“The genesis of the incident,” began the officer, standing beside Adam within the encampment, “transpired with the conspicuous emergence of an anomalous cloud hovering above the adjacent hill. Its presence was undeniably apparent, even to the most visually impaired observer.”
“Subsequently, a mounted messenger, a soldier under the command of Officer Ronald, arrived at the encampment. He relayed that Officer Ronald was embarking on an expedition to investigate the peculiar phenomenon. Given their inadequate preparedness to confront formidable entities, both in terms of numerical strength and armament, he instructed us that, in the event of an insurmountable threat, a pyrotechnic signal would be dispatched by an accompanying divine caster, and consequently…”
“Consequently, you would be dispatched to provide assistance with the contingent you had assembled,” Adam interjected calmly.
“Precisely, Captain. Recognizing our superior equipment, Officer Ronald sought our aid in safeguarding the populace residing in the town below. However, upon reflection, I harbor serious doubts regarding our capacity to effectively counter that entity without casualties, even with our combined forces. We possess no spiritual knights within our ranks and I’m the only saint knight here just like Ronald in Orstone. Our primary function is the training of soldiers, and even engaging with beasts is not our core competency. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the imperative to fortify the defenses of these regions. Perhaps you could advocate for such measures with the General. Towns like Orstone appear exceedingly vulnerable in such circumstances.”
“In actuality, all of Vidin would appear vulnerable in such a sudden scenario, Captain,” Adam observed.
“I concur with your assessment. A scarlet giant? I confess, this is the first time I have encountered even the name of this demonic species. We do not encounter demons belonging to the accursed scarlet army of the damned demon lord on a daily basis. I believe the people of Orstone are profoundly indebted to that hunter,” the officer stated.
“A scarlet giant,” Adam repeated, a moment of contemplation following.
“Kindly inform me, Officer, where is the remains of that demon located?” Adam inquired.
“I apologize, Captain, but someone like Officer Ronald would be a more valuable source of information. My knowledge is limited to the assistance he requested and the fact that a hunter successfully eliminated the demon. I lack specific details regarding the incident. My role is confined to this encampment,” the officer explained.
“Then I presume you possess no information concerning the hunter or the accompanying young girl,” Adam inquired.
“I regret to disappoint you, Captain, but I have no knowledge of them,” the officer replied.
“There is no need for apologies, Officer. I intend to proceed to Officer Ronald’s location immediately,” Adam stated, his determination evident as he sought to gather as much information as possible.
“Then let us depart, Officer.” Adam declared, indicating their need to move.
“Certainly, Captain. The gate lies directly ahead,” the officer confirmed as they resumed their journey towards the encampment’s exit, where a guard stood vigil, holding a horse by his side.
“This is the steed you requested, Captain. Are you certain you do not require an escort?” the officer inquired as Adam approached the horse.
“No, simply inform the Circle Keeper that I will utilize the teleportation circle upon my return.” Adam instructed.
“At once, Captain. Simply follow this road, and you will eventually reach Orstone,” the officer directed.
“Very well.” Adam acknowledged.
“Safe travels, Captain.” The officer wished him farewell as Adam departed and embarked on his journey towards Orstone.
“After a brief journey, Adam traversed the road leading towards the Mayor’s residence, his arrival imminent.
The guards stationed at the gate observed his approach.
“Have we received any notification regarding an impending visitor?” one of the guards inquired, his gaze fixed upon Adam.
“I am unaware of any such notification,” the second guard responded as Adam drew closer and gracefully dismounted from his steed.
“He appears to be an official of some standing,” the second guard remarked.
“Sir, kindly identify yourself. The Mayor currently has no scheduled appointments,” the first guard requested.
“Captain Adam Aravos, personal guard to King Walt,” Adam declared firmly, producing a distinctive badge from his coat's Inner pocket. The guards' expressions immediately shifted to one of apprehension.
“Open the gates, soldier, and summon your commanding officer.” Adam commanded with authority.
“At once, Captain!” the first guard exclaimed, swiftly opening the gates for Adam.
“Expeditiously inform Officer Ronald of the Captain’s arrival.” The first guard instructed.
“With all haste,” the second guard replied, sprinting towards the mansion to convey the message.
“This way, Captain. I shall escort your Excellency within until Officer Ronald can meet with you. We wish to avoid any unwarranted distractions. I apologize for my failure to recognize your Excellency. I should have deduced your identity from your attire,” the guard acknowledged.
“Very well,” Adam concurred, and they proceeded across the park situated before the gate. The other guards stationed within remained bewildered by Adam’s presence, some even exhibiting a degree of amusement.
“A moment, Captain. I should instruct them to extend a more formal greeting and accord you the respect befitting your rank,” the guard stated, but before he could depart, Captain Adam halted him.
“Guard, leave them as they are. I prefer a more subdued atmosphere,” Adam instructed.
“As you command, Captain,” the guard acknowledged before they continued their ascent towards the mansion’s entrance.
“Captain Aravos! It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Officer Ronald at your service.” Officer Ronald greeted him, emerging from the mansion’s main entrance and descending the stairs to meet Adam. He reciprocated the formal greeting.
“Had you informed me of your impending arrival, I would have ensured a more suitable reception. Even the guards would not have dared to impede your entry,” Officer Ronald remarked politely.
“It is acceptable, Officer. I intended this approach. Now, let us address the purpose of my visit,” Adam stated firmly.
“Certainly, Captain. What brings you the pleasure of your presence?” Officer Ronald inquired politely. Adam remained silent, leaving Officer Ronald momentarily perplexed before the realization dawned upon him.
“John, you may return to the gates. I shall handle matters from this point forward,” Officer Ronald instructed the guard who had been escorting Adam.
“Immediately, Officer,” the guard responded before turning and departing.
“I apologize, Captain. I was unaware of the gravity of the matter that brought you here,” Officer Ronald acknowledged.
“I would not have arrived without an escort or an appointment unless the matter demanded discretion, Officer. However, it is of little consequence now.” Adam stated.
“I concur with your assessment. Please follow me, Captain. We shall proceed to my office,” Officer Ronald invited, and they ascended the stairs together, entering the mansion and making their way towards Officer Ronald’s office.
“So your Excellency is concerned about this incident,” Officer Ronald observed, opening the window in his office. Adam remained seated calmly in his chair.
“Such occurrences are not commonplace, Officer. Therefore, I must ensure that this incident remains an isolated event,” Adam stated calmly.
“I understand your perspective. I shall provide you with every detail you require,” Officer Ronald assured him politely, taking a seat opposite Adam.
“We can commence with the events that transpired after you dispatched your messenger to the training camp outside the town. Please omit no details,” Adam instructed, intentionally mentioning the messenger to subtly convey his awareness of the situation. This tactic was designed to subtly assert his authority and prevent any deception, and Ronald sensed the same.
“I assembled a contingent of soldiers and ventured beyond the confines of the mansion. As we approached the hill, we encountered a group of townsmen who were also en route to investigate the disturbance. A man named Desmond rallied them to assist in whatever crisis was unfolding. Suddenly, we were assailed by a cacophony of monstrous, horrifying roars. I immediately recognized that these sounds did not originate from the manticore that had previously claimed the forest as its domain. Their sheer magnitude indicated a far more formidable creature. Subsequently, we witnessed a conflagration erupting, and smoke began to billow into the atmosphere. This particular region of the hills is densely forested, so I commanded the accompanying divine caster to invoke his divine magic and induce a gentle rain to mitigate the spread of the fire. Thankfully, he possessed the requisite incantation. As we drew closer, the roars intensified, and I struggled to suppress my own fear. However, I could not allow my trepidation to demoralize my soldiers. I had already observed their growing apprehension in response to the terrifying sounds, and I could only imagine their reaction if they perceived their leader to be fearful.” Officer Ronald concluded, pausing briefly to compose himself.
“Moments later, we were within close proximity when the mage initiated his incantation. An eerie silence then descended upon the scene, abruptly halting the cacophony of roars. We began to vociferate, employing the flickering flames of our torches to guide our way. And then, we beheld the horrifying spectacle: the scarlet giant, its head severed and a limb dismembered, lay lifeless upon the ground. However, it was not alone.” Officer Ronald recounted.
“The hybrid and the hunter, correct?” Adam interjected.
“Precisely. He stood there, his right hand firmly gripping his blood-stained sword, the girl positioned behind him as if under his protective aegis. Despite our awareness that she was the perpetrator who had purloined the Mayor’s ring, we hesitated to act rashly. This man had single-handedly slain this monstrous creature, and I still grapple with comprehending how he achieved such a feat. He was breathing heavily, undoubtedly exhausted from the arduous battle, his form encrusted with blood. His gaze, cold and menacing, his long silver hair and crimson eyes, sent shivers down my spine. He exuded an aura of danger that far surpassed the trepidation I had experienced when confronting the demon itself. You might deem my assessment hyperbolic, Captain, but I felt a more profound sense of peril emanating from this man than from the demonic entity.” Officer Ronald confessed.
“So, he did not attempt to attack?” Adam inquired.
“Not in the slightest. He merely issued a stern warning that any who dared to approach her would face his wrath. And after witnessing his formidable capabilities, none dared to challenge him." Officer Ronald explained. Adam pondered Ronald’s account.
“The demon… what precipitated its emergence? If you are uncertain, allow me to enlighten you. This is not a species that inhabits the secluded corners of our world with any frequency. I have delved extensively into the lore surrounding these creatures.” Adam stated calmly.
“That hunter, his name is Jaxith, by the way. And indeed, after spending some time in our company, he appeared to be a benevolent individual. He even rendered invaluable assistance in resolving the manticore crisis. However, there was an undeniable aura of enigma surrounding him. In any case, he informed us that the demon was summoned by an assassin who had targeted the girl. This individual, through an act of desperation, sacrificed his soul to unleash this monstrous entity. Evidently, he was entirely unaware of the consequences of his actions with that infernal black stone,” Officer Ronald explained.
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“Is the demon’s remains still intact?” Adam inquired.
“Indeed, Captain.” Officer Ronald confirmed.
“Then lead me to its location. I require a closer examination. We can continue our discourse during our journey,” Adam instructed.
“As you desire, Captain. We can depart immediately if you prefer.” Officer Ronald offered.
“The sooner, the better,” Adam affirmed.
“At once, Captain. Please follow me.” Officer Ronald declared, rising from his seat and moving towards the room’s exit. He then proceeded through the doorway, with Adam following closely behind.
After a near forty-minute journey, Adam and Officer Ronald found themselves atop the Orstone hill, nearing the site where the demon had met its demise.
“So, he did indeed assist you in resolving the manticore crisis,” Adam observed as they proceeded at a leisurely pace.
“Yes, his primary objective was to secure the Mayor’s forgiveness for the girl. He also requested a monetary reward, but before his departure, he returned the coins to me. He explained that he did not wish to profit from the townspeople. He merely sought to gain leverage over the Mayor,” Officer Ronald recounted. Adam paused, lost in contemplation.
“You mentioned that he exhibited erratic behavior upon his return, but you did not elaborate on that point,” Adam pressed.
“He seemed to be gradually losing his grip on reality. I even observed him conversing with himself while alone in his room. However, the most alarming incident involved a loss of temper in front of the Mayor. When the Mayor insulted the hybrid, Jaxith erupted in a fit of rage, physically assaulting the Mayor and cornering him. He seemed oblivious to the presence of the surrounding guards. He then resumed his unsettling self-talk, appearing to be hallucinating. I conjured a fireball with my divine magic and issued a stern warning that I would be forced to incapacitate him if he did not desist. However, he seemed oblivious to my threat. He drew his sword, and I was compelled to release the fireball. Fortunately, the young girl intervened at the last moment, shattering a vase over his head. The impact stunned him, causing my spell to miss its mark. While I cannot condone her actions, I must acknowledge her bravery. Everyone was understandably apprehensive about confronting a man who had single-handedly slain a formidable demon and a manticore. Yet, she fearlessly interceded, disregarding the potential consequences of being struck by either him or my fireball. Her name is Irene, Captain. Her actions have undoubtedly altered my perception of the hybrid race.” Officer Ronald concluded.
“That is indeed intriguing. It appears that he may have encountered some unforeseen repercussions during his encounter with the manticore,” Adam remarked.
“That is precisely what I surmised, though the root cause of his erratic behavior remains elusive,” Officer Ronald acknowledged.
“Very well. What of the assassin? Do you possess any information regarding his motives? For example, why did he target this young girl named Irene?” Adam inquired.
“That proved to be another dead end. All I knew was that Jaxith had encountered her by chance and decided to assist her. I initially assumed their meeting had occurred near the hills or within the marketplace. However, two days ago, the maids discovered a small envelope while cleaning their room.” Officer Ronald stated, handing an envelope to Adam. It appeared to have been previously opened.
“And what is the significance of this missive?” Adam inquired.
“The message within was addressed to me. Upon its discovery, one of the maids presented it to me. I opened it and perused its contents, only to be met with a profound sense of shock. It was authored by Jaxith, containing the address of the Shadow Seekers’ hideout, the very thieves’ guild to which Irene belonged, as I previously informed your Excellency.” Officer Ronald explained.
“Ah yes, and what of them?” Adam inquired curiously.
“He instructed me to investigate their whereabouts, but cautioned against apprehending them. He stated that they were already deceased!” Officer Ronald revealed, Adam’s eyes narrowing as he observed officer Ronald’s tension. The situation was rapidly becoming more intricate.
“Did you heed his advice?” Adam inquired.
“I did, and I now regret that decision. The scene was a veritable bloodbath. Limbs were strewn about, and the air was thick with the stench of gore. I could not bear to witness such a gruesome spectacle and promptly vacated the premises. I was alone at the time and utterly bewildered. Could the assassin have been responsible for their demise as well?” Officer Ronald pondered.
“Officer, upon our completion of this examination, I require you to transport me to that location. It is of paramount importance,” Adam stated with gravity.
“As you command, Captain. In any case, we have arrived. The creature’s remains are located beyond these guards. GUARDS! STAND ASIDE!” Officer Ronald commanded, and the guards promptly complied, allowing them passage. A moment later, they stood before the fallen demon, the air heavy with an unpleasant odor.
“Ah, the decomposition has already begun. We have yet to determine a suitable method for its disposal. Its body is impervious to fire, rendering incineration impossible,” Officer Ronald observed.
“I shall dispatch a specialist to alleviate you of this burden. For now, permit me a moment.” Adam declared, dismounting from his steed and approaching the fallen beast.
Adam focused his attention solely on the wounds inflicted upon the creature, particularly the severed limb.
“I believe you were anticipating an examination of its head, were you not?” Officer Ronald inquired.
“No, my intentions lie elsewhere. I am already aware that it is a scarlet giant. Such an examination would be superfluous.” Adam replied calmly, his gaze fixed on the creature. He then knelt, donning a white glove on his right hand before gently probing the area where the limb had been severed. Officer Ronald watched with a mixture of curiosity and bewilderment.
Suddenly, Adam rose to his feet, drawing his sword. To the casual observer, it appeared to be an ordinary double-edged sword, albeit with an intricately decorated hilt.
“Captain, what are you doing?” Officer Ronald questioned, his voice laced with apprehension. Adam ignored him, attempting to cleave the severed limb with his sword. However, the blade met with high resistance, the demon’s hide proving to be remarkably resilient.
“You see, Officer, this demon possesses exceptionally resilient hide, impervious to the cutting edge of conventional blades. This sword is merely a secondary weapon for me, a conventional blade suitable for everyday use, if you comprehend my meaning. Consequently, it lacks the necessary strength to penetrate its hide. To achieve the desired result, I must augment its cutting power by infusing it with external energy. In my case, I utilize spiritual energy.” Adam explained, his body emanating a luminous silver aura. He raised his sword, which began to radiate energy in tandem. With a swift, powerful motion, he slashed downwards, cleanly severing another portion of the limb.
“Ah, now I understand your perspective, Captain.” Officer Ronald exclaimed, his attention then drawn to Adam’s sword, which was beginning to crumble.
“Captain, your sword!” Officer Ronald exclaimed.
“Do not be alarmed, Officer. Ordinary metals cannot withstand the infusion of external energy, as demonstrated by this blade. This is not my primary weapon, my true spiritual sword. Consequently, it began to disintegrate after a brief exposure to even a minor influx of my silver avion.” Adam explained, tossing the remaining fragments of the sword aside.
“I believe I am beginning to grasp your true objective, Captain. You are attempting to discern how Jaxith managed to penetrate the demon's hide, Is that correct?” Officer Ronald inquired.
Adam smiled, acknowledging the astute observation.
“Two primary possibilities present themselves,” Adam began. “Firstly, he may wield a weapon infused with a unique form of energy, akin to my own technique. However, I doubt he utilizes a spiritual sword or draws upon spiritual energy. Such a weapon would be cumbersome to carry constantly, especially when he could effortlessly summon it as needed. He might instead employ a blade forged from an energy-conductive metal.
Alternatively, his weapon could be crafted from a highly resilient, repulsive metal, requiring significant physical strength to wield effectively. However, in this context, I refer not to mere physical strength, but rather an enhanced physicality augmented by some form of energy. This would enable him to deliver the devastating blows necessary to sever the demon’s head and limb, despite the creature’s formidable defenses. The sword would undoubtedly need to possess exceptional durability and heft, exceeding the weight of ordinary blades.”
“So, which hypothesis do you find more plausible?” Officer Ronald inquired.
“That depends entirely on the nature of his weapon,” Adam replied. “Describe its appearance.”
“The blade was entirely black, though not a uniform, inky black. It possessed a subtle sheen, reflecting the ambient light. This lustrous quality hinted at an inherent sharpness. It was a single-edged blade, considerably longer than most conventional swords, including my own and the one you just destroyed. However, it fell short of the dimensions of a greatsword or claymore, resembling a longsword in length. The blade itself was broader than usual, though not excessively so. I also noticed a small, golden marking just above the hilt, likely a maker’s mark or some other form of ornamentation. This was particularly noticeable as the blade itself was uniformly black, as I mentioned.” Officer Ronald detailed.
“These are not the specifications of a mass-produced blade, definitely a private order,” Adam declared. “Firstly, I believe the metal itself is inherently black, not merely painted. If he possesses the skill to wield such a weapon, he would undoubtedly understand that applying paint to a blade diminishes its durability. Secondly, the sword’s unique characteristics suggest it was crafted to exacting specifications, a bespoke creation by a master blacksmith. Such weapons are not typically manufactured for the general market. No discerning swordsman would willingly purchase such an impractical blade.”
“So, which hypothesis do you favor, Captain?” Officer Ronald inquired.
Adam fell into deep contemplation. “I believe the second option is more plausible. There are no discernible markings indicative of energy channeling on the wounds caused by the blade. It appears to be a testament to sheer physical strength. I suspect he employs some form of physical energy enhancement in conjunction with the weapon’s inherent rigidity. While less overtly dramatic than fire or other energy-based techniques, a warrior capable of wielding such a weapon with proficiency is undeniably formidable, perhaps even more so.” Adam mused, his gaze fixed upon the fallen demon.
“Lead me to the house, Officer. Our investigation here is complete.” Adam instructed.
“Certainly, Captain.” Officer Ronald replied, and they mounted their horses and departed.