I remembered that there were seventeen mounted men-at-arms, I don’t know how many were left, but it couldn’t be more than ten or eleven.
Maybe it was because I had false confidence in the fact that I was a class holder, but I could keep my cool more than the other corps members. I don’t know why the captain wasn’t speaking up, but someone had to, I did. “We still have the advantage, they’re just trying to buy time for their reinforcements to arrive, push!” I yelled and pushed forward separating myself from the corps to set an example.
I was now face to face with not the men-at-arms, but his horse. It looked down at me, forced to do so by its iron blinkers. Facing it alone, my feet shifted back as I reconsidered my decision. I couldn't take on such a beast on my own.
Seeing my hesitation, the men-at-arm started to swung his mace in circles and stirred his horse forward.
But just as I was about to draw back, the captain spoke up, “Is Gregoire the only man here! Can you even call yourselves the soldiers of a duke? We face a count; these ten horsemen are ten percent of their mounted force at most. Charge and the duke will recognize your contributions!”
Three others came to my side, but this didn’t dissuade the men-at-arm. His armed hand now swung so fast the mace was no longer visible. Perhaps it made things easier. At least this way I couldn't see my death.
“Attack!” I yelled, and the ones with me did the same. Running forward, I swung down my sword at the horse.
Two others did the same, but the third went for the men-at-arm. And just as we landed blows on the horse, the third’s sword jab deflected off the man-at-arms’ mail armour and the invisible mace blew through his head.
As the horse fell, the men-at-arm came down with it. But we couldn’t help but stare at the red mist which had been our comrades’ head.
We knew some would die, but not like this—
However, we didn’t all have the same reaction to the event.
As our comrade’s mist settled into the grass and bushes, a yell, and loud thuds resounded. Looking around, I found my squad partner driving his sword into the men-at-arms' head over and over again.
Leaving him to his madness wasn’t right, but I couldn’t get myself to hold him back. I, at the very least, could understand what he was going through. This group had been assembled a year or so ago, me and the people like Luc had been recent additions.
Turning around, I went off to help the other groups take down the remaining men-at-arms. Not long after we had dealt with all the horsemen, a familiar voice resounded.
“Twenty more are approaching!” It was the sight sharpening class holder.
Turning to look, my sight fell on a horde of horsemen, my grip on my sword loosened. How would we defeat them? We had no chance.
“Everyone, to the forest!” Yelled the captain. Running with all our might, the captain activated his skill, and our steps quickened.
Looking back, the outline of the men-at-arms couldn’t be seen anymore as they were engulfed in a cloud of dust and dirt. We could only see the horses’ heads bobbing up and down as they galloped down the plain.
They were catching up; I don’t know if we would make it.
I had to do it, closing my eyes I opened my status.
Status
Gargoyle Craftsmen Apprentice (Level 1 class)
Level 8/15
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Vitality: 16/17
Strength: 10/12
Endurance: 12/15
Dexterity: 11/11
Mana: 17/17
Abilities:
Absolute order (B rank):
Extensive gargoyle detection (B rank)
Control delegation (C Rank)
Dextrous hands (F Rank)
Additional information:
Gargoyles: Ligothe
Titles: Leader of Gargoyles
I had to make sure of it first, but yes, Ligothe was still alive.
Closing my eyes, I tried my best to speak to him. Ligothe, I’m sorry for this, but can you distract the enemies for a bit?
I didn’t bother telling him to run away after, I knew he couldn’t. I wondered how he would even manage to intercept them with his clipped wing.
#
We managed to make our way to the forest, but even then, we didn’t stop for long, we just needed to see if they would keep chase. It would be stupid on their part, but we had to be sure of it.
Thankfully when we looked back, the cloud was dispersing. Eventually the dust settled, and the neighing of horses could be heard. Not long after they turned around and galloped off.
We had been saved.
But…
For having used a gargoyle to track your enemies for a week, you gained a level.
For having hunted down prey you had tracked with a gargoyle, you have gained a level.
(Special achievement related to your title Leader of Gargoyles) For having put your gargoyle’s life over your human comrade’s lives, you have gained 2 levels.
For having killed in your military debut, you have gained a level.
The notifications were never ending.
Status
Gargoyle Craftsmen Apprentice (Level 1 class)
Level 8/15 --> 13/15
Vitality: 16/17 --> 16/18
Strength: 10/12 --> 10/16
Endurance: 12/15 --> 12/18
Dexterity: 11/11 --> 12/12
Mana: 17/17 --> 17/18
Abilities:
Absolute order (B rank):
Extensive gargoyle detection (B rank)
Control delegation (C Rank)
Dextrous hands (F Rank)
Additional information:
Gargoyles: None
Titles: Leader of Gargoyles
There were so many notifications and then without my command my status popped up as well, but I didn’t want to look at it. Was this intentional, to show me that gaining levels would cost me.
Last time as well; it was when I lost Gothe and Gotha that I gained a lot of levels. Was this a requirement? Would it always be like this? If I didn't have a gargoyle, would I lose a friend?
...I only had two more levels left now. Maybe I should just sacrifice the next gargoyle as soon as I get one to level up as quickly as possible and get it over with.
“Let’s move fast,” ordered the captain. Half of his men were on their knees catching their breaths, not only due to exhaustion, but also fear, and the understanding they had escaped death.
Although motivated and fully supportive in the duke’s ambitions this was their first time participating in a war.
I don’t know why, perhaps because of my experience at the church and of the things I’d seen in the dead ends, but I wasn’t as affected as the others.
They were still on the ground mourning their loses, some crying, others with eyes in the void.
“Gregoire, come over here.” The captain was calling me over, it couldn’t be any good.
Going over to him, he led me deeper into the forest, away from the others. Perhaps he was planning on getting rid of me for what I’d done, but I wasn’t afraid of him after gaining so many state points. I suppose Ligothe was keeping me safe even now.
My intuition wasn’t wrong. “Why the hell did you do what you did!” He was furious. I didn’t think he was capable of such expression. I thought he would just stab me and be done with it, but apparently, I was getting another lecture. “I can’t keep you with the corps. As soon as we get back to the main camp, you are to report to the duke. Now leave and don’t get anyone else killed. You’re lucky we all didn’t get massacred.”
#
“Again?” The duke seemed at a loss. His earlier attempt at severity didn’t work to make me better understand camaraderie, well I did, but my actions didn’t reflect it.
“I suppose I can’t put human life before that of my Gargoyles.”
“Did you at least level up?”
“Quite a bit, I’m at 13 out of 15.”
“I suppose there’s that, but now I need to find you another corps. How hard do you think it’ll be for you to level up twice?” The duke’s comedic tone was nowhere to be found. I suppose even for him war wasn’t easy. Well, I don’t know why I expected any different, this was his first one.
Perhaps later he would be able to laugh off such things. “There is one thing, though,” I added.
“What is it?”
“I don’t think I can level up if I don’t have a gargoyle and I ended up still losing Ligothe in the battle.”
“Then there’s no reason to send you out. Stay here for now, we’ll soon assault Le Mans, there should be a gargoyle there. I’ll make sure you get first dibs on it.”
“Thank you.”
“Go get some rest, report back to me first thing tomorrow.”