They arrived at the barracks, and the lieutenant, Girard, grabbed a logbook from the guarding post. Avelyn and Gavin waited as he read through the pages. Both the undead knights were occasionally looking at each other, waiting for the chance to speak privately.
“Plenty of vacant rooms indeed. Of course, you are on different sections of the barrack, per your gender. You also have a third member, right?”
“Yes,” Gavin answered.
“Female?”
Gavin nodded.
Girard grabbed three keys, handing out one to Gavin, and a couple to Avelyn.
“Please give the other key to your friend. Your room number is attached to the key.”
Avelyn glanced at the small rectangular wood attached to the key, a number written on it.
“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Gavin said.
“Now then, if you’ll excuse me, you two. I have to find a crew that can replace you temporarily.”
With that, the man left. Once he disappeared from sight, Gavin gestured for both of them to move over to a nearby tree. They looked around to make sure there was no one nearby to listen before they began whispering.
“As we had expected, they’re sending replacements,” Gavin said.
“What’s up with that hero? He looked paranoid.”
Gavin frowned and directed a stern gaze at her. “What’s the matter with you? Did you seriously intend to strike that hero?”
Avelyn flinched. “He was unguarded. He wouldn’t expect an attack.”
“Even so, that was foolish. What if they sensed your intention to kill, hm? Avelyn, we have to be careful in this place. We attack when the mistress commands us to attack. Do you understand?”
“... Yes… I just thought the mistress would like it if we dragged him to her feet.”
“No. She seeks revenge. You don’t do the revenge for her.”
Avelyn’s eyes widened. He was right, and she realized her mistake. She was being presumptuous. It was not her place to do what she was intending on doing. Anxiously, she lowered her head. “Yes, I understand.”
He nodded. “... Anyway, we have to let the mistress know. You go and tell her. I stay here so it won’t get too suspicious. I’ll watch out for their team.”
“Got it.”
“Now go. That man, Girard, seemed like a competent person. Don’t underestimate him.”
Avelyn immediately started walking away, heading towards the exit. She made sure she walked in a casual way to not garner any attention. She retrieved and rode her horse, having it walk out of the castle gates and through the streets.
She recalled the hotel that Elyscia mentioned, but she was not familiar with it. Still it was pretty easy to just ask, the place should be pretty popular.
Eventually, she found Elyscia walking on the street, just leaving the stable where they left the horses. She was riding one horse and pulling the other. She noticed Avelyn coming, and she paused, waiting for Avelyn to come. The both of them got off the horse and Avelyn whispered to Elyscia.
“We have a problem.”
“Hm? What kind of problem?”
“They’re planning to send replacement knights for our post.”
“When?”
“Today.”
“... That is indeed a problem. We can’t let them reach it.”
“Yes.”
“Very well, let’s go back to the mistress.”
***
I was thinking of how to feed soon when Elyscia returned, along with Avelyn. Feeling curious, I sat down on the couch.
“Something up?”
Avelyn stepped forward. “Yes. Gavin and I reported to the knight commander about our absence from our post. Considering that there were no knights, the hero decided to send replacements immediately.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Immediately? You mean today?” I looked outside. Daylight would soon set.
“Yes. Since the hero himself said it, they had no choice but to abide.”
I leaned back on my couch. “The hero himself? You met him?”
“Y-Yes.”
I leaned my hand on the armrest. “So? How is Cyrus?”
Avelyn seemed uncomfortable as she thought of how to answer. “He seemed… fine. He looks to be hard at work for the time being, he seems to be taking the festival pretty seriously.”
“He’s working on things personally?”
“It would appear so.”
That was a bit surprising. “Huh. I thought he wouldn’t bother with such things.” I thought he would just let other people take care of it, at least most of it.
“He’s worried about messing it all up. He seemed like a nice, humble person.”
I frowned and leaned forward. “Did you just say humble?”
“Um, yes. That was how he interacted with me.”
“Haha… Hahaha…” I leaned back and placed a hand on my face. “Humble… That cocky son of a bitch being humble?” How ridiculous, I couldn’t believe my own ears. It had to be ruse.
“Is that so hard to believe?”
Of course. He took most of the credit for the monster we killed together.
I could still remember how much he boasted about his achievements. How much he described his heroic acts. While barely mentioning me at all. At that time, it was fine. It bothered me a little, but it was not that big of a deal.
“Do you resent him ever since?”
I held no resentment whatsoever.
“Awww, how very kind of you. So tolerant.”
I glanced at my old face. Indeed, that face was so kind, so tolerant. That she would even allow such crude behavior to transpire. Thinking back, I felt no regret. I was who I was.
No, perhaps there was one tiny regret. It was that I was not the same anymore. Things were more… decent back then.
“Mistress…?”
“Avelyn, return to the castle and continue with your mission.”
“What about the knights?”
“Elyscia and I will meet them on the road. I am in need of food, anyway. Those knights will be perfect.”
Avelyn bowed her head. “Understood.” She then turned to Elyscia. “By the way, here’s your key to your room.”
“My room…?” Elyscia warily received the key.
“To the barracks.”
“Oh. I see.”
“That’s perfect,” I said. “You can infiltrate their castle finely with that.” With easy access there, there were a lot of possibilities that I thought we could do. And most of all, they could fulfill their role of learning more about the hero’s inner circle.
I stood up. “Alright then, Elyscia, let’s go.”
“I’ll get the horses.”
***
A group of five knights rode on their steeds through the city streets. Leading them was the knight, Armin. He was in his mid-thirties, and of commoner origin. Because of his skills and feats, like many others of high exemplary, he was granted the title of a knight. Although having the title of a knight didn’t make one a noble.
But it was still an incredibly respectable position, one that commands respect almost as a low-ranking aristocrat. And working extremely hard could grant you recognition and allow you the chance of ascending the ranks. But such a thing was rare. Becoming a noble was close to impossible. But that was not exactly his goal. All he wanted was to serve the empire.
He had his own crew of the same origin, men that started as soldiers, and was later granted the titles of knights. All of them were hardened warriors, men of humble and grand character. And now, they were tasked with guarding some random place.
Armin was the only one called in the discussion. But even then, not much was told about it. He was only told to guard a particular cave, and not to tell anyone. It was highly confidential. He tried asking what it was, but he received no answer. But it was fine.
Although, he did feel a bit bitter about it. The festival was about to come, and he wanted everyone, including himself, to enjoy it. It was all too sudden, to be sent out on a mysterious mission. Pretty disappointing. And they were rushing too, to immediately move out. Meaning, they would need to ride out at night. Which itself posted some danger and difficulties, but it was nothing they couldn’t handle.
I wanted to have fun at the festival too…
He was deeply disappointed.
But a job is a job.
He resisted the urge to sigh.
As they exited through the city gates, he looked up at the sky. It was about sunset. He was not too keen on riding during the night, but they must go on. He just hoped the moon’s light would be bright.
They galloped through the dirt road, leaving trails of dust as they went. If they were to reach the place as fast as possible, they must not slow down. They should be able to reach their destination around or before midnight, given if nothing goes in their way.
After half an hour of riding, now a good distance away from the city, the road was now empty. The sky has darkened, leaving only the faintest light from the sun. The road should be clear at this time and area, no other people riding or carriages passing by.
It was then that someone, a red-haired woman, stood at the center of the road. She was wearing a knight’s armor, which made Armin curious. The woman held out her hand, urging them to stop. Considering that it was a knight of the empire, Armin signaled his group to stop.
He pulled his reins, and his horse stopped right before the woman.
“What is the meaning of this?” he asked.
“Greetings, I am a knight of the empire, Elyscia from the Milisent household.”
Armin narrowed his eyes. “Milisent. I know that family. You’re a daughter of a duke?”
“Yes, I am.”
Armin jumped off his steed and bowed his head. “I apologize for my rude behavior, milady. But… for what reason have you stopped us?”
“Were you sent to a secret guarding mission?”
Armin stared at her for a moment. “... Why are you asking?”
“I was one of the knights you’ll be replacing. You’re guarding some sort of cave, aren’t you?”
She knew what it was, so she must indeed be telling the truth.
But what would she be doing here?
“So, why did you stop us?”
“... To stop you,” she said with a straight face.
Armin frowned, and a grim atmosphere rose in the air. As knights, they knew this well. He slowly shifted his hand to his sword. “Stop us?” He slowly looked back at his team, and they sensed the same thing. They subtly raise their guards.
Stop us? She’s also a knight of a prominent family.
“You will not reach your destination.”
Armin pointed a sharp glare at her.
Why? What’s going on here? It doesn’t make sense why she wouldn’t let us.
Could this be a trap by the brass? Could the intention be to dispose of Armin and his team? But that was nonsense. They didn’t do anything.
There’s something else going on here.
“Explain yourself, knight.”
It was then a voice spoke up from behind him. “In short, you’re going to die.”
Armin and everyone else jerked in surprise. He stepped back and drew his blade, glaring at the newcomer. She just appeared out of nowhere, his team didn’t seem to have seen her too. The girl was young, with pale skin, as if she was already dead. Her azure eyes looked at them playfully, a smile lingered on her face.
“Who are you?!” He pointed his blade at her.
She patted his horse. “How unfortunate, your lives. Sent on a mission where death is guaranteed.”
“What?”
“Even if you reach your destination, you will see nothing. Not a single soul.”
He gripped his sword tightly. “Answer me, who are you?!”
It was then Armin’s horse dropped to the ground, as if it suddenly died. He stared at the dead horse with widened eyes, utterly confused, failing to comprehend what had just happened. It just dropped. The girl stepped back before theatrically bowing.
“I am Syndra, among the heroes you so revered.”
His brow knitted. “H-Hero…? I don’t know you.”
“Of course you don’t. I died before I even got the spotlight.” She shook her head. “But whatever. Let me ask you a question, hm?” She slowly walked towards around near the other knights. “Do you think your Cyrus is a good man?”
Armin frowned. “Of course. He’s a hero.” That was obvious.
“Does one’s title actually make someone a hero?”
“... No.”
Armin gulped and his body was stiff, he was feeling afraid. There was something wrong with her, something incredibly eerie, even the horses remained still, completely silent. There was coldness around her, gripping, dark. He took a deep breath, thinking about how to handle this properly.
“So, is your local hero a good man?”
“Of course…”
The rest of his men got off their horses and pointed their weapons at her.
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Yeah? Well, that’s the truth. Who are you to refute it? Lord Cyrus fought hard in the war. He bled, he cried, he suffered, he lost people. He fought through hell. You have no right to deny his sacrifice, and his goodness.”
“I have no right…?” She placed a hand on her chin. “I certainly do.”
It was then one of the other knights stepped forward. “Yeah? If you’re a hero, where were you, huh?! Did you hide like a coward?”
The girl, Syndra, paused and turned a smiley face at the knight. “No. You really have no idea what your beloved heroes have done. I don’t blame the ignorant. But Cyrus… is not a good man.”
“Don’t mock him.”
“It is the truth. But whatever.” She shrugged. “Hard to convince the oblivious. Elyscia, neutralize them, but make sure they’re still alive.” At that, the girl disappeared and reappeared right next to the female knight, casually smiling as she stared at them.
The lady knight drew her sword.
“What are you doing, Lady Milisent?” Armin asked. “You would betray the empire?!”
“The empire made by the heroes is built upon betrayal,” she said. “And it shall pay the consequences.”
“Damn you. Men, attack!”
***
I casually crouched down at one knight who had his knees pierced through. He also had some wounds on his body, Elyscia’s sword easily cut through the armor. He looked up at me with wide, bloodshot eyes.
I placed my hand on the top of his head, and white mist came out of his body, seeping into my hand. And he screamed in agony as it happened. I could feel relief fill me. A moment later, he dropped to the ground. Nothing remained but a husk of his former self, literally and metaphorically.
“W-What… What h-have you done?”
I turned towards the knight leader, his right hand was severed. His body beat and torn, blood all over him. He was barely hanging to life. A horrified expression was on his face as he stared at what had become of his ally. All vitality taken, every single speck of it.
“What are you…?”
I slowly walked towards him with a small, gentle smile on my face. “I am the product of betrayal, of sacrifice.”
“... Of the heroes…?” He slowly looked up at me, his eyes bloodshot and full of fear.
“Yes.”
“Y-You can’t be serious… Do you intend to destroy e-everything… for revenge?”
“Yes…”
He closed his eyes for a moment. “You will destroy everything that we have built…”
“Yes. I will destroy everything that they have touched, that they have built. For everything they have now, is built upon my grave. Consider yourself fortunate, for you shall never witness it.”
I placed a hand on his forehead. White mist leaked out every hole in his head, and I consumed his soul. Once all that was left was an empty, dry shell, the corpse plopped to the ground.
And I continued on with the feast.
The other knights tried resisting, some tried to flee. However, in the end, they failed, and they became my sustenance. And now, their bodies, even the horses, lay lifeless on the road.
“Rise of Undeath.”
I cast a spell. The corpses rose, one by one.
“You will not turn the knights to be like us?” Elyscia asked.
“No… I am picky.”
“Picky…?”
“I chose you because you held promise. And I liked you guys when we fought.”
Elyscia was flabbergasted. “... R-Really? Thank you… What are you planning to do with them?”
“They might be useful when the time comes.”