It has been about three days since the King’s personal guards captured me. The king has unreasonably charged me with treason and although he wants nothing more than my head on a platter he has no choice but to keep me alive because he needs my strength. We have been retreating towards the capital but our pace has been majorly impacted by the constant ambushes from Demonic Beasts.
Strangely enough only the more powerful Demonic Beasts have appeared. The majority of Demonic Beasts are Luthunians but I have also seen a few Orangumen mixed in. I casually swung my sword and split the last Oranguman in half. After confirming that there weren’t any more Demonic Beast in the area I called my battalion together to distribute some rations and briefly rest. Just as the dried meat was being handed out a pair of diminutive legs stepped out of the carriage that was in the center of our formation.
King Hansen strode towards me with prideful steps and a thick air of arrogance. As he stood in front of me and realized that I was still towering over him he began to smash his royal cane into my knees. For ten minutes he smashed my knees but to no avail ‘Does he really think that he can harm my highly trained body with his feeble strength’. I chuckled in my mind as his face began to turn red and the fake hair on his head began to stick to his face as he began to sweat profusely.
King Hansen: “Urgh! Guards!”
As soon as they heard his voice the king’s elite personal guards sprang to action. There was a guard at my left and right as well as another one right behind me. These guards could all be considered elites even amongst the entire army. The minimum requirement in joining the personal royal guards is being able to single-handedly defeat a C rank creature such as a Luthunian or a troll.
As the guards came close to reaching me I released a small amount of my Aura which sent the guards as well as the king flying. I walked over to where the king landed and as he laid there with dust all over his clothes I made my anger obvious in my voice.
“I allowed you to capture me once in order to give face to the previous king your father!”
I then unsheathed my sword and used it to point the king’s face towards me facing him to make eye contact.
“But that is the last time I will show my respect to the previous king by submitting to you!”
I placed my sword back into the sheath on my hip and walked back to my battalion. As me and my battalion snacked on the dried meats and stale bread that was our assigned rations some of us couldn't help but look at the other side. On the other side of the camp the other battalion was feasting on freshly cooked soups and various roasted meats all prepared by their private chefs. A large figure suddenly sat right next to me.
With his massive six foot six inch height and bronze skin bursting with muscles it was easy to recognize Vice Commander Argin. The numerous scars on his bald head and face were clear signs of his experience.
Vice Commander Argin: “Ahahaha! Looks like the little Porcelain boys had their mamas send them some snackys for their itty bitty tummies!”
Argin’s voice boomed throughout the camp. As soon as my battalion heard his words the jealousy and anger on their faces were replaced with grins as they all began to laugh. The other side of the camp however did not seem to appreciate his remarks. As the other camp turned red with anger and embarrassment the sound of swords being unsheathed could be heard. Then a lone figure stood up and made his way towards my battalion.
I easily recognized him as Henry Latican the youngest son of the Latican family. He was a supposed sword prodigy who surpassed his instructor at the age of eight. After turning twenty he joined the Tenth Battalion and instantly became the Commander.
Commander Henry: “Excuse me sir Argin but may I enquire about the meaning of your words just now?”
Commander Henry’s voice was devoid of any anger or frustration but the fair skin on his face was clearly struggling to remain passive. With his short brown hair all combed to the left side of his face combined with his deceiving smile it was easy to see that he was the son of a noble.
Vice Commander Argin: “What needs enquiring? I called your lot a bunch of Porcelain boys.”
Commander Henry: “I am sorry to say that I still don’t understand. What is a Porcelain Boy.?”
Vice Commander Argin: “Hahaha! Boy I would have thought that you and your battalion would be familiar with Porcelain considering that you’ve all been eatin off it your entire lives!”
Following Argin’s voice my battalion instantly raised the volume of their laughter and began grabbing their stomachs while Henry’s battalion grew even redder.
Vice Commander Argin: “Let me make it even clearer then. You and your entire battalion are like a bunch of Porcelain. Nice and pretty to look at but easier to break than a child’s candy Hahahaha!”
Even I couldn’t help but smirk at Argin’s comment. Porcelain Boy was a term my battalion created to refer to those who only joined the army to make their noble families look better. The calm look on Henry’s face disappeared as the smile that was once there was replaced with an expression of disgust and ridicule.
Commander Henry: “Oh I am so teeeerribly soorry. I had almost forgotten that the commoners battalion was joining us on this expedition. I never meant to wag our wealth in the face of beggars.”
Vice Commander Argin: “You shitty brat! Our name is the Twelfth Battalion!”
Commander Henry: “Ha! Everyone knows that the Twelfth Battalion is made up entirely of commoners and military academy rejects. All the Battalions have received honored names from the king. Compared to our Silver Dragon Battalion every single one of you is disposable!”
Henry then quickly unsheathed his rapier and lunged towards Argin. Henry was certainly skilled with his sword. The entire action was fluid and happened in less than a second but the arrogant and smug look disappeared from Henry’s face. Argin never wore armor. On the lower half of his body he only wore leather trousers and metal boots while his upper body was completely bare except for a single steel shoulder plate held in place with leather straps. Everyone was silent as all the laughter died down.
Henry’s rapier struck Argin’s chest head on and yet it couldn’t pierce through his skin and penetrate his heart. Argin grabbed the rapier and snapped it into two using only his thumb. He then grabbed Henry’s head and lifted him three feet off the ground.
Vice Commander Argin: “hahaha! You shitty little brat launching a sneak attack and aiming at a vital area must mean that you yourself are prepared to die!”
Cracking sounds could be heard as Argin tightened his grip and blood began to flow from Henry’s Face. Things were beginning to get out of hand so I finally intervened.
“Argin let the poor lad go. Can’t you see he’s already soiled his trousers?”
Everyone in my battalion turned their eyes towards Henry. The Brown stains on his trousers combined with the foul odor in the air caused my entire battalion to once again erupt in laughter.
Vice Commander Argin: “Alright I’m letting you off this time Porcelain boy. But remember this .Before I joined Triston I was known as Argin the Bear Ripper. The reason I don’t use armor or weapons is because of the confidence I have in my physical might. Crushing your skull is as simple as crushing a grape.”
Argin then threw Henry at a tree so hard that the base of the tree exploded. I grinned at Argin as walked back to our battalion.
“Thanks for going easy on him”
He grinned right back.
Vice Commander Argin: “Anything for you boss”
Despite my objections the king forced us to continue traveling at night. He threatened to annihilate my entire battalion with his magic unless I obliged so I had no choice but to go along with his stupidity, for now at least. A few hours after we began traveling a loud horn blasted through the silence of the night. I immediately rallied my troops together.
“Demon Horde! It’s not a simple wave! Fortress formation!”
Upon hearing my orders the entire battalion instantly snapped out of confusion. All of our heavy armor units formed a wall in the front while the archers climbed the trees in search for a higher vantage point. The horns blasted through the air nonstop spreading panic throughout the forces. Thirty minutes, for thirty minutes we stood in formation with no sign of the Demonic beasts other than the loud booming of their war horns. Then we saw it. The largest amount of Demonic beast gathered in one point.
There were hundreds of thousands of Luthunians blanketing the forest. They flew in the air and marched through the land. Amongst those Luthunians were thousands of Orangumen all glowing with a fierce blaze. I was already alarmed at the sheer number of Demonic Beasts but then my heart sank. At first I thought that they were small mountains but then I noticed that they were moving. There were five Giarilla Kings marching our way.
‘This is not good’ I saw the faces of all my troops and they had lost any confidence that they had once had. In order to pull the moral back up I had to do something drastic. I jumped over my men and charged at the Horde of Demonic Beast head on. I fully activated my Battle Aura and was instantly engulfed by silver light. My Battle Aura alone was enough to turn any nearby Luthunians into ash and with each swing of my sword an Oranguman would split in half.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
As I continued to slaughter the Demonic Beast I heard the sound of combat from behind me. I turned around for a brief second and was relieved to see that fierceness was once again visible on the faces of my troops. We continued battling for what felt to be an hour and yet there didn’t seem to be an end in sight. The tenth battalion had already lost over half their forces. I quickly retreated to the back of the frontline and found Argin carrying a wounded soldier.
“Quick, what’s our condition?”
Vice Commander Argin: “We’ve lost a quarter of our archers and a tenth of our Heavy Troopers. Half of our total forces are injured but are still battle ready.”
As I was devising a plan for our current condition the King’s voice boomed through the air.
King Hansen: “Silver Dragon Battalion retreat to the back and protect me! Commoners Battalion stall the enemy forces and buy me some time to activate my magic!”
I was doubtful at first that the king would be able to do anything but then I remembered the might of our previous ruler King Thio. The memories flashed through my mind in an instant as I remembered how the previous King would fight on the frontlines right beside his soldiers and how his magic used to turn the tide in battles that had been completely hopeless. I wanted to believe that this King would somehow grow into an amazing and honorable man like his father so I decided to put my faith in him one last time.
“You heard the King! Twelfth Battalion forward!”
With the tenth Battalion now gone from the frontlines the force of the entire horde crashed against us. We took up a completely defensive formation and took the entire brunt of the attacks. My body began to feel heavy as I swung my sword for what seemed to have been the millionth time. I looked to my side and almost all of my troops were heavily injured and yet they continued to push on just because I had told them to. More and more of my troops were cut down as the time passed. Finally the Kings voice once again boomed out.
King Hansen: “I who wields the blood of ancient origin commands the magic of my ancestors. God’s Barrier!”
A black light shot out of the king’s hand and flew into the sky. The light exploded midair as ancient letters appeared in the sky. Then a black transparent barrier formed from the ground and reached all the way into the sky. The barrier was like a wall that seemed to stretch out endlessly. My body froze as I saw the king on the other side of the barrier along with the Silver Dragon Battalion. Some of my men ran up to the barrier and began to bang their fist on it.
Soldier #1: “What are you doing?!”
Soldier #2: “Let us out!”
Soldier #3: “You can’t do this!”
King Hansen: “You should all feel honored that your lives have been used to save mine. Come let us return to the capital”
The King stepped back into his carriage and he led the Dragon Battalion back towards the Capital. My men quickly fell into despair and our formation broke. The Demonic Beasts rushed in and began cutting down the men one by one. They were getting slaughtered and yet they didn't fight back, it was as if they had lost the will to live.
My heart ached and my blood felt ice cold. Was I wrong for believing that he would step up at a critical time and become like his father? Was I simply blinded by my devotion and honor for the previous King? I to began falling into despair. However I realized that I owed these men for believing in me and following my commands. The only way I could repay them was to do everything in my power to help them out of this.
“Everyone do not lose Hope. We are not the Commoners Battalion! We are the Peoples Battalion! Tell me, who do we fight for!?”
Entire Battalion: “The People!”
“That’s right! And as Soldiers who fight for the people how can you all lose hope!?”
” I looked around and saw some life return to my soldiers' eyes.
“Hold these Beasts for a moment. I have a plan.”
Entire Battalion: “Yes sir!”
There was a new fire in everyone’s eyes as they fought with newfound fierceness. I retreated to the back and examined the barrier. I stabbed my sword into the ground and pushed my palms together. I used my sword to purify my Battle Aura into Sword Aura. Lines of silver light flowed into my sword and returned to my hands as golden light. After converting all of my Battle Aura into Sword Aura I stabbed my hands into the barrier. The gold light illuminated both my hands as they struggled to pierce the black barrier. Sweat ran down my face as I struggled to concentrate all of my power into piercing this barrier. My hands finally broke through and allowed me to rip an opening in the barrier.
“Hurry everyone retreat!”
All of my men were ecstatic to see an opening in the barrier. They rushed out one by one while I struggled to keep the tear open. As the Last injured soldier was carried out of the barrier I let go of both sides thus allowing the barrier to close up.
Vice Commander Argin: “Boss what are you doing!?”
I looked out to my entire battalion.
“I am sorry men but it doesn't look like I can lead you all anymore. If these Demonic Beasts are allowed to continue on their path then surely many families will perish.”
I turned away from my men and once again began battling the Demonic Beasts. I had used up all of my Battle Aura creating an opening in the barrier so I was forced to rely on my physical abilities and sword skills. I swung my sword once and twelve Orangumen heads were sent flying. I swung my sword again and twelve Luthunian heads went flying. I continued fighting like this.
Soldier #1: ” Amazing! With one swing he can kill numerous opponents”
Vice Commander Argin: “That technique is what got him the nickname Twelve Fanged Wolf. With just one swing he can produce twelve slices.”
I realized that my men still stood there waiting for me beyond the barrier ‘I am honored to have been able to lead such loyal fellows.’ I roared as I continued fighting.
“Men I hope that you will all follow my last Command! I command you all to live full lives and to experience as much happiness as you can so that I can smile in my grave!”
I kept my focus on the battle but I was still able to hear the men behind pound their chests.
Entire Battalion: “Yes Sir!”
With a smile on my face I activated my final trump card. My skin began to burn and to turn to ash revealing a body made of light pure light instead of muscle. My sword disintegrated and reformed using the same gray light as my body. After my transformation finished I charged into the heart of the Demonic Beast Horde. My speed was now on a level that was incomparable to before. I was at least fifty times faster now.
Everywhere I went I left a trail of slaughter. After Killing Hundreds of thousands of Luthunians I charged towards the Giarilla Kings who were still miles away. The Giarilla Kings were truly monstrous. Even in my current state where all my abilities were fifty times greater than before I was still forced to use my Twelve Fang Slash while focusing each slash at the base of their necks. After about a hundred slashes the Giarilla King Finally lost his head. Even from this far I could still hear their voices.
Soldier #1: “This is amazing! I didn’t know that the Commander was capable of Transcending! With this the commander should be able to slaughter all of the Demonic Beasts!”
Argin: “I’m afraid it isn’t so simple. The fact that his original body turned to ash is a sign that he is forcing his body to perform like a God’s. In the end forced transcendence always leads to the user’s death. Let us go and follow our leader last command. That is the last way we can honor him.”
As Argin’s voice disappeared I could hear him leading all the men away ‘Thank you Argis’. As I continued to battle forcing my body well beyond its limits I began to feel the Divine Energy within me slowly fade away. With three Giarilla Kings still standing I knew I didn’t have enough in me to battle them all. I began to agitate the Divine Energy within my body and thought back upon my life. As the Energy within my body grew more violent and chaotic I couldn’t help but think of my wife ‘I bet you think I’m a real hypocrite don’t you. I hated you for leaving me and your daughter but now I am about to do the same. Is this how you felt when you forced your Transcendence? At least now we will be able to watch over Luna together.’ My wife’s face and Luna’s embrace were the last things I thought about before a thunderous explosion and blinding white light pulled me into darkness.
Author's Note: Hi everyone I am sorry that this Bonus side story came out a little late but my wifi was acting up yesterday. Anyways I hope you all enjoy this little side story. Tell me what you think.This was my first time writing a large battle scene such as this so I am not sure on how well I did. Thank you all for reading see you all later :D[/b]