The Mantra

Mantra is a mysterious power that resides in every corner of the world. In the books, it was said that Mantras are like a power upgrade to those who use it. Mantra is like air, as they cannot be seen in the naked eyes.

The only place where Mantra is not abundant is where living creatures reside — a living body. Bodies are called Filters, as they absorb mantra but they don't produce and living beings are adept at using it since they are born... but...

Mantra is useless without the support of a stone called Mantra Crystals.

Mantra Crystals are found deep in the earth but they are more commonly known to be found deep inside living beings called Mantroles. Their power is categorized by their color.

Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, White.

Red as being the weakest and White as being the strongest. The stronger the Mantra Crystal, the more they give a powerful effect to weapons they are created with.

Artifacts — Weapons made by people with the use of a crystal. It can be used for everyday chores to fighting support. From improving hearing to sharpening a sword, it is one of the most revolutionary discoveries of humankind.

Mantroles — Normal creatures that are born with a mantra crystal in their body, abnormally improving their body and turning them into monsters.

...

The day before the assault and the day where Duke Evron sets up a base in the border. He gave him a crystal as he asked for something that was bothering him since the beginning.

"How did you know I was planning to attack the La Costre Famly?"

"What do you mean?"

"The Horse and the black clothing... it was all of this day, right?"

Duke Evron said in a monotone voice. Lady Elise just smiled throughout the conversation, as though her face was always like that. To Duke Evron, Lady Elise looked like a mastermind that held strings to people since the very beginning but since the very beginning, Lady Elise never expected this anyway.

Lady Elise was planning to storm the La Costre Territory alone, stalking Lady Melany in the shadows and talking to her like a demon in her mind without getting caught. She was supposed to be taking advantage of Lady Melany's emotion, enjoying the sight of her prey's sufferings, yet, the tides turned to something more fun.

She never expected that a slave trade was operating in the La Costre, it was all luck that she was greeted by a more enjoyable event. She was about to go crazy as she has never killed someone for a long time now, and now she has a chance.

"It's okay if you don't tell, but remember, you cannot kill Lady Melany and Earl Karlos."

"Yeah, I remember that nobles can't be executed, but they are met with a worse fate. A rank demotion, right? And a sin this big, it should be more normal for them to be demoted to a peasant."

"Yes, so please hold back. I don't know why but I can see you itching for some fun."

"Oh? I never really planned to kill Melany since the beginning. I'd predict they would get killed in an alleyway by some hobos that held a grudge to them."

"Then I trust you with that..."

Duke Evron ended the conversation as he left the room. The plan has already started and his army was informed.

At first, they were at a disadvantage, knowing that the first offender would get killed either by defeat or victory. They were also at a disadvantage about their numbers. The La Costre has more soldiers than Le Leon at the moment, but they later changed their mind knowing about the situation.

They were also surprised that one of the main strategists was their Lady Elise. If this goes well, the once Prodigal Daughter of Knowledge will only spread far and wide.

...

In the border between La Costre and Le Leon...

Duke Evron has already set up base. People have already gathered with rectangular shields, spears, swords, and bows. Their soldier should only accumulate to around five hundred of them.

"I will tell you of a strategy that I've always thought of..." — Lady Elise's plan circled Duke Evron as he kept a cool posture with his arms closed.

Lady Elise also ordered the Duke to bring two catapults, a cloth, two medium boulders, and gasoline. He was also ordered to focus on archers, as the need for too much melee combatants is irrelevant.

Yet, the time has appeared, and a patrol has arrived to see that there are camped soldiers in the Le Leon Territory. Of course, the patrolman was furious, as he ran to see that Duke Evron was looking at him like he was waiting for this moment.

"Call your Earl..."

"What?"

"Call him... or you're dead."

"Eeeek!! Alright!"

It wasn't long but the patrolman used a communication crystal as Earl Karlos appeared. A man with a thick mustache, a ball-shaped body wrapped with expensive clothing.

"You better explain this, Duke!"

The Earl looked angry. He did not expect the Duke to do such stupid and carefree attack as Duke Evron walked towards the patrolman as he took the communication crystal and left a simple declaration.

"Simple... I declare war upon your territory."

"You! Do you know what you have gotten yourself in—"

Duke Evron crushed the communication crystal with his own bare hands as it turned to fine dust. He stared at the patrolman as he ran away with his horse like a hare who was about to get eaten by a tiger.

Duke Evron was still doubting this plan, but it's already done. If this goes well, he will certainly be in Lady Elise's debt.

"I hope you do your job well, Elise..."

***

Present-day...

Using the head to the eye scanner, the steel door made a clanking sound as it slightly opened like a machine. She opened it to see that there was a mountain of gold and silvers, from chests to bottles.

She smiled of course, as she was gonna use this money from the very start to make weapons, and with the introduction of mantras, he may be able to improve the gun's overall strength.

She looked at the piles of gold when she stopped, she didn't expect this to be many as she looked at the bag that carried the head.

"Isn't this too small? I remember one gold can help you survive for half a year..."

Lady Elise was greedy and she wanted all of them. There's no way she's gonna skip this rare event as the piles of money in front of her wouldn't run out even if she was to live a hundred years.

It was when her earpiece glowed, the two blue crystals to be exact. The piles of gold and treasures started to move like a bullet as they went inside the earpiece in an instant.

Lady Elise was in shock, as she thought she was gonna die by being crushed by a mountain of gold. Although a luxurious death that you can flex in hell, it wasn't what Elise wanted.

"Now that I'm done here, let's go see the five soldiers.

***

A day passed after they set up base as Duke Evron noticed a storm of dust in the horizon. He knew it was finally the time for battle as he shouted the army who was already ready.

"Don't let your guard down, men! Let this be a victory for Le Leon!"

Duke shouted as the soldiers with shield and spears gathered in one line. Putting their shield in front of them, they also placed a shield at top of the shield at the bottom.

"Use this strategy and it will ensure victory — The Phalanx Formation." — the voice of Lady Elise sprang into Duke Evron's mind again.

Using the small holes at every edge of the shield. It formed a small hole, enough for the soldiers to pierce their spears through and attack the enemy while being at the defensive at the same time.

It was a famous formation used by the Greeks and it held to be a monstrous formation. Although it wasn't the only method Lady Elise prepared for Duke Evron.

"Men, release the catapult!"

Two catapults with two spheres made of rock. This rock was tied with a rope that was connected to a cloth that could cover five houses. This cloth was quite heavy, as it was dosed in gasoline.

It was when he saw an army, larger than Duke Evron's appeared. Yet, they were just like ants, they had no strategy whatsoever. After being closer to the Le Leon camp, the catapult was within range.

"Fire!"

The catapults fired as the rock launched itself through the air with a cloth tied to it. It was like a white flag that spanned meters, enough for a lot of the soldiers to be covered by the cloth.

The piece of cloth covered a large amount of the enemy soldiers, as Duke Evron raised her finger, an indication to fire the arrow.

An arrow that was on fire.

Now, what would happen when gasoline touches fire?