ACT IVTHE CIVIL WAR

  CHAPTER 71THE MAGE ASSASSINSWith Duke Reinhardt at the helm, Hans and the others boarded the warship. Its sleek, enchanted hull thrummed with magical energy, ascending the vessel slowly. Then it began cutting through the sky like a bde as its glowing runes fshed an eerie blue light above the dark clouds.

  They moved steadily southward toward the besieged city of Stormad, their southern stronghold. The air was thick with tension; every creak and groan of the ship’s timbers did nothing but amplify their unease.

  Rudolf stood at the prow, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. His usual confident demeanour was overtaken by a deep furrow in his brow. “Stay alert,” he called back, his voice concerned. “Little Winters, do you see anything?”

  “No, nothing yet.” Delimira stood beside him, her sharp eyes darting from clouds to clouds as her fingers twitched with the urge to summon a spell. “This is nuts!”

  Hans sat near the edge, his eyes fixed on the distant ndscape below. His ManaVision, a usually reliable asset, showed nothing out of the ordinary. Yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. “There’s nothing out there,” he said, frustration creeping into his voice. “But it feels like we’re being hunted.” And to make matters worse, the sun was going to set soon, halving his capabilities.

  Sierra was still seeing the injured, her hands glowing with healing magic. She gnced up at Hans, her expression a mix of concern. “We have to be ready for anything.” She gnced at her hand, a small wooden stake levitating above her palm.

  As the warship sped south, the ndscape below changed from rolling hills to dense forests. Finally, they saw the southern frontier bathed in a hellish red glow. The sight of the devastation was far worse than what had befallen the reinforcement.

  “They even hunted escaping citizens,” Hans cursed. It wasn’t just for show when he protected the commoners of the central force; he was taught to never harm or drag innocents into his fights.

  They exchanged grim looks, each of them steeling themselves for the unknown that awaited.

  The floating warship descended toward the battlefield, and as they approached, the distant cries of wailing wives and mothers reached their ears. A horror scene haunted them, dismembered children’s dragging their bodies, crawling as if they had been targeted specifically.

  “What kind of monster does that to the children?” Chris muttered under his breath, distressed by the cruelty inflicted upon the young ones.

  “This is the work of Aerandirs, the mage assassins,” Delimira pinpointed with her tone heavy with disdain. Reinhardt nodded in agreement, acknowledging, “Our st intelligence showed that House Aerandir was mobilising to reinforce the council's efforts in the south.”

  “But they aren’t this powerful?” Rudolf questioned, the gravity of the situation pointing out that they were missing something. So, he continued his reasoning, “If they were, then the war should have been over before it even began!”

  While the adults debated and strategised, Hans drifted into a realm of his thoughts. Memories surged within him as the power of ‘Inheritance' fuelled through his veins, urging him to punish the existence who drew their bdes at innocent and for once, he wasn’t resisting.

  “Whoever you are, you’ll see me in your st moments. That’s a Parvian promise.” he resolved, clenching his fist.

  He waited in silence till the warship touched down with a soft thud, and they disembarked with caution. Their arrival met with the hopeful yet wary gazes of the southern inhabitants. The atrocities committed by House Aerandir were clear — as if it wasn’t enough that House Aerandir butchered them like cattle, they also poisoned the food and water sources to halt their recoveries.

  Hans clenched his hearing as they compined, and as the acrid smell of blood burned through his nostrils, he lit up in an instant. “Now I’m mad,” he bellowed, “Truly mad. You bastards, you made this personal.”

  ElderForm

  His body covered in green matter, he grew bigger every passing moment. The warship, a huge vessel, started to grow smaller in his eyes. He didn’t know why; maybe it was the power of inheritance or fury within him that aided him in his transformation. This time he was huge, way bigger than ever.

  The humanoid form of Elderwood stared south, at the surviving city of Stormad. He didn’t stop at the transformation; he cried as if he was carrying the rage of people within him.

  “YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE INVOLVED THE PEOPLE.”

  ParadiseGarden

  Converging the dusking sun’s energy within him, he channelled all of it into the ground. A pulse originated from him, covering the entire city of Stormad. It didn’t discriminate: nobles from commoners, or from commoners to beggars. Everyone was equal in front of the pulsing light, and fine hair spires sprouted, cocooning the injured and uninjured alike, providing them with necessary healing and sustaining energy.

  “COME FORTH, YOU COWARDS. I”ll KILL YOU FOR GOOD .” Hans, as Elderwood, bellowed, challenging the silent assaints. It was the first time he gave into his instincts as his rational side went into complete silence. He felt he could take anything on.

  He kept channeling the sor energy, transforming it into the regenerating power, covering the entirety of Stormad. Being in the form of Elderwood, his prowess and capabilities naturally were far stronger than that of a human. So, even when his body was charring with the extreme heat, he bore it like nothing until the sun finally decided to take a dive beneath the horizon.

  Gasping for breath, Hans reverted to his human form. Despite his physical fatigue, his gaze remained unwavering. He looked at the remaining soldiers, the oncoming people, and the healed forces of Stormad.

  “Haa..haa. Raise the walls.” Emptying his waist belt, he materialised magic stones in shades of green and brown, creating a small mound. “Do not fail me. I’ll trap this bastard myself.”

  As he said, no one dared to question his command, not even the most senior mages who were barely keeping Stormad alive. They didn’t dare to ask, or how could they ask when just arriving in the south, the one ordering them around rejuvenated the whole city.

  They passed the order to repair the walls with magic stones Hans provided. Their resources had already exhausted, so any sort of help was appreciated. However, none also asked Hans how he was able to pour this much amount of money when he was a miser all the time.

  His companions, all four, could feel a change in Hans, the air around him exuded an unquestionable authority that was far different than the usual goofy attitude. As if he had turned into an unapproachable existence.

  Floating forward, Hans led the way and even Sierra failed to question him and followed. He entered the city, his head held high. While the citizens had witnessed his saving grace, they couldn't muster gratitude in the face of his intimidating presence. They felt fear from him, a strong intent that could easily unsettle the weaker individuals among them.

  With a creak, the castle gates at the heart of Stormad swung open, revealing the Stormad lord, visibly injured and bandaged in several pces. A warlock, reduced to such a state was really concerning, “What happened?” Hans demanded, his tone edged.

  The lord immediately felt the need to answer, “We never saw it coming, our traps, arms, even artefacts went silent. The cries of citizens were also unheard, even a mother couldn’t hear when her child was maimed… I.. I also lost my children.. only one survived..”

  “Hmm..” Hans grunted, his expression darkening, “This isn’t a work of a single assault. What is the interval of ambushes?” Asked Hans giving many the looks of what he was asking.

  Delimira and Rudolf exchanged surprised gnces; it was unusual for Hans to use these heavy old words in a conversation. However, before they could voice their thoughts, the warlock spoke up. “They come with arrogance every morning for the past two days, as the first light of the sun breaks.”

  “They will come tomorrow as well,” Hans stated with confidence. “I have challenged them. They will return at a predetermined time. I have given hope to the people; they will seek to assert their dominance and prove to these people that their hope is mispced. That is their mistake.” Turning to the lord, Hans demanded, “Where are our stay?”

  Promptly, a maid guided them through the castle's corridors. Along the way, Delimira approached Hans, her hand gently csping his shoulder from behind. “Who are you?” she asked, her voice concerned.

  “Someone needed.” Hans shrugged off Delimira's question without turning around, his steps purposeful as he moved forward.

  The others exchanged puzzled gnces, unsure of what was going on. “What is wrong with him?” Delimira asked others, puzzled, but none there had any answers.

  When Sierra approached him, ready to speak, Hans interrupted her with a solemn tone. “I need some time alone; pardon me.” He opened the door to his room and swiftly stepped inside before closing it shut.

  “Pardon! Pardon— that brat… does he know what it means?” Rudolf questioned, confused.

  Sierra, however, had a sense of why Hans was acting this way. “Let him be, dear,” she advised, her voice gentle. “He must be struggling to process everything he’s seen here. It’s a harsh reality for anyone, let alone a young boy.”

  Meanwhile, behind the closed doors of Hans's room, he colpsed onto the floor. He had used his everything and was barely holding himself. He couldn't afford to show weakness or fatigue, not in front of others. It was a Parvian thing, a trait ingrained in their leaders, the need to appear strong and unwavering at all times, almost a god-like existence that can’t be harmed or defeated.

  Even in his unconscious state, Hans mumbled softly, his words barely audible ,“Our white robes must never bear a drop of red… I’m a Parvi…”