Chapter 831: The Real Raze’s Body
The fact that the Light Faction and Alter were closely linked didn’t come as a huge surprise to Raze.
One of his first instances of running into a mage figure was fighting against one of the Elders of the Dawnblade Clan.
The fact that he could use magic, and seemed to somewhat know the name of the Dark Magus, always made Raze believe there were a few links.
“You know, the Dark Faction and Demonic Faction, the clans don’t know the real power of Alter.”
“Even those that work for Alter, like me, have friends they’ve made in Pagna, and different areas they call home.”
“Because of how Alter was built up, it’s hard for them to act on their own. So what do they need to do? They need to use someone else to do their bidding and support them as much as they can. If they can’t do it with the Dark Faction, they’ll do it with the Light Faction.”
Raze could already see it. Alter had gathered artifacts from all different dimensions and all over Pagna, with the goal of making the world a safer place.
Now they had such power-if they gave it all to the Light Faction, they would quickly become a powerful force.
However, if they did so, stating they were just trying to help the Light Faction, it would have been a lot harder for them to do, or get people from Alter to help them.
“Alter already has a large number of their people in high positions, even some as Clan Heads in the Light Faction, so it’s not hard for them to do,” Himmy continued. “Of course, Alter didn’t tell me this stuff.”
“I ran my own investigation from time to time, rather than just blindly following their programmers like the others.”
“You mentioned these programmers before,” Raze said. “And this Deleter-what are they? What is the system of Alter in the first place?”
Himmy went on to tell Raze the layout of the Alter base, where it was located, its secret location, and how everything worked in the place.
“The Deleters, along with the items and the Light Faction, are all a dangerous combination to deal with,” Himmy continued. “If I were you, I would choose to target one of them.”
“Maybe the Light Faction is your best bet, but since you are one of these factions, remember you’ll always have other things to worry about.”
“Unrest from within your own faction, unity among your people, and the Demonic Faction as well. I wouldn’t exactly love to be in your position.”
It was the golden information Raze needed, though. Knowing where the base was and what items he could use for himself gave him more options than before for what he could possibly do. The issue was if Alter had found some way to bring people over.”
At the moment, did Raze have the strength to go up against the Grand Magus? He was close, but he was unsure, and it would depend on whether they were on their own or not.
“I am curious about something, another question of mine,” Himmy said. “I’ve watched you for a while. Are you able to use Qi and Mana at the same time?”
“I am,” Raze answered, wondering why Himmy was asking the question, and remembered what had happened to Safa when she had learned magic.
“Is it a problem… with Pagna warriors?” Raze asked.
Himmy nodded.
“It is… but I might have to reevaluate the information I know. As far as we are aware, Pagna warriors are unable to learn magic.”
“If one has a Qi core, then when trying to create a Mana heart, the Qi will act to protect it and destroy the Mana core around the heart, killing the person on the spot.”
“If a person learns magic first, although they have a Dantian, they can’t use Qi, but they can fill up the Dantian with Mana, allowing them to use Pagna martial arts.”
“In a lot of cases, mages that learn Pagna martial arts are even stronger because they almost have an unlimited amount of Qi.”
Raze remembered back to the fight with the Elder and how tough it was. He had yet to meet another individual like that.
“But because of this, Pagna arts and magic can’t be used at the same time. So Pagna warriors can’t learn magic, but mages can learn arts but can’t use them at the same time. Yet you were capable of both at the same time-just how is it possible?”
Raze thought about an answer for a while. This was information he was missing himself. Now he understood what had happened to Safa.
The only reason she had survived was because she had used Light magic, but what about himself?
In this situation, it should have been the same for Raze, and then he figured out the answer.
“I had no Qi,” Raze answered. “And this body is not one from Alterian, but one from Pagna.” Now, Himmy was even more confused than before.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean what I said,” Raze answered. “This is something I haven’t told the others, but you have answered me truthfully and given me a lot of information.”
“I used a special artifact back in Alterian. I’m not an Otherworlder like all of you. Instead, the artifact forced me into this body, which is from Alterian.”
“I see,” Himmy said. “So you entered a body that had no Dantian or Qi. With your knowledge
from being a mage, you made a Mana heart and later created your Qi core.
“That’s how you were able to do both. It seems you are quite lucky in that aspect.”
“What do you mean?” Raze asked.
“Having a body that has no such Dantian or Qi core. Even though there are those that aren’t warriors, every person originally from Pagna still has some Qi in their body.”
“Otherwise, Alter would have just grabbed infants from Pagna and raised them, learning magic and Pagna skills to create monsters like you.”
“Somehow, your body had no Dantian. Most that are like that end up dying at a young age, or there’s another possibility-it was forcibly removed or broken from your body.”
Raze started to think back to how weak the body was that he was in. How hard it was for him
to even create a core, and when reaching the first stage, the amount of blood that came out of
him.
It was then that Himmy pulled out a small-looking stick device.
“I don’t have anything you can use this in right now, but you might come across one someday. This here is all of the information I have on the investigation I was running.”
“Do you remember how we met? I was looking into all of the deaths that occurred. If you find out what’s on it, it might make more sense to you.”
“Maybe you’ll find out if the real body that you’re in was related to those events. My gut is
telling me your original body’s owner has something to do with it, and maybe why there were
those after your life.”
Chapter 832: Double Trouble
Raze took the small device. It looked like something from Alterian, so he was quite familiar with it. It was something that needed to be inputted into a technological device, beyond the means of what they had in Pagna.
If he went to the Alter base, they might have something he could use, or maybe Amir would have something that could help as well.
The thing was, as Raze held it in his hand, he thought back to when he first arrived in Pagna. He had almost forgotten how he joined Alter in the first place, or the reason for him being in such a place.
‘Right, the random deaths that were occurring. That was what brought me to the Lethal Bite Clan. In the end, that matter seemed to be something else, but there were a lot of similarities. It was how I met Anna as well.
‘But I almost forgot that there were those after my life, and Safa’s as well, and I never figured out the reason behind it.’
Raze was sitting there, looking at the device in his hand. Himmy hadn’t found anything, but maybe if he had a look at what was on it himself, he would find something.
After all, there were times, like with the messages left behind by the old Dark Faction founder, that Raze understood when others hadn’t.
‘When finding out about the groups, I originally thought the Bonum Society was behind it, but it seems they are unrelated to the matter, and Amir didn’t know me or Safa.’
‘There’s a chance it could be Alter. They’re a large enough organization to have those doing things that not even the higher-ups know, but it would make no sense to put Himmy on the case then.’
There was a chance the information Himmy found could unlock what the bloody woman was that traveled with him. Or how she came to be attached to the body, and just what the original Raze’s body was trying to do.
“Thank you for all of this. I’m guessing this means you will no longer be part of Alter?” Raze asked.
“After they locked me up and tried to kill me, of course not,” Himmy said. “Only a fool would go back to them. I’ve traveled around the continent long enough, and I know how to keep my head down.”
“You can stay here if you want,” Raze said. “I can’t offer ultimate protection over you all the time, and I don’t know who is part of Alter and who is not, but it should be quite a safe place.”
Himmy was thinking about it for a while, twiddling his fingers, and ready to give an answer until the door burst open, and a female with a red headband entered.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, Raze!” Violet said.
Another one of the ex-students that were now part of Cronker and his special assassination group.
“I have received word that a group from Alter was discovered in the outer area of the academy, near the Perfect Noodle shop,” Violet informed.
“Perfect Noodle shop?” Raze repeated, trying to think if he had even seen such a place.
“Wait, they’re here already?” Himmy said, surprised. “That was faster than I expected, but maybe we can buy some time, try to delay them, give them some false information, and lead them elsewhere.”
Violet started to rapidly blink, as she hadn’t quite finished her report.
“Unfortunately, that won’t be possible,” Violet said. “You see, there has been a confrontation in the noodle shop involving the group from Alter.”
“They were able to confirm they were from Alter due to the devices they held.” Violet then reached into her inner pocket and pulled out the strange flattened device. Immediately upon seeing this, Himmy stood up from his seat.
“That’s an emergency signaler… and it’s already been activated.”
Violet didn’t say more, as it seemed Himmy already knew the dire situation they were in.
“What does that mean?” Raze asked.
“This is what I was worried about,” Himmy said. “It was best not to engage with the Alter team and try to find a way to delay them while figuring out another plan of attack.”
“That has sent a signal stating that there is nothing the Alter squads sent here can do. They’ve been found out, and the mission is compromised. Leaving Alter with no choice but to send a Deleter here.”
“I don’t know how long you have, but soon they’ll be here, and they will do as their name states-they will delete the entire academy from existence as if it was never here in the first place.”
Although Himmy was startled, Raze was not. Even after hearing how devastating these Deleters could be for a while now-their strength-it sounded like the Divine warriors or like how the Grand Magus were described in Alterian.
Rather than wiping out clans, though, the Grand Magus were said to have the power to eliminate entire countries.
“If you want my advice, it’s to take everyone you care about and get away from here,” Himmy said. “It’s too much of a risk at this growing stage.”
“It’s okay,” Raze said, standing up. “You said before that it was impossible to take on Alter, these Deleters, and the Light Faction at the same time. So this is a perfect situation for us.” “This is a chance for us to take on one of these Deleters completely on our own. In my eyes, if Alter is foolish enough to send just one person to take us out, then they’re making a big mistake. Let’s take this chance and turn it into an opportunity.”
Himmy knew he could no longer say more, and who knew-maybe Raze could pull it off with the rest of his powerful group.
That was when, right by Violet’s side, another student named Joe appeared, sweat running through his entire body.
“I have an urgent message that has been delivered by Rayna concerning the Demonic Faction!” Joe shouted. “It seems the Behemoth Clan has decided to attack the town of
Flendon!”
Chapter 833: A Man’s Promise
A meeting was taking place between those now in charge of the Dark Faction, and the person who had called it was one of the most unlikely individuals.
It was Rayna Narfous, from the Neverfall Clan, and also the Dark Magus’s current wife.
Although the marriage was just to ensure Belil was off Raze’s back in a number of ways, it certainly had its fair share of advantages.
One of them being the gift of a town for them to look after in the Demonic Faction, a place called Flendon Town.
It was known throughout the entire Demonic Faction to belong to both Rayna and Raze, and the last time it was attacked, it had been protected by them along with the Crimson Crane.
Now, a meeting had been called as the town was once again under attack.
Inside the academy, a room set up for the leaders was being used. There were grand chairs set opposite each other in the room with a single chair at the head of the area like a table.
Since no one really cared for formalities and didn’t even have official positions, they all just sat where they liked, while Rayna sat at the head of the table.
“Shouldn’t that be where Raze sits?” Liam whispered as he took his seat.
“I don’t really think he cares about that stuff,” Simyon replied. “Let’s just get on with whatever is going on.”
“I called you all because I just got word that the Behemoth Clan is making moves and they’re sending a large force to Flendon Town,” Rayna explained.
“The Behemoth Clan, again!” Alba said. “Did they not learn their lesson from last time?”
“Apparently not. Sha Mo has been angry about the whole situation in the Demonic Faction for some time. He has a hatred for the Dark Magus for multiple reasons.”
“My guess is the only reason he hasn’t attacked is the worry of retaliation from the Neverfall Clan.”
“However, my father has never stated that he would get involved if a place was attacked. On top of that, we aren’t currently there. On top of that, this time it seems Sha Mo is making a move himself.”
After already dealing with a powerful foe in Murkel and those close to him, facing another from the Demonic Faction made the others uncertain.
It was always hard to tell the main clans’ true strength, and the Demonic Clans even harder, but it was assumed they were stronger than the other clans. They just lacked men due to how crazy the Demonic Clans seemed compared to other clans.
That was apart from the Behemoth Clan, which was the largest clan in the Demonic Faction. “And what does that have to do with us?” Anna asked. “Right now, Raze is the leader of the Dark Faction. If Sha Mo has a problem with Raze, then he can go against the Dark Faction.”
“Although Flendon isn’t in the Dark Faction, it is owned by the Dark Magus,” Reno said, speaking up. “It’s quite clear the only reason they’re attacking is because it belongs to the Dark Magus, and they’re trying to get a reaction out of Raze.”
“Not only that, what about all the people!” Froma said. “Even if Raze isn’t there, those people took part in the fight against the Behemoth Clan last time.”
“I’m sure Sha Mo isn’t going to go easy on any of them. They will lose their lives because of what we did. We have to help them.”
Raze was listening to everyone’s opinions, but it wasn’t just Anna. Even Amir spoke up, thinking it was best for Raze to just stay in the Dark Faction rather than face another large enemy so soon.
“But Flendon was a gift from my father. If we lose it, we could be in his bad books as well!” Rayna pleaded.
While the others were arguing, Raze still didn’t say anything, and that was when the outsider decided to speak up as well.
“This isn’t as easy as you all think,” Himmy said. “There’s another issue, which has come at the worst possible time.”
All heads turned to Himmy, the person who had come in injured. He had been standing by Raze’s side the whole time, so no one had asked why he was involved in the meeting.
“A group from Alter arrived not too long ago. They’ve sent a message, and at any point in time, a powerful enemy from Alter could be sent here.”
“The Behemoth Clan is no small clan, but leave here and there’s a chance you lose everything here as well.”
This was the true predicament Raze was in-not whether to go or not, but where to go in this situation.
“So what are we going to do, Raze? Speak up, man! Say something, brother!” Liam started shouting.
“Shut up!” Safa said. “Just because it takes you two seconds to make an irrational decision doesn’t mean everyone else should. Taking time to think things over is what a sensible person would do.”
While everyone was arguing, Himmy walked over to Anna and asked for something. After taking it from her, he wandered over to Raze.
“Do you remember what I gave you when you became an official member?” Himmy asked.
Seeing what was in Himmy’s hand, Raze pulled out the same device-it was the small round white object that proved one was a member of Alter.
“If you hand it to me, I can buy some time. You see, these things are also used as tracking devices,” Himmy explained.
“Wait, and you’re only telling him now?” Safa said.
“I assumed you wanted to keep it to give you a better idea of who to trust, but the situation has changed now,” Himmy said. “I will take all of these and move away. They will think we are on the move together and go after me first.”
“Will you be okay?” Raze asked.
“I got away from the entire group of Alter. Avoiding one person shouldn’t be too difficult,” Himmy answered.
“And why would you do this, for me, for us?” Raze asked, still suspicious. He had many people offer a helping hand in the past, only for it to turn out to be false and for their own
gain.
“I do have one favor to ask,” Himmy said. “If you find Charlotte, do what you can to protect her… she is a good person, too good for this world, and she seems to have taken a liking to
you.”
Himmy then snatched the device out of Raze’s hand and immediately headed toward the door.
“It’s a promise between men. I know you’ll keep it.”
Chapter 834: Town Of Flendon
The town of Flendon, located in the Demonic Faction, had received quite the boom after defeating the Behemoth Clan in a small scuffle.
After the fight, the town received a large number of gifts, supporting the place, thinking it would become another big player in the Demonic Faction.
With it, an influx of citizens had come to join the place as well, and Mayor Yarlston used the influx of funds to hire more mercenary wanderers to help protect the city from smaller clans that might target such a place.
Although the Crimson Crane’s base was meant to be located at Flendon, due to the small size and the way Alba ran her clan, they didn’t hire new recruits.
This meant there wasn’t necessarily a clan to protect the place like other areas.
There was one person in particular who had joined the clan for a while now and was standing guard on one of the major outside walls.
With his black hair and dark eyes, he was observing the situation.
“Please just let me leave!” a woman screamed in front of the gate. “We already talked about this and sorted everything out.”
A man was grabbing a woman by the wrist, trying to drag her back.
“I already told you it was an accident, and it wouldn’t have happened if you were at home all the time!” the man replied.
“An accident? So your little wee-wee just slipped in by accident?” the woman screamed again. “And I worked because you were fired. We needed the money.”
The woman jerked her arm, pulling it out from the man’s grasp, and continued moving toward the city. She grabbed a piece of rope that was tugging along all her belongings piled in boxes.
She only managed to move a couple of steps before the man grabbed the back of her head. “You’re not going anywhere!” the man declared as he pulled her to the ground. “I don’t care what a piece of paper says. You’re mine-you promised to stay with me, you filthy damned b*tch!”
The man continued to pull the woman by the back of her head.
“Hey!” a voice shouted out.
The man turned around and saw a fist coming right toward him. It hit him square in the face, and he felt his two front teeth bend in and snap out of his mouth as his whole body was flung backward.
“Brack, what are you doing?” one of the other guards shouted, running over. “This is a civil matter, we’re not supposed to get involved with these things. And besides, she’s not even a citizen of Flendon; we don’t get paid for this!”
“What, and you expect me to just let that a**hole do as he wishes?” Brack said, wiping his fist as if disgusted to even have the man’s blood on it.
“Besides, she was coming here to become a resident, right?”
The woman quickly nodded as she bowed, saying thank you.
Meanwhile, Brack went ahead and grabbed the piece of rope.
“Just see it as helping our future citizens,” Brack said as he flung the rope, aiming to slide the large crates of boxes on the sled beyond the gate.
Instead, the sled with all the boxes slid and then crashed on the ground, breaking right in front of the gate.
Brack froze as he looked at all the items, an awkward smile on his face.
“I’ll get them all packed for you,” Brack said as he rushed to put everything back in its place. While packing for the woman, the other guards just continued to shake their heads at Brack. Most of the new hires had gate duty rather than city duty like those originally from Flendon. It was just an easy job for them to earn some coin, so they didn’t get too involved, but Brack was different-constantly getting involved-and this wasn’t the first time he had done something like this.
The thing was, for those who knew him, they would have known that this was completely strange for his character, or how he used to be.
‘What am I even still doing here? Raze, the Dark Magus, the Crimson Crane-none of them are even here. Was he even serious when he said he would let me join him?’
Brack was one of the students who took part in the martial arts tournament and was also part of the Behemoth Clan.
Due to his disappointing performance, Sha Mo had decided to abandon him, stating that he wasn’t fit to be part of the clan.
At the time, Raze was the one who decided to look after him and allowed him to join the clan. The issue was, Raze had teleported everyone away, including Brack. There was nowhere for Brack to return to.
He couldn’t go back to the Behemoth Clan, so he had no choice but to go to the town of Flendon, where Raze, the Dark Magus, was supposed to be.
He had been here for over a month now, and there was no sign of him returning at all. Yet, Brack stayed with no other choice.
Needing to make some coin somehow, and being a Pagna warrior, he decided to be a guard for the city.
After putting all the woman’s stuff away, he offered to help her push it again, but she kindly declined with a sweet smile.
Brack didn’t insist, knowing that he might use a little too much of his strength again and just make it even harder for the poor woman.
“Brack, you need to take this job a little more casually, you know,” the guard said. “Just let people be you’re not a hero that can go stopping all the disputes in the world. And you’re young-you should leave that stuff to the adults.”
“Adults?” Brack said. “But the Dark Magus is young as well, and look how much he’s done.” “He’s one of a kind, one of a kind! Don’t try following in his footsteps. Just relax and accept the coin.”
Just as the man said that, a horse was seen steaming through the fields, running their way.
There was a man on top.
“Halt!” the guard shouted.
“Wait, that’s one of our own horses, don’t you recognize the banner on the horse?”
The horse continued to run forward, and as it got closer, they could see there certainly was a man on the horse, but it was just his body-as he was dead.
Several swords had pierced inside of him, and he had been sent on his way toward the town. “I know this…” Brack said. “…This is the Behemoth Clan.”
Chapter 835: Walking Into It
Just like that, as quickly as Himmy had come to visit the academy, he had left. There was part of Raze that wanted to stop him, tell him that there was no need for him to go, but Himmy was an adult capable of making his own decisions. It was clear he had already made up his mind.
Everything that Himmy could have done and told Raze, the information was already in his hands.
“I guess that’s that issue solved, but what about the town of Flendon? What are we going to do?” Liam asked.
It was then that Anna stood up from her seat and decided to rush out of the room, heading toward the door.
“For now, everyone just stay on standby, but get ready and prepare for a fight if there needs to be one. We’ll use Cronker to deliver messages,” Raze ordered, and the rest nodded as they went off to do their own thing again.
For Raze, he waited for everyone to leave the room and then looked at Rayna, who was the only person still inside.
She had been biting her thumbnail and pacing back and forth.
Eventually, Raze walked up to her, and she seemed to not even notice he was there as she continued to walk back and forth.
Until Raze took a deep breath and made the decision to reach out and grab her hand, stopping her in the process.
“Raze, you’re still here?” Rayna said.
“I am indeed still here, and so are you,” Raze replied. “You seem to have a lot on your mind. I can only guess it’s the attack on Flendon.”
“I feel bad,” Rayna said. “All of those people getting involved because of me. Most of them that helped out weren’t even Pagna warriors.”
“Some might think I’m worried about what my father will think, but it’s not that. Those people, they were nice to us, Raze. Even when they found out we were taking them over, they didn’t treat us any differently, and many of them didn’t even know who I was.”
Although Rayna was well-known in the world of Pagna warriors, regular citizens wouldn’t know what she looked like, and despite it all, they had been very welcoming.
Raze had to admit that as well, which was something he wasn’t used to either.
“The worst thing about it is I can’t do anything on my own. I can’t fight the Behemoth Clan. Even when we went up against one of their pillars, I barely managed to survive, but going up against Sha Mo himself? I have to admit, I’m scared. Do you not get scared, Raze?”
Raze thought about his own mix of emotions, and he had an answer for Rayna.
“Of course I get scared. I’m worried each time I fight, each time there’s a chance that those fighting by my side could be lost.”
“I let all of these emotions in every second, each day, and that’s how I’m able to fight. Rayna, you’ve helped me out a lot, and I’ll help protect Flendon with everything I have.”
“In return, can you get me a meeting with your father after this?” Raze asked.
Raze was sure of it, that the answer to where the Golden Globe was, what happened to the Dark Faction leader, was at the Neverfall Clan base, and maybe Belil knew something.
“If we successfully defend Flendon, and even defeat Sha Mo, then I’m sure of it. Our father will be the one that wants to meet us.”
Himmy was walking at a relatively quick pace and was already out of the academy’s main walls and into the outer area. He had a big grin on his face as he continued to walk.
‘Those guys might actually give Alter a run for their money,’ Himmy thought. ‘The wound I received, I thought I was a goner for sure. I felt three bullets hit and tear my insides. Any longer, and I would have died.’
‘But that girl, I don’t think I’ve seen healing abilities quite like that before. Even among the mages, she was able to save my life that Alter took.’
‘None of them realize it, but I’m already in debt to them for saving my life. So if I can at least do something to give the middle finger to Alter, I may as well.’
Himmy could see the bridge that marked the official exit from the academy area up ahead, when of all people, Anna appeared directly in front of him.
“What do you think you’re doing, doing something so stupid like that!” Anna said, pointing at his chest.
“What do you mean, something stupid?” Himmy replied. “You know I was telling the truth. With this, they’ll come after me, and it will buy all of you some time.”
Anna was digging her finger deep into Himmy’s chest, and it was hurting him a bit.
“You know what’s going to happen. You know,” Anna said, her eyes starting to water.
“I’m a squad leader, and I have been for a long time, looking after all of you. I got us out of trouble a number of times, and look at me I’m right here in front of you, and I’ll be right here in front of you again.”
With those words, Himmy grabbed Anna’s hand and placed it down by her side. He continued to walk past while Anna stood there in place, her head down.
A few hours later, Himmy was in another town in the Dark Faction. It was a town situated in part of a mountain with a river flowing down the end.
He had rented a room with a balcony that allowed for a nice view of the river and the rest of
the landscape.
He looked out, then let out a big sigh.
“They sent you, Scar?” Himmy said.
“They did,” a voice said from behind. “I knew this was a trick, and if anyone was behind it, it would be you. Maybe you should have stuck with your squad-not that it would make a difference anyway.”
“Did you think because we’re both from the same world, I might let you off or something?”
Scar said.
“Nah, the moment you became a Deleter, I knew you were a lost cause. Anyway, I would be careful, Scar… this is going to be your hardest job yet.”
“Thanks for the warning, but I won’t need it.”
Chapter 836: An Entire Army
Having been in the Behemoth Clan himself, Brack knew the methods of the clan. He had gone on quite a few expeditions with the teams, and this would often be their tactic when fighting against other clans or in a scuffle.
They would send one of the opponent’s dead back to them. Usually, to strike even more fear, it would be someone of high caliber or importance. In this case, Brack just knew it was one of the wanderer guards stationed farther out.
Placed in the towers up ahead, which were built after they experienced the first attack, Brack feared the Behemoth Clan was already incredibly close.
“Head to Yarlston, tell him the Behemoth Clan is coming, quick!” Brack said, grabbing his fellow guard’s shirt.
“Wait, how do you know it was the Behemoth Clan’s doing? It could have been anyone, or even bandits, who knows!” the guard replied.
“If it isn’t them, then I’ll take responsibility. Just report to him now!” Brack said.
The guard, more scared of Brack than what was coming, quickly rushed off to inform the mayor, while Brack quickly started to jump up the side of the wall. He hung with his arms, then pulled himself up, landing on top of the wall.
The others who were already there were startled, but once they saw who it was, they calmed down.
The man on horseback had been brought in, but the people were still far too calm about all of this.
Looking into the distance, Brack continued to stare out, and that’s when he could see it-just over a sanded hill, rows of people walking over. The sand was kicking up, with some on horseback.
While others were walking, among the thousands of people, there was a large, round giant figure that was giving off an extreme presence.
The man next to Brack pulled out a telescope to look in the distance. His bottom lip quivered as he managed to catch a glimpse of who was there. As he continued to look, the glass at the end of the telescope shattered, startling the man, causing him to drop it onto the ground.
“What was that? How did the telescope break?” one of the other guards asked.
The man, still startled by what he saw, could only think of one person. He didn’t understand it himself, but he gave an answer.
“The Behemoth Clan, they’re here, and not just them. Sha Mo has arrived-sha Mo himself has arrived!” the man shouted.
Like a field of ants coming toward them, the guards soon realized the reality in front of them. The last time, thousands had been sent to attack the city, and now even more than before. There had to be at least twenty thousand people coming at them.
They certainly kept their reputation as one of the biggest clans out there, and Sha Mo, walking with two more pillars of his Behemoth Clan, was coming right at them.
The bells were ringing throughout the city, and panic was setting in as everyone heard the news. Wealthy individuals, merchants, and those with little attachment to the town were packing their things.
Many didn’t even bother packing and did whatever they could to get out. There was a mass exodus of people, and it wasn’t just the citizens either.
Yarlston, who had received the news, was in the town hall. He had a map of the city in front of him, with several blocks representing the forces all heading toward the town of Flendon.
“Sir, we’ve reported the news through the channel that Rayna has given us… but we’re unsure what’s going to happen,” one of the aides by Yarlston’s side informed.
“We’ve been living quite good lives thanks to them. No one has died from hunger since they came to look after us. If anything, we’ve been living luxuriously. I guess this is our fault for taking advantage of the situation,” Yarlston said.
“Stop that!” Andy replied. “How can you blame us for just wanting to live our lives a bit? That’s not our fault. It’s the fault of these damned clans that think just because they have powerful warriors, they can do whatever they want.”
“If the Crimson Crane and the Dark Magus aren’t here, then they shouldn’t be attacking this place anyway.”
Yarlston nodded but knew that none of the kingdoms in the Demonic Empire would do anything if they were to disappear. Partly because they only cared about the town because of the Dark Magus, who wasn’t even there.
“I have more news to report,” the aide said. “It seems many of the wanderers and mercenaries we hired have fled as well.”
“Damn crooks!” Andy shouted-a young man wearing armor over his body, and a shield on his back. It was one of the shields crafted by the Dark Magus. “They take our money, saying they’ll protect the place, but when the time comes for them to do anything, they just flee.”
Yarlston was looking at the map. From all the reports, the only people who stayed were the ones unable to leave-the large group of youngsters that had defended the town from the last attack from the Behemoth Clan.
The citizens who had lived here all their lives, and a few who had no means of leaving the place. The issue was, even the people left behind, numbered less than the force that was coming to attack them.
“Maybe we can try to talk to them?” Yarlston said. “If we tell them the Crimson Crane and the Dark Magus isn’t here, they will have no reason to attack.”
“Talk? I don’t think they brought every member of the Behemoth Clan just to talk. According to the front gate, they already killed one of us and sent him to the front,” Andy said. “The whole world knows where the Dark Magus currently is. With the stories of Sha Mo, we all know how this will end.”
Yarlston was conflicted about what to do, and that’s when the door burst open, and they could see a young man with messy black hair enter.
“I… have a plan,” Brack said, huffing and panting. “But all my plan can do is delay them. I don’t know the Dark Magus that well, which is why I’m asking you guys… how likely do you think the Dark Magus will turn up and help us?”
Brack had come here, wishing to meet the Dark Magus, but it had never matured into anything. He had only had brief interactions with the person during the Martial Arts
Tournament.
Not just that, he had to think about how any sane person would react in this situation. With the Dark Magus running the Dark Faction, what reason would he have to come to a small town and fight Sha Mo? No one in their right mind would.
But he decided to speak to the people who had decided to stay-they had to have stayed for a
reason.
It was then that Andy decided to answer that question, thinking back to the first time when the town of Flendon’s walls were defended. He remembered fighting side by side with the Crimson Crane and what the Dark Magus had crafted for them all.
He banged his shield and gave an answer to the young warrior.
“I’m sure… they will come.”
