Chapter 17 - Legend of Demigod II
The Carcerons held the colors of azure as their national colors, therefore, their military uniforms contain such. One of the soldiers hastily entered the Intelligence Headquarters, “The Medical Sage destroyed the Reconnaissance Squad!”
“Preposterous!” The soldier guarding the entrance to the tent cursed.
“The enemy Knight, Krist Ceringer, had led the assault with the Demon Bow and The Painter,” the messenger soldier reported to the leader. “Above all, Knight Krist is a Force Master!”
“Hold for a minute, a Master?” The elite soldier from the tent intervened in the conversation. “Was it a brat who holds a spear?” It was obvious that the person speaking was the Talbot Leader with a scar on his face.
Returning to Krist, Ser Barristan Selmy and the 200 Cavalrymen had humbled themselves toward the Medical Sage. The image of Krist fighting at supersonic speed was fresh in their mind.
“Enough of that,” Krist waved his hand and signaled them to rise. “Assemble the troops. We will discuss matters forthwith!”
“Roger!” Barristan Selmy was directly handling the troops, whereas, the main party solely included the friends of Krist Ceringer.
“The dark-mane horse here…” Krist was presenting the rare breed from Carceron Kingdom, Sleipnir. “This horse is the best in the world. It can peddle in any terrain and can use magic to travel to impossible locations.
Right in front was Shadowmere, a young Sleipnir with crimson eyes. Capable of carrying cumbersome inventory storage and the fastest horse in recorded history. Krist had tamed such a horse after the raid of the previous Carceron Encampment.
“No matter how difficult it may be to tame high-quality horses, use the rudimentary technique from the Great Art of the Lionturtle Breath to calm any target within range, Bend Will.” Although the technique or skill may be the derivative of the Divine Art of the Lionturtle Breath, the adept practitioners of the skill, ‘Bend Will,’ could tame any living or non-living species. It is a higher technical skill for those whose mastery over mana is (refined).
Everyone in the 200 Cavalrymen was taught the Great Art of the Lionturtle Breath while Ser Barristan Selmy and Aura Soldiers were taught the Divine Art of the Lionturtle Breath. Completely taming the Sleipnirs would occur.
Hmph! Carbuncle was visually jealous and pouted.
“Don’t be selfish. Be generous and lead with grace,” Krist was speaking to his pet who was not of age for a capable mount. Even now, a young Shadowmere is far superior for mounted combat.
“GRRR….” Carbuncle was stubborn. This Direwolf is a cross-breed between a Demonic Direwolf and a Celestial Beast. It would bloom to its fullest extent when tested in the fires of war. Such a beast had a right to be jealous.
“Go and hunt while I scout. Grow and become a (fine) vessel to mount someone such as I,” Krist spoke to the Direwolf as befits a Celestial Being.
Krist had dismissed the jealous Carbuncle and scouted to an unmarked location. I remember climbing a hill then turning to the right…
“The lush vegetation is as rich as I imagined it to be,” Krist did not hesitate to acquire more ingredients in the rich lands of Carceron. I’ll be sure to mark this area for harvest. Traveling further in the dense shrubs, Krist knew of this path that was a shortcut to the nearest enemy headquarters.
“Just as expected,” the enemy encampment was discovered. We decimated their scouts, but their troops way outnumbered us. To charge at them is a possibility. But at what cost? Krist left the scene and returned to camp. At night is when we’ll strike!
In the meanwhile, Krist had messaged a hidden Kain Guild member from within the troops and sent orders. The sun had set and Krist and the troops were ready.
“We’ll be departing shortly,” the order had been said.
“A night attack huh? Can’t think of a better surprise attack than this!” Loutch had learned that the same old methods used in prior ambushes would work most of the time.
“We need to save time. The faster this night raid is completed, the more we’ll gain in this war.”
The troops were mounted on the Sleipnirs who are not only excellent in all types of terrain, but also make for a quiet and sneaky horse, “Excited, Hal?”
Among the Aura Soldiers that follow Ser Barristan Selmy, Hal Chirdinj was said to be talented in Aura rather than Swordsmanship. He was someone who was bound to become a Master sooner than Krist’s friends. It wasn't until recently that Krist realized such a character. Hal Chirdinj, son of the Royal Hetman, Sir Ottorino Chirdinj. Krist was internally seething to have acquired the person who is not only a future Swordmaster, but also one of the few famous Blacksmiths in today’s time. So that’s what happened to you. No one ever found out the identity of the famous blacksmith of Lukedonia.
“I can’t deny my excitement of battle, Sir.” Hal addressed Krist like he had served him for many years. This dedication and valiant voice was a testament to years of experience. It was as if Hal had already taken Krist as King.
“No need to be so formal with me. Mount up and get a move on!” Krist gave the orders.
“Ay aye, Sir!” The morale was high and the stealth mission was on the way.
Returning to the unmarked location that was found earlier, it could be seen that the bushes, shrubs, plants, and vegetation had been freshly cleared, “We’ve been traveling through a thick forest, but this area seems to have been cut recently,” Barristan remarked.
“The medicinal herbs had been collected by Ragar and scouts before our arrival,” Krist replied.
Publicly, Ragar J, Loyard is in the commissioned forces, albeit, as a Parasoldier, a combat medic. His underworld reputation and Title as the Poison Demon is mostly unknown.
“Major Loyard? Then they most likely scouted every single inch of this area of ingredients,” Barristan knew of the medical squad who were known to be greedy about collecting ingredients.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“From here on, do not make any noise, and get rid of the remaining vegetation,” Krist had completed the side mission of collecting the rich ingredients in the unmarked area thanks to the earlier message sent to the Kain Guild member.
Some time had passed and the change in shifts was about to occur in the enemy encampment, “They look real relaxed to be in enemy territory.” Loutch sounded surprised at how the Carcerons were at ease, thinking that they would win the war with their sheer numbers.
“Will an ambush with our numbers be enough?” Saix begged the question.
“There’s only one route to escape and our soldiers are strong enough to make it a choke hold for these Carcerons. We’ll be more than enough once we hit them with a series of tactics,” Krist explained.
“The one with the rank on the collar is their Commander,” Loutch knew innately the next step towards the destruction of the enemy camp.
“You’ve learned to take the initiative, have you?” Loutch, you’re beginning to make me think as if you're the main character. Kuku! Krist made an internal remark that was meant to be a joke. Realistically, Loutch had been improved to where he could fit the role of the protagonist, although a young one at that. “When I give the signal, you know what to do.”
From within the Carcerons, the inferior Officer spoke with the Commander who was busy drinking another mug of beer, “Um… Commander, is it the right time to be drinking in enemy territory?” Out of all of them, he would be the one to ask the sensible question.
Belch! “Worry not! The Talbot Elites were deployed after all,” the Commander had placed his faith in such a group. “Victory is within our grasp-”
THWACK!
Bullseye and direct hit to the back of the head, an instant death. The long arrow was protruding past the Commander's head and if infused with Aura, it would have ripped the person’s head off. Shortly after, the rest of the enemy soldiers would follow suit like their deceased Commander.
Stampede! Stampede! Stampede! Stampede! Stampede! Stampede! Stampede! The Cavalrymen from Krist’s group were trekking downhill and began the hit-and-run tactic that would be employed for the invasion.
“Is this a nightmare?” A Carceron soldier imposed the question.
In the wake of night, this had seemed more surreal as the 200 Cavalrymen were early practitioners of the Great Art of Lionturtle Breath and Divine Art of Lionturtle Breath, meaning, they were cold-blooded killers who could breathe through their skin. Their hearts no longer pulsed and everything else would work without the beating of the heart.
Meanwhile, a separate squad led by Barristan Selmy and a few soldiers was busy baiting the Foltest Elites, “Enemies affront!”
“They’re riding the Sleipnirs!” The Carcerons recognized that the dark-mane horses were mounted by the enemy.
It’s him! I’m sure of it! The Foltest Commander fled with his tail tucked between his back knowing that Krist was behind the plot. I won’t miss this time! His determination had grown from the last encounter.
The ones ahead, Barristan and a few of the Aura Soldiers were burdened with the mission of baiting the enemy forcer per the orders of Knight Krist. Your duty is not to join the fight, but rather, to shake and bait the Foltest Elites! Barristan remembered vividly what his liege lord had commanded. If you could, cull some of them Barristan. If it’s you, I’m sure you could do it. These were the little bits of orders that Krist had personally told Barristan.
Back to the invasion of the encampment, most of the Carcerons were beginning to flee. I must escape and report the night raid!
“Now where are you off to?” Hal had gutted an enemy soldier and saw the enemy run. “I see you.”
“Hal, worry about your work here! I will handle the rest!” Krist proceeded to the next step of the invasion.
“Roger!” Hal acquiesced submissively as should any Knight.
“Loutch, Saix, Reddas, and Laciel with me! We will hunt the main guest. Kehehehe!!” Krist was slowly revealing his true self to the people around him, especially his close friends. The Archedvil Soulstone had appeared in the middle of Krist’s forehead following a few tattoos. It was as if a Fallen Angel had appeared in the world. This would mark the beginning of when Krist could fully show off what he was truly capable of to the people who followed him. With that foundation, he was confident that the inception of an Empire would be attained quite easily. And it would all begin by showing this band of elite killers exactly what a Martial God looks like. Such an imprint would resonate with them into the depths of their soul.
Though Loutch is similar to Krist since they grew up with each other, Loutch is not an ambitious character. And it takes such a character to grow even more. Of course, this lifetime had presented Loutch to be as such, an ambitious character, however, Krist is not the person he is because of the ambitious trait, rather, it is because of his great belief in himself. Loutch would learn from experiencing his friend act like the devil and seeing Krist publicly display the Archdevil Soulstone to the troops means that he’s revealing his true self to the people around him. With this one thought, Loutch held great belief in Krist and the future. There was nothing left for Loutch, the Demon Bow to think about.
Back to Barristan and the Foltest Elites, “To not have archers was a lapse in judgment! Leaving them at camp as a contingency was a mistake!”
Krist’s subterfuge was too great and toyed with the Foltest Commander who was too lavished with the thought of simply fighting. Wait for a second… The Foltest Commander with a scar on his face halted the assault, “Squad! Stop!” It feels like we’ve been going in circles! They raided us from the back like last time..!”
“What’s going on?” An adjutant inquired.
Before the Foltest Commander could reply, another soldier commented, “Wha? Commander, a scout from the camp!”
Suddenly, the realization that he’d been played had dawned upon him once again. To be toyed with?! “No… Not again…” The Foltest Commander was shocked. Sweat and confusion were all that was left of him.
“HAAH! Reporting! The camp was destroyed!” The inevitable was reported and they had wasted their time chasing a wolf.
“FUCK!!” I have to remain calm! Retreating now is what the enemy wants us to do! Quickly retaining stoicism, “Split into two groups!” The orders were being given. “This group will follow me while the other surveil the surroundings!” For all that has conspired, this was an excellent choice given the amount of subterfuge that was put into play.
While that action was put into play, Krist and the group were close and ready to assault, “I’ll take out the Commander.” Loutch was leading the pack as is his role in the group, the scout and sentry.
“Prepare to charge! Greet them properly!” Krist held no doubt. Infuse your Aura and use a “Skill.”
Loutch innately understood the order and what his friend, Krist was trying to convey. Finally, I can show him what’s been hiding all this time. Not only does Krist have secrets, but, Loutch could mimic his friend quite perfectly.
The longbow was equipped and the long arrow ready to fire, “Piercing Heaven.” Loutch used a third of his mana to infuse Aura to the maximum and unleashed a fatal attack that made mana crackle like lightning.
THWACK!!
“You think mere arrows work on m-!” Before such a statement could be said, the head of the Foltest Commander had been destroyed.
“Erase them from this world!” Krist handed out the last bits of orders and the battle was soon to be won now that their Commander had been killed and the remaining enemy forces decimated. Leaderless and morale at the lowest, the winner of this battle was obvious.