A MERCENARY’S PRICE
The wind howled through the valley as Billy and his core officers approached the meeting point. The Crimson Vanguard’s camp sprawled before them—rows of sleek black tents, armed sentries standing rigid in crimson-plated armor, and the ominous hum of their enchanted weapons. Mercenaries were always unpredictable, but the Vanguard had a reputation for being particularly ruthless.
Kaela adjusted the straps of her daggers, eyes flickering with unease. “I don’t like this.”
Billy smirked. “You never do.”
Aelric, standing tall beside them, exhaled through his nose. “Mercenaries fight for coin, not honor. If they’re here, it means someone’s willing to pay them more than we can afford.”
Billy led them forward, boots crunching against the gravel. A large, open pavilion stood at the center of the camp, and inside waited a man draped in a high-collared crimson coat, his silver hair tied back in a loose ponytail. His sharp golden eyes gleamed with amusement as he leaned against a polished cane, the very image of refinement amidst killers.
Reinhardt Vale. Commander of the Crimson Vanguard.
“William Knight,” Reinhardt greeted smoothly, extending a gloved hand. “You’ve made quite the mess up north.”
Billy ignored the handshake and sat down opposite him. “What do you want, Vale?”
Reinhardt chuckled, retracting his hand. “Straight to business, then? Good. I like efficiency.” He poured himself a glass of amber liquid, gesturing lazily to the maps spread across the table. “My men have been observing your... predicament. The Dark Accord isn’t the type to let go of a grudge.” He took a sip, eyes gleaming. “We’re here to offer a deal.”
Kaela leaned forward, voice laced with suspicion. “And what do you want in return?”
Reinhardt smiled. “A contract.”
Billy narrowed his eyes. “Terms?”
Reinhardt set his glass down. “My forces assist you in driving back the Dark Accord. In return, you grant us exclusive mercenary rights in your territories once you expand.” He tapped the map. “A standing contract. Priority access to your trade networks. And, of course, a modest payment upfront.”
Aelric scoffed. “You want a long-term deal just for temporary aid?”
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Reinhardt grinned. “Call it an investment. You have potential, Knight. I’d rather back the winning horse early.”
Billy exhaled slowly, fingers drumming against the table. The Vanguard’s power would be invaluable, but tying himself to a group with such flexible loyalties was a dangerous game.
Still, against the Dark Accord, he needed every advantage.
He met Reinhardt’s gaze. “I need time to consider.”
Reinhardt smirked, tilting his head. “Of course. But don’t take too long. The battlefield doesn’t wait.”
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THE SECRETS OF ARDYN
Back at the settlement, Soria worked tirelessly in the underground command chamber, the cypher unit’s eerie blue glow illuminating her tired face. Ardyn sat strapped to the scanning chair, his face pale but his smirk intact.
Billy entered with Kaela and Aelric, standing beside Soria as the machine hummed to life. A stream of encrypted data flowed across the monitors, a labyrinth of memories and hidden knowledge.
Soria frowned. “His mind’s been tampered with.”
Billy’s jaw clenched. “How deep?”
Soria adjusted the dials, narrowing her eyes. “It’s layered—someone implanted false memories, and beneath those, there’s an embedded directive.”
Kaela crossed her arms. “Meaning?”
Ardyn chuckled, his voice hoarse. “Meaning I was programmed to be useful to you... until I wasn’t.”
Billy leaned closer. “Who did this?”
The machine pulsed, and suddenly, Ardyn convulsed, his body tensing against the restraints. The screens flashed red, symbols warping into something unreadable.
Then, through gritted teeth, Ardyn spoke a name.
“Erebus.”
Silence fell over the room.
Aelric cursed under his breath. “Tell me that’s not who I think it is.”
Billy’s expression darkened. “Erebus—the Ghost of the Accord. Their master tactician.”
Kaela exhaled sharply. “He’s a myth. A boogeyman.”
Ardyn, panting heavily, looked up with a wicked grin. “Then tell me, Billy—why is he inside my head?”
The machine beeped violently before the feed cut off. Smoke curled from the circuits. Soria swore, slamming a fist against the console. “It’s fried.”
Billy straightened, his mind racing. If Erebus was involved, this was no longer a simple war. This was a game of shadows, where every step forward was a potential trap.
And Ardyn was proof that they were already inside his walls.
Billy turned to Kaela and Aelric, his voice cold and decisive. “Lock him up again. Double the guard. No one speaks to him but me.”
As Ardyn was dragged away, his laughter echoed through the chamber. “You’re already playing his game, Knight.”
Billy didn’t answer.
Because deep down, he knew it was true.
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A DANGEROUS GAMBLE
Hours later, Billy sat alone in his war room, staring at the chaos blade resting against the table. The whispers were back, seductive and relentless.
Power is the only answer.
No allies, no compromises.
Strike first.
Billy closed his eyes. He knew what needed to be done.
Reinhardt’s deal was a risk, but with Erebus manipulating events from the shadows, he couldn’t afford to fight this war alone. The Crimson Vanguard would buy him time.
He stood abruptly, fastening the chaos blade to his side. The decision was made.
Tomorrow, he would seal the deal with Reinhardt Vale.
And soon after, he would hunt Erebus down himself.
Even if it meant stepping deeper into the abyss.
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End of Chapter 72
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