A wise man once said, “If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared.” And right it front of me is a tower of corpse in which I personally created.
“You’re a monster! The gods shall punish you for what you have done!”
I looked at a man as he clings to a corpse of a child who I assume was at the age of 7. A soldier immediately slit his throat, silencing him forever.
As that man breathed his final breath beside his child, I gaze towards my surrounding. Corpses lined up as far as the eye can see. Both men, women, elderly, and children.
“Burn the bodies, if you find any identification make sure to record it.” I shouted at my troops.
“Sir, The total casualties from both side is—“
“No need to tell me, I’ll get going now I’m quite hungry after this battle. Make sure to clean up, so beasts and demons won’t be attracted by the scent.”
“Yes Sir!”
That moment signified the end of the 14 years of war.
“Are you proud of me master?” I uttered.
----------------------------------------
As I arrived in the castle using the teleportation gate, people looked at me with disgust and fear. My armor bloodied, my hair turned red from the blood of my enemies, and a blood trail following me as I rode my horse on route to the keep.
“That’s the demon who doesn’t bat an eye and will even kill women and children without hesitation.”
“It’s rumored that he wears a mask to hide his monstrous face.”
“According to the knights as they spectated the battle he killed hundreds of men in one fell swoop!”
“At the age of 17 at that, he truly is a monster!”
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“Shh! Be careful he might hear you and take revenge on your family.”
The murmurs of both nobles and common people as I pass by them. Of course, I did not really pay heed to it because today is a special day.
I arrived at the throne room, clothes still bloodied and hair still red.
“Your Majesty, Commander of the Order of the Fallen Roses, Sir Hildenn Lethrain is in your presence.” The prime minister introduced me with a horrified expression.
My footsteps could be heard as it rang in the silent throne room. Commanding respect and obedience, I faced the king and looked at him straight in the eyes.
“Yo- You have succeeded with the task you and your order have been assigned to. I commend you for defending our kingdom from the occupation of the Kingdom of Colette.” The king said, while obviously trembling from fear as I look at him.
“Bow your head Lethrain! You are in the presence of the King! You even dare disrespect the crown by wearing such things!” The head knight shouted as he was about to unsheathe his blade.
My guards and the vice commander immediately pointed their blades onto the throat of the knight who tried to threatened me.
“Enough, I’m hungry so let us keep this meeting short. Commander of the Order of the Fallen Roses, Hildenn Lethrain. Returning from the battlefield. Emillia, stand down.”
As I said that, the guards who pointed their blades unto the head knight immediately stood down.
Then the King spoke with sweat running down his forehead.
“Well done Sir Lethrain. I hereby grant you a wish in exchange for your achievements.”
“Your Majesty, please accept my letter of resignation. After 4 years of being the commander, I have concluded that it is probably time for me to retire your majesty.”
The throne room was throne into chaos. Many shouted their protest to what was spoken. Even my vice commander, Emillia was shocked.
“W- wh- what are you talking about!? Resigning!?”
“Yes, your majesty. If you are worried about my successor, I believe our current vice-commander Emillia Rose would do well, her grandfather, the previous commander would agree to this decision too.”
The nobles inside the throne room protested.
“My King, losing Sir Lethrain in our army would be detrimental! In addition, HE DARE APPOINT A WOMAN! Please reconsider your Majesty!” The prime minister pleaded.
“We had a deal your majesty. Or are you trying to backdown from it? I won the war as you’ve commanded, you gave your word that you’d allow me to resign. I have been fighting as the commander for 4 years, don’t you think I deserve this much. I have achieved more things than those who’ve served you for decades.” I said as I glared onto the King.
“Th- that is true Sir Lethrain, B- but you’ve only been in the army for 8 years. For an excellent commander and soldier such as your self don’t you think that’s a waste?” The King said to me.
“How old am I your majesty?”
“Wh- what?”
“For your information, this year I am 17 years old. At age 9 I joined the army out of sheer desperation to live. I met my predecessor and my master who taught me all that I know of. Your majesty, I have been fighting a war that I have loathed since the first day I joined the army. I won you the war that took the only person that mattered to me, and yet you deny me of my wishes?” I grab the hilt of the sword to project fear.
“V- very well! I shall allow you to resign from your duties. But the new comm—“
“That will not change your majesty, Emillia will be my successor and that will not change. I did not come here to ask you permission on who my next successor will be. I just needed to inform you. In the first place the Order of the Fallen Rose is under the jurisdiction of the House Rose, not the Royal Family, you do not have authority to veto my decision. My master and I taught her to be able to wield both sword and magic, your Majesty. She is also more capable than anyone else in this room to command my army. Her skills as both warrior and a commander are enough to replace me. She is already 20 years old, about time she inherit the Order of the Fallen Rose and the Duke House of Rose. I shall take my leave now.”
The audience with the king ended as I left the throne room. As I left king’s palace, no one could utter their protest to me out of the fear that they will experience my wrath afterwards.