New World IV

The troops, consisting of several hundred soldiers, displayed a mixture of ferocity and determination.

Clad in gleaming armor reflecting the sunlight, the warriors brandished their sharp swords in the air, creating a metallic sound that echoed across the battlefield. Their shields were robust, marked by scars from past battles, silent witnesses to their military experience.

As the troops prepared for the imminent confrontation, Lord Kaloch emerged, raising his hand with authority.

The noise of swords against shields instantly diminished, and a tense quiet settled among the ranks.

The soldiers looked to their leader for guidance, ready to follow his orders with devotion.

The Inquisitor, a sinister figure in dark attire, approached Lord Kaloch, displaying a wicked smile. His eyes gleamed with a malicious light, revealing the violent plans brewing in his calculating mind.

Lord Kaloch, in turn, stared at the Inquisitor calmly, sensing the bloodlust emanating from that twisted smile.

Johnny, positioned behind Lord Kaloch, observed attentively the dynamics between the elites of his new world. His keen eyes analyzed every expression. The psychopathic grin of the Inquisitor did not escape his attention, and Johnny absorbed every detail.

"My war brethren! I will not accompany you on the first Excommunicatio!" declared Lord Kaloch.

A stir of discontent spread rapidly among the troops, like a storm about to break.

Murmurs of disbelief and dissatisfaction echoed across the battlefield, creating a tense atmosphere among the warriors.

In the face of the complaints, a voice from the ranks dared to ask, "Who will lead the attack, then?"

Lord Kaloch, imposing and firm, stamped his foot on the ground, causing a wave of dust to spread through the air.

The resounding impact silenced the side conversations, forcing everyone's attention to his words.

"Derek will lead the attack! And Lady Elyssa will be second in command! The riches found will be 70% mine; the rest is yours!" announced Lord Kaloch, outlining the terms of leadership and spoils sharing.

The news that a young man, the Lord's son, would assume a command position was not well received by the troops.

Distrust and displeasure were evident on the faces of the warriors.

Perceiving the dissatisfaction, Lord Kaloch made a strategic decision to appease the situation.

"I will increase the loot bonus! This time, 50% will be yours, and only 50% will be mine!" he proclaimed, adjusting the traditional division in favor of the soldiers.

Lord Kaloch's offer was met with a mix of surprise and restrained approval, as the warriors realized their leader was willing to adapt the rules to maintain cohesion and troop commitment.

Derek emerged from the crowd, standing out among the soldiers. Kneeling with one knee before his lord, he expressed his gratitude with determination.

"Thank you for your trust, my father! I promise not to disappoint you!" declared Derek, looking into his progenitor's eyes with determination.

In response, the lord flashed a wide smile. "We are a family; we must protect each other!" he proclaimed, addressing not only Derek but also casting a significant glance toward Johnny, who watched the scene attentively.

Derek grasped the underlying message in his father's words. The responsibilities of leading the troops were enormous, and he had to not only honor his father's trust but also recognize the need to protect his half-brother.

The Inquisitor, indifferent to the moment between father and son, interrupted, impertinently questioning, "What does the lord have so important during a crucial Excommunicatio?"

Lord Kaloch looked the Inquisitor up and down, pausing briefly before responding. Then, he turned his head toward a colossal pyramid rising on the horizon.

"It's so beautiful! Graceful! I can't let it wait for me any longer!" declared Lord Kaloch, revealing an inexplicable fascination with the imposing structure.

For some reason, the Lord felt that within that pyramid lay the answers he sought to break his own limits of power. A mysterious aura hovered over the ancient monument, fueling the leader's intrigue.

"You should take some troops with you, my lord!" suggested Lady Elyssa, concerned for her leader's safety.

"Nonsense! It's just a ruin of an ancient civilization! Our life detector found no creatures inside the beautiful structure!" dismissed Lord Kaloch, disregarding the concerns as his determination to explore the pyramid seemed unshaken.

"Please! Reconsider, my lord! It's dangerous!" said Lady Elyssa.

Lord Kaloch began to laugh uproariously. His laughter echoed through the desert, blending with the whisper of the wind sweeping over the dunes.

As the Lord chuckled, his image seemed to distort, as if his own laughter was enveloping him and gradually making him disappear into the sands. His figure dissolved slowly, getting lost in the vastness of the desert, leaving behind only the echo of his sinister laughter.

Johnny couldn't help but think to himself, with a touch of ironic admiration, "He knows how to make an exit with style!"