Chapter 169 : The Carnage (Part 1)

The quiet Blumund village came back to life with the return of the hero who saved this village 9 years ago. The villagers were gathered around the big bonfire in the center of the village to celebrate his return tonight, brimming with excitement

"For Ray Houston, my son who came back! Cheers!!" Adam cheered for his son with a big smile, lifting a big mug full of beer and spilled some of it to the ground with the sudden movement.

"CHEERS!!!" The villagers all cheered in unison for the main character of this night–Kiritsuka Rei, also known as Ray Houston, who's now standing beside his father at the center next to the bonfire.

"WOAHHHHH!!!"

The joyful scream from the village resounded throughout the forest around them, and their faces were flushed with happiness.

The adults began to drink like there's no tomorrow.

The kids were dancing and playing with one another.

However, a certain group was having an intense conversation among themselves.

[The King of Dragons] and [the King of Dwarf] sat next to some of the children of the village, passionately retelling the story of a certain young man, who fought against an army of evil monsters in the Northern region.

"It went like–BAM! He jumps forward towards the hoards of monsters with only an axe!" She gestured with her arms, "He fought against the dragon with several weapons he had prepared. Fighting with no comrades by his side, he wasn't a hero but a knight that saved the North!"

And the children erupted with excitement.

Including Hans, James and Bob who sat behind them, were deeply engaged with the story as well, "Woahhh!!"

"And here comes the main character of the story!" Ignia then pointed at Rei who approached them out of curiosity.

"Hm??" Rei halted his steps from the sudden attention. All of them were looking at him with sparkles in their eyes after Ignia told them his story.

"As expected of my aniki!!" Hans spoke out with tears streaking down his face, James and Bob as well.

"What is happening...?" Rei muttered in confusion.

[The King of Dwarf, Doldain] approached him, "My King was just telling them about the story of your journey in the North." He spoke while chugging down a glass of beer.

"Aahhh...no wonder they are looking at me like that." Rei replied as he could still feel their gaze.

Emily approached him from behind, "Of course! Onii-chan is very famous among the kids! After what you did in the past, many kids got inspired to be as strong as you!" She spoke with proud looks.

"Really? I didn't do much at all." Rei replied with a small smile.

But that didn't convince the children, especially his childhood friends who had personally seen him in action.

Doldain laughed and smacked his back, "There's a limit to how humble you are, but...I guess that's one thing I like about you!"

Rei felt pretty awkward with the attention, especially after living in seclusion for years.

'But...I don't hate it.'

'I guess... I'm relieved that they know me as [Ray Houston]' and not his other identity–[Knight of Wrath, Crimson].

Rei smiled at the thought, feeling as if a burden was lifted off of him.

Ignia and Doldain who sat back beside her, watched the relieved smile on their student's face while being surrounded by the children.

'Yes, what you need now is to relax...not as someone else, but as your true self.'

'With the people who know you, appreciate you, not because of your title...but because of your bond and love that was given even in a short time.' Ignia thought inside of her mind, the answer that Rei needed now.

Doldain glanced at her and muttered, "You really care for him...My King."

Ignia then got up from her seat, "Hmm? What do you mean? I always care for my student! Especially...him." she replied with a smile while her gaze was focused on Rei.

Doldain smile as well seeing her reaction, "I know I know, my King."

The two of them continued to watch their student, having such a joyful night together.

Meanwhile, the adults were gathered in a spot on the other side of the bonfire, with Ray Houston's parents at the center of the attention.

"Hahaha! As expected of my friend's son! He grew up so well!" Their old friend who's also the guard of the village was having the biggest blast.

"Come on, you shouldn't be that loud, Nel!" The other adult scolded, while laughing at his drunk ass.

"Hey! I was the one who taught him that spear technique!" He felt so proud, and lightheaded, probably due to the alcohol in his system.

"You barely teached him anything! Hahaha!" The other adult pointed out.

"That's true...then he must be a true genius! Hahaha!" Nel laughed along while cheering loudly.

Meanwhile his friend and the father of that young man, Adam looked somewhat disturbed as he held his own cup.

Nel noticed his odd behavior and stumbled his way beside him, straddling his arm around his shoulder, "Hey, old pal, still thinking about what she said?" As he reminded them about their conversation earlier.

*******

"Right now, your son is in a state where he has no idea what to do next." Ignia spoke about Rei's condition.

Adam and Sheila were confused by her statement, "What do you mean by that?" Adam asked.

Then Doldain joined, "The state that my King is talking about, is where he cannot live as a normal human being."

"Normal...human being?" Sheila repeated.

"Right, I did talk about him absorbing an [Ancient Dragon's Heart] that he obtained after defeating the dragon." Ignia spoke.

"Y-yeah...is there something wrong with it?" Adam asked further, deeply concerned.

"Well, [Dragon's Heart] was known to be the most precious material in the world and high rich of mana, which can be either used to forge as a weapon or to make someone even stronger." Ignia explained.

"T-that's true...since [Dragon's Heart] is hard to obtain because defeating a dragon is nigh-impossible unless you are an S-class adventurer." Sheila supplied.

The others were surprised to hear that, especially Adam and Nel.

"How did you know that?" Adam asked, a bit dumbfounded.

"Well...my job is an [Alchemist], so I need to have some knowledge regarding materials that can be used to create a potion."

"And [Dragon's Heart] was among them." Sheila explained.

"Woah." Adam was at a loss of words, and was now looking at her in admiration,

Ignia laughed, "Hahaha! I guess apples don't fall far away from the tree, to think your knowledge is on the same level as your son's!"

Sheila flushed at the sudden praise, "R-really?"

"Yes really, if you were living in my Kingdom, I would vouch you as my personal [Alchemist]!"

Sheila smiled, "I politely refuse." And bowed her head while rejecting her offer.

"Aaaahh! I got rejected!" Ignia dramatically put her hand over her chest

And then she giggled, "Hehe~ this is fun."

'What a peculiar person.' Looking at her antics, the three adults shared the same thought.

"But I am curious...what kind of secret are you hiding." But when Ignia spoke, her eyes were fixated towards them.

"...?!" Which made them freeze for a moment, as if they were nervous about this [hidden] thing that they hide.

"Then again...I don't want to strain my relationship with my disciple~ so I'll let it slide." Ignia shrugged while smiling at them.

They were somewhat relieved about that, feeling the atmosphere lightened up a bit.

"But...according to what I read, having to absorb a [Dragon's Heart] could make someone several times stronger." Sheila continued their conversation.

But Ignia lifted her right index finger, "No, it's not several times stronger...they will become very powerful enough to destroy a whole Kingdom."

"K-kingdom?" Sheila stuttered with wide eyes after Ignia corrected her statement.

"Yes, absorbing [Dragon's Heart] is not only absorbing an enormous mana, but the soul of the dragon that once lived."

"When they absorb it, they will receive the power of the dragon itself, depending on which dragon that is compatible with the owner, they need to pick and understand their nature and element." Ignia explained.

"Or else...it could be disastrous." And ended it with a warning.

"W-which is...?" Sheila asked.

"They could become a [Monster] whose sole purpose is to destroy anything in sight." Ignia answered her.

"T-then..." Adam could guess what she was going to say next.

But Ignia shook her head, "No, your son isn't at that phase, his body is compatible with the [Ancient Dragon's Heart]."

"I mean, he did win the tug of war against that dragon within his head." Ignia answered to assure them.

Sheila and Adam sighed in relief.

"But the problem isn't at the heart or any visible injuries." Ignia finally got to the point.

"The problem...lies in his mental state." Ignia answered.

"M-mental state?" Adam repeated.

"Indeed, the problem lies in his mental state; your child is currently at the state where he was forced to mature more quickly than he should have." Ignia spoke.

"....?!" Adam and Sheila were surprised to hear such a problem existed.

"W-what's wrong being like that?" Sheila asked.

"There will undoubtedly be several problems, because the mind is more delicate than the body." Ignia answered her.

"I'm not saying that he can be controlled by a measly [Mind Control] magic, since his [Mental Fortitude] is stronger than any steel." Ignia rephrased, "But...because of that [Mental Fortitude], he will slowly be incapable of feeling joy nor happiness."

The three of them understood what she meant by that.

"Children cannot and shouldn't be forced to mature. It's a slow and long process, just like placing the foundation of a building and even the basic skill." Ignia explained.

"But skills and mind are different."

"If one improved their basics, they could learn a new and advanced skill."

"But what about the mind?"

"The more they grew accustomed to it, the more they lost the ability to experience other emotions in order to endure the tremendous burden that would eventually come into their lives." Ignia explained little by little.

"And that child...had surpassed his childish mind, he began training frantically and racing towards his own demise as if something were chasing after him." Ignia spoke.

"He is now at the pinnacle of the path he had hoped to reach, but sooner or later he will realise...that it is too late for him to return to a place he once called home." Ignia looked straight at them.

"So...I beg you, as his teacher...for you two as his parents, please give him the love and care that he wanted and needed, no matter how much he changed." After that, Ignia bowed her head along with Doldain beside her.

Adam and Sheila were surprised by her words, but it's the truth.

Their child had experienced many things, based on the story they received about his journey and battles.

Especially when he was declared to be dead after missing for 7 years.

After that, the conversation had come to an end.

*******

Going back to the present…

Adam and Sheila were watching their children mingling with other children from the village.

Tears began to stream down their face like a waterfall upon seeing the smile on their son's face.

"Hey, you guys should—woah?!" Nel approached them and was surprised when he saw them crying, and their tears were starting to fill up the cup in their hand.

"Nel...our son grew up perfectly!" Adam cried.

"I'm glad he's doing so well." Sheila sobbed, wiping her tears with her handkerchief.

Nel sighed at the sight, "You guys really are hopeless, but I agree...your son has grown up into a splendid young man."

"Sooner or later, he must leave the nest to make his own." Nel spoke while watching him from a distance.

Adam and Sheila watched their son in comfortable silence, reminiscing the times when he's just a child.

A small innocent child, who had grown so fast that they couldn't see him as a child anymore.

And the thought caused them to cry again.

"Oh, come on!" And Nel had to deal with these two adults who adored their son.

Meanwhile, Ignia approached Rei who's currently talking with his childhood friends and his little sister, "My disciple, do you have time to talk?"

"Do you need me for something?" Rei turned to look at her, blinking in slight confusion at her question.

"My apologies little ones, I have something to talk about with him." Ignia apologized to them and dragged Rei out of the picture for a private talk.

They were perplexed, but they decided to not question it because it appeared to be something important.

Rei followed Ignia from behind, he was curious as to why she suddenly dragged him out of the crowd and into a quiet spot behind his house.

When Ignia turned around, Rei immediately knew she's scheming something just by looking at the oh so familiar smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Did you have fun?" Ignia stared right into his eyes.

Rei looked at her warily, "Of course, I do...it's been a long time since I saw them."

"Are you nervous?" She asked.

"What...do you mean?" Rei replied, unsure of what she's getting at.

"Because the way I see it...you seem afraid." Ignia spoke, her smile dropped a bit.

"Afraid...?" Rei repeated.

"Yes, it appears to me that you're scared of your family finding out that you've changed into something hideous." Ignia replied.

Rei's expression didn't change, but he let out a defeated sigh nonetheless, "As always...you are very sharp, Master."

"Of course i do! We've been together for 7 years, even without using [Dragon Eyes], I can tell by your poker face." Ignia smirked proudly. "So...what is it, that made you so afraid? Is it about your change?"

"You know that your parents have accepted it, and they will not change their view towards you." Ignia explained to reassure him of their stance.

"I know...but sometimes I feel like…even with this power, something can still slip away from my grasp." Rei replied sincerely, eyes shifted down to his open palm, clenching his fist.

"Then...is that why you have been distancing yourselves from your family?" Ignia spoke.

"Yeah." Rei answered.

"But how about Ray Houston, the host of that body?" Ignia asked while pointing out the obvious.

Then, Rei's golden left eye shone for a moment, "We've already come into an agreement." And the one who talked now was Ray.

"The war and the future that I foresee will come, and I do not want anyone that I hold dear getting involved in our fight."

Then his red right eye shone together with the golden one, "Yes...we are afraid of the way they change their view after seeing the real me." Rei spoke.

"But...I must move forward...even though I might change into a hideous monster..." Ray spoke.

"Or...piling mountains of corpses and creating a sea of blood from our enemies." Rei spoke.

"We shall be the monster they wished to be...in order to protect what we love." The two of them spoke simultaneously .

Ignia looked at him with a smile, then closed her eyes, "Heh, I see."

However, the moment she reopened her eyes, they transformed into piercing dragon eyes of a golden color, "Then show me that belief of yours."

"The [Chaos] that was hidden this whole time." Ignia stated.

"Yeah...I know, starting now." When Rei spoke, his eyes looked away to something far away.

Where he sensed something.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

When it was late night, where everyone went back to their house to sleep…

Two individuals were standing at the edge of the cliff far from the village, observing the village like vultures.

"To think such a splendid fortress would be standing this close to the border." The man with sharp eyes spoke.

"Maybe they are hiding some secret in that place~ it is the Kingdom we're so familiar with after all~" The man with spiky hair spoke.

"It could be...since there's no information regarding this place, but it is a good start to gather some material for Minerva-sama." The man with sharp eyes replied, there's a "Rose" tattoo on his neck.

"Indeed~" The man with spiky hair replied while licking his lips with his pierced tongue and the same "Rose" tattoo on his left forehead.

"But it seems surveying the area around that place is impossible, Darius." The man with sharp eyes called his partner's name.

"Seriously? Even with your skill? Cyrus?" Darius replied by calling the name of the man with sharp eyes.

"I sent some monsters to scout...but it was immediately cut off." Cyrus replied.

"Something is hidden in that place." Cyrus concluded that with his keen observation.

"Aand??? We still need the [material]...since the war is getting closer or else, Minerva-sama will be disappointed in us." Darius frowned, poking his arm to remind him.

"What do you suggest?" Cyrus replied while shifting his eyes towards him, clearly irritated.

Darius grinned widely, "Isn't it obvious?" then spread his arms wide, "...we shall march through!"

He declared, showing the view underneath the cliff. There's a horde of [Monsters] gathered into one spot.

Cyrus looked down with a smile, "Suit yourself, though do you think bringing 99 monsters against that place would be enough to destroy that place?"

Darius grinned wider, "Of course! But to make sure the plan works, I will be joining in."

"I see, with you...it'll be 50 Hobgoblin, 20 High-Orc, 25 Beast type monsters, and 4 Unique Monsters."

"Now...we have the perfect number to lay waste to that fortress and gather the [material] for Minerva-sama..." Cyrus stated. "for the Empire."

"For Minerva-sama, for the Empire!" Darius declared as well, then jumped off from the cliff to join the monster's army.

The plan was clear for them: Darius, the leader of the Monsters army, would march towards the village. With 50 Hobglins and 25 Beast type monsters inthe front, 20 High-Orc in the middle while 4 giant [Unique Monsters] stayed hidden behind them.

Cyrus, on the other hand, watched them from afar as they marched through the forest towards it. He stayed behind because if something unpredictable happened, he could still retreat and report to the Empire about what he saw.

But...

The thing is.

Something really unpredictable happened.

Darius, who's on his way to the village, saw something flying towards them.

"Hmm?" Darius looked up, "Is that..."

*SWOOSH*

"A GIANT FIREBALL?!"

Just like he said, a giant black fireball coming towards his way and...

*BOOM*

And it fell on the Hobgoblins army directly, which annihilated most of them.

Cyrus almost fell from where he stood, "W-what...was that?!"

The monsters started behaving abnormally, covering his sight. Darius couldn't see what's happening.

The smoke from the blast slowly dissipated and revealed a silhouette of a man.

'Who...?' Cyrus couldn't see the culprit, but he could be sure that...

It was an enemy far stronger than anyone he ever met before.

Cyrus's hands began to tremble, 'My monster instincts within my body...are telling me to retreat.'

'But I need to see and make sure to report every last detail...of this...enemy to the Empire and Minerva-sama.' Cyrus decided to stay and observed a little more.

Once the smoke completely disappeared, it revealed a man wearing a full plate black armor with red lining and ornaments around him.

The slit on his helmet began to lit up, showing two shining lights–red and yellow.

Then a cape med out of black flame was ignited, which completed the true form of this knight.

Darius decided to jump up and stand on a tree branch, watching the whole scenery from on top of there.

'Who the hell is he?!' Darius broke a cold sweat as he could see the scorched ground from his landing. Right in front of his monster's army to top it off.

The Hobglobins, that appeared to be powerful and threatening due to their abnormal size, were quickly turned to ashes upon touching this black flame around this man.

The army's size was cut in half, causing disarray from the monsters which began to feel the enormous presence from this man.

The man who appeared in front of them was none other than Kiritsuka Rei himself.

Rei looked up, his eyes already set on Darius who's observing on the back, behind the monster's army.

"So...who are you—"

But before Rei could ask him.

"Attack him!!! With full force!!!" Darius commanded the monsters with his mysterious power along with this nasty aura around him.

The monster's army that was going to retreat was forced to run towards Rei mindlessly due to his command.

*GRAAAAAAAA!!!!*

The High-Orcs began their war cries and ran towards Rei without knowing the full danger they were in.

"How rude." Rei spoke.

Five High-Orcs raised their giant club then swung it on Rei with full force.

*THUNG*

It hit his head directly, which caused the ground to crack due to the pressure from their attacks.

But...

*GRRR??*

The High-Orcs were confused, the human before them didn't budge at all despite receiving their full strengths.

"If the guard from my village got hit by these, they would surely die." Rei muttered.

"But you guys are out of luck...for meeting me at this time." As the black flame began to engulf Rei's body.

*GRRRR?!*

"[Agni]." Rei released a wave of black flame from his body, causing five High-Orcs that attacked him went perished into ashes just like the Hobgoblins that were unable to react to his attack.

"....?!" Darius and Cyrus, who watched the scene from afar, were surprised by him.

"Hmmm, the firepower seems stronger than usual, is it because of [True Flame]?" Rei muttered.

"Either way, I need to stop using it, or else I might burn the whole forest." As he spoke the black flame suddenly dissipated from his body.

Then...

*CLANK*

He suddenly grabbed something on his side, pulling out a giant black axe [Behemoth] through thin air.

The aura around Rei began to change when he released this sinister aura.

"With this many pigs(High-Orcs)....doesn't it seem proper to butcher them instead?"

As Rei declared, he smiled upon the carnage he was about to do.

To be continued…