Chapter 125

Blurred visions of his soldiers, his friends, being slaughtered by a horde of monstrosities plagued him. Their screams were unending. And as he tried to look away he realized that no matter where he turned it was the same. Death and pain were everywhere. He had seen a fair share of combat but never something so brutal. And as a blade pierced his stomach he finally awoke. 

"Seems like he's finally awake," spoke a man, unknown to General Kanto. 

"I see. Well General I must say I'm surprised to see you still alive. You took quite the beating."

The General, still foggy eyed from sleep, looked around the tent. He saw Kane, an unknown old man, two unknown knights, AND AN ORC!

"SIR KANE!? What is going..." As he was about to ask why this monster was here, he noticed his hands and feet were chains. 

"Don't be alarmed General Kanto, it is but a precaution," said Kane. 

"You led those things to slaughter my men!? Have you already betrayed our alliance!?" 

General Kanto was furious. A man he once respected and trusted, now seemed to have other motives. Motives that apparently involved working with orcs and other foul abominations. 

"It was a necessary sacrifice. We defeated the Kingdom of Kokar as planned. Do not fear I still plan on aiding your kingdom. Our alliance will hold strong for now. Whether you are alive to see it, is another question altogether." 

"What are you planning?" hissed Kanto. Any trace of the former jovial and haughty general was reduced to a defeated, depressed, and furious man. 

"I'll show you," smiled Kane."

"Lo thanks for all your help, you may go and see to the rest of the wounded," Kane directed his attention toward the unknown old man before signaling one of the knights to leave as well.

"Now more will be revealed." 

The Knight returned with another knight, one Kanto sensed was a battle master. They brought in General Kakashi. The man was still dirty, and bleeding in many different places. They put him on his knees. 

"So you took the chance to capture us both?"

"I did."

"You should have killed me. I will slaughter you all," said Kakashi with a hushed, defeated tone. Clearly, his words had no backing. 

"Not yet, first I must say my piece then we can decide what happens," said Kane.

"Good job Fukyo, he didn't give you any trouble I hope?"

The unknown battle master who brought Kakashi in took off his helmet with surprised both Kanto and Kakshi.

"FUKYO!?!" Kanto could not believe it. When did his fellow traitor become a battle master? And why was he following King Kane's orders? 

"None at all. Funny to see how pathetic a man like him can truly become. And hello General Kanto," he nodded in Kanto's direction. 

"I don't get it. Why? How?" asked Kanto with pain in his voice. 

"It does not matter," interrupted Kane. 

"What does matter is the choice I'm about to give the two of you. Join me and benefit is the future of my empire. Become more powerful than you thought possible. Or be prepared for your saga to end here, not glorious, not honorable, just as trash meant to be forgotten." 

"How dare you!" responded Kakashi. "You think I will let you...!"

Kanto watched as the once feared and mighty Kakshi was beheaded. It was a simple and clean strike that happened so fast that even Kane's allies were surprised. The man who was considered was of the strongest battle masters between both the White Sparrow Kingdom and the Kingdom of Kokar, was reduced to lifeless corpse. 

"General Kanto the offer is still open to you."

Despite just killing such a famed general, Kane seemed unfazed and moved on to General Kanto.

Kanto barely believed his eyes. How had this happened? He didn't want to die. He did not want to serve Kane. He was lost, he was upset, he was scared. 

"I...May the gods punish..!"

Before anything else could be said, General Kanto, a man who was loyal and loved by his soldiers, respected by other generals, and trusted by the king, lost his head. His battles had been well known and he could have become a very influential figure if given the chance. Now he was just lifeless meat, to be cleaned up by the orc. 

"Shame really. They could have been useful. What did you find out from Kakshi, General Fukyo?" Kane paid the dead no mind and immediately went back to business. 

General Fukyo was shook. He may have hated his former kingdom but he respected General Kanto. Everyone did. He was the most likable general. They had served together many times. It seemed there was really no going back now. And he accepted that. In a short amount of time Kane had already done so much for him and he would remain loyal. Even if a part of that loyalty was fear. 

"He...didn't have his battle art on him sadly. And we could not get an answer about the traitor in the White Sparrow kingdom," said Fukyo, whose face was still fixed on his old comrade's head. 

"What a pity."

Kane didn't mind not finding out who the traitor was but would have loved to get his hands on the General's battle arts. No battle tome was found on Fullbuster or Kanto either. It was rather upsetting but he remembered most tomes are kept somewhere safe inside the kingdoms. 

"Well finish cleaning up these two and then we will plan our next moves. I think we've earned a break though." 

Kane gave his orders before leaving for his own tent. He knew the perfect thing to cheer him up. 

"Bot let's have a look at these quest rewards." 

[Right away]