Black Horseman of the Night (Part 2)
Seeing that the mercenaries are usually stronger and skilled, I considered evolving my monsters, but the distance to the mercenaries are close. I can't let them know that I have made them evolve. It'll just be a pain in the ass.
The army of six hundred mercenaries mixed with mages, archers, horsemen, and healers versus a "horseman" and a handful of monsters close their distance. The mercenaries bicker to each other as they see those monsters.
"Is that a Umbra Horse? Those things are prideful creatures and he's standing on it?"
"That Flamestone Bull isn't attacking. He must be a skilled Beast Tamer."
"A Thunder Tiger is also bad news, but it's not attacking either."
They continue to speak until a voice silences the bickering.
"Hold it there, wanderer! What are you doing here with the monsters aside you!?" one man yelled.
I see the man in light plated armor with a simple red cape wielding a longsword and shield, pointed at me. I checked his stats.
I try to make sure my voice is deep enough to make sure they're talking to an adult. Otherwise, I won't sound so convincing.
"We are in the middle of a conflict of a Alphonse Yulix and the Red Claw Bandits." I answered in a deep voice.
"I am Trevon Syse. We are aware of the situation of Alphonse and the bandits. Is Alphonse still alive?" Trevon said.
"He is alive and held in prison for his crimes. For the time being. We have sent letters to Noltia and Ergex to settle this matter." I said.
The mercenaries discuss on how will they take it from there. Alphonse in prison, letters coming to the two kingdoms, it's possible that they'll be here soon.
{Meanwhile...}
Meanwhile, there is a few horseback riders behind the army are wondering why are they stopping. They are wearing bright, decorated armor fitting for a person from a line of nobility and fortune.
"Why have you stopped? What's going on?" said the nobleman.
"We encountered a horse rider in black. There are monsters standing beside him too." one mercenary replied.
"Move, I'll speak to him. Step aside! I will speak to this man!" the nobleman declared.
The nobleman whipped his harness and his white horse with blue eyes walked forward. The mercenaries moved out of his way so he could meet me.
{Now...}
I can see the divide forming inside the army and see an aged man with white hair. His white facial hair was trimmed into a shape where I can see a generic cliche villain who appears only to get clapped to oblivion.
I checked his stats as well.
"I am Elliot Cullbring. Mayor of the city of Velron. I assume you have already knew about Alphonse's actions, correct?" Elliot asked with dignity.
"I have." I replied still in a deep voice.
"Then allow me to convey my gratitude to you for arresting the corrupt noble. We'll escort him to Velron prison where it is safer." Elliot said, bowing slightly.
[This statement is deceptive.]
Well, to think he's in bed with Alphonse. How cliche. But since those other nobles at the back are there smiling, this must be an orgy of conspiracy. All thanks to Schwarze's Concealment. Now let's play with them a little more.
"There is no need for that. The Noltian and Ergexian armies are headed to Valtuz to arrest Alphonse for his crimes." I stated.
"Alphonse's actions is our responsibility." Elliot dismissed.
"Alphonse's actions went beyond Ergex's territory. There was bandit activity there, including Nolten Village where 300 bandits tried to invade." I retorted. Elliot and the mercenaries remembered that time.
"300 bandits did try to invade, but all of them were killed by Olken's army. But I refuse to believe it. How can Olken fend off 300 without losing a single person?" Elliot asked.
Word travels fast even in this world, huh? I see Elliot have an idea why 300 bandits get subtracted from the world census.
"It's the Butcher of the Forest." Elliot concluded.
What?! Where did that name come from!? Who's mans is this to make this nickname!?
Whatever, I'll ask him more questions.
"I'll ask one more question. If I do let you reach Valtuz to take Alphonse, can you guarantee your mercenaries not to attack the citizens?" I said.
"I swear on my honor, I will not allow anyone to harm the citizens." Elliot declared. But I got one thing of surprise.
[This statement is deceptive.]
"Then, what is this?" I said, pulling out a piece of paper, rolling down to view the contents in my hand. Elliot and the mercenaries were shocked.
"Wh-what!? How--" Elliot became flustered and stammered upon seeing the paper and frantically searched his pockets.
I turned the paper to me and read only the major details aloud while in a deep voice.
"A royal decree. Residents of Valtuz are to transfer Alphonse Yulix to the city of Volaine unharmed. If not, they will be deemed as enemies towards the empire." I said.
"It is a safety precaution! The people Valtuz has been getting resentful and could kill him!" Elliot shouted in concern. But it ain't fooling me.
[This statement is deceptive.]
"Don't worry, you'll be meeting him soon." I hissed, glaring at him with the intent to massacre the mercenaries without a thought. The Elliot and the mercenaries began to shiver as my deep red aura began to leak out.
"
Within that moment, a burst of flames erupted from the ground and a black four-legged creature with eyes mistaken for blood accompanied by a gray background, its body darker than the moonless sky.
In a glance, it looks like a regular dog with very dark fur, but it had spikes protruding from its back along with abnormally sharp teeth and claws.
"That knight summoned a Hellkin!?" one mercenary said with a trembling voice.
"You...what ARE you? Do you realize what you have done? You have abandoned the faith of the Deities!" Elliot said.
My monsters growled and screeched at them and Mavros came out of the shadows.
"You even have an undead with you...the Deities--!" Elliot said Deities and everything became muffled.
Deities huh? I remember that fucking bitch Arukatha denying me seeing Suzana, ridiculing me, and the other bitches just looked at me like I'm some sort of trash just because I fought against corruption! Now I'm meeting people who worship her and those beside her.
Urgh...I'm getting pissed off just by remembering it.
[Bloodlust activated.]
With the activation, the aura around me exploded forth and dyed everything including the clothes, the grass, the sky, and even the moon into a deep red hue.
The mercenaries, the noblemen including Elliot were struck with fear as what they see is a horseman in black holding a halberd, riding a Umbra Horse along with multiple monsters including a Hellkin, all ready to stain the field with blood.
"Since you like to worship Deities so much..." I said. I began to select their evolution paths.
[Despair Owl > Dark Despair Owl]
[Middle Wind Elemental > High Wind Elemental]
[Firestone Bull > Blazestone Bull]
[Storm Eagle > Great Storm Eagle]
[Thunder Tiger > Storm Tiger]
[Dark Wraith > Umbra Wraith]
"Then y'all better pray while you still breathe. Evolution!"
[Acknowledged. Now evolving.]