War for blueleaf - reality

Sauruüne (S) still had her helmet on, even when speaking to her Supreme commander, in the safety of the commander's tent.

"Greenhorn! You are here! Sit with us."

He sat near Sauruüne. Grilli (G) looked at him with intensity.

"You are called Ezyze, right?

Yes your highness.

And you are the leader of the Unshakables?

Yes, your highness.

Despite this. You seem to be close to the Behemoth. What is your relationship with them?

While we were defending Everain, my smaller mercenary band was tasked to defend the Western bridge together with Behemoths and Blueleaf soldiers. Because of their numbers, the leader of the Behemoth was considered as one of the general of these bridges. We Unshakables were sent to various fronts and ended up helping when we could.

Yet, you have gray orcs under your leadership. While they are not rare, only the Behemoths had some in their ranks. How do you explain that?

(S) Stop bullying the greenhorn! We have an amicable relationship and he saved me, as much as you ended up being saved by his troops.

(G) You made several accomplishments during the past months, against Damian's imperial army. While we will reward those worthy after the war, I planned on giving you several benefits today.

(E) Such as?

(S) We were discussing with her highness Grilli about how to reward you accordingly. Because I killed it the dragon's corpse is mine. Especially his valuable mana heart. The thing is I already absorbed one, and I have few magic classes, they are geared towards using the power of nature. They do not control mana like mages do and the mana heart is useless to them. Varna decided to absorb the Dragon's soul as her legendary trait allows her to do. I personally already absorbed a mana heart and when I absorbed Ivan's class, his latent capabilities were also transferred. I am unable to absorb one. While Grilli was a great support, she couldn't do much against the dragon. I offered to give you my share and reward you with the dragon's corpse.

(E) Thank you, Behemoth leader. Does that mean that Sauruüne's share is transferred to me?

(G) In essence, yes.

(E) Then, what about my share?

(G) You are greedy! What are you thinking?

(E) Damian.

(G) What about him?

(E) Give me his corpse."

----

Ezyze went back to his camp. Of the 870 goblins, some of them were given the nemean lion's corpses. In the past 6 months during the war against Damian, 5300 new goblins were born. Many of them were trained as hoplites. Of these 5300, 910 lost their lives. The remaining 5260 goblins are hardened veterans, rejoining the ranks of the Unshakables.

The huge corpse of the black dragon was in the middle of the Unshakable's camp. Damian'a corpse was laying against it. It gave then solace in death. Ezyze felt some sense of serenity from seeing these two reunited after their death.

In order to keep nurturing his talents, Ezyze had the goblin with A rank sword affinity eat Damian's corpse. Ezyze didn't know if the goblins could absorb only monsters' essences. Still, at rank 5 and being an amazing fighter in his own regard, Damian might be absorbed like any monster. It would open up the possibility for dead gifted enemies to somehow strengthen the Unshakables.

The A rank genius commander that was trained as a mage ate half of the dragon's brain and half of its heart. The S rank mana fighter was given the other half and the dragon's mana heart to absorb.

The rest of the corpse was given to other gifted goblins.

Ezyze thought long and hard about joining Sauruüne as a mercenary. She was a strong fighter. She was so oh very strong. Ezyze saw first hand how she managed to fight against imperial figureheads. Also, her forces were huge in number. If she truly manages to establish a kingdom for herself, her forces would only grow. Ezyze was persuaded that someone like Sauruüne who spent her life on the battlefield would value the worth of life.

Ezyze himself wanted his forces to grow. He also wanted to establish his mercenaries as a strong force. If he ever managed to establish his own kingdom, only might would make them safe.

Sauruüne already knows of his spatial powers. He would be able to gain honors and use his full power at the same time, which is also positive. Maintaining great relationships with the powerful Sauruüne and her Behemoth would be positive, no matter what the future becomes. With Aries and goblins, without speaking of all the other races, the racist Eternal Human Empire would eventually end up as his enemy.

He however wanted to know more about Blacksaber and evaluate whether it would be an enemy, or a neutral kingdom. He knew that the Ents and monkeys were antagonistsnof the kingdom, but he didnt know whether this alliance is temporary or something that would truky last. Thus, he wanted to be somewhat active with mercenaries from Blacksaber, as it would net him the highest chances to learn about the kingdom and understand their policies.

One problem was that he didn't know how to convey the news to Sauruüne. She seemed to be truthworthy but he didn't know whether he could divulge everything or not.

He decided to take the bull by the horns and to speak to her. He went to her tent. All the commanders were enjoying themselves, having won a great victory. Ezyze entered the tent and went to see Sauruüne, asking to speak privately with her.

They went further from the camp bustling with celebration and near a small river. The clamor of the camp was echoing from time to time and contrasted greatly with the clippity clappity of the water running.

Both were watching the water.

"Sauruüne, I wanted to speak with you regarding many things. Thank you for agreeing to have a chat. I haven't really made up my mind about so much. Can I ask you some questions to clear my mind?

Of course, I was expecting you to come much sooner than that actually.

Why are you hiding that you are a woman?

I am not hiding that I am a woman. I am hiding who I am. Being a mercenary is a dangerous job and there only so much that the Mercenary alliance can do to protect you.

Fair enough. You told me that you would be given a region in some desolate land, near monsters and the Empire. How serious is this deal?

It is pretty serious. For this war, I was made a magic oath by the Blueleaf's royalty. Every single princess, princess, queen and king swore that I would be rewarded what I am owed. If they break this contract, they die. As simple as that.

What are your ambitions by founding a kingdom?

I have been fighting for so many years. Before Behemoth, I was following someone who had great ambitions. We knew each others since we were children and we both had enough talent to grow to powerful figures. He wanted to create a place for those who don't have a way out in life. We.. didn't succeed..

Her voice was filled with sorrow and her expression wavered.

I have met many people from many races who were subjected to the tyranny of living in this world and they followed me hoping to find a place to belong. I plan to create a place for them.

Do you mean Hulann and Jarral?

Yes, their tribe account for the bulk of Behemoth. These orcs and yak beastmen are species that have been hunted because of their strong disposition to fight and their ideas that didn't suit those in power. They end up hunted or can't settle anywhere. There are many of them in this world.

Then how can you create something at the border of the Empire? And near a sovereign kingdom like Blueleaf, how can you trust them?

The unamed region lies in what is called the desolate lands. North of the Empire lies 2 great other Empire's that have been at war for centuries. Northwest from there is a great monster kingdom and then we don't know what lies beyond the Eternal Mountain range. Some have tried to see, but no one came back to speak of their discoveries to the masses.

What we know is that so many monsters inhabit this great forest and so many of them usually attack other areas in waves of sort. Very few people wander in these areas, but many troops are sent to destroy these monster tides. By establishing ourselves there, we spare imperial and Blueleaf's forces from dying needlessly. It would allow us enough time to grow, hopefully.

Who are your enemies then?

I have many. The Empire, for sure, but I just killed two of their most important figures for the future. Words of me having Ivan's powers will have reached imperial ears and they will fear me for the monster that Ivan was.

Bluekeaf will help me, because they will fear my power, and it is the country I stuck a deal with. They will want me to be a great ally.

I have few hidden forces and mercenaries band that despise me, but it isn't anything that I haven't dealt with.

I know that you have been helping me significantly the past few days. How do you want to use me?

You are a bright young mercenary. As much as Blueleaf and the Empire are sending their newer generations for themselves, I must sometimes rely on younger forces and find those in talents. I need to groom you for you to eventually be of help to me.

Do you plan on sucking my powers then?

No, I want to groom you so that you can either be a great subordinate, that will make enemy fear us, or you can be a strong ally, a buffer zone of sort.

You are a leader, you may leave eventually. When that happens, you will be of use to me, but as an ally, I hope.

Can you swear an oath that will not pursue me or attack the eventual new faction that I form?

Of course. And can you promise that you will do your best to help me and see me as an ally?

I will. But you shouldn't. You have given me so much already, and I know how this world is to the weak. In reality, I have no choice but to trust you. I hope that you will trust me in return. It is not something that I would like to create with an oath but it is slmething that we can develop through contacts and by staying together. I will gamble on you, Sauruüne.

Thank you, greenhorn."

When he checked after sorting out the inventory, the goblins evolved.

15 of them have dark skin, grew buffer, and have scales below the eyes and on the forearms.

The one that ate Damian's body, with the A rank sword affinity grew 1.8 meters tall. He had dark hair, a long nose and pale skin. His dark aura was leaking from his body. He had black like tattoos and gained the S rank trait Darkness swordmanship and A rank darkness affinity.

He became a Humlin prince, a unique race. He was named Humlin, after the name of this enigmatic race. Ezyze wondered why it was not a hobgoblin. Him becoming a Humlin meant that it was indeed possible to evolve by eating bipedal races.

The A rank genius commander grew taller, at 1.8 meters. His lean body seemed leaner with the 1 meter tail that hanged from his body. Two tiny black horns escaped from her forehead. He was covered in black scales and his eyes were slit vertically, and in the white of his eyes was swirling a dark shadow of sort, and smoke was leaking through his black hair. He gained the S rank Draconic dark magic and S rank Ear of the dead as talents. He was named Onyx.

The S rank Mana fighter grew 1.85 meters tall. She was covered in black scales and had a 1.5 meters tail, 2 curved hornes, had black long straight hair and 2 wings escaping from her back. She gained the S rank draconic dark magic and the S rank dragon's tyrannical strenght and S rank Ear of the dead. Every step that she took seemed powerful and she brimmed with dark mana. He had a rare shortsword in hand.

Arthur was extremely satisfied. The dragon and nemean goblins are very promising talents. The 9 horned hydra goblins are a unit that will be atrocious to the enemy in the future. They already managed to kill 2 rank 5 separately, but on their own, during the last 6 months. Seeing them was particularly heart warming for Ezyze. This and seeing his 20 originals hoplites survive. For the goblins, as they were constantly on the frontlines, they faced death numerous times.

The remaining troops quickly healed their wounded and marched to face Urgo Goodheart and help Argua Blueleaf.

----

On a desolate field, millions of people were killing each others. Humans wearing for most ofnthem white armors were killing and being killed by various different races.

The heavy rain was washing away torrents of blood. The sun couldn't be seen as dark clouds covered the sky.

The maddened Imperial soldiers were throwing themselves towards the Blueleaf's ranks.

They were martyrs, exhalted when they threw themselves and tried to kill as many impious enemy as possible. They were doing it for the glory of the Eternal Human Empire, for their lordship, Urgo Goodheart.

Atop a hill, a muscular man wearing a golden full plate armor laced with black color was seating nonchalantly on a golden throne. His golden head was resting on his left hand. He was observing the chaos unfolding below his eyes. One was red and the other gold. He looked up.

There, hyppogriff riders were facing griffin riders. They were not giving each others mercy, yet, they were equal in power. Urgo thought that he did a good job in raising this particular unit.

Still, the Blueaf army was annoying. The princess and her brothers were ferocious that maintained the balance. While his troops were more ferocious, the Blueleaf forces were holding on thanks to the bravery that they showed. They inspired many.

Would he need to fight personally? Such a hassle.

He straightened his back and thought that some of his Elite troops would manage to destroy them. He already sent the golden archers unit, the heavy paladins, even the unit made with his personal gladiators.

His royal guards, Unicorn armored Spearman and 7 virtue unit were still with him. He had some leeway.

Suddenly, he heard it, on his right, above the mountains. Drums. Drums of War.

Many imperial soldiers were facing the incoming noise.

There, he saw it. A sea of people. A humongous behemoth.

So they killed Damian, he thought. My dear brothers, I never wanted to have you end this way.

He cried, his tears disappearing before they could reach his armor.

He stood up. The air around him was turned heavy. His face grew serious, tensed. He grabbed his beloved Favnir, Spear of dawn.

"I will avenge you. "

He thought.

The impersonal army shifted its troops to meet the incoming newcomers. While they are maybe tired, they injuries were healed and their numbers crested addition pressure.

The imperial armies diverted some of its renforts and fresher troops in order to meet Grilli Blueleaf forces.

Grilli sent various soldiers and some mercenaries attacked as well. Behemoth were not taking the lead this time.

In this battlefield, corpses were raised but the undead army seemed to be much less powerful than Damian's. Few of them have this aura that can make one tremble in fear.

Still, they attacked in organized ranks and while it was surprising to have envies discarding their own lives to kill more of Blueleaf soldiers, there was only so much that such fervor could give.

Hours after hours, the Blueaf slowly suffocated the Empire's troops. Dizio was spearheading a charge with his feathered cavalry. Argua's 3 prince brothers were rampaging in the battlefield.

Eventually, the Blueaf soldiers formed an enormous semicircle and were facing a diminished and almost trapped imperial army.

Urgo knew it. This war was lost. The Blueleaf and mercenaries managed to won over incredible odds. His army was boosted by Ivan's remnants and these elite troops were always welcome.

Damian must have screwed up because none of his forces seemed to be joining Urgo. Still, Urgo was born from the direct line of the ruling emperor. He had a monstrous talent to learn, great battle senses and mana affinity. He was supported as a direct descendant and given so.many treasures. He never engaged in puny wars for inheritance. He trained, studied, fought and laughed with his family. Even Ivan that joined and was recognized by the main branch was a brother to him. They were special. Among billion of imperial people, they were special. Only them understood him.

Urgo gave the order for his troops to retreat.

He commanded the 7 virtue unit to follow him.

They walked slowly to the battlefield.

The 7 virtue unit is composed of extremely talented individuals that Urgo personally groomed. They were each wielding different weapons and had a golden armor.

Suddenly, they charged and crashed against Dizio. Urgo's monstrous aura was leaking over the area. He and the 7 virtues killed everyone around.

"We must kill Urgo! Go against him!"

Argua Blueleaf and her 3 brothers, Yamamoto Kureshi, Andros Khirissi, Buzzers, Sauruüne, Argia and Grilli Blueleaf attacked the group.

Yamamoto was battling against a golden woman wielding a katana. They exchanges hundreds of sword moves, gold and black energies clashing fiercely.

Andros was fighting a Spearman. Thunder and gold collided for a ferocious battle.

The 3 brothers ans Dizio fought a man wearing a mace, a woman wearing an axe and a woman wielding a curved sword.

Buzzers fought against a flying magician, that wields wind magic.

Argia fought with a woman wielding daggers.

Grilli focused on hindering Urgo, but kept buffing the others as well.

They were fighting a battle to the death.

The 3 brothers were using powerful water arts and spells. Their bodies were costed with water and when they were slashed, the enemy cut through water.

Argua was coated with blue water aura and mana. A crown was adorning her head and water like leaves were costing her body. She sent one powerful magic after the other, creating even tsunamis. She and the blue lightning lion Sauruüne were an incredible pair, that would have easily overpowered Damian's dragon.

Urgo smiled and kept them at bay with his spear. He blocked their combined attacks then reappeared in the backlines. He pierced Grilli heart then, from a golden portal of sort, a spear appeared and was launched in the air, almost piercing Buzers, that narrowly dodged it.

Sauruüne and Argua charged again. Urgo met them with his spear, which disappeared and he instead slashed with a sword, then a macr, then an axe. Urgo was ferocious and each weapon that he wielded was another uncertainty for the allies. They kept attacking him but he was equal in power with them. He didn't go to the defensive, and instead attacked them either.

Sauruüne sent huge thunderbolts, that were attacked by spears, swords and halbards that appeared out of nowhere. Urgo alone was both a warrior and an army.

----

The fight continued for many hours then. The imperial troops were long gone and the Allies couldn't butt in.

While the axe, magician, spear, curved sword and dagger wielder died, only one of the 2 Blueaf brothers survived. Buzers was dead and Dizio was unconscious, injured. Grilli was wavering, her book in hand. She fel on the ground dhoke losing consciousness

The katana and mace wielder were fighting with Andros, Yamamoto and Argia and Argua's brother.

Urgo was facing Argua and Sauruüne still. While Sauruüne and Argua had deep cut on their bodies, Urgo had few damages.

He pressed on. Sauruüne sent an enormous thunderbolt, then charged with all her power and sent a Thunder beam at close range. Urgo blocked her attack, then thrusted his spear to cut Argua's incoming tsunami. He advanced and met her spear with his. Argua thrusted again and Urgo ducked under her spear, an axe in hand. He hacked at Argua's right leg and cut it.

Sauruüne appeared behind him, jumping, attempting to smash his entire being. Urgo had a mace in hand and met her attack with force, before delivering a right high kick to her ribs and sending her flying.

He threw his head away and a spear grazed his cheek. He turned back and accelerated. He cut Argua's left arm, then her other leg. While she was falling, he decapitated her and grabbed her falling head by the hair.

He grinned, his body full of blood. Almost none of this blood was his.

"Arlo, Jirlo, we retreat. Blueaf! Congratulations, we are retreating! Tend to your wounded, mourn your dead. If we have to come another time, we won't simply be taking your princess' head!"

Sauruüne and many other tried to follow them. A rain of swords, spears, axes and weapons were thrown by some golden portals in the air, making the allies dodge or parry. Urgo and two of his virtues escaped. Hundreds of thousands of imperial corpses were on the ground. They had a lower death count.

They managed to prevent the Empire from conquering their lands. It was their victory, but it didn't feel like it.