡±


    Rus stood up to deliver the last part of the house rules.


    ¡°And lastly. Have a heart that doesn¡¯t sway no matter what happens, doesn¡¯t judge whether beneath or above others.¡±


    ¡°I formally welcome you to the Tessaro Familia!¡±


    A strong wind blew towards them. Semira¡¯s long black hair fluttered, she bowed like a lady and gave a smile that will warm people¡¯s hearts.


    ¡°I Semira Zyganar a member of the Night Pixie Tribe will do my very best to meet your expectations, please take care of me!¡±


    With all the introduction taken care of, all of them sat down aside from the porter.


    They do not allow porters to use the supplies of their clients they all carry their own rations. But Gael and Byal carried an extra chair and tableware for the porter, they pulled the hem of his shirt gesturing to eat with them.


    Seeing monsters act like this bewildered him, goblins are either violent or scared with interacting with humans or other creatures, Orcs are aggressive and will attack everything that moves even if it doesn¡¯t threaten them. The only time they can be in control is when a tamer binds these monsters and they will obey their owners with lifeless eyes; or when they are in captivity and have been tortured and disciplined to be a pet.


    A clear difference can be seen just by looking at their eyes, skin that doesn¡¯t have many bruises, and the way they interact is a clear sign they have higher intelligence than most goblins and orcs in their species.


    Rus took his time to tell everyone what happened with his visit to the city, and the meeting between Semira and him until dusk arrived at the horizon.


    Settling in her new home Semira could finally relax a little. Hiding her deepest grudge in the corners of her heart and sitting on the bed inside the carriage. They told her she can customize anything inside and out the carriage aside from the roof and the wheels, but right now she only has her oversized black scarf that acts as clothing and a pair of slippers that¡¯s too big for her feet.


    She sniffed the scarf, afraid that the scent of her mother will go away and stared blankly at the empty table. A knock came from the door of her carriage, she stood up to open the door and saw Emeralda standing in front carrying a bunch of materials, she can hardly hold all of it.


    ¡°I bought things chwik to decorate your house chwik and some other girl items that chwik that those boys won¡¯t understand. chwik¡±


    She bought pillows, mattress, lamps, bed sheets, small clothes for girls, toiletries, and random things like curtains, stuffed toys, pencils, papers that you wouldn¡¯t expect coming from an Orc.


    ¡°This is too much Ms. Emeralda,¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s ok chwik these are my old things chwik, father bought them for me chwik when I was a little orclet chwik, and call me Emy chwik¡±


    Semira stared at the things that Emy bought and happiness sprinkled in her gloomy face, she decorated her carriage and never thought that arranging her own things could be fun.


    For the first time in her life, she will have her own room even though it¡¯s not inside a big city and there¡¯s none of her kind around she was quite satisfied. Because it can be called her own.


    ¡°When you get money chwik, you can customize your carriage chwik like I did with mine,¡±


    Emy pointed out the window, and she looked outside only to notice now that some carriages are different in style, the one that Emy pointed out was a carriage that¡¯s colored white and pink, glass windows and with lots of decorative flowers blooming from the sides.


    ¡°I got to go Semira chwik we can have tea at my place before dinner chwik¡±


    ¡°Uhhh uhmm, hold on Ms. Emy, Hnnnnggggg!¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    White light poured all over Emy¡¯s body, the wound she got earlier completely vanished without a trace and her skin was also vibrant like she just got out of the steam bath.


    Semira was relieved to see her magic working again, for pixies they wield mana by establishing a connection to a close relative or family, the larger the net of connections the larger the mana they can manipulate.


    This also proves that there is a certain level of approval within herself and her newfound family.


    ¡°That¡¯s amazing chwik, you¡¯re the 4th person in our family that can use magic. chwik¡±


    A tear fell from Semira¡¯s eyes, it was not from sadness or fear it was a tear coming from someone that had just latched on new hope.


    The two girls heard a call coming from the outside, so they got out of the carriage to comply in Rus¡¯s call.


    ¡°Everyone. Gather up, we will iron out the plan for tomorrow¡¯s travel and preparations!¡±


    ***


    The solid ground was warm, comforting but the cold sharpness of the wind coming from the north is unbearable.


    Hunger churned their stomach and the lack of waterchipped their lips as time goes by,and five heads are sticking out from the dirt.


    ¡°Sergio! You¡¯re a 4th-Ranked paladin, figure out a way so we can get out of here, and the 4 of you start screaming! Someone might hear us and help us get out of here¡±


    ¡°My Lady, I have enough vitality but not enough mobility to use my strength¡±


    ¡°My throat is so dry I can¡¯t even. . .¡±


    ¡°If I permanently damage my vocal cords, I won¡¯t be able to cast magic anymore!¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t get paid enough for this, I just want to go back alive¡±

 Chapter 4: Strawberry Ice Cream

    Occasionally you¡¯ll wake up too early and go out your front door, look up the sky and the stars will just be there twinkling for you. But in this world, there are no stars in sight.


    The embers from the bonfire are flickering. Quinn busied himself by tending the two Guise Turtle that will pull the 8 carriages. These types of turtles are slower than a horse but faster than a running human and their size is massive, according to the books they are rank 2 monsters that change their shell adapting to the environment they¡¯re at.


    Some Guise Turtle can reach up to 9¡¯ in height 8¡¯ feet in width and 18 ft in length and could weigh about 2 tons.


    The two turtles have a rocky shell that resembles miniature hills, and they adjusted the color of their skin like mud, in the farmlands they will have a green exterior and a grassy shell and use it as a camouflage to eat whatever¡¯s planted on the field. Although they are convenient to use it¡¯s hard to tame them because they are very stubborn and will not stay at one place for a long time.


    Quinn scratched his head in confusion, every time he thought he knew what was going on he will be surprised time and time again, but he understood best not to ask something that¡¯s out of his payroll.


    They connected the carriages using a drawbar, you can connect eight of them together. But they divide it into two and connect 4 carriages on each Guise Turtle by clamping it on their shells.


    Rus called out Emy and the twins and gave them a pin that is shaped like a padlock that signifies that they are tamed monsters, he didn¡¯t need to give one for Semira because she looks like an Elf-child.


    ¡°One day you¡¯ll be able to walk around freely without those pins, but for now make do with it.¡±


    When you reach 3rd Rank-Professional with a Steel Badge, you¡¯ll be allowed to bring tamed monsters and creatures with similar threat level or lower and it will be a proof that those wearing the pins is not a danger to the public inside a city or a town.


    ¡°Everyone, tidy up we will set out as soon as the sun rises.¡±


    The albino twins went back to their carriage and tidied things up, Emy invited Semira to have tea, and Bathel is drying the ink on his diary. He skimmed through the diary he¡¯s holding in his hands and smelled the old paper and ink that wafted to the air reminding him of his past.


    ***


    Bathel¡¯s Diary:


    Year 1413 A.W -


    Finally got out of prison and lost everything! Money, reputation, my loved ones, my two legs and even my lifetimes research as a doctor is gone. Those people that looked at me like a freak while I use my hands to move around makes me feel disgusted about myself.


    My daughter should be a stunning lady by now, she never visited even once I hope she remembers her daddy.


    Year 1414 A.W -


    I lived in the slums for a year, the people here are crooks, but they are crooks at face value, I earn a petty genny while being here. The people in the higher district just don¡¯t trust a doctor that has been denounced by the Doctors Guild; the people at the slums are hard to convince when you told them you¡¯re a doctor that doesn¡¯t have legs and proper clothing.


    It¡¯s nearing the end of the year I somehow earn a little to buy wooden prosthetic legs and crutches, decent enough clothes to wear outside and some daily necessities. Finally, life isn¡¯t so gloomy anymore.


    Year 1415 A.W -


    After a year of searching, I found my ex-wife¡¯s location, she remarried a mogul in the noble¡¯s circle which sells supplies for medicine in the whole empire. I can¡¯t blame her for finding a new man I was gone for 8 whole years.


    Even though she¡¯s the stepmother of my child they have been getting along well and she took care of her like her own child.


    I gathered my courage to ask the manors guard, told them my name and requested for a meeting with my ex-wife and my daughter. The guards have an odd look in their face, after a few minutes a servant came and whispered something to the guard, they told me that the Madam and my daughter doesn¡¯t want to see me and refused to let me in.


    I refuse to give up and shouted in front of the manor, hoping that either of them could hear me, but the guards beat me up I came back home in the slums with broken crutches and hurting body.


    I was relentless and my longing to see my daughter is stronger than ever. Once a week I would go in front of the manor and shout, get beaten up, went home and repeat.


    I even tried to follow the carriages that went out of the manor, but a crippled guy can only do so much.


    Year 1416 A.W -


    A kid with a sleepy and uninterested look in his eyes came knocking on my door. I don¡¯t want to forget the words that came out of his mouth the first time we meet so here I am jotting it down.


    ¡°Are you Dr. Bathel Grayfield?¡±


    I told him I was busy and don¡¯t have the crayons or the time to humor him cause I¡¯m about to do some light stalking in the noble¡¯s manor.


    I slammed the door and walked past him, but even if his voice was low, I could hear it rumble inside my mind.


    ¡°Sweet strawberry ice cream tiddies! I need a personal doctor in exchange the devil¡¯s horn will fuck your pie hole, I¡¯ll let you meet your daughter!¡±


    Such vulgar words came out of this lads¡¯ mouth, he told me it¡¯s a sickness. I didn¡¯t buy it at first but seeing parts of his body twitch as we speak and being a doctor to the core, my curiosity got the best of me.


    Everyone that came from the slums keeps finding ways to get a free diagnosis or medicine, I encountered all types of scam already this kid can¡¯t be any better. But when it came to my daughter, I was vulnerable, no matter how obvious the lie is.


    He asked me to follow him, a few miles from the slums there¡¯s a dumpsite and there are people here and there scavenging for things that could make them a little money. I¡¯ve also been here a few times and just beyond the dumpsite is a small forest that hasn¡¯t been filled up because of the tall hill blocking the wagons that carried trash.


    I had an ominous feeling, this place is what they call the nameless graveyard, we went up to the hill and stopped at a piled-up stone, the kid threw a shovel in front of me as if he had prepared it in advance.


    I told myself that this is a big prank that this devil of a child brewed up, but my hands were shaking, slumped on the ground picked up the shovel and dug through the soil. The kid is just standing there staring at me with no intention of moving.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    I dug and dug until it¡¯s noon and my hands are numb, I saw bones of a human being, put the shovel to the side and used my hands to carefully remove the dirt. My eyes were red, and tears just won¡¯t stop flowing out.


    The skull I held in my hands is unmistakably my daughters the missing tooth when she was eight, the height of the remains and the pendant I gave her in her eight birthdays.


    Year 1426 A.W -


    10 years I¡¯ve accompanied that kid, even without guidance he grew up to be a splendid man. He¡¯s been chipping away their resources every time he got a chance, and this will be the 20th and the last time before their downfall.


    The treasures he bought back this time was from my ex-wife¡¯s husband¡¯s treasury their business must be dwindling now and I can¡¯t be happier.


    They stole all the research I had and sold unfinished products to the professionals in the field. Ok, I can live with that. But what I can¡¯t forgive is they let my only daughter die an unreasonable death.


    Soon they will grovel at my feet begging for forgiveness for the atrocities they did to my daughter.


    Even though I don¡¯t have any feet he he! Oh well, no one can read my personal diary, anyway.


    ***


    Bethel shut his diary and tightly packed his things inside the carriage securing the books inside the shelves, putting everything that can fall inside the drawer of the desk. He has done this countless of times he already mastered the craft.


    All of them are ready for departure, with a loud whistle the Guise Turtles moved forward going east.


    The first batch of carriages that are connected is being manned by Rus and the other driver was Quinn. The steps of the turtles are heavy only the empires metal chariots are qualified to be pulled by them, but they equip the wooden carriages with suspensions that are currently unknown to the empire.


    After a few hours, they left the Hundred Fang mountains. In one carriage Semira was peeking at the window, she had never been outside the territory of her tribe.


    At first, there was barely anything insight but sand and rocks, as they go forward, she witnessed a lot of things. A traveling group of nobles with their carriages glittering with gold and silver, merchants that were being protected by mercenaries, adventurers with a large wagon being pulled by a horned beast.


    There are also those that left an impression on her, settlers that are carrying pieces of luggage and children that¡¯s almost just skin and bones. There are also different species like elves, humans, fluffy creatures, scaled creatures, Halflings that are bounded by metal chains in their hands and neck. Most of them are being whipped and forced to move forward.


    She looked back inside the carriage and compared it to the scene outside. A deep sadness came out of nowhere, she sat on the bed staring at the empty floor.


    If I could turn back time and hug my mom a million times over, if I could say I love you a million times over, if I could just have been a good girl.


    The many ifs filled her head while the caravan is nearing the City.


    A huge gate that¡¯s in the middle of the brick wall was preventing the crowd from entering rapidly.


    The guards are inspecting the people that pass through the gates and sometimes you can see gennies being flung by merchants and nobles for letting them pass easily.


    It¡¯s their turn to be inspected, Rus showed his swordsman badge, and the guards asked them to open the doors of the carriages.


    Bathels carriage passed without a hitch, but with Emy¡¯s carriage the guards pulled out their sword by the threatening sight they saw.


    A High-Orc is never to be treated lightly. Her large fangs are menacing from a human¡¯s point of view, a huge figure that barely fit the door of the carriage, bulging hard rock muscles that can squeeze your head in their armpit and worse of all she¡¯s wearing a sleeveless pink dress.


    She pointed at the pin that Rus gave her. They all look at the direction of the first carriage, their faces say it all.


    Just like the time your best friend told everyone your fetish. That was the face they are making. In human years she¡¯s still 10 years old, but in Orc years she¡¯s already capable of being a mother and should have dozens of children by now.


    Emeralda is in search of a mate. Growing up with Rus, Bethel, and Korpic, all she knew are human customs when it comes to interacting with the opposite sex. The 3 would always describe to her what a lady should be. These pieces of advice screwed up with her head regarding a relationship.


    She winked at the guards that were staring at her, this sends shivers down their spine and immediately move to the next carriage.


    Opening the door, the guards saw two white-skinned goblins they have blood in their hands and mouth and the smell coming out inside their carriage is horrid. Goblins are omnivore, but their preferred diet is still raw meat.


    The Goblins, Geal and Byal smiled at the same time with blood still on their teeth.


    Both pointed at the pin on their chest in unison and at this moment the guards can¡¯t fathom why this adventurer is harboring such dangerous creatures.


    Moving to the other the door squeaked open, there is no smell, no muscular monsters, and everything seems normal.


    The guards looked inside, and in the corner is a girl with long black hair sitting on the floor. The girl slowly looked at them and it sent chills down their spine. The guards backed away slowly.


    They have never felt such a gloomy vibe in the colorful city of Inedge. The other carriage they checked is empty. They breathe a sigh of relief as they inspect the last two carriages, that¡¯s filled with potato, and at last a normal inspection.


    The city guards didn¡¯t even bother with Rus anymore and just want to send him away.


    Located at the edge of Red Dragon Empire, Inedge City is a place where trading of weapons between kingdoms at the border occur.


    The city itself looks flamboyant, the houses are made with stones with the color of sand. The streets are wide for 6 carriages to pass through, you can see Vendors and Peddlers shouting on the streets selling their goods, bards are singing the latest and old news.


    When the afternoon sun is added to the mix along with the people trying to attract customers here and there, you could never tell that this city is at the forefront of the war.


    Rus and Co. went to the city square where a bazaar is always held 24/7.


    Quinn asked Rus to visit his family since he lives near the area and submit a report in the adventurer¡¯s guild.


    Their large carriages combined with the guise turtles attracted people¡¯s attention, the turtles hid inside their shell and the change in the color and texture of their shell is noticeable by the naked eye.


    A short guy around his 30s was approaching their caravan, he¡¯s wearing a noble¡¯s attire with red hair, short beard and carrying luggage. Rus recognize the guy, at first sight, the one who always gathers information and handles all the paperwork for him. Korpic Hugel.


    ¡°Boss, the things you told me to get are all here.¡±


    ¡°Korpic, have you contacted the Sydian spies? The plan will begin 3 days from now.¡±


    ¡°About that, they said that your offer is too good to be true. They told me you might be double-crossing them.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll give them a visit. We also have a new member, look at her background and a porter that¡¯s named Quinn Pateli.¡±


    ¡°Got it boss and here is the thing you asked me to be made it¡¯s expensive and the style is odd.¡±


    ¡°Remember Korpic a man isn¡¯t measured on how he earns, but how he spends his money.¡±


    Rus went back to his carriage to change. Meanwhile, the members of his family are setting up their tents with signboards on the side.


    Dr. Grayfield¡¯s Clinic:


    Affordable diagnostic and Medicine.


    Children below 12 yrs. old and below


    is free of charge.


    Twin¡¯s Dice Game:


    Multiply your hard-earned money.


    Our motto is honesty and fairness.


    Emeralda¡¯s Love Booth:


    Heartbroken? Cannot find a partner?


    Want to get back your ex?


    Come inside and get a professional


    relationship advise!


    Semira was staring at the booths the other members of the family have.


    She asked Emeralda and told her she needed to earn money and give some of those to the family, so it can grow.


    She was lost in thought, aside from casting magic and playing with her friends she realized she can¡¯t do anything at all.


    Bethel approached Semira and gave her a frilly white dress.


    ¡°Wear that really really really cute dress and stand in that empty area. I put money in this box, so it will look like someone paid it already.¡±


    He handed Semira something that looks like a picture book and a tarp to set up.


    ¡°When people put money on the box copy, one of these random poses don¡¯t forget to smile, do it in about 5 seconds then stop moving again.¡±


    This will be one of the darkest chapters of Semira¡¯s life and the start of her fame throughout the entire world.


    Rus got out of the carriage the members of the Family looked at him from top to bottom. This was the first time they saw the clothing he¡¯s wearing. A sleek black suit paired with a dark red tie and leather shoes, finishing it off he wore the fedora with the same color as his suit and a gray band around it.


    Grabbing his sword and smoking his medicine, he gave off a vibe that he will not stop for anyone.


    ¡°We will have a meeting tonight! I¡¯ll be going off for business and will be back for dinner.¡±


    The flawless plan he had in mind didn¡¯t come to fruition, the Sydians of Togoah Desert just won¡¯t cooperate. He went to the red-light district where they live to give them a different kind of deal.


    Semira stared at Rus wide back while she set up a tarp, she can feel gazes going in her direction and it sent chills down her spine.


    But if she could see Bethels smile that reach the ear, she would never have agreed to this.

 Chapter 5: Prelude to Disaster

    Blood and sand were sticking in his shoes as he walked forward, no one dared to act. The soldiers can only point their sword at a single guy that slaughtered anyone regardless of age and gender.


    Silence lingered the air, people can only stare, and they didn¡¯t even try to breathe loudly.


    The kingdoms knight finally arrived at the scene, all of them are 5th Rank-Experts with Golden Badge.


    They equip the dozen or so knights with swords and spears. Before their captain could speak the guy in a black suit rushed towards them.


    ¡°Traitor of the Empire, I will not give you a peaceful death!¡±


    The soldiers and civilians heave a sigh of relief. the nightmare will finally end.


    But they once again heard the voice that brought terror in their lives.


    ¡°Cookie cunt cockroach cockless critter!!¡±


    I was never one of you.


    ***


    Having a logo or a picture on a business place is common practice in the empire. Especially for people that cannot read. A huge metal sign of a compass can be seen in the middle of a five-story building. The Adventurer¡¯s Guild Headquarters is where you can apply for promotion in rank, accept missions, hire porters and individual adventurers for various jobs in relation to their class.


    Quinn just submitted his report, paid taxes and walked out the Adventurer¡¯s guild hall. The receptionist is rubbing her forehead while she reads Quinn¡¯s report regarding his former and new clients.


    He isn¡¯t hired that often cause on the list there are much more famous porters. Although they are at the same trade, the top listers get more benefits from adventurers. Quinn whispered to himself while he counts his money.


    ¡°No matter how much I count it¡¯s still not enough. More, I need more.¡±


    They live a place between the slums and the commoner¡¯s area. The rent isn¡¯t high, and it follows the theme of the city. During these hours the kids are being taught by an Old Adventurer just behind the middle district. This has become her hobby since retiring. She has 40 students and most of them are ready to take the 1st-Rank exam with an Iron Badge.


    Quinn can¡¯t help but eavesdrop, he too once dreamt of becoming a famous adventurer.


    ¡°Everyone should know the test for the Adventurer¡¯s Ranking exam is coming soon. We will do a quick recap for those that will take the exam.¡±


    ¡°Raise your hands if you know the answer. Who can tell me the eight ranks starting from the lowest to the highest?¡±


    Not everyone is born with the capability to wield mana. There are thousands of kids in the slums but only a few shows talent or even enthusiasm to attend the ex-adventurers class. Half the students raised their hands mostly the ones in front of the class.


    ¡°Shaza!¡±


    ¡°1st Rank have the title of Novice and is given an Iron badge upon passing the test.¡±


    ¡°Next, Cholo!¡±


    ¡°2nd Rank is given the title of Adept and they need to pass the written and practical exam to gain their Copper badge.¡±


    ¡°Next ¡­.¡±


    ¡°3rd Rank is given the title of Professional and they need to pass the written and practical exam to gain their Steel badge.¡±


    ¡°4th Rank-Veteran with a Silver badge, they can earn their badge by military merits, hunting threat level 4 creatures, finding lost ruins, treasures, dungeons and deeds that will benefit the human society.¡±


    ¡°5th Rank-Expert with Golden badge, the same as what he said but with a higher value and it¡¯s the thresholds of human limits, you can either stay here or jump over your limit.¡±


    ¡°You lazy ass, next!¡±


    ¡°6th Rank-Master with Agnocium badge, you cannot reach this stage unless you abandon your strength and defy nature itself.¡±


    ¡°7th Rank-Imperium with Genorite badge, people that¡¯s the pillar of Kingdoms, Empires and contributed significantly in the betterment of human society.¡±


    ¡°8th Rank-Tyrannical, they are not given any badge and known to be the strongest humans that exist in our era. One of them is the former Emperor of the Red Dragon Empire. Heaven Flame Emperor Maximo XII.¡±


    The student¡¯s cheeks are burning up, who doesn¡¯t want to become a hero, to be recognized, applauded and wield strength that¡¯s able to blow away everything. For the kids that lived in poverty their whole lives, it¡¯s a hope they could cling on.


    ¡°Who could explain the 3 tiers for each rank and how to advance in each tier?¡±


    ¡°Beavis!¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, we advance a tier each time there¡¯s a mana explosion, though unnoticeable each time we kill a monster their core explodes, and it affects our mana channels. We can also advance by constantly training our skill sets, but it has a minuscule effect.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct, remember that information is very crucial it can decide whether you live or die. That¡¯s why most empire hoard the technology that can precisely tell the tier or levels of each individual.¡±


    ¡°Write an essay on what is mana, its uses and how each class utilizes it.¡±


    The class finished, Quinn was waiting outside to take his little brothers and sister home.


    They saw their big brother standing with a wide smile, arms on his waist, they rushed and gave him a big hug.


    ¡°Big Bro!!!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go shopping, we can buy meat this time.¡±


    The four of them went shopping, Quinn is carrying a sack of flour, Shaza, Beavis, and Cholo was in charge of carrying other food supplies.


    They happily chat on the way home the three told Quinn about their studies and plans on applying for a 1st-Rank badge.


    Upon arriving home, 7 other little kids greeted them. They plastered a bright smile all over their faces and can¡¯t help but jump and hug his arms and legs.


    ¡°I¡¯m home!¡±


    ¡°Welcome home big bro!¡±


    ¡°All right that¡¯s enough, let¡¯s make a meal big bro made some money.¡±


    Every one of them helped to carry the groceries they Quinn bought.


    Some cleaning the table, some peeling off vegetables, some cutting the meat and boiling the pasta. It¡¯s a perfect picture of a simple family cooking together.


    ¡°Shaza, prepare the food for mom, I¡¯ll be feeding her before I leave for work.¡±


    Quinn went upstairs, unlocked the doors, and he¡¯s welcomed with the stench of human feces and sweat in a dark room. A thin almost skeletal like figure is staring at the cracks of the windows where sunlight barely passes through.


    He cleaned the room and the bathroom first, sat the old lady in the chair while he replaces the beddings and pillow covers.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    She undressed the old lady carried her to the tub and slowly wiped the grim and dirt off her.


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯m home.¡±


    ¡°Shaza, Cholo and Beavis will have a Badge soon, they are growing up so fast.¡±


    To his surprise, the old lady twitched her nose and looked at him, grabbed him in his arms not wanting to let go. With a candid voice, she spoke in the sweetest tone possible.


    ¡°You have some Shrooms? Don¡¯t lie, I smell it. Give it to me!¡±


    ¡°I have none.¡±


    ¡°Then buy me some, I know someone who sells it.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have any money for that.¡±


    ¡°Sell my pieces of jewelry they are quite expensive.¡±


    ¡°You already sold them a few years ago.¡±


    ¡°The house. Sell the title I¡¯m sure someone will buy it.¡±


    ¡°We already lost the house a decade ago.¡±


    The lady loosened her grip and went back to her lifeless self. He finished cleaning her; the room smelled like spring again. But the eyes of the lady never lit up once after that conversation. He tried speaking to her while feeding the food to get some reaction, but it was fruitless.


    He stood up ready to leave the room, but as he was about to grab the doorknob, the lady spoke once again.


    ¡°Quinn. My sweet boy, I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    He was clenching his teeth so hard that he could hear some of it crackling. Quinn went downstairs with a plastered smile on his face. The meal is ready, and everyone is waiting for him.


    ¡°Huzzaah!!! Big bro hurry, I¡¯m hungry!¡±


    ¡°All right, all right I¡¯m coming.¡±


    The kids and Quinn are having an enjoyable meal. It¡¯s not every day they can afford meat, and today their big bro is generous enough to buy smoked meat.


    ¡°You! The smallest girl, pass me the salt.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Ciddy! Ciddy! Grrrrrrrrrr.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha! I know I¡¯m just teasing you!¡±


    ¡°Bad Big Bro!¡±


    ¡°Shaza I left the money in your Damac Account, please take care of them as always.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    They heard a knock from their door and Ciddy rushed to open it. But before she could touch the handle it opened forcefully knocking her small body away.


    She slammed at the side of the table destroying its already rotting feet; the impact splattered the meal they all prepared over the floor.


    The little girl cried loudly, tears and snot are dripping all over her face.


    ¡°Is Porter Quinn Pateli here?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me! Who are you and what do you need?¡±


    ¡°We are from the Liler Merchant Group and would like to ask you a few questions. Please come with us.¡±


    Before Quinn can stand up, Shaza was already standing with a notebook and a pen in hand.


    ¡°Broken table ¡ì3,000.00, Broken door ¡ì1,500.00, a meal for 10 people ¡ì2,000.00, Doctors Fee and medicine for the injury of my little sister ¡ì11,000.00. Let¡¯s round it off and you can just give us ¡ì16,000,00.¡±


    A young red-haired guy smacked his guard that opened the door forcefully. He strolled inside and handed 2 Damac cards at Shaza.


    ¡°I apologize for interrupting your meal. Here¡¯s ¡ì20k for the troubles I have caused, and if ever you¡¯re looking for a job, give this introduction card to any Liler Merchant Shop in your city. We look forward to your application.¡±


    Quinn cannot grasp the situation; her little sister just earned more money than he could do in a month¡¯s hard labor. Shaza tugs her big brother¡¯s legs with her feet signaling him to make a move. He looked at the crying Ciddy and saw the mocking smile on her face.


    I might be raising bandits in this small house.


    ¡°I¡¯m Quinn Pateli, please let me know what I can do for you.¡±


    Quinn accompanied them inside the fancy carriage and drove off. Inside the carriage, the red-haired guy started the conversation.


    ¡°I would like to ask about your clients about a week ago.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m not allowed to give personal information about my clients.¡±


    ¡°This is a signed paper of your client, you can give information to his family members. I¡¯m his elder brother and would like to know the details on what happened.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡°According to the report you submitted to the adventurer¡¯s guild. Quote They have been eaten by bears or something Unquote.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for your loss.¡±


    The guy covered his face with his hands and slumped his shoulders downwards. But he¡¯s not a good actor.


    ¡°Oh! How sad. How Heartbreaking! thank you for giving us peace of mind¡±


    Quinn got off the carriage ready to return to Rus and Co.


    ¡°Little Boss, why are you so kind to those commoners?¡±


    ¡°This is why you¡¯ll never be a guard captain regardless of your strength. Your first mistake is introducing us as Liler Merchant Group, second is using your mana trying to intimidate them. That girl calculated everything precisely, including the information we should have gotten for free. None of them seemed nervous when you use your mana, it means they have routes of escape. If you use force, I¡¯m sure they will scatter, and this will even go to the authorities.¡±


    ¡°How about the introduction card?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s always room in our company for skilled people, and she¡¯s way smarter than you.¡±


    ***


    The floor reeks of dried alcohol and vomit, the afternoon heat doesn¡¯t help either, it only made the guys surrounding the table sweat. In the opposite side of the table is Rus and on the other side is the leader of the Sydu Spies inside the City.


    The leader¡¯s feet on top of the table, arms crossed clearly stating his disrespect.


    ¡°Tell me, oh! Great one how can you disable the Genorite alone? It¡¯s made of pure Genoa the only key is in the hands of a 6th-Rank Arch Wizard. Never mind the security but if you try to destroy it, it will only blow up in your face!¡±


    ¡°Who said I¡¯ll be alone? If I said I¡¯ll take care of it, I¡¯ll take care of it! Or did your Sydian Pride got hurt that I can do something you¡¯ve failed to accomplish for a whole decade?¡±


    *bang*


    The leader destroyed the table with his feet, stood up and looked down at Rus.


    ¡°Thousands of our people are marching in the desert right now to take over this city. We can¡¯t let a single mishap happen. You didn¡¯t even ask for a single genny in return who wouldn¡¯t be suspicious of you?¡±


    ¡°Is that so? how about you give me a Million Genny for this mission? Hmm hmm, that sounds fair.¡±


    The leader¡¯s brows are meeting together, and his eyes are getting red. He has never been insulted like this even by his closest friends.


    ¡°You don¡¯t seem to understand, there are only two paths for you right now. First is cooperate with us and give us the plans on how you will deal with the Genorite or you¡¯ll leave your corpse here.¡±


    ¡°My plan is to sneakily go into their defense control room and whack the Genorite.¡±


    The Sydians inside the room simultaneously drew their swords and daggers all rearing to cut him into pieces.


    ¡°I told you my plan and still you want me to leave my corpse here, that seems so unprofessional of you.¡±


    ¡°Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.¡±


    They heard a loud shout outside; dozens of soldiers and magicians are at every entrance of the brothel the Sydians are using as a headquarters.


    ¡°We got you surrounded, surrender peacefully and we¡¯ll give you a quick death!¡±


    The 5th-Ranked Barbarian leader brandished his ax towards Rus, without a chance to draw his sword he blocked it along with the sheet. He smashed towards the window breaking a couple of ribs in the process.


    His head hit the face of the mage that was positioned near the window breaking his nose into pancakes.


    ¡°We have an escapee! Restrain him!¡±


    ¡°No! I was the one that sent the anonymous tip!¡±


    ¡°Do you have any proof?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why it¡¯s called anonymous, you idiot!¡±


    ¡°Arrest him!¡±


    The Sydians rushed out of their hiding spot, but instead of escaping they faced the soldier¡¯s head on. Swords Clashed, Magic flared through the area and they heard screams of a dying warrior. In only a few minutes the normal silent afternoon in the red-light district is back.


    Outnumbered and unorganized because of the sudden turn of events, only their leader was left standing. But most of them died by ingesting the poison when they were restrained or incapacitated.


    The leader of the Sydians saw Rus being escorted nicely out of the scene by the soldiers of the empire. He looked at the direction where Rus is and shouted so he could hear his message loud and clear.


    ¡°BROTHER! ESCAPE! TELL THE CAPTAIN WE¡¯VE FALLEN!¡±


    He has cuts, holes, and arrows all over his body, but he died with a wide smile on his face.


    ¡°Hold that person down and gag him, he might commit suicide.¡±


    ¡°Yshhgmf shhggmmft, mfffppggrrpff fffhnngggrr.¡±


    They cleaned up the corpse, weapons, and items inside the headquarters of the Sydians and dragged Rus along with them to prison. The captain of the soldiers is satisfied with the outcome of the raid.


    ¡°Ask our intelligence division on who gave the tip and bring this guy in the chamber for questioning.¡±


    Rus was tightly chained inside a damp torture chamber; one look and you will know that this isn¡¯t a place you want to stay for a long time.


    This place reeks of clich¨¦.


    Two guys in a triangular black mask entered the room, they stood there and didn¡¯t make a sound. The raid Captain sat on a chair in front of him.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see here, Rus Tessaro passed the 1st and 2nd Ranking Exam at the same year at the tender age of 9, and just recently got your 3rd-Rank steel badge.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re also in a possession of an illegal substance, aside from those there are no records of you. My theory is those Sydus planted you here since young to infiltrate the empire. So, this is how it works, we ask questions if you don¡¯t answer you get hurt a little.¡±


    He grabbed a thin needle and scraped it slowly and repeatedly underneath Rus¡¯s pinky finger. Before he can even clench his hands, the hooded guy held it down in place. The captain breathes heavily with a little blush on his face.


    ¡°Hmffggbmmfsttrd.¡±


    ¡°Oh! I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m bad at following instructions.¡±


    The so-called interrogation continued without Rus being able to utter a single word.


    Rus¡¯s eyes were red, and his body is shaking because of the pain that¡¯s running through his entire body.


    They were abruptly stopped because of a call for the captain.


    ¡°We will continue this tomorrow, stay alive until then or I will have no one to play with.¡±


    The torture lasts for almost an hour, he took the pain head on and didn¡¯t even let out a single scream thanks to the gag in his mouth. But the mind can only take so much, and the last straw that broke the camel¡¯s back is when the captain blew him the creepiest flying kiss. Rus Fainted.


    The three went out of the chamber leaving Rus tightly bounded on the chair. The captain received a call from the vice general of the army.


    ¡°Captain Kurac, How¡¯s the interrogation going?¡±


    Like a straight arrow and firm voice, Kurac saluted and responded in a way that¡¯s the total opposite of what he looks like inside the torture chamber.


    ¡°Vice General Heisen. The suspect is a tough nut to crack, he never even uttered a single word¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s expected, the Sydu¡¯s are known for their patriotic almost fanatic nature. We¡¯ll be executing him tomorrow afternoon in the plaza.¡±


    ¡°Tsk.¡±


    ¡°Did you say something?¡±


    ¡°No, nothing Sir.¡±


    ¡°Before I forget, I want you to bring me the report regarding my missing daughter.¡±


    ¡°As you command. Sir!¡±


    Only Rus and those close to him knew what kind of monster the military base is holding captive.


    They will be the one to witness the first bloodbath inside the city and the ones that will open the gates of destruction for the Red Dragon Empire.

 Chapter 6: Monday Mayhem

    ¡°This is unfair chwik, Mira got more customers in a day than I did my whole career chwik!¡±


    The caravan business closed in the evening and everyone is waiting for Rus¡¯s return. Unaware that their leader is captured and is awaiting execution.


    ¡°We will proceed with the meeting even if the boss isn¡¯t around, Korpic you start¡±


    ¡°Boss ask me to gather information regarding Semira and your porter Quinn, I also earned some genny during my stay in the city.¡±


    Quinn is washing the dishes and his ears twitched as he heard his name being mentioned outside.


    They empty the last two carriages out and it served as a pseudo-kitchen and a bathroom.


    He had a hunch about his employer''s intention but he knew it will never happen.


    He has a lot on his plate and will never be part of this weird group of people, or so he thought.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t earn anything today chwik, I had two customers the other one ran away as soon as he entered my tent chwik! But I gave advice to a young girl chwik! On how to gain the affection of his crush.¡±


    ¡°We¡± ¡°earned¡± ¡°¡ì2000¡± ¡°and¡± ¡°donated¡± ¡°half¡± ¡°to¡± ¡°the¡± ¡°family¡± ¡°treasury¡±


    Semira put a box on top of the table that¡¯s overflowing with genny. There is a blush of shame on her face and felt that there¡¯s something wrong in what she did but can¡¯t figure out what it is.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t get any consultation or patient. I did everything right, the tent is clean, there¡¯s a sign of a small cross and I¡¯m very descriptive on what I wrote on it.¡±


    I¡¯m sure it¡¯s your signboard.


    Everyone thought the same.


    ¡°That concludes tonight¡¯s meeting, we¡¯ll discuss things further when boss returns.¡±


    Emeralda and Semira went shopping, her eyes sparkle at the sight of the city at night.


    Street lamps are powered by mana, the streets are as lively as it was in the afternoon. The shouts of shop owners never cease as if they are competing who can shout the loudest.


    ¡°Upgrading weapons for a 10% discount high success rate!¡±


    ¡°Genoa Weapons and Elemental weapons for sale, buy 2 and get a free healing potion!¡±


    ¡°Hobgoblins, Gnomes, Vase Fairies and many more, all trained and well mannered!¡±


    They both spotted Geal and Byal at the slavers shop haggling for the price of a slave creature. Curiosity got the best of them and followed the twins.


    After buying 4 Goblins the twins went inside a dark alley and they waited patiently outside for the twins to come out.


    A few minutes later screams of pain went out of the alley but it went unnoticed because of the hustle and buzzle of the city. Only those who focus on that place can discern that it isn¡¯t a sound that belonged in the lively streets.


    Geal and Byal went out the alley covered in green blood with a look of satisfaction over their face. For creatures to be seen like this out of the streets is normal because most of them are subjected to a harsh beating by their owners.


    Semira and Emeralda weren¡¯t noticed by the twins and went away like nothing happened. The two went inside the alley and their faces went pale at the sight.


    The goblin''s eyes were removed and squashed, the fingers are scattered everywhere; the bodies are riddled with tiny holes


    Their mood to sightsee and shop was dampened.


    ¡°Mira always remind me not to tease the twins chwik!¡±


    ¡°Yes, please do the same for me.¡±


    The whole night passed by and they never talked about what they saw nor want to talk about it.


    ***


    The Sydian army is marching through the Togoah desert. They will reach the walls of Inedge City within an hour afternoon.


    The General of the army is leading the march, he¡¯s a 6th-Rank Arch Templar. The two empires have been at war ever since the establishment of the Red Dragon Empire. Though rich in minerals and energy resources the desert lacks water and arable land.


    The wizards of the deserts are lacking in number compared to the citizens that die from thirst each day. The Red Dragon Empire has abundant rivers and good soil, but their goal doesn¡¯t end in the borders of the desert.


    An army of 50,000 soldiers is hiding behind large sand dunes.


    ¡°General, we are ready to bombard the walls. But we are unsure if they will succeed in disabling the Sentry Towers¡±


    ¡°Gentleman, the warriors we sent have been planning this for a decade. In over 4 centuries they have pillaged our land. So what if the sentries didn¡¯t go down today!


    We will just march back, but if there¡¯s even a slim chance I¡¯ll take it. I¡¯ll march the whole army just to take that chance!¡±


    The meeting room fell silent, the vice generals and their commander want to argue about the information they received and wasted resources. But in this world power reigns above everything.


    From 5th-Rank and below people will still consider you as a regular human.


    But from 6th and above you¡¯re classified as a High Being.


    Every creature has a chance to enter this state. But very few managed to pass the crucial stage. The species that dominate this realm are humans.


    Because of the high number of population and the systematic approach they reigned supreme in this era.


    At the same time inside the Office of Vice General Heisen, Captain Kurac is reading a report for the Vice General.


    ¡°Sir, your daughter was last seen leaving the city gates going east. The latest report from the porter guild said ¡®They have been eaten by bears or something¡¯ by a Guy named Quinn Pateli. His current client is Ru..¡±


    His sentence was cut off from and droplets of sweat appeared from the back of his neck. He knows that they will need to question the porter and his current client but there¡¯s a bit of a hiccup.


    ¡°What is it, captain? Continue¡±


    ¡°Rus Tessaro, the spy we arrested and on his way to the plaza for execution!¡±Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The Vice General refuses to believe his daughter is dead. No one in their right mind would harm anyone that has the last name Heisen, especially in the empire. There are a couple of theories that are running through his mind. But the most important thing right now is to gather intel regarding his daughter¡¯s whereabouts, or if worse come to worse his daughter''s corpse.


    He slammed the table and shouted in anger for the missed opportunity. Every second that his daughter is missing is a needle that pierces his heart. But he can only blame himself for allowing such a situation to happen.


    ¡°Get me that bastard, he¡¯s not allowed to die yet!¡±


    His thoughts ran wild, it must be a coincidence that the porter was hired by the guy that will get executed soon. The date on the report also looks suspicious because they hired the porter exactly the same day they reported his daughter dead or missing.


    Meanwhile, at the plaza where the bazaar is being held. A dozen soldier is escorting a guy in a black attire that¡¯s bounded Genoa Chains. They bought Rus on the execution platform where they usually announce the sins and also advertise the deeds of the empire.


    The executioner is holding a parchment and while his partner rang the bell to gain the attention of the surrounding people.


    *clang* *clang* *clang*


    ¡°A traitor of the empire, a spy that was raised by the Sydu¡¯s infiltrating our great city. In accordance with the law of the empire. You will be executed by beheading. Let the citizens and our motherland bear witness.¡±


    The crowd booed and threw things like rocks, rotten eggs and things they could grab at Rus¡¯s direction. The soldiers move a little so the incoming projectiles would not hit them.


    These types of execution are common for the citizens and most of them view it as entertainment. As long as they are not involved with the guy and it will not affect them in any way possible. Even the kids that¡¯s on the shoulder of their fathers are throwing things at Rus it was a truly enjoyable afternoon for the citizens of Inedge City.


    Bethel and the others saw what¡¯s happening and Semira is fidgeting here and there not knowing what to do. The quickest to respond to what¡¯s happening is Bathel he looked at the clock that¡¯s hanging in the City Hall and rubbed his wrinkled forehead.


    ¡°Everyone pack the things we¡¯re leaving the plaza.¡±


    The crowd is hyping up, the soldier with the Executioner Sword slowly went up the flat form. They put Rus¡¯s head on top of the chopping board and they remove his gag.


    The only ones that knew how grave the situation is Rus¡¯s old family members.


    ¡°Any last words before we send you to hell?¡±


    The crowd cheered, the main event of the execution is finally coming.


    They heard the most unusual last words for someone that¡¯s about to die.


    ¡°Virgin angel¡¯s pussy steak mash twat!¡±


    Korpic and the others looked at each other in understanding. They called out Semira and Quinn that¡¯s still unaware of what they are planning to do.


    Bethel was the one who gave out instructions.


    ¡°It¡¯s too late he¡¯s at the state that he¡¯s saying main dishes.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s all go inside Korpic¡¯s carriage it has soundproof so we¡¯re safe there.¡±


    They all huddled inside his carriage, there is a picture frame of a father, a mother and a son of a noble household. The pieces of furniture are all antiques and the walls are layered with egg racks.


    There are also a couple of Green Droplings, they are the kind of slime that¡¯s used to clean a house by absorbing the dirt inside their bodies.


    ¡°Don¡¯t speak too loudly chwik, if you want to say something just whisper chwik.¡±


    Outside the carriage, the whole city went silent, like a blackout at midnight in the middle of a city.


    Machines that are powered by mana stopped working. The creatures that breathe mana like wisps and fairies are like fishes that are out of the water. Pieces of equipment and items that have a mix of genoa in it fell apart.


    The wounds on Rus¡¯s body healed rapidly and the head of the executioner rolled on the platform.


    One head, two heads, three heads and in a span of a few seconds all the soldiers that escorted him to die are now headless corpses.


    Screams filled the entire plaza, and the citizens ran away.


    The figure in front of them is indeed human, but his form is like an ancient beast with a mask of a man.


    Rus¡¯s body is hunched forward with his chin almost touching the ground. His arms and shoulders are twitching back and forth, His head is moving side by side and his facial expression keeps changing from sad, happy, contorted, in pain and different kinds of emotion.


    ¡°Fried fish fuckery flaming penis¡±


    Don¡¯t move, stay still. Please!


    His words didn¡¯t match the thoughts in his head. Rus¡¯s body moves according to the surrounding and follows it up with a kill.


    Rus¡¯s leaped forward hacking the father and son vertically. Everything he saw, heard or felt will be slashed and hacked. He¡¯s doing all this while shouting profane words.


    He found a new target an Old Grandma with her granddaughter carrying a puppy that was running away from the plaza.


    ¡°Boiled whore stew bitching nipples.¡±


    no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!


    He grabbed the puppy and smashed its head with his feet then stabbed the executioner¡¯s sword in the little girl''s stomach. The grandma was cut horizontally just below her heart. You could still see the heart beating as she fell on the ground, and from sheer anger, she bit Rus¡¯s ankles as a final act of revenge.


    Rus could feel the soft skull and flesh of the puppy while it was being crushed underneath his feet. He could hear the young girl scream while his sword punctured her chest. And he could see the agony and hatred of the old lady¡¯s face while she loses her life.


    He felt like the body he¡¯s inside right now is no longer his.


    Inside the carriage, Bethel is talking silently with Semira and the others.


    ¡°I know you guys have known this for a long time, but Semira and Quinn aren¡¯t aware of it so let me explain it to them.¡±


    ¡°Our boss right now is in a state where he can¡¯t control himself, and the mana in the surrounding itself will vanish. He is a summoned being that kept his memory when passing through the gate. You can compare him to one of the Kaiser soldiers under the command of the emperor.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s common knowledge that all of those Kaiser soldiers are all are High Beings our boss was also a high being. But our boss entered the mana cocoon again and came out alive.¡±


    ¡°We will all talk about the details when we¡¯re out of danger. But for now, you need to know a few things. Don¡¯t approach him unless he can speak clear words or at least have desserts in his sentences.¡±


    ¡°Otherwise you¡¯ll be killed.¡±


    ***


    Inside the camp of the Sydian army, the General is giving a speech to his army.


    ¡°For centuries our land has been pilfered and abused. Our woman and children became slaves to those redheads. Gentleman, it¡¯s time to take back our city, it¡¯s time for us to leave our mark in the history of the Togoah Empire!¡±


    ¡°For Eternal Glory!¡±


    50,000 soldiers all shouted at the same time their spirits and morale is high as they rush forward the walls of Inegde City. But they encountered their very first obstacle.


    ¡°General, the mages can¡¯t use their spells and all of our mana equipment isn¡¯t working.¡±


    ¡°What utter disappointment, I will lead the charge all you have to do is follow behind me. Don¡¯t wuss out because you can¡¯t use your magic tricks! We will fight like the olden times where man, blood, and steel collide.¡±


    Any 6th-Rank class can make their own mana inside their body. With a skill set of a Templar, he can easily break the gates of the city walls where mana isn¡¯t flowing to support it.


    With their general leading the charge the Sydian soldiers burning spirit was an all-time high.


    Meanwhile, inside the military headquarters of Inedge City, the higher ranks are gathered. They have seen the Sydian army approaching the city.


    The General of the garrison is fuming in anger.


    ¡°You incompetent bastards! Defend the City with your flesh and blood. Even though the genorite stopped functioning we still have to hold this city! That¡¯s our duty as the sons and daughters of the Empire. Does any of you have any bright ideas?¡±


    The one to break the ice is Vice General Heisen. Those with the last name of Heisen are known for their military achievement throughout the empire.


    All of their sons and daughters either became warriors or strategist, you can say that every war that leads to the victory of the empire has a Heisen that took part in it.


    ¡°General, without mana supporting the gates it will crumble like a piece of paper. And without sentries, all we can do is use a primitive method of defending our walls!¡±


    ¡°We should gather all the soldiers and equip them with bow and arrow! Worse come to worse we will recruit the citizens to defend the walls!¡±


    ¡°The Vice General will be in charge of the strategy for the defense of the city. See that his every command come to accomplished! Dismiss!¡±


    ¡°For the Empire!¡±


    Everyone saluted and left meeting room only the General and Vice General are left.


    ¡°Victor, I¡¯ll leave everything to you. We¡¯ve known each other since we¡¯re kids and you¡¯ve always been the smart one.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say that. You¡¯ve become a great general. You should let nobody see you like this. Even though this situation is disadvantageous to us due to our lack of numbers, it¡¯s not an impossible battle.¡±


    The General slapped both his cheeks and his facial expression became fierce.


    Both men in the room came to an understanding as they both slammed their fist in their chest.


    The city alarm isn¡¯t working, the soldiers use the church''s bell to gather around people and to spread the information.


    Captain Kurac is worried about Rus being executed. But the silence in the air worried him. There¡¯s this electrifying feeling underneath his skin he just can¡¯t explain.


    He arrived at the plaza where the execution should have been taking place.


    His eyes widened and his body shook. There are dead bodies everywhere he looks.


    It wasn¡¯t a normal sight where soldiers battle each other to death.


    In the battlefield, it is your sword against mine, a clash of wits and strength. But what he saw at this very moment is pure madness.


    The once golden bricks of the plaza are dyed red with blood. Mountains of dead bodies from young to old with eyes still open are littered on the ground.


    In the middle of this eerie silence, he heard a voice that¡¯s quite far away from him.


    ¡°Grilled eggplant! Gold Digging WhoreCutter!¡±

 Chapter 7: The Generals Choice

    Born and raised in a noble household, Kurac never encountered any hardships.


    Money, Woman, Men, and friends all cling to him like leeches every day.


    He grew tired of it all and found happiness in a form where he took pleasure in others pain.


    It all started when he was given a Mockingbird as a gift. He was against the idea that pets should be chained or be put in a cage. Kurac thought he would set them free and ravel in the idea of benevolence. He grabbed the first bird but its wings got caught in the door and it let out a cry.


    His two eyeballs focused on the bird. He twists its wings and the bird let out a sound and it felt like his brains are being gently caressed. This has developed and became a nasty habit of his. First was small animals, then slave creatures to intelligent beings such as elves, dwarves, and humans.


    Kurac should be familiar with the scene he¡¯s seeing right now. He has been to wars, have seen the inside out of a human body and more. Heard the screams of pain, anger, and hatred.


    This is why Kurac doesn¡¯t understand why his body is dripping in cold sweat. After Rus killed the last human that ran away he turned his head towards Kurac. Their eyes met, Rus slowly moves towards Kurac dragging the executioner sword on the floor. His steps went faster and faster.


    He was frozen in fear and even forgot to breathe as Rus approach him. This is the first time he saw someone holding a sword move this way. Like an undead on steroids.


    Rus saw the man he can kill without feeling guilty about it. But they crossed paths.


    ¡°Con ala Allah¡¯s twat con carne!¡±


    Turn around, kill him! Kill him!


    Kurac felt that time slowed by while the monster is passing him and a thought went through his head as well.


    Cataclysmic demon!


    Rus was cursing his uncontrollable body for not killing that deplorable person. He slew the horse of Kurac that was wailing in fear and wanted to run away.


    He then entered an empty alley. Even though he¡¯s not in sight anymore, Kurac can still hear the language that¡¯s a mix of the local and alien words.


    ***


    Inside the mana hall, where the genorite is being guarded. The General of the army, the 6th-Rank Arch Wizard, and crew that manages the sentry and defense of the city are discussing the disappearance of mana. The head of staff is holding a report about the situation that happened an hour ago.


    ¡°The Genorite has lost the capability to absorb mana or it just doesn¡¯t have any mana to absorb. We can try to run it, but the mana will only reach half-way through and it will lose all it¡¯s stored mana¡±


    ¡°We would like to find the cause of it but our sensors aren¡¯t working as well due to lack of mana. Senior if you have any suggestion please feel free to speak.¡±


    The Arch Wizard is rubbing his forehead due to the headache that¡¯s happening. This was supposed to be his last month in service and is about to retire in the countryside.


    He dreamt of reading books all day while drinking hot chocolate, or just basking in the sun while mindlessly fishing at the lake.


    The Arch Wizard crossed his arms, eyes sharpened up, and declared with a firm voice.


    ¡°Have you tried turning it off and on?¡±


    The head of staff wanted to bang his head on the table. But everyone knows that offending a 6th-Rank High Being is like committing suicide. They studied the ins and out of the defense system and knew by heart that it wouldn¡¯t work. He tried is very best to conceal his disturbing thoughts and replied in a kind manner.


    ¡°I understand the logic behind it. But due to the absence of mana in the surrounding, I¡¯m sure, we¡¯re sure that it will not work.¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯re telling me that you haven¡¯t done it?¡±


    The Arch Wizard slid the key of the Genorite on the table, really pushing for his idea. Everyone that has worked inside the defense system looked at their leader in pity.


    Since there is no mana the key won¡¯t work, and the latch on the Genorite will not be removed. He has no way of out, his only wish is that a huge meteor hit this old man and take him out of this situation.


    As if the Gods are watching him, an earth-shattering sound was heard inside the mana hall. A messenger came running to the hall and hurriedly saluted to them.


    ¡°General! They are throwing huge rocks to our gates. It¡¯s barely hanging on without the mana arrays. Vice General Heisen sent me to ask for assistance.¡±


    The General and the Arch Wizard both stood up and walked away. He solemnly looked at the Arch Wizard that¡¯s like his own grandfather.


    ¡°Old timer, can you assist us during this war? You know we still have mana inside us and we can have a few shots at it.¡±


    ¡°For a Berserker like you, the mana cost of your skills are minuscule. But for a wizard like I am, it will be a huge burden especially when there is no mana in the area. Don¡¯t forget that my duty here is to protect the genorite at all cost, and prevent it from falling in the enemies hand.¡±


    And I don¡¯t want to get hit by a random rock before my retirement.


    He bade farewell to the general. All 6th-Rank that¡¯s working for the empire is under the direct command of the emperor. No one can command them unless it directly came from the emperor himself.


    The general arrived at the command room where a couple of high ranking officials are stationed to strategize their defense.


    ¡°Vice General, tell me our current situation.¡±


    ¡°General, the rocks are coming from very far away. It¡¯s either there¡¯s a 7th-Rank among them or they found a spot where mana is available.¡±


    What Vice General Heisen said almost hit the spot. The Sydian Scouts found out that if they move further away the mana will be available for their mages to manipulate. Though the accuracy is greatly impacted it¡¯s the closest thing they got from a catapult.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Messengers are running here and there relaying information that¡¯s happening inside and outside the city.


    Since he was appointed to handle the strategy for the defense the Vice General is issuing all the commands.


    ¡°General, Vice General. The crew we sent for enlistment are all dead and the plaza is littered with dead bodies. The citizens that pass through the plaza are all being killed.¡±


    ¡°Is it those damn Sydu¡¯s that came out of hiding?¡±


    ¡°No Sir. The report states that it¡¯s a Threat-Level 6 individual. We still can¡¯t confirm it¡¯s nature since it will attack anything that moves.¡±


    ¡°How can such thing pass through our gates without us being notified?


    He was jotting down on a paper while issuing a series of command. One look and you can see that his hands are full.


    ¡°First go find Captain Kurac and ask him to report to me immediately, 2nd go to my personal knights and bring this letter to them.¡±


    ¡°General, I¡¯m sorry but you¡¯re the only one we can ask. I assume that the old fart doesn¡¯t want to help out. You¡¯re the only 6th-Rank we can rely on until the Manus City sends reinforcement or we figure out the cause of the disappearance of mana.¡±


    The General of the Sydians is leading the mages in throwing the huge pile of rocks onto the gates of the City. While the General of the army in Inegde City is on top of the wall carrying an Orcish Bow that garners awe among the soldiers atop the wall.


    ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t that the bow that the Orc King used?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I heard that they even refined it in mana solution and it managed to reach tier 8.¡±


    ¡°The terms you¡¯re using are too old fashioned. Nowadays they call it [+8 Orcish Bow] and if they manage to add an element the name will change again. I heard that a famous 7th Rank Star Smith did the refinement that¡¯s why it succeeded.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s where you¡¯re wrong kiddo, the solution and ingredients haven¡¯t changed for hundreds of years. If you hand the materials in any local blacksmith he can mix the solution according to standards. It¡¯s all about luck I tell ya!¡±


    A bunch of huge rocks came flying from afar and before they reach the walls the General shot them down. The rocks were hit from the top falling like rain on the sand below.


    ¡°Did you see that! That¡¯s the Herculean Barbarian skill [Arrow Rampage]¡±


    ¡°Back in my day we just call it [Arrow Rain] because you know, arrows fall from the sky like rain!¡±


    If this continues a battle of attrition will follow, although some of the rocks still hit the wall the gates are safe from falling down.


    But the Sydians patience is wearing thin and they sent their Vanguard to approach the gates of the city.


    The one leading the charge is the Sydian General. Thousands of arrows fell down from the sky from the top of the wall. The sky darkened due to the arrows that were approaching. The Sydian General slammed his shield on the ground and shouted in a furious voice.


    ¡°Seek not the shadow but the light [Holy Shield Wall]¡±


    A wall of transparent light covered almost all the vanguards in the front line. But some of the arrows still managed to get through.


    Even when they are wounded or losing their breath they still persist to move forward.


    One step at a time they are getting closer and closer to the gates of the city.


    The soldiers on top of the walls are frantically shooting arrows, Including their general.


    But the Sydians didn''t stop their steps, all types of soldiers are marching forward following their leader.


    100 meters, 90 meters, 80 meters until there are only 40 meters left between the Sydian General and the Walls of the City.


    Even though the sun is high up in the sky. There¡¯s a blinding light coming in front of the Sydian Army. The Inedge Army General is clasping the bow in his hands tightly ready to unleash an attack. But the Sydian General is a second faster than him.


    ¡°Exalted Goddess of light lend me your strength [Grand Shield Meteor]¡±


    ¡°Destroy all the living Gods [Arrow of Longinus]¡±


    The shield and arrow pass through each other. The shield crashed to the wall of the city and destroyed almost half of it, killing thousand of Inedge Soldiers in the process.


    The arrow is lodge in the Sydian Generals heart, he felt that if he let go of the arrow it will harm the people behind him. The Sydian General used the last bit of his mana to hold down the arrow until life went out of his eyes.


    He died. A mighty 6th-Rank warrior that¡¯s a deity in the eyes of a many.


    But every soldier knows, that even though he died his name will be cemented in history.


    Rage and fanaticism are in the eyes of all the Sydian soldiers. They rushed frantically disregarding the arrows that are still flying towards them.


    The General of Inedge Army ordered his soldiers to fall back. But even before he can utter the command. He heard someone chanting behind him.


    ¡°As cold as my ex-wife¡¯s heart [Frigid Ice Wall]¡±


    Towering walls of ice spew from the ground covering the broken wall.


    The Sydian army slowed down but they never stopped. Some of them even hit the icewall with their Mana Staff, slammed it with their swords, shields, and anything they can put their hands on.


    The Vice General is standing not far away from the Arch Wizard.


    ¡°It seems that you really can¡¯t recover your mana after you use it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Old Fart. I¡¯ll wire you the money as soon as I can. But seriously Ice Skills? Don¡¯t you have anything better, like a wall made of stone or fire?¡±


    ¡°You better not forget, it will be an additional fund for my retirement. I used half my remaining mana for that wall, and my mastery is leaning towards the ice circle. The only reason I accepted a job in this godforsaken place is that I can use ice spells to cool myself down.¡±


    ¡°Ohh and a friendly reminder. That wall of mine will last two hours at most. I¡¯ll be taking the Genorite and will fuck out of this place. Best of luck to you all!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry that¡¯s more than enough for my plans.¡±


    A messenger that¡¯s out of breath came running towards the Vice General.


    ¡°Vice General!, We figured out the cause of the disappearance of mana as well as the threat level 6 that¡¯s rampaging in the city!¡±


    He hasn¡¯t heard a piece of single good news since his daughter went missing. The sweaty messenger just gave him a glass of water in this drought. A documented information about someone is written in the report that was handed to him.


    ¡°Tell me everything!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Vice General, A prisoner that¡¯s about the get executed escaped and went on a rampage and at the same time, the whole city went silent. Our scout informed us that near the edge of the city they were able to use mana. The center of the place where the mana isn¡¯t available is in the plaza at the execution platform.


    He looked at the part of the document that was provided by the Swordsman Guild about Rus.


    Name: Rus Tessaro


    Class: Swordsman


    Badge: Steel


    Title: 3rd-Rank Professional


    Level: 59


    Strength - 40


    Agility - 69


    Manipulation - 16


    Reflex - 30


    Mana Storage - N/A


    Vitality - N/A


    Others - N/A


    Basic Sword Skills -  Passed


    Mana Control - Passed


    Written Exam - Passed


    Practical Quest -  Passed


    With only 59 Mana channels opened, the Vice General wondered how was he able to qualify as a Threat-level 6. He turned and looked at the Arch Wizard and showed him the document he¡¯s holding.


    ¡°What do you say, old man? Want to have a go with this fellow?¡±


    ¡°No way! We don¡¯t have enough informationand it looks very normal it¡¯s creepy¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t really have to sweat with this one, I¡¯ve already sent my personal guards. All you have to do is take all the credit and report it to the emperor.¡±


    ¡°If someone offered you poison and tells you it¡¯s the secret to eternal life. Will you drink it?¡±


    ¡°..........¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right! You¡¯re as manipulative as your father. But not very persuasive, you should try harder. I¡¯m off¡±


    ¡°Please inform the King that we need reinforcements fast, I won''t be able to pay my debt if I¡¯m dead.¡±


    ¡°We will all eventually pay our debts in due time.¡±

 Chapter 8: A Moment of Silence

    The towering mana sentries of Manus City can be seen from a thousand miles away. In the middle of the city is a large oasis with luxurious boats floating atop.


    This place was once one of the treasures of the Togoah empire.


    Inside the castle of Manus Kingdom, an old man with a huge blue crystal on his side took a deep breath and patted his robe. A whirl of transparent matter is being absorbed by the old man until it finally stabilized.


    ¡°Finally out of that godforsaken place!¡±


    The soldiers that are guarding the summoning gate bowed from the waist. He called out to the soldiers and issued a series of commands.


    ¡°Send this letter to the empire.¡±


    ¡°Go to the Red Velvet Bar and reserve a seat for me tonight.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all! Ohh, and Inform the king that Kaiser Hohen requests a meeting.¡±


    ***


    Dusk is approaching, the scent of blood is both inside and outside Inedge City. The once lively plaza is now replaced with an eerie silence.


    ¡°I can¡¯t hear Father anymore chwik!¡±


    ¡°We¡± ¡°need¡± ¡°to¡± ¡°prepare¡± ¡°that¡± ¡°thing¡±


    ¡°Korpic, peek at the window and check if Boss is still around.¡±


    ¡°No, you peek at the window!¡±


    ¡°You should follow your superiors order!¡±


    ¡°Oho! Last time I checked you¡¯re not my superior!¡±


    ¡°At least give respect to the disabled and elderly!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a pedo and a quack doctor!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a fake noble and a scammer!¡±


    While the two are arguing Semira pushed the window wide open. The stench of blood and flesh that has been roasted by the sun went inside the carriage. The party inside froze. A sword brush-by her neck and the window was broken. It took her a few seconds to realize that she was still alive.


    None of the beings inside the carriage move, they didn¡¯t even dare to breathe. But Quinn¡¯s legs are shaking and he fell down, his butt hit the wooden floor of the carriage.


    It was not a loud sound, but for Bethel and the others, it was the loudest bang they have heard in their entire lives.


    Quinn looked at the eyes of Rus, what he saw is an ancient beast ready to swallow him whole. He lifted his sword ready to slaughter the people in his sight, but an arrow struck his weapon.


    A 4th-Rank Bow-Hunter released an arrow that was enough to drive the sword off its path. In front of the Hunter is a Defender that carries a huge shield that¡¯s shaped like a kite.


    The two Swordsman got off their horse and got ready for battle. These guys are the 4th-Ranked personal guards that Vice General Heisen sent to capture Rus. The guy carrying a long-bow is the one calling the shots.


    ¡°Remember our order! We must bring him back alive! But it doesn¡¯t specify how alive.¡±


    The four of them threaded slowly, the information that was given to them was limited.


    They have confidence in their ability, but they all know that rushing in unprepared can lead to their deaths.


    They got in position, the target is rushing at them from the front. The defender can see the target¡¯s body moving, but when it got in front of him he wasn¡¯t able to see the direction of the sword.


    Thanks to the huge shield he just needs to position it in front of the target and it can block the sword strike that¡¯s coming. The sword hit the shield and a loud clanging and shattering sound were heard. The defender''s shield shook and he slid back a few steps.


    They all look at the executioner sword that the target is carrying and could see the shattered blade that hit the shield.


    The other party members didn¡¯t waste any time and an arrow was shot from behind the defender. The two swordsmen also rushed from left and right ready to give a fatal blow.


    The arrow was parried by the targets sword and the attack by the two swordsmen hit nothing but thin air.


    The way their target is fighting is illogical they could all see the intention behind it.


    His eyes are locked at the hunter, but the Defender keeps blocking his way.


    A loud clanging sound could be heard every now and then, and the Executioner Sword he¡¯s carrying is slowly being destroyed.


    Their fight became a battle of attrition. The way the target move is inhuman, he will smash the shield with brute force, but somehow still manages to avoid the sword and parry the arrows.


    His movements have no pattern or style behind it, you can even say it¡¯s ugly. Every sword slash that was done, every arrow that was shot his way never touched his flesh.


    There is only a paper thin margin when he evades the swords and didn¡¯t use much force when parrying the arrows.


    But that¡¯s not the worse that bothered the Vice General¡¯s Personal Guards. Their target keeps speaking alien and disgusting words while brandishing his sword. It gave them the feeling that what they¡¯re fighting is not a living being but an empty shell.


    ¡°Quinoa Jesus Cum Salad!¡±


    ¡°Teriyaki Cucumber Chopped Nipples!¡±


    Once again their target brandished his sword and it smashed on the huge shield that the defender is carrying. The Executioners sword shattered into pieces and some of the debrisgot embedded on the shield.


    Seeing the broken sword their target is carrying, they were able to relax a little.


    But during that split second before they heightened up their senses again. Their target vanished and the gurgling sound of the Hunter drowning in his own blood was heard. He then twists the broken sword in the neck of the Hunter.


    Before the Defender could turn around, their target hugged him from the back and stabbed an arrow in his eyes. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    The two swordsmen looked at each other, they both dropped the sword and buckler and ran in a separate direction.


    When the Bow-Hunter and Defender died, the mission changed from Capturing the target to delivering accurate information to their boss.


    The plan worked, Rus gave chase to one of the swordsmen and the other escaped.


    Semira and others watched the battle unfold, while Korpic approached them carrying cylindrical metal tubes. He handed one to Emeralda and the Twins leaving the last one to himself. He looked at Semira and Quinn and with his chin pointing up, and tapped the metal tube.


    ¡°This here is called [Korpic¡¯s Thunder Launcher].¡±


    ¡°Are you kidding me? I¡¯m the one who designed it, its called [Bethel¡¯s Rod of Destruction].¡±


    ¡°Ignore them chwik. I think father called it uhh, Bazooka Chwik.¡±


    ¡°Emeralda, Korpic, Geal, and Byal be ready to move when that happens and be careful.¡±


    Bethel is stroking his beard while looking up in the sky.


    ¡°He¡¯s already saying salads soon we¡¯ll be able to wake him up. Don¡¯t waste the ammunition it¡¯s really expensive.¡±


    Rus chased the swordsman until they arrived at the residential area. He caught up with the swordsman and threw a palm-sized rock behind his head. After his pray fell down he continuously bashed the rock at the swordsman''s face until it has turned into mush.


    Everyone is inside their house due to the ongoing war. But a little redhead girl is peeking at him. His eyes moved at the side looking directly at the little girl.


    No, not again, stop, don¡¯t move, just stay where you are!


    He didn¡¯t know if his thoughts are for himself or for the little girl. But when Rus looked at her she slammed the door shut.


    She ran inside the kitchen and hugged her mom that¡¯s preparing dinner.


    ¡°Mommy, I saw a scary guy!¡±


    Her mom pinched both her cheeks until it went beet red.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I told you not to go outside and read your book?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m soweee!¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry, Big Brother will protect you both! After I take the test I¡¯ll be a 1st-Rank Adventurer!¡±


    She ran behind her big brother seemingly asking for protection from her mom.


    They suddenly heard their door being opened.


    A tall guy that¡¯s covered in blood from head to toes was standing in front of them.


    They are not the richest household in the neighborhood but they still have money that they have been saving for rainy days. She went in front of her two children hiding them from the stranger.


    ¡°Go upstairs, don¡¯t go down until I call you!¡±


    The two kids ran upstairs and went inside their parent''s bedroom.


    ¡°Please take anything you want, the money is hidden underneath the chair in the living room.¡±


    Rus was shouting inside his head, this time it seems to be working. Because he didn¡¯t jump and ripped them to shreds like animals.


    Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop!


    He kept repeating these words inside his mind over and over again. But, it simply slowed his movements. The mother of the two kids tried her best to hide her fear.


    ¡°I I If you don¡¯t want m m money, you you can have me. B b but please leave my children alone!¡±


    Her instincts as a mother kicked in she will do anything for her children to survive. Even though she¡¯s still in her mid 30¡¯s she knows that she¡¯s still a charmer that can turn peoples head.


    She backed away from him and leaned at the kitchen sink. She untied her shirt exposing her subtle breast. She grabbed the skillet behind her while her naked upper body is exposed in front of a stranger. She got everything planned out.


    Blood is dripping from his body as he approaches her. He walked slowly and stretched his hands almost touching her shoulders. He grabbed her neck and slowly squeeze it harder and harder.


    She waved the skillet aiming at his head but it was blocked by his left hand. He felt everything, from the moment he touched her soft skin up to the point where her neck is broken from his grip. He saw the fear in her eyes while her face lost color.


    The two kids saw everything that happened. The little girl screamed with all her might.


    ¡°MOMMY!!¡±


    He saw the two children at the stairs.


    The big brother grabbed her little sister and shoved her inside the closet. He stood guard carrying the dagger that his father gave him.


    The wooden stairs squeaked every time the Rus took a step. He saw a boy pointing a dagger at him. The boy¡¯s whole body is shaking but his eyes never wavered.


    Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop!


    Rus kept screaming but no sound was heard. He grabbed the boys head and pushed it down the bed. The boy is thrashing about and little by little the movement stopped the dagger the little boy is holding fell on the wooden floor. Rus didn¡¯t speak a single word since he entered their house.


    He knelt on the ground and looked at his hands that are covered in blood. He grabbed his hair and shouted in a very agonizing tone. Like a wounded beast that¡¯s calling out for his kin.


    The little girl was watching him through the slits of the closet. She didn¡¯t feel fear or sadness. She didn¡¯t feel grief or loss. Instead, she felt hatred. She hated that the man that took her brother and mother is shedding tears. The mere act of him showing any shred of emotion is unacceptable to her.


    She went out of the closet and grabbed the dagger that her brother dropped and stabbed Rus in his back.


    ¡°DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE!¡±


    The dagger only managed to pierce his skin but didn¡¯t make it through his thick muscles. He stood up and looked at the little girl straight in the eye. The eyes he saw was the kind of eyes that he always looks at in front of a mirror.


    ¡°My name is Rus, 4th Head of the Tessaro Familia. If you want to take revenge, get stronger.¡±


    He knocked her out and tucked her inside the bed. He carriedthe brother downstairs and covered his dead body. He then went to the kitchen and put the clothes of the mother back on. He put her dead body beside her child.


    He wants to close his eyes and take rest. He slumped on the floor. But before he could lay his body on the ground his body moved again on its own. Rus grabbed the decorated sword inside the house and stormed outside looking for his next prey.


    Rus will meet the little girl that he gently tucked in the bed again. In a few years time, She will gain a name for herself, the bards will sing a song about the Flawed Empress of the West, and the people will fear her every step.


    ***


    ¡°Vice General, the mana came back for a few minutes and did significant damage to the ice wall.¡±


    ¡°Vice General, the spike wall has been fully placed and the archers are ready for a volley.¡±


    ¡°Vice General, the personal guard you sent after the suspect came back, and Captain Kurac has been found but he¡¯s not in a very good condition.


    Reports were being delivered inside the command center in succession. The Vice General is handling it like a conductor in an orchestra. Commands are being given out without stop. The General was in awe he knows in his heart that sooner or later his friend''s position in the empire will be higher than his.


    ¡°Ask the Logistics department if any of the mana storage has been filled.¡±


    ¡°I and the General will accompany you soon at the front lines. Tell the commanders to be ready to defend with their flesh and blood until reinforcement arrives.¡±


    ¡°Take me to my guards and Kurac.¡±


    The Vice General went to the barracks where the injured people are residing.


    His Guards feet are covered in bandages from running non-stop with metal greaves. But he still tried to stand up to greet him.


    ¡°My Liege!¡±


    ¡°At ease, tell me everything.¡±


    ¡°The strength and agility of our target are comparable to a high being, two of our members died and the other one is still missing.¡±


    On top of another bed, Kurac was curled like a baby staring at the ceiling and muttering words repeatedly.


    ¡°Tell me what happened to him? Did he get attacked and injured his head?¡±


    ¡°Vice General, we found him walking around aimlessly and bought him inside the barracks the doctor checked if he has any injuries and found none.¡±


    The Vice General gave him a hard slap on the face to wake him up, but it doesn¡¯t seem to be working.


    ¡°Demon, Demon, Demon, Demon, Cataclysmic!¡±


    ¡°Try everything to bring back his sanity, he¡¯s the only one that knows the full details about what went down before all this.¡±


    He went back inside the command center to speak with the general.


    He gave his honest opinion without holding anything back.


    ¡°General, I have no solid evidence but just a hunch. The key to defending the city lies within it.¡±


    ¡°Here¡¯s the report regarding the target, and the newest information hasn¡¯t been written yet. He defeated four 4th-Rank Personal guards of mine and is estimated to be a high being. I still don¡¯t know how the mana disappearance is connected with this person. It will be a gamble.¡±


    ¡°Leave it to me. I might not be the smartest person in this city but I know I¡¯m the strongest!¡±

 Chapter 9: A Change of Heart (Part 1)

    The first gift someone would receive is a name, sometimes even before you were given life. A name can last for as long as you live, or a few decades after your death. However, there are names that last for eternity. For carbon-based lifeforms, it¡¯s the closest thing they could get to immortality.


    Inside the very depths of Red Dragon Castle is the Red Dragon herself. A being with enough power to wipe out an entire city in a single breath is sealed in a prison. In front of her is the ruler of the empire holding a spear made out of bones. He threw the spear directly at the Red Dragon¡¯s heart. A large hole was created at her chest but the speed of its recovery is fast, the hole recovered even before the spear could pass through her back.


    The Red Dragon opened its eyes slowly and roared at the human in front of her. The walls of the prison trembled and thousands of mana arrays lit up in response.


    ¡°Your ancestors failed to do it, your grandfather failed, your father failed, even your precious big brother died. Once my soul is united back with my body I¡¯ll destroy you first and your nameless empire next.¡±


    ¡°Why are you so stubborn? If you would just let us use your name, you wouldn¡¯t have to suffer this torture every day.¡±


    ¡°I let you humans inside my territory, gave you arable lands, sheltered you from the harsh elements of the world. But the moment you gain little strength you played tricks and betrayed me! You even dared to take my name!¡±


    ¡°Are you regretting it now? Once we find your soul we will destroy you and you won¡¯t be able to do anything about it.¡±


    ¡°Ha! Regrets? Destroy Me? I would be surprised if you don¡¯t destroy your selves first. You label yourselves as unique but you¡¯re all the same. You would never understand what¡¯s truly important. Miserable creatures!¡±


    The Emperor left the chamber, he slammed the walls of the underground prison with his hands before leaving.


    He went back to sit on his throne and upon arriving a fully armored knight kneeled in front of him.


    ¡°Your Majesty a letter from a Kaiser arrived just now.¡±


    He read the letter that was sent from the Manus Kingdom. After reading it, he crumpled the paper in the palms of his hands and it turned into ash.


    ¡°Send the last two Kaiser that we recently recruited to me.¡±


    ¡°Yes, your Majesty.¡±


    ***


    In the front lines of battle, the Vice General is defending what¡¯s left of the ice wall that was erected by the Arch Wizard. Arrows are flying everywhere and blood is being spilled by the second.


    ¡°Vice General, the reinforcements of the Sydu¡¯s arrived earlier than expected.¡±


    ¡°Worry not, I already sent word of the invasion they should arrive soon, and once the mana returns some of our sentries will work again.¡±


    Outside the opposite gates of the city a summoning circle appeared, 15 5th-Rank Knights came out of the circle.


    Once they entered the city the eerie silence welcomed them. Normally citizens would cheer at their arrival but there isn¡¯t a single civilian out on the roads. Curious, their leader asked the guards on what¡¯s going on.


    ¡°What happened here? I know those dirty Sydu¡¯s are attacking but they will never harm the civilians.¡±


    ¡°My Lord, there is a monster lurking in the streets and if you pass that corner you wouldn¡¯t be able to manipulate mana.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense! According to the reports, only a 3rd-Rank Swordsman is the cause of all this. We came to aide the defense and to eliminate the possible cause of the disappearance of mana.¡±


    ¡°You! Test it.¡±


    The knight approached just in front of the street corner and tried to use a skill it worked like it usually does. However, when he took a single step forward and tried to use the same skill nothing happened it¡¯s like the difference between dry sand and the sea.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    When he¡¯s about to turn around and leave his jaw dropped on the ground.


    He quickly leaped backward and saw a man holding a sword.


    As they locked eyes the man backed away deeper inside the place without mana and left them a message.


    ¡°McTwat tart chocolate truffle¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be fooled, he¡¯s luring us. Scouts ready your weapons spread out and flank him from behind.¡±


    ¡°Tanks at front and archers from behind, and supports. Don¡¯t leave this area without mana.¡±


    ¡°Some soldiers should follow us. Just in case.¡±


    The scouts tracked Rus and ended up inside the wealthy district of the city. What they saw made them swallow their saliva. In a few minutes that they left the guy away, he already made such a mess.


    The personal soldiers of the nobles and merchants are guarding their bosses but they too are quivering in the sight of this monstrous being.


    The Knights finally arrived at the scene


    ¡°Traitor of the Empire, I will not give you a peaceful death¡±


    ¡°Cookie cunt cockroach cockless critter!¡±


    I was never one of you.


    On top of the roofs Geal, Byal, Korpic, and Emeralda are holding a metal tube the size of an adults arm.


    ¡°Guys, remember to wear the mask later. We will start the operation when that happens.¡±


    The 3 are watching the events that unfold below them. They could see the knights behind and in front of Rus.


    They could hear the cheers of the nobles and merchants that almost lost their lives today.


    Unlike the vigor that he showed when he first started the massacre, his movements became duller and duller as time passed by. Arrows are embedded in his arms and legs, he can barely avoid the sword slash by the knights, and can¡¯t push back the tank like he was doing before.


    ¡°It¡¯s time, wear the mask we¡¯re going in.¡±


    Three loud bangs were heard and the surrounding was immediately filled with green smoke. Everyone in the streets got high from the concentrated drugs that were fired from their weapons.


    Some were laughing hard, some was holding their heads afraid that they would fall. Some were walking wonkily.


    ¡°Ahh! Such waste! We could have enjoyed some of it!¡±


    ¡°Father¡± ¡°said¡± ¡°do¡± ¡°not¡± ¡°get¡± ¡°high¡± ¡°in¡± ¡°your¡± ¡°own¡± ¡°supply¡±


    ¡°Shut up! And carry father away from here chwik!¡±


    They got out of the smoke as fast as they went in. Korpic was carrying Rus on his back. They entered an empty alley and was about to go back to their carriage. But a huge man was blocking their way.


    ¡°Where are you guys headed?¡±


    ¡°My brother! Was attacked by a maniac and we¡¯re bringing him to a doctor! Please help us, My Lord.¡±


    ¡°And where is this so-called maniac now?


    ¡°He¡¯s being attacked by knights with shining armor and is about to die My Lord.¡±


    It seems that our reinforcement arrived and currently dealing with the problem.


    ¡°Is that so, little-guy let me help you carry him he seems too large for your size.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, My Lord.¡±


    Rus'' face was deformed due to the beating that he took earlier. The General carried Rus and escorted them to the plaza where he saw hundreds of corpses. The General¡¯s eyes were red, and he clenched his chest. He could only imagine what kind of horror happened to this place.


    All this time the twins and Emeralda didn¡¯t speak. Afraid that the huge man will find it suspicious. The general saw a crippled guy that was staring at them as they approach.


    ¡°Thank you for your help, My Lord this man here is a doctor that will take care of my brother!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad to help, I know that any citizen of the empire would do the same.¡±


    The General left them, he went back to the defense of the city.


    ¡°Put him inside my carriage quick, he¡¯s bleeding internally.¡±


    Rus can barely open his eyes and force words to come out of his mouth.


    ¡°I¡­.s S..em..ira o..k?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes she¡¯s alright and well, you need to rest.¡±


    As soon as he closed his eyes Bethel worked on his wounds. The operation last for a couple of hours and Rus was breathing normally again.


    The mana didn¡¯t return to the surrounding and the war still rages on.


    ***


    Rus woke up and saw Bethel grinding some dried herbs and rolling it on a paper.


    ¡°How long was I out?¡±


    ¡°You were out for 3 days.¡±


    ¡°Tell me what happened.¡±


    ¡°The Sydians are marching their army in the streets to show their victory. Since the mana didn¡¯t return every citizen and even the invaders want to abandon the city.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean the mana didn¡¯t return? This happened once before but the mana returned after the I lost consciousness.¡±


    ¡°I guess that your ability increased once again.¡±


    Bethel lends Rus his old crutches he went out to go to his own carriage.


    He grabbed a few lettuce leaves from his vase and fed it to the baby Guise Turtle with shaking hands.


    He closes his eyes and remembered every detail of what he did. The weight he¡¯s carrying increased he felt that every move he makes shakes the foundation of his soul.