Chapter 3 - Exile

A man stood where the remains of the gate were last seen. His imposing figure gave off an aura of invincibility as he stood with his eyes closed and arms crossed. His armor proudly displayed the Lion Emblem, showing that he was not to be underestimated by all means. His cape fluttered menacingly by the direction of the wind.

"Too weak."

The man scoffed. He was expecting stiff resistance, and yet it did not come like he thought it would. 

He opened his eyes, revealing his dull gray eyes, as he scanned the surrounding area where he had destroyed the main gate leading to the mansion's courtyard. His dark brown hair and his matching colored beard flew freely in the wind, and the sound of screaming could be heard at the nearby village as flames began to rise in the distance, lighting the area in orange hue. His eyes saw beyond the corpses of the guards he had easily killed were plainly displayed for all to see.

As he saw the mansion up ahead, noticing the door of the mansion was closing, implying someone had just entered. Having taken no thought of any person witnessing the gruesome event that took place made by his own hand.

"No matter. It might be a servant that saw me anyway."

The man had easily killed the guards who were stationed at the walls. Though it seemed like the guards were amateurs from another perspective, they were actually highly-trained men who had undergone harsh training despite their callings to protect a mere mansion. They were on the level that no one would scoff at their combat capabilities, including the things they did under the orders of the Eisen Matriarch.

The reason why he managed to kill them so easily was simple. It was because the man, Captain Heinrich Abednego, of the Abednego Company, was strong. Strong enough to defy armies alone, and could slay fifty companies by his lonesome. Even armies of professional soldiers, he could slay them all by himself.

There was nothing that the Kingdom of Amriel could have possibly done to prepare for someone like him. They couldn't, because they knew no man like him. Rather, they were not aware of someone like him.

Behind the Captain was a company of soldiers. Fifty in strength and numbers. All wearing suits of armor and weapons befitting the call to war. They were men of considerable strength, and on the individual level, they could easily kill the guards alone if they wanted to. Making them a company of monsters in the flesh of men.

Among the fifty soldiers, there was one that approached the man. He wore a distinctively plain blue shirt and simple brown trousers. He had the same dark brown hair, but his complexion was light and smooth, making him look considerably younger than the Captain. His deep emerald green eyes were seen behind the round glasses he wore.

Although he looked out of place compared to the soldiers of the company, he had an aura that set him apart from the men who were with Heinrich. That same man approached him as though he was familiar with the commander who so easily managed to kill everyone who opposed and flew two massive steel doors with one punch.

"Excuse me, Commander Heinrich. May I have a word with you?"

"Ah, Secretary Kuznetsov. I wasn't aware you were with us during the activation of the Instantaneous Travel Seals. So, what brings you here during this operation?"

The man, Kuznetsov de la Gramont, secretary to the General of the 11th Army, began to speak while covering his nose of the bloody scent the corpses produced. 

"I was going to ask why you made a bloody mess of the guards you killed. You could've just decapitated all of them and just left it alone like that. There's no need for you to make an unnecessary gruesome display like that. It is completely uncivilized."

The brown-haired secretary spoke, and his tonal voice sounded neutral but contained a little ounce of disgust. His face contorted to express that same disgust, but his monotonous voice betrayed that expression.

Heinrich simply laughed at the secretary's comments. His maniacal laugh betraying his appearance may put some observers off. But to those who knew and were familiar with his personality, it was normal for him to act this way from the beginning.

To those who knew not the Captain's personal life would make it strange to believe he was like that. However, the secretary was one among the few people who knew the Captain personally. He was also well acquainted with the Captain to the point that one might say he was his closest friend.

"I apologize for it, Secretary Kuznetsov. Though I appreciate your concerns, but, this, this is simply what I want to happen. The smell of blood, the light of fire, and the scene of destruction. All of these bring excitement to my very soul."

Though the Captain's reply seemed to denounce the secretary's comment, Kuznetsov knew better than what Heinrich let on. The commander made a devilish grin as though he was in ecstasy.

Kuznetsov understood well enough that this was simply a part of war. Where bodies of once living men now appeared like animals that were cut down in slaughterhouses. Especially those who were far weaker to powerhouses like those on Heinrich's level. It was believed that men, and possibly women, like Heinrich, controlled the horrors of war on their own volition.

This was the type of person Heinrich Abednego was and still is to this day. A bloodthirsty warrior.

"Hmph. Very well. Do what you want, Commander Heinrich. But, remember, the warning from the sensors still stands. You need to be prepared for it."

"Oh? Do you mean the Empty-type Shar? Of course I will. But you don't need to worry, I have already evaluated it, and there's nothing it can do to possibly harm this operation. Not one whit would impact the entire war itself, my friend."

The secretary stared at the man. Although dubious of the commander's claim, he also knew there were enough reasons why Heinrich was so confident about it. 

"Is that so? Given the overall accuracy of your gift, then I should have faith in your words for now. Even so, I have my doubts."

"You should be, Secretary Kuznetsov. However, I will ask, are there any potential combatants inside that mansion over there?"

He pointed to where the mansion was, and it was directly in front of him and the soldiers he commanded. The building was in full display to the invading soldiers who were at the gates of the mansion itself.

Though asking a potentially non-combatant for details like this may seem incomprehensible to the natural observer. Nonetheless, to those who are aware of the things which were given to those at birth, it may imply he has power related to the thing the Captain asked. To which the Secretary responded.

"There are two potential combatants inside the mansion. One is significantly stronger than the other and is astonishingly skilled in the sword and is the strongest out of them all. Having experienced multiple battles that warrant that current level, that individual will pose some level of difficulty for you to handle but not much. The other is just as strong as the guards you killed, just enough for your men to handle. However, that individual has skills far surpassing said guards that I have mentioned, be better prepared for it. As for the other occupants, there are two that can be classified as Magic Arts users, though they can be considered as noncombatants given their nature and apparent lack of combat capabilities, it seems. But, one of the two has a far greater level of control than the other, making it more likely that they're suppressing their power. Be on the alert. They have something you can call a trump card if they use it at the right time. The rest of the mansion occupants are simple, normal people. They're not particularly dangerous to your men, but those four, they have a high chance of inflicting casualties to your company, Commander Heinrich."

Hearing what the secretary had said about the prospect of potential enemy combatants made the Captain frown. He knew the secretary to be the wordy type to put overemphasis on the tiniest details. Knowing he's been like that since the first time he met the man.

"Oh, only one? That sounds disappointing. Is there anything else, like the Shar you've mentioned earlier?"

The Secretary stared at Heinrich for a moment, then turned towards the mansion as if he had seen something once more in that distance.

"...As for the Shar, it would seem it will appear some time soon. Other than that, there also seem to be enchanted weapons that are currently in their possession inside that mansion. Around four, in fact. Two of which are used for training purposes, and the other two are significantly stronger. It's possible that those two enchanted weapons were created for the two potential combatants that I identified earlier to use."

Hearing the Secretary say about enchanted weapons caught the Captain's interest.

"Really? That sounds fantastic! Finally, someone who can give me a challenge this time around!"

Heinrich Abednego had that look that screamed excitement on his face. His unnerving big grin would bring fear to those who are aware of his power.

With that same expression, he pointed toward the mansion and ordered in a loud voice for all to hear.

"Men of the Abednego Company, beckon to my voice! Hear me! Hear me! We shall capture that mansion and slay all who oppose you! Spare those who stand and run in fear, capture them, and bring them outside here to this courtyard! Bond them with chains and cheer! For victory is ours!"

The fifty of the Abednego Company cheered. Their combined voices can be heard throughout the night sky. Thus, the Captain had issued an order that was plain to hear and understand.

"Charge!"

With that begins the battle for the Eisen Mansion.

XXX

Inside the Eisen Mansion, a blue-haired woman was seen looking outside of her window from her bedroom. Her overall expression can be told as someone who was running out of time as soldiers began flooding through the destroyed gate. As if nothing can stop them from entering.

"They've arrived. Far sooner than expected."

Juvia bit her lip. She had underestimated the enemy's preparations and their ability to carry out their plans. As well as their overall strengths, she had no idea what to say about it.

She had heard the rumors from the inner circle of the nobility that talked about a huge army that was seen twelve kilometers from the borders of the Amriel Kingdom. There were also other sightings of huge armies assembling in other parts of the Kingdom's borders, amassing in numbers unheard of in this time of age. All bearing the same emblem as the ones the scouts had seen earlier.

Naturally, these things would bother someone like Juvia, who was concerned not just for the land she controlled but the people living there. As such, she made preparations on her own regarding the potential threat that might occur in the future that would lead the land into ruin. Therefore, she had arranged several defensive capabilities in order to hold her own against the potential destruction of the Margrave Eisen Lands.

At first, she established several Delay Teleportation Seals throughout the Eisen Lands. As well as a few of the lands where the other nobility, who she can consider as trusted associates, who she also established seals as well. With said lands being strategically important in terms of defensive positions that may affect the overall warfare.

The Delay Teleportation Seals themselves have an alert system that detects incoming groups or objects that were transported via Instantaneous Travel and/or Teleportation Seals. It would provide a decent amount of information about what's coming as well as delaying them for a certain amount of time. That was the main reason why she had the Delay Teleportation Seals established in the first place.

Secondly, she had many of the guards that were stationed in the land undergo additional extensive training that will hopefully strengthen them at their ideal level. She also supplied them with enchanted equipment that would potentially give them an advantage in terms of defense and offensive capabilities than the average soldier in the Kingdom's army. Normally, such an endeavor would drain a noble's financial resources, especially when the cost of procuring said equipment is high. That includes the fact that it would take a long time for it to be accomplished, and that's not including the costs for said training as well.

However, unlike most nobles, Juvia was different. Being titled as the most stingiest noblewoman in the entire kingdom, where she had more money compared to the average noble who would rather lavish themselves in their luxury. Her riches even rivaled the richest of nobles, including the Royal Family of all people, in the Kingdom. The Eisen Matriarch had used her treasury for needful purposes, and defense was an absolute necessity for her at this time as a financial priority. As such, she was able to accomplish it with much shorter time than it was possible for the average nobility to do so. As well as having a little more money left to spare for her own needs.

There was a third she had prepared, and it was a culmination of all those years of training that had finally paid off to reach the level where that person is at.

Unfortunately, despite all of these preparations, the enemy has managed to overwhelm such defenses in such a short time. The Eisen matriarch might've thought they have something in their arsenal that have bypassed the Delay Teleportation Seals. A feat that would've gone unnoticed if it weren't for the fact that, somehow, they managed to teleport so deep within the Amriel Kingdom's territory without having the Delay Teleportation Seals going off.

The Delay Teleportation Seals themselves was a product dating back to thousands of years. With said seals were deemed impossible to bypass even with the best of efforts. The enemy was able to accomplish it with seemingly overwhelming ease. A feat that was considered impossible.

This is a disaster of the highest order. How is it possible for them to accomplish such a feat?

She was aware there were other nations that were developing some sort of improvements of the Instantaneous Travel Seals. But, to have them able to bypass the Delay Teleportation Seals, it is a feat that no one has ever done before. It felt strange to her as to how they were able to do it in the first place. Which country they belonged to, she has not the slightest clue where they were from. She never heard of an anonymous mercenary group to have this kind of strength. So much so, it's absolutely ridiculous that they were never known before all of this had happened.

What's worse, the guards that she had painstakingly trained were all killed in a matter of seconds. Not that they were weak, of course. It's only because the enemy was simply too powerful for them to handle. Even with the enchanted equipment they were supplied with that boosted their offensive and defensive capabilities were apparently not enough, it seemed.

As for how strong the enemy was, she doesn't know. But, based on their current achievements and strategy, she supposed that they are an enemy not to be underestimated. Especially when they were able to overrun the defenses she had set with overwhelming ease. 

Though this kind of situation may have guaranteed panic and distress for the ordinary noble, she knew there's still a trump she hasn't used yet. A trump card that is the third she had prepared and has yet to arrive.

"Mother!"

The voice of her son was soon heard. He had slammed the door open so hard the hinges broke easily. Making it well known how much physical strength her son has.

This young man, Zedekiah Van Eisen, was the third that Juvia had prepared for this situation.

"Good, you're here, Zedekiah. Perfect timing, I was waiting for you. I see that you're awake as well, Saffron. You look a lot fresher than you were earlier."

She turned to see her son in perfect condition, still wearing his usual clothes, but she could tell he had gotten a bit stronger from the training earlier. Saffron, the maid behind him, was looking more refreshed than she was before she got knocked out of consciousness earlier.

The woman smiled. Her thoughts display her attitude as a natural leader.

He's here, perfect. Everything should go fine from here as well. His strength should prove useful if we were to survive all of these, and this is great. Now, for the next step.

The blue-haired matriarch narrowed her eyes and expressively spoke with seriousness in her tone. Matching the current situation they're in.

"The enemy is in the courtyard, as you have noticed, my son. They have breached the defenses far too easily than is expected. Nonetheless, since you're here, we should have a decent amount of firepower in our possession. Where's your sister, by the way?"

"I'm here!" the young red-haired girl entered. Her presence also gave hope to the current head of the Eisen Family in this distressing situation.

"Good, I see that you're alright. I suppose you've seen the enemy in action earlier, correct?"

The young girl nodded. Juvia knew well enough that Rosetta had seen the first seconds of the attack since she was at the courtyard earlier. As such, without the matriarch asking for more, the younger Eisen spoke.

"Yes, one of them managed to kill the guards faster than I could blink. And they have a monster that could make the two doors of the main gate fly so far and reach near the entrance of the mansion in an instant!"

"Oh really?"

The way Rosetta described may seem childish compared to the professional reporting she had heard countless times from the hired servants of the mansion. But, there are still inches of truth in the way the young girl had said.

If what she describes is correct, then it should be possible they have someone who has the strength of the Scholars in their ranks.

Knowing from firsthand experience of who and what Scholars are, they were a group of people who were not to be scoffed at. Especially when they're at a level higher than the preconceived limit of certain abilities. Those thoughts were based on recent archaeological evidence of a civilization from a bygone age that formed the basis of said thought used by the general populace and even within the ranks of the Nobility. As such, for them to be able to perform the feat, she has to deal with them on the level where the Scholars are at. 

Those who are on the level of the scholars are no joke when it comes to situations like this. Especially when considering their achievements and impact they have made on an international level thus far. 

"Saffron!"

Juvia's commanding voice was firm and clear, echoing into the minds of those around her. Surprising the young maid, who is not used to her voice being this serious.

"Yes, lady Juvia! How can I help?!"

With fear more evident in the maid's eye than what she noticed prior to the training session earlier, she felt sorry for having the poor girl feel the burden of carrying out her orders when she needed her to do so. Considering before the girl's work as a maid, she was just a normal village girl with great potential in magic that she took her in. For the purpose to further enhance her potential as a Magic Arts user.

Now, in this time of great distress, she needs to be more firm in her orders. Even when they sound weird at times.

"Remove the mattress from my bed immediately!"

"...What?"

"Do as I say, child!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

The maid immediately jumped on the bed. The bed itself was big, too big for Juvia's liking. But she still kept it since it's been in use for centuries, and the girl used her Light Arts to teleport the mattress away from the bed. Thus revealing two swords underneath where the mattress was.

The swords looked like normal, ordinary longswords, very similar to the ones the Eisen Siblings used earlier during their training. However, the main difference was that there were more seals than the training swords had, and it looked much sharper compared to what was on the training swords as well.

The matriarch grinned as she saw the two swords. The Eisen Siblings could only stare at the blue-haired woman with unease as to why she was grinning before she turned back to them. Her facial expression was suddenly serious.

"Listen here, children. I was saving these swords for a special occasion once either Zedekiah or you, Rosetta, have completed your training and are capable of using a sword in combat. But, since the enemy is at the gates, I find it necessary to hand these swords to you two for your protection and as well as fighting off the enemy."

After she said this, it surprised the Eisen Siblings. Juvia knew neither of them thought about the purpose of the training nor why she cast the seals into their swords in the first place. Most especially to her son, who started his sword training two years ago out of earnest desire to be able to live up to the family name. As well as an aftereffect of what had happened that night all those years ago.

As a mother, Juvia was proud that her son had that desire. Knowing the progress he made so far would make him an excellent swordsman in the future. Rosetta, on the other hand, had much more potential than she realized she had. Notwithstanding the current physical appearance she has, it makes her look like an unlikely candidate to be a swordswoman. But her strength is something not to go unnoticed, especially when she had not undergone any special warrior training in the past. Her untapped potential is something that is needed to grow, and the girl was unfortunate enough not to have that time.

If they had time, Rosetta would have been a monster of a swordswoman if they could've drawn that strength of hers before the sudden attack came.

Juvia frowned. She knew reality was not kind to the young girl in front of her. In this, it was apparent. If only they had the opportunity to change that.

Now, the past cannot be changed. Only to move forward.

"Wait, why? Why are these swords so special that you have to wait for us to complete our training?"

The head of the Eisen household looked straight at the young girl's eyes. With said girl taken aback at Juvia's action. Fear was evident in the red-haired girl's eyes.

The blue-haired matriarch knew that the younger Eisen knew nothing of her potential, and she knew Rosetta had done nothing wrong to deserve such a treatment from her. 

What wasted potential you have. If only you were given time to learn other than the nobility training you received, then you would be better off than you are now.

Juvia thought of those in her mind, only widening the frown that she had and the disappointment she also had for not considering the potential Rosetta possessed.

She regretted not having the younger Eisen be trained in swordsmanship. But her current skills and strength might suffice in holding back the enemy until Zedekiah, with his polished superior swordsmanship and strength, would finish them off.

However, the past is in the past. There's no time regretting such things. Her only hope now is to have the young girl get out of the situation and leave this land until she is strong enough to return.

She prayed in her heart for divine intervention for it to happen.

Now, she has something to say before the enemy destroys the door that she cast an Enhanced Durability Seal on before the invasion. There was only a matter of time before they did so.

"I want to be brief with you, Rosetta. These swords are special because they have been enchanted with superior seals than what I've cast on your training swords. Those swords have the same effect as the ones you've used earlier, but double the strength. This means you can increase the swords' weight and durability by double the amount. There's also another seal I cast on these swords called the Heighten Sharpness Seal."

"What does it do?"

"Remember how sharp a sword can get?"

"Sharp enough to cut flesh and bones easily... right?"

Juvia nodded in response. Noting the naivety and lack of outside knowledge her stepdaughter has.

"Yes, imagine that, but in proportion to the strength of the user."

This surprised the young girl. The blue-haired matriarch would've reveled in explaining the tiniest details to the red-haired girl, but time was running out.

"To make it short, Rosetta. The activation of the seal requires superior strength compared to the ordinary man. This means it gets sharper when someone who is strong wields the blade. If an ordinary man can have the strength to cut off, let's say, an arm with a normal sharp sword, what more can someone with your strength do? Most importantly, the seal can be activated automatically, and you have to be careful. It will harm the user when used improperly, and I don't want that to happen to you."

Her explanation, though brief, was simple enough for the younger Eisen. Even her own son was surprised how clear and simple it was for someone like her to do so. It was much easier to comprehend. 

Without much more explanation, the two Eisen siblings picked up the swords, which had their names inscribed and prepared for the battle that was about to start.

As they ran off to meet with the enemy, Juvia had one final thought in her mind.

Please, be safe, you two.

With that, the Eisen Matriarch left the room along with the maid without another word.

This was surely a night that would change their lives forever.

XXX

Zedekiah didn't understand why all of this was happening.

Though he was aware that his mother heard some rumors about a war among her many visits with the inner circle of the nobility, he had no idea how sudden the war began. He didn't expect it to happen so soon, just when Rosetta's training had just started.

However, ever since he started his training with the sword two years ago, he had oddly felt his skills would be in use after all those years of training. Even then, he was fairly inexperienced in terms of warfare. As for his sword skills, he was confident that he could fight on his own.

They were running down the stairs, both him and Rosetta. Each with the new swords in each other's hands.

Zedekiah held his sword like an experienced warrior. The way he ran was borne out of his training with the sword, able to make use of the weapon in his hand without awkwardness of any kind. His sister, on the other hand, was facing difficulty but, nonetheless, was able to keep up with her older brother.

The older Eisen looked at his younger sister as they ran. Noticing the anxiety and fear evident in his sister's expression. The young man knew exactly what his sister was going through.

It was because he had experienced this sort of thing before in the past.

Although he had gone through several experiences during his training, some of which were sudden expeditions in exterminating bandit groups that plagued the Eisen Lands in recent years. His mother knew that in order to gain experience, he must go through a sword battle with his life on the line.

That was when he had the first taste of killing a man with the sword by his own hand. 

Zedekiah was fully aware of the horrors of killing a person who had lived a life like his before, and they were human like him. Intelligent, able to make choices. To take away a person's life when they have the chance to change for the better leaves a bitter taste in his mouth.

As an older brother and legal heir to the Eisen name, he had done what he could to bear the consequences of his actions. Even what he had done was never told to his sister, who was blissfully unaware of the things he did. And it was done with good reason.

He loved his sister, though she was born from a different mother to whom he knew nothing about including Rosetta, who never knew her mother as well. Having left her at the hands of the Eisen family with his father apparently having an affair with a different woman than his own legal spouse.

Though he knew nothing about what had happened during those days, he was grateful that they were able to keep her. Knowing that leaving a child alone without care would lead to an innocent being to death. That is something he never wanted to happen to anyone. Not even those who are his enemies.

However, in times like these, when an enemy attacks, the reason to shed the blood of a fellow human becomes justifiable. As such, it was no sin if it was for a better cause.

Just as they had arrived near the entrance of the mansion. The mansion doors, which his mother had cast the Enhance Durability Seal, were broken down. Allowing the enemy to come in hordes. Ready to kill at first sight.

Zedekiah, with his experience in life-threatening situations, was able to react fully while Rosetta froze in fear. The young man moved in front of his sister, with his blade held up front.

The young heir then charged at the first enemy he had seen. The weight of the blade in his hands becomes light. As light as a feather can be. Swinging at the enemy with an overhead slash.

The enemy soldier noticed the young man charging at him, ready to swing his sword. The soldier then angled his sword to block the incoming strike, as he had done so many times in the past based on experience.

However, what the enemy soldier did not expect was when his sword was sliced through like a hot knife through butter. Cutting through the soldier's blade and along with his armor as well, slicing halfway through the unfortunate soldier's body. Instantly ending his life.

The soldier's comrades noticed the act made by the red-haired young man. But, instead of standing in fear, the soldiers charged at the Eisen heir. Attempting to avenge their fallen comrade, thinking they could kill the red-haired boy with their superior numbers.

Nonetheless, to their astonishment, Zedekiah moved swiftly. Evading all their strikes and countering with his own slashes. With each stroke fell a soldier each. Ending their lives in a matter of seconds.

Some of the remaining soldiers followed the examples of their fallen comrades. Some charged at the younger Eisen, thinking that she was easy to kill compared to the Eisen heir. Others simply watched cautiously, waiting for an opportunity to strike when the moment presented itself.

Much like the soldiers' before them, they were easily cut down by Zedekiah with his superior strength and skill. Being able to move freely because of the light weight of the sword and how he was trained to use a heavy weapon in order to swiftly use a lighter, sharper sword more effectively. All of them were astonished by his sword skills before they lost their lives in the process.

His younger sister, on the other hand, had much more difficulty compared to her brother. She was evading their attacks but couldn't find an opportunity to strike. Her fear of losing her life and the prospect of taking away another's life had created a dilemma in her mind that she could not choose one above the other.

Zedekiah Van Eisen was aware of what his mother had planned in her mind. Using Rosetta as a distraction while cutting down the enemy ranks as they were focused on her seemed effective, but having the risk of losing her because of this strategy was nothing more than a sickening idea for him. What he was aware of is that it is this part of the strategy that he wasn't overwhelmed by the enemy soldiers in the first place.

He had sincerely hoped that they would be able to repel the invading soldiers until they were safe enough to escape the battle unscathed. 

The heir of the Eisen household had killed thirteen enemy soldiers by himself. His sister still struggled on her part, but he managed to help her a bit and swiftly kill the enemy soldiers while they were focused on her. Making it a total of fifteen killed by his own hand.

The red-haired young man stood in between his sister and the enemy soldiers that were standing by the entrance. His display of sword skills was enough to make his enemies stand cautiously, apparently wary of his impressive combat capabilities. Zedekiah, currently, wasn't a bit tired after all of that. In fact, he felt he was getting started.

They're strong. They are definitely a level higher than the guards' mom trained. If I hadn't trained all those years ago, they would've killed me by now. It's a miracle that I've reached this level in just two years.

If he were to compare the level of strength of the enemy soldiers to the guards, they would be like iron while the guards themselves would be like copper in strength. Thus displaying the difference in power between the two.

In fact, a single soldier alone would be enough to kill four guards on his own, and those were the same guards that were supplied with enchanted equipment. It was obvious that these soldiers were not ordinary trained men found in the army.

Whoever trained these men is a monster. To be able to have them on a level higher than a normally trained soldier is something I need to be wary of.

Despite all of that, Zedekiah turned his back and saw Rosetta still shaken from the experience earlier. Zedekiah knew she was strong enough to beat one on her own, but with extra effort and luck on her side.

The young heir turned his attention to the soldiers in front of him. The soldiers, still wary of him, positioned themselves where Zedekiah couldn't possibly be able to cut them all down with one swing. Displaying their tactical intelligence and overall cooperation between each other despite being bloodthirsty men.

If I were mom, I would think of them as highly disciplined men and strong in battle. Basically, monsters in human flesh... that's probably what mom would think if she was here.

If he was just an ordinary young man, he would've acted afraid because of them. However, since he was used to superhuman levels of training for the past two years, they were nothing more than training dummies to him. Being easy to deal with and easy to keep track of.

Yet, he couldn't help but have that nagging feeling in his mind that whoever is leading them is much stronger than the rest of them combined.

"Thanks, Zed." 

He heard his sister's voice behind him. Her voice assured him that she was still safe and gave hope in this chaotic situation they were in.

"You're welcome, Rosetta."

Zedekiah Van Eisen was confident that as long as things go on in this way, they will win. There was no doubt about it. Nonetheless, that feeling hasn't gone away despite the reassurance he received.

Now, how do I finish them off?

He watched the enemy soldiers. They were in positions that allowed them to minimize casualties in their ranks, and he was having a hard time trying to guess their attack patterns.

He had guessed several methods, but those methods required a lot of space, and he couldn't do it without accidentally destroying a part of the mansion in the process.

Maybe I could... Hm?

As Zedekiah was about to make his next move. The soldiers parted, allowing a man behind the group to move forward. His cape fluttered as he walked between the gathered soldiers. Having a vastly different aura than the soldiers he had fought and killed. His breastplate proudly displayed an emblem that looked like a ferocious lion. His steps were light, yet the way he approached was heavy and intimidating.

The young Eisen heir straightened his stance, his blade still pointing at the enemy. The Heighten Sharpness Seal and the Enhance Durability Seal glowed brightly as if they responded to the man's presence. Surprising Zedekiah as he noticed the seals were glowing.

The air... it's heavy...

Zedekiah couldn't tell if it was just his imagination or if the man was producing it on his own. However, what he does know is that the man is strong.

His darkish brown hair and beard doesn't strike Zedekiah of what his age is but the man's dull gray eyes, something he never saw anyone with those kinds of eyes, had something in them that made him scared. It was as if he was a hungry lion trying to devour him. It doesn't help that his armor and sword would make him seem like a lion more than anything else based on his appearance.

The young man's body slightly trembled. Just standing alone was causing this experienced heir to quiver in response to that man's presence. As though he had power. Power that was beyond his understanding.

Zedekiah slightly turned his head back to his sister, who was visibly trembling. Now, knowing that it wasn't him alone that was experiencing the fear that came from the man.

The Eisen heir turned his attention back to the man, having fully understood the gravity of the situation that was caused by the man who had just entered the mansion. His very presence alone had shifted the scales almost instantaneously, knowing that the man was someone not to be underestimated. Even though he was a high target that needed to fall for them to succeed.

The red-haired boy, nonetheless, took a stance. Not wanting another second passed away without having been prepared for the inevitable to happen. He drew his breath and cast away all fear as he focused his attention on the man, who could be the enemy commander leading this company of monsters.

Then, he heard the man speak. His voice sounded old, but his overall tone spoke of his firmness as a man who was still able.

"I see you are the young man that killed fifteen of my men. Impressive, but I've seen way too many times a single person can perform this sort of thing in the past."

Zedekiah couldn't help but shiver at his words. It was as if the man was talking about something so common to him that he knew so well. So much so, what he did was nothing new to the man.

It also implied something else, and he knew what that meant.

"Oh? Scared, are we? Hahaha, this should be fun."

Man cackled as he grinned, giving off an impression that he wasn't going to be easy compared to the soldiers Zedekiah had killed earlier.

Zedekiah gripped his sword. His fears that the man might be someone who is far stronger than he had ever faced increased. The fact that the two seals responded to the man without him activating them, just from his presence alone, was proof that the enemy commander in front of him was a monster not to be underestimated.

"Rosetta. Can you hear me?"

The boy whispered to the girl behind him. The red-haired sister answered, almost immediately to her brother.

"Yes, Zed. I can hear you."

"Good. Could you do me one favor, please?"

"What is it?"

The young heir could tell that his sister behind him was afraid of that man. He could keenly feel it just by hearing her voice alone.

It was that very reason he needed to say it to her. As plain as it possibly can.

"I need you to run, Rosetta. Run as fast as you can away from here. And don't you dare look back."

"What?! Why?!"

The confusion that his younger sister has was apparent. Not knowing the dangers this battle may hold, especially for the safety of the one who has the most potential between the two. He needs to have her flee away from the battle. For both her safety and their future.

He knew there wasn't any time left for arguments. He needed to act now before it was too late, and he needed to do it fast. 

"Just do as I say and run, Rosetta!"

Without having the red-haired girl any time to reply, Zedekiah Van Eisen charged towards the enemy commander in a burst of speed. Taking everyone, except for the commander himself, off guard.

Seeing that the young man had taken the duel right off the bat, he also charged toward the Eisen heir. Sensing the battle had begun in earnest, the commander grinned as he charged at the young man.

Zedekiah raised his sword up high, ready for a downward slash. He used all of his strength in order to cut down the monster of a man in front of him. Increasing the sword weight to its maximum setting as the gravity of the swing began its downward arc towards the enemy. Thinking that the weight itself, as well as the velocity of the swing, would be enough to catch the enemy commander off his tracks.

The enemy commander grinned as he also swung his sword, countering the sword slash with the same speed as the young man used. Drawing the Lion's Sword from its sheath the moment both combatants had taken action against each other. Both blades began to meet with strength and speed above what the normal man could do. With force strong enough to shatter walls.

Both Zedekiah's sword and the enemy's blade clashed, creating a powerful shockwave. Sending everyone behind near the two combatants flying. Not expecting the level of strength the two were capable of as well as the clash that was so powerful, it lifted up entire bodies. Even those who were wearing full suits of armor were no exception to this clash of strengths.

However, despite the move the young man made, he wasn't able to create the effect that he desired.

Since the seals that were enchanted on his sword were far superior to the ones used on the training swords, he had supposed that using the Weight Increase Seal to its maximum setting while swinging the sword would create a force that would at least be able to crush the enemy commander. Because of its weight and speed, it was swung at, the boy knew it would be strong enough to surprise anyone. Knowing that its weight can be set, at maximum, around 3,400 kilograms (3.75 US tons). Zedekiah hoped that the weight and the speed it was going would catch the man off guard.

Unfortunately, much to the horror of the young man, the commander had managed to counter the blow with his own sword. What's worse is that not only did he block it but was able to withstand the weight itself. The man himself doesn't seem to be entirely surprised by that fact.

What's even worse is that his sword wasn't cut off. What made it more horrifying was the fact that the sword itself, even though the Heighten Sharpness Seal was activated, and with the weight of the sword at its heaviest, it wasn't able to cut through the man's sword. Unlike the swords of the previous soldiers he had killed, he was able to cut through them with ease like a sharp knife cutting paper.

It was at this moment that Zedekiah fully understood that this man was no ordinary man.

This man is a monster!

It was the only conclusion he could make based on what he had seen the man do. His fears only increased when the commander began pushing him back steadily. To the point that he was sent flying back with such strength, he didn't know it was possible in the first place.

In a split second, Zedekiah immediately set the sword's weight back to normal before he landed on his back. His body skidded through the floor, breaking the furniture behind him. Displaying the strength the enemy commander held.

"Is that all? I'm quite disappointed even though you're using a heavily enchanted sword."

The red-haired young man went back on his feet as he heard the man say those words. His ability to recover surprised those who were seeing, not expecting him to stand after all that had. Zedekiah had used a secret technique only for those who were the legal successors of the Van Eisen name. Using that same technique, as well as the desire to protect those whom he held dear, had created the motivation to keep on going. Despite knowing full well that fighting the man any longer may well lead to his death.

Not wanting to vocally respond to the gray-eyed man, Zedekiah rushed towards the man once more. His only goal was to distract the enemy commander long enough for Rosetta to run away as far as she could. As well as allowing those who served in the mansion to flee as well.

The young man roared as he unleashed a flurry of sword swings. Moving as fast as he can, displaying the results of his training, with speeds defying what a normal man can do. His arms became a blur to his enemies' eyes as he swung faster beyond human perception to the point he was well above the level the enemy soldiers were at.

The enemy commander kept pace with the young man. Parrying his sword swings with his own sword, using only one arm to do so against Zedekiah's two-armed swings.

Left, right, upward, downward, vertical, horizontal, and diagonal. The Eisen heir used all of these directions in his attacks, but the man blocked all of them. The enemy commander's superior combat ability was simply more than enough to counter whatever move Zedekiah could make in a spur of a moment. Even when he tried so many times to feint an attack but to fail immediately.

He even attempted to throw pieces of furniture at the man. From large luxurious couches to simple vases, anything that he can think of to distract him. The enemy commander had some form of awareness that even the tricks he used had no effect on him.

This did not deter the young man from pressing forward in his attacks. The onslaught of swords made it seem like a dance of blades, beautiful to see but deadly to be in. Sparks can be seen flying as metal to metal grinded each other, displaying the monstrous strength these two held in their swings. Bringing to awe all of those who were watching.

It came to the point where the enemy commander began to be bored. His expression showed that he had enough with the young heir's valiant display.

"It's time to end this."

Zedekiah heard the enemy commander utter those words, implying that he was going to finish what he had started. Preparing himself for the worst that could happen.

In an instant, there was a sound. Unlike anything he had ever heard before.

The young man wasn't able to react to what the enemy did. But, he did notice that there was a piece of metal, perfectly cut, flying where the end tip of the sword was supposed to be.

Zedekiah didn't take long for the realization to sink in as he felt something warm going out of his body. His eyes turned to the man's sword, widening his eyes as he saw the blade pierced through his shoulder. Instantaneously knowing what had just happened. 

The sword the young heir held was sliced off. From one edge to the other, it was cleanly cut off like a hot knife through butter. The entire blade was severed.

He knew the sword was enchanted with a superior Enhance Durability Seal. Being twice as strong was placed on the training swords. Even though the first one was highly durable, even more so, with the superior seal enchanted on his current sword that he's using.

If he did the calculations correctly, based on his mother's statements, it would take someone who is wielding a 3,400 kilogram sword, swinging it eight times faster than the normal swing, to break the blade he used to fight his enemy.

The enemy commander did just that and did it so quickly that he wasn't able to register the feat in his mind as pain began coursing through his body.

Zedekiah screamed. The pain in his voice was so evident that no normal person could ever watch in horror at what the man did to the young Eisen heir.

As if it wasn't enough, the man pulled the sword out of the red-haired boy's shoulder, gushing out blood from the open wound.

The young heir fell to the ground, writhing in pain he had never felt before. His senses were overcome by the intensity of it that he could not tell his surroundings. He couldn't possibly think as calmly as he should be in the situation he was in.

That was true to anyone who was not familiar with the pain of a sword stabbed through the body. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced in his life.

"Zed!"

The young man heard his sister's cry amidst the pain. His eyes shoot open in realization that she had not done what he had told her to do. His fears for her safety had briefly but surely brought him back to his senses.

Overriding the pain he is in through sheer willpower, the Eisen heir could only do in this present moment, was to shout at his sister as hard as he could.

"What are you still doing here?! Get away from here!"

He didn't care that he was going to die by the enemy commander. He didn't care that the entire mansion was going to fall into the enemy's hands. All he cared about was his family's safety. That was the most important thing that was in his mind.

Zedekiah didn't know the exact reason why his sister still stayed, but he didn't have time when the enemy was standing there. Gleefully staring at him in pain.

This wasn't a look that a sane person would have. It was a look that only a monster could do.

Seeing his sister still standing where she had last seen her, Zedekiah put all of his strength to stand and ignore the pain as much as he possibly could.

In this moment when Zedekiah Van Eisen had let his heroism shine through this darkening despair of a situation he was in.

He did not want to give up. He did not want to make his efforts in vain.

Most importantly, he didn't want to die like a coward.

The young Eisen heir stood, only barely, lifting his sword with his uninjured arm. Aiming his blade at the enemy commander in front of him.

"Oh? I'm impressed. To see this level of courage for a young man such as yourself. Impressive. Tell me your name, boy. I wish to know before I end this for real."

The red-haired young man stared at the man intensely. His burning willpower to protect those he loved began to reflect the way he stood. His expression hardened, no longer visibly in pain.

"I am the 24th Generation hailed from the line of swordsmen, bearing the blood of that man who had turned the tides of the Great Demon War! The man that was hailed as the strongest swordsman in history! I am the descendant of that Sword Saint! My name is Zedekiah! Zedekiah Van Eisen! I will not let you harm my sister nor anyone else in this mansion and anywhere else!"

It was then that the young man felt strength. Strength more than he could imagine coursing through him.

He felt lighter as he began to take a one-armed sword stance with his broken sword. The air around him began to shake as if responding to his valiant effort.

The enemy commander grinned, and the soldiers around behind him began to visibly shake. Sensing the second wind, Zedekiah, heir to the Van Eisen name, has.

"Oh? So this is the Will of Fire that I heard so much about from those stories about the descendants of that Sword Saint. Impressive, I must say. You truly are a Van Eisen in both appearance and aura."

The young heir did not move, nor would he respond to the man. His eyes were placed firmly upon the enemy commander. Intensifying the aura he had produced.

"Hm. You're taking this seriously, huh? Very well. As a matter of courtesy, I will tell you my name."

The man took a stance, and the hilt of his Lion's Sword, which is shaped like a sleeping lion, began to open its eyes. Revealing an unmistakable amethyst colored eyes, its jaw opened. Displaying a beast that is ready to hunt its prey.

"My name is Heinrich. Heinrich Abednego. I will be that warrior to overcome a descendant of that Great Hero, who is also that same Sword Saint, and I will have my name written for all to see. I have fought and won against a Master Swordsman."

It was then the head of the Lion's Sword began to roar. Its sound was like the likeness of a lion, proud and intimidating. Majestic and ferocious. Deadly and noble.

Yet, all of these did not break the concentration of the young man. Who continued to stare at the man while maintaining the aura he had produced.

Then, he drew his breath. Controlling it, flowing out of his lungs and breathing in deeply. His form remained the same, yet the pain no longer hindered his mind.

Afterward, both Zedekiah and Heinrich disappeared. 

The soldiers behind Heinrich began to wonder where the young man was. Not knowing what had happened between the two.

"Where did they go?"

One among them asked. For some, they asked that question in their hearts as they felt a sense of danger. For some, they stood with blank expressions, not knowing how to react.

At that moment, they were sent flying.

None of them knew what was happening. All they could feel was them being flown away along with the surrounding remnants of once extravagant furniture.

There, at the next second, there were clashes.

It was then that the soldiers knew that both combatants were moving at speeds faster than they could see.

All around them, both combatants faced each other at speeds that surpassed human perception. Their clashes were heavier and stronger than they were before. Moving around the spacious living room of the Eisen Mansion. Clashes strong enough to shatter the floor beneath them.

Zedekiah and Heinrich are both fighting on a level the soldiers knew that they could not reach on their own.

The young heir and the enemy commander fought with renewed strength. Zedekiah used his only free arm against Heinrich's sword fighting style of using that same arm he had used since the beginning of the battle.

Yet, their current state was vastly different from what they started.

Jumping wall to wall, using the enclosed space of the environment they were in, they treated the walls as stepping stones to continue with their deadly dance of blades. With neither of them having signs of slowing down.

In this battle of strength and skill, it was apparent that there was still a victor whom everyone knew would win.

However, even with that knowledge, they were unsure if the end result still remained the same.

Regardless of that thought, the strong gusts of wind produced by these two men of warriors might end after a minute had passed.

It was then that the soldiers noticed Zedekiah Van Eisen reappearing in the air. And he was falling.

His body fell on the floor with a loud thud. Audible for all around to hear in this sudden deafening environment. His body lay seemingly motionless, but his eyes were still open. He was still alive.

The next moment, Heinrich also reappeared in the air above Zedekiah. Using both his body's weight and the gravity pulling him down, stomping on the young man's body. With said young man screaming in pain.

"You have been an excellent opponent, young Eisen. I suppose Secretary Kuznetsov's identifier wasn't so bad after all. Good job, you gave a surprise back there. Unfortunately for you, however, you weren't strong enough for me to release my restraints. A pity, I must say."

It wasn't long before the enemy commander drew something from his belt, and it looked like it was a pouch of some kind.

The young Eisen heir below him couldn't react in time when the man threw the pouch at him, releasing some sort of violet dust in it.

That was the last time Zedekiah Van Eisen knew before it all became dark.

XXX

Rosetta Van Eisen couldn't believe what she was seeing.

Even though the battle hadn't started that long, it felt it went by so fast that she couldn't feel it was that intense. Yet, all of it had happened in such a short time.

She saw her brother move so fast that he was only a blur to her. His strength, far exceeding hers by a huge margin, could produce strong winds that would make any man fly despite his weight. He held so much power that she couldn't believe anyone could beat him in a fight.

Yet, to her horror, it wasn't enough to deal with the man who, throughout the entire fight, fought Zedekiah on an equal footing. No, the enemy commander completely overpowered her older brother with no effort on his part. Like, he wasn't even fazed by her brother's strikes to begin with.

What kind of monster is he?

Not only had he defeated Zedekiah, who was much stronger than her, but the man managed to break the sword her stepmother had created with superior seals. This means the enemy commander was someone who is far above the level she thought would be enough to be at.

This was definite proof that the enemy commander was not in the same realm of power she thought was the peak. This was the same person who might be responsible for the two steel doors to fly deep into the Eisen Courtyards. The doors themselves had more than enough weight to endure heavy attacks in the first place.

Rosetta unconsciously took a step back. Her fears were evident in her young appearance, trembling at the display of strength the man had easily made. She had enough proof that he wasn't someone to beat at this time.

Get away from here!

Her brother's voice echoed through her mind. His shout entered her thoughts and hearts that she needed to get away from the being who so easily dealt with her brother with little effort.

Rosetta Van Eisen, with nothing else to think about other than her own, ran away. Dropping her sword while she was at it.

She thought when she stayed, she'd be able to see her brother win against the enemy, like a hero overcoming the villain. But, she was proven wrong the moment she saw her brother under the enemy commander's feet.

The young woman ran as fast as she could. Her fears overcame all reason because of what the enemy commander did to her brother. His overwhelming strength became the justifiable factor for her plight.

There was no other logical reason that she could do in this situation. After all, this was something that needed to be avoided rather than to face someone like him in a head-on battle. Especially for a monster like him who could beat her brother so easily. Therefore, there wasn't anything that she could think of that could fight him at this moment.

In this situation, it doesn't matter if pride is at stake or for a valiant purpose, it isn't worth fighting against someone who could break a sword that was superiorly enhanced than the training swords they used. This is how Rosetta figured out that the enemy was unbeatable the moment he accomplished that feat.

It would be certain death if she stayed far too long in the presence of that man and his soldiers. There was nothing that could ever convince her to stay after all that had happened.

With that in her mind, the young woman escaped from the enemy. Her small frame had gotten little attention from the soldiers, but the commander himself had seen her flight.

Although Rosetta couldn't look back to see the enemy commander's expression, she could feel the enemy's malicious intention by his aura alone. Then, his voice made it evident to her that what she felt was true.

"Men, go after her!"

A chorus of shouts erupted from the enemy soldiers. Displaying their total fidelity to that man's command also showed that they were ready, if not, happily, to execute it.

The young red-haired woman ran as fast as she could. Her brother's voice still echoed in her mind to run. To not look back lest the enemy overruns her.

Despite her physical strength that she was so proud of, it was nothing compared to the men whom she had trouble dealing with earlier. Most importantly, they have more skills and experience using said strength than she had in her entire life.

She dashed through the hallways of the mansion, her heart beating in fear as she could hear the footsteps of the soldiers closing in. Following her from behind with the intent to capture her and bring her back to that monster.

What should I do?! What should I do?!

Those thoughts raced through her mind as she could feel that they were coming closer and closer to her. All of the things that had happened this evening were nothing she had ever experienced in her life.

All of it felt like a living nightmare to her. And she wanted to get away from it as much as possible.

"Stay away from me!"

The girl shouted from the top of her lungs. Wishing that her voice would be enough to convince the men to stop, but she knew well enough that it was only hopeful thinking and it would do nothing to deter them from their orders that they have received.

All of a sudden, there was something that moved.

Not from the soldiers, nor was it from her. Rather, it was from between her and the enemy.

She turned around and saw a wall. A wall made of solid earth that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, separating her from the enemy soldiers.

Even though she wanted to breathe out a sigh of relief, she knew couldn't. Not without knowing what had caused this wall of earth to appear.

"Rosetta! What are you doing here?!"

"Stepmom?!"

As she turned towards the source of the voice, she saw the blue-haired woman coming out of a hole from behind the painting near where the wall of earth was formed.

Rosetta wanted to know how Juvia got into that hole and how the wall of earth was formed, even though it might be a form of magic, but her relief in seeing someone that is actually an ally had almost drained her strength. Especially after all that running from the soldiers earlier.

Nonetheless, the young Eisen saw the concerned look the Eisen Matriarch had on her face. As if she was looking for someone. And she could exactly tell who she was looking for.

"Where is your brother, Rosetta? I thought you were with him?"

"..."

Rosetta couldn't answer her. The young girl bit her lip and looked away as if ashamed to answer to the older woman. Her stare was directly at the direction of the wall that was formed.

"Don't tell me that Zedekiah..."

Juvia turned her attention to the wall she had formed, coming to a conclusion based on what the young Eisen could not say.

The woman gritted her teeth, not at the young girl but to the situation they were in. Notwithstanding the gravity of the implication Rosetta gave, she hoped things weren't as grave as they were.

"So it's true, then. Zedekiah was defeated."

Rosetta didn't know what to say about it. She was aware that Juvia loved her son more than anything else. To hear her say about Zedekiah was nothing more than heartbreaking to the matriarch of the Eisen family.

If it weren't for the circumstances they were in, Juvia would've had time to process all that had happened.

However, the blue-haired woman, being the most respected noblewoman that she is, held back her emotions as she turned towards the young red-haired woman. Who flinched, seeing Juvia trying hard to hold back her emotions, noticing her body was slightly trembling.

"Listen, Rosetta. I know that you know, since this situation makes it very obvious, there's no way we can win right now. The enemy has overpowered everything that I have prepared, and they even defeated your brother this soon. Which is no easy feat, considering how much stronger he is now than he was before."

Rosetta nodded, knowing full well how strong Zedekiah had been since the last time they had compared their strengths. 

But, despite that, the enemy had beaten him so quickly that it looked like they had made a joke out of him. Notwithstanding the fact that Zedekiah was far stronger than she was.

Having witnessed firsthand the enemy's strengths, the conclusion was obvious even from the beginning.

Then, what Juvia began to say shocked the young girl.

"Seeing that we are no match to the enemy, I want you, Rosetta, to leave this place. Immediately."

This, of course, had an effect on the young woman. Who expected her stepmother of all people to tell her that they could think of a solution to solve the predicament they were in. Especially when Juvia was known throughout the kingdom as a highly intelligent strategist.

To have her say those words meant that she had calculated that there was no possible chance of winning.

"There's no way you can say that, stepmom! There has to be something that we can do! Like, the magic stuff you guys have, or we can call someone for help or anything like that! I can't run away and leave you guys here!"

Rosetta, being the stubborn young girl she is, did not want to admit defeat. Not until their enemies have proven themselves capable of overwhelming victory. Which is that very thing Rosetta does not want to admit despite the clear evidence the enemy had shown themselves to be capable of.

There was also another reason why she could not leave the mansion by herself.

All of a sudden, as Juvia was about to say to the young Eisen, the walls, which were formed by the magic, shattered. Sending clusters of small debris and dust towards the two. Blinding the pair as they covered themselves with their arms, the winds that were produced by the force that shattered the wall blew with such force that it could be similar to that of a strong natural wind.

As the dust had settled, the two women began to see a figure standing just where the wall was, just by where the huge hole was. His imposing figure and the soldiers behind him had made all the more terrifying for the pair as they stared in horror at the man, who they could tell was the one who was responsible for destroying the wall.

"That's impossible," Rosetta began to hear her stepmother say, "I made sure that the wall was strong enough to withstand blows from ten Iron Golems at once. How could someone like him be able to perform such a feat without being called a scholar? What kind of man is he?"

"A Scholar?"

The red-haired young girl wondered out loud. Not knowing what her stepmother had meant by a "Scholar". Since, from what she knows, is someone who is academically smart in some aspects. As for the true meaning of what a scholar is, she doesn't know. It would seem the matriarch of the Eisen Family was aware of things that Rosetta wasn't aware of.

Regardless of what a scholar is, all she knows is that the enemy is strong. Far stronger than anything she could imagine them to be. If anything, they were like nightmarish monsters that could destroy everything in their path, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Unable to do anything, Rosetta stayed in place and watched in horror as she saw that same man who was responsible for sending the two steel doors flying, easily defeating her older brother, and now destroying a magically enhanced wall Juvia had made with one blow walking towards them with the soldiers following from behind.

Is this the end?

The intimidation factor the man had produced was overwhelming. So much so that Rosetta couldn't do anything about it other than stare at the monster of a man approaching them. The things he had done were more than enough to demoralize a normal person who knew nothing about the strengths the man holds.

Then, she heard her stepmother shout. The loudest she had ever heard from her.

"GO NOW AND GET AWAY FROM HERE, ROSETTA!"

Rosetta saw Juvia grab her, using whatever strength she may have at the moment, instantly throwing her away from where she was to a considerable distance just several meters behind the noblewoman.

Time seemed to slow down as the red-haired girl saw her stepmother with an expression of desperation on her normally stoic appearance. With a wall of earth forming between her and the blue-haired woman. As if closing what seems to be the last time they will ever see each other again.

"Mom!"

Those were Rosetta's last words to the matriarch as, all of a sudden, she was swallowed up in darkness. Devouring everything she can see in her vision until there is nothing else left to see.

She did not know what was happening. But, before she lost all senses, a plea was made in her mind and heart. Calling out to an unseen.

Please, God, help me.

XXX

In another location.

A man was seen walking.

The freezing cold winds blew, his body unfazed by the wintry storm, continuing on with the seemingly aimless journey in this land of snow and ice. Wearing only clothing that will make men shiver and die of the chill of death that permeated in this land, without any protection of any kind nonetheless. 

Yet, the man continued to walk. Walking through the frozen land, wittingly defying the prospect of freezing death, his very being stands in defiance of this certain thing. His stride speaks of his very character.

In reality, he had gotten used to the cold. So much so that there was nothing that could do to distract the man. His short, black hair flew freely in the wind, and his black eyes stared directly on the path in front of him, though without any light to illuminate the way.

Regardless of without light, his mind felt impressed to walk the path he had traveled so many times. Pondering on the things which he had seen and heard.

"Hm?"

This certain man was seen with a single brow raised. As if noticing something that was amiss. Stopping where he was in reaction to that thing he had felt. Where he felt impressed to go back where he came.

He closed his eyes. Reopened it a second later as if he had made a decision. Turning back to the direction from whence he took his journey. The path he had taken had come to a reverse as he traversed the land, filled with mountains of ice, snow-covered plains as far as the eye could see, and darkened skies that covered the land. Pouring snow with such strength, no one would think that any sense of civilization would thrive in this unforgiving landscape.

This certain man had traversed this land, the Frozen North where the Northern Tribes of the Amriel Kingdom lived, until he had come upon a snow-filled forest. The place itself was dark and dreary. Enough to scare the common man to death and prevent any travelers from entering, especially in the dark of the night.

But not for him. This man continued as if nothing could ever scare him. His being, his mind, entirely focused on what had caught his attention.

In an instant, as he set his foot into the forest, a huge monster, around four and a half meters high, appeared from the ground. Its fur rivaled the color of the white bears that can be found in this part of the region. Its skin was covered by stone-like plates as if it wore armor of some kind. Its claws were sharp enough to shred entire groups of human flesh all at once. Making it a fearsome creature to be avoided at all costs by the common man. Only members of a certain group can subdue it with ease.

The beast was called "Ursa Polaris". Known by the locals for its stone-like armor that is several times stronger than steel and its flesh and fur was stronger than said armor itself. Making it a monster of a beast to fight against.

Yet, in that same moment, that fearsome beast was cut down from top to bottom. With such speed and suddenness, the beast never knew what had happened in that instant. Killing a monster that was well-known in this region and it died in less than a millisecond.

Still unfazed, the man continued on. Not paying heed to the corpse of that fearsome monster he had slain. Its body dissipated into black vapor, disintegrating the monster to nothing. As if it wasn't there at all in the first place.

Creatures, such as the one the man had killed, was nothing more than a mere construct, not part of the natural creatures that roam the land. Creatures that were created from a bygone age, that had no part from the beginning of this world.

As such, it was these monsters that the man had no qualms about slaying. Moreso, when it turned hostile at him. For it was no sin for him to do such action. After all, he had sought authority from a divine source on whether or not it would be right to do such a thing. Since he had received what he had sought, the man was free to do whatever was right regarding the creatures of the Unnatural Order.

From that point on, there was nothing from the Unnatural Order that would stop him unless what he was directed to do.

The man went forth into the dark and dreary snow-filled forest. The darkness may blind those who cannot perceive the dark without the light, but the man had the means of traveling through the darkness without the light with him.

Passing through the grove of trees, the man passed by the glaring red eyes that were directed at this intruder. Eyes that were locked on that man, the creatures, similar to the one he killed, were seeking their new meal. Yet, they took no action against him. It was because of this thing the man went through the glares fearlessly like they were nothing to him.

He had been in this forest multiple times, and the winds and the snow beneath were familiar to him. There was nothing strange nor foreign as to the times he had been in this snow stricken land in so many days he had passed through the dreary forest.

The man stopped in his stride, hearing a thud nearby despite the winds obstructing his ears to what normally would deafen a common man from noticing.

He turned to the direction of the source of that sound, passing through once more in the darkness. His entire being shrouded by the dark, yet his eyes were firm to the direction on which he had heard. There was no such thing that could possibly obstruct him from his path.

There, he came across a body, a body of what seemed to be a child, with a height of around 148 centimeters.

Although the darkness may not permit the common man to see what it was, but for the man, he had seen clearly like it was day. He had perceived that the child had red hair, the color of crimson, likened unto blood; her clothing, a dress fitting of noble birth, was not suited for this harsh wintry cold that has stricken the land for many centuries. The man may have questioned in his mind the irrationality of this child to venture out in this land without protection of any kind, but he had no such thing in his mind as he heard the child say with struggle and weakness in her voice that pierced through his ears as though her voice was that of a silver bell.

"Who... are you...?"

Raising both of his eyes, her voice shook the man. It was as though he had heard it so many times before.

The man stood there, shaken. His eyes trained at the young girl that lay before him. Her body and her very existence had flooded his mind with memories of times past. The reminiscence of his boyhood days, a red-haired woman came into his mind until that very day, the turning point of things that occurred.

"Could she be..."

The man shook his head, remembering the very purpose as to why he was here in the Frozen North in the first place.

He looked above and saw a sword heading towards him. Like it was dropped out of heaven, aiming just a few inches away from the man.

The sword itself looked like an ordinary longsword from a glimpse of things. But, as the sword itself was about to land on the ground, just in front of the man, time seemed to slow down. The man's surroundings froze in place, the very snow from which the wind blew looked like it was stopped in its natural order, as if there was something that had prevented the world from moving as it should be. 

In reality, it was the man's perception that was heightened. To a degree that everything around him froze when, in actuality, it was moving naturally as it should. It was only the man's senses that were accelerated to make it seem that time had stopped.

In this decelerated world, the man saw the inscription that was carved on the sword, recognizing them to be seals, created by a Magic Arts user, and were placed as enchantments to enhance the effectiveness of the blade in response to the user.

He also recognized that there were also contingency seals that if someone, other than the user, touches the blade, the seals would activate automatically in response to the individual who is not the owner. Making it an ideal way of protecting the object from theft.

However, the man also knew the seals could be overwhelmed if used in a different way.

Grabbing the sword by its hilt while it was still midair, in his perspective. The man caught the descending sword. As a result, the seals on the sword lit up. Illuminating the man's surroundings in an instant, revealing the creatures that were glaring at the man in their full appearance. Displaying their numbers and how they have surrounded the man.

In response to the illumination, they all charged at the man. Both big and small, ravenous and brutish, great and terrible, they all went towards the source of the light like moths to a flame. Their burning desire was to kill the man and devour his flesh as well as the young girl that lay at his feet.

Just as they took their leap, with their entire focus aimed solely at the man, they were all killed.

It was an instantaneous moment. On one hand, they saw the man standing, looking as if he was a stationary target. On the other hand, the next moment, they see themselves being cut down.

All of them numbered around fifty, and all fifty of them died in that sudden moment.

It was a surreal experience. They never saw it coming, and they paid the price for it. Their bodies disintegrated, leaving the man and the young girl in this illuminated area.

"This sword is light for something that was designed to keep it from being stolen."

The man commented, turning the blade as he observed its designs. It was a simple sword, and it had nothing else but enchantments on it. 

If anything, the seals that were placed were designed to make the blade seem special, especially what was engraved on it was superior to the average seals used to apply to similar swords he had seen in the past.

Whoever made it must be someone of special renown. Considering the simplicity of the design and the common materials used to create this sword, it would have made the seals of this level inoperable. But, somehow, they were able to make it possible without using high-end smithery and materials of a similar order. Impressive... Very impressive.

He was aware there were individuals out there who had this kind of enchanting talent, but this was the first time he had seen seals of this level being applied to a common longsword. Normally, it would take special smithing skills and high-level materials just to handle the stress of the power the seals possessed.

The man looked at the girl. Who lay at his feet, unconscious.

With the illuminated light, he could see the exact appearance of the child who had lost consciousness. He can tell who she was based on her attire and facial features.

The man took a glimpse of the sword and went back to the girl. Having an idea as to who the sword belonged to. Placing the handle of the sword by the young girl's hands, with the man lifting the red-haired child's hand and placing it on the handle. He then let go of the handle; leaving the girl's hand on the handle alone. The light vanished as if it was turned off the moment the man released his hand from the sword's handle.

"Hm, I see. You must be the owner of this blade, huh."

He said in a rather monotone voice. But, he now knows that this girl has some sort of connection with the one who put the seals on the sword. As a matter of fact, she might be directly related to the person themselves.

"I don't know why I was led to come here, to meet you of all people. As of now, I cannot leave you here. Seeing that you will perish if I do so. And it will bring grave consequences if I allow it to happen."

He looked at the sky, filled with clouds that poured heavy snowfall on the earth. The clouds covered the heavens from the earth. With the threatening cold winds that bestow freezing death unto those without sufficient clothing to withstand the weather.

The man raised his right hand up to the air. Reaching out to what seems to, from an outside perspective, an unseen object. Directly above his head.

Then, suddenly, the clouds dispersed. Gone with the stormy night of blizzard's tempest, the light of night with its stars and moon had gone forth, showing their glory in this land of ice and snow. Replacing the dreary wintry storm with the heavenly moonlit night sky's rays. With sudden silence replacing the deafening freezing winds that had its place all year long.

After he had done this, the man heard a voice. Not from his thoughts, but to a Being that he served with all his heart, might, mind, and strength.

"Hear me and let this be a sign who seeks. The heavens are open, and I have gone forth. This child, of whom thou hast a reminiscence in your memory and knowest in thine heart; who I have forbidden thee to reveal unto her and unto the world itself of the knowledge that thou hast possessed. Thou, whom I have given authority and power, shalt be a guide and a mentor unto her. Train her in the ways that she will not depart from it. If thou doest these things, thou shalt be blessed, and this child will also inherit the blessings that I will bestow upon her in some future time. Wherefore, my beloved servant, Samuel; hear ye, for the time is near that she may go forth. And thou shalt be an instrument in mine hand for it must be that it shall come to pass where all things shall come into place. Use thine time wisely, for many things shall come to pass where she has a need of thine guidance as well as thine companionship. There shall be many others that shall embark with her on this journey; yea, even with many sore trials that are ahead on the path they shall take. Use thine judgment wisely, Samuel. For verily, I have given unto thee authority to judge their worthiness and willingness according to my spirit. Amen."

"...Thine will be done as it is. Amen."

That was the response the man, whose name is Samuel, gave. Though the voice was not heard by anyone, nor the creatures that creeped the earth, it was a voice that was heard only by him. For great was the presence itself that no flesh could come in a natural sense.

It was the turning point. A great change is reverberating throughout the world. And that turning point was only known to one man. He, only he, was aware of things that were about to come.

The man lifted the girl, carrying her in his arms to a safe location where she could rest and recuperate. Leaving the sword behind to retrieve it again the next time, whenever he has the chance to return back to the forest. For now, his current priority is to have the girl recover.

Both Samuel and the girl disappeared into the shadows. There, we shall see how it connects from here on out.