Moving East (2)

Season 1

007

With a determined heart and steady breaths, I slowly inched my way closer and closer to the unfolding conflict. 

I wasn't highly trained in stealth or assassination techniques, but I was aware to make each one of my movements deliberate, a resonance with the grace and precision that matches the techniques from the Murim. 

I'm confident that with a fully recovered body, I can take on an aura user of at least 6 stars. I unsheathed my sword and got ready.

The forest will now bear witness to the start of my journey and a new history to be carved in this life of mine. This will be one of many battles I fight.

--

I closed the distance between myself and the fight as much as possible, while at the same time, I'm also making sure that I would remain unnoticed until I decided to strike. 

"It's a good thing the sun is in my favor," I muttered to myself.

The sun shines high in the sky. However, it was positioned in a way that it was behind my back. This causes the shadows to play in my favor.

Looking at the match, I observed their fight unfold. The stage was already set.

These assassins have such big balls.

"Such a daring move for the assassins to launch an attack in the middle of the day."

The wooden carriage stood at the heart of it all, the people inside were silent to the violence that unfolded around them.

I see that the carriage was crafted from an aged oak, giving it that light brown color. Its exterior bore the marks of good design and it was adored all over with intricate carvings. 

"Nobles."

Definitely. Without a doubt. Only those with such wealth would be able to afford this. Despite being a wooden carriage without much protection, it was still elevated from the normal carriages that merchants used.

Think about it. What good would it do for a merchant to spend more money on decorating a carriage? Only nobles spend lavishly. They love showing how far apart they are from the rest of us "commoners". Well, except for me because I'm technically royalty.

It had four wheels but it seemed like two had been taken out. This carriage would have used two horses to pull but seeing how there are no horses to be seen, they must have run off.

Had the horses stayed with the carriage, the carriage would have easily traversed the forest's rugged terrain.

Although I can't see it directly, I am sure within the carriage, cushioned seats offered respite and comfort. That is the only sanctuary with all this chaos happening around it.

I could almost smell the scent of seasoned wood wafted from the carriage's frame. Even the basic materials used to build the carriage were a higher quality of oak. Surrounding the noble carriage were the knight apprentices and presumably one official knight hidden amongst them.

The knights' armor glistened in the dappled sunlight that seeped through the trees. Their blades gleamed in unison.

They moved accordingly and despite utilizing simple textbook examples of the Northern Empire's training, they defended against their enemies with sheer force. 

They're putting up a decent fight, but against those assassins who likely come from Murim, their simplistic movements will be their downfall.

The apprentices will lose, it's inevitable. The only advantage they have is more numbers. The assassins were more skilled but not by a crazy margin. 

These apprentices must be the top graduates from their academy or have trained under a powerful mentor.

"Mere apprentices. They're unlucky."

They likely thought they would be able to complete an escort mission for a noble and then get rich easily. How naive.

Even if the apprentices were adorned in the same armor as official knights, their skills were nothing like real knights. 

I roughly gauge their aura prowess to be between 3 to 4 stars. One of them, likely the commanding leader of their group, stands strong at 5 stars. His combat prowess is likely around the same level or even above the knight captain I encountered during my escape. He must be the one real knight amongst a flock of apprentices.

"They might be able to win with their numbers..."

Eight knights. That is significantly higher than the assassins who only numbered four. However, due to the high likelihood that these assassins hail from murim, there's a drastic difference in skill and techniques. The average assassin had the strength of 5 stars. In particular, one of them exuded the presence of a first-class martial artist.

Even with a drastic difference in the knight's and assassin's aura stars, you can pair up two knights to fight against each assassin. Whichever side gets the first kill is assumable to take the win.

I don't know what reason these assassins have come but they fight relentlessly. They're trying to rush and finish the job quickly, whatever the job may be. 

Unfortunately for them, a group of apprentices that have doubled their numbers still proves to be difficult to handle. 

With specialized assassination martial arts that likely come from a notable clan or sect, their shortswords cut through the air with remarkable swiftness. Their movements make use of their flexibility and unorthodox fighting methods that have no care for honor or pride. Each time they strike, their techniques seek weakness within the knightly defense. 

In short, they fight to win, not to show off. 

At this point, the knights utilized their raw power and strength to defend. It was very successful especially because of their number advantage. 

The battle raged on as the two sides clashed against each other, grunts of effort echoed through the trees.

The one true knight commanded the others, "Do not let them near the carriage! Stand strong and hold your ground!"

The others shouted back and replied, "Yes, Sir!"

Maintaining their formation, the knights parried attacks and countered any blows possible. Despite the ferocious assault on the knights, their armor sustained most of what could have been fatal injuries.

"These fucking knights! Mere apprentices!"

So these assassins from murim were able to recognize the difference between a knight and an apprentice? Interesting...

"I told you we should've done a surprise attack!"

"Be quiet."

"Whatever. Just kill these fools!"

I circulated my aura and unsheathed the sword I stole from the knight captain.

With explosive power, I sprung forward from the shadows under the trees. I sprinted at full speed and immediately went on to clash blades with one of the knights. His eyes widened from the surprise attack. 

"W-who are you-"

He tried to say something but it was unfortunate for him that I had already sliced his head off. Even if you wear a helmet, you still need to protect your neck. The moment I caught him off guard, my sword reached his vulnerability before he could even react in time.

The commander shouted but none of the other apprentices could move. They were too stunned and couldn't process that their friend just died beside them.

And in one simple move that none of them would have seen coming.

Everyone, assassins or knights, stopped briefly. The assassins backed off and stopped their onslaught, unaware whether I was friend or foe. 

The commander, enraged by the death of his comrade, shouted at me.

"Identify yourself! Right now!"

His voice was full of hatred. What was once a composed and steady voice giving orders was now crackling with anger that lashed out like a whip. His words were sharp and biting, fueled by the simmering fury beneath all that armor.

Like any appropriate person, I responded.

"Me?"

"Who else?! Yes, you!"

"I'm just a normal hater of the Empire."

"Ridiculous!" He swung his sword around, "You dare intrude in another's business?"

"Yeah. I just did, fucking dumbass."

"Do NOT belittle me! Have you no pride? Are you not embarrassed by yourself?"

I smirked and chuckled a little.

"Grow up a little, mister knight. The world isn't as just as you think. We're not all orthodox as you might believe."

The commander didn't reply. He was thinking of the best approach to this situation.

He lifted his sword and pointed the tip towards me, "Leave now. I will overlook this incident."

The other apprentices were infuriated by that.

"Commander! How can you tell him to leave just like that?!"

"He mercilessly killed one of us!"

"We need to avenge him!"

"We can't let this be, commander!"

The commander snapped back, "Shut up! Remember our job! Remember our role in this mission! As much as I would like to kill him, we would be increasing our enemies while losing an ally! Think you morons!"

The apprentices stay quiet. They knew that it would be for the best if they didn't increase the amount of people they needed to fight. Especially when they're now one person short from having double the amount of people as compared to the assassins.

The commander stared into me.

"Leave. This is your last chance. Do not make the Empire your enemy."

"Oh yeah?" I say, "Okay, sure."

I raised my other hand in surrender and backed off. The knight commander turned his face and sword away from me. He faced the assassins, getting ready to go right back where they started.

This idiot.

Before the commander could shout out orders, I looked at the assassins.

"Hey! I'll help you guys if you let me keep some of their belongings!"

The assassins looked over to the one person who was seemingly the leader. His arms were crossed.

The commander, obviously baffled, expressed it very well, "W-what?! You fucking bastard! I gave you a chance to leave!"

I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Y-you!"

The supposed squad leader of the assassins looked at me up and down, likely judging my character and fighting power. He had nothing to lose if I were to help them. 

I decided to give him another push of encouragement.

"You know these kinds of clothes don't you?"

I tugged on my prisoner rags.

"I broke out of that disgusting prison. Straight out the front door too. Their knights weren't a match for me."

I lifted my sword and spun it around before flicking the blood stains onto the ground. 

I know what to do. For the duration of this...event. I'll try my best to look like a maniacal psychopath. That would fit the theme of a crazy and insane prisoner who hates the Northern Empire. 

I brought the sword's blade up to my mouth and put my tongue out, imitating a long and disgusting lick along the steel blade.

Ignoring the commander's whining and screaming behind me, I awaited the leader's response.

"What do you think, sir? I would LOVE to change out of these rags."

He uncrossed his arms and firmly held his shortsword, "Very well."

I smiled, "Great answer."

The way his eyes looked and judged me, believing my acting that I'm a deranged psycho, was very funny. 

"We do not need the belongings of the dead." The leader tells me as he nods his head.

I tried to imitate a creepy smile, a wicked arc that carved shadows across my face. Holding a malevolent glee, a twisted mirth dances in my eyes like malefic embers. The edges of my lips curled upward with a predatory elegance, and my row of shining pearly white teeth glinted. My smile of mischief.

I could tell from how the knights shook that it sent shivers down their spines. It was almost as if I could feel their hearts beating with an uneasy rhythm. 

The battle was an exchange of might and tactics. Despite being only a 2-star swordsman, I could easily overwhelm the knights with intricate plays of skill and strategy. My aura handling skills are way higher than theirs.

I can effortlessly decimate anything they throw at me. The apprentices and their pathetic excuse of handling aura can't compete.

The forest held its breath, enraptured by our fight. In this unfolding drama, both sides fought with conviction.

The outcome may have seemed uncertain, but now that I'm here...victory is guaranteed for the assassins. 

One thing for certain though is that I've become a full-fledged actor. My role is, of course, a maniacal psychopath who escaped from prison.

"Come on~", I say as I unleash a flurry of attacks on two knights. 

"I'm disappointed! Is this all the soldiers of the almighty Empire can amount to?!"

Well, technically speaking, compared to the Northern Empire at its peak during the war in my past life, these rookies can't even hold a candle to the true talents of the Empire.

The knight apprentices were enraged, especially since I insulted them right in their territory too.

One charged up an attack with their aura and sprinted at me.

"Do not belittle the North!"

Our steel swords met in a fierce clash, particles erupted like a shower of stars.

As his attack collided with my sword, I redirected his strength with a parrying technique and caused his sword to slip off my blade and crash into the ground. 

He was about to grab me but I was too quick. I spun and kicked off from his helmet to create some distance between myself and the other knights.

Another apprentice came in, covering for his friend to recover, and let out a barrage of slashes. 

I avoided each with ease. 

To toy with him even more, I dodge right at the last second leaving only a few inches of room between myself and his attack.

His sweat proliferating on his face was visible through the gap in the helmet. 

He was anxious.

"The North isn't much if your skills only amount to this."

Do I feel bad for them?

Yeah. I do. It must be humiliating and embarrassing for a prison escapee to criticize your very technique and it's especially aggravating for them to insult your home, in your lands as well.

However, they were just unlucky to have met me.

These knights wear armor that is a mix of heavy and light garments. Heavy steel armor parts were worn to protect the vital areas of their body whereas a combination of chainmail and lighter leather garments were worn elsewhere.

This allowed the Empire to take advantage of their soldiers' quick development of raw power to fight recklessly.

With a wicked facial expression, I spoke of my true inner desires. The entire reason I came into this fight in the first place.

"I want you. Give me your clothes."

The knight seemed flustered as he let his emotions take control of his swings.

"Screw off!"

Wherever you go, you're bound to meet another talent much greater than your own. It's the ultimate reality of this world.

The knight lunged at me with a lightning-quick strike, powered with aura, and he aimed for my chest. I stepped diagonally towards his attack, countering with a riposte.

He was not able to defend against that.

Before my riposte, I gathered my aura and covered it over my sword. I focused on making my attack as fast and sharp as possible.

My sword soared right into his chest, penetrating through his armor, and piercing his heart. 

He regurgitated blood out his mouth and as it flowed down his neck, he fell in defeat. 

The other knights and assassins all saw me kill the knight in a matter of seconds, with ease. Filled with motivation, the assassins continued their assault while the knights slowly backed closer to the carriage. Now the number advantage didn't matter as much.

I stood over the dead body menacingly and nudged his corpse with my foot. I pulled my sword out and flicked the blood off. I grinned at the other knight who looked at me with terror.

Trying to desperately keep his men composed, the commander shouted his orders, "D-do not falter! Gather up all your strength and repel them! If we kill one, then victory is ours!"

I didn't understand what he meant by victory as long as they killed one. So long as I'm alive, our victory is assured. 

I decided to throw a question at them. Especially since they're not even fully-fledged knights yet.

"What are knight apprentices doing on an escort mission?"

One of the knights snapped at me.

"-How do you know we are apprentices?!"

"How could I not? Your movements do not incorporate any teachings from the training that official knights receive. Only your commander seemed to have received such training."

"How do you?!-"

The commander butted in the conversation before the knight could finish his sentence.

"Do not converse with your enemy! Don't give him any information!"

I smiled wickedly once again.

"Ah~? So my guess was right."

I am such a splendid actor.

From an enemy's perspective, they would be thinking that I was just throwing bait to be able to ascertain their backgrounds. Apprentices are not legally allowed to undertake any missions without the approval of a superior who at least holds an official knight title.

The panicked knight's expression was very clear. Their demise was only imminent.

Taking hold of this chance when their enemies are distraught and psychologically conflicted, the assassin leader spoke up.

"Finish them!"

The assassins broke from their usual formation and followed suit with their own calculated teamwork and managed to heavily wound one knight and lightly scratch another.

The commander intervened, blocking and dodging against the assassin's relentless slashing and thrusting attacks. This, in turn, managed to prevent the deaths of the two knights.

"Collect yourself! It's either us or them! Choose!"

The knights charged, seemingly grasping the reality of their situation. Only one group shall walk away alive.

They surged forward with their swords whistling through the air. Two knights got into position to take me on. 

"Smart move. Leaving the others to take on the assassins and ganging up on me."

I smirked.

"You've learned well. But unfortunately, relying on theory won't get anywhere without sufficient experience or skills to back it up."

They did not reply.

All the knights were in the zone. Likely pumped with the biggest adrenaline rush of their lives. After all, it was fight or die, just like their commander proclaimed.

I circulated my aura and leaped at them, performing a series of attacks.

Each move was calculated, precise, and coated in aura. The flurry of blows aimed at the two were overwhelming but their teamwork was enough to avoid being killed.

"Great, I can still play with you a little more~"

Maybe...I'm getting TOO much into this roleplay. Trust me, I don't have any weird kinks like that.

I should stop before I awaken something sinister inside of me.

The furious exchange of slashes and parries between the two knights and I resulted in a concert of metal sounds.

Our eyes were locked in a fierce duel. As they pressed on, their strikes became more and more relentless.

The Northern Empire was feared for many things. Such as their soldier's indomitable fighting spirit.

I held my ground, responding with sharp accuracy in deflecting their blows.

Our clash continued in our dance of steel. 

I wouldn't want to make this into a battle of attrition. After all, they can't know that my aura stars only amount to 2.

"It's about time we end this."

I faced the two rookies, decently formidable adversaries for the current me.

"Oh~ I never took on two guys before."

It was silent.

"First time for everything!~"

Nothing except for the sounds of clashing swords.

You know what?

I should stop trying to play the act of a psychopath. It makes me feel weird and doesn't suit my character.