20 Insurgency

Flames engulf the entire plaza as civilians and slaves alike jostled at each other. The commonfolk panicked from the sudden convulsion of the many serfs — escaped from the chains that bind them to their masters.

Now they rummage through the streets, disregarding the damages that befall the city. Whilst the crowd dissolves into utter chaos. The knights that accompanied the many nobles who were present are fighting lowborn slaves.

The rest of the nobility scurried to the safety of their knights side. The regular footman that paraded alongside Gregor, the garrison commander, were now at a standstill. Fighting against ragged menials that sprint to every direction didn't help benefit the soldiers cohesion.

If it weren't for the dukes quick thinking — most of them would likely be overrun/overwhelmed by the shear ferocity that the slaves display. They're pump-up aggression were like a beast attitude and are as cunning like snake. The Volantavis immediately withdraws the rope ladders and lifts off the landing pad.

Richard, being frustrated was displeased by how these events unfolded. He planned on authorizing a bill for the improvement of the living conditions of serfs. So, he can slowly abolish the slavery act as long as he still has direct control of the territories owned by the Cromwell family house. Now, Richard was certain to pass the bill. But at this moment; he'll have to quell the slave revolt and pinpoint the perpetrator that released the slaves restrains.

"Karsodian, what's the status?" I inquire to him.

"Approximately, 2 knights and 5 footman have died- *ARRGH!* Make that 6. My lord, it is not safe here. Please join with the rest of my brothers that are protecting your sisters." Karsodian grimly insisted.

He fell silent after hearing his bodyguards concern. Pondering whether or not he should leave the situation to Charles. Who by now have been busy apprehending several serfs while at the same giving orders to his fellow knights.

There were so many slaves that have escaped, its hard to push forward. Off course a shield wall would be suitable to a situation like this but the regular footman present are all pikemem with single handed swords. Hence why a thin line of pike men was the only viable option to pick. Rendering them to close the distance in order for them to protect the Duke.

Although despite this — they weren't able to deflect projectiles such as flinging rocks and crude arrow-shots that the serfs were able to find. So running away would have been the most reasonable choice but...

"And then what? Hide in my mansion and leave my men to die like those cowardice nobles?" Richard fires back but with a stern voice.

"If push comes to shove, yes. For the sake your safety." Karsodian Retorted. Then he catches an arrow that was an inch away from Richards face. Richard in return grins slightly and sits down on a wooded stool that was thrown by the slaves.

"I have never felt more safe than now when I have the pillar-guardians. How about we make a bet. If you protect me from this entire mess, then I would listen and leave with you." Richard said confidently and takes out a flask full of distilled whiskey that he made 2 weeks ago.

Karsodian reluctantly sighed and bows to Richard in compliance. A gesture of "I accept your challenge" or something on the lines. Then he dash towards Charles and the other knights. Leaving the duke alone with nothing but a group of pikemen by his side. Including 5 knights that were nearby.

Karsodian now takes over in his stead as the one commanding. From what he can gather through the memories of the previous Richard. A pillar-guardian is the most excellent warrior that has ever been made. How they were created is unknown but in due time, he'll know it sooner once their shield-captain returns. As soon as he was about to sip the flask; he hears a load roar — coming from his east side.

"Watch out! A surus has escaped its cage!" someone shouted.

It came from the right avenue — west to the east side from the plaza. A creature reminiscent to that of an elephant but taller. Roughly 3-5 meters high. Its tusk are long and sharp as it rams through a insula dwelling.

Although what's more remarkable than its size was instead of being hairy or furless like those of earth. This one is all but reptilian scales. Its eyes radiated a glimmer of orange light. Indicating its distress.

Then it saw me and its eyes then turned to an iridescent red as it approaches me with a speed similar to a rumbling elephant. I quickly put away my flask and stood there. It kept on running whilst the pike men were frightened by its large size and immediately stayed away from Richard. It got closer and closer. Richard remained unphased and decided to face it head on.

Karsodian hurled his guardian halberd at the beast's neck. It tumble but didn't changed its pace at the duke. He then made a dash towards the Surus — blinding it with powdered flower he found in one of the destroyed crates.

He now grabbed one of its tusk and pulls it to a perfect 90 degrees left. Thus slamming its head at an insulae building. Resulting in the collateral damage of the dwelling as it breaks off from its foundations. Karsodian went to retrieve his guardian halberd — lodge into its thick neck but was halted by what seems to be its owner and a group of 5 slaves rushing towards him in a frenzy.

He remained calm and forcefully uprooted his guardian halberd — swinging it at the person on his right. Cleaving through all of them as their limbs, torso and even their heads were all but chopped like cattle. Karsodian then wipes off the blood that spilled on his helmet.

Amazed, Richard was both entertained and a bit frightened by Karsodians strength. At first, he didn't know why Oliver Cromwell hired these men to be his personal entourage but now he sees the potential they bring.

This revolt was the perfect time to test what my guards are capable of and in fact, he'll have to question them later. He still was bothered that they were not present during his arrival and the Defense of Isstvan.

For now, Richard will have to put them on hold; he still has a rebellion to extinguish. Then another beast came — this time its 5 more beast, each of whom are different from the other. If he remembers correctly, from the previous Richard; he can discern that one of them is...

A Crocodilus: one of the most ferocious animals that could ever be caged in captivity. It has the appearance of a land crocodile but with hooves and is hairy, very hairy.

Ferursus: A bear like creature that has literal iron claws that can tear through a knights armor.

Then comes the Petranti: I don't need to explain this because its a golem like rock mantis.

Most terrifying of all is the Tyrandentis is another frightening creature. Being an actual T-rex that has glowing rocks attached to its spine! As for the Magnolopendra though: its just an enlarged bloody centipede that can excrete/spits poison from its fangs like a F*cking cobra!

"Holy s*it, who thought of bringing these things of monstrosity to be in captivity! In fact, the size of these monster are impossibly huge!" Richard shrieked as he complimented their grotesque nature. They all range from 2 meters to 6 meters — the tallest being the Petranti.

After an extremely long exposition of remembering the bestiaries. [God, do I need to make a bestiary format too??? T_T - Author]

Karsodian, Charles and the rest of the knights were already fighting these beast of gargantuan scale. He's more worried about Charles since he is still recovering from...

"Have at thee, vermin! I shall be your oponent! RAAARRGHH!" Charles yelled like a lunatic as he maniacally charge at the Ferursus.

"Nevermind, he'll be fine... huh?" Richard then hears the crystallization that he hears so often. Could it be?

Appearing right beside was the ex noble witch that infiltrated into his mansion. It was non-other than Jeunesse le Garnier, or just Jeunesse since she he is no longer a noblewoman. He was glad to have her appear.

She didn't participate in the event where the Volantavis arrived for reasons unbeknownst to Richard. Nevertheless, he has a job for her and I know she can accomplish it.

"Jeunesse, I need your-" Richard was roughly abrupt by a finger as she gobbles a turkey sandwich that I made in the kitchen. Then started coughing due to her eating way too fast. I gave her my flask and she immediately took it from my grasp. But when she took a sip at it, Jeunesse spat at the ground.

"*COUGH, COUGH!* What kind of juice is this?" She demanded to know but I just gave a pouting face.

"*Groan* We don't have time for this Jeunesse. There is a revolt that has befallen to my city... I don't want to deal with your shenanigans as of now." Richard rubs his temples out of annoyance. She just blankly looks at me without concern.

"Then what do I get from this?" Jeunesse inquired raising an eyebrow. I showed her three fingers while his hand cover his face.

"3... I'll give you the recipe of 3 sandwiches that you haven't tasted and 2 full bottles of sweet juice..."

"Deal! But the drinks are going to have to be doubled."

"Me vale madres... ( I don't care...)" He mumbles in spanish. Jeunesse on the other hand didn't understood that language.

"Alright, what do you wish me to do, Cromwell?"

"I want you to go back to my mansion and..."

"My Lord! Your sisters have been cornered by a swarm of serfs. We've seen one of your guards being slaughtered by their overwhelming numbers!" A knight reported, riding his stallion.

Richard was both worried and shocked to hear one of his elite bodyguards being slaughtered. I instinctively dash to the direction of my mansion but I was suddenly stopped by Jeunesse as she takes my hand. I turned around in a fit then I saw the look on her face. He nodded and calmly takes in deep breaths to cool down. She lets go once I composed myself.

"Where are my sisters, sir knight?"

"Near the Clayhill manor. Quickly we must move with all due haste your grace!"

"Karsodian!" I called out to his name at the top of my lungs. He instantly faced the area where I yelled. "Leave the monsters to Charles and the knights! We have to-" Before I could finish and relay my orders to him. The 6m long Petranti came out of its camouflage and stabbed both of Karsodian's shoulders.

I don't know how it made a comouflage ability but I'm sure as hell my best guard is in trouble. It slowly raises Karsodian to it's mouth as it retracts the triangular mandibles. Revealing a multitude of razor-sharp teeth. But what it didn't expect is the pillar-guardian's next move.

Karsodian stretched his legs to the Petranti's claws then places them between his shin and calf. Crushing both of them with nothing but his brute force. It started to ooze a stream of light to dark green hemolymph as it dripples to the ground. Jeunesse couldn't hold but puked once she saw the look and smell of green goo. I was left dumbfounded, especially the knight on top of his horse would expect him to be that flexible.

But Karsodian wasn't finish yet. He then grabbed the claw with his left hand and also grappled the Petrantis head. Then swung behind the Petranti and used the severed front leg to cut off its head. Even more hemolymph began squirting everywhere like a fountain. Basking in a shower of muck, Karsodian cleans off the excess with his loin cloth.

Revealing something that sprung up whilst he rubs off the sticky hemolymph. Everyone saw it, especially Jeunesse who unfortunately just finished regurgitating. Now with a dark green face, she went back to where she is must relieve herself. Richard even felt an uncomfortable uneasiness as he turned his head away. The knight fainted from the sight of Karsodian's gross victory.

"You've called your grace?"

Massaging his temples, Richard just gave him the signal to follow. Karsodian easily figured out what Richard meant and quietly acquiesced his orders. They walk towards Jeunesse who was still in the middle of releasing its insides. Despite that, he told the pillar-guardian to stay as he goes to see Jeunesse. I kneel in front of her so she can hear me better.

"You holding well, Garnier?"

"Don't call me that when I'm- *Blergh*"

"Good, I need you to go back to my mansion and grab a black box that is ornate with gold stripes. And bring it to me immediately. I'll be near at the Clayhill estate."

"*Groaning* Fine...*slurp* But it will cost you more."

"You'll get lasagna"

"Then... It's a deal..."

She quickly disappeared from my sight. Richard then hurriedly went towards an avenue that was closes to where he presumed his sisters are being cornered. Karsodian followed suit and runs along side with him. The knight that fell unconscious woke up a minute later.

His vision took time to adjust but he can see two silhouettes making a dash to where his lord Clayhill had instructed him to do. Sneering, he scans through what remains of the plaza till a hooded figure came to his point of view. He gave the hooded figure a nod. It acknowledges the knights signal. Then made a run en route to the same direction where Richard and his entourage went. As the daylight burns, so too Richards time.

*****

Within the Cromwell Mansion. Wamuudesri stood outside at the front door. Guarding it as to protect the residence inside. He was accompanied with the auxiliary pillar-guardians. A substitute force in case the rest of the Pillar-guardians were not present.

One of whom was Philandrus Pius, the one who remained with Richard during the Orks besieging the city and is the current leader of the Auxillia. Rediscian stayed inside and ordered Daniel, including the rest of the servants to ready the luggage in case they need to leave the city.

Agnes and Isabella are by his side all the time. Not even letting them leave the room for fresh air or let see if Richard is alright. Isabella felt nervous as she sinks to the comfort of her pillow. Agnes too was nervous and she kept on walking in circles. Thinking of whatever that's in her mind. Nibbling in fingers to the point they bleed from the pressure of her teeth.

Unbeknownst to them, Jeunesse pass the gate through the door and finally made it to Richards office. All thanks to her ability to pass through inanimate objects that do not have a metabolism. She wonders around, in search of the black box with golden stripes that Cromwell wanted. Then she spots it under the one of Richards study desk.

It looked very weird since it has a handle in the middle. It felt more akin to a bag than a box. Nevertheless, Jeunesse happily takes the box as she disappears from the eyes perception. Passing through every servant that wouldn't see her so long as her witch powers were in effect.

Then bumps into the room where Isabella and Agnes were staying. She hears murmuring on the other side of the wall. She dumbfounded as to how they made it back in the mansion in 1 piece. Curious, Jeunesse pops her head out in the wall. [Ok just imagine a ghost popping its head out on the wall - Author].

"Agnes... will we be alright?"

"I don't know Isabella but I am fairly certain this revolt is being instigated by someone..."

"What makes you think so?"

"Think about it, who would unshackle hundreds of slaves."

"Someone who hates Richy?"

"No, dumb dumb, unless if its against him specifically... Wait..." Anges eyes then widens. "Rediscian, takes us to the Clayhill manor right now!"

"What reason is there, miss Agnes. I am given specific orders to guard you only." Rediscian retorted

"But this is regarding the Archdukes safety!"

"What are you implying?"

"She says your lord is in danger." Jeunesse came out of the wall. This shock everyone in the room except for the Pillar-guardian.

"Do you mean..." Agnes anxiously spoke. She was breathing heavily. Waiting for Jeunesse's answer.

There was no answer but a simple nod that made Agnes look pale. Even Isabella almost sob just the thought of it. They all knew it was a trap but didn't know who. Rediscian was the only that remain calm and pointed at Jeunesse with his Guardian-Halberd. Demanding an explanation on how she know this. She was unphased by Rediscian's threats.

"Because coincidentally I heard that someone said something oddly suspicious with the Clayhill family." She justified her actions.

"And what is it, witch?" He ask for more. Withdrawing his halberd.

"It was only a hunch at first but I believe you know why miss. Agnes."

"That is Agnes Cromwell but what does it have to do with my brother being..." She was shortly cut off later.

"Because Marquess Webnor Clayhill has been acting dubious for the entire day."

This made Agnes realize what Jeunesse meant. Rediscian immediately went outside and warned Wamuudesri. He took the Auxiliaries and went to the Clayhill residence. Whilst Rediscian brought the girls with them. Agnes never trusted Clayhill the moment his daughter was taken away. She knew it was a scheme of revenge.

Jeunesse however flee ahead of them thanks to her witch ability. Carrying the black box that Richard instructed her to do. She is only doing this because soon her sisters will join the rest of their fellow witches. But before Wamuudesri could leave; he immediately went inside the mansions basement.

Moments later, Agnes and Isabella could hear the sound of heavy stomps resonating beneath the mansion. Then came a giant figure as its armor reflect the light of its surface. Rediscian holds his halberd tightly as he stood in front of the girls. The entire Auxiliary force was in awe to witness such a thing.

"///I HAVE AWAKEN TO SERVE ONCE MORE TO UPHOLD MY VOW\\\" Said the iron giant in a raspy monotone.

*****

It was already near sunset as the sky turns to an orange hue. Richard was presently near the Clayhill estate but could not find his (adopted) sisters anywhere. Neither did he find one of his bodyguards corpse. Till he hears the chimes of metal somewhere in the distance.

He can see several knights walking towards him in a circle. Karsodian suspiciously readies his guardian halberd. Then they suddenly draw their blades — aiming directly at me and Karsodian.

Richard's face turned grim to this sudden betrayal.