Chapter 45 - Puppet Master

"I explicitly instructed against engaging in any actions that might prove detrimental to our twilight sanctum," As Bong's words pierced the air, his eyes emitted a crimson glow, his form cloaked in an eerie aura that seemed to obscure the moonlight itself. Seraphina's heart raced, her eyes widening with a mixture of fear and awe.

"Master, please forgive my indiscretion, I take full responsibility for not informing you and for maintaining the adventurer facade with Eclipse. My intentions were to gather intelligence on human society and the nearby territories," She stammered, her voice trembling.

She felt his grip tighten around her waist as he demanded more information, his face still close to hers, their proximity palpable.

"I uncovered the age-old enmity between Crestwood and Silverwood, Exploiting their history of strife, I sought to shield the innocent village girls while diverting Crestwood's attention to Silverwood. I had to act discreetly to protect them, " She continued, her voice soft but determined.

Her explanation hung in the air between them, the tension and closeness creating a moment of charged silence.

"And for what reason, may I ask, have you taken it upon yourself to shield a mere group of village girls? Do you forget that such matters hold no significance to me, or do you believe otherwise?" Bong's tone carried a blend of curiosity and annoyance, his gaze fixed intensely upon Seraphina.

"Master, I am well aware of your stance on such matters. However, these girls were not without potential. They were on the brink of despair, destined to be sold as slaves. Through their rescue, they now owe their lives to you. By saving them, you've gained loyal subjects who will revere you as a king. To ascend to the throne of this world, a ruler requires devoted followers who believe in the cause," Seraphina's smile carried a sinister undertone as she articulated her point.

"Hmm... I must admit, you have a point. Both of your actions have yielded remarkable results. I required hundreds of souls, and you've brought me thousands, along with citizens who will regard me as their savior. " Bong's words resonated with a sense of acknowledgment and authority.

"I'm rather pleased with this outstanding achievement. However, in regards to your commendable work, I believe a reward is in order. Nevertheless, that can wait for now. You must ensure that you provide me with all the necessary information you've gathered once we arrive at the Twilight Sanctum," Bong's tone carried a sense of approval and satisfaction as he acknowledged Seraphina's efforts.

Seraphina nodded, her heart swelling with happiness as Bong acknowledged her efforts.

"Seraphina, which faction should we target for destruction? It seems our best course of action would be to dismantle the Crestwood faction, thereby indebting Silverwood to us," Bong suggested.

Seraphina nodded, fully in agreement with Bong's proposed course of action.

"Before I proceed, do we need to consider any powerful foes from Crestwood?" Bong's expression turned contemplative as he posed a question.

Seraphina proceeded to detail the situation to Bong. She explained that the current army stationed at the border was not strong enough to thwart Bong's power, and their initial plan for a surprise attack on a small section of Silverwood and buy the time time before the main Crestwood army arrived but that had failed due to her interference.

The present forces were mainly responsible for patrolling the near border of Crestwood, while the more elite noble knights and mages were stationed deeper within the territory, primarily in the capital city. The commoners were left to defend the border, making it a relatively safe target for engagement.

After Seraphina explained the detailed plan of Crestwood and the composition of the army, Bong was ready to massacre the Crestwood faction without any delay.

As the moon hung in the sky, casting a pale glow over the battlefield, Bong's eyes glowed with determination. He spread his arms wide, and from his position high above, he summoned his Cursed Wraithstrike bow.

With a commanding gesture, he released his grip, and the soul hunt arrows descended like a torrential rain. The moonlight was obscured as the arrows filled the sky, falling like a deadly hailstorm. Crestwood soldiers looked up in terror, realizing their impending doom, but it was too late. The soul haunt arrows found their marks with unerring precision, piercing through armor and flesh alike.

Chaos erupted as the arrows struck their targets, causing confusion and panic among the Crestwood soldiers. They ran in a futile attempt to evade the onslaught, but the arrows pursued them relentlessly. The air was filled with the anguished cries of the dying and the desperate pleas for mercy.

In the midst of the battle, as the arrows fell from sky and soldiers perished one by one, one Crestwood messenger managed to escape. He hurried to his tent, hoping to warn higher-ranking officers. But as he reached the tent's entrance, a soul hunt arrow struck him from behind, and he collapsed inside.

The commanding officer's face displayed shock and surprise as the soldier collapsed to the ground. Reacting swiftly, he summoned his soldiers, issuing urgent orders to protect him. The soldiers quickly formed a defensive circle around him, but their efforts proved futile. One by one, they fell prey to the soul hunt arrows. The tent's cloth roof provided no protection as the soul hunt arrows penetrated through it, striking down everyone within.

On the other side, the Silverwood soldiers watched in amazement as the arrows fell on their enemies. First, they were shocked, then relieved as they saw they were safe from the attack. When the dust settled, the aftermath was clear. All the Crestwood soldiers were dead, struck down by the soul hunt arrows.

As Bong and Seraphina gazed down upon the scene, a haunting expression gripped their features. Their eyes bore witness to the unfolding carnage, yet there was an eerie satisfaction in their demeanor. The falling soldiers seemed like mere pawns in their orchestrated play, and the sight of chaos and demise from their vantage point resembled the manipulation of puppets by a master puppeteer in the sky.

[ALERT]

[Souls Obtained : 3010]

Meanwhile, The messenger rushed to the Silverwood strategy tent, eager to deliver the uplifting news. He explained that out of nowhere, the Crestwood soldiers had been defeated, leaving the battlefield covered in lifeless bodies.

"What? Are you telling the truth? How in the world did this happen?" Captain Alistair of the Knights unit was in shock, his expression mirroring his disbelief.

"Captain, it's true. Thousands of volleys of arrows rained down from the sky, taking out every Crestwood soldier one by one. Even their Captain fell victim to it. There are no knights or mages left," the messenger confirmed, relieving Alistair's doubts and bringing a sense of satisfaction to the news.

In his haste, Alistair rushed outside to discover the identity of the knight in shining armor who had come to their aid. As he gazed into the sky, he found no one there. However, as his eyes lowered, he spotted two figures approaching him: Bong and Seraphina.