Arc 1 Chapter 5:

Subtitle: The Good and the Bad

This was horrible. The boys were pretty beat up, but the girls were in a worse condition. Some of them looked to have been tortured heavily while others must have been sexually assaulted. Just what kind of scum were these people.

Not even the people from my world was this bad. I could feel my anger rising but I quickly calmed down. If I didn’t control it, I know that the darkness within me would take over. I’m really glad Lily is here to help me.

“Hey…”

After calming down and parting from Lily, I quickly walked over to the leader. I believe her name was Sara. I patted her back as she continued to hug her daughter. The girl on the stretcher was the worse of the group. Her foot was cleanly cut and burned. Bruise marks and wounds could be seen all over her body.

What was worse was the smell that she emitted. You could see that she’s gone through hell as her eyes almost seemed to contain no life. I placed my hand over her head. Sara immediately reacted by pushing me away, her shield ready to clobber anyone that gets close, her sword raised above her shield.

“DON’T TOUCH HER!”

I could see a mad glint in her eyes as well as pain and distraught. Lily began chanting a spell but I quickly stopped her. This was no time to fight against one another.

“Sara… I want you to calm down for a second and let me help her.”

I used a very soothing tone to calm her down. She didn’t move as her weapons were still raised against me but you can tell that she was relaxing a bit. This was a really critical moment. The way I see it, it was simply a mother trying to protect her child. But I know that if I don’t do something, she’s most likely going to die very soon.

“Sara, come on now. Let me help her. I’m the best chance you have of her recovering and you know it. If you leave her alone for any longer…”

I pointed towards one of the dead soldier lying on the ground.

“… she’s as good as dead.”

Once again, I could see her body shaking, her eyes darting everywhere. I could tell she was a mess, but I really need to help out the girl.

“Lily, begin healing the rest.”

Lily gave me a nod as she began healing the closest person to her.

“May, I want you to scout ahead. Eliminate any scouts and find out the location of the main base.”

She bowed and instantly disappeared from sight. I then focused back on Sara. Her weapons were lowered now, her eyes were now eyed on me. Then as if her resolution broke, she fell to the floor on her knees and began to cry.

“Pwease… p*hic*ase help my dawter.”

I couldn’t help but give her a pitying gaze as I nodded. I then went over to the girl and placed my hand on her forehead.

“[Recover].”

Green light enveloped both of us as my mana began pouring to the girl. Her once pale face was now regaining its color. Her wounds began closing as foreign liquids began pouring out of her. Her eyes seem to grow calmer as she slowly closed her eyes and the bruises completely disappeared. As soon as it finished, I instantly stopped the channel and felt a backlash.

“urgh…”

I wobbled backwards as pain went through my mind. My hands instantly pulled out a sword and I stabbed it into the ground to keep myself balanced.

“BRYAN!”

I felt an arm wrap around me and soon I began to feel better. Apparently, Lily invoked one of her rare magic. Contact heal. No matter who or what if she activates the skill and merely touches the object, it will heal the object and rid it of its abnormalities. In my case, it took away the backlash I took from using a circuit spell that my body couldn’t really keep up with. Yes I admit it, I’m not allowed to do a lot of healing spells. It’s a really irritating flaw that really limits my role seeing as I’m normally a support type.

“Thanks Lily.”

I quickly regained myself as I looked around the room. Everyone’s eyes was on me. I couldn’t really tell why they were looking at me though. Maybe I was bleeding somewhere and I just didn’t know about it. I quickly ran through my head looking for any visible wound. Nope, nothing.

“Hey Sara, you’re the leader right.”

I looked over to the girl who was apparently prostrating herself to the ground before me. I instantly stepped back in surprise. What is she doing? Upon hearing my voice though, she looked up with shining eyes.

“Yes, this group is mainly led by me.”

“Ok… good… um, yeah. So here’s the plan. I’m going to destroy this entire place if May doesn’t find the room. That’s why I’ll teleport you guys over to my place. You all have done enough.”

I looked at each person present. There were a mix of male and female guards in the group. Seeing as they’ve reunited with their families, I have a feeling that they won’t be working for this organization anymore.

“I have a request…”

I heard a silent whisper behind me. I looked back at Sara who was patting the head of her daughter.

“Please. Let me fight with you.”

“Denied.”

I instantly denied her. Of course, I’m glad for the help but. This is a more personal matter now. In other words, I won’t feel satisfied until I beat up the leader.

“W…Why?”

“It’s simple. You’ll only get in the way.”

She chewed her lower lip.

“But without me, you won’t be able to get in there.”

“Actually, that’s not the case.”

A new voice interjected. It was May. It seems she has finished her job as she walked back through the group with a smile.

“I have located their base master. It’s actually at the very top of this mountain.”

“Very top? You sure?”

“Yes.”

Hmm… that’s odd. I remember when those two guys carried me, we only went through a couple of hallways and chambers.

“Oh, I forgot to mention that the base was equipped with teleportation devices.”

“Wait, there are teleportation devices here!”

I suddenly screamed up in alarm. Shit, that means that any nearby scouts who heard the commotion would have instantly taken those to their leader. I didn’t even know teleportation devices existed in this world. I mean, come on. They didn’t seem to have the magical capability of creating them, plus I only seem to have that capability. Crap I was too lax and really underestimated this world’s capability.

“Lily, where going now.”

She nodded as I began connecting the circuits in my mind. I imagined every single face I saw in this cavern as a bluish light surrounded them all.

“PLEASE HERO SAMA. LET ME JOIN YOU!”

“…”

Sara was still asking me... actually, from her tone, she was begging.

“Why do you want to go so badly? Revenge, is that it?”

Before I know it, I was instantly lecturing her. Sheesh… me and my bad habits. I guess I’m probably just annoyed and angry at the current situation. I could see a slight hesitation from the girl commander.

“…it’s… it’s my duty as a guard…”

“Your duty as a guard is to protect the queen is it not?”

“Yes… but…”

“Then you have no reason to be here. Rather, it’s better if you stay away from here.”

She gave me a questioning look, but before she could speak, I kept going.

“Revenge… why do humans desire revenge? Even I don’t know, and I’ve practically reveled in it. Killing those who took your family, your friends… your lover…”

Everyone now had a dark gaze as many looked to the floor. Sara also gazed at me with wide shocked eyes.

“Listen here… if you take revenge, what will that get you? Another enemy who wants revenge? Then another and another and another. Do you truly want that? Is that what you want to show to your kids? That this world is simply a world of constant revenge… I have lived that life, and let me tell you… it leads to a bad ending. That’s why, instead of revenge. Protect those who are important to you. Considering you’re one of the Elite Guards, that shouldn’t be a problem, no?”

I gave her a smile. I couldn’t really what kind of emotion she had on her face as I finally completed the circuit.

“See you around, Sara of the Elite Guards. [Teleport].”

They instantly disappeared. I then felt a hand on my shoulder.

“You really like giving short speeches don’t you?”

Lily gave me an annoying smirk. I grabbed her nose and pulled.

“ARGH… BWAN STUF! (Bryan stop!)”

I felt myself relaxing once more.

“Master… that stuff you said earlier. Where they true?”

I looked at May who looked at me with upturned eyes. A beauty giving you puppy eyes… you don’t see that every day. I patted her head.

“It’s alright its nothing for you to be concerned with.”

“Your lover? What was she like?”

“…”

I stopped rubbing her head as she managed to peek at me with eyes filled with curiosity.

“She… was an amazing person.”

She nodded, but it seems she wasn’t done asking.

“… I thought master didn’t have emotions back in his world?”

I laughed. Her question was interesting, rather it’s pretty spot on.

“Ahh… well, we do have emotions… but…”

“But?”

“… We all decided to kill it.”

She grew silent as began to comprehend the meaning of my words.

“But then you had a lover?”

“Yes… it was because of her that I managed to regain some of my emotions back… anyway, away from this. Shouldn’t you be leading us?”

I flicked her forehead lightly. The tense mood from earlier instantly disappeared as she began giggling.

“Ahh… yes, right this way master.”

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We began our slow ascend through the mountain base. There was clearly a difference in defense as traps were all over the place. Because of my acute perception though, we managed to bypass every single trap. It was actually kind of funny that the enemy soldiers were the ones getting killed by the traps. Oh… and currently I’m resting. Apparently, Lily thought this would be a good time for May to train so that’s what they were doing. Training.

“May! HOW CO… ARGH”

A lifeless body fell to the floor. It was a female soldier. I looked through the group and apparently, half the soldiers were male and half were females. Well, not like I can do anything about it. I’m not the one fighting at the moment. Screams continued to emanate throughout the cavern.

“Goddess, burn thy enemies to ashes. Firewall”

A wall of fire appeared in front of Lily and May. Apparently the enemy decided to use magic. They must have been desperate, seeing as how the smoke from the fire began clouding the entire area.

“[Dispel].”

Like a demon, Lily gave out a smile that sent chills towards her opponent. Actually… they probably just shook from the fear of seeing their own spells being destroyed.

“Go get em May.”

“Yes Mistress.”

She instantly disappeared. In a blink of an eye she appeared behind the soldiers.

“She’s behind us!”

One soldier immediately ran to her, his sword raised high. He swung it down, but May was standing still. The man was surprised, but even more surprised when his sword clattered to the ground. Everyone was shocked as the man suddenly began to fall into pieces.

“How?”

Suddenly each person began to collapse as they died the same brutal death.

“Congratulations May. That’s ten points.”

“Yay, does that mean I get a reward.”

Lily looked towards me.

“Alright… aside from Lily, I’ll also make your favorite food so ask whatever you want.”

May instantly jumped in celebration.

“Hamburger, hamburger, ha-um-bur-ur-ger!”

She began singing a tune as we continued slashing towards their base. I suddenly felt my entire body alter. This was a teleportation device. We’ve encountered these throughout the base, and without them it would have taken ages. This must have been the last one.

“Alright you two. I want you both to stay back. After this, this is my fight.”

They both nodded as they stayed behind me. I then felt our surroundings changed and sure enough, we were back on the same room that I was taken to earlier. Only now, it was different. The tables were all lined up into a line that reached from wall to wall. Behind them, a glistening row of pikes and spears could be seen. Archers were also on the wall, their waste were tied to a rope. That looks very inconvenient.

“FIRE!”

They let loose a volley. To my surprise, there were more arrows than archers. It then clicked that there were probably more behind the lines of soldiers.

“[Aegis].”

Just like before, the arrows harmlessly fell to the floor.

“Do all they do is rely on arrows?”

“Hmm… I think so. If you think about it, magic can be countered easily. But arrows, theirs anyway, seems to be very silent and very powerful.”

This intrigued me. I should probably grab a couple of arrows and bows and test them out. Suddenly, the explosions began surrounding us.

“Huh… fireballs. Now they’re getting pretty serious.”

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

To my surprise, these were really powerful spells. They incorporated different systems as seen by the shape of the fireballs. Some were weapon shaped. Others were small dot that flew in extreme speed. Still, a fireballs a fireball. I know for a fact that they won’t get through my shield.

“Alright you two. Stay here. I’m going to have some fun.”

I took out a baton from my inventory. This was a bit special since it can channel mana from my body. Since I added an electricity based circuit to it, the mana being channeled activates the circuit turning it into a blunt stunning weapon. I stepped outside of the shield and was immediately met with arrows and various other magic.

“Water, earth, fire, nature… wow their going all out now.”

I smiled as I raised my left hand. I channeled mana into my bracelet and a curved rectangular plasma shield appeared. I placed it in front of me, the baton hidden behind it. I felt the force as different types of magic hit the shield in the front. If it wasn’t for the fact that I was used to louder battles, I would probably have gone deaf by now. One step at a time, I slowly waded forward.

“Stop firing. Infantry, go forward.”

I guess there changing tactics. I looked in the front as the entire formation suddenly shifted. Spearmen began jumping from the make shift wall and made a triangular path for me. Three swordsmen went to the front, their shields raised. The other swordsmen moved to the sides, probably supporting the spearmen. This group… they were the professionals. Something tells me they were different from the ones we were fighting earlier.

“You guys… you’re from the empire aren’t you.”

They looked around to each other.

“How did you know?”

A man stepped out followed by a girl. The man had grey hair that were spiked at the top. He looked young with soft brown eyes, yet his aura said otherwise. He was wearing what looked like Templar clothes. Dark grey armor with draping clothes that went to his knees. A big cross was placed in the front of his attire as well as his shoulder armor. His sword also seemed to have a cross and his shield basically showed a cross in its full glory.

“Well, judging from your attire, you must be from the Holy Asvarian Empire.”

“But it seems you knew of us beforehand… so before we fight, I want to know. How did you know?”

Well… Since he asked, I might as well comply right. It’s not like he’ll come out of this unscathed, so I should give him a bit of motivation. I pointed behind me. He looked past me right at the two girls. Suddenly his eyes went wide open.

“May? What... why?”

May stared at the man before me.

“Oh, hey Richard.”

She gave a smile which only seemed to anger the man called Richard.

“You… what have you done to her!”

I shrugged.

“I didn’t do anything. Actually, I helped her.”

He looked at me, confused.

“Helped?”

“Yep. I helped her recover from being tortured. After that, I promised her many great things in exchange for loyalty. Of course I thought about releasing her, but in the end, she begged me to become my slave… I was really shocked you know.”

I gave him my honest view of what happened with May. I honestly never thought of making her a slave, but for some strange reason she persisted. Even so far as to call me master and even sneaking into my room. I really don’t know what goes on in her head anymore. Just to think that she used to be a ruthless assassin… though she didn’t really go into the field. Still, she seemed to have killed a lot of people.

“… you will pay.”

I barely heard a whisper as Richard suddenly jumped forward. I quickly placed my shield in front of me as a sword landed square on the pummel of the shield.

“HOW DARE YOU DO THAT TO MAY!!”

Sparks flew from my shield as he quickly reversed his grip. He then pushed forward, his sword sliding to my left, ready to stab me from the side. Wow, such amazing control. I quickly brought my shield to the left as his stab slid on my shield. He was sliding past me, but to my surprise he had another sword in his other hand. This one was poised to strike while I was distracted from his earlier strike. This… is really getting fun. I disable the circuit from my baton as I used it to defend myself. This will be a good time to learn the fighting style of this world.

“HYAHH!!”

A new voice joined in. It was the girl they called commander. She must have been a sub commander though as this guy was the real leader of this group. I quickly blocked her sword with my shield as they both took a step back.

“Riesse, stay out of this.”

“Like I will! Didn’t you notice he’s going easy on you?”

Oh, she noticed. I then saw in her eyes… fear. She must have understood what I was capable of.

“You have to get out of here my lord!”

“I WILL NOT!”

He blinked right in front of me, his sword midway in its strike. I jumped backwards, though I felt a small sting in my leg. Oh man. He got me. Noticing my wound, he went in with a flourish of strikes. The girl joined him and they both began coordinating their strikes. It was really hard you know… I really tried my best to hold back. I kept blocking each strike, the lighter ones with my baton and the heavy ones with my shield. In minutes I felt our surroundings change as each strike seemed to carve themselves into the caverns walls.

“You two are really good.”

“SHUT UP. Winding Dragon.”

The girl came up to my side as her sword began to glow. Whoa, what’s this? I used my shield to block it but to my surprise it didn’t. Rather her sword seemed to smoothly swing around my shield aiming at my exposed areas. This… this must be a sword skill. I’ve been so focused in magic that I forgot about this. Ugh… what’s the use of gathering information when I forget about it… then again, the concept of sword skills is strange for me.

“Nice job Riesse! Death Stroke.”

I felt a dark aura around me. Suddenly I felt a sword enter through my stomach. I immediately began coughing out blood as I stared at the sword sticking from my stomach.

“With this, we win.”

He immediately took the sword out confident in his strike as my blood spilled to the floor. I smiled. No one knew that this wasn’t enough. Even May seemed to understand that this curse type skill won’t affect me that much as she remained as calm as before. I immediately cancelled out my shield as I switched from my baton and into my rifle. It had a bayonet at the end of the muzzle which was now embedded deep into the knight’s armor. He grunted as he instantly coughed out blood.

“W…what?”

“I win.”

I pulled the trigger and the room was filled with gunfire. The girl was surprised, but she quickly recovered as she took a slice at me. Her blade broke as it hit the shield I’ve activated on my back. She was surprised, but soon recovered and went to the knight. She peeled him away from my rifle as I too took a small step back. Really, I took some damage from this. Not only physically, but mentally. To think I’ve underestimated these people… I need to change how I plan and act in this world. I quickly activated one of my circuits and soon my body began to heal. This was a special circuit that healed my entire body. It’s called,

“[Metabolism].”

Basically it increased my body’s ability to heal and regenerate naturally. Of course it’s a once a day used considering the backlash that it’ll give me when I use another spell, but I noticed that everyone in the room has lost the will to fight so I won’t need to use another spell to fight. I looked at the pair on the floor. The man was bloodied since I placed around eight rounds into his stomach and one into his lung.

“What… WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!”

The girl had the man on his lap as tears fell from her eyes.

“My lord… please hang on… please.”

This… doesn’t seem to be simple loyalty. Interesting.

“Girl, let me ask you some questions.”

“Why would I answer, you monster!”

I felt irritated.

“It’s because your answer can potentially save that man over there, now answer this. What is your purpose?”

She looked at me with wide open eyes. She then looked at me, then at the man on her lap.

“We were sent as the first wave… our… our job is…”

The man reached over her mouth.

“No… tell…”

He coughed up a huge amount of blood which mixed into the pool he’s already made. I sighed.

“Lily, heal him enough to where he doesn’t die… also make him go to sleep.”

She nodded as she walked up to them.

“[Minor Heal].”

A soft green glow surrounded the man. She only kept it for a few second, enough to keep the man alive. He looked at us in shock but before he could do anything,

“[Sleep].”

Lily instantly made him go to sleep.

“You see, we are capable of healing him. Now, tell me. What is your purpose?”

She bit her lips.

“I… won’t…”

“Nuh, uh, uh… I’m sorry to tell you missy, but if I hear any words that sounds like no, well. He dies, you die, that man over there dies, the woman dies… actually she’ll probably become Lily’s toy…”

I pointed at each individual person in the group as I continued to describe their potential conclusion. They were all sweating now, their eyes focused on us.

“Now you don’t want the last thing your men say, we were betrayed right. I mean, it seems as if everyone in this entire place were bandits for hire… but here. No. These are actual knights of the Empire, right?”

I couldn’t help myself and smiled as she began to look at me in fear.

“I… I understand… I will tell you everything… that’s why please spare us, and…”

She looked at the man. He was unconscious but you can tell he was not having a good time.

“Alright… May, tie up everyone in this room. After that, I want you to send a message to Artura, can you do that?”

“Hah.”

(Author note: Strong way of saying yes. Like a salute in a way)

“You guys. If you don’t want to be considered an enemy and get killed, lay down your weapons.”

One by one, each person began laying down their weapons. Except for two. One was a guy, the other a girl. Actually, to be more exact they both seemed to be twins.

“We refuse.”

With a scream, the two soldiers came charging at us.

“Don’t kill them.”

I instantly gave out a warning to May. Understandingly, she put her weapons away and stood there waiting. Seeing this, the two people thought they could win… yeah, only in thought. In reality, they were on the floor unconscious as May flipped them both at the same time. Truly, a great disciple.

“Well… I guess were going to have a fun talk aren’t we?”

I looked at the clueless girl who kept hugging the silver haired man. I guess with this, our first mission is over. Now, to actually talk things out with Artura. I wonder how this is going to go. I just hope she forgives me for also keeping her in the dark this past month. I mean, just arriving and already causing trouble… then again, I didn’t ask for it. It just happened and since I’m part of the kingdom’s defense, well… come on, even I’m justified… right? Right?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

(In a small room in Camelot)

*Achoo…

The stacked papers Artura was reading through were instantly blown away. With an outstretched hand, she depressingly watch two hundred papers slowly fall to the ground.

“Are you sick Artura?”

As if timing it, Marlana came in with a cart filled with a tea set.

“No… ugh… someone’s talking behind my back again.”

Marlana gave a snicker.

“I wonder who it could be.”

“YOU KNOW FULL WELL WHO IT IS! Ugh… I swear if he spreads another rumor about me, I don’t care how strong he is. I’m going to give him a good beating… ugh Tsun Queen of the West, The Spoiled Princess, The Kingdom’s Angel of Light… What happened to my previous titles, my grand achievements… AHHHHH?!”

Artura began clawing at her hair. Not only has her work increased, but Bryan hasn’t even talked to her as soon as he’s settled down. She gets letters, but seldom did they have anything useful in them. Furthermore… the only person she can find a decent conversation… the only one, dares to not visit her.

“AHHHH… I’m going to go crazy because of him… Marlana, prepare my sword. I’m going to practice with the knights.”

Marlana bowed with a stoic face. In her thoughts though, she was laughing freely. Why, it’s because she hasn’t really seen this side of the queen. It was only when Bryan came in that the queen became this free spirited.

“As you command.”

That day, twenty knights were sacrificed to appease the wrath of a demon queen.

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Author Notes:

Had trouble uploading this chap for some strange reason. Been crying as I found ways to fix it. Well, I hope you enjoyed.

P.S. I know it's a bad subtitle... I suck at making titles TT.TT