Several pairs of horseshoes struck a dirt road, creating a thunderous beat. The drum notes reverberated through the surrounding steppe plains. The source of the sound was a cavalry platoon of forty knights. They rode dark stygians, special horses with a rhino-like horn, and black manes. These knights were armored from head to toe with full plate armor and a black tabard that contained a red lion insignia. Each knight held a powerful lance along with the pride of House Reeves in their right hand.
They were led by an armored cavalier at the front, a middle-aged nobleman with an extra tunic over his light blue armor. He had a majestic mane of golden hair that reached his shoulders. This magical light blue armor was made of mithril, an extremely rare and powerful metal. A one-of-a-kind sight. This man was Duke Louis Reeve, the head of the Reeves family.
In the Midland Kingdom, only four other men rivaled in power to Duke Louis Reeve. Those four men were Duke Frank Lansley, Duke Osmund Kaiser, Minister Elric Hans, and King Richard Avens. Although the Midland Minister and the King held more power than any of the dukes.
The unit was galloping at max speed. Around the path, a wagon appeared sprinting at its fastest as well.
“Lord Commander Jermain, check if that is Trent’s wagon!” barked Duke Reeve.
“Aye, Your Grace!” replied a Knight in the formation whose helmet held two wings signifying top leadership of the unit. Jermain’s mount exhausted all efforts to go faster and caught up to the wagon. A familiar soldier wearing Midland colors and two young boys stood up on the wagon as it came to a stop. As the rest of the unit caught up, Jermain gave Duke Reeve a report.
“Your Grace, it seems Ser Trent has been wounded and ambushed by goblins. The soldier said that one of the orphans stayed back to fight the goblins.” stated Jermain. Upon hearing the last part, Duke Reeve became furious and looked at the Midland soldier.
“Damned sack of shit, it is your duty to protect these kids!” snarled Duke Reeve to the soldier.
“Your Grace, I beg forgiveness but that orphan back there is no ordinary child. He killed around ten goblins with ease and saved all of us, including Ser Trent.” replied the Soldier. Duke Reeve was surprised at this revelation. He knew that goblins in massive numbers weren’t easy to defeat, even if you were a trained soldier or a seasoned adventurer. But children and civilians would easily die to goblins.
After a moment's pause, Duke Reeve decides that the Soldier had followed the proper course of action if his report was true. “Lord Commander, accompany them back to Galdo City.” ordered Duke Reeve.
“Your Grace.” responded Jermain as he began his escort mission. The Duke then signaled his hand forward and rallied the Knights. “Heracul Knights, make haste for a young child is in danger!”
“Aye, Your Grace!” replied the rest of the Heracul Knights. Aside from the Lord Commander, the Duke and the Heracul Knights moved at full speed north along the road.
The Heracul Knights were the most powerful and fastest cavalry unit Duke Reeve held. Their power comes from having only seasoned combat cavaliers, the best gear the Reeves family could buy, and their rare dark stygians. They had set out from Galdo City upon hearing that a potential goblin raiding company had been sighted in the area. Duke Reeve took it upon himself to personally lead the fastest unit available out to find the Goblins. He didn’t want to give the goblins a chance at killing his people.
After about five minutes of riding, they arrive at the clearing and the cobblestone bridge that leads towards Tudora. The Duke and the knights were all shocked at the sight they saw. Around a hundred goblin bodies littered the entrance to the bridge, and more laid on the other side. A dark hazel-haired young teenager in commoner clothing was locked in combat with a massive brown-skinned creature, it was a Hobgoblin. This hobgoblin was over twice the height of the young teenager.
What shocked the Heracul Knights and the Duke the most was the fact that the boy showed no signs of injury and was deflecting blows from the hobgoblin. Then they felt his massive aura of killing intent, even the dark stygians felt uneasy.
“Your Grace, orders?” asked a Heracul Knight.
“Hold your positions but charge if the boy requires assistance.” ordered the Duke.
“Aye, Your Grace.” replied the same Knight.
It was Arlan. He was the one fighting against a hobgoblin. While it had the strength of twenty goblins, it wasn’t a challenge for Arlan.
Finally, after another deflected swing from the hobgoblin’s massive wooden club. Arlan saw an opening and struck both weapons into the center of the belly. The weapons tore outward spilling purple intestines and the hobgoblin screamed as it fell, staring at his own guts.
Using his short sword, Arlan struck the nape and beheaded the hobgoblin. Goblin raiding parties were typically led by a single massive hobgoblin and they were a bit more intelligent than regular goblins.
Finally, the battle was over. The same voice echoed in his head “You are now level 5. [Trifecta] acquired. [Basic Mana Torrent] acquired.” Arlan didn’t acquire any other skill at previous levels except [Battle Trance].
Abilities seem to be rewarded at different levels. Mana Torrent? I’ve read about magic in books. They mentioned that people are born with the ability to use it. It didn’t say you could acquire it. This is starting to get interesting.
The Heracul Knights rushed forward and surrounded Arlan with their lowered lances. Even though Arlan was strong, he knew that he wouldn’t be able to fight these knights and win. Using [Battle Trance], Arlan saw large traces of essence in each knight. Although they weren’t as large in capacity as Arlan, they had more available essence flowing through. Arlan noticed something else in each knight, some kind of blue energy stream that was moving fast.
That must be mana. These knights were capable of controlling essence and casting magic, I presume. I’ll have to find some time to meditate and draw out mana myself when I’m not in a field of dead goblins surrounded by knights.
Knowing this, Arlan deduced he’d only be able to kill ten of the Knights at his current power and level. Arlan also recognized the Midland flags and Reeves family crest.
Midland soldiers from the Reeves family. They’re not here to hurt me. They probably feel threatened by the sight of the dead goblins and my killing intent. Better show them I’m not a threat.
Arlan threw down his weapons and relaxed his killing intent. Upon seeing this, the Heracul Knights all felt relief. “At ease.” ordered Duke Reeve as he emerged riding a dark stygian. Arlan immediately bowed on one knee and lowered his head. He knew of Duke Reeve's picture from the many books he read. Arlan was puzzled that the Duke was so far from his castle, the Lionheart, which was at least a three day ride south of Galdo City.
“I am Duke Louis Reeve, Protector of the Midland’s Northeastern Realms. I presume you are the orphan that was with Ser Trent?” inquired Duke Reeve.
“I am, Your Grace.” replied Arlan. Lying to a nobleman could be way more trouble than telling the truth. The Duke paused for a moment to take in what had happened and analyzed Arlan from head to toe.
“Were you the one who killed all the goblins here?” asked Duke Reeve.
“Your Grace, a soldier killed two and I killed the rest. So saying I killed all the goblins would not be the truth.” replied Arlan. Duke Reeve burst into laughter.
“You take no liberties with being truthful. I witnessed you defeating that hobgoblin, so I doubt any inaccuracies in what you say. You may stand.” said the Duke merrily.
“Thank you, Your Grace.” answered Arlan as he rose to his feet.
“You’re not even scratched from fighting a hundred goblins. Gods, I thought I’ve seen everything. What is your name, boy?” inquired the curious Duke.
“My name is Arlan.”
“And your surname?”
“I apologize for my rudeness. I was never given a surname and I can’t remember life before I was twelve.”
“Interesting. I’ve received word of a goblin raiding company in this area and rode out with my men to dispatch them. Seems you’ve taken care of it and the realm owes you for it. Arlan, what was your vocation declaration to Ser Trent?”
“To enlist in the Midland Army, Your Grace.”
“Arlan, your talents would be wasted as a foot soldier in my banner. Come back to Galdo City with me. We’ll speak about an important matter over dinner.”
“Your Grace, I have concerns about the remaining goblins in the area.”
“I’ll dispatch half of the Heracul Knights to scout the area and deal with any remaining goblins,” said the Duke. “You will ride with me back to Highmane.”
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