Chapter 105: The New Heroes

The commotion roared more and more for their arrival, the four heroes waving to the people with care and consideration, the heroes looking like a traditional set of adventurers one may find in a tavern, down to the old clothing wore well back in the past. The Knight, dusting his armor to ensure no mess was left in its metal, was the first to speak up. "We, The mighty warriors of Synoni, are thankful for your contributions. We, The mighty warriors, have ensured that the brutish barbarian no longer dwells within these castle walls. Ensured that the Barbarian is nothing more than a figment to the imagination. He is no Hero, but a Savage. A Warrior that destroys and harms. A Warrior that us four must repair from our own hands. Please pay respects to the Royal Queen who decided this choice, and the legendary warriors that assisted in preventing this squabble from ever causing further harm. Thank you, and have a Good Day." Such a speech would be met with a storm of applause and cheers, much to the confusion to the children.

"Well, Brutish is one thing, that's for sure. Bit harsh to kick him out over it, y'now?" Solomon would comment.

"Plus, I thought he was...y'now....THE guy. Why are the people suddenly so happy he's gone?" Stolas would question.

"Wait yeah, Good point. Not to mention that there's over fifty of these books. You can't just replace a guy like that for someone else. What do you think, Ha-. . . Oh." Zazel would add, looking to the direction of Harvard for his answer, before seeing such an answer in his very face. The boy's face was cold. Staring daggers directly at the four individuals, his eyes being like a cat, a predator, ready to unleash fury upon his very prey. The other children would take notice and try to avert the catastrophe, but as the crowd would clear out, with most following the statue to ensure it is taken elsewhere, the Card Magician would make his move, approaching the four. His steps were heavy, almost acting like he would break the ground and fracture it in two, with the other three desperately pushing and pulling the boy away, yet to no avail, he kept going forward. His eyes were focused, and his breath was harsh. It wouldn't be long before the child was able to reach the heroes, and said heroes took their notice to the boy.

"Can I....help you, young man....?" The Knight would ask, raising his eyebrow in a snobbish manner.

"Yes, actually. You could. What do you MEAN GWOG was a Brute!? IS YOUR BRAIN BROKEN OR SOMETHING!?" Harvard would answer in a harsh manner, trying to get closer, yet the arms that were around him merely act as means to pull him back, with the assistance of his friends being to ensure no blood would spill. The heroes would laugh to themselves at this comment, all except for the mage, which seems to be somewhat skittish, automatically making Harvard consider her the least offender of the bunch. "Eh!? What's so funny?? You better explain yourself!" He would demand to the other three, with the Spearman kneeling down and having a wide smile on his face, very much separate from his public showing.

"THAT guy is just a big meat sack. A Savage that thinks with his weapons, not his head. Tell me, are YOU Brain Damaged, lil' guy?" The Spearman would state, before the Archer would add on to such words, kneeling down in the same height, looking at the boy with a similar expression.

"Plus, aren't yous a LIL' too old to care for a giant like that fella? He'd prolly be scarin' the daylights outta yous with his figure, big oaf he is." The three Heroes would laugh at the Archer's Comment, seemingly being aware she is pushing the child's buttons, as evident by the boy nearly blowing a blood vessel from their comments. Zazel was fully aware of this expression. It was one which he had way back in Oaking, where his temper would go off. One of his eyes would twitch, and one of his hands balled up into a fist, as the trio of heroes continued to poke and prod at the child for such an interest to the Barbarian. Within any second, Harvard would be one spell away from decimating the entire kingdom and leaving no witnesses behind, with Zazel hoping to calm the child down in his usual method. The Card Magician acknowledged his friend's reasoning and attempted to take a deep breath, before another shoddy comment was thrown at him, though instead of his idol, it was something far worse. "And who's this demonic pest? Last time I recall, you're nothin' but hooligans that curse people. You kids shouldn't be doin' Satan's job, now should yah?" The Archer answered once more, with the Knight adding on further fuel to the fire.

"Probably sold his soul for some more friends, most likely. Brat doesn't even look like he even makes any. What a pathetic runt he is..." The Knight and company laughed once more, with Harvard now starting to get pissed off even further. He'd gnash his teeth a bit, trying to not bring himself into killing them instantly, before the Knight talked once more. "Oh, what's the matter, runt? Can't fight back at all...??" He'd speak, his last sentence being in a baby-ish manner as if he was patronizing the boy. That was until Harvard came up with an idea.

A Cruel, Cruel idea.

His expression changed from violent anger to a sadistic grin. "So...YOU are the new hero's in town, huh? It just so happens that....WE are also Hero's in a way. I wonder....would you be up for fighting against a child in...lets just say a series of missions to complete. How does that sound?" Harvard would ask, much to the confusion of the other children, to which he'd simply give a wink towards them. The Heroes would laugh at this idea, before Harvard continued himself. "If you don't accept it. That's fine. I don't mind if you chicken out against a couple of kids. A hero must be wise in picking their battles overall, less they look stupid." Such a comment would cause a chain reaction, one that he didn't expect to happen, as the comment would cause the bodies of the three to twitch and turn, the Mage being a bit scared and backed off to prevent further fueling for the fire. Their expressions changed from being gaudy to sheer malicious intent, the Knight even raising his blade to try and hold it against the child's neck.

"ARE YOU TRYING TO TEST ME, BOY!? YOU DIDN'T EVEN DROPPED YOUR BALLS YET, YOU REALLY WANT TO TRY AND SCREW WITH US, BRAT!? YOU REALLY WANT TO TRY AND TEST THAT PITIFUL LUCK OF YOURS!?" The Knight would demand, vitriol being spewed from his mouth.

Harvard, holding the biggest smug, merely moved the blade to be right under his Adam's Apple, the blade nearly touching his throat. "Yes. Yes I am." He demanded. The Confidence was almost palpable, as the child merely stared down, sword ready to cleave his neck in two, and the Knight having every urge to do it. Yet, despite such desires, he stopped himself. He'd pull himself back, preventing the chop from ever happening. A newfound respect, if at least from the pride in challenging such a man.