"You're right."
"...More of those Ashcloaks from Gravemarket." Garran spoke out, referring to his subordinate. They were on a different hill around the village, scouting out the positions of the surrounding Ashcloaks.
There were five groups that consisted of 10-11 of them, then three smaller groups of 5.
"...The larger groups are definitely from this Gravemarket organization… however the three smaller groups, they appear to be mages. The illusionary magic they're using to camouflage themselves as Ashcloaks is a dead giveaway…"
"The question is, why is Gravemarket targeting these villages?" His subordinate inquired.
"This village, and the others you speak of, wouldn't hold any sort of value as simple frontier settlements to a criminal organization. These attacks seem to be more sporadic, random."
"It would be assumed that they were hired." Valen then looked at Garran.
"...A good assessment. It seems they are after me."
"Seems you are quite popular, Captain-General."
"This is quite the problem. Maybe the Kingdom of Thalor?"
"...Possibly."
"...I know for sure that they are not from the Kingdom of Thalor, considering the intelligence from the Seerblades. But I won't reveal that fact…"
"Lord Eidryn, if I may."
"I know what you wish to ask me. I will defend the village."
"Thank you again. I know this is a selfish request of me, asking another who has no affiliation to this Kingdom." He held out his hand. Valen met the gesture and shook it.
"...This isn't for the good of my heart… I do not wish to deceive people like this but it seems I must, to achieve what I want to achieve…"
"...Not all of this world's kingdoms are fragmented and lost… so I must act accordingly…"
"...This village will be the first settlement in this world that will belong to Eidryn…"
"I, we, are truly grateful for your aid. I have nothing to reward you with, but-."
"It is simply my honor as a swordsman that wishes to defend this village's people. Those who slaughter innocent villagers for selfish gain are what I call monsters."
"There is no need to go that far to award me for such actions."
"...Then I have nothing to worry about, but the enemy ahead of us."
"I wish you good fortune in battle, Sir Vael."
"You as well, Lord Eidryn." Garran bowed then returned back to his group. Valen did the same, returning back to Avelina.
"You did not have to promise the safety of the villagers to him, Your Majesty."
"I've grown fond of him. He reminds me of how I was in the past, honorable and courageous. Unrelenting and true. He was what I strived to be, once upon a time."
"But?"
"But he will soon realize, there are those around me who will take advantage of those traits. Like he is being taken advantage of now. That is the difference between me and him."
"Your Majesty." Darnan approached.
"Why is Sir Vael leaving?"
"The Gravemarket's objective is on him. He is leaving to combat them head-on and leave the village out of harm's way."
"...Then what shall we do?"
"I believe the Captain-General wishes we should leave once he breaks through the enemy's formation. That would allow us an opening to which the villagers can flee."
*
"Commander!" One of his subordinates shouted, inquiring on their orders as the group got into a cavalry formation on horseback.
"Second Company! We will attack the enemy head-on and break through their line! Our main task is to lead the enemy away from the village and allow our citizens to escape without harm! Do not miss the timing!"
"Understood!" The entire company yelled in response.
"Archers!" Garran yelled.
Three lances of the company, 30 warriors, were equipped with short crossbows. They began opening fire upon the Ashcloaks, also on horseback. The Ashcloaks began charging toward the incoming company, and a few were struck off their horses, hit by the arrows.
One of the camouflaged 5-man groups began treating the Ashcloaks that were hit by the arrows, healing or reviving them. Two guarded the three that treated them, using their chain whips to deflect the incoming arrows.
"...Miracle-healing rites… battlefield resurrections... but only the-."
Garran saw that an explosive device was thrown at him, or more specifically his horse.
"Shit!"
Garran was thrown off his horse, as his horse was severely wounded, bleeding out. He braced himself, landing without injury. Another of the camouflaged groups charged forward toward Garran, using the distracting Ashcloaks on horseback to deal with the enemy company.
One of the warriors attempted to grab onto Garran, but he was struck by multiple dagger fans, ending his life. The horse kept moving, with the dead body laying on its saddle. Garran's eyes briefly widened, watching as one of his own was killed so easily.
"Commander!" One of the subordinates yelled.
"Keep going!" Garran yelled as he began deflecting incoming dagger fans. One of the camouflaged soldiers charged, engaging Garran with a chain whip.
He continued to deflect and block the onslaught, struggling as he then realized the soldier was using strengthening magic. He casted his own magic, then used his twin sabers to strike the soldier at his sides, incapacitating him instantly. He was then surrounded by the rest of the four, as the incapacitated one healed himself completely.
"...Those weapons and skills… The Host of Crimson Benediction from the Holy Dominion of Solmira, is it?!" Garran spoke, as he slashed down another one of the Crimson Benedictors.
Garran then realized he was surrounded by three camouflaged groups. They appeared to be veteran Ashcloaks in camouflage, but were actually Crimson Benedictors.
The Host of Crimson Benediction was one of the sacred military branches of the Seven Holy Hosts of the Dominion of Solmira, each dedicated to one of the Seven Apostles of the One God. Together, they formed the mightiest and most fanatically disciplined force in the Transmigrated World.
The Host of Crimson Benediction represented the Apostle of Sacrifice: suffering for divine purpose. Each Crimson Benedictor was trained as martyr-commandos, medics, spiritual healers and suicide vanguards. They were frequently deployed as spearhead shock troops who bleed to weaken enemy morale. Considered mad by some — believing every death taken for Solmira grants eternal reward.
They broke their camouflage, illusionary magic. They were clad in white and red, often with blood-stained tabards and relic-shards embedded into their skin.
"Bastards…"
"But at least this is going according to plan." He said as he watched as the Second Company of the Edged Vanguard lure the rest of the real Ashcloaks away from the village, and conducted cavalry maneuvers to kill them off.
He then heard yells, as the Second Company circled back.
"Return to the Commander's side! Until death do us part!"
"...Of course the Ashcloaks wouldn't give these men much of a challenge… Truly men I'm proud of."
Some of the Crimson Benedictors turned and rushed, throwing multiple explosives toward the incoming formation, as well as swift dagger fans. It was enough to briefly throw the formation into disarray, as 15 Crimson Benedictors then engaged the cavalry.
"Despite the massive numerical advantage we have… we're still at a military disadvantage… they're skilled and trained to bleed… not to mention their healing and resurrection magic."
Garran then glanced at the enemy commander, who walked forward toward him.
He seemed to be in his mid 30s, a lean but wiry build, his frame showing evidence of brutal endurance rather than brute strength. Shoulder-length, pale blonde hair, unbound and wind-swept. Deep black eyes, reflecting unwavering conviction and a strange calmness in suffering. A jagged horizontal scar cuts across his left cheek and just under his eye, oddly not healed, as if it was of ritual laceration. His armor is a red-white lacquered ceremonial plate, adorned with engraved relic-bones, sanctified cloths, and trailing purity ribbons soaked in dried blood. A relic shard of the martyred Apostle of Sacrifice is embedded in his chestplate.
He held a double-ended flail made from the fused spine of a penitent saint, linked with barbed scripture-etched metal.
Garran then charged toward the commander, slashing through his escort of Crimson Benedictors. "You're in my way!"
"...Impressive. You truly are a skilled magic swordsman." The commander spoke out.
"But it is not enough."
The commander charged forward with his flail, casting body strengthening magic as he then struck Garran. Garran briefly felt the pressure behind his attack, despite him deflecting with his sword.
*
Some time had passed, as Garran was severely wounded. Despite his landing hits on the commander, he had used his healing magic to deal with the injuries, leaving Garran at a severe disadvantage.
The Second Company of the Edged Vanguard, despite them numbering 100 at the beginning, were now all but beaten. Either severely incapacitated or killed. They overwhelmed the Ashcloaks in simple skill and experience, but against the Crimson Benedictors, they were helpless, despite them only numbering 15. They had not lost one casualty.
The commander had stepped away from the duel, seeing as his work was done. A few of the Crimson Benedictors then engaged Garran with their chain whips.
Garran did his best to defend himself, but was hit all the same. The metal struck against his body in force, behind the force of their strengthening magic. His combat uniform was visibly damaged and his face covered in his blood.
Garran spit out blood on the grass beneath him, his vision blurring before returning to block another strike. He held his firm grasp on his sword, something the commander recognized.
"What endurance… it is a shame that you do not use it for God's will."
He then yelled in anger, as he struck one of the Crimson Benedictors down. He was then ambushed from behind, the dagger fans slashing through him. He started bleeding out severely. He grunted loudly in pain, as he then fell to his knees, coughing.
The Crimson Benedictors prepared to execute Garran, all at once.
"Do… not… think… you… have… finished…. me… yet." His eyes were fierce, gleaming with endurance and suffering.
"...You holy bastards preach of human supremacy and unification…. Yet you wish to dirty this kingdom with your liking…"
"How dare you question our motives?! We are the representation of this world's God!" The commander yelled.
"...If there is a God, there is no way I will lose to bastards who twist his words…"
"You will die today, because you spout such heretical nonsense."
"What can you truly do in that state? You can hardly move."
"Stop this fierceful resistance and die quietly. Maybe then you will receive but a fragment of God's forgiveness. You are not worthy of dying without pain."
"Those villagers you wish to protect will meet your same fate, touched and protected by you. Heretics."
Garran smirked then laughed. The commander was bewildered, him laughing on his knees.
"What an utter fool."
"What?"
"...There is someone… way stronger… than I in that village."
"What an obvious bluff. The dying delusions of a beaten man."
"Finish him."
Garran was then enveloped in a realm gate, as he was then teleported into a different location.
*
Garran was shocked, looking at his surroundings, not realizing what had just happened. He looked around him, seeing the villagers huddled up inside of a closed space. He then saw a few warriors from the Adamant Guard, placed around as security.
"Where… am I?"
Darnan approached him, along with the village doctor, who began treating his wounds.
"This is our storage building within the village. His Majesty placed his soldiers around as security and a magic barrier."
"Where… is Lord Eidryn?"
"He opened up a realm gate and walked through it. Then you appeared out of it. It seems he teleported you here after realizing your wounds."
"...He was able to open up a mythological gate... and ascertained that I was wounded…"
"What a powerful man."
*
Valen Arthas Eidryn then stood before the Crimson Benedictors, bewildered by what they had just seen. Avelina and the Adamant Champion placed behind him, right and left.
"Did he… just open a portal?"
"Look at his pale skin!"
"How is that possible?!" The Crimson Benedictors murmured.
"Who are you?" The commander spoke.
"I am Valen Arthas Eidryn, from the distant land of Eidryn. It is not a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Host of Crimson Benediction."
"...I have quite the relationship with that village behind me."
"What a dignified appearance… and that crest… I don't recognize it."
"You have too much of a presence to be a mere mercenary. And that odd pale skin. I see… so you are the Foretold Threat the Apostolic Synod spoke of."
"The Foretold Threat?" One of the Crimson Benedictors murmured.
"...Foretold Threat?... It seems that was their true goal. To lure me out by severely injuring Garran. But I am the Foretold Threat? I need more information…"
"...The Apostolic Synod must be the leaders of the Dominion, but from what I've heard from the Black Blades… The One God and his Seven Apostles?... That sounds too familiar to how my Empire is structured, The One Emperor and his Seven Sovereigns…"
"I overheard your conversation with the Captain-General. And must I say, you do have some nerve."
"What?"
"You had announced that you'd eradicate the villagers for being Heretics, no?… The villagers I had bothered to save.
"You see, that frustrates me. I find that gravely offensive."
"You're frustrated? Offended? What words. What shall you do about my declaration?"
"Simple. Offer your lives to me without mere resistance and you may just be sent to the afterlife of your disgusting God, if I choose not to send you to the abyss of despair."
"Disgusting?! How dare you spout such blasphemy?!"
"Attack him! Kill who dares to insult our God!"
The Crimson Benedictors then charged toward Valen, as the Adamant Champion stood in their path.
The champion then cleanly slashed through the first two benedictors with his greatsword, then stomped on their heads, preventing them from healing themselves. The champion then charged forward, engaging the Crimson Benedictors who were unable to stop his onslaught. The chain whips and dagger fans that they struck the champion with, broke upon impact. The explosives had no effect on him.
"Resurrect them now!" The commander shouted, as a few attempted.
Valen then rose up the Dark Aetherion, as runes ignited in red.
"Red runes?... but aren't they supposed to be white?"
The resurrection magic that the benedictors attempted to cast were thoroughly blocked and canceled, sending a feedback effect that imploded them. Their remains spurred onto the ground.
"...Forced magic cancellation…" The commander was horrified.
"What a shame. They weren't strong enough to handle mere resurrection magic feedback."
"...Pathetic. Do you still believe I am making a simple bluff?"
"Didn't I tell you, dear Commander. It is important to heed warnings."
"This… is impossible…This must be a dream…" One of the Crimson Benedictors yelled, before his death.
"This will be an untamed massacre."
The commander remembered the words before Garran's disappearance at that moment. He then casted an unknown spell, unfamiliar to Valen.
"Tears of Broken Flame!" The surviving Crimson Benedictors, which only numbered 5, were then ignited in white divine flames. The champion felt the energy, falling back before he was corrupted. The flames seemed to envelop the survivors as a defensive mechanism and withered corruption onto deemed enemies.
The commander was also surrounded in this divine flame, as he then coughed up severe amounts of blood.
"What a disgusting spell, one that would sacrifice one's essence."
"There is no need to use your strength, Your Majesty. They are not fit to fight with you. Using such an insignificant spell."
Valen chuckled. "It seems even my compatriot believes your men are mere insects."
"...Insignificant… insects?... Even with the power of the Tears?"
"Go."
Avelina then rushed forward, unaffected by the flames thanks to her blessed armor, as she rose her scythe and cut one of the Crimson Benedictors cleanly in half. She then engaged the rest of the benedictors with radiance, but murderous valor.
"How…How is this happening…?!"
The commander then whipped his flail as he then began to charge toward Valen, yelling in bewilderment and fear.
The champion was prepared to sacrifice himself, but Valen put out a hand, halting his advance.
"I do not wish for your sacrifice here, Champion. Not to this meager opponent."
The flail attempted to strike Valen, as he grabbed onto one of the metal heads.
"Seems it is my turn to fight."
He then briefly punched the commander in the face, as he was launched backward, several feet away from him. He felt the force and strength behind the punch. Valen did not even unsheathe his sword. As the divine flames attempted to envelop him, his armor put the flames out.
The commander stood, unbothered by the pain. He then healed the injury Valen inflicted on him.
"...Even though it was a brief punch, I'm surprised he was able to stand after that…So it is true they are trained to withstand severe amounts of pain…"
The commander quickly grabbed sacred vials of blood, covering himself with it and the flail itself. The white divine flames then turned brighter, along with a golden tint.
"Even resorting to blood. What were the words you said? Now who has become delusional?"
"I have determined you are worthy to use this sacred blood from the Apostle of Sacrifice…"
"A child's floy."
"...A… child…?!" The commander gulped in fear, looking upon his expression. He was telling the truth, he was unafraid, as if he knew the possibility of what was to come: his victory.
"It's impossible… you insult an existence in which humanity cannot hope to defeat… the blood of that existence… How DARE you?!" The commander rushed in religious anger, whipping his flail that was covered in the white golden flames.
"Taste the blood of the Apostle that suffers against demons with divine purpose!"
The champion immediately rushed forward, despite his monarch's order, feeling the sheer energy emitting off of him, raising up his greatsword. The commander tried to strike the champion in front of him, when Valen swiftly appeared.
"...My first time feeling pain in this world…" Valen said, as he held the flail with his bare hand. The white golden flames trying to eradicate his existence and essence, flowing into his hand. The champion was surprised and the commander did not move, his eyes widened and his body paralyzed by fear and bewilderment once again.
"You… bastards…" Avelina said, raising up her tone.
"Know your place, you insect!" She then swiftly appeared in front of Valen, as the commander yelled in fear. Her scythe met his chest, slashing it.
The flames healed the wound, but sucked out more of his life essence. He coughed up more blood, large amounts, as he then fell on his knees.
"Oh God… if you are watching… Why must I suffer this way?... Is this how you wish for me to fall?"
"Enough foolishness." Valen slowly unsheathed the Dark Aetherion.
The commander looked upon the blade, then at his fallen subordinates, all of them dead.
"I will say the words that you preach. You are not worthy of dying without pain."
The commander screamed the loudest he could, as his voice then cut to silence.
***
"High Martyr-Commander Seraphiel Veyne." The Archbishop called out.
The Archbishop of Sacrifice, seemed to be relatively young, around his mid-40s. He had dark brown, tightly bound, streaked faintly with silver at the temples. Sharp, steel-grey eyes, unnervingly perceptive. Lean, tall, with a composed bearing that exudes quiet control. He was stoic and intense; skin pallid, looking slightly sleep-deprived—but not unfocused. He wore a crimson mantle trimmed with black ash and a necklace of martyr's teeth, sanctified in holy fire.
"Yes, Your Lordship?" Seraphiel responded.
"I order you to eliminate the individual known as the Draevarr's Edge, the strongest warrior within the Kingdom of Draevarr. Garran Vael."
Seraphiel was a bit surprised at the order.
"Your Lordship, if I may ask, why would his elimination benefit the Dominion? Wouldn't he be a powerful ally?"
"He is fiercely loyal to the King of that utterly failed state, willing to go down with him."
"...But as for the true purpose, we have received a divine revelation that encountering Garran Vael will reveal a holy threat to our Dominion and to our world."
"The Foretold Threat?"
"Most likely. Discover this threat. If not, eliminating Garran Vael will allow the Kingdom of Thalor a much easier time with conquering Draevarr. That kingdom is a much more successful state to observe."
"It will be done."
"You may use a few from your Host, the Crimson Benediction, to aid you in this quest. Make sure to not be discovered and use the Gravemarket as your alias."
"Understood."
***
Valen held his hand onto the remains of Seraphiel's brain, as it then withered to dust after Valen closed his hand.
Cut by the Dark Aetherion, his remains were scattered across the ground, imploding from the mere strike.
"...So the Dominion of Solmira receives divine revelations from their so-called God. It may be an item that allows them to peer into the future… or the Apostles are still living…"
"...Your Majesty, why did you personally go to save Garran? I could have easily gone."
"I am aware and trust your strength, Avelina. However, this world is still unknown to me. We must tread as if our enemies are stronger than us. This time, they were insects. What about next time?"
"I am not willing to sacrifice any of you until the time is appropriate. Especially my Sovereigns."
"Is that why you used Garran as a pawn? To gather more information?"
"Yes."
She nodded, agreeing with his decision.
"However, I don't think taking on the blade of that commander was wise."
"Hm."
"Not to question your actions, of course. I know you'd come out unscathed, but I do worry. The champion was willing to sacrifice himself for you."
"Losing a champion may not seem much in the grand scale of things, but I do still care for my subordinates, no matter how low-ranked they are."
"Let us go back to Velkaris. Our job here is done."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
***
"As you were briefly informed, I was away from Velkaris for a time."
Valen was currently within his Throne Room, conversing with the Seven Sovereigns.
"Avelina will inform you all that has happened, as well as the intelligence we have gathered. Darian will inform you about why we have decided to go this route."
"But I will say this: many of you have suspected our plans in this world. It is true. We will conquer this world, just like I and the former Sovereigns before you, have done in our previous world."
"Everyone in this world will know of your greatness." Darian spoke up.
"Our greatness. We will make the Eidryn Empire a legend that will last eternity within this world and outlast even us."
"The land, the sky and the sea. We will have it all."
"...That is my vow to you all."