Sorry for the delay, some real world problems.
Chapter 5 - Mannoroth Bandits - part 1
Two years ago.
Inside the Nubian court a meeting was going on. All the high ranking officials were present and only them. The usual attendants, maids, guards and everybody else was out. If you are a military general or a higher noble you are allowed. Even they are alone, no family members, no private guards, no nothing. This information that is to be discussed is very sensitive and must be kept between them. Among the present were the archdukes, grand-dukes and dukes from the noble side. Three of the 12 heavenly generals from the military side. Then there was king and his advisers, the queen and the princess. These people are the very backbone of the Nubian Kingdom. As such they are powerful beyond measure and the mere aura permeated by them were intimidating. No common man could stand in front of them without cowering in fear. Today's matter was especially daunting, the Mannoroth Bandits.
Most people don't know of the origin of the Mannoroth Bandits. The common hearsay was that at first they were a small raggedy bunch of thieves who decided to set up their base near the mannoroth forest. Soon they started getting famous. More and more people started joining them. The thievery evolved to raiding, pillaging, plundering and extortion. The kingdom took a lax attitude towards them at first which allowed them to grow. By the time Nubian Kingdom became serious about them, they had become bigger, stronger and powerful enough to be a huge threat. They shifted their base to a little bit deeper into the forest. And now a large enough force cannot be deployed into the forest, for a war of that scale would disturbing the monstrous beasts deep inside the forest and that would not be good for anybody.
It's not that the Nubian Kingdom didn't do anything to stop them. It's just that they were not a bunch of stupid bandits. The upper echelon of Mannoroth bandits consisted of powerful people perhaps on par with generals. Actually it was led by a previous hero turned rogue. So it's not easy to defeat them. And that was no excuse to let them continue like this. They must be destroyed before they grow enough to rival even the Nubian Kingdom.
The current king of Nubian Kingdom was Valentine Flavius Arcadius. He had a square shaped face with a chiseled jawline with blond hair and blue eyes that twinkled with wisdom and grandeur befitting a king. His face held forward a steady gaze and had an air of authority that was palpable. He was leaning forward from his throne with his mouth kept closed in a thin straight line. His left hand was resting on his chin and he had a scowl on his face while looking to the door waiting for someone. His red royal cape covered his body and an ancient crown was resting on his head.
To his left was his queen Adelaide and to his right was his daughter Agnes. Adelaide was beautiful. She had an oval face with luscious pink lips, a thin nose two evenly space beautiful amber eyes that exuded a motherly yet powerful feel. She had blond hair tied behind her back with a crown adorning her head. She was wearing a long blue gown frilly at the bottom. If Adelaide is called beautiful Agnes should be called sexy. She had an oval face with red full lips, two light blue eyes that seems to say how unbridled and wild she is. She had dirty blond hair tied beneath her in ponytail and dressed from top to bottom in blood red adventurer clothes. She was shapely with a perky bust and long shapely legs which could be seen from the tight dress she was wearing.
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The rest of the court was filled with people of various statures and they were all filled with tension and seems to be waiting for someone. Suddenly the huge doors to the court room opens and an old man steps in. The door was closed from the outside by attendants. The room was soundproof as there was a high level magical barrier preventing any leakage of noise. The old man who entered looked ancient. He had a long billowing blue cloak inlaid with mystical patterns. He had crooked nose with blue eyes and long white beard and white hair. He had a smiling countenance and looked kind yet powerful beyond measure. From that exquisite cloak itself, it was clear that this guy was a mage and pretty powerful one at that.
When the old mage entered every person in the royal hall visibly brightened up and became respectful towards him. Even the King, Queen and the princess stood up to greet the old mage. He is the current headmaster of the Iolus magic academy Elric the ancient. He is supposed to be over 200 years old and is said to be one of the most powerful mages in the entire world. Even the elves has acknowledged his skill in magic as extraordinary.
Valentine: “Welcome master Elric. Have you come bearing good news.”
Elric: “Of course Valentine. Our Iolus academy has decided to help you in destroying the Mannoroth Bandits once and for all. The details of it will be as discussed. I would send some of my best students with teachers to supervise into the Nubian Kingdom at regular intervals.”
Hearing this Valentine was overjoyed.
Valentine: “I thank master Elric for helping us out and the Nubian Kingdom will never forget this kindness.”
Elric: “Hahaha no need Valentine. After all my students could also use some real life battle experience. All I need is that they be treated well”
Valentine: “That will be done Master. The Expedition will be led by the heavenly generals Vera, Aeliana and Albert. And also Archduke Wycliff and Granddukes Paul and Fernandes will also be taking part in it.”
Elric: “Good, then I suppose there is nothing to worry about. It seems the end of Mannoroth Bandits it near.”
Valentine: “Yes it is. They have plagued our lands for so long that it is time to put an end to it.”
Everybody present while hearing that were pumped up. They couldn't wait to crush the bandit group. Agnes's eyes were sparkling and she was itching to go against them. This time they had planned well enough to really destroy them. The plan was elaborate and painstakingly thorough so as to not make any mistakes. There is no going back this time and they need to limit the casualties to as low as possible. Everybody pooled in to create this grand plan which will take a long time to finish but was very much worth it.