Tarphus remembered the first time he met a slaver; he walked down Cullivan with his friend Karthus. Karthus was just a newbie at that time and was assigned as Tarphus's guardian for his stroll.
This was because Cullivan was new, and Lord Cullivan's family needed protection. That was how his father framed it. It was in the town square that Tarphus saw something that would lead to his hatred.
Tarphus thought he was so bright leaving Karthus behind in the crowds, then he saw something glittering in an alleyway. So, he investigated, he was foolish, but he was also only eight. The shiny thing turned out to be a small doorway with gold inlays; it was fancy.
Inside, he heard joyful laughter; he wanted to know what the cause was and maybe participate. So, he searched for a way in, the door did not budge, but there was a small window that he could slip through.
After making his entrance, Tarphus found himself on a sort of indoor balcony. The place was more extensive on the inside than the outside. Tarphus looked around and noticed that no one was there, so he walked up to the lip of the balcony.
The laughter was so loud as he looked down into the people gathered below; it was a small sea of people. Tarphus then saw what they were looking at with such hatred and humor; it was horrible.
Ethira, well, Tarphus did not know that was her name at the time, but he saw her getting whipped and… well. Tarphus was young and did not understand but felt angered at the pain on display. As the "show" continued, he noticed that the slave in the center was not the only one being disciplined.
This made Tarphus angry in a way that he had never felt before. So, he noted what he had on him, then smiled as Tarphus remembered the bead he had. It was tied to Udera as he was told to alert the guards and his father to his location.
The bead was crushed, and all Tarphus could do was watch and wait, but as the screams of pain echoed louder and louder, so did the laughter. Finally, the sounds of pleasure rang out amongst the crowd. The chains that bound the slaves rattled more and more intensely.
Tarphus felt he had to do more as those screams rang out, he decided to sneak down into the crowd. His cloak did surprisingly well in hiding himself as he advanced to her. The centerpiece of the show, he did not know why they held her with such hatred.
Blood, there was so much all around him. It was so horrible; the slaves were being tortured and tormented. Such hatred and lust were given, and the slaves could do nothing but endure the harsh punishment of the so-called masters.
Tarphus made it to the middle, and he waited, every second droned on for what felt like centuries. Then, finally, he saw the look in her eyes, such fear, and loss. Pain contorted her facial expression, but he knew that they would come.
Tarphus then heard it, an explosion. The crowd looked around; however, it was too late as guards rushed into the building. Some fought and those who fled; however, the exits seemed to have been breached by even more guards.
The man in the center decided to try and flee with the slave; Tarphus tackled the man's legs causing him to fall and lose his footing. Tarphus then grabbed the girl and ran, his heart pounding in his ears.
Tarphus was so focused he did not notice the pain of a whip that cracked upon his back. He managed to get Ethira out of that disgusting place; Tarphus was beaten for running off. Then given praise for finding out about this for the town.
Tarphus convinced his father to give the ex-slaves work around town; surprisingly, most of them became servants for his family. They were very hardworking and loyal; this further fueled his rage for slavers.
As his thoughts concluded, he was snapped back to the present. That rage shimmered underneath his expression. His squad saw the look in his eyes, and they placed themselves around him, guns at the ready.
The merchant was not what Tarphus was expecting; she was tall and slender. However, her face was adorned with a confident smile. The guards around her had no armor nor weapons; they were at his mercy.
However, he was tired. They have killed so much today, and the squad made him so proud. Tarphus felt as though he could sleep for an entire week. The slaver looked at him up and down, weighing the risks, no doubt.
Tarphus saw that look but did not comment. Then the slaver walked towards him with a smirk on her face; it was as if she was mocking him. She tried to get close to him while saying. "My hero, whatever shall I do to repay you and your brave soldiers."
Tarphus said nothing; his face was a display of how tired he was. However, he could feel his heart start beating with fury. His rage grew as he noticed the guards leering at him and his squad; he was done.
She kept walking towards him, that charming smile plastered on her face; however, she did not steal the greed from her eyes. He refused to be manipulated; the more she talked, the more he would be swayed.
Tarphus held a hand up, and his squad raised their weapons, "I will warn you just this once; leave now, and you will get enough supplies to get to the next village. Your 'merchandise' will stay here as your tribute."
This caught her off guard, her face blooming with surprise and confusion. "What?" This causes Tarphus to smile, his eyes gain slight mirth. "I said to leave your merchandise, and you with your guards will be able to leave here with a carriage full of food."
Her guards bristled and started leaning forward, no doubt trying to find a way to get out of this situation with their charge intact. Tarphus then looked at the carriages that he was talking about and then saw what was inside, her merchandise.
They were starved, beaten, and bruised. The slave trader saw Tarphus look at the slaves in her wagon. She tries to reason with Tarphus, the guards tense as she speaks. "My savior, would you force me and my serv-"
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Her eyes become wide as he swiftly takes out his auto pistol and shoots her five times in the face. The guards' charge, one even managing to punch him. Which earned him a swift knife to the stomach.
The squad killed every one of the guards. Shooting the corpses and throwing them onto the pyre to ensure they do not rise again like the bandits. Tarphus ordered his men to help the survivors in the main cabin and the slaves in the wagons.
They did not complain, which was a blessing in itself. Tarphus then sat down and tried to calm himself by cleaning his guns. Kit then came to him with a book in its small metallic claw. "Owner, an artifact of horror has been found. It must be given to the God-Emperor."
Tarphus grabs the book; it is a tome bound in warm green flesh. As he catches it, Tarphus swears that the tome shivered. No, he was correct; the book of flesh writhed in his hands, the warm squishy tome wriggled and twisted.
The longer he held the book, the more active it became. Boils and pockmarks start to mar the surface of the tome. Insects wiggle their way free from the horrible book in Tarphus's hands, leaving behind holes from which fills with puss.
Tarphus has never felt better that he was wearing gloves as he is right now. He swears that he could hear soft whispers, things that promise him so much. Power, women, riches, even the impossible, his fiancee.
The book starts to slowly open, but Kit then snatches away the book from Tarphus's hands. This shocked him to the core. The book held secrets that could help him! It could contain a way for her to come back. Rage boils he earned this book; anything and everything in it is his as his right.
Tarphus forced himself to breathe as the bloodlust subsided and handed over the book to Kit. Then Kit starts to kill the bugs with small puffs of flame. "User is not able to handle the tome yet. Recharging is required, rest User."
Tarphus was about to comment but noted that his squad was able to do everything without him. "User, uni- Kit will ensure that the squad is at peak efficiency. Therefore, User must rest; they work better under the User's command."
He nodded his head solemnly and lay down for a quick nap; he was so tired. It was not all that much, but the surprises and injuries really hit hard for him. So, he rested. When he woke up, the wagons were secured, and the squad was waiting on him.
Tarphus looked around and saw around fifty slaves all had their eyes on him, fear and anger in most of their gazes. This did not unsettle him as he knew they would hold a grudge against the Federation.
Add to that disaster that he shot one of their members, and then resentment would fester. Tarphus wanted to deal with the book; however, these people needed him. He would give them supplies to get to the nearest village, but he has wasted so much time already.
"Alright, I do not have the time nor the troops to spare; therefore, you have two choices. The first one is to head west of here; you will find a village within one to two days' ride out. Or you can follow us to the frontier where we are being hired as mercenaries."
Tarphus smiled coldly at the crowd as they mumbled amongst each other. "Neither option will guarantee your safety, but it is better than being stuck here. The supplies within the rest of the wagons are yours, but those three are ours. Try and steal from us, and you will join the traitors."
Tarphus turned and stepped by his squad and was told that one of the freed people tried to kill a team member and steal a horse from the bandit's stable.
The horse was shot out from under their feet, and they were executed like the coward that they were. Upon hearing this, Tarphus winced, then saw the looks that his squad shot him. They looked like dogs that had caught a pheasant; they were proud of their kill.
Tarphus knew he would share the same fate as the fellow if he did not reply. "A damned shame, we could have used the horse. But you did well; it was good quick thinking." It was all he could say as he looked down at the horse, ignoring the man.
It took the freed people an hour to finally come to a decision. Unsurprisingly nearly all of them decided to go to the village, but the slaves followed him. Though again not all, out of the twelve, only four decided to follow, and only two wanted to stay with him as couriers.
Tarphus did not mind either choice; he had enough food and supplies to get to the frontier. Tarphus also got fifty gold; he gave two to each of his squad as their pay. This made them excited, though Lucy did not care for it.
Tarphus also noticed that she spent a lot of time with the followers; however, he did not want to know what they practiced. Tarphus had other problems on his mind. Kit was still holding the book, and that mage had many scrolls of shifting words.
Tarphus had been around enough mages to know what is magical, and this had magic written all over it. So, he whispered, "Status."
The User has bested one of the great enemy's servants, the Emperor has unlocked the upgrade option.
That got Tarphus's attention
Race: Human Class: Summoner
Stars: 3
Status: Green
Familiar: Servo Skull (upgradable)
Summons: Unlocked
Items: Unlocked
Challenge: The time until the next challenge is 27 days
*New* Upgrades: Unlocked
Tarphus looked at his familiar's possible upgrades to see if there was any difference…
Combat Servo Skull unlocks many upgrades and enhancements for both the weapons and armor of troops.
Utility Servo Skull unlocks repair kits and improves on kits and mobile stations down the road.
It was the same as before, so he would have to look at the new tab.
Due to your purging of the great enemy's priest and gifting the sorceries found to the God-Emperor, the Upgrade station has rewarded the User with two Upgrade points.
The list of upgrades are as follows:
Heavy Weapons Team: whenever the User summons a heavy weapon, a unit of guardsmen will be called to operate the gun. This does not apply to vehicles.
Acolyte of Mars: An acolyte of the mechanicus will volunteer their services. This acolyte will not be under the User's direct command, meaning it is up to the User to ensure its loyalty.
Munitions Timer: This will cut all spawnable items by an hour; this can be taken eleven times. (If this is chosen, then Battle Supplies will be locked)
Battle Supplies: The timer will not stop even in the middle of a firefight. (If this is chosen, then Munitions Timer will be locked)
Fearsome Presence: Those under the User's command will NEVER retreat and fight to the last if morale is high. Those under the User's control will fight like a cornered animal in the User's presence. Cowardice will cause the User to feel discomfort and even anger; it is recommended to make an example of such scum to boost morale. (If this is chosen, then Schola Practice will be locked)
Schola Practice: The User's troops will be well trained and disciplined; they will take to training faster and lose morale slower than regular troops. The User will be able to command respect and trust through standard punishments than executions. The troops will keep calm in the User's presence and focus on their tasks. Incompetence will cause the User to feel discomfort and even anger; it is recommended to introduce strict training to boost morale. (If this is chosen, then Fearsome Presence will be locked)
Tarphus then noticed that there were others after this. Like how if he chose the acolyte, he could later gain mobile repair stations. Then there were the Munitions trees; one was the ability to get something called exterminatus in a position of his choosing.
He wanted to unlock them all; however, this was so much information to chew through. So, he had to pause and think about the upgrades as he had two points right now.