As Mephistopheles slowly made his way through the courtyard, Aham's eyes were locked onto him with a look of intense focus, studying him as he came closer.

The swordsman's intense adrenaline coursed through their veins as they pounded heavily across the ground, mud splashing up their legs. Their boots pounded heavily against the ground, kicking up mud as they ran. They finally reached Aham and collapsed to the ground from exhaustion. They begged him to stop Mephistopheles, knowing that he was the only one who could save them.

"Aham please stop that monster, he's killing each single one of us I don't want to be the next one he kills," said one of the swordsmen.

"I can't you see what he is doing he's hurting each and everyone of us, if we let him go he'll just continue killing until the last one standing, he doesn't even know where he's going," said another.

"Aham your our only hope of stopping him, please," pleaded another.

They begged Aham with teary eyes, pleading for mercy, begging for their lives, tears streamed down their faces.

As Aham observed and listened to the men's demands, he began thinking to himself, "So this is the person I was ordered to position the army for. They're ruthless, slaughtering our majesty's army without remorse. However, I have to commend him for his swordsmanship. It's impressive. If I attempt to fight him, I'll need to be cautious."

Aham unsheathed his sword slowly, with purpose. The sound it made as it left the scabbard was like a snake's warning hiss, and the blade glimmered in the light. He held it at his waist as he jumped into the air, dashing toward Mephistopheles. He then brought the sword down in a hard arc, grinding it right into Mephistopheles's brigandine. Mephistopheles was sent flying up into the sky from the impact, before he could even react.

Aham's feeble cry of "KAGUTSUCHI!!" was accompanied by a tiny blue flash of light in the form of a dragon flying out of his katana. The dragon made a beeline for Mephistopheles while he was in the air, and upon collision with him, veered to slam him through the stratosphere and into the door of the Balisarda Sumernor castle, causing an explosive noise, as the door and surrounding stone crumbled into pieces, a thick layer of dust begun obscuring the atmosphere of the wreckage, camouflaging Mephistopheles within it.

As the dust cleared, Mephistopheles's eyes widened in surprise at the discovery of his foe, as he landed harshly on the ground and felt the gravel crunch in his joints.

Aham leapt into the air and brought his blade down toward Mephistopheles's lower legs in an attempt to unbalance him. Mephistopheles was able to fend off the attack but Aham's force caused him to stagger backward. Aham then swung down with his blade and managed to deflect Mephistopheles's sword as Mephistopheles swung his own blade toward Aham's chest. Aham quickly regained his footing from the clash and used his sword to parry a counterattack from Mephistopheles

Aham's sword was slightly bent from the powerful blow. He then quickly recovered from the counterattack and swung his blade downward, intending to strike Mephistopheles in the knee. Mephistopheles was able to easily block the attack and then launched a flurry of strikes at Aham. One after another, Aham swung his sword in a defensive pattern, blocking all of Mephistopheles's attacks. He then darted out of the way, avoiding the next attack.

With a fast movement, Aham jumped backwards and swung his sword at Mephistophele's neck. Mephistopheles ducked the swing and then launched a barrage of blows at Aham,

Aham raised his sword defensively as Mephistopheles struck at him. Aham pushed his sword upward and deflected the attack away from him. Mephistopheles then thrust his sword forward, attempting to hit Aham on the side of his torso. Aham parried the attack and then countered with a powerful cross-strike, which Mephistopheles quickly blocked. As Aham swung at Mephistopheles's head, Mephistopheles was able to block it and then counterattacked with his sword.

Aham quickly recovered from his counterattack and swung his sword downward, intending to strike Mephistopheles in the head. Mephistopheles quickly ducked beneath the swing and then attacked with a series of powerful thrusts directed at Aham's stomach.

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Aham parried the attacks and then quickly darted backward and swung his sword once more at Mephistopheles. Mephistopheles was able to block it and then launched a violent attack against Aham's midsection.

Aham was forced to dodge the attack and then rushed at Mephistopheles, intending to attack his abdomen. Aham grabbed his Katana from the left side of his waist and jumped from the ground, flying at Mephistopheles, getting ready to kill him with his Katana by cutting from his shoulder to his waist. However, before Aham's Katana had the chance to touch Mephistopheles's body, Mephistopheles's sword clashed with Aham's Katana faster than the human eye could see. Aham jumped backward to get away from the clash at the moment. “Is this all you can do?” Mephistopheles asked.

"You're far stronger than I expected," replied Aham as he regrouped.

Mephistopheles lowered his sword and looked up at Aham, "But I am not impressed. You are a good sword fighter, but you lack finesse, and your attacks lack any sort of strategy. In order to defeat me, you will need to become better."

"If that's the case, then you must be more stupid than I thought," said Aham.

Mephistopheles laughed at that remark, "Oh, I think you're the one who's mistaken, my friend. Why else would you be so eager to fight someone like me?"

"Because there's no one else here to protect these people!" shouted Aham.

Mephistopheles walked towards Aham and continued to laugh, "Why don't you tell them how you killed their friends and family? Tell them what you did to their families? Then maybe they'll listen to you. You're nothing more than a murderer yourself, Aham. We're alike in that regard. The only difference between us is that I'm willing to admit it, unlike you."

Aham growled at Mephistopheles and reached for his second sword.

Mephistopheles smiled at that, "That's right Aham. But you're not going to kill me. That's why they sent you, isn't it? So you could kill me. And now that you've realized I won't die, you're no longer interested in fighting me. You're tired, aren't you? You're done. Just let me go, and kill Balisarda Sumernor."

Mephistopheles waited for Aham's reply. He watched as Aham's eyes grew wider and wider, as if he had finally realized the truth about what he was doing.

OUTSIDE OF THE CASTLE

As Chris was sitting down with his legs crossed on the ground below, a continuous crackling noise disrupted the peaceful dawn. A fire slowly consumed a stack of wood, filling the air with smoke.

Chris was gazing at the blazing pile of wood with an perplexed expression on his face as he continued to stare at the fire reminiscing over Mephistopheles decision to fight alone. He knew Mephistopheles was bound by his sense of duty, but he couldn't help but feel sorry for him

Chris sat contemplating while he heard a dull thumping sound in the distance. An immense amount of soldiers were marching toward him, leaving footprints in the muddy grass. They were all wearing a dark blue military uniform and carrying longbows and helmets strapped to their backs. A scabbard at their waist contained a shortsword, except for a few who held the military rank of master.

As the army drew nearer, Chris could see that they were led by a tall man with short brown hair, a long beard, and had a height of two hundred twenty-five centimeters. He exuded authority and confidence, having them marched in perfect alignment behind him.

When they neared him, Jabari walked up to him and extended his hand out to shake his. Chris took his hand and shook it.

"Well met, General Jabari. I'm glad to see you followed me," said Chris. sarcastically.

Jabari laughed at that, "Yes, I certainly did. I came here wanting to know Mephistopheles choice in being the sacrifice"

"It's not a choice," said Chris.

"What do you mean?" asked Jabari.

Chris sighed, "You really don't know anything about Mephistopheles, do you?"

"Not much," replied Jabari.

Chris pointed to the burning pile of wood, "Look, he chose to fight alone because he wanted to prevent everyone from dying at the hand of Balisarda Sumernor"

"How exactly did he plan to accomplish that?" asked Jabari.

Chris shrugged his shoulders and responded, "I have no idea. But I don't think he could have come up with a better plan. After all, this is the plan you proposed, Jabari."

While stroking his beard, Jabari frowned and studied Chris with a perplexed look. He thought to himself, "So Mephistopheles wasn't kidding when he came to me before the war started. He actually planned to kill Balisarda Sumernor."

Jabari began walking toward the burning pile of wood, "He shouldn't have done that though. His plan was reckless and illogical."

Chris stopped Jabari and said, "No, it was not. At least not for Mephistopheles. As far as he's concerned, he's already dead. What's important to Mephistopheles right now is preventing the deaths of thousands of innocent people."

"Well then, let's not have Mephistopheles's actions be in vain and waste any time - we shall storm Balisarda Sumernor Castle immediately. Are you in, Chris?" Jabari said.

"Yes, yes. Let's go," replied Chris as he stood up.

The army marched in silence. None of them spoke a word.