Sitting up from my bed, I gasp for the air I so longed for. It felt like I was swimming in thick and heavy liquids. It was not water, the sea of darkness and blood engulfed me. This nightmare is turning me into a wreck. Unable to control my scream, I let one out as I got up from that nightmare. Covering my hand over my head, I realize where I was. In my room, safe from that horrid nightmare. Shaking madly against my sheets, I let out a trembling sigh of relief. I cannot stop the shaking though, those images haunt me so vividly.

It was like I was some sort of soldier killing innocents. Recalling the scenes so well, I can describe how I killed many fleeing, innocent civilians. Swinging my sword arm, I saw the bodies of women, men, and children being sliced open. Slamming a body against a wall, I remember how I empowered my bare hands with chi to gouge out their insides. Tearing past their skin, I tore out their muscles and organs from their back. The blood splatters against me, my mind losing itself to the blood lust. I felt like I was right there, enjoying the sweet sight of blood and the painful screams of my victim.

It did not stop there. I assaulted some poor woman, tearing her clothes off of her. Pinning her hands down with my blades, I start to make out with the terrified woman. My hands were covered in blood as they roam all over her nude body. Of course she was crying, screaming in pain and in disgust. Feeling irritation enter my mind when I was playing with her, I know that my hands start to grasp the girl's neck. Choking her slowly, I watch her body become slow and lifeless...

My god. Cupping my hands over my mouth, I stopped myself from hurling. How can this curse conjure up these horrid nightmares. I felt like killing myself. Sweat covers me, soaking my white gown I wear. My heavy panting and screams were obviously heard by the adorable elf. Sickened by what I just did in that nightmare, I do not think I have the courage to stare into those innocent eyes of hers.

Without any delay, the elf rushed from her bed to my side. "Are you okay!?" Esta was utterly worried. She was terrified about the screams and my heavy panting. Conjuring up some light in her hands, she start to heal me. I wasn't in any pain though- not any physically. Mentally, I can say fear has successfully shattered me. Can I survive another night like that? Dreaming of those nasty nightmares... I want to cry, I want vent my anger, but not around Esta. She is too innocent. I do not want her to know my pain, and the idea of sucking her blood only sickened me further.

This elf struggled through her own problems. Freed from her slavery, I do not want to trouble her with my problems. I refuse to suck her blood! Filled with purity and innocence, I doubt I want to harm her. Deep inside, I like this elf. Maybe it is because of her cuteness, but my feelings for her are there- I know it. Turning my head, I peer into the elf's eyes. Ah, such a face, it's not suited for her. My heart reacts greatly to that depressing expression.

"I am fine..." I lied, my voice struggling to even say those words confidently, "D-Do not worry about me."

"B-But you were..."

"It's nothing." Getting up my bed, I had to push her aside lightly, "I-It's just some bad nightmare. Y-You have those sometimes right?" I did not turn to the elf, knowing that she'll persist with the questions and my reactions. Grabbing my gear, I just head into the restroom. "I have a meeting today. You shall stay with the others. I will be back later." Closing the door, I fell on my knees. I feel terrible. I lied to her and now I am having this strange despair creeping in my heart.

After I took my bath and freshened up, I walk towards the castle. My thoughts are still wrapped around those nightmares. Am I secretly craving for blood? No, not possible. I am still sane. Of course, the deadline to me drinking a loved one's blood is approaching. Well, I can ask Charlotte if I can suck her blood. I did have a thing for her? Although does it have to be a genuine sort of love? Walking by myself, I ball my fist up into a ball. In my frustration, I can only think of how stupid this curse is. Are these the nightmares Valarie's victims hated? Was this the sole reason why they turned and bow to that girl?

The more I think about it, the more I start to have this growing malice stirring inside me. Despite Valarie's beauty, my hatred against her starts to grow. My previous attempts to not think of the girl starts to loom in my head again. Bringing up these memories will not help me with the upcoming meeting. Steeling and shutting all of these thoughts, I put on my usually expression and just worry about the meeting I am to be dragged into.

Arriving at the drawbridge, Len stands there gazing into the sky. Wearing his military outfit, his gaze turns to me. He did not wear his trench coat or his vampire hat. Waiting like that, he definitely looks like some young general waiting for his dearly beloved- well, he was waiting for me of course. Arms folded over his chest, his eyes were eyeing at the rising sun. Turning his head, he watch me approach him. I question how old he is. He is far too young to rule with such an appearance along with his great mind and skills.

"Morning Anne." He says, bowing his head slightly.

"Morning." I said, smiling weakly, bowing as well.

"Well, I'll lead you to the room."

"Hold on, I have a guest coming along?"

"Oh?" Len raise his eyebrow. Feeling as if this was part of her cue, the white hair vampire appears before us. Standing there with her scythe behind her neck and perched on her shoulders, the vampire chuckles lightly in her dark armor, bowing gracefully to the king. Unable to suppress his shock, Len jumps back. Staring at the woman, he quickly realize who she was, laughing.

"You surprise me with the Gate Guardian's presence. Truly, it is an honor to have you attend this meeting with us. You will be a sight for everyone to see." Charlotte was humbled by the comment, but she says, "Let's get. The sooner, the better. I plan to kill something today." Nodding in agreement, Len leads us through the plaza. I eyed at the various soldiers now. Unlike last time, there were a bunch of trainees sparring against each other with their bare hands and doing physical exercises. Now, I stare at a number of armored units setting camp and preparing a ton of equipment. Walking away from the plaza, we arrive at the castle. Going up those stairs, we end up taking a left.  Turning right once we reach the second level, the three of us walk down a huge corridor. Marble columns spaced themselves between every window on our left as they hold some sort of ornament. Most of them have some stone portrait of someone important. Eyeing at the width of this corridor, it can allow people to walk to and fro. Two soldiers walk by us, bringing up the upcoming battle. Stopping at the metal door at the end of the corridor, two heavily armored knights stood there.

These knights do not dawn a purple armor, surprising me when I thought Len's knights would be here instead. Standing tall and vigilant, they wore dark red armor resembling the color of dried up blood. Trying to suppress the nightmares from this morning, I just shake the thoughts away. They looked like armored demonic entities. If one was to approach them from afar, they would assume they were demons. They bore a helmet with horns protruding out from the side. Their line like visors stare straight ahead, not heeding our presence. The bottom part of their helmets reveal the teeth like designs carved against the armor. Spikes protrude out of their shoulders, elbows, and their arm gauntlets. These spikes are sharp enough to act as weapons. In their hands, they both bear a shield and spear.

"Oh my. It has been too long since I feast my eyes on the Abyssal knights. It is a great sight to stare at these magnificent soldiers." After saying her compliment, the knights turned to Charlotte. They quickly broke out of their stiff stances, jumping towards the wall.

"Charlotte?!" one of them exclaim.

"In the flesh. I am going to guess that Adramelech Logan is present. I cannot believe that old geezer is still alive. He is the only one who can train such skillful warriors." The two knights bow to Charlotte, "We are thankful for your grace Gate Guardian. Do not waste such time with us though, please enter the room." Getting up from their bow, they push the doors open. Staring into the room, a ton of high rank warriors and mages are seated around the giant gray circular table. I only felt sweat trickle down my back. Leading the way, Len moves around the seated members. Behind these warriors and mages, I can stare at their bodyguard or other important other standing there, eyeing at me with concern.

"The king decided to bring this rank two warrior...?"

"Thought she was a rank one..."

"Wait- isn't that Charlotte? The Gate Guardian for Eswaria's gate."

"Oh, what brings you here girl?" An old man chuckles, folding his arms across his chest. This individual has a fearsome helmet. It looked like a demon's head! Literally. I can see four yellow eyes locking their gaze towards us with four to six horns protruding from the top and sides of  his helmet. Unable to glance at his armor, I know that it should look fearsome as well. The realistic details of the helmet and arm gauntlet made his appearance like a demon.

"Adramelech Logan, you still live." the vampire scoffs, swinging the scythe over her once before returning it over her shoulder, "I thought you would have died before you reached the Fiend rank back then." The man scoffs, "Yeah. If you didn't leave that one pitiful guy for me to train on, I would have. Glad to see a very old face in this batch of people." Charlotte eyes at him asking the next question, "Is the situation down there that serious."

"If you only see me here, what do you think?" What were they talking about. Throwing my curiosity away, I can hear the people talking about Charlotte's former reputation.

"The Crimson Vampire Overlord is here?"

"Wait, she was an Overlord?" someone asks.

"An Overlord of her race way back then. She lead many other vampires who terrified the Underworld. Charlotte was known as the Grim Reaper as well. She slayed countless of people and bathed in their blood. She had so many names. The main one people used was the 'Blood Lust Devil.' In the night, she would torture you to death or torment you to submission." My body could not halt the shivers down my spine. Charlotte was this dangerous?

No, King Len and Gate Guardian Charlotte are strong. Only using a fraction of their powers, I barely survived. Leading back to what I said when Gallant rescued me, there is someone who is always stronger than yourself. Secretly, I lust for this. I want to be up there as well. Another armored individual says, "Is this the guest you want to bring King Len? A rank two? How useless..."

"Fiend General Agni," a familiar voice echoes in the air, "Do not be too quick to judge. That woman outwitted me. Not only is she the girl who kissed me, but she took the elf I was trying to obtain for myself. How are you Anne?" Wait, how did she know my fake name? Was she listening to my discussion with Esta when she left? Well, no time to think about such things. 

"Hehe... Hello Abaddon Morrin. It is a pleasure to see you again." Some of the females start to gossip now, whispering and giggling at what Morrin said.

"Oh, she is something!"

"I wouldn't mind getting fucked by that."

"Damn, what I would do against a girl like that..."

Blushing slightly, King Len seats himself on his throne that stands a bit higher over the table and the other members around the table. Sitting to his right, I sat on the marble chair. I stare around the table, seeing the various high ranking warriors and mages attending this meeting. Levitating her scythe, Charlotte jumps onto the blade of her scythe, perching herself forward with her legs crossed and a hand supporting her head. 

"Let us start!" a grey haired man exclaims, silencing all the chatter going around, "I am Emperor Alfred X. Augusta the Fifth!" Amazed at his fierce voice, it echoes in the large room. Standing with that dark gold armor, he exemplifies the looks of a golden knight. His wrinkled face was mixed in with some slight scars all over his cheeks, but his eyes reveals a strange light. A light of something- I couldn't tell at the moment. Nonetheless, this man continues on, "King Len will now inform us of the situation to come." Emperor Alfred sits back down, King Len getting up from his seat. On cue as he moves one of his hands forward, a light blue image of the city appears on the entire table. Zooming out, the city becomes a white dot, but the area surrounding the table was a detailed map in a 3D representation. One can see the details of the mountains, trees, rivers, and other geographic things. Amazed by this technology, I eye at the three new dots all over this map. Red, yellow, and blue.

"As we all know, the enemies are trying to attack us today. Preparing twenty thousand troopers in this city, the enemies sent several armies containing thirty thousand soldiers around the city. However, they did not expect to bump into Emperor Titus' armies along with the Grahams armies. Due to these fellow and neutral parties, they have secured our left and right flank of the city. At the rear, several of Titus' armies have safeguarded the back entrance to the city. Despite this, we have issues with the front." King Len points to the huge red dot approaching Zezrious, "In three to four hours, this army will try to engage us. Of course, this army is not an issue when it comes to firepower, but if this army closes in on our settlement, we will be facing against their main force. Their main force contains five thousand Saint and Angel rank soldiers. They are the main elite force of this entire operation. Leading them, a twelve-winged Angel." The king pauses, eyeing at the moving dot.

"This army contains ten thousand troopers rank of the eighth and thirteenth rank, a couple of Saints, and two to four Angels having six to eight wings. We can easily send one army to fight them head on, but after they gain information about our reinforced garrison, they have called in another ten thousand troopers to push with them. Sending one army is not enough now. What strategy should we implement?" Without saying anything else, Len sits back down as the members around the table erupt into discussion.

"It is obvious that we send a good amount of troops to fight them." one of the Fiends suggested.

"Yeah, no. We do not have the luxury of getting that many reinforcement if we lose a lot of soldiers." a woman explains.

Hearing the various discussions, I decide to pull out the medal Len gave me from my storage ring. I had a few questions stirring in my head after the general explanation of the situation.

"Why do we have to stop this army? Isn't this a pawn army?"

"Oh yeah, you weren't in the last meeting. Apparently, the Angels have this beacon like device. If one plants it in a certain area, an army, or an individual, can teleport to the beacon. Despite our defenses right now, if the main force appears today, the results will be catastrophic. Wanting to delay them for today, I want to strengthen and finalize some weapons."

"Ah... I am guessing that the options everyone is thinking about is to charge towards the enemy or fight them behind the safety of our walls." King Len just nods his head slightly.

"But both results leave a sour taste in my mouth. Attacking them head on will be too dangerous, and fighting today will end in defeat. The people in this room will be relying on my inventions and my new army more then anything, but if I do not have the time to finish the new weapon I am making right now, I doubt I can assure a fifty percent chance of survivability."

"That's a bit grim." I thought, "Do you have any other strategies to implement?"

"I know a ton of things I can do, but I doubt that I have the resources to try it. The issue right now is to obtain a force that can attack our enemies. I do not have any spare armies to use...other than the idiot who did not appear in our meeting."

"Oh? Who would that be?"

"This Prince Arnos," Len said, "I already know about his reputation, but he is late to the meeting... I wouldn't mind sending this idiot against the incoming enemies right now. He is not needed for the defense of my city." Hearing that name, I can feel a cold feeling engulfing me. Pushing it aside violently, I steeled my thoughts and ask him quickly, "So this is the only issue that you want  me to see?"

"It is an annoying issue that even I cannot resolve easily. Unless we find something else to implement, we will be stuck with these two solutions. If we send an army out, you can see why we will lose a good amount of forces." Eyeing at the visual display, I can see the circular formation surrounding the city. The charging enemies are moving to the opened gap.

"The opening in the circular defense?" I asked.

"Yeah. by the time we actually mobilize an army to stop them, those forces will be within our already established circular perimeter. They will be heading right for us. By then, we will be sending three times the amount of soldiers to stop their charge. Spreading our forces thin to stop their charge, this will lead us to a giant disadvantage. Our soldiers will lose their life against the tightly packed armies, but we will cover a good amount of land to watch their movements. If we do not cover the land, the enemies can flank our armies and cut our numbers greatly. And even if we stop the armies, it does not rule out the chance for the Angels to place their beacons in our land. With most of the warriors out on the field, it will be hard to stop the Angels from flying past us." Putting down the medal that allowed me to talk to King Len, I start to gather my thoughts.

With our numbers, we're already at a disadvantage. Three against one. Every life counts in this upcoming battle. Depending on today's outcome, it will either lead to the city's demise or the city's chances to win tomorrow's battle. Recalling a distant memory, I smiled at a useful memory that came into my head.

Back at the mansion, I was unable to read anything about the world or anything that involved methods to escape. Switching most of the books with heavily engrossed strategy tactics, I read them out of boredom. Nero saw me read these books and invited me to a game of chess. Unable to keep up, I was able to checkmate him in a few turns. Impressed, he decides to test me with what I should do with certain scenarios when it comes to leading soldiers in the field. With my young self at that time, I had a hard time grasping some of the concepts and tactics Nero corrected me on. After some time, I was able to utilize and calmly assess certain problems when it came to warfare.

A couple of key points he emphasized on were the ability to adapt to the situations, and using any resource to one's advantage. Spies, other parties, political interests, bribes, sabotage, any of these would help. Knowledge of the land also plays a vital role in the battlefield. Depending on the situation, I could suggest the most efficient method to counter any attack. Or most. I cannot say that I have tested my tactician side of me with the real deal.

With a bright mind, I know King Len has several ideas he would love to execute, but he does not have the knowledge to how to execute it. What we needed was another army to intervene and stop this army. We needed another party. Due to yesterday's incident, I have the perfect idea.

"How about we use the Ironclaw orcs and the demon spawn army to attack the enemies." My suggestion silenced all the discussions and arguments all around the table. A snarky scoff rings in the air. "Ha? Those fucking orcs won't help us." It was the slim armored man named Agni who spoke against me, "Are you dumb? Why the hell are you here in the first place? A-"

"Listen to her idea," King Len states coldly, an intense glare landing on Agni, "I brought her here because she can do things that I can't." Planning to explain myself, I turn to Len to ask him, "Are you able to send someone to tell the clan about the incoming army?" The king raise his eyebrow, clarifying something, "The orcs will not help us."

"Not directly," I countered, "But indirectly. They should be bored against the other factions. Spreading rumors about a strong enemy near them, they will definitely attack them."

"Pfft, how the hell do you know that they will attack? I find this stupid-"

"I have captured several Ironclaw soldiers yesterday. They told me this information." Maybe I should have left that part out.

"Captured!? You!? Ha, let me see these damn orcs." Without a second to waste, one of them appeared behind the king. "What the...!?"

"You called? Oh," the orc notices me and bows, "Master. I did not know you were here?" Turning to the crowd of people, the armored orc can tell how powerful all each person was, "Whoa..."

"Explain to them about the fight you had yesterday with a Graham family's army. They do not believe that you guys were utterly bored." It seems like the orc shook off the shock or fear of seeing all these high rank warriors. He turns to all of them, angered by this statment. 

Scoffing and making an orc-ish sound, he says, "The Ironclaws are bored as hell. If we hear that someone strong is nearby, we test them out. Politics and other talking crap can exit the door. Just tell us something interesting, we'll go fucj them up."

"You can go back to mining." Len says. Turning to me, I just nod my head to follow his orders. Leaving, the people in the room were in disbelief. I captured a rank thirteen orc?

"I-Impossible!" Agni mutters, but I decide to continue on, "With that said. I will also need information about the demon spawn army that roams around this region. Is there anyway to control them?" No one said a word. Instead, they turn their gaze to someone behind me? The only one behind me is...

"At least someone has a brain here." Insulted, Len says, "I don't have the allies and resources unlike Anne."

"Right, right..." snapping her fingers, many dots appears on the display map. "I have summoned fifty thousand demon spawns. Use them as you please." Fifty thousand!? I eye at Charlotte in confusion. She controlled those demons!? Wait, was she trying to lure Louise into enter her turf yesterday?! Reading my face, she says, "You see, I control these armies to lure strong prey to my turf. Since I cannot move around, I need something to push people to come to me." Licking her lips, I hear a laugh roar in the air.

"Devilish, aren't ya Charlotte?"

"Shut up old man," Charlotte says, eyeing at Adramelech Logan, "I am surprised that you didn't ask me about it? Hell, no one in the room suggested something worthy other than Anne. You guys were stuck on the idea of sending your armies or defending? Why didn't you toss something worthwhile onto the table? It wouldn't get shot down and it might be worth the try? People are to afraid to feel like an idiot nowadays."

"Well it seems like we will have to thank Anne for coming to this meeting. She also brought you along, helping our troubled situation we couldn't solve from yesterday." Morrin says with folded arms, "And it seems like those orcs are preparing to lay an attack on our enemies." Several yellow dots appear above Charlotte's gate location.

"We will need an army to attack the front. Even if we have numbers now, the devil spawn army is weak. The orc army will be the only focus for the higher ups. If we can send another strong army, the enemies will be halted for today." I forget to tell Charlotte to tell her demons not to attack the orcs, but I think she got the jest of it.

"Prince Arnos will attack the enemies head on. He has his army mobilized already. With three armies already moving out, they should be able to force the enemies back and hold them at bay for today." King Len says, "I will be testing out some new inventions to provide them cover fire."  Most of the people at the table were relieved that the fighting was postponed till tomorrow. However, they are surprised that I pulled off the impossible. Adjourning the main meeting, most of the evil warriors and mages left the room. Only a few stayed behind to talk to Charlotte and me. Adramelech Logan and Abaddon Morrin. Eyeing at Logan, his appearance resembled a demonic fire demon. The dark red colors his realistic demon armor. He looks like Golem! Hell, he could be a slightly smaller version of the Ironclaw orcs. Trying to see the back of his armor, I can see some slight wings or something.

We were standing at the entrance of the room, idly chatting.

"You impressed me once again." Morrin chuckles, her face turned towards me, "I swear, you come up with the craziest of ideas and surprise me more and more. I wouldn't mind having you serve under me. I will place you as a general or something." Chuckling lightly, I refused such an offer, "I doubt that I want to visit the Underworld anytime soon..." Morrin wanted to press on, but she stopped herself. She knows why.

"Damn. Mocking me in front of the new people, what the hell Charlotte." the old man laughs though, "Well. I doubt you'll agree to us suggesting such things. I bet you'll do it for any young lass though. You also had THAT reputation as well." Charlotte slashed her scythe at the man, forcing him onto the ground. He lets out another laugh, "Aggressive as well!"

"Man, if you say anything else, I'll kill you."

"Didn't know you were that close to Charlotte." Morrin chuckles, "Are you trying to get a harem?"

"WHAT!?" I screamed, I-I am not! C-Charlotte is just a friend!"

"Damn. I really want to get a taste of you though. Seems like you just push me further and further away." the vampire says, showing a bit of disappointment in her voice. I did not if I could cry or laugh. Is she joking around?

"W-What? Don't tease me like that." I said, my face glowing slightly. How can she be so blunt about such things? Isn't there a limit to who you can love? Or more like, isn't there a proper way to love someone? Moving that aside, Morrin says, "Tomorrow I hope to see your fight, but I do not think a rank two like yourself will be allowed on the field. Fiend General Agni will be utterly sour towards you, but if he does create any issues, just let us know."

"He better not do anything in front of me." Charlotte says, "I don't take kindly to anyone pushing my friends around."

"I hope to see you tomorrow on the field Charlotte," Logan chuckles, dusting the dirt off of his armor, "I will be looking forward to our contest."

"Contest?"

"Back then, we fought to see who would kill fifty enemies first." Logan explains, "In all those times, Charlotte was able to beat me in our contests. Using that damn scythe, you literally displayed a bunch of your firepower. I couldn't keep up, but now it has been a thousand or so years?"

"You're on old man." Charlotte smirks, "You better keep up then, or I'll whoop your ass."

"Ha ha! We'll see!" The two finally left, leaving the Emperor Alfred and his rulers in the room. Len told me that he wanted me to stay. Charlotte decides to stick around since I was the one who invited her to come. She wanted to leave with me.

In truth, Gallant had asked the vampire to keep her eyes on Aisha when she was to accompany the princess to the castle. He did not trust Len.

After the doors closed behind them, I decide to sit in a random chair. Emperor Alfred and his rulers are in the room with us now. Eyeing at the door, Emperor Alfred says, "I am impressed at your works... Princess Aisha." What?

Getting up from my chair, I was ready to take action. The Emperor raise his hands saying, "Do not worry. We do not plan to turn you in or kill you." My eyes glare at the Emperor, my body full of energy.

"How do you know my identity?"

"You did nothing wrong. A knight of yours explained to me why Emperor TItus is hunting the Graham's family down." Gallant revealed this? Why did he? Pondering what Gallant was planning, I ask him, "Well, you know who I am now, but what do you plan to do?"

"More like I was so impressed at your skills, I want to make you a queen under my kingdom." Eh? Did I hear that right? My mind felt like it didn't comprehend what the Emperor just said. Asking him to repeat, I said, "What?"

"Emperor Alfred whats you to join our kingdom." Len repeated, smiling at me. The other rulers that stayed behind also displayed a friendly smile. Speechless, I just gathered my thoughts. I thought that these guys would praise me for my intelligence, but to make me a ruler, that was unexpected. I already know the reason why, it was obvious. Whatever Len said to him, the Emperor found every word to be true.

"I cannot decide on such a thing at this moment." I chuckle lightly, "I need to increase my rank, and gain more experience as a warrior." The king sighs in a mix of joy and sadness. I continue to explain my future plans though, hoping he can at least wait after my goal to the Pillars of Gluttony.

"I plan to travel into the Pillars of Gluttony. I want to test myself and get a Souleater weapon." Awing in amazement, the Emperor lets out a tremendous laugh. "Alright! I will wait for your answer once you survive. I cannot wait to see you grow into a fine warrior!"

"The reason why we bought up your identity also means we want to establish a good relationship with you Aisha," Len explains, "We all hate Emperor Titus. After this battle, we plan to help your siblings escape their cruel fate against the Empeeror's soldiers."

"Won't you guys become enemies?" I asked.

"We were going to do so eventually. Might as well do it now..." All of us start to laugh, but I eye at the map. Is it me or the dots on the left side disappear? Len's calm face turns pale and stern.

"We got a problem." Len says coldly, "Tell everyone to get ready for combat!"

"What!?" the Emperor turns around to see what has happened.

"How did the enemies wipe out..." Several rulers already left the room, quickly running down the corridor to inform the others. Len curse to himself, getting up from his seat. "I will need to finalize my weapons right now!" The Emperor says to me, "You should get ready to evacuate." Turning around, he disappears in a flash.

Hastily retreating, I pursued the red hair king.

"I thought the main army was our only concern!" Doubling his ace, we walk down the back corridor.

"No, they are not the only ones we should worry about! I did not expect the other armies to push through right now. Something must have killed Titus' soldiers and the Grahams. Shit, what could have wiped them off that easily, they had several Demi-Gods and other high ranking warrior and mages."

"I plan to take my orcs with me." As I said this, the orcs appears in front of me with pickaxes.

"Huh?"

"Your services are done," Len explains, "I will have to excuse myself. I need to focus on finishing these last minute weapons. Get going, this settlement will be attacked in a few minutes!" Len teleports away now, leaving me with the orcs and Charlotte.

"We should go back to the tavern." I said, all of us running out of the castle.

In a cold realization, the vampire was silent about the events that transpired. There was a reason why she was quiet. Fear has found its way into the vampire's body. When she fought against Nero, she was frightened at the tremendous power he had, and the strength he hid. Never facing a Black Knight, that was one of her most scary experience with the forgotten warriors.

There was a huge reason why Gallant was unable to sleep. Feeling a familiar dread, he warned Charlotte about the presence of an old mortal enemy. Telling the vampire about the Black Knight history, he told her that he felt the presence of a Death Knight nearby. It was very faint, and he was unable to say if it was that or something else.

If a Death Knight has appeared, how will she fair against the warrior of old? She knows that fear will attack her again.

In the fields...

"Why are you helping us?" question a white armored unit. A Saint elite approach the mysterious figure who annihilated the armies holding them at bay. In a single attack, this individual decimated them off the face of the earth. Carrying a strange doom greatsword against his shoulder, the hooded and robed figure just shrugs. "You want to get that settlement right? I just did it out of the kindness of my heart."

"Oh?" the Saint was going to question the person, but they have to take the opportunity to place the beacon down. Leaving him alone, the Saint rejoins the army. They start to charge towards the settlement. The mysterious figure lets a smirk spread on their face. Walking away from the city, the person says, "We'll be waiting."

Gallant and Golem can hear those words directed to them. They eye at one another, knowing full well that it was a Death Knight. Strange that this individual was walking away from the settlement, but that means they have one less problem to worry about. Even though the knights were not at the meeting, they can tell that the enemies were approaching the castle. If a Death Knight was nearby, the being helped the enemies by destroying the outside armies. Anything involving a Death Knight, their main goal is to destroy the Black Knights.

Louise and Esta eye at the two silent knights. They were chatting about Aisha's curse. Unable to figure out Aisha's problems this morning, Esta asked Gallant and Golem about it. Informing both of them, the girls were in shock. Not only did Aisha have this curse, but it was developed by one of the geniuses of the Underworld. Currently, Gallant and Golem withhold the information about the female genius' dictatorship and her plans to dominate all of the Underworld for herself.

"What's wrong?" Louise asks. Several purple knights burst into the tavern, saying, "Everyone, prepare to evacuate! Gather your belongings and exit through rear gate in a calm manner." The townsfolk knew what was going to happen. They did not panic though, following the procedures given to them. Both Gallant and Golem gaze at Esta and Louise, "We have to move."

"What about Aisha?"

"We will meet up with her, don't worry." Esta felt a bit worried for the princess, hoping that she was fine. She never heard of these Crusades. Well, she'll understand why these war are dangerous. Usually, the opposing side would spare the civilians, but depending on certain circumstances, the opposing sides can kill unarmed civilians.

Unless they choose to bow down and worship them, then they are spared.

Zezrious is being targeted for being neutral for too long. Pissing off the light side by gaining the dark forces help, they plan to eliminate everyone in the city. They believe that the people are corrupted now, and they need to send a clear example to the people of the city.

Revealing themselves in the open, several explosions and bullets rain down onto the soldiers. Eliminating at least one hundred of these soldiers, the rest of the warriors and mages raised a shield around them. Some of the projectiles pierce through these shields, killing the warrirors and mages. Cursing at this new invention, the soldiers try their best to protect themselves. One of the Angels start to place the beacon in the ground. Waiting for the beacon to reposition itself into the ground, a sudden blast of energy ripple through the air. Suddenly, five thousand experts of Saints and Angels stood there. Three of them got shot down by these magical projectiles. The leader, the twelve-winged Angel, place a powerful shield that blocked everything coming towards the army.

"You are not the driving force. Explain to me what happened. How did your army push the left side?"

"Sir," the six-winged angel bows to the leader, "A mere stranger annihilated the armies holding us at bay. With those forces eliminated, we were able to call you to the front lines." Satisfied, the leader eyes at the settlement.

"This city has guns? No, it has a lot more than that..." On cue, several explosions erupted across the leader's mana shield covering his soldiers. "I was hoping that we would outnumber them with more numbers. With ten thousand or more, we'll be fighting one against two with the enemy. Our forces are being preoccupied by these other armies right?"

"Yes my lord!" the six-winged angel answered. "Lieutenant," a female eight-winged angel flies toward their leader. "Take a thousand from our main army to handle these other armies holding our troopers. We shall initiate the attack. I want reinforcement to engulf this city with sheer numbers. This city has a bunch of firepower. The faster you clear these enemy armies, the better. Do not hold back and help our allies push."

"By your word." She says. Taking a thousand soldiers of the Saints and Angels, they went to the surrounding areas to help their other armies. "Get the soldiers ready!" Several siege equipment appeared out of nowhere, landing all across the ground next to the common soldiers, "We will start our assault now!" All of the Angels flied right to the city, the warriors and mages of the eighth and thirteenth charging on the ground.

"Take them down!" a wall commander announce. Being one of Len's purple knights, they ordered several mini-turrets to unleash a volley on the flying Angels. Several Fiends and demonic ranked warriors and mages take to the sky to counter the Angels and Saints. Explosions, magic, bullets, and arrows cover the air and ground. Some of the Angels tried to take down the turrets mounted on the wall, but Fiend General Agni stabbed a sword right through the Angel's pure white armored body.

"Damn idiots, you think I'll let you!?" These mounted machines were keeping the enemies at bay. Blasting a ton of bullets into the air, these turrets can tear a two through six-winged angel with no problem. It can pulverize any warrior, mage, or Saint as well if they were targeted. Several Fiends charge at the twelve-winged angel. Scoffing at their folly, the angel leader just unleash several clones of himself that sliced the enemies in mere seconds.

"What are you guys doing!? Get your shields up and breach their walls!" Far away, catapults and trebuchets lined themselves on the flat plains. Distracted by the charging armies, these artillery pieces finalize their coordinates. Pulling the lever, these wooden devices release several magic infused rocks. Upon impact, they will explode. These rocks fly towards the stationed soldiers on the walls and at the mounted guns. Agni curse at one of the rocks flying to him, slashing the obstruction in half before it destroyed a mounted turret. Some of the ladders latched onto the wall, the enemy warriors lusting for melee combat.

"What's the situation?" Len asks to Agni, the general was fending off a two-winged angel. Using a great amount of energy, he created another clone of himself to stab the armored silver unit from behind. Fusing with his clone, Agni reports, "The main army is here- shit, fuck off! The issue is, there is only a good three thousand of these... I SAID FUCK OFF!"

"Hey, come in!" Cursing, Len eyes at the map. He had his advanced soldiers survey the lands. Apparently, finishing off Agni's sentence, the two thousand or one thousand Saints and Angels were missing. The fighting on the left wall should have lost most of their defenses, but a few mounted turrets and cannons are still on the walls. Staring at several red dots, they were approaching the preoccupied armies. The "pawn" army they worried over is becoming a small army. By the time the enemy reinforcement arrive, they will become the target for all three of these armies.

Yet this doesn't change the fact that the city will be surrounded and outnumbered soon. Evacuating the civilians south, they will bump into Titus' men who should have secured the escape route now. The problem will lie in protecting these civilians. The fighting in the left side will slowly make its way around the entire settlement. Well, this will happen once more armies join up with the Angel's assault. Wait, Len notice that Agni said three thousand. The enemy army that breached off to head north to Titus' and Grahams' army are in the northwest... Where is the other thousand soldiers of the main army? He eyes at a new red dot that emerged from the southwest.

Sweat form on the king's forehead. "I need to get someone to protect the civilians... Abaddon Morrin!" The king picks up the communicator violently off of the table.

"What is it? We're sort of-"

"No time. I want to assign you or someone to guard the evacuation routes."

"Huh? Why? The fighting is taking place in the west."

"Enemy reinforcement will be appearing at the northwest and the southwest of the city. The civilians are not heavily protected. I want someone to save them!" Morrin was quiet for a moment.

"You will be aligning yourself to evil if you want us to go that far." Biting his lower lip, the king tries to figure out what to do. Should he reveal his secret army to save his own people? No. Even if he stayed neutral in this alignment of good and evil, these light beings will not take kindly to repelling their armies back. They already see him as an enemy.

"I will." The girl chuckles.

"Alright, I will see what we can do. We will tell you if we can't though. It seems like these Angels are starting to get past the walls and into the settlement..." With that said, Len can hear the woman engage in fierce combat. Sighing, the king decides to open a large door. Revealing several large machines, the king eyes at his private army standing in the plaza now.

"When the enemy comes into the city, prepare to head out! You shall show me the fruit of your training and bring glory to Zezrious! I, the hero king of Zezrious, will display the full powers in this fight! For victory!" The soldiers all raise their weapons up in the air and letting out a fierce war cry.

I was at the rear entrance watching the millions of civilians heading out of this city. The orcs under my command were utterly confused at this evacuation. They bugged me about what was going on.

"It's a Crusade," I said, "The armies of light are laying siege to this city and plan to take it by force. They were hoping to convert the people to their religion, but due to the dark forces aiding us, they decide to call this a heretic city to purge."

"Eh? Religion? The fuck is that?" apparently these orc never had such a thing.

"Something like worshiping," Charlotte explains, "Like how you worship Demi-God creatures and stuff."

"Who told you this bullshit?" an orc asks. Tilting her head in confusion, the vampire glares at the rank ten orc, "What? You guys worship those damn animals right? I hear the orc race in general worship some animal deities..."

"Us Skullclaws worship no one. We praise and obey the strong, but we don't have this thing call worship. Those are the other clans, we sacrificed such beliefs to gain this power." I eye at their armor.

"Cursed armor? What is so good about cursed armor?" I ask.

"This armor will take away all of your necessities like sleep, eating, sleepiness, grooming, and other stuff. We have skin composed of heavy armor, so it'll be harder for us to die. No damn assassin can kill us now." one of the rank ten warrior comments. "Beside, we got an improvement in our armor thanks to King Len."

"Oh?" The red hair king did promise these guys some gifts.

"He he, you'll see later." the orcs all had a unison laugh. That just troubled me.

"Master!" Turning, I can feel Esta tackling me to the ground. "Whoa!" Louise sighs at the elf tackling me down, "You shouldn't do that. We are suppose to be evacuating. This is serious Esta. A-Anne," almost using my real name, "Tell Esta how serious this is."

"We have to get going. I waited for you guys to..." Explosions start to rain all over the clear fields behind me. Loud banging echoes in the air as a grey block object moves at the incoming beings running towards the civilians. Blasting a ton of bullets onto the ground, I can see a ton of warriors dying from the strange weapon. The purple knights nearby quickly rushed towards these charging units. My face grew pale.

"They're coming this way." Gallant says, drawing out his sword. The calm civilians were now panicking, trying their push to run. A purple knight quickly says to the running civilians, "Follow down this path! You should be able to reach a checkpoint with another army. Soldiers, protect these civilians!" The once empty field starts to fill itself with soldiers of various ranks. In the sky, Saints and Angels descend onto the walls. Another batch of soldiers were rushing to the evacuating civilians. The knights guarding these civilians were few in numbers.

Cursing, I rush through the crowd to join up with these purple knights. They notice me, trying to stop me. Running past them, I had to get their attention. I also had to feign my powers for now, but I can use these guns to do the talking. Pulling out the customized pistols, I quickly fired into the charging silver soldiers coming at us. The enemies were confused to why this lone warrior was charging at them.

Aiming at their heads, I pull the trigger. With the precision and accuracy perks for these guns, I can easily run and shoot at them. And the good part about this, I do not need to reload my pistols! Well, at least these I has holding these warriors at bay. I doubt that I can hold a Saint or an Angel.

What the hell!? A good twenty soldiers just died to this silver hair warrior. She flies in the air, aiming those pistols at their heads! Trying to shield themselves with mana, the enemy warriors only find the bullet piercing through their covered skulls. What the hell!? She is suppose to be weak! Why is a rank two massacring these warriors easily.

"Die!" Several mages unleash several light arrows. What?! The girl was already gone?! Such speed!

I dashed right to those mages, aiming my pistols right into their guts. Pulling the trigger, I watch the bullet pierce through their unprotected flesh, blood splashing all over me. I have no time to collect my thoughts. There are a lot of these warriors compared to the vanguard protecting the civilians. I have to divert their attention to me!

The purple knights were amazed at Aisha once again. They cannot believe that this woman was killing a ton of high rank warriors and swiftly executed those mages. "You guys should go protect the civilians." A giant black knight walks by them. Well, there are two of them. The shorter of the two told these knights off, "We will hold these guys off."

"Are you crazy-" the purple knight stopped himself. He can see that this dark knights were far stronger then him. Not only that, a deadly aura was wrapping around them. "Hey Golem," the giant knight eyes at the smaller one, "Toss me into the air. There's some irritated flying bastards planning to unleash a deadly spell on our princess." The giant knight picks up his ally. More like swing him in one mighty throw, the guy piercing through the air.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"Jeez," a white hair woman appears swinging her scythe around her neck before she grabs it. In a flash, the woman was gone! Looking around, the knights found the white hair girl slashing a good hundred soldiers clustered together before she reappears up in the sky to slice several incoming angels.

"Who the hell are you guys?!" the knights asks. The giant just says, "Humans." 

Before they can react, a beam of light was coming right at the purple knights. Closing their eyes, the purple knights cowered for their incoming death. Apparently, it never came. Opening their eyes, they stare at the giant who blocked the shot with his shields. Eyeing at the person who charged the shot, the black knight raises his shield arms out to clasp them together. When he did this, he says, "Shield. Blast." In a straight path, the ground curved like if a ball of air just fired from the man's shields. A lot of the enemies were blasted by this, a good chuck of their bodies were gone.

"My god..."

"Better go," the green hair woman says, "You'll only trouble us. Make sure you protect your people." The elf was somewhat shocked and puzzled. She bows at the knights, rushing beside the giant knight. He was slowly making his way to his other allies. These knights were agape at what just happened. Four people just wiped out a two hundred troopers.  

"Hey! Let's show these assholes what we orcs are made of!" They all roar, a terrifying pressure was sent through the air. How did these orcs get to God rank in a second?! And there are twenty of them!?" Charging into the field, they fought side by side with the white and silver hair girls.

"Yeah. We should leave this to them." The knights left the fighting to the random group.

After we killed a good amount of them, I know I ranked up.

Due to the [Death Increase] you have killed 82 enemies. 

Increase +5 until it reaches hits or past level 20.

Skills (Level 1-19) +5 to:

[Level 10 Unarmed] --> [Level 20 Unarmed]

[Level 10 Rearm] --> [Level 20 Rearm]

[Level 14 Bondage] --> [Level 24 Bondage]

[Level 14 Beast taming] --> [Level 24 Beast Taming]

[Level 3 Gun Smith] --> [Level 23 Gun Smith]

[Level 11 Axes] --> [Level 21 Axes]

[Level 19 Spears] --> [Level 24 Spears]

[Level 18 Daggers] --> [Level 23 Daggers]

[Level 9 Bartering] --> [Level 24 Bartering]

[Level 16 Traps] --> [Level 21 Traps]

[Level 19 Disarming of Traps] --> [Level 24 Disarming of Traps]

Skills Gained: [Level 70 Regeneration]

[Level 70 Protection]

[Level 100 Holy Weapons]

[Level 80 Staff]

[Level 86 Light Comet]

[Level 85 Light Arrow]

[Level 89 Multiple Light Arrows] 

[Level 90 Robes]

[Level 120 Fire Shot]

[Level 120 Ice Shot]

[Level 120 Thunder Shot]

[Level 98 Holy Shields]

[Level 92 Holy Armor]

[Level 92 Fly]

[Level 90 Heal]

[Level 100 Grand Heal]

[Level 93 Cure Ailments]

[Level 73 Wall]

[Level 29 Rune Making]

[Level 100 Holy Artifact]

[Level 120 Holy Arrow]

Perks Gained: [Tremendous Mana]

[Tremendous Wisdom]

[Dual-Wield Magic]

[Shortened Cast Time]

[Reduced Mana Cost]

[Magical Insight]

[Regenerate Mana]

[Fire Mage]

[Ice Mage]

[Thunder Mage]

[Light Mage]

[Holy Mage]

Abilities Gained: [Divine Thunderstorm]

[Holy Hailstorm]

[Flaming Divinestorm]

[Divine Tri-Shot]

[Holy Fire Shot]

[Holy Thunder Shot]

[Holy Ice Shot]

[Thunder Ice Shot]

[Ice Fire Shot]

[Fire Thunder Shot]

[Holy Slash]

[Holy Triple Slash]

[Holy Embrace]

[Holy Charge]

[Holy Grace]

Congratulations, you have reach rank three warrior and mage.

Now please select the following one perk for each selection.

Wow. Just wow. I gained a bunch of insight in magic now, but my god. This went above my previous rank and powers as a mage. Holy shit- my god... I should stop using all of these light religious words, making me feel sick. Just repeating the same word over and over...

Anyways, I am just dumbfounded at the damn levels of these skills and the large amount of abilities and magic I can utilize now! Yes, magic! I can stop using my chi now! Well, I can use both now at my leisure, but the next few windows puzzled me greatly. 

The first selection was for my warrior rank perk.

Dark ImperatorDark War Goddess

Well, let's see the explanation for the first perk...

Dark ImperatorFor every perk that gives you a title, class, or reputation of some sort, your skills (level 20-40) increases by +3. Also, this perk enables yourself to temporarily increase your rank by one for a certain amount of time. All skills (level 20-29) will get a +10 increase.

Now for the second one...

Dark War GoddessFor every death, you gain an increase in affection points that will be kept separately. By stacking these, you can increase certain skills by using these affection points. Each affection point can increase any skill by +2. Having this perk, you can grace your worshipers, lovers, and/or followers with these affection points to increase their skill levels. You can also gain affection points by hugging, kissing, and/or having sex. Note: Your worshipers, lovers, and/or followers will also have their own affection points if you do it with them.

Before I can gather my thoughts about these warrior perks, another box pops out showing my mage perks.

Elven MistressWitch of Darkness

Do I really want to know what the first perk... My god, please do not...

Elven MistressHaving an elf companion, you two will be connected by a spirit link that shares magical perks, skills, and abilities with one another. By selecting this perk, your elf companion will increase skills (level 20-29) by +5 if you have sex with her/him. Note: Your elf companion will be in love with you for all eternity. She/He will also be loyal as well.

What the...

Witch of DarknessIf you have light skills, abilities, and perks; you will receive the dark version of the those skills, abilities, and perks. Being a witch, you will also intoxicate the gender of your interests. Your significant other will also be able to inherit dark skills, abilities, and perks based on their skill level and rank if they have sex with you. Giving people your dark abilities gives your skills (level 20-29) an increase by +5. Note: By choosing this perk, people affiliated with the light side will hate you (depending on if its in a good or bad way).

....

I am speechless. Out of all four of these perks, the Dark Imperator is the only one that does not talk about sex or doing lovey dovey stuff with anyone. Why are these perks so evil!? Well... It's not like I don't like the benefits they give, but what the actually fuck?! 

The warrior perks give me a lot of benefits. With the Imperator one, I will certainly rank up and I can +3 until I can get to rank five. I can reach my goal to enter in the Pillars of Gluttony and I will be halfway to rank ten. There's one huge flaw. Ranking up that fast, I will leave Esta behind. I did buy her for a traveling companion and an ally. If I speed up to much, she won't catch up. I know I am going to select the War Goddess one.

Being called a war goddess, this perk seems to fit my description. Ignoring the sex and kissing, I can just hug her and gain some affection points. Of course, the hugs have to be genuine and real. I doubt I will get points for hugging her constantly. Besides, I can help her gain levels in some of her skills. Unlike the mage perks.

No. I don't care what sort of devil tempts me, I am not choosing the first one! NOT! Nope, no way, no uh. I am not going to make this girl become a sex slave. She just escaped such a fate with those assholes who tricked her. I mean, the benefits are good, but I loathe the loving part. I don't want to ruin her love life! What if she had some childhood friend she want to love or some elf prince. I am not choosing the first one...

Meaning I have to choose the second one, but the idea of people already hating me... Well, especially right now, I think that it will only pain me later on. Most of the people affiliated with the light will hate me? Will  it be that quick? Can't I befriend some of them? Am I doomed to stay on the dark side? Well... Ignoring that...

I will gain a lot of beneficial spells, traits, and levels for selecting this perk. Although I will be seducing a bunch of women from here on out. Force a young innocent elf to becoming my lover and sex slave, or should I have a bunch of women gawk at me while the light side schemes plans on burning me at the stake?

You selected:

Dark War Goddess

Witch of Darkness

Are you sure?

Saying yes, the next window pops up.

Congratulations!

Special Perks Gained: [Dark War Goddess]

[Witch of Darkness]

Skills Gained: [Level 100 Evil Weapons]

[Level 86 Dark Comet]

[Level 85 Dark Arrow]

[Level 89 Multiple Dark Arrows]

[Level 98 Evil Shields]

[Level 92 Evil Armor]

[Level 93 Curse]

[Level 73 De-Wall]

[Level 70 De-Regeneration]

[Level 70 De-Protection]

[Level 90 Poison]

[Level 100 Grand Intoxication]

[Level 100 Evil Artifact]

[Level 120 Damnation Arrow]

Perk Gained: [Evil Mage]

[Dark Mage]

Abilities Gained: [Hellish Thunderstorm]

[Damned Hailstorm]

[Flaming Darkstorm]

[Damned Fire Shot]

[Cursed Thunder Shot]

[Evil Ice Shot]

[Cursed slash]

[Triple Damnation Slash]

[Evil Embrace]

[Damnation Rite]

[Cursing Death]

Left over death count: 77

Converted deaths to 77 Affection points

Slapping my face, I feel like I just got tired of seeing the word "damned, evil, and cursed" now. How many times must they emphasize on these things. What surprised me was the huge amount of affection points I earned. Wow... I can figure out what to do with these later.

As I stood there on the open fields (I swear it felt like an hour pass by when I was choosing my perk), my comrades noticed my level up. "Congratulations Aisha." 

"More. Incoming." Golem eyes at the field. Landing back onto the ground, Gallant destroys the very ground underneath him. Getting up, he rolls his shoulders and eyes at them. "These guys are nothing. I want to get going before they discover our powers." Hearing gunshots, I watch the field of enemies dropping to the ground. Eyeing at the south entrance, several light purple heavily armored troopers rush towards us bearing guns. Several Abyssal knights literally sprint towards the enemies, stabbing and ramming into the enemy warriors like savage demons. A huge blast of red energy blasts the air, Adramelech Logan unleashed a terrifying surge of energy from his armored chest.

"That takes care of that. Charlotte, you picking on the weak or something?! Why not deal with these guys?"

"I have an obligation to protect Anne." The Adramelech stood between us as his soldiers and Len's gunners spread all across the field, "Well... I am surprised that you lass ranked up from all of this mess. I suggests you guys run away now and let us handle this..." A shocking tremor shakes the ground. All of us turned our attention to the settlement, the leader and several high rank angels were blasting volleys of white light blasting the city.

"Shit... this ain't gonna be pretty. Get going... There's a eight-winged angel after those civilians. They will need your help. We will secure this area. You guys held most of the weaklings off, but the stronger ones are coming now." Charlotte eyes towards the forest where those civilians went into. 

"Guessing the enemies are trying to kill everyone?" I ask. Also looking into the forest.

"Enemies will use whatever methods to win. Holding every civilian as a hostage can easily crush King Len. You might as well stop them. I do not know if you guys can..."

"We'll be fine," Gallant says, "Do not underestimate us."Rushing into the forest, we sprinted away. Logan eyes at the many Angels targeting him. He sighs, pulling out a greatsword and crossbow, "You want to kick my ass, well, don't complain when you youngsters are dead!"

Thousand of gunners were all around the settlement, activating their Anti-Realms. They easily wiped out the invading foot soldiers getting into the city. Against these strange gunners, the Demi-God and God rank warriors could not kill these heavily armored troops. The angels had to use their powers to kill a good amount of them, but they still charge out of the shielded inner castle. Something was being hidden in the inner sanctions of this settlement, the angel leader glaring down at the place.

A huge laser roar through the air trying to engulf the angel leader. Quickly flying out of the way, the angel watch his allies get torn into nothingness. Turning around, the leader flies away from his location, several strong gunshots exploded where he once stood. 

"Hero King Len the Demon Slayer, I was hoping you would be joining our side, not the enemies." The red hair leader just shrugs his shoulders with his dark trench coat and vampire hat. "You attacked me due to Emperor Titus allegiance with the dark side and then called a Crusade on my city, do you think I would join you assholes after that? Now, look at what you did, destroying the hard work my citizens did to make this city flourish."

"Well, I will be waiting for a surrender soon," the hooded twelve-winged angel says, his hands pulling out two double-sided spears, "We plan to hold your civilians hostage in a bit." Saying this, the angel was hoping that the king would lose his cool, but he didn't. Confused, the angel only hears the red hair laugh manically in the air.

"Why the hell are you laughing? You should be shaking and pleading for your civilians' lives."

"You act too high and mighty. There's something I'll let you know before I rip those wings from your back. Your soldiers will die to the Black Knights." The angel was confused at this. Who the hell are these black knights? 

"Pity you don't know them. It will be your downfall." With that said, the king appears in front of the angel, firing his pistols in his face.

The ambush was in place. The armies and those twelve and thirteen rank warriors and mages stood no chance against the thousand of troopers waiting for them. Planning to take these civilians hostage, they will only attack the heavily armed soldiers. With this sudden shifts in the Crusade, the light side have no way to win against the hero king's mighty inventions. These soldiers out number them ten to one, Ten thousand troopers of the eighth through thirteenth rank along with some Demi-Gods. 

"Eliminate the Demi-Gods," the hooded armor eight-winged Angel stated, "They will trouble some of our units. Other than that, they will be easy to kill afterwords." Nodding at this command, several angels teleport throughout the heavily dense woods to find their target. 

A mere soldier decided to walk into the woods, trying to take a leak before he continues his guarding duties on the civilians. Looking around, he spots an angel trying to hide himself. Even though the warrior has masked their presence, it did not make them invisible. "ENEMIES SOLDIERS IN THE WOODS!" 

Sweat beaded down the eight-winged angel, annoyed that her troopers were spotted. Forming a Holy Javelin from her faith magic, she toss the light spear through the air at the screaming soldier. Several Demi-God release their Pressure Realm forcing her soldiers to reveal themselves. This was going to be bad. They will win, but they will have only a few troopers. Charging from their hiding spots, the troopers just rush at the enemies. Flying right towards the Demi-God, the eight-winged angel pulls out her double-sided sword, empowering her weapon with mana. Slicing past their protection, the hooded angel toss her blade through the air, conjuring up several light spells that impale several enemies on the ground. She eyes at her troopers, the enemy Demi-Gods were ganging up on her angels. They could not gang up on her, she was too strong for them. 

Hearing the distant fighting, I look to my allies. Charlotte sprints up a tree to violently travel through four angels by swinging her scythe against their bodies. Hiding their ranks, Gallant and Golem walk within in the crowd, calming the civilians. Rushing with Charlotte, I blast at the number rank warriors, pulling the trigger rapidly. Throwing the soldiers into disarray, they glanced at us.

Several Saint warriors try to assassinate Golem and Gallant within the crowd. Teleporting in front of them, the two black knights grabbed them by the throat, squeezing their head off of their bodies. 

"The hell!?"

Louise and Esta were protected by the God rank orcs, the warriors forcing all of the enemies running. Most of the angels couldn't handle twenty God enemies at once, and the stacked realms would force them onto the ground. Esta starts to cast protections and shields over her allies, trembling at the intense fighting. She didn't expect the Crusades to be this bad.

Eyeing at her tremendous lost of soldiers, the eight-winged leader eyes at the new units. It was obvious that these guys were not part of the regular army. Staring at these twenty-six sudden forces, her eyes cast themselves on the silver hair woman  blasting two pistols into her soldiers. A sudden urge completely overwhelmed this angel. She wanted to kill this stranger so badly. Unable to resist this, she dashes towards her.

Firing my pistols, I was hoping to test my powers on someone stronger. Turning my body, I block a double-sided sword, a kick sending me away from the fighting into the forest. Bouncing and flying through trees, I quickly got up. Placing my guns away, I draw my blades and slam them against that double-sided sword. Facing my new opponent, I can tell that this individual was a eight-winged angel! 

A strong enemy, will I be able to handle it? I felt like running away, but I can try my powers on her. A voice in my head just tells me, I wouldn't be able to gain experience if I don't try anyways. 

"Why are you picking on a rank three warrior?!" Using Dual Barrage, I hammer my blades wildly at her. The angel tries to find the answer to this question herself. Why is she attacking a rank three individual? She should be focusing her attack on the God rank enemies, but there was no way for her to ignore this woman. By ignoring her, she will feel an irritation that will cloud her thoughts. 

I know why this angel was attacking me. Witch of Darkness perk is forcing her to attack me. Sighing at this fact, I have to accept this one-on-one confrontation. Well, I did want to try these magical spells. Casting several buffs on me and making a mana shield around me, I teleport behind the angel. She uses one side of her blade to counter both my blades, her leg trying to kick me across the face. Ducking, I try to sweep the woman. She ascends a bit off the ground with her wings, the woman unleashing several Holy Arrows at me. Covering my blades in dark energy, I slash my blades into the air three times to release a dark flaming energy slash at her. My attacks destroys her holy arrows. Surprised by this, the woman mutters a small incantation that allows several light orbs to appear all around the girl. The orbs unleash small beams that cut into the three waves I unleashed. Locking onto those orbs, I quickly swing my arm across me to have several dark arrows destroy them.

Teleporting once again, I quickly flipped over the woman, placing a hand on the woman's hood. I decide to debuff most of her protections, pulling the hood back and kneeing the back of the domed white helmet. Falling onto the ground, the woman uses her wings to fly off the ground to reveal her true face. Pale skin, light pupil eyes, and a light reddish brunette color, the long hair woman glares at me with a killing intent now.

"You will die!" she screams, unleashing an enormous blazing white light around her. Charging at unimaginable speed, she grabs me by force and toss me through the air. Cursing at this, I quickly used this momentum to activate Piercing Tornado. Activating provoke and taunt, the angel tries to attack me. Due to my tornado attack, she found several dents against her bare armor, cursing at her own recklessness. Powering my armored right hand, I struck with a powered chi strike combined with armor strike backhand to her body. Breaking the side of her white paladin armor, she flies into the ground, bouncing several times before her wings made her fly high into the sky.

"You're pissing me off!" Summoning several white magic circle around her, hundred of arrows engulf the air and fly towards me. Deciding to use up a good amount of magic to counter it, I summon two circles chanting Hellish Thunderstorm. Letting dark lightning come out of my fingertips, the uncontrollable attack covers the air and destroys these arrows. Charging at me with that speed, I quickly activate Evil Embrace, Threatening Roar, Damnation Rite, Cursing Death, Holy Charge, and Holy Grace. Overwhelmed by these buffs and my mental attacks, I found my body being shared with light and dark energy, charging right at the angel. 

Deciding to return my retaliation, she buffs herself with a ton of magical buffs. Covering her blade in light energy, both of  us start to hammer and unleash a ton of attacks at one another. Activating abilities, we try to go past our defense, but neither one of us backed away or left any opening. The energy around us slashed and electrifies the air, the very air trembling at our intense fight. Blood splatter against our hits, our armor getting scratched and dented from the hits that did land on us. Not flinching, not coughing, not letting our attacks falter, both of us can feel our attack growing ever so slowly. So amazed by my power, the angel couldn't help but awe at my strength. She was a eight-winged angel, but this warrior had the powers equivalent to a four-winged angel that masters warrior and mage skills. Cursing to herself, she did not notice my sudden charged attack. I took the chance to test my mana empowering methods. Giving at least three forth of my mana in my body, I can feel the blazing heat and intensity of dark and light covering my swords. 

Slamming my weapons, the angel was covered in a hybrid explosions and black and white color. Feeling myself slide against the ground, I watch the area around us get burnt to shreds. Standing there, I try to figure out what I did.

Feeling a sudden recoil of using too much mana, I found myself kneeling onto the ground. Coughing a ton of blood from my blood, I slowly got back up staring at what happened to the angel. Steam flows out of her armor, the woman panting heavily with damages marked all over. A tremendous amount of her mana and her strength got sapped away somehow. Peering closely at her armor, her protection was already tattered and was in no shape to get repaired.

How can a rank three warrior mage fuse light and dark so easily? Only experts of a high mage rank and level can do this. Unable to block such a move, the angel is now in a vulnerable and weak. Her wings cannot fly into the air, feathers falling off of them. Chuckling in utter dismay, the angel could not believe that this girl beat her. An eight-winged angel lost to this rank three.

Staring at her enemy, I can tell the dismay and disbelief of how my strength overpowered hers. 

Skills Gained: [Level 170 Holy Rain of Wrath]

[Level 175 Purge of the Undead]

[Level 150 Holy Angel Grace]

[Level 160 Wrath of the Gods]

[Level 179 Divine Burst]

[Level 170 Dark Rain of Wraith]

[Level 175 Control over Light]

[Level 150 Fallen Angel Grace]

[Level 160 Grace of the Devil]

[Level 179 Hell's Burst]

Skills increased in: [Level 85 Light Arrow] --> [Level 172 Light Arrow]

[Level 89 Multiple Light Arrows] --> [Level 171 Multiple Light Arrows]

[Level 85 Dark Arrows] --> [Level 172 Dark Arrow]

[Level 89 Multiple Dark Arrows] --> [Level 171 Multiple Dark Arrows]

Abilities Gained: [Destructive Barrage]

[Holy Light Javelin]

[Damned Dark Javelin]

Abilities Improved in: [Threatening Roar] --> [Banshee Scream]

[Evil Embrace] --> [Devil's Embrace]

[Cursing Death] --> [Damnation Sorrow]

Perks Gained: [Angelic Wings]

[Demonic Wings]

[Faith Energy]

[Angel Ruler]

Perk Increased in: 

[Witch of Darkness] --> [Queen Witch of Darkness]

Upon slaying or defeating a light affiliated foe, they can submit to your and/or 

they can turn into a  powerful Fallen version of themselves 

Insights Unlocked from Special Perks:

Law and Principal of Chaos and Harmony

Principle of Darkness Enhancement

The above insights are your own law and principles you can customized.

Due to several special perks, you have gain the insight

to make your own abilities now.

Congratulations.

What does this mean? I gain insight to make my own abilities now? Wait, wait, are you telling me I have the chances of being a genius? This... Is too rare. Unable to comprehend this, I reside deep in my thoughts for now.

Geniuses start around the ages of 15-20 years old. For me to gain the chance to become a genius should be impossible. A genius have to create their own ability within those five years of their youth for them to gain that title. Valarie and Brynhild have produced their first abilities in those years. Once they completed this ability, they were called geniuses for passing this and making more abilities in their lifetime. Having the title genius will only raise their fame and reputation on so many levels. The potential to make an ability after 20 years old was impossible.

Or so I thought. Here I am, staring at the words this box stated. it says I have the insight to make a new ability, law, and principle. Fusing dark and light- haven't that been done before? Or was mine three times stronger than the usually one? I will ponder on this later... I am in dumbfounded. Why am I gaining all of these new things when I am trying to rank up again. With the upgrade to Witch of Darkness, I think I will just spare this angel. She does not have that killing intent now.

Walking away, the angel eyes at my back. Contemplating and confused, she stops me, asking me, "How are you so strong?" Just testing out my magical skills I gained, I did not believe I was that strong. Hell, I just wanted to test most of them out on her... I never expected my experiment to leave me in victory. I was unable to win against Charlotte when I gain the black knight skills, abilities, and perks. I couldn't win against Len with just perks alone, and now, here I am winning against this angel. Maybe it was because she was irritated at her obsession with me. Might as well say something.

"Everyone wants to know this. You had the upper hand if you took me a bit seriously." I comment, "You did not have a clear mind, and fell to one of my attacks." Mad at my words, the angel tries to piece her reason to engage me. In her sprite, she was unable to find the true reasons to fight me. She should have avoided me or assess me from afar, engaging me was a fatal mistake. Yet she attacked me. Continuing my departure, the woman stops me again.

"I..." The angel hesitated before she eyes at me with a strange glint of doubt. Balling her hands up, she eyes me with determined eyes, "... want to be your student."

What...?! Student!?

"Why?" I said, turning around for the while. 

"You used something I have never seen. I fought against various warriors and mages that fuse darkness and light attacks, but none of them were as deadly as yours. Please, let me learn under you guidance." Scratching my head, I seriously can't believe this angel wants me, a rank three, to teach her something. I have no skills in such, I am still an inexperienced warrior. Not answering her, I just walked away.

Hearing her footsteps behind me, I curse under my breathe. Turning around, I feel her bump into me. 

"Stop following me." I said coldly, trying to scare her away.

"No."

"I will kill you." I said, hoping that will make her go away.

"Do it, I don't care. I won't mind dying to my victor." Unwavering, I just let a frustrated scream escape my frustrated and somewhat angered expression now. NO! I am not getting an angel slave or something!

"I am not trying to accept you as my slave!" I used the wrong word. Due to the details of my new perk, Queen Witch of Darkness, I found my face blushing red a bit. The angel did not make any remark to this. Well, that was until she said, "I don't mind being your slave if you make me your student!"

"ARE YOU STUPID!?" I turn around, mad, "Why aren't you running away? Why don't you go back to your army? Isn't your master waiting!? You serve someone right, right?!" The angel just blinks at me, unwavering and not even thinking about these factors. She just states, her eyes showing that fierce determination, "I would abandon everything I earned as an angel just to be your student. I don't mind giving my entire self to you. You can fuck me, kiss me, hurt me- I just want to learn from you master."

"No, don't call me master as well!" I let out a heavy sound of disbelief escape my mouth, crying to myself. Never in my life, did I experience such a willing and determined enemy to become my follower. Appearing out of the forest to glance at the road with the millions of civilians, the enemy angels are still fighting against the troopers. I forget about this.

Before I can pull out my pistols, the angel says, "If I kill my former allies, will you accept me?"

"Eh? Accept you as what? My student..." She nods her head. Planning to ignore her, I was going to charge in and kill some enemies. Staring at the frustrated enemies, I can see one of them pulling a child into their arms. That angel was going to kill the poor boy! Watching my head turn to the scene, the eight-wing angel quickly teleports behind her ally. She shoves her sword into the man. The nearby angels were shocked at their leader.

"W-What are you doing ma'am-" Before the angel can say anything, the eight-winged angel unleash her deadly  Destructice Barrage. The same light magic circles appear in the air unleashing a devastating attacks to her allies. Several angels teleport all over the eight-winged angels, swords locking onto her. A scythe beheads all of them, the vampire tossing her weapon towards an angel trying to use a strong faith magic spell.

"Why are you turn coating angel?" Charlotte asks, amused at the beauty she saw from afar. 

"Trying to get that woman to make me her student. She defeated me, and I want to learn from her."

"You know, killing angels will make you turn into a Fallen Angel." The woman shrugs, pointing her hand at one of her allies from far away, "And?"

"So heartless, don't you care about these guys?"

"I don't like them. Don't mind killing them."

"Say, you know what happened to the army on the left wing? They were suppose to hold off your forces till tomorrow? How did they die?"

"A mysterious individual killed them in one attack. Did not reveal himself or herself, but yeah. With this guy's help, we were able to attack today..." Charlotte sent out a deadly aura, several dark spikes emerge from the ground to impale her enemies. So Gallant was right, it was the Death Knight. With such a mysterious appearance, that is the only explanation to the sudden of change of plans for today.

Sighing, I watch the enemy army retreat. The civilians cheered at the soldiers and our help. They were puzzled at the angel who saved the boy, but the Imperial knights glance at the black knights and I.

Zezrious was in ruins. Bodies lie all over the street with buildings shattered and destroyed. Len's new war machines were out in the open, unleashing devastating missiles and bullest into the air. The angels were unable to destroy this machine unless they used a high faith attack on it. The machine reflected magic back at the users and had several armaments of guns. There are eight of these machines laying waste throughout the air and ground. The enemy forces could not go anywhere near the inner castle protected by a ton of mounted turrets. A super weapon lies in the center, blasting a huge laser into the sky incinerating the high rank angels. 

The dark units were able to push and fulfill their blood lust. Even if they were outnumbered, these forces fought valiantly till they die. Abaddon Morrin laughs as she hooks a poor warrior with her curved war axe to her while a metal claw gauntlet stabs into her enemy. Swinging the body around, three warriors fell down to the ground. Opening the palm of her metal gauntlet, a deadly blast of energy fired at them, blasting a hole into their bodies. She grabs an incoming blade coming towards her, crushing the weapon before she slams the ax to his armored head. She was being swarmed by these soldiers, but none of them can force her to reveal her true powers. She grabs a warrior to block several light arrows directed at her. She swings her ax, the weapon slashing against the angel's flesh between their helmet and chest armor. The angel falls towards the ground, the ax returning to Morrin. Agni was covered in blood, the warrior holding a scimitar and shield, blocking three attacks as he swings his curved blade at them. 

Forcing two enemies back, Agni focuses his attacks on the unfazed warrior. Hammering shield bashes and attacks, the warrior starts to lose his stance, unable to block and fend off his weapons. Falling onto the ground, Agni stabs his blade in the enemy. Turning around, he viciously hack the enemies that tried to attack him. Agni looked like a spartan warrior, yelling as he furiously slams and stabs with his favorite two weapons. 

Even with reinforcements, the twelve-wing angel eyes at their approaching defeat. There was no way for them to win against King Len's invention. The dark side forces could be easily dealt with, but this king's secret army and weapons can make any Angel, God, or high demon level rank fear these things. This king was able to hold against him fairly well, but it was obvious that the king was hiding part of his powers. 

"I will say that I will allow you to run now, but you will die." The angel just scoffs at this, planning to use a forbidden faith spell. Having numerous magic circles appear in the air, holy arrows rain towards the king. Scoffing at this, Len aims his pistols to have them unleash a ton of bullets into the air acting like a shotgun spray. These bullets pierce through several arrows, raining themselves towards the leader. By flying through the air, the leader darts across the sky at high speed. Staying in one spot, Len fires his continuous volley, switching the sort of bullet inside the gun by empowering mana into them. Thousand of explosions explode after the leader, lighting the entire sky. Having several light orbs around him, these things travel with the angel at brick neck speed as they unleash several homing arrows at the king. 

Shaking his head, Len tosses his pistols into the air to unleash a dangerous burst of energy to travel into the air with a swing of his hands, dispelling the arrows. Teleporting before the angel appeared behind him, the king grasps his guns that he tossed, and lines his aim at the angel. Unleashing hell towards him, the ground erupts from the volley of bullets. Teleporting away from a strong empowered energy slash from the angel, Len stands a good distance away from the leader.

"You are too predictable. With your firepower, you have the edge, but since you are simple-minded, I can-" Blasting all around him, the angel found bullets raining all over him. The angel's mana shield has protected himself from the actually damage from Len, the leader cursing at the man's foresight to counter everything he planned.

"My lord," a voice echoes in his head, "We have failed to capture the civilians."

"WHAT?!" he exclaims in his head. Len says, "Now you understand. Your plan was never going to work. Let me show you my  true powers now." The angel could not see Len- he lost track of him and he could not feel him. Appearing above him, the angel quickly unleash a power ray of light to where he was, smiling. "You think I wouldn't predict where you be!? Ha, burn in your own stupidity Len!"

Something forces the angel towards the ground, the paved stones beneath him break with his wings twisting at the sudden collision. In truth, upon impact, everyone could feel the impact and can see the dust blasting out from the ground. The stone paved streets around them reveals a ton of cracks, displaying the strength of that impact. Blood starts to spew from his back. Through his helmet, the leader can see something terrifying that grasped his armored helmet.

King Len was covered in metallic material like his new war machines. His slim visors displays a strange light blue energy flowing through it. No, that was not the only areas where this light blue energy was coming out of. From his back, this armored king has magnificent light blue energy wings flowing out of these  two prong metal rods appearing from his back. A line runs all over his legs and arms showing a tube light blue energy.There seems to be a ton of attachments on his armor, but this king looked like some armored knight coming out from the future. Dumbfounded, the king says, "I'll show you the power I have been hiding." Picking his body up, he tosses the man up into the air. Trying to fly, the angel can feel Len slamming a punch right into his armor. Covering such a distance in a such speed and short amount of time, the angel's armor was destroyed by the king's fist alone. Grasping the leader's wings with both hands, he rips all twelve of them from his back. 

Unable to respond due to the ridiculous speed and force Len is displaying, the angel was sent higher into the air by an uppercut. Passing the clouds, he could not see what Len was doing, but the sight of the small dots and the sight of the city will be his last. Pulling out both pistols, the king joints them into a railgun, the weapon he tried to unleash on Aisha. This weapon wouldn't be able disintegrate a twelve-winged angel. Fusing the large weapon into his body, several tubes link themselves to his weapon. Using three forth of his mana and chi, the air was blasted by an enormous ray of light that left enemies and allies flabbergasted. The twelve-winged angel was nothing now.            

"THOSE WHO ARE STILL ALIVE," Len exclaims his voice blasting the entire battlefield, "I, LEN THE HERO KING OF ZEZRIOUS HAVE SLAIN THE TWELVE-WINGED ANGEL! I DECLARE VICTORY TO OUR SIDE! IF YOU WANT TO LIVE, RETREAT LIGHT FORCES! OR YOU WILL DIE LIKE THIS FOOL!" Cries of victory and cheers rang in the air, the enemies morale was crushed and they accepted defeat. 

Despite the success within the city, I only watch Titus' soldiers surround me and my group. Prince Arnos smiles when he appears in front of his Imperial knight armies. 

"Hello there Princess Aisha." His smirks only leave an unsettling feeling in my stomach.