Taking a knee, we waited for the gallop of the horses to come to a stop.

Stopping before us, the horses swayed as the lord’s boots landed on the ground. “Look up.” He said with a terse voice.

Raising my head, I couldn’t help but notice that our eyes were level. Had I really become so big?

“Are you really Gregoire?” He said, his brows creased. I suppose no one would easily believe my tale. A human becoming a beast. That was unheard of except for in the tales of old.

“Yes.” Is all I said. I couldn’t think of anything else to say that would help my case.

“Where is your artifact then?”

Artifact? Looking back down, I couldn’t find it. Quickly, ran my hands around my collar and neck, but still, nothing.

The artifact was consumed in your evolution.

Thankfully, the system saved me from looking any more like an idiot. “The system says it was used in my evolution.”

“So, this form of yours is a product of a class upgrade?” It didn’t sound much like a question. He was only searching for confirmation. Perhaps he too wasn’t ready to deal with this. It was easier for all of us if we just accepted, I was Gregoire regardless if that was true or not. And honestly, I wasn’t sure myself, but for the sake of it I answered with a firm. “Yes.”

The duke waved over Damien. “Bring out the crystal.”

“Yes sir.” Damien walked came over. He, on the other hand, was wearing a warm smile. He was a good man. “How are you feeling Gregoire?”

“Good.” I wanted to smile but I held myself back. I had seen enough gargoyles to know that they didn’t have a face that could smile.

“We must simply confirm your class, the lord is very curious, here.” He extended his arms in which he held a large class recognition orb.

Extending my arm, I placed my hand on the light-blue crystal. It didn’t react. Was this good, bad? I didn’t know but I couldn’t help but err on the side of this being a bad thing. However, glancing up, neither had Damien or the duke’s reactions changed.

A few seconds later, Damien looked back to our Lord. “It’s him.”

“Thank God.” I exhaled my anxiety. I don’t know what I would have done… or rather, I didn’t know what might happen if this all didn’t go well.

“It’s him,” repeated Frederick. “You are one hundred and one percent sure?”

“One hundred percent sure,” repeated Damien. It seemed like he wanted to say more and I could see his lips word something out, but I couldn’t read it. I suppose it was related to the class crystal and its functionality—

“Thank Fuck!” Damien laughed with a broad smile and ran over to me. “Hey, so how did this happen? Are you a gargoyle now or is this some kind of transformation ability you can’t undo?”

I wasn’t sure how to react. I hadn’t seen this side of the Lord since before my mistake with François.

“…it’s just how I am now. It’s a class called Gargoyle—” I cut myself just as I was about to add the Prince part. It felt treasonous to add it. He couldn’t know about what Isa had been saying…

Or perhaps I couldn’t say it because I couldn’t knock the idea out of my mind. “Are we going to assault the Le Mans?” I asked to change the topic.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Le Mans? A true… Wait. First, I need to know a few things but this isn’t the place to talk. Let’s head back to camp first and I’ll give you a proper introduction to the troops. Let’s go!” Frederick jumped back on his horse, and spurred it on, but as he was about to disappear, he halted and turned back to me with one last question, “You can fly, right?”

This time I couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, I can.”

Laughing, Frederick was about to gallop off, but Damien held him back, reminding him that it would be for the best to enter the camp alongside the scouts.

Although, entering the camp with Damien and Frederick would be enough to convince the troops that I wasn’t a threat. If we did so alongside young scouts without putting me on a pedestal, they might be able to see me as more of an equal rather than a beast above them.

I didn’t know why the duke was trying to foster such sentiments within his troops… well I did. He had spoken about his views on equality a fair bit, but I had a hard time understanding where he was coming from.

Glancing over to him, he had a large smile plastered on his face. I suppose the war was going in his favor.

#

We arrived at the camp three hours later. The sun was starting to fall in the sky and campfire smoke was starting to float up into the sky.

“Wait here.” Frederick stopped me.

“What is it?”

“I’ll have Damien round up the troops, I want everyone to see you at the same time, it’ll spare any confusion later on.” The duke gave the same instruction to the scouts as Damien entered the camp.

In the meantime, we waited in the nearest forest.

Not long after, Damien reappeared. He had jogged over as the sun had almost set and it would be dark within the hour. “We’re good to go my lord. I also had some craftsmen prepare a stand from which you can address the troops.”

With a nod, Frederick approved of the preparations and we left for the camp.

#

Passing the palisades into the camp, soldiers flanked both sides of the path which led to a large wooden stand.

As the duke was the first to enter the compound everyone was quick to bow, but he passed by them, it was hard not to notice their eyes wander up to peak at me. It wasn’t hard to see the fright and curiosity in their eyes.

Walking up the stand, the duke took center stage. “You may raise your heads.” And as ordered, everyone did so at the same time, which was a rather impressive sight from up here. “I stand in front of you all today to say, and show you the proof of our present and future success.

As you have all seen, to my right is a beast, a beast that was once a man, but it might be more apt to describe him as a miracle. His name, Gregoire de Gargoyle and whether you consider his transformation a curse or a blessing, know that he will be a blessing for the Duchy of Normandie and its future prosperity. Remember, he still human and his heart is with the people of Normandie.

In this war, we will win. Praise God!”

“Praise God! Praise the Duke!” The soldiers erupted in cheers. The last twinkles of orange sunlight reflecting off their polished helmets made the scene before me look like a sea of gold.

This sparked something in my heart and although I could no longer shiver, I could feel its tingle. If Isa asked me why I did not claim the title of King and create a new kingdom, this was it.

Certainly, before meeting the duke, I would have, but now I knew that change had to come to the world. And unfortunately, for peace, there needed to be war.

#

In the duke’s war tent, I was now allowed to stand in front of him and the map of Maine. I was now more equal than before, hidden in the dark corner to his left.

Frederick waved me closer to the map. “Here’s where we’re at.”

I didn’t know how to feel at being treated so well so quickly. I suppose strength really was everything in life, but… glancing down at my stone hands, I remembered that what I wanted wasn’t strength, but the things strength gave. Would I able to get those things with this new body of mine? I don’t know. No, I had to be able to get them. I was still me. The crystal couldn’t lie.

“We’ve successfully burned down all surrounding villages,” Frederick continued, “however, we don’t have enough men to cover all roads leading into Le Mans, as such they can still get food from the further settlements, however...” He flashed me a devilish smile, “with you here I think the problem can be solved. And with all the food we seized, we can stay here for a month at least month. This will force the count to lift the siege, but with our class holder and troop superiority, the battle favors us. Here.” The duke handed me a small parchment.

It was a map of Le Mans and its surrounding roads. It didn’t take much to guess what he was thinking. “Are these the routes I need to patrol?” There were five. I wasn’t sure how I would be able to patrol them all on my own. I’d need at least two more gargoyles.

“Yes, those five. There are smaller ones, but a convoy capable of resupplying Le Mans couldn’t pass through them. We just need to convince the acting city lord of Le Mans that they won’t be able to survive the winter. It will force the count to act before we are too deeply entrenched.”

“But I only have two gargoyles, I can’t monitor such a big area.”

“Don’t worry, we can spare a few men for that. As long as they can signal you and your gargoyles over its fine. After that you can deal with them. Now, off you go. The moon is low. That’s when they’re most likely to pass through.”