The sounds of cannon fire drew an audience. Children and curious spectators climbed buildings to view the spectacle. A crowd formed at the entrance of Hueryss's gate. Bold beastkin wormed themselves atop the walls to watch the cannons fire into the empty fields below. Craters of earth exploded into the green fields as the cannonballs blasted the ground relentlessly.

Fritz was amongst the guard commanding their every movement. The promise of power kept them obedient and quick.

"Fire!" Fritz yelled. The twelve pound cannons boomed as the guard ignited the gunpowder. The cleaners moved immediately into action clearing the bore of any remaining sparks. "Reload! Reload!" Fritz yelled out. A pair of guards pushed the gunpowder cartridges down the bore.

"Halt! Halt! Wait just a moment!" Fritz commanded. His ears rang. The deafening sound of the cannon inside the gatehouse deadened all sound. "I've got something special! Something different." Fritz announced. "For mass infantry, the cannonball is not especially effective." The beastkin within the guardhouse hung on his every word as he spoke. "When there are too many targets, and the enemy gets too close, consider using grapeshot. It's extremely effective against mass infantry. Instead of one single giant cannon ball. A spray of smaller projectiles will cover a larger surface, allowing you to-"

"Slay more vampires!" One of the guards interrupted him.

"Exactly!" Fritz pointed towards the beastkin who spoke up. "You are exactly right! Incidentally! Grapeshot is extremely effective in city combat. Consider using it, if you have a horde massing in the streets. Who knows? Maybe, just like Napoleon, you too can become an Emperor with the proper use of artillery."

"Champion! I shall not abide by your vile tricks and battle wenches! Face Rayazan the slayer! Blood shall repay blood!" All heads within the guardhouse turned to see the newcomer entering the guardhouse. The nuisance beastkin was back. Waving his longsword in the guardhouse, Rayazan challenged Fritz to another duel.

"Who?" Fritz asked. He crossed his arms in "I don't remember you. Ada? Do you remember this guy? Why'd he call you a battle wench?"

"No. I mean.... Ada stopped for a moment as she thought backwards. "No. I don't remember him. Did I beat him up in that tournament?" Rayan's face turned positively purple in stark contrast to the undisturbed ram horns upon his head.

"I like this 'battle wench' name. Such a sexy and dangerous tone to it." Brenn said. "What about you Neva?"

"Hate it. He should die for saying something that stupid." She gruffed, puffing on her pipe.

"Should we kill him boss?" One of the guards asked, shooting a thumb towards the interloper.

"Why are you threatening the champion?" Another asked.

"Do we have a problem here?" A guard asked as he reached for a mace.

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"Champion, is he bothering you?"

"Do we need to teach him a lesson?"

"Do we get more cannons if we beat him?"

More guards reached for their weapons, as they moved towards the interrupting beastkin.

"Hah! You are a coward! Are you afraid to respond to my challenge?! Face me like a man! Stop hiding behind others!" Rayazan taunted.

"Perhaps we should perform some live target practice?" One of the guards responded.

"Just get rid of him!" Neva yelled.

"Justice punch!" Toshi the gi-wearing catkin shouted. His fist connected with Ryazan's kidney, staggering the beastkin. His battle harem screeched in delight as a crowd of guards descended upon the stunned interloper. A mob of beastkin surrounded Rayazan kicking and stomping him repeatedly. Toshi and his women walked confidently past the turmoil towards Fritz.

"Champion! My battle harem has informed me of your path of progression! Although I wish to battle you, I will stay my blade, as a greater purpose drives me. I have never seen such a cultivator as you! This disciple humbly asks you to teach my battle harem your secrets! The path to the heavens is long and winding. Yet within you, I sense a true cultivator!" Toshi, with his hands before him, bowed deeply in respect. "They seek the power you promise, and I will oblige their wishes! Justice and my dream require my beautiful harem to be strong! They must protect me when I am wounded and your strange weapons have intrigued them! Please! Let us learn of your cultivation techniques!"

Fritz started rubbing his temples. Looking past Toshi, he briefly glanced towards a guardsmen kicking Ryazan repeatedly in the face. Grimacing in pain, Fritz quickly looked away.

"Uh sure. That's fine. So long as you help defend the city." Brenn moved closer to him, as she batted her lashes at him.

"Cutey. Are you really giving those girls attention when I'm right here? Why aren't you paying attention to your own harem? Your battle harem is feeling neglected. As chief battle wench I deserve more attention."

"Hah! A champion should have a strong battle harem! Champion! This is not good! You must never neglect your battle harem! Without my beautiful harem's guidance I would be lost in this strange world. Never neglect them! A true young master must fulfill their needs! Every night if needs be! Dual cultivation techniques will help you advance your grade." Brenn elbowed Fritz in the ribs.

"You hear that cutey?"

"I don't have a harem. Toshi, your more than welcome to join us. We've got a spare mortar." Fritz responded. Breathing in deeply he took a moment before gathering everyone's attention.

"Everyone, please be patient. I will have more weapons for all of you very soon! Weapons with which you will be able to slay dragons and the coming undead!" The crowd hung on his every word. The guardsmen stopped kicking Rayazan. "Please be patient for now. Watch and learn. I promise, anyone who follows me will have weapons and armor to turn you into fearsome warriors. What I am showing is just a fraction of my power. There will be more to come!" Fritz moved towards Ada. "For years, my companion Ada had dreamed of an enchanted sword!" Fritz's eyebrows twitched. His eyes darted towards her sheathed blade commanding Ada nonverbally to draw her sword. The blonde wolfkin did, displaying the onyx rapier. It thrummed with a hidden power as it glistened menacingly. The blade screamed for his blood. Fritz ignored it continuing on. "I created this weapon for her, to slay the goddess' enemy. All who follow me will find themselves similarly equipped. The goddess believes in you. I cannot slay her enemies all by myself. Follow me, and I shall empower you to fight. Glory awaits you. Let us seize it, together."

All heads turned towards Fritz. Hidden wishes and desires pressed into him, like an overbearing tide. Neva frowned, as she saw the situation unfold. Her hard blue eyes watched Ada with concern. The guard house erupted, chanting his name. Ada lifted Fritz into the air, as the guard swarmed him with praise. Nestled against the wall Gaspard clapped slowly for the champion's growing popularity.