Goliath's face remained impassive, as if the troll in front of him were nothing more than a simple ant.
Then, something began to creak.
At first it was a weak sound, almost imperceptible. However, within seconds, the noise intensified until a metallic thunderclap echoed through the entire chamber.
CRAAACK!
Goliath's dagger shattered into pieces.
Zarleurio immediately retreated, his breathing ragged. His legs gave way and he ended up dragging himself backward until his body crashed against one of the stone walls.
His sword, on the other hand, remained intact.
That weapon was far superior to the dagger Goliath had snatched from one of the goblins. It had been forged during the last years of the old empire and reinforced with enchantments that increased both its edge and its resistance.
And even so, the troll had barely managed to survive the clash.
Goliath contemplated the remains of his weapon without showing surprise or concern. He simply let the shattered handle fall to one side and began walking toward Zarleurio.
"S-stop!"
The troll's scream echoed through the chamber.
Goliath didn't stop.
"I said stop!"
Zarleurio raised his sword with both hands. His arms trembled so much that the tip of the weapon traced small circles in the air.
Fear had taken hold of his eyes.
For the first time, he seemed to understand the abysmal difference that existed between them. And even so, he decided to fight.
After swallowing, he propelled himself forward and launched a horizontal slash at considerable speed.
The sword cut through the air, heading directly toward Goliath's body.
However, just before reaching him... It stopped.
Zarleurio's eyes flew wide open. His jaw trembled as he tried to understand what had just happened.
"W-what are you...?"
The sword he held had survived countless battles. A relic from the last years of the empire, forged with steel of extraordinary quality and reinforced through powerful enchantments to make it a weapon worthy of an imperial officer.
And that same sword... Had been stopped by Goliath's bare finger.
He hadn't even needed to use his entire hand.
Goliath kept his brow furrowed. His eyes, normally bright and full of sweetness, were wrapped in a rage that left no room for compassion.
"Is that all...?"
Before Zarleurio could respond, Goliath closed his fist.
His punch slammed directly into the troll's torso.
BOOM!
Zarleurio's body was sent flying and crashed against the stone wall. The impact raised a cloud of dust that partially covered the chamber.
"Gah...!"
The troll spat out a mouthful of blood.
His armor had deformed under the force of the blow. Some metal plates had sunk inward, piercing his own flesh, while unbearable pain ran through his entire body.
But Goliath wasn't finished.
He advanced through the cloud of dust until he stopped just inches from him.
"P-please..."
Zarleurio tried to raise a trembling hand.
"Mercy..."
Goliath contemplated him with an expression of deep contempt.
"I don't know what emperor you served, but..." He slowly raised his foot. "...you should have died when he fell."
His boot descended on the troll's hand.
CRACK!
"AAAAAH!!"
Zarleurio's scream echoed through the entire chamber.
Goliath didn't stop.
His foot rose again and descended once more. The troll's screams became increasingly desperate, mixing with the sound of bones breaking.
My eyes refused to believe what I was witnessing. That fury that had emerged from such an angelic face was terrifying.
My hand trembled involuntarily.
Because, if he discovered my true identity... the man lying on the ground, begging for his life, could be me.
I swallowed.
It wasn't something I was willing to verify, not today nor ever. With cautious steps, I approached Goliath and placed a hand on his shoulder.
I tried to maintain a serene expression, though my body was still tense.
"Enough..."
Goliath slowly turned his head toward me.
For an instant, he seemed not to understand my words.
"Master, he deserves it! He must suffer much more for what he did to those people..."
"Goliath."
My voice hardened.
His eyes opened slightly, surprised by my tone.
"Let's not waste time. We still have to take care of the hostages."
The fury on his face faltered.
For a few seconds, he remained motionless, as if those words had forced him to remember something he had completely forgotten.
"The hostages..."
His expression changed abruptly. The anger gave way to deep concern.
"Go. Protect them and tend to their wounds. I'll take care of this place."
Goliath nodded firmly.
"Understood, Master!"
Without wasting another second, he ran out of the chamber.
I watched him disappear down the corridor until his steps stopped echoing.
Then, a weak sound brought my attention back to the present.
"Gih... h..."
Zarleurio's gasps barely managed to pass through his lips.
Despite his wounds, he was still alive.
His body was destroyed, his bones broken, and blood slowly pooled beneath him.
"Ki... kill me..." he stammered. "P-please..."
I approached until I was just inches from his face.
"I will."
His eyes, swollen with pain, fixed on me.
"But first you'll answer some questions. Understood?"
Zarleurio nodded weakly.
I crouched in front of him.
"Tell me, are there any more surviving forces of the Saberius empire?"
For an instant, his eyes shone. Then he slowly shook his head.
I let out a sigh.
"I see..."
I stood up and observed him from above.
"You know, trolls have a fairly high regenerative capacity. Even in your current state, you could survive several weeks before dying from starvation or some infection."
Zarleurio's eyes trembled.
I leaned slightly toward him.
"So, if you lie to me again, I promise you I'll leave you here. Rotting away little by little, while you wait for a death that never quite arrives."
A tear ran down the troll's cheek.
"F-five... marshals..."
I narrowed my eyes.
"I can't hear you."
Zarleurio gritted his teeth, trying to gather strength to speak.
"The five marshals... They're still alive."
I frowned.
"Do you know where they are?"
The troll closed his eyes and slowly shook his head.
"N-no..."
I observed him for a few seconds, searching for any sign that he was lying.
I nodded.
I had obtained all the information I could get from him. Remaining there any longer would only increase the chances of someone discovering what had happened.
I turned around and picked up the sword Zarleurio had dropped during the fight.
I raised it in front of me.
The light of the torches slid across the metallic surface, revealing the imperial emblem engraved near the hilt.
My old symbol.
I turned my gaze back to Zarleurio.
The troll could barely keep his eyes open. However, when he noticed the sword I was holding, something seemed to change in his expression.
"W-what...?"
I rested the tip of the weapon against the ground.
"You did a good job."
Zarleurio looked at me without understanding.
I offered a faint smile.
"I, Varka Lakan Saberius, grant you rest."
His eyes flew wide open, fear disappeared from his face, replaced by absolute disbelief, and his lips trembled.
"V-Varka...?"
I didn't give him time to utter another word.
I raised the sword and let it fall.
The steel pierced his body, putting an end to his suffering.
Afterward, I wiped the blood from the blade and sheathed it.
My gaze turned toward the corridor through which Goliath had disappeared.
Five marshals...
It wasn't far-fetched that they had survived the hero.