Owen and Fell shot up from their seats as the men barged into the Hall. Owen moved in front of Selia and the table while Fell stood before Todd.
“What business do you have here, that you think you can damage our doors?” Fell asked the trio of armored men. As Owen looked over them, he noticed one of them was Vance, the guard who gave them so much trouble just coming into the city.
“We are the Lord's Knights, the protectors of this town, and these creatures have overstayed their welcome. We will escort them to the nearest gate.” The lead Knight said before Vance spoke up from the back.
“Lieutenant, there are only six of them. There should be seven. Where are you hiding one of the creatures!” Vance roared as he lowered his spear toward the table.
“That’s enough.” That large man stated, causing Vance to look confused, “So Fell, where are they. Don’t go causing more trouble for your Captain.”
“Their Merchant is trading with our Quartermaster. You would have known that if the men you had on Guard duty were competent.” Fell snapped at the large man before turning to Todd. “Go tell Sergeant Boulder that some assholes showed up and ruined his teaching moment. Then get the Captain on your way back.” Nodding Todd took off towards the back room behind his counter. Returning his attention to the gang's leader, “Also, these Merchants are under our protection, as per contract, so WE will be escorting them safely to Light. Your services are not necessary. I suggest you leave.”
“MWHAHAAH,” The large man laughed, “That’s funny coming from a man who SHOULD KNEEL BEFORE HIS BETTERS!” With his words, Owen could feel a pressure being exuded from him; looking over, he could see the blood drain from Sergeant Fell’s face. To Owen’s shock, after a few moments passed, Sergeant Fell dropped to one knee. This caused the large man to smirk before focusing on Owen and the others. “Ah, you must be the new blood this filth tricked into joining their numbers. I am Lieutenant Torval, and on behalf of Lord Wicker, I invite you to join our Knight Corp. There’s no need for you to sully yourself with these creatures any longer.” He said, extending a hand towards Owen. With his words, all the rage Owen smothered earlier erupted forth.
“GO FUCK YOURSELF!” Owen yelled, “The only filth here is you; now get out of our home.” As Owen finished his outburst, Torval’s fake smile twisted into an evil grin.
“Look’s like more trash that doesn’t know to KNEEL!” Again, the feeling washed over Owen, but it was much more intense this time. His thoughts began to spiral as he began to think the Knight was right. Who was he to question him? After all, the Knight was better than him; he should listen and do what he’s told. As he zeroed in on the thought, Owen’s left knee began to bend before another memory surged forth from his mind. It was another one of the speeches that Battalion loves to do after a 15-mile ruck. Owen sat atop his ruck listening to the speech when the commanding officer quoted a General right after World War II.
“The bended knee is not a tradition of our Corps.”
Hearing those words echo in his head, Owen snapped back to a notification in his vision.
Unyielding has resisted the effects of Oppression.
System Notice: Unyielding further decoded. New Functions available to the User.
Unyielding: Significantly protects from Mental attacks. Assists the User with overcoming any active Mental Effects. Skill not yet fully decoded.
Fueled once again by his rage at almost kneeling to this fucker, Owen rose and drew his sword. Using Mana Edge, he pushed as much mana as he could into his blade and pointed it at Torval, surprise written on his face.
“If you EVER use that Oppression Skill on me or my friends again, I will END YOU!” He screamed as he used his Eye on his newfound enemy.
Torval | Holy Knight Level 26
Name: Torval Class: Bloody Knight Species: Human Level: 26 EXP: 24571/33100 Health : 747/747 Stamina : 734/734 Mana: 186/226 Stats Strength: 32 Endurance: 28 Dexterity: 18 Vigor: 27 Intelligence: 15 Focus: 14 Skills Spear Mastery, Shield Mastery, Heavy Armor Mastery, Oppression, Bloodlust, Enslave Will, Crimson Command
“You think you can defy me, you shitty little Swordsman!” The large man screamed as a vein pressed out of his forehead. Ignoring the man Owen raised his other hand, pointing at him with his index finger and raised thumb. Mana’s all about intent, right? What about this, then. As he focused, he felt his mana stir in his chest. Guiding it, Owen imagined a bullet in the chamber. As his mana reached his hand, he saw a round form above his finger. Seeing this Vance lowered his spear and charged at Owen. With no hesitation Owen flicked his finger at the new target.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Bang,” Owen whispered as he imagined the round igniting and spiraling out of an invisible barrel.
CRACK!
“AHHHHH,” Vance screamed as the Spell obliterated both his hands and a leg, and everyone looked on in shock.
“That's what you get,” Owen spoke coldly as he aimed at the Lieutenant again. “Didn’t you say you were a ‘Holy’ Knight? You should heal your man before he dies.” Owen mocked the man as Vance whimpered and moaned on the floor. “Get your trash, and get out; this is your last chance.” As Owen spoke, he fed more and more mana into his round.
“No one commands me bu-but Lord Wicker. I won’t answer to some trash like you that protects those abominations.” Hearing those words, Owen released his mana, the round flying straight, and impacted the large man square in his chest. Unfortunately, the round only left a small dent in his armor, and seeing this, Torval’s face contorted into an evil grin. “You think some fledgling Mage can stop me; you are nothing.” He said as he started to draw his own blade. Before he could do more than grip the handle, a slender shadow flew across Owen's vision as an arrow pierced his hand, pinning it to his hip.
“Well said, Corporal,” Lotus said as she rounded the counter. Standing behind her was Fell and Boulder with their weapons drawn. “You think you can walk into MY HALL and threaten MY CLIENTS. Your lucky I’m merciful enough to spare your life, lapdog. Now go back to your Master and tell him to expect me soon. I expect reparations for your dirty blood, staining my perfect floor.” While the Captain spoke, Owen could see the fight drain from Torval’s face. He watched as the large man gritted his teeth and pulled the arrow from his hand.
“Of course, Miss Bladethorn.” Torval spook through clenched teeth before he turned and grabbed Vance's corpse, which had long ago fallen silent. Owen watched as the men left the Hall before he let out a breath, one he didn’t realize he was holding. As he looked back to his left, the faces of his fellow Mercenaries were hardened in thought. However, when he looked behind himself to the ones he was trying to protect, his heart sank as they all looked towards him with fear.
“We don’t have much time, Owen,” Lotus said as she walked up to him. “Corporal!” She snapped at Owen, who was still struggling with how the others looked at him. “Listen to me Owen, take these.” The Captain said as she handed him a letter and a small bag. “This letter is only to be opened by Dawn, Member of the Magus Tower; you will escort these Merchants to Light, and then you will all take the Portal to Noraillon. As soon as you Portal in Owen, raise both hands and yell, ‘Aerithas lunis humana, laetyr melash,’ do you understand Owen?” She asked as Owen was still in his own head. She grabbed his chin and forced him to look into her eyes. “Owen, focus, please. Did you hear me?” With a weak nod, Owen agreed, “You need to protect them, Owen; if Wicker’s lapdog is this brash, he doesn’t care about hiding his hate. You need to get out, Owen, go find Dawn; she’s an old friend.” As she spoke softly to Owen, she turned and looked at Selia, “You understand what I’m telling him, don’t you, Oracle.”
“Yes-s,” Selia stammered out, “But how do you know Daw-”
“That’s not important. Make sure Owen knows the words, and head straight for Light. You need to Portal out first thing in the morning. Before word can spread,” She looked back at Owen, handing him a dark blue Tag, “You are my Corporal; now, get these people to safety. Understand.”
“I…but they hate me; I’ve seen that look before. They are disgusted and scared,” he spoke quietly before almost screaming the latter words. Caught off guard by his outburst, Lotus was about to respond when Owen felt something slam into his back. He turned, expecting it to be one of the kids smashing their fists into his back, calling him a monster and saying how much they hated him. Instead it was Alice, holding onto him.
“I don’t, I don’t hate you. I’m happy; I’m so happy you hate them as much as I do.” Alice choked out between sobs as she buried her face into Owen's back. Owen stood momentarily, letting Alice’s words sink in, before taking a deep, calming breath. Push in down, Owen. Bottle it up for now; we can deal with it later. As he turned back to Lotus, he summoned his notebook while asking.
“What were those words again, Captain? The letter is for Dawn only; what about the bag?”
“ ‘Aerithas lunis humana, laetyr melash,’ yes only Dawn can break that seal on the letter; otherwise, it will burn itself up. The pouch is money for your trip and the money we owe Marco after he swindled Boulding into buying everything he had.” Lotus said with a sly grin, “We don’t have time, Owen. You need to leave now.” Owen dismissed his notebook as the words left her mouth before enveloping Lotus in a hug.
“Thank you for everything, Captain.” He said as Lotus squeezed him back. A moment later, they parted, and Owen turned to Selia, “Get the kids ready; we're leaving right away, okay.” Seeing her nod, Owen went and gave Fell and Boulder quick hugs.
“Be safe; don’t trust anyone until you get to Noraillon; hell’s even then, be careful,” Fell warned.
“Ai, don’t get swindled, boy. We best see you again, you hear.” Boulder joked as he clapped his back. Coming up to Todd, Owen gave him an enormous bear hug.
“Thanks for being my friend, Owen,” Todd mumbled.
“Always will be, buddy,” Owen responded as he held his hand towards Marco. Sheepishly, the young man took it, and he and Owen walked over towards Selia and the others, who were already waiting at the door. Taking a moment, Owen looked back one last time before smiling as he saw the Captain making a shooing gesture.