The goliath named Gruv

The screams of dying men, the sound of metal clashing against metal, the scent of war and carnage in the air. It's been a while since Rudeus had the opportunity in stepping forth on a battlefield once more, he can't but feel a bit nostalgic and crack a smile

Drinking ale and taking trips at the whorehouse was fine and all, but nothing beats the thrill of crossing blades against a damn strong warrior, and his opponents right now are the exact definition of that. Almost all of them were finely tuned war veterans that showed no fear of death...

Even as multiple volleys of arrows are being fired one after another, Even though most of them are being shot down as they ran, they showed no hesitation and continued to push forward

"Hehe, these bastards know the name of the game..."

With Arthur's plan, they were able to put them in a position in which they were able to pin down their enemies and pick them off one by one, Rudeus was actually surprised about their formation when they talked about it after the meeting...Despite being young he knows his stuff about war...

The plan he thought of was so well made that Rudeus knew that they'd be able to wipe out the enemy should it continue, and the enemy knew this as well...but even he couldn't believe that they'd all perform a suicide charge...

But as stupid as it seems, this may be the simplest and most effective way to turn the tide of battle. These bandits knew that they have the knights beaten in terms of raw power and strength, the moment they switch the tide to close-quarter combats then they would surely have them at a severe disadvantage

The archers would be decimated the moment they reach them, and while they have cavalry, they won't be enough to swarm them in...Which means-

"We win if we hold them off and allow our backline forces to pick them off one by one!"

Rudeus screamed in delight as he turned to his comrades. In comparison to the battle-hardened bandits, all of them clearly looked like newbies, fledglings that haven't even gotten a taste of war. But even so, he could clearly see the resolve that they have in their eyes...and in all honesty, Rudeus couldn't help but admire them for not running even though they know the people they'll fight are ones that aren't afraid to charge a volley of arrows...

"Alright men listen up!"

He raised his sword overhead which glimmered in the morning light and caught the eye of every knight nearby. He then pointed it toward the charging bandits and shouted

"Now is the time to show me what you're all made of, you bastards have all been talking big during our drinking sessions so I expect you to back up that talk! By the time this battle ends, I want your armor and swords splattered with so much blood that they would get rusted! Our enemies are savages, and to it takes one to beat one!"

The eyes of the knights widened in surprise...and it was only natural. After all, within the city walls, they knew Rudeus as a kind knight, a man of honor and chivalry that did his duty and protected the weak...And a complete drunk the moment night falls...

But now on this battlefield, he was like a completely different person...

"Cast aside those teachings of chivalry and all that bullshit! It has no place on this battlefield! Today we charge to kill so that we could all drink together once again on another day! I want you all to humiliate our enemies so hard they'd ask the almighty father to kill them once they're in the heavens!"

"Ahahaha!"

The hearty laughter of the knights resonated throughout the forest. The archers glanced at them with concerned looks before focusing their attention back on the charging bandits. They were quickly closing the distance with each passing second, showing no signs of slowing down despite the volley of arrows...What greeted them was a smirk from Rudeus, and a loud shout...

"Charge!"

Rudeus shouted as he ran toward the enemy

"Howwaaah!"

And the knights followed suit. Their cavalry unit was quickly charging at them from behind, and it didn't take long for all of them to make contact, with Rudeus taking first blood. He pulled out the sword that he had plunged through one of the bandits' chests and looked at his surroundings

It was a complete mess, they all curse and stab wildly like the very savages that they were all fighting. Complete amateurs, the lot of them...But Rudeus couldn't help but smile, for he too once flailed like the fledgling that he was looking at...

"Now then..."

He took up his blade and charged at the nearest bandit. If he wanted their vigor and their bloodlust to be ever so intense...Then he needed to stack up the bodies himself, after all, what not better way to boost morale than to see your enemies dead?

"Die you imperial scum!"

The bandit raised his weapon overhead and attempted to bring it down, but he was too slow in the face of Rudeus' speed. He was able to cut off his head and swiftly move in for the next kill, the bandits surrounding him all looked in surprise at his astonishing speed, he was like a wild animal that was pouncing from one prey to the next

His sword pierced one heart after another, his movements were swift and precise. It was apparent to the bandits that this wild beast was a dangerous foe

The wind brushed through his hair as the blood of his enemies sprayed his face and armor, he could see their cavalry unit making quick work out of them from the side as well. It seemed to be going well so far...Until...

"Graaaaaah! Is this what all you wussies have to offer?! Pathetic!"

This giant has been a real pain in his neck. He has cleaved every knight that he has made contact with so far, which honestly made a gruesome sight. The archers were taking more precise shots now instead of volleys, and despite most of them setting their sights on him, he was still able to wrack up a tone of bodies. All of the knights surrounding him looked understandably frightened and began to back off

Rudeus saw this and immediately charged in without a moment's hesitation, he used the knights as a distraction and moved behind his blind spot, he was about to plunge his sword down his neck, but he suddenly felt a chill crawl up his spine...he saw his battle-axe closing in, and he immediately retreated

"Gruaaaaah!"

The giant began to spin along with his battle axe. Normally one would seem ridiculous doing something like this, but with his power and size, it was no joke. Rudeus retreated back and looked for an opportunity to strike, but what he failed to realize was that he wasn't in a duel, he was on a battlefield...

"Ggh"

"Ack..."

"Help m-"

"No!...Shit!"

And whenever Rudeus retreats, the giant would quickly goes for his other men, who are helpless against his strength. He quickly charged back in, the giant was still spinning despite it being a full minute already, Rudeus tried to stop it by plunging his sword in the midst of it, but this only sent him flying a few meters...

"Damn it..."

Rudeus quickly rose from his feet and charged back again, he knew he had to stop this monster from spinning unless he wants to lose more of his men. And if the weight of his sword wasn't enough...

"Then what about this?!"

He jumped a few meters above the spinning giant and observed him carefully. He knew that he had to time this right unless he wants his entire body to be sliced to pieces...Time seemed to slow down, and after noticing the right moment he plunged the whole weight of his body down at the axe which completely stopped it...

"Wha-"

Rudeus could see the look of surprise on the giant's face, and he enjoyed every second of it

"Got you now you oaf!"

He quickly moved his sword and slashed his chest, blood began to spurt out like a fountain, his screams of pain satisfied Rudeus more than a hundred whores, and the he believed that he would feel better the moment he was able to cut off his head so he had wasted no time...

The full weight of my body is keeping his weapon down on the ground, there was no way he could counterattack...That's the thought that was coursing through his mind as he swings his sword towards his neck, unaware that the hands of the giant are already off his weapon

"Graaaaah!"

The giant quickly slapped the sword away using his mere hands, and using that very same thing, he sent a punch down Rudeus' stomach which shattered his armor and broke every bone it made contact with

"Gagh!"

He could only gasp for air as he was sent flying off the air, his body tumbled a few times across the cold ground before he literally pushed himself to get back up. The pain in his stomach was intense, his vision was wobbly, and he could feel himself passing out at any second, but he gritted his teeth and stared at the enemy

Other than the wound that he had inflicted, he could also see the injuries that he sustained while fighting the frost mage. Yet despite this, he was still on his toes...Though he is also gasping for air like a wild animal just as Rudeus was...

"Hehehe, you sure are one sturdy bastard...Damn savage..."

"Kuku, I could say the same to you, Imperial scum. With your build, I was certain that my fist would've finished you off by that one swing. Seems that you're sturdier than you look"

Saying this, the giant cracked a smile and raised his giant axe to his shoulders

"My name is Gruv, knight of the former Vaneland kingdom"

Rudeus couldn't help but be surprised, after all for a knight to mention his name before battle indicates that he recognizes the opponent he's facing to be an equal or powerful opponent, it was basically a way of showing respect before the carnage begins...

"Oh dear, I was certain from your insults earlier that you see all Imperial knights as bugs?"

"If you're talking about those wussies, then yes I still see them as bugs. But not you...I could tell, you have the same eyes as us. Eyes that have stared in the face of death and embraced it, you're different from them"

"Hmph, suppose you're right about that..."

Saying this, Rudeus also raised his sword overhead

"Rudeus of house Campbell, Captain of the knights guard under Lord Arthur of Dragonmourn. Prepare yourself you little shit!"

Both warriors let out a war cry as they braced themselves to charge at certain death, but before either warrior could move an inch, they heard a shout resonating throughout the entire battlefield

"Boss! There are reinforcements coming in behind! There's too many of them, we can't hold off!"

It came from one of the bandits, and true to what he said, reinforcements of the knights came in from behind. They number up to twenty in total, and they were completely decimating their backline. This, along with the rapid archer fires puts them at a very serious disadvantage now. They won't be able to close the gap even with their experience...

Realizing this, Gruv closed his eyes and shouted at the top of his lungs

"All of you, retreat! Run as fast as you can and head back to camp!"

The bandits looked in surprise, but ultimately they laid down their weapons and turned tail. Rudeus watched them all run for their lives before turning to Gruv who had his back turned against him

"You're running? So much for a soldier of the Vane..."

In response to this, Gruv clenched his axe even tighter before sparing him a glance

"There is no victory to be had here, only death...And while we would gladly face that any day, we have something special in store for you bastards...And besides, I've wasted the lives of too many men today"

"Heh, whatever you say bud. All I hear is that you're too much of a wuss to continue the fight"

"...Your time will come, knight. It won't take long before the Vaneland kingdom will rise from its ashes...It's only a matter of time now..."

Saying this, Gruv ran as fast as he could, dodging the rapid arrow fire and outrunning even the fastest of horses. Rudeus could only laugh at how absurd the man was before his back was suddenly lying flat on the ground...He let out a sigh of relief as he looks at the bright morning sky

"...Haah...I think I got a bit rusty from being away at the frontlines..."

"Captain!"

His comrades quickly rushed to his aid and carried him up to his feet. He felt a bit embarrassed as the captain, but he quickly realized that it was his fault for being so careless so he didn't deny the help of his men. Once he saw some of the knights that came in as reinforcements, he quickly asked them...

"You were supposed to keep watch of the Frost mage right? Why are you guys here?"

The knights unconsciously shivered in the face of the sharp glare of their captain. And amidst the fear and confusion, one of the knights stepped up

"About that...he sent us back here under his orders, Ser Rudeus. He mentioned that you and he already talked about this and...he prepared some sort of note?"

After hearing the complete explanation Rudeus let out a sigh. True to what they said, they had already talked about something like this...Though he had expected that he would bring in guards regardless

...But what is done is done, he could only let out a sigh as he looked at the sky once more

"...Bloody hell, you better make sure you know what you're doing milord..."