Nature Of Conflict

Chapter 14

Nature Of Conflict

(Day 18)

--Lagoon Forest, Vratis--

A young demoness covered in rags, and cuts, dragged her bare feet through the forest. She was malnourished, dirty and beaten blue. Her hair black and long, her lips and eyes were scarlet red. Four protruding, golden horns bent and covered her head like a crown placed on top. She could hear the howling of her human capturers. They were the same ugly men who violated her mother right in front of her, the same men who lashed their whips on them, the same men who killed her when she wouldn't let them assault her daughter. Anger replaced her sense of fear, encouraging her to survive. She ran through the bushes, and into a dark cave. The cave was a labyrinth, and the little girl didn't know what she would find here, but nonetheless she had to escape the vile humans.

'Survive, Sila'

They were the last words of her mother as she was stripped and stabbed. Sila was a demon of royal birth. Her father was slaughtered by the Current Demon Lord, and in fear, her then pregnant mother flee the Dark Continent, which was under demonic rule. Her mother was an A-rank demon with powers of illusion. Though she successfully hid in a small human village, and gave birth to her sweet, little child a few years later, they couldn't hide forever. Caught by a mage of The Magic Tower, they were chained, to be transported with other demons to dissection labs in the east

The girl struggled to abide by her mother's last wish. As she ran deeper into the maze of tunnels, she met large insect-like monsters. These hungry monsters smelt her from a distance, and chased after her

With panted breaths, she stumbled and dodged. Sila didn't stop moving. Seeing a small hole in the cave wall to her right, she jumped through

Amidst, all the pain, her Status Screen appeared

---Status Window---

Name: Sila Abraxas

Age: 10

Sex: Female

Rank: E+

Curse: [Original Sin: User is a manifestation of sin and can manipulate sins to their desire]

As she read her screen, she was distracted by the sound of dripping water. In front, lay a small reservoir of clean water. It reflected blue, and provided the starving survivor with something to fill her stomach

'Let's stay here for a few days, before escaping'

--Northern Border, Kingdom of Hozart—

The chilling weather grew colder, as snow poured over the soldiers stationed at the border. Most of them wore worn-out jackets, with fleece all over. They covered their ears with gloves, to withstand the temperature, and wore two sets of socks to warm their feet

Lazily walking to their posts, they chatted, and drank booze from flasks when the superiors weren't around. Most men hadn't seen a day of battle in their lives, yet boasted to neighbors back in their hometowns, of dangers that might be beyond the border wall. The pot-bellies hanging, and the panted breath drawing mists in the air, were evidence of a lack of training

"There is never any meat. How are we supposed to work if we aren't fed well", the short, fat man complained

"I know", another agreed. Ironically, he looked like a healthy pig

Their sense of comfort came from the fact that the hundred meter tall Northern Border was never breached ever since its construction, five hundred years ago. It was a symbol of security for the citizens, and a divide between The Dark Continent of the demons and the 'Realm of Peace', where other races lived

It was a cold, uneventful day, like any other, when the ground suddenly shook. A loud boom was heard, and the untrained soldiers, froze in fright. The border wall cracked at the top as a massive hand gripped it. A large head peeked, to see the tiny humans below. Another large boom was heard as much more of the debris fell, crushing the wooden houses upon impact. The soldiers started to panic, falling out of formation, while some archers shot arrows at the hand that grabbed the Northern wall

Alas, it was useless as when a large part of the Northern Wall fell, a deformed humanoid with six arms and thorny armored body, stepped in. It was a hundred and sixty-meter-tall, and had a hole in its abdomen. His intestine spilt out, but it didn't bother the deformed giant. Simply grabbing his intestine, the monster pulled it out and started to swing it around, destroying buildings in its path. The colossal being did stop ever so often to scoop up terrified humans, and munch them like snacks

---Duke Endorsa's estate---

Corrie's carriage entered the estate, and wheeled through the famous Garden of Swords. House Endorsa prided itself on the swordsmanship that carried their House to fame. Many war heroes were born here, each one bringing greater power to its name. After the Royal Guards, the guards that protected the Head of House Endorsa were considered to be the deadliest.

House Endorsa was nicknamed, 'Steel of Vratis', and its current duke was the emperor's best friend

The estate had four separate mansions, with styles reminiscing the Greek Revival. These mansions were painted in the fashion of their names: Rose, Lily, Sunflower and Lotus. They were distinct, but had the same emblem engraved at their entrance, a sword stuck in stone

Today Corrie was come to meet the duke's youngest child. It was a rule set by the previous ancestors of House Endorsa that the head of the family could only bear four children. This rule was set to discourage fighting between siblings, and the so that the head was the family could divide his time equally among his children, personal training, and giving rise to stronger successors. Isabelle was someone her father was proud of. A strong, intelligent girl who worked hard to improve. So, when he heard of S-rank Elf Corrie's request, he immediately accepted. Maybe she liked the girl as well, and wanted to personally train her. Who in their right minds would refuse the request of the famous elf, 'Silver Moon'

A line of maids greeted Corrie to the Lotus mansion, as Duke Endorsa stood with his wife and Isabelle at the end of the staircase. The family, and Corrie politely greeted each other before moving into the guest office. Duke Endorsa was a tall, athletic built, dark skinned man with buzzed silver hair. His wife was five feet five inches tall, pale white, and had blonde hair and hazel-colored eyes. Isabelle had a striking resemblance to her mother, but her hair was curlier

Corrie knew Isabelle was definitely a Child of Destiny, the second she met her. Her brooch was confirmed the fact. Now all that was left was informing her parents

"Ella's boy is useful to have around", she thought

Corrie sat on a soft, luxurious sofa opposite to the Endorsa family, as drinks were brought in by the maids. Once everyone was comfortable, Corrie broke the news

"Your daughter, Isabelle Endorsa, is a Child of Destiny"

It took a few minutes for the revelation to sink in before the duke jumped up. Isabella's mother tightly hugged her, congratulating her luck. Isabelle too was happy

When the excited calmed, her father asked, "How should we proceed with this?"

Waiting for the precise question, she leaned in closer to discuss the future

---Llyn Village---

The women talked about the intricate workings of the runic language, over tea and biscuits, as AJ attentively listened

AJ wore a black, silky blindfold, which was asymmetrically tied, the cloth covering half of AJ's left cheek, but keeping the right cheek exposed. He had also received a haircut from his mother. The sides and back were cut extremely short, and his hair on top was of medium length, and slicked back

AJ was slightly frustrated with his Status Screen display [Pure Truth: ???], but read books on runic language and its understandings, to take his mind off it

When the topic changed to the noble women and turned to gossip, AJ stood up and asked permission to leave and explore the village

The village was muddy still. Puddles remained, as various insects buzzed around. At his arrival, the kids that were slipping and sliding around, stopped to stare. AJ walked towards them with a welcoming smile, bending his knees to meet their eyeline

"What are y'all playing?", he asked a shy, brunette, approximately five years of age

"We were seeing who would slide the furthest", she was embarrassed

"Can I play along?", AJ asked

A brave five-year old, with jet-black stood in front of the girl and asked, "why are you wearing that? Are you blind?"

"No, I'm not", AJ removed his blindfold, "without them, I see too much. I can even see your thoughts as texts above you head"

The kids were awe-struck with AJ's eyes. He wore the blind fold, much to the children's disappointment, and whispered to the brave boy, "I know you have a crush on the girl behind you"

"No, I don't. You're a liar", he screamed, as he blushed pink

AJ was finally allowed to play, after he blackmailed the kid with exposing his secret

After two hours of fun, the kids ran back home for lunch, while AJ travelled towards the Mystic Forest. Not too deep in the forest, he saw a man fighting eight boars, while he himself held three swords. He held two swords in his hands and one clenched between his teeth. His swordsmanship was lethal, and acrobatic, which amazed AJ. When the boars were dead, AJ observed the man's status screen. He was just a D-ranker, but was surprisingly deadlier than most C-rankers because of his polished swordsmanship

AJ walked up to the hunter. He was five feet nine inches tall, with a shaved head and a skinny body

Bowing in respect, AJ introduced himself, "I'm Ajax Maxwell"

"As in from the Maxwell House?", the man started to hang the boar meat on tree branches, gutting them and removing their blood

"Yes, I was incredibly impressed by your swordsmanship. It quite peculiar", AJ commented in a respectful tone

"My name's Zhao. The sword-style is one passed through the generations of the followers of Zen", Zhao continued to skin the animals

"Zen?"

"Yes, it's not a religion, but a practice. Three signifies balance"

"Balance between what?", AJ was intrigued

"The 'neutrality of mind', to achieve balance, you must seek detachment and impartiality too", Zhao preached

"Sir Zhao. I'm willing to learn, both the practice and the swordsmanship", AJ moved closer and stared expectantly

Laughing Zhao asked, "Do you believe all Gods are just, and true?"

"No", AJ honestly answered, dropping his head in defeat

"Good", Zhao started to cut the meat in pieces, "followers of Zen as almost extinct. We also believe our bodies to be as powerful as the mana we use, and the divinity we're blessed with. I'll train you if you agree to me treating you harshly"

"Sure", he quickly bowed to his new master, scared the man might change his decision