The Commander knelt before Joshua.
"We apologize, Lord. Our ancestors have... Betrayed you and now we are on our last legs. This is punishment we deserve." Joshua placed his hand over the shoulder of the commander.
"Commander... I may not understand, but I want to help. So please. Tell me." The commander nodded, despite his tears filling up the lenses of his gas mask. He turned away to remove his mask, letting the tears slip out. Joshua wanted to see the commander's face, but Krieg stopped him.
"Lord, the people of Azteris wear their masks and have forbidden themselves to show their faces. Wearing this mask is second nature to them. He's not the same commander that I met. He's the last of them." Krieg corrected Joshua.
"You are right, Krieg. I am the last of the commanders. We can barely do anything. Even with the newly introduced Rogues, Goliaths, Demon's Bane squads. It's still not enough. We are barely holding the line as it is. The demons are getting bolder. The current one who has made much success is a Demon Lord named Jilvameth. His cult has been getting a foothold against us and inch by inch they are tearing through our formation. Not even the Crimson Reavers have been able to get close." The Commander spoke, he was tired and drained.
"Do you have a name Commander?" Joshua asked.
"We don't have names. We're merely numbers. I am number 151 and the last of the original commanders." Completely unaware of its nature, Joshua felt that he was insensitive to them.
"I apologize."
"No, Lord. It is fine. We still have the relic of the 9th Lord. Please... Follow me." Joshua followed the Commander 151 down to the path, reaching to a figure that was on the knees. The Coat of Crimson, and a black nodachi in hand. The Mask of Thorns. The Coat of Crimson had lost its colour, the mask of thorns had flowers blooming all over it.
Joshua stepped closer, hearing voices.
"No! No! I won't give up on my home. You bastards! You sold out our home to those demonic bastards! I'll make sure you pay for this."
"Krieg, I may fall here, and those bastards may put you in that damn jewel just so Soggorin will have his reward... But always tell the people of Azteris. I will always forgive them. They will never yield and they will die in glory. Never succumbing to the demon's reign." It was the voice of the 9th. Joshua reached her corpse.
"To the next Lord of Thorns. Only those with a kind heart may be worthy of my soldiers of Azteris. The one who would be kind to others, to always protect the weak. Only that Thorn shall be worthy. The soldiers will follow the Lord of Thorns, the one who shall grant them my forgiveness in my stead. For this blade, it's name is Redemption for when the blade is drawn before the people of Azteris. They will hear of my voice that I forgive them. Please Thorn..." Joshua grabbed the blade. Where the traditional sheathe faded away, the handguard was gone and the blade itself shattered. Joshua watched the grip transfigure into something else. The blade digitalized itself to existence, a slender white blade with red roses engraved into its body. Grabbing the blade watching it glow red.
Redemption.Zero Kai
A nodachi that belonged to the 9th Lord of Thorns, the weapon that she used for her people. Though betrayed, her love for her kin never faded.
The blade has slumbered for many years, awaiting for a worthy Thorn to carry it. Now, it has found its master and has changed to its Zero Kai form.
Redemption has chosen you, O thorn.
Attack Power 4500 Sharpness Thorn(Unique)
"Commander. Get your troops to hear my voice." Joshua said where the commander nodded. Activating the PA system of the room, where Joshua drew the Redemption Zero Kai.
"Voice Recognition Module activated." They heard a robotic voice being emitted from the blade.
"So, I am to die in these halls. Those traitorous bastards of the nobility have sold us out to the demons... Even so, I'm not worried.For the Suicide Division will raise hell far greater and drive those demons back. The nobles will twist the story stating that I betrayed them. Regardless... I... I will forgive the people of Azteris. For my love for my people, transcends beyond hate and even in death. Those bastards cannot take that away from me! I forgive you, Azteris. I will always forgive and love you all. Please... When the new lord comes to your aid, I am sure... He will be the one to help you all the most." The 9th Lord of Thorn's voice was heard.
That declaration was enough, Joshua then felt his mask of thorns and Coat of Crimson combine with the ones from the 9th Lord. Granting an ability.
Coat of Crimson and Mask of Thorns has obtained the following ability
Coat of Crimson gains the ability
Burst gauge Burst gauge can be channeled to either magic or physical attacks. Amplifies effects of attacks and blast radius. Gains over time, stacks at 5.
Mask of Thorns gains the ability
Demon's Fear
Increases overall damage against demon types. Including human cultists and anything of the demonic.
Demonic equipment cannot harm the Lord, for fear of retaliation by the Lord.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Joshua looked at his Coat of Crimson, seeing the crimson turn a shade a bit brighter to it. The Mask of Thorns, the front formed a pair of gas masks filter. Then followed by cloth covering his neck and head, merging with the Coat of Crimson. Joshua's hair ended up being tied like a plume.
Stepping out of the hall, Joshua could see the Commander waiting for him.
"We await your call, Lord." Joshua looked in front of him. The Rogues, Goliaths, Demon's Bane, Crimson Reavers and the soldiers on horseback and the marching soldiers staring at him. The teenager who stabbed Joshua appeared.
"I wish to serve you my Lord!" He knelt before Joshua, where Joshua put his hand over the teenager's shoulder.
Analyzing.
Analysis conclusion.
The teenager wishes to serve, to help others and to avenge his brothers against the demons that stole them from him.
Resolution has been detected. He will join as a Familiar but there is another option.
Lord, will you decide the class?
Classes available : Sword Dancer, Void Dagger, Daemon and ???
Sword Dancer Sword Dancers are masters of the blade, only given to those that form a pact with a Thorn. One of the unique derivatives to warrior. Void Dagger Channeling the void into their blade, Void Daggers are a unique breed of thieves, able to loot enemies but also operate to dispel them. Daemon Humans that have reached the power of Demons. ????
Can only be seen by the one who chose it.
Combat type
"Will you decide for me?" The teenager asked Joshua.
"No. Your path is one you must designed yourself. The same goes for all of you. Your path is yours and yours alone. The 9th Lord has forgiven you and where you choose is up to you. Do not serve me because of an order. Fight against the demons that seek to lay waste to your own people. Not for me, but for the safety of those around you!" Joshua's voice echoed as the Commander stood up turning to all of the soldiers.
The teenager made his choice.
Vizel, White Rose Knight the 7th.
Class White Rose Knight Level 150
An unnamed teenager who hated the demons that stole his elder siblings. An orphan who had no names but the number 150.
Stabbed the 13th Lord of Thorns out of anger, and believing that was the answer. Blamed the Lord of Thorns for many things but now graced to choose.
The name Vizel is given to those that become the White Rose Knight. This one is the 7th.
Personality : Battle Junkie
White Rose skills
Rose Blade An attack that encases enemies in thorns. When they die, the white rose blooms and explodes to encase the battlefield in them. 7th Descendant A blade skill that allows the 7th White Rose to have his predecessor's techniques. Rose of Guilty Abandoning innocence for the cravings of violence and battle. The longer a fight goes on, the more blood is shed on the battlefield. The better the Vizel fights. Tempting Violence Enemies will be aggroed to the White Rose. (Auto) For my brothers!
Unique skill(Unique to 7th Vizel)
His brothers will appear by his cape and shadows to aid him.
The teenager was now towering above the Goliaths, clad in white armor with an indigo cape. The chest plate had a white fur collar on it, a square shield to his left but he had no sword to wield.
"Vizel." Joshua passed the Redemption to him, where Vizel looked at it with confusion.
"This is the blade of the 9th, Lord. I am unworthy of it."
"No, this blade must be wielded by you. For it is your inheritance as one of her people." Vizel took it, where Redemption took its shape. Where the shield matched the blade's appearance by becoming a shield that was digitized. So did the cape, the cape had a bit of a digital like appearance. The shoulder pauldrons took a slimmer shape while the gauntlets had changed to become fingerless. The shield and the blade vanished then returning back via digitalization. The helmet had a piece of a sharp blade ornament sticking on top of it, while covering Vizel's face. His eyes glowed blue.
"Commander 151. Today, we end this war. We will take the fight of the demons to them!" Joshua announced as the soldiers roared with joy.
The preperations were being made, Joshua was standing with Raizel.
"Do you not wish to ask about the White Rose" Raizel asked.
"I figured you'd tell me when you're ready." Joshua asked Raizel.
"Ah... I thought you'd be like the other Lords who would be angry with me if I didn't tell you everything."
"No, I figured you had your secrets."
"The White Rose Knight are an order of Knights that serve the Lord of Thorns but they are far special and highly tricky. 30,000 roses exist but only few have come to existence. Each with their own requirements and differences. White Rose Knight can only be given to the ones they deem worthy. Each Rose Knight is judged by the predecessor, the requirements are not known to the Lord of Thorns. Only the Roses choose those they welcome. As of now, Vizel is currently learning things of his own volition." Raizel said, then using his cover to push Joshua's head to see Vizel wielding the sword and shield. It was like he was fighting against 7 people. His body recoiled as if he was being struck by them.
A loud siren was heard, Joshua turned to his familiars. They were ready, then he turned to Vizel who nodded. Vizel joined Joshua's group, walking ahead to look at the oncoming horde. There were demons as tall as buildings, demons that rivaled 5 storey buildings. Then seeing the Demon Lord Jilvameth.
Demon Lord Jilvameth
Level 300 HP 500,000 MP 500,000
Skills
Destruction of Thousands Magic attack deals wide elemental damage. Disdain for Thorns Damage to Lord of Thorns is extra 15%. Undying Cannot be killed by normal means.
Joshua watched how the entire Suicide Division made their path to ready themselves before the demons. A demon stepped forth with a megaphone.
"Surrender yourselves, you pathetic humans! Lord Jilvameth will ensure that your de-" Vizel threw his blade at the demon's chest, where vines consumed the demon and then buds of roses started to appear on the demon's head, then blossoming into white roses. A rose bloomed in Vizel's hand, putting it on his chest.
"Ready your bayonets!" The commander shouted as the soldiers readied bayonets to their weapons, Joshua watched the Commander be given his rifle with the bayonet.
"We will engage in close quarters combat! Tell our enemy who we are!" The Commander shouted.
"We are the Suicide Division! Death is forgiveness! Death is release! For we carry the burdens of our ancestors! We reject you demons. For now and forever!" The soldiers chanted as they all charged into the battle.