🏰 The Invitation
The missive came sealed in two layers: one with the House Aldren crest, the other bearing the Imperial Waxmark—a subtle command disguised as courtesy.
> To the heirs of strategic bloodlines:
The Crown invites you to observe the stabilization front along the demon-border. This mission will demonstrate the realities of governance, martial duty, and magical defense.
> —The Imperial Court, Defense Division
Achilles read it in silence, sitting at the edge of a cold stone balcony as wind rolled over the mountain estate.
The System had already flagged the route.
> >>> Border Region: Glaive's Spine — 78% demon breach risk
>>> Escort Force: mixed, underpowered
>>> Commanding Officer: Lord Verrien Aldren (Rank: Decorative)
> They want me in the field, Achilles thought. And they want something to go wrong.
He folded the letter. "Fine."
---
🐎 The Caravan
The convoy was a polished lie.
Thirty riders. Twelve mages. Seven noble heirs—including Asrael, again silent, again watching.
All smiles. All formalities.
None of them fooled Achilles.
Even the guards gave side glances.
At him.
> Half expect me to die, Achilles noted. The other half hope I do.
---
🧭 The Road to Glaive's Spine
The terrain changed fast.
Lush meadows turned to jagged hills.
Farms to burned-out ruins.
Villages to watchtowers sealed in silence glyphs.
They were near the edge of the Empire now—where demon fog drifted between trees like ghosts.
> "They haven't breached lately," the caravan captain said. "But they're close."
---
⚠️ The Incident — Border Outpost 27
Two days in, the caravan stopped to resupply at Outpost 27.
An old wooden fort staffed by only ten tired soldiers.
The commander stepped out to greet them…
…and was dragged back inside screaming.
A moment later, the walls exploded outward.
Demonlings. Gaunt, bone-masked things, moving faster than thought.
The noble heirs panicked.
Some drew swords. One cast a shield.
Achilles?
He stepped forward, System flaring silently:
> >>> Threat Level: Class-C Breach Entities
>>> Movement Pattern: Quadruped dash > Climb > Latch
>>> Countermeasure Protocol: Initiate "Wipe-Lattice"
Deploy: fire.web.impact(line)
Embed: inertia-snap()
Cast: no chant | precision trigger
He whispered nothing. Just flicked his fingers in sequence.
The first four demons ignited mid-leap, their bodies vaporizing in strands of white flame.
> "What—" a mage heir stuttered. "He didn't—he didn't cast!"
But Achilles was already moving again.
---
🩸 The Turning Point
A fifth demon tackled Asrael, claws inches from his neck.
He managed a chant—half a fire glyph—
But it was too late.
Until Achilles appeared behind him and reversed the demon's mana field—freezing it from the inside out.
Asrael hit the ground, panting.
> "You… saved me?"
Achilles didn't respond.
Just walked past the corpse, brushing ash off his cloak.
---
🕶 Whisper Report — Classified
> "Subject engaged in frontline combat."
"Cast nine spells in sixty seconds."
"None verbally."
"None detected by perimeter sensors."
"He was measuring us. Not helping. Not protecting."
"He let three noble heirs flinch before reacting."
"He wasn't sloppy. He was calculating response time."
Conclusion:
Achilles Verentis is not a soldier.
He is a program testing inputs.