chapter 10

Chapter 10

Silence fell on the battlefield, only disturbed by the whistle of the cold wind blowing through the valley. Elion slowly removed his sword from the lifeless body of the black ogre, the dark and thick blood dripping along the blade. His breathing was calm, but his muscles were burning under the effort.

Behind him, the soldiers stood frozen, their eyes wide in front of what they had just seen. A Tier 4 creature, dueled by a single man. It was a feat reserved for the greatest warriors in the kingdom, and yet Elion had done it without showing any sign of difficulty.

"Majesty!" cried Veyla, rushing towards him. "Are you okay?"

Elion wiped the blood off his blade with a slow and precise gesture before sheathing it in its scabbard.

"It's okay."

His gaze turned to the battlefield. The other black ogres were slowly straightening up, growling and regrouping. Two of them were trying to drag the body of their slain congener backwards. They were smart. Much more organized than Elion expected.

"Veyla," he said calmly.

"Yes?"

"They're testing our defenses."

Veyla frowned.

"Creatures of this level are not supposed to have this kind of strategy."

"Just." Elion watched the creatures retreat slightly." It's not just a monster attack. Someone or something controls their movements."

Veyla remained silent, her gaze hardened.

"If that's the case..."

"Then the kingdom is in greater danger than we thought."

Elion turned to his troops.

"Archers, reform your ranks!" Cavalry, protect the flanks! Don't let any ogre cross that line!"

"Yes, Majesty!"

The soldiers complied immediately. The archers formed, their shiny mana bows as they reloaded their arrows. The horsemen formed two distinct lines, their spears pointed forward.

"Veyla, with me."

"Good."

Elion advanced towards the center of the battlefield, his icy gaze fixed on the black ogres. The creatures retreated slightly at his approach, as if they felt the danger emanating from him.

One of the ogres uttered a piercing howl, and the ground shook beneath his feet. Five other creatures leaped forward, their claws shining reddish.

"They're reinforced with black mana!" exclaimed Veyla.

Elion squeezed his jaw. Black mana was a forbidden power, coming from corrupt ancient rituals. If these creatures were manipulated by a source of black mana, it involved the intervention of a high-level mage or worse, a demon.

"Stand aside!" ordered Elion, raising a hand.

An icy breeze swept the battlefield as he concentrated his mana in his sword. A blue glow burst around him as intricate symbols emerged along his blade.

"Hold the line!"

Elion propelled himself forward, moving at a supernatural speed. He split the first ogre with a sharp blow to the throat, blood gushing into a dark bow. The second ogre tried to attack him from the flank, but Elion pivoted, his blade releasing a shockwave that tore the creature in half.

"He's... faster than before..." whispered Veyla as she watched the scene.

Elion was already on the third ogre, his blade penetrating the creature's chest. The black mana crackled around the wound, but Elion stepped up his energy, dissipating corruption in an explosion of blue lightning.

"It's impossible..." whispered an archer.

"He fights like a tier 5 warrior..."

Elion felt the pressure of the mana in his body increase. He was crossing his boundaries. The level of his own energy reached a higher threshold.

"It's evolving..." realized Veyla.

The last ogres hesitated, then retreated, disappearing into the dark mist that thickened to the north.

Elion slowly lowered his sword.

"They're running away?" asked Veyla, surprised.

"No..." Elion looked up at the mist. "They go back to their master."

A thrill swept the battlefield.

Elion turned around, heading for his troops.

"We have won this battle, but the war is just beginning."

He walked up to his horse and saddled up, his eyes cold.

"Go back to the castle. I want a detailed report on every injury and every loss within an hour."

"Yes, Majesty!"

Veyla approached, staring at Elion with a mixture of respect and worry.

"You evolved, Elion. You feel that energy, don't you?"

Elion closed his eyes for a moment. He felt the mana flowing into his body with a new intensity. He knew what that meant.

"I've moved to rank 5."

Veyla nodded slowly.

"If you keep progressing at this pace... you could become the most powerful warrior this kingdom has ever known."

Elion opened his eyes, his gaze shining with a cold glow.

"This kingdom is going to need a powerful king."

He pulled on the reins of his horse and set out for the castle. Behind him, the soldiers followed in silence, the weight of victory mixed with the tension of a threat still lurking in the shadows.

Elion knew that this battle was just a prelude.

Someone, somewhere, was manipulating these creatures.

And he was going to find out who.