Blood Warrior. That simple comparison had set something within Schenk aflame. He thought back to the day he fought one of them.

‘I barely managed to defeat that orc… they have unnatural power and regenerative abilities.’

He remembered the day vividly when he brawled with the Blood Warrior who showed no fear and had more strength than Schenk, who was the strongest warrior in the service of the king.

‘I have never lost a fight against another human since I turned 18… but that day against the Blood Warrior I gained a taste of death. And now? There's someone even stronger?’

He grew excited.

‘I want to fight that guy!’

“What is a Blood Warrior?” Faust asked and before Schenk could answer, Alexander began to explain.

“An orc, taller and mightier than all others of his race. Runes are etched into their body, allowing them to gain regenerative abilities that are out of this world. Slashes heal within seconds. We have no idea how it works. These warriors can take down a dozen common soldiers with ease.” His voice sounded grim.

Schenk grunted affirmingly.

“They are the biggest threat the Bloodhand Tribe poses to us. And yet, Alexander, you’re telling me, that there is a human who surpassed a Blood Warrior in strength!” Schenk exclaimed.

Alexander chuckled.

“Not one. Multiple.” He looked Schenk right in the eyes. There was nothing but seriousness in his face. When Schenk realized what this meant he massaged his temples.

“Multiple… of course multiple.” He muttered and Leona looked at her father worriedly.

“Father, what does that mean?” she asked Androcles who frowned.

“I have no idea. Alexander, what mystical powers are they supposed to wield?” the Baron asked, and Alexander shrugged.

“If only I knew. But this is why what happened to Faust is so interesting. See, how can it be a coincidence that this weird supernatural group appears within Antioch and Faust gains mysterious powers… how likely is it that these aren’t connected?” Alexander smiled.

Faust started to understand.

‘He believes I might be able to gain strength in the near future… he’s gambling on me.’

The Earl soon confirmed his theory.

“It must be our utmost priority to get our hands on this new power. As several people within that organization can wield these powers, that much is confirmed, it must be able to be used by a large number of people. And as far as I am concerned, you have just become a valuable asset to our cause.” Alexander frowned.

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“Especially since Tiberius is sure to know by now. He might even be ahead of us in this race to get his hands on this new power…” The young Argorus’ eyes glinted when he talked of the new source of power.

The young general clenched his fists.

“This incident will affect the entire power balance within the kingdom. Whoever gains control of this … thing, techniques… or whatever it is first, will have an absolute advantage. Having multiple soldiers with supernatural abilities stronger than Blood Warriors…” he shivered in excitement.

“This is a two-edged sword. If we are too slow, we might perish, yet if we show courage and haste, then we might gain the upper hand in this political struggle we have been embroiled in for years.” The Earl’s voice got excited.

“Just imagine what would happen if a warrior like Androcles gained such a power…” Alexander’s eyes showed something neither of the group had ever seen before. It was a yearning—a hunger for power.

Alexander had been born into this political conflict. As far as he could think back there was always a threat looming over his family. He never felt safe. He had always strived for power. The constant pressure has forged the young man into a diamond of a commander and Earl. Something stirred within him whenever he thought about this possibly groundbreaking power.

Schenk couldn’t help but grin widely.

“I have always prided myself in being the strongest warrior on the continent… looks like I will need to step up my game…” he muttered. He felt excited. He hadn’t felt this way in years. He turned to his liege.

“Let me go to Antioch. I want to investigate this issue!” the Baron requested but Alexander immediately shook his head.

“Not a chance. You are much too famous, especially among Antioch’s criminal organizations. You also cannot just disregard your obligations as a Baron, no matter how much you want to leave. Especially with the orc threat being far from neutralized… I need you here more than ever.” He smiled at Schenk who gulped and nodded.

Of course, he knew those things already, yet he could not help but ask regardless.

‘How could anyone resist the temptation?’ he shook his head.

“I will send Titus, my deputy, and three of my trusted Companion Cavalry to the city to investigate and gain as much knowledge as possible about these new powers,” Alexander explained.

Schenk pondered briefly, looked at Faust, then at Leona, then back to Alexander, who met his gaze with a grin.

“Do you think what I think?” the older man asks Alexander, who nods.

“I do.” The general laughs.

Leona and Faust looked at the two men. They were confused.

“Mind sharing what you think with us?” Leona asked them frustrated. If anyone else had talked this way to Alexander that might’ve spelled trouble, but they were alone, and Alexander was like an uncle to her.

“I think that you and Leona should come along to Antioch. What happened to you in the forest might be crucial to finding out the source of the new rising power and using it for our own benefit.” He explained to Faust.

The young man’s eyes widened, he looked to Schenk, at Leona, and back to Alexander.

‘This is crazy! I should leave for the big city?’ Faust was shocked. But soon he realized something.

‘It’s the perfect opportunity to gain strength and experience… I need to do this. And I'll even have Leona by my side.’ He smiled inwardly before speaking.

“Milord. It would be an honor.”

Leona gasped, but she too agreed readily. Then she thought of something.

“My bodyguards will be very useful and they will gain experience as well! Aquila knows shady business and Cassius knows his words better than anybody else I know… they might both come in handy.” She argued and Schenk pondered briefly before nodding to Alexander. He preferred to see his daughter better protected.

“Would that be alright?” he asked his liege who smiled briefly before turning to the couple.

“I hope you like boats.”