The Rise of The Conqueror

The soldiers were gathered outside of the great empire. Dython rode with Ositron down the main street. They were escorted by a small group of knights. People cheered as they rode past them. Golden Gate was weaker than Dython's empire. There were around 150,000 knights all on horseback in his militia. In the entire military there were more than 500,000 knights. Dython and Ositron stopped at the gates.

"This is where we split off." Dython said

"I will wait for your safe return." Ositron said

"Watch after Rose and Johannes for me until I return." Dython said

"Of course. Your family and kingdom are in good hands." Ositron said

Dython rode in front and led them onwards. They marched at a steady pace. It would take a couple of hours to reach Azalea Village and a couple more to reach Golden Gate. Commander Calitio Alvero rode next to Dython in the front.

The weather was tolerable. The wind weakly blew and the air was cool. Birds flew overhead and wildlife pranced in the forest. The only thing they could hear was the horses hooves against the dirt and stone path.

"I just saw the sign for Azalea Village, sir!" Calitio shouted

"Good! That means we are almost there!" Dython shouted back

"What is the plan?!" Calitio asked

"We will ask to rest there for a brief moment! Maybe take it over too!" Dython laughed

"Yeah! Maybe!" Calitio chuckled

They continued to ride. Dython held up his hand and the mighty army slowly came to a halt. Dython continued to ride ahead with Calitio and five other knights. They rode into the small village. They dismounted and unsheathed their swords.

"What the hell happened here?" Calitio asked

"Looks like a battle broke out." Dython said

"The buildings are destroyed, and the people... they were left on the ground." Calitio said

"Look closer." Dython said kneeling next to a corpse

"What?" Calitio asked

"She is half eaten. I think a Titan rampaged through here." Dython said

"Spread out! Search for anyone who could be alive!" Calitio ordered the knights.

"Calitio, stay with me." Dython said

"Of course." Calitio said

The two of them wandered around and went into the destroyed buildings. There was no sign of life or of a Titan. Some corpses were more deteriorated than others. Dython thought that this happened a while ago. They regrouped and burned as many bodies as they could.

"It is strange. The monster didn't even eat a whole body." Calitio said

"Let's get back." Dython said

"Yeah." Calitio said

They mounted their horses and rode back to the army. Dython began riding forwards and led them through the city. They did not stop, but rode in silence as they went through the village.

As they rode towards Golden Gate, Dython spotted something further down the road. A large blockade covered the road. The army quickly stopped. Soldiers of Golden Gate walked around the blockade and Dython rode to greet them.

"I am Dython Fiklor. Emperor of the Empire of Dython. I have come to conquer Golden Gate. Move this blockade and get out of my way or die." Dython ordered.

"King Newman and King Paul said this would happen. One moment." the guard said

The two guards pushed the blockade out of the way and bowed as Dython's army passed. Before they reached the gate, the army broke into four major groups of 37,500 men. One group was led by Dython himself and they were going into the kingdom directly. The group led by Calitio would go around to the harbor. The other two groups would surround the kingdom from the outside.

They dismounted the horses and immediately engaged in a battle. The knights fought each other while Dython only focused on reaching the throne room. Golden Gate never stood a chance. Even if they were prepared for a war. There were no knights guarding the throne room. Dython eagerly entered and saw two men standing in the center. They both had a crown on their heads.

"You must be Dython Fiklor," Paul said, "I am Paul."

"I am Newman." Newman said

"I am Dython." Dython said

"Ring the bells!" Paul shouted

The bells rang throughout the kingdom. Golden Gate's knights dropped their weapons and knelt down.

"We surrender." they said, taking off their crowns and kneeling in front of Dython

"Smart choice," Dython said, "Golden Gate no longer exists. From now on, it shall be called Johannes City."

Dython's army surrounded Golden Gate. The soldiers had no problems being under Dython's rule. The people also accepted this new King.

"Where is Krimson Reagon?" Dython asked Paul and Newman.

"We don't know. He told us he was leaving and there was a chance he would not return." Paul said

"He abandoned you?" Dython asked

"Yeah, I guess he did." Newman said

"Take me to the treasure room, please." Dython asked

"Of course. Follow us. We didn't take too much of it." Paul said jokingly.

Newman inserted a key in the lock of the huge steel door. He then handed Dython the key. Inside the vault was gold, jewels, and gems of all colors. Piles of them. Dython started laughing and patted Paul and Newman on their backs.

"Now this is what I wanted!" Dython said

"You will have to make a speech to the people." Paul said

"Yeah. Go ahead and take some of the gold if you want." Dython said

"No thanks. We have plenty of money. This belongs to the kingdom." Newman said

"Speak for yourself!" Paul said

Paul ran into the treasure room and laid down on the gold. Dython started laughing and joined him. They were acting like children. Gold was flying in the air. Newman stood in the doorway with a smile. Paul stood up and grabbed a handful of gold and gems. He stuffed them in his pack and walked out. Dython walked out with him.

"It is so much gold!" Dython said

"Yeah, it really is." Paul said

"Where are the guards?" Dython asked

"We are." Newman said

"At your service!" Paul said

"Sure!" Dython said, smiling.

"I'm sure you have a lot to do." Newman said

"I do. Here, Paul, hold onto the key." Dython said

"Of course." Paul said

Dython started walking away and he waved as he left. Dython appeared to the public and stood on a stage in the main court field. Calitio stood next to him. Dython took a step forward before speaking.

"People of the Kingdom of Golden Gate! Your former king has been dethroned by me, Dython Fiklor. This is now under my Empire and will be called Johannes City. There will be no major changes to your lives so, please just live and work like you have in the past. All the area from here to the East of my Empire is now all under my control. There was a village named Azalea Village that has been destroyed. If anyone knows what happened there, please tell me or a knight. Everyone there was killed by a monster before we got there. The bodies were decomposed so it must've happened a while back. I have a plan for expansion. We will go North and expand before going South, towards Dusk. If you want to join an expedition team, you are free to. Anyone who joins gets paid twice the normal amount. Anyone who wants to leave can leave whenever they want. You can also join our army, which will get three times the usual pay. Lastly, any information about Krimson Reagon is greatly appreciated. His whereabouts are unknown. I hope everyone enjoys their new life." Dython bowed his head.

A cheer erupted through the crowd. Many people cheered. Some clapped. Others were confused. But most knew exactly what was happening. A few minutes later, Calitio stepped forward and bowed to Dython. The cheering stopped.

"Calitio is the only one I trust to lead the city right now. Please obey him until further notice. He'll take care of you all. Now, I need to return home." Dython said

A week later, Paul and Newman were sitting at the table. They were drinking wine when Paul heard a knock on the door. He went to open it. It was Calitio. He sat down at the table. The table was in the same room as the vault door. The window was open and a cool breeze blew into the room. There was a bottle of the finest wine and some bread sticks on the table.

"Sir Calitio! What a nice surprise!" Newman said

"No need for the formalities, Newman." Calitio said

"What brings you here?" Paul asked

"What are you wearing?" Calitio asked

"It is my robe! Do you not like it?" Paul asked

"It is... strange. It's pink." Calitio said

"It's not pink, it's lightish red." Paul said

"No, it is definitely pink." Newman said

"Yes, it is pink." Calitio said

"Nevermind what I am wearing. Why did you come here?" Paul asked

"I received a letter from Emperor Dython. It said that he wanted us to start the expeditions." Calitio said

"Wonderful. I, myself, want to join one of the teams." Newman said

"No, I can't allow that. You two are helpers of the kingdom, which means you need to be in the kingdom." Calitio said

"Can my son, Lark, join? He's nineteen years old." Paul asked

"I don't see why not. Lark Tourno can go. Does he know how to fight?" Calitio asked

"Yes. He is a knight. He was knighted when he was thirteen." Newman said

"Tell him at once. I want these groups to leave tomorrow morning." Calitio said

"Sure. Excuse me." Newman said, leaving the room.

"Want to play a card game?" Paul asked

"Sure." Calitio said, pouring himself a glass of wine.