CONTRACT WITH A DEVIL? (2)

As the resplendent light slowly subsided, Remlend who was previously hanging in a thread between life and death had undergone a massive change.

His injuries healed at a pace visible to the naked eye. In just a few breaths, his skin regained its healthy complexion; even his twisted leg that was supposed to be beyond saving was back to its original form, not a shred of its previous circumstance was visible.

But in exchange with Remlend's miraculous recovery, his hair had lost its vitality, withering as it turned grey. Furthermore, his aura of life had considerably diminished, becoming spent and weary.

" Master, who are you? Yoooouuuuu…. " Remlend's eyes were full of confusion and his voice had turned completely submissive.

" Didn't you say I'm a devil? What's up with that change? " Roan felt an indescribable connection between him and Remlend. To some extent, he could even feel what his vassal is thinking and experiencing.

'It looks like the grimoire was just as capable as the system had said.' Roan thought as he tried to get used to his very invasive power.

" MY LORD! I WOULDN'T DARE…. I WOULDN'T DARE CALL YOU A DEVIL! " Remlend kowtowed to his master.

" MASTER, I WOULDN'T DARE TO COMPARE YOUR BRILLIANCE TO A FILTHY DEVIL. PLEASE PUNISH THIS SERVANT! " Remlend's voice was trembling in utter terror as he continued kowtowing.

" Stop. " Roan tried to pull Remlend, but Remlend insisted on remaining in kowtow.

" MASTER! THANK YOU FOR BESTOWING ME THIS POWER! THIS SERVANT'S LIFE WOULD FOREVER BELONG TO YOU, MY LORD! " Remlend became more fervent.

" What power? "

" Answering to my Lord, by your grace and benevolence, I gained the ability to control life and had become an Old Guard. "

' Gaining the ability to control life? What's that? And becoming an Old Guard? Is that a class? ' Roan thought of the system announcement that he had vaguely heard earlier.

" Oh, you had become an Old Guard? Let's see your ability "

" Yes, Master. " Remlend stood up and prepared himself.

With a sudden tear, Remlend's muscle was torn and rebuilt, expanding in the process. His bones cracked as his body size expanded, his previous average build changed into one similar to a towering bear.

Roan who was dwarfed by his brute-looking vassal was left with a gaping mouth.

It took a couple of seconds for Remlend to fully transform into a ripped titan that has a savage countenance.

The transformation done, Remlend went back to his knees and said " After merging with the grimoire that master had bestowed upon this servant, I was able to acquire an inheritance called 'The Old Guard Class'. "

" My Lord, because of your unsurpassed benevolence, I also got the ability to take the life force of those that I had killed. " Remlend paused and added "Every time I activate an ability or heal my body, I would be consuming Lifeforce. Currently, the only Old Guard's skill I can use is the Titan's form."

" It seems like you are already familiar with how classes work? "

" Yes master, I already have an idea to some extent, the grimoire had introduced how the classes and skills work." Remlend then hesitantly said " Master, who really are you? You are clearly not like the devil told in the legends."

" Previously, I was a nobody. Now, your lord. " Roan then thought of how he was just another random dude back on earth.

Although Remlend was confused and curious as to why his master called himself a nobody, he still knew better not to dig deeper.

" Undo your transformation. You are like a walking bright light in that form of yours, I don't want moths to gather around us. "

" I understand master, I shall undo it now. " Slowly, Remlend went back to being a feeble old man.

" Let's leave, the sun had already risen. Trouble would definitely come if we stay here. " Roan looked around, trying to see if someone is still alive and might have seen what had happened moments ago.

Failing to find a sign of a living person, Roan could only inwardly scold himself for making a huge scene in an open area. A 10 IQ decision, stupid beyond reason.

As they moved towards where their army camp is, Roan asked his vassal what happened to yesterday's battle.

Remlend loyally answered his queries. And from what Remlend had said, yesterday's battle lasted all the way to the third watch of the night.

****( A/N : I copied ancient china's timekeeping method. Every watch lasts about 2 hours. The third watch ≈ 10pm-12 midnight. )****

The commanders of both sides kept on sending units of militiamen all throughout the battle. They didn't even bat an eye at the momentous casualties and instead focused on trying to make an opening using their cannon fodder.

But even though yesterday's battle consumed innumerable men, they were all cheap units that could easily be replaced. As such, the core soldiers of both sides remained fresh and untouched.

Along the way, every time they saw patrolling cavalry units and enemy riders, Roan would order his vassal to try to hide with him. Still, even though they were lowkey, they weren't able to hide from the prying eyes and was instead always found.

The good thing was that both of the said group were always busy playing their cat and mouse game to the point that they would always pass by Roan and Remlend, only leaving a cloud of dust in the process.

After traveling for about two hours, they finally arrived at their destination ---- a massive camp situated in a forest clearing.

The camp's perimeter stretches for kilometers, all overlooked by makeshift earthen walls that are strengthened by none other than sturdy logs. Not only that, watchtowers and patrol posts also dotted the camp's surroundings, effectively locking down the area to some extent.

While Roan and his vassal were moving towards the camp's gate, they were stopped on their tracks.

" Halt!  "

A fully armed group of guards closed in on them. And in no time, the group of guards had completely surrounded the two suspicious men approaching the camp.

Spears stretched out and pointing at Roan and Remlend, the leading guard interrogated them.

" Who are you? And where do you belong? "

" Sir, My name's Yulio. I belonged to the third vanguard unit. " Roan answered with respect as to avoid unnecessary trouble.

" I am Remlend. I belong to the sixth vanguard unit. "

" You?! Old man, what are you doing on the battlefield? You look so frail, even a gust of wind can blow you away. " The leading guard snorted as he made his remarks.

Hearing the contempt of the other party, a vein bulged out of Remlend's head as his face heated up.

Remlend himself fully knew that he was no longer fit for the battlefield when he begged his way into registration. Keyword : 'was'. Although that was what he had thought before, it had already changed the moment he had gained the power bestowed by his Lord.

With his current power, Remlend could fully disregard the puny guard in his front. But despite the harsh criticism, he remained silent because his Lord had already told him to keep his power a secret.

Seeing as the old man didn't dare flare in anger, the leading guard continued his interrogation. While asking questions, the guard would spout contemptuous remarks every now and then.

The leading guard was on a power trip, he was submerged deep into the pit of pride. He always does this whenever he has the chance to do so. Occasionally, his subordinates would also chime in on the bullying, but they weren't completely into it unlike him.

After the arduous interrogation, the guard was able to confirm their identities. Because Roan and Remlend belong to different units, they were separately escorted by the guards.

As they traversed the outer camp, Roan saw all kinds of filth littering the dirt road and the tents. Looking from the open entrances of the tents, Roan was able to see the awful condition that the men suffer.

The militiamen were packed like sardines as they all laid on the hard matt on the ground. Each of them was sweaty and full of grime after the battle yesterday. Horrendous stench originating from the tent wafts towards the dirt road.

The condition was beyond inhumane. If it was in his previous world,  the people in charge would certainly receive towering complaints and letters of condemnation.

While Roan was still deeply thinking and sympathizing, their small procession stopped.

" Here, go back to your unit. Stay and rest for a while. Ready yourself for deployment. " His escort turned around and left.