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Arlan’s detachment continued on in the same formation with Mahari as the scout. They traveled further north into another meadow. Once again, they encountered a phormic nest. Arlan’s predictions of potential nest locations were accurate. This battle was much shorter as Arlan charged into the enemy’s backline and killed the overlord phormic immediately.

No casualties and only minor injuries were had. The battle was over faster than the first. The Banner of the Claw was gaining invaluable battle experience. They resumed their trek north to one more potential nest location.

As they traveled, Fiala approached the young baron, “Arlan, you’re from House Reeve, right?”

“Yes.” answered Arlan.

“Well, House Reeve all have blonde hair, you seem to have only dark brown hair. Why is that?” asked Fiala.

“I was adopted by Duke Louis Reeve.”

“Oh, I’m sorry about asking.”

“It’s fine, Fiala. I’m not offended at the thought of being adopted. To me, a family can be more than just blood. I consider my soldiers family to me.”

“Kinda like how the Nymedes is for me!”

“Yes, exactly that. You guys fight pretty well. How did you guys start out?” asked Arlan.

“Well… My brother started the Nymedes party three years ago. Right as I finished training to become a cleric.”

“I see, is Anthony your brother?”

“No… my brother passed away during a battle deep in a dungeon.”

“I see. It's my turn to apologize for asking.”

“It’s alright. I’m sure Numen guided his soul to the High Heavens.”

As Fiala finished her sentence, Mahari appeared to let Arlan know of the nest up ahead. Arlan nodded at Fiala as she returned to the Nymedes formation. Trent elbowed Arlan from the side indicating that he noticed even Fiala talking to him.

The expedition continued with their monster subjugation by destroying another nest of Phormics. The same way as they did before, with no casualties and only minor injuries. Fiala was able to heal the minor injuries as well. Healing spells help close wounds and can nullify pain but cannot restore lost blood. Because of this, healing spells have a diminishing return.

After the third battle, it was about an hour past noon. They had another hour before they had to be at the rendezvous point. Arlan ordered everyone to rest. Yanie and Mahari disappeared for a few minutes then reappeared with a massive wild boar over Mahari’s shoulders. The Banner of the Claw cheered on the Nymedes party now that boar was added to their lunch.

Mahari was able to butcher and clean the boar carcass in a matter of minutes. Lizard beastmen are natural hunters. Lunch was served after fifteen minutes with Mahari cooking it. Trent was given two helpings of boar and brought it to his Captain.

Arlan was busy looking over his map but paused to accept the food brought by Trent. “Thank you, Trent.” said Arlan.

“No problem, Captain,” replied Trent, “Do you have any news about the other detachment?”

“They sent another runner earlier saying they’re on their final waypoint before heading to meet us. They should arrive at the rendezvous point shortly after us.” said Arlan.

Morale was high and the operation was going much smoother than Arlan expected. After twenty minutes of resting and eating. They continued on to the rendezvous point and waited for the other detachment.

Upon arriving, Arlan ordered his men to stay and decided to scout the area himself using his enhanced speed. Yanie tagged along and was able to keep up with Arlan’s speed. Given that she knew the area better, Arlan allowed her to take point.

They arrived at another clearing, but this time a massive clay phormic fortress was erected. Although there was no sign of the phormics, there was a giant gate at the front. It was at least twenty meters tall and twelve meters wide. It was a double-door style gate.

“Yanie, was this here before?” asked Arlan as they were crouched behind a bush.

“No, this wasn’t here a week ago.”

“We’ve seen enough, let’s return.”

The pair began their trek back and after a few minutes, they returned to the rendezvous point. JD’s detachment had already arrived. JD rushed over to Arlan and gave him a quick report of what happened on the northeastern side.

“We took out four nests. All phormics. We struggled with killing the phormic overlord but it wasn’t anything we couldn’t handle. Minor injuries.” reported JD.

“Good, have the entire banner form up.” ordered Arlan.

“By your command.” replied JD.

Banner of the Claw was now at full strength and assisted by the Red Rose party and Nymedes party. The young lion turned to his men and addressed them.

“In the meadow ahead, lies some kind of fortress. Inside has to be the remaining phormics along with whoever is controlling them. We’ll move in this formation while I maintain the vanguard. We don’t know what’s inside so in the event of an emergency, I want everyone to retreat back if I give the order. No hesitation.” proclaimed Arlan.

“Yes, Captain!” acknowledged the Banner of the Claw.

The group approached the castle but still no signs of any activity. Oddly enough, Arlan’s [Battle Trance] couldn’t register anything either. The young lion pushed open the gate revealing a massive blue brick hallway with a red carpet lined in the center. The hall was wide enough for the expedition. Pairs of gothic pillars flanked both sides.

At the end of the hall was a massive red portal. The Banner of the Claw approached with caution but there were no phormics or any other monsters. No one in either adventurer party recognized the portal. As they get closer to the portal, a figure emerged from the red portal.

The figure had red skin with horns protruding from his shoulders and head. He wore blacksteel armor lined with green demonic engravings. He towered at seven feet. His face resembled a human but had orange eyes. Arlan’s [Battle Trance] could not detect any essence. The demon was likely hiding it.

The monstrosity took another step forward. Then it drew a blacksteel great-axe and pointed at Arlan to say, “We finally meet, Ashra.”

Arlan responds, “I’m not who you think I am. Identify yourself.”

“I am the Eighth Malum Incarnate, Izradon.” stated the demon as phormic soldiers began to appear from the portal.

“You’re the one controlling the phormics in this area?” asked Arlan.

“A wonderful observation, Ashra.” replied Izradon. As the Malum Incarnate finished his words, an extreme fear penetrates into the hearts and souls of the Banner of the Claw.

“What is it you’re here for?” asked Arlan as he drew his mithril sword.

Izradon laughed and answered, “I’m under orders by the First Malum Incarnate to raise phormics to attack Galdera, but you’ve killed most of them. Now Ashra, you and your little merry band will die.”

As Izradon finished his last word, phormics soldiers continued to pour out of the portal by the dozens. There were at least fifty on the other side with phormic veterans pocketing around.

Arlan noticed everyone on his side was still fear-struck. “Everyone! Remember who we’re fighting for, do not falter. Do not waver, do not let me down!” yelled Arlan in an attempt to rally them.

Although they weren’t fired up, it kicked most of them out of their fear state. Arlan started the first move by ordering everyone to charge and engage the first line. As they moved together in unison, the B Rank adventurers flanked both sides.

The initial clash this time was much different. Phormic veterans locked blades with the Nymedes party and Red Rose. Phormic soldiers were much more ferocious on the Banner of the Claw’s line. Arlan began ferociously cutting down phormic after phormic until it was only him deep in their lines. But his aim wasn’t to cut down phormics, thinning them out helped but his aim was to lock blades with Izradon. Arlan’s [Battle Trance] could detect that Izradon's core was a tier-four red core.

Striking down Izradon would turn the battle in Arlan’s favor and potentially stop the phormics from coming through the portal. As Arlan made his way through using [Automatic Parry] he channeled up some of his essence to prepare for the upcoming battle. Every second, another claw struck at Arlan but the attacks were all deflected by his mithril sword.

Arlan responded by using [Trifecta] and cutting down three phormic veterans in front of him. Each with a wide slash through the head. Izradon readied his blacksteel great-axe and swung into Arlan but was deflected by Arlan’s impervious parries. Arlan’s [Battle Trance] notified him that his men were beginning to falter and some were mortally wounded.

They weren’t going to hold for more than two minutes before being overrun. Arlan channeled all of his essence into enhancing his speed, maintaining [Automatic Parry] and saving enough essence to [Titan Strike] Izradon. Arlan is now trading blows with the demon to look for an opening. Izradon was able to match Arlan’s speed but Arlan activated [Titan Strike].

Izradon held a defensive stance and prepared to block the inevitable attack. Arlan’s sword swung down, unleashing the shotgun blast of kinetic force. The aftermath showed Izradon was hurt but not killed. The attack penetrated parts of Izradon’s arms.

Arlan followed up with [Trifecta] and Izradon countered with a pommel strike. The young lion was sent flying back ten meters. Arlan landed on his feet and phormic soldiers surrounded him once again. This time, a claw made it pass his [Automatic Parry] and struck into Arlan’s left arm. The wound wasn’t deep enough but this kind of damage wasn’t good for his duel with Izradon.

Arlan was using a tremendous amount of essence to fight Izradon and the throng of phormics. Arlan used [Trifecta] once more to cut the nearby phormics down as a response. The young lion pushed forward into melee with Izradon once more but the demon was starting to falter as well. Arlan used his [Titan Strike] again but instead of an overhead swing, Arlan swung horizontally into Izradon’s great-axe. The blacksteel weapon shattered from the sheer kinetic force. Essence penetrated through the weapon and into Izradon. The Malum Incarnate was now mortally wounded and bleeding profusely.

Before Arlan could finish him, Izradon retreated, and phormics positioned themselves in front of their master. Izradon’s voice rang through the hall, “As expected of the Ashra. We will fight another day.”

Upon hearing these words, Izradon entered back through the portal. The portal’s red vibrant light exited the room as the portal evaporated from existence. The remaining phormics were thrown into confusion. This signaled the Banner of the Claw, Red Rose, and Nymedes to destroy the remaining monsters.

Arlan, nearly depleting his essence, swung his blade into a nearby phormic veteran. His weapon of death separated the head from the torso with ease. After a few minutes, all remaining monsters had been defeated. Arlan looked around with [Battle Trance] to make sure there weren’t any remaining threats or potential traps.

The young lion’s next concern was his troops. He immediately ran to JD who wasn’t injured but held onto an unconscious Banner of the Claw member. Arlan’s heart sensed pain rise as he confirmed the fallen soldier. It was Trent. The young soldier had a severed phormic claw inside his chest.

The young baron looked around to see if there were any other fallen soldiers. No one else was mortally wounded. Erin and Dimitri rushed over as well after tending to their squad.

JD called out, “Fiala! Come quickly!” as the cleric answered the call for help. No one dared to remove the claw in fear of blood loss. Fiala analyzed Trent’s injuries and said, “We need to remove the claw carefully first and I will immediately heal his wound after.”

Arlan and JD removed Trent’s broken steel cuirass in preparation. Arlan nodded at Fiala as she prepared a healing spell. The young lion gripped the claw with both hands and carefully pried the claw out. A large gash revealed itself.

Fiala’s spell began its work on the wound. A holy yellow beam eased into the wound from Fiala’s staff. The gash was sealed in less than two seconds. Trent was now stable and death missed its chance today.

Arlan bowed before Fiala and said, “Thank you, Fiala. I am in your debt as you’ve saved Trent.”

“Arlan, there is no need, you all saved Galdera!” smiled Fiala.

“I won’t forget this.” stated Arlan.

After resting and investigating the rest of the hall, the expedition returned to Galdera and Arlan sent a messenger with a report for Count Emile. Upon entering the village, the residents and Lord Poma cheered on their saviors.

The crowd all held thankful eyes. A young girl ran up to Arlan and gave him a tiny white flower to signify her gratitude. Many in the crowd gave similar gifts to the other saviors.

Arlan sent the Banner of the Claw to rest at the Northstar Inn while he handled his duties. The young lion gave a recollection of the operation to Lord Poma, the guard captain, and the Galdera adventurer’s guild branch leader.

Afterward, Arlan paid compensation to the two parties who had assisted the Banner of the Claw. Anthony from the Nymedes party said, “Arlan, there’s a big banquet tonight to celebrate our victory! Will you be joining us?”

“Yeah, you should come!” interjected Yanie.

“I’m sorry, I have to return to Galdo City immediately. Count Emile has summoned me back,” answered Arlan, “but the Banner of the Claw is given a few days' rests so they can attend.”

Yanie looked down in disappointment and asked, “Will you visit?

“Most definitely.” answered Arlan.

After a few more goodbyes, the young lion left for the Northstar Inn to gather his belongings and check on Trent. Arlan ordered the Banner of the Claw to rest for three days in Galdera and return to Galdo City so Trent could get some rest. Upon hearing that they earned three days’ rest, a loud cheer rang out from the Inn.

Arlan finally left for Galdo City and realized how active the village was. The residents were celebrating. This was the kind of peace Arlan hoped he could bring across Midland.

The young lion started his trek back to Galdo City. After ten minutes of walking on the path, Arlan turned around once more and smiled at the fact that they were able to save the village. He was rewarded with a warm feeling in his heart. A feeling of relief was present as well.

Arlan’s mind began to run itself once more.

What's an Ashra?