Aeron rushed out the moment he got the direction Kay was in.

He sprinted thought the forest much faster than yesterday thanks to his new tattoo speeding up his movements.

He reached Kay's squad, who had been waiting for him whilst scouting the enemy forces.

They bowed their heads in greeting before Kay got straight to business.

"Your Majesty, it’s only a small village. We've determined they have a garrison of 5 [Militia] and at least that number hunting for food."

Kay reported.

"There are 30-40 villagers living within the walls, and the village chief is a strong warrior. We saw her earlier dragging back a Stage 1 beast she killed and she left the village again not long after."

He continued."Ok then, here's the plan. We're going to rush the gate and take out the militia. Then, we're going to split into two groups to hold the two gates and prevent any villagers from escaping."

The soldiers nodded.

"Kay, you're going to [Capture] the village. Kill anyone who gets in your way."

"Yes sir!"

"As for myself, I'll be patrolling the walls waiting for the chief and her hunting squad to come back. If any militia return, try to capture them alive, though staying safe is a priority so feel free to kill if it gets too dangerous."

The soldiers nodded again before psyching themselves up for battle.

Aeron took out the Army Flag, fixing it to the back if his armour. The soldiers instantly felt their equipment become lighter and easier to move in as all their stats were raised.

"To battle."

Aeron roared as he charged out of the forest towards the gate.

He arrived there in a matter of seconds, barging through it with his superhuman strength.

The militia on the walls turned to look at him but a volley of 3 spears made them refocus their attention outside.

Aeron stood to the side, letting his soldiers experience killing other human beings for the first time. He ordered Kay to do the same, sending the Berserker towards the [Origin] to capture the village.

Five of the soldiers split up from the rest, heading along the inner side of the wall to the other gate and wresting control of it from the militia there.

Within a short 10 minutes, Aeron had gained control of another village. Unfortunately, this was only Rank 1 and so didn't have much experience to give Rising Sun Village.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

That afternoon, the village chief returned. She was once again dragging the body of a Stage 1 beast she had hunted down.

Noticing unfamiliar faces on the walls above, she called out to them. They had already sent one of their members running off to get Aeron so they tried to stall for time.

"Who are you?"

The village chief yelled up.

"You don't recognise us?"

One of the more quick-witted soldiers replied.

"No. Should I?"

The warrior questioned.

"Of course you should, I've been here since the start."

The soldier yelled down.

"I would know you if you had of. Your just an invader! Don't try to trick me!"

The former chief shouted.

Luckily, Aeron had arrived so they didn't need to stall for time anymore.

"Hello there. I'm the new owner of this village. I'd appreciate it if you just turned yourself over without a fight."

He said, his voice somehow carrying down to the chief at ground level.

"Get down here and fight me you coward!"

The warrior roared.

"Fine, fight it is."

Aeron muttered as he jumped down off the wall.

He crouched as he landed before quickly bringing his blade up to block an overhead strike from the female warrior.

She recoiled backwards, her greatsword bucking upwards from the force if the impact.

Standing, Aeron brushed himself off.

"And you said I was the coward."

He commented.

Enraged, the warrior let forth a flurry of blows with astounding speed for a greatsword wielder.

Unfortunately for her, she was fighting Aeron. His duel swords were faster than her greatsword, blocking or parrying all her attacks while slipping in attacks of his own.

He was careful not to hurt her, wanting to take her into his army after this, so he landed blows with the flat of his blade on her joints.

The ice attribute froze them bit by bit until she couldn't move them.

The attacks slowed, then stopped. The fight was over.

The soldiers on the wall behind him cheered at their Lord's victory as the warrior in front of Aeron stared at the ground dejectedly.

Suddenly, she looked up with an unyielding expression.

"You've won, now kill me."

She said with resoluteness.

"I don't think I will."

Aeron said as he sheathed his swords.

"Why not?"

She asked.

"It would be a shame to lose a strong warrior like yourself."

He answered.

"Now that your life belongs to me, why not use it for something greater?"

He continued.

"Come, join my army. I have need for one as strong as yourself."

He said as he extended his hand towards her.

Gritting her teeth, she managed to move her frozen arm up to place her hand in his.

"As you wish, it is your right as victor."

She said.

Aeron sighed, if only all his future fights would be this easy.

After his offer of help was refused, Aeron re-entered the village with a half-frozen Bellona, that was the warrior's name, in tow.

Seeing there chief following behind someone else, the villagers gave up all thoughts of resistance. Out of the 38, only 2 of them had been killed for resisting or getting in Kay's way. This was a way better result than at the Celtic village, though it was a smaller crowd than that time.

That evening, the militia hunting squad returned to find their home occupied by invaders. However, after seeing how docile the villagers and their chief was being, they surrendered peacefully.

Aeron stated in the Heaven Domain that night to make sure none of the villagers tried anything whilst half the soldiers were asleep.

Fortunately for them, nobody tried anything and morning came without incident.