It was vastly different compared to not only the Rover summon but also to me as well.

It has four massive limbs. One in front of it, one behind it, then one to either side of it.

Sort of like a starfish, though obviously it wasn’t one.

All the limbs were equal in size and each one has vicious claws at the end of them.

These claws jut out of its appendages almost like jaws, making it look like it has a mouth on each one of its limbs.

These four limbs all arch upwards, connecting to its fur covered torso.

The limbs also had fur but when compared to the rest of its body, it was the difference between a one year old barnacle and a twenty year old one.

Its torso was quite small and completely covered in such thick luscious fur that it looked like the summon equivalent of a human wearing a coat.

Glancing further up its body I take a look at its neck, it was quite a strange sight.

Malgazar’s neck was incredibly long, easily twice the length of its body, what was even more strange was the head it was connected to.

Its head was bulky, heavy, and bonelike. it looked more like a massive beak than anything else.

If its limbs were positioned just a little differently, or if it had some more physical characteristics like the slime that the Rover summon had, then I would feel cowed.

But as it is, looking at this thing, I feel no sense of power.

Appearances hardly matter though, if it knows how to control mana then I would die should we fight.

Those claws also look quite capable of shredding my flesh.

Just as I’m observing it, it too is observing me.

I don’t see any eyes, nor can I even begin to guess where they are but I know that it's looking at me, appraising me.

“Right uh, that's enough of that. Phaeraxion, you’re give Malgazar the chance they need to assassinate Vaelor. Uhh Vaelor is the leader of this, army of sorts. It’s mostly a conglomerate of bandits and tribesmen. so you shouldn’t have too much trouble. Just kill off Vaelor and the rest will crumble. Well, more accurately give Malgazar a chance to kill him while you deal with the brunt of the Rover forces. Do you understand?” My glorious creator says, conflictingly she says these unconfident sounding words quite confidently.

Or maybe I’m just being biased.

Softly I send my affirmation back, hiding my disgruntlement at Malgazar being chosen for this lofty task while I’m just going to hold back the grunts.

How am I meant to prove my worth and by extension hers if I just let others take the glory?

The Arthian Empire doesn’t strike me as being a meritocracy in the slightest, so even if I’m the reason why Vaelor dies their still give the credit to the one who killed him.

How can I protect my creator if I’m considered mediocre?

But I’m loyal, I will follow these orders and whatever else she asks of me.

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

“Go now.” She utters, the confidence that spills forth from her is overwhelming, far dwarfing mine.

Slowly I take a step forwards, testing who is to be the follower and who is to be the leader among the two of us

I take another one as they fall in behind me.

Either their lust for power is lesser than mine or they have been ordered otherwise.

Or perhaps they’re just as indifferent as the Rover summon, maybe I’m the weird one for caring so much about my summoner?

Oh right, bonded, that was probably why.

There's no camp to stalk through, just anxious soldiers who scatter as soon as I or my compatriot walk by them.

Soon enough we’re outside the formation, which lets me take a quick glance around to figure everything out.

Our army is set up in a semi circle formation, similar to the one that the bandits used against me when I was first summoned.

A solid wall of spearmen armed with shields defends the outer layer with pikemen standing firmly behind them.

The reason for all this is some hundred odd Rover cavalry archers, who are pelting our lines with volley after volley.

A few arrows hit me, sinking into my flesh.

But it's quite a simple matter for me to just dig them out.

As for Malgazar, the arrows just bounce off of its hide.

Just how tough is that fur?

I mean yeah I could regenerate but that cost me my passive mana, which admittedly has increased quite a lot in size but still, I would prefer to not have to regenerate any wounds at all, bah some summons just got all the luck.

The horse archers aren’t really a major threat to our army, considering we vastly outnumber them and I imagine have a fair few cavalry of our own to contest them if they get too zealous.

They’re also in quite a poor position, having to fire up at us since we’re on top of quite a large hill.

The only other hill that surpasses ours in height is the one where the vast majority of the Rover army rests.

After another volley and picking out a few more arrows from my flesh, the two of us start making our way down the hill.

There's not really any need for us to take advantage of the window of time between the archers notching and firing their next arrows but we still take it anyway.

We get shot at once we’re some twenty feet down the hill but after just two volleys the horse archers turn their attention back to the army.

Fine by me, now I can dedicate more of my limbs to locomotion and gain up on Malgazar who’s starting to take the lead.

Its limbs are better at dealing with this type of terrain though, so despite my best efforts, it starts to pull ahead of me.

Instead of properly taking the lead though, it slows down.

Safety in numbers seemed to be something they understood at least, no need to separate until we reached the main Rover army.

Reaching the bottom of the hill we continue onwards, rushing towards the tallest hill, a hill tall so it could be considered a small mountain.

Vaelor had chosen his camp well, getting up there would tire any enemy, not to mention the arrows they would be firing down.

But me and Malgazar, we weren’t an army.

We were summoned creatures, we were impossibilities made possible, we were death for these Rovers.

Then a sudden ball of fire arches down from the Rover camp, calling into question my silent threat.

Thankfully it sails past us, missing us completely and exploding nearly five dozen yards away.

But even still, I can feel the heat.

I know Malgazar feels it too but it doesn't stop moving.

I don’t either.

We would kill Vaelor or we would die trying.

No, that wasn’t the right mindset.

We would kill Vaelor no matter what!