Sicilia

I looked over my squad, seeing them nod.

Nodding back to them, I started climbing up the ladder, listening to it creek under the weight of my armor.

Eventually I reached the top, and I pushed open the iron trapdoor. Climbing out of the tunnel, I looked around, smiling slightly when I saw the building we entered was empty.

Moving off to the side, I waited for my squad to join me. After double checking our gear, I moved towards the door, cracking it open.

Looking out, I saw hordes of Undead being herded through the city, the Romagi Soldiers using long poles to prod them into the desired direction.

"You ready? We have an entire city of undead to clear out..."

They all made noises of agreement. Taking a deep breath, I kicked open the door, taking my claymore off my back.

Seeing the horde turn towards me, I took a step forwards, coating my blade in Aura before swinging horizontally, watching as a wave of pure black energy bisected everything in front of me, including the buildings opposite.

I stepped forwards, into the rain of blood and guts, watching as Morian jumped onto the opposite roof and killed the soldiers that were shouting at us.

"Spread out. We need everything in this city permanently dead."

Without waiting I made my way towards the large castle in the center of the city, where the sorcerer that was sustaining and controlling this horde should be.

I waded through the undead, using brute force to swat them away with my blade. Any soldier I met on the way tried to attack me from afar, only to be met with a small ball of black Aura rocketing towards their skulls.

The walk was long, however it was therapeutic. I enjoyed the simplicity of vanquishing undead, and found it to be semi capable of taking my mind off things.

Ever since I came back to this time, I couldn't keep her off my mind.

I still remember her screams, her tears...

Growling in annoyance, I grabbed a nearby undead by its head, slamming it into the wall.

Taking another deep breath, I continued towards the large golden castle in the background, trying and trying to clear my mind.

However, I would see flickers of ash, undead with deep blue eyes...

I don't know why, but she stuck with me, even after she had passed.

I had been alive for a long time, and even after taking more lovers over the years, none made me feel as happy as I did with her.

Looking up at the elaborate gates, I snarled as I kicked them open, sending multiple orbs flying towards the charging soldiers.

Watching as they fell to the ground, their bodies withering, I stepped past them, into the large palace.

More and more soldiers charged at me, but with multiple centuries of experience paired with a superior understanding of Aura, I easily dealt with all of them, eventually reaching the throne room.

Kicking open that door, I walked into a crowded room.

Dozens of women danced around, completely nude.

Guards lined the walls, their spears glittering in the dim light.

In the back of the room were three thrones, each one occupied.

The one on the left was a throne made from obsidian, with a tall woman lounging on it, dressed in crow feathers with a bone crown holding her white hair in place. Her skin was deathly pale, and I could see her veins clearly from here.

The throne on the right was made from gold, and a young man was currently being serviced by two woman on either leg, his hands fondling every inch of them. His golden hair was similar to Sif's, and I saw his golden eyes look towards me with lust.

Finally, in the center throne, an old man clutched a long wooden staff. His grey hair fell in greasy locks onto his shoulders, and his red robe looked dirty. His eyes were closed, but I could sense his Aura gathering around the staff.

I walked through the sea of women, ignoring their attempts to press themselves on me.

The guards slowly made their way towards me, surrounding me as I approached the thrones.

"Ah, look at this beauty~"

"Kiant, can you not think with your other head for just a moment?"

Hearing the woman scold the young man, I took in how they continued to sit their leisurely, like I wasn't a problem.

"Both of you, please. We have a guest..."

The old man spoke, looking down at me. His eye sockets were empty, and his mouth only had a few teeth.

"Now, what brings the Raven Knight to our humble, peaceful Sicilia?"

"The Keovara Empire did not take kindly to the Emperor of Romagi's attempt to kidnap the Crown Princess. As such, we were dispatched to send a message."

The three of them looked at me, the woman's black eyes cold while the young man's golden eyes glowed with rage.

"That little whore should have just accepted Emperor Cesauri's proposal!"

Looking over at the man, I tilted my head, saying "Princess Lux is no whore; yes, she may be promiscuous, but she has taken responsibility for all four women she laid with. What part of that made it seem like she should marry a man?"

Growling, the young man snapped "It's unnatural, that's why! She can't have children that way!"

I narrowed my eyes, before saying "Considering you are in the company of two mages, you should know it is entirely possible for two women to make a child together."

Before we could continue, the old man sighed.

"Enough, enough. Yes, we have told him that multiple times. Sadly, he seems to forget that he himself is the result of exactly that... Anyways, we cannot ignore this attack on the Romagi Empire, just as you say you cannot ignore the slight against the Keovara Empire."

Standing up, he slammed his staff to the floor, and the room went quiet.

"However, the difference between the two Empires is minuscule. Besides, one Knight cannot kill two High Sorcerers and a Centurion."

I chuckled at that, before saying "Indeed, no normal Knight could do that..."

Raising my hand, I let my black Aura spill out, watching as it fell from my hand like fog. It slowly covered the floor around me, I sent it flying towards the young man.

Shouting, the woman erected a barrier in front of him, only to cry out in shock as my Aura pierced the barrier, skewering the man.

They watched in silence as his body withered away, the two girls screaming as he turned to dust.

Looking towards me, the woman's black eyes shone with fear, and the old man's hands were shaking.

"How... How did you..."

Hearing the woman's shaking voice, I chuckled.

"I have no need to explain myself to you. Now, I was told to offer all three of you something, but he pissed me off, so I killed him. Ahem... Princess Lux would like to take you under her wing, allowing you to have a similar status in the Keovara Empire. So?"

The woman trembled, however the man shouted "I would never betray my home! Kill her!"

I sighed, hearing the clank of boots on flagstone as the guards rushed towards me.

Taking my claymore, I coated it in my Aura before spinning, sending out a wave of Aura. Like before, I watched as the guards were bisected, falling to the floor with a thump.

Turning, I sent an orb flying towards the old mans brow, killing him.

The woman collapsed to the floor, shaking.

"P-Ple... Please! I'll join! I'll join!"

Hearing her pleas, I chuckled before kneeling in front of her.

"Wise decision."

Placing my claymore on my back, I lifted her up, saying "Drop the spells in Sicilia. After that, I'll hand you over to the Knights that will occupy the city when we're done, and they will take you to Princess Lux. Ah, don't think of trying to escape."

Leaning closer to the woman, I whispered "Lux is quite... persuasive, and if she doesn't get what she wants, she gets violent."

The woman shivered again, and I walked away, her arm still in my hand.

Exiting the castle, I watched as she chanted a few lines, before a pulse of energy covered the city.

I could hear the nearby undead drop to the ground, now truly dead.

Swaying, the woman collapsed to her knees, panting.

Looking down at her, I pursed my lips before taking the small wand on my belt.

Aiming it at the air, I sent out a flare, waiting for my squad.

I didn't have to wait long, as they rushed towards me. Seeing the woman kneeling at my side, they all looked at me.

"Princess Lux wanted the Sorcerers alive. Sadly, the other one made the wrong choice. Now, we wait here for Squad Omega before making our way to Napalia then Roma. After killing the Emperor, we quell any remaining forces while Princess Lux starts absorbing the Romagi Empire into the Keovara Empire."

"Wh... What? Absorb the Romagi..."

Looking down at the woman, I chuckled dryly.

"To be honest, we have to thank your idiotic Emperor Cesauri for doing what he did. Saved us the trouble of having to fabricate a reason to invade."

I watched as the light left the woman's eyes, and she slumped forwards.

"Morian, carry her to the walls. We'll wait there for Justinia and her Squad."

Without waiting for his reply, I set off towards the wall, intending to rest as soon as I got there.