I have always been aware of Warlord Rex's strength because he is a Warlord, but to think that he was this strong is remarkable! He might be on par with Warlord Bazark! And to think he has yet to use Qi…

The armor and sword he bore must’ve been crafted from Matorenite. Despite the superiority of my blade over many others, his sword remained unscathed. Upon my attempt to damage his armor, no visible scratch appeared. My endeavors would amuse Warlord Rex, who would continue to advance. In a display of physical prowess and skill with the sword, we battled along the parapet without either of us gaining an advantage. The surviving archers would occasionally shoot arrows when given the opportunity. To their disappointment, I would retract and vigorously strike the arrows as if they were insignificant insects. Warlord Rex would seize that opportunity and advance.

“How annoying…”

I glanced down from the parapet. From afar, my men approached, prepared to initiate The Rupture. To overcome the treacherous moat infested with lurking creatures, we had devised a solution—a makeshift bridge constructed from nearby trees. This ingenious creation would be lowered into place, allowing our troops to cross into small, well-protected groups. Should any of the creatures dare to surface and threaten our advance, our skilled soldiers stood ready to swiftly neutralize the threat.

The archers positioned atop Arago’s imposing walls were no longer a concern, for I had personally dealt with them. Prior to my men’s arrival, it was crucial to eliminate these defenders and secure a clear path for our soldiers to advance unhindered. With precision, I had executed my plan, ensuring that our assault would face minimal resistance.

My mind briefly turned to Nastro. I knew that he too would be engaged in a fierce battle, confronting the formidable Belmo. Our synchronized efforts were essential for the success of our mission, each of us playing a vital role in dismantling the defenses of Arago. If I had to guess, then the troops would arrive at Arago’s doorsteps in ten minutes. At that time, I would have to finish my business up here.

I steeled my resolve and disengaged from the suffocating attacks of Warlord Rex, leaping backwards. Spinning on my heels after landing, I locked eyes with the line of archers cocking their bowstrings back. Positioning myself with my right foot forward and left foot braced, I firmly gripped the matorenite sword with both hands and drew upon my dormant Qi energy.

A crimson aura enveloped the blade, pulsating with the raw essence of my life force. With my preparations complete, I raised my arms skyward, channeling the unleashed energy down the length of the sword. In a sweeping diagonal motion, I unleashed a devastating strike toward the archers. A wave of energy erupted from the blade, hurtling toward the archers with terrifying speed. The slash of pure energy cleaved through their bodies effortlessly, severing them in half. A spectacle unfolded before me as blood and gore sprayed outwards, staining the once pristine parapet in a deep shade of crimson. The archers slumped to the ground, their life forces extinguished in an instant.

As much as I wanted to make sure they were truly dead, I had no time to dawdle. A surge of pressure jolted me from behind, alerting me to the imminent danger. Swiftly pivoting on my heels, I faced the oncoming threat, my instincts guiding me just in time to clash blades. It was Warlord Rex, his imposing figure charging towards me with an unruly aura of fury. His nostrils flared, and his eyes burned with an intensity that rivaled an erupting volcano.

“You dare slay my men in front of my eyes?!”

“What’s this? Warlord Rex losing his cool in the middle of a battle?”

With a deepening furrow on his forehead, Warlord Rex snarled viciously, his rage becoming palpable. In a sudden burst of speed, he swung his blade upward, catching me off guard and causing me to momentarily lose my balance. Sensing an opportunity, he swiftly lowered his body, channeling his full force into a powerful shoulder ram that struck my chest with incredible impact. The world spun around me as I was hurled off the parapet, a rush of wind whipping past my ears as I descended through the air.

My heart pounded in my chest as I plummeted toward the ground below. The passage of time appeared to slacken, providing me with a brief interval to take in the view of an atrium belonging to a stone dwelling that was fast approaching. The courtyard revealed itself, adorned with tiled stone steps and an artificial garden of meticulously trimmed hedges and vibrant red flowers. At its center stood a wide circular well, its presence marked by a small roof that shielded a closed-off opening.

The ground rushed up to meet me, and with a resounding thud, I crashed next to the well; the impact reverberating through my body. Groaning in pain, I fought to catch my breath as I lay on my back. However, there was no time to wallow in discomfort. Instinctively, I rolled onto my feet; the urgency driving me forward. I had barely regained my stance when a dark shadow loomed above, descending rapidly toward me. It landed a few paces in front of me.

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“Linark, why do you still choose to fight me? You should know you cannot beat me.”

“And how are you sure about that? You say you outclass me, but I do not see you gaining the upper hand.”

“I must clarify, punk. Even a cornered animal can put up a good fight. It is merely a matter of time until the predator eliminates them.”

“To me, you Marauders are the cornered animals. Once we finish you all here, we will head for the others. You cannot hide forever.”

Warlord Rex growled as he took a step forward. “Hide? We do not hide from the likes of you. Don’t take the Marauders as a bunch of cowards. Individuals who stand up for their convictions, regardless of any opposing authority, demonstrate bravery. Cowardice is exhibited by those who take shelter behind the garments of the deities. The Liberators are cowards for wanting to rely on these gods. It would be unwise to expect any favorable outcome from Xalan. That gnat is a snake. I can tell from those ruby eyes of hers. She is a reaper of rewards that will provide significant benefits to her, as with the other deities. Why else would a deity of blood be present in this battle?”

At his words, I couldn’t help but recall the earlier conversations and doubts that had arisen regarding Xalan’s intentions. Nastro had cautioned us about some suspicious activities, citing the unusual alteration of attack strategies. Instead of launching the assault on the third night, as initially planned, Xalan had ordered it for the sixth night. Furthermore, she had instructed us to construct a large-scale blood ritual that encircled the entire city.

Initially, I had assumed that the ritual was intended as an offering, a means to empower Xalan through the blood of the fallen. However, the doubts sown by Nastro and now further reinforced by Warlord Rex had ignited a flicker of uncertainty within me. Were there deeper motivations behind Xalan’s seemingly straightforward goals? Could there be more to her plans than what met the eye?

The progression of my thoughts was disrupted when a bright red light advanced in my direction. Clicking my tongue, I arched my body sideways from the frontal attack. The force of the attack left a deep gash in the courtyard grounds, sending debris flying as it collided with the wall behind me. I turned my attention back to Warlord Rex. His sword, just like mine, was glowing red.

“Getting serious now? I thought I was an easy opponent?”

“As I mentioned, even a cornered animal can put up a good fight. Don’t let it get to your head, Liberator scum.”

I shook my head at his taunts and glanced around my surroundings. The courtyard was in the center of the house, with hallways on either side leading to the interior. I noticed flickers of movement running across the halls. It must’ve been the residents of this abode. I thought Warlord Rex would evacuate the citizens from our siege. Why hasn’t he done so? Is he not worried about the lives of his people? Or was he too confident about Arago’s defenses?

Rather than arriving at a conclusion, an extremely loud boom startled me. Warlord Rex and I simultaneously turned our heads towards the source of the thunderous noise. His eyes widened as we beheld the sight before us. Plumes of dust and smoke billowed into the air, creating an ominous haze that obscured our vision. The chaotic eruption of sound and motion shattered the once quiet night. Before we could fully comprehend what was happening, a piercing cry cut through the air, slicing through our senses like a sharp blade. The ground beneath our feet quivered and shook, threatening to unbalance us. It was as if the very earth itself had been jolted by the footsteps of an ancient giant.

“They succeeded,” I mumbled under my breath.

Warlord Rex positioned his body and crouched down, indicating a readiness to escape, though I was determined to prevent his escape. Prior to his departure, I vanished from my initial position and perched atop the roof, observing Warlord Rex from above. He frowned as he stood upright.

“You’re staying right here. There’s no need for you to leave and check all the commotion.”

The Qi around his blade flickered ominously. “Enough games, Linark. The noise we heard earlier was because of your men breaching our walls and entering in great numbers. Although it is regrettable that you have managed to pass through, I have stationed men in the vicinity. They will deal with them swiftly.”

“We’ll see about that.”

There was some truth to his words. We do not have enough men to take control of the city. Warlord Bazark leads the main troops. Nastro and I are merely stalling for time until he arrives. Our strategy involves generating a significant amount of noise in the northeast area, in order to divert attention from the main troops who will be infiltrating from the opposite side. Only with Warlord Bazark and his men can we truly take over Arago and its people. The fact that the guards from the prison were talkative turned out to be beneficial. I wouldn’t have gathered such crucial information if it wasn’t for them.

Coincidentally, another uproar erupted, this time further away from the previous one. The scowl on Warlord Rex deepened.

“Today is a tragic day of Arago’s history. The walls, which were believed to be insurmountable and unbreakable, had been penetrated. And the cause stems from the Liberators, no less!”

With his head tilted upwards, the Warlord observed the moon with great concentration. “My ancestors watching me right now are probably spouting curses at me as we speak. I, their descendent, am ashamed to allow this to happen.”

Slowly, he turns his gaze, matching my own. “I will rectify such an error to ensure that it never recurs. After the elimination of the Liberators, we will reconstruct and strengthen our defenses twofold. But, to take our first steps, it starts with you first, Linark.”

The Qi that enfolded his blade stiffened, becoming as motionless as the most ancient of mountains. Warlord Rex bent his knees and leveled his sword my way.

“This place will serve as your burial site. Your remains shall be buried deep underground and consumed by worms. You will not leave here alive.”