"Your Highness” one of the councilors began, “we received your request for a honeymoon party. But with the war raging,I dont think is a good choice to do it"
"What nonsense is this?” slurred King Jorvik. “Carter, you assured me the war wouldn’t interfere with my festivities!”
"Your Majesty” Carter replied, “times are dire. Perhaps we could host the party at my private estate, scaled down to avoid drawing attention. You remain a symbol of hope for our people we cannot offer puting you at risk.”
"Fine, a king must sacrifice. I'll accept your offer and make it for three weeks at your private resident and make it small."
Carter went to his other meeting in a nearby room to decide the next move. "Bran, after that pig finishes this party, burn the place," said Carter, disgusted, while Bran smiled.
In the closed room, a squire announced the general's arrival. Delion entered in a hurry.
"Sir" Delion said, hugging Carter and then Bran before starting the closed discussion.
"Just us?" asked Delion.
"The council is waiting for our decision as usual."
"Fashionably late, I guess" said Victor, entering the room with his usual strong presence.
"We are going strong. We took some lands and secured them in a way that we can't lose them now." declared Delion
"But what about our resources?" asked Victor
"We secured a lot of resources, and the investments we made with the port helped us secure a fish supply that can cover the army's needs" answered Carter.
"Yes, uncle. We are focusing on the agricultural lands, ensuring none of them are burned or destroyed. Securing these areas but it had resulted in significant human losses."
"You are using the prisoners, right?"
"Yes, most of the casualties are prisoners, but once they wear the armor, they are my men."
"Exactly like him," murmured Victor. Then he said “In war humanity is a liability.. Focus solely on the end goal. According to your report, most of the land on our borders is under our control. You can now fight as you see fit; they will never reclaim it."
"So, in the next attack, we will aim to take the major cities. There are five, including the royal castle," said Carter.
"I think we can divide them into two groups. I will lead the highest-ranking soldiers to take Florriss and Codichla and then continue towards the capital. The other two cities can be handled by the rank B army, led by my left hand. He is ready."
"Those three cities are the strongest. Each one requires a different strategy."
"I have prepared everything, but if the second party needs help, I'm unsure whether to reinforce them or leave it as collateral damage."
"Don't worry, I already have a plan. We'll wait until they falter. Let the third wave start tomorrow. We cannot give them time to rest." declared Victor
"you really want revenge" said Carter
"I cant call it revenge it is more as I hate to lose a war" explained Victor
Back on the mountain, the brawl was over. The pit was gone, replaced by a great hole from the intense fight. Bassim neither surrendered nor was knocked out, but Anzal ended the fight declaring Lucenio as winner. "I had to stop it, not because I was worried, but because I don't want you both to face the world with broken arms or lost limbs."
"We're both going?" asked Lucenio.
"Yes, I just wanted to make sure you are both ready, and you are."
Bassim said goodbye to everyone and waited at the gate while Lucenio was called by Kai and Anzal.
"Your abilities are unknown watch out and always try to maintain your control. Always remember you're human. If you feel lost, come back here without hesitation. You're part of our family now. Even though I cant see, but your aura drew you in my mind. Travel safely."
After Alvis left, Kai remained with Lucenio.
"So, what now, Kai?" asked Lucenio.
"I have to go. There's more preparation and gathering to be done."
"So, you're not coming with me?"
"If I stick around, I'll only limit your progress. You need to venture on your own. But we'll reunite, and I'll assist you however you choose."
"Thank you, Kai" said Lucenio, giving him a tight hug.
With that, Bassim and Lucenio departed the village, each going their own path.
"What will you do now?" asked Bassim.
"I know that Delion is now general and there is a war going on, so I'll join and maybe take his head."
"And how will you participate?"
"Kai told me that the Verdaflo Empire is recruiting mercenaries, so I'll go there, but I won't show them my full power."
"Good luck, my friend. Practice well. I want another fight."
"bring it on anytime.How about you?"
"Ill go to hell if needed so I can gain money to rebuild this village try to repay them."
"It noble of you.Stay safe till we meet again."
Lucenio finally arrived at a camp full of sketchy people, each one examining him warily. Ready for any sudden move, he walked calmly to a small corner and waited for the empire’s representative to come and recruit worthy warriors. While Lucenio was resting, someone gave him a nudge to grab his attention.
“Can I sit next to you?” asked a strange-looking man. Lucenio, without answering, moved a bit, and the man sat down.
“They offer a lot in return for fighting. If you do a good job, you’re granted land, fame, and nobility.”
“Really? That’s great” Lucenio replied, eating a piece of bread. He offered some to the man, but the man refused politely.
“You know what the problem is?” the man asked.
Lucenio shook his head.
“The places are limited. They’ll take about forty mercenaries now.”
“And?”
“Look around you. We’re more than a hundred.”
“136 to be exact” Lucenio answered.
“Wow, yes, exactly. So, I’m sure people will start killing others at night.”
“At night?”
“Yes, when the sun goes down, it’ll be a free-for-all.”
“Then why are you guys attacking me now and in a group?” Lucenio asked continuing to eat.
“What? What did you say?”
“Tell your friends to come out and leave. You can leave too. I don’t want to kill unnecessary people,” Lucenio said, looking at him with a cold, side-eyed stare.
The man trembled inside, wanting to retreat, but his angry friend didn’t care and attacked Lucenio.
“YOU ARROGANT BASTARD!”
With a fast left hand, the man collapsed next to Lucenio. Everyone watched in disbelief.
“No escaping it then” Lucenio said, getting up.
The man, with disbelief and fear in his eyes, pleaded, “What do you mean? Please, don’t do it.”
“He got lucky. You’re afraid of this...” The man couldn’t finish his sentence; he was already dead from a clean pierce to the heart.
“Two left” Lucenio said, using his speed to follow the running man, killing him with a cut to the back of the neck and a piercing hit to the heart. He returned to the scared man.
“Please forgive me. I won’t take revenge or stay here, please.”
“And you call yourself a warrior? Just accept the consequences of your actions. Hope you enjoyed your life.”
With a swift move, the man died, tears frozen on his cheeks.
“He surrendered! How could you?”
“And? He attacked first. We are now 132. You all already decided to fight at midnight.I just took out some liabilities. I’ll sit next to the river I dont want to participate” Even though Lucenio said that but his aura contradicted his words of non-participation.
“Then let’s do it while the smell of blood is fresh” said another man.
Everyone showed their abilities, and a fight broke out.
“Remember, we stop when we are in the fifties!” screamed one.
Lucenio went and sat next to a river, watching from afar, wondering why he did it this is not him how could he do it the man surrendered where was his mercy, and why he didn’t let them go. His thoughts were interrupted by more men trying to attack him. With the same smile, a smile of a beast, he attacked them. The fight continued in the camp until the river ran red under the stars and moon.
In the early morning, the empire’s representative arrived.
“WHAT HAPPENED HERE? WERE YOU ATTACKED?!”
“We simply eased your choosing” said a man with a scar on his face, faintly glowing red.
The representative, shocked but pleased, said, “The best of the best. You are all recruited. We want to see this fierce fire in the war.”
And so, Lucenio and the other 47 mercenaries were divided into groups of four in each carriage and headed to the empire to prepare for the coming war.
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