Chapter 9

Located in the plain between the two borders,lies a fortress. It wall is impossible to scale because it was too tall. Because of the tall wall , the sentries view are far and wide in the open plain.

With it segmented snow shaped design, the sentries can have a 360° unobstructed view of the surrounding. This fortress was made several decades ago. In terms of history, it is still a new fortress.

The fortress was designed and built by the old empire just before the war. Before they have the chances to use the fortress, the war ended with they losing it. It ownership was later transferred to the newly founded kingdom, The Kingdom of Luwe.

But now instead of being manage by the Kingdom of Luwe army, the fortress were taken by the bandits.

Why bandits? It simply because the fortress are abandoned. Striking the opportunity, the bandits troupe lead by the infamous Beel the Red, they took the fortress as their own.

The fortress which were once called the Gallad Fortress are now called the Beel Fortress.

Beel the Red infamous act emerged several years ago. With his crimson red armor and spear, he raided the merchant carriage. Those who survive the ordeal recalled the horror, and they always say the same thing: Beel spear is so sharp, it can pierce and cut armor like a hot knife through butter.

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Beel Fortress

*third person pov

Inside the audience chamber, a man don in his crimson armor sat on his throne. Emotions can’t be seen in his face, as if the emotions are alien for him. But even then, there is a certain pressure about him makes anyone afraid, afraid to disobey him. That man is Beel the Red.

“ Tell me.” Beel voice is low and rough, and at the same time the heavy persuasion is there. “What happen to the ambush party?”, he continued.

A man in his 30’s immediately kneel in front of him. From Beel standpoint, this man looked weak, but look can be deceiving.

“ Haa, the group are attacked by someone or something. Some has bite marked on their legs.”, the man voice is loud unbefitting his thin body. “Four of them are already dead by the time we arrive there. The other two were blinded and their faces burned beyond help.”

“ Can they talk?”, asked Beel solemnly.

“Yes”

“ Bring them here.”

The man excuses himself. He put his left arm to the chest, bowed and left the chamber.

A moment later, the man returned. Behind him, two heavily bandage man towed behind while being guided by some guards.

“ Guards, You may leave now.”,ordered the thin man. He then took a deep breath and continued, “ They are here sir.”

“ Take of your bandages comrade.”

The two bandaged men quickly obeyed the order. As the burn area are still sticky, the bloody bandages stucked on the skin, opening new wound as it being peeled.

A hint of disgust showed on the face of Beel. It might have come from the look, or it might have come from the smell. The smell of puss and burning flesh. But it was only for a moment. Beel shook his head and spoke, “ Tell me brother. What happen?”

The two unfortunate bandits recalled their horrifying ordeal. The story how they met the surviving victim which they attacked several days earlier. How a man with weird clothing attacked them with weird magic. How something large and strong dragged one of them out of the bushes.

“ I see. Zexshal, tell our associate that one of the Princess party is still alive.”. Zexshal is the name of Beel trusted right-hand man. Beel continued, “ Rest assure brother, I will avenged our brother fallen.” A signed of relieve showing on the men burned faces. “ But because of your blunders.”

Beel stepped away from his seat and walked toward them. He took out his hook dagger from the sheath on his waist. The two unfortunate man knew that something bad is going to happened. Cold sweat were showing on their faces.

Beel stand in front of one of them. His left hand slid behind the first man head. The hook dagger tip touches the chin. Scraping the flesh,one small cut at the time. A trickle of blood slowly turned into steady stream. Tears and beg of mercy echoing in the chamber. Ignoring the beg of mercy, he continued tracing the tips of the dagger all over the face, creating an art of horror,terror. When the screaming it too loud, he drive the dagger under the chin, penetrated the brain. Then he repeated the same thing all over again to the next person.

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“Zexshal, clean the room”

“ Y..yes Sir.” answered Zexshal, “ Sir , mind if I ask why won’t you gave them mercy?”

“ Sure, why not?”,Beel continued, “ Mercy are not given. It is earn.”

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Author note: With this, I finally introduce the antagonist. Took me quite some time to developed Beel. I hope that this chapter served to show how Beel gained his infamy.Btw Fiona art work can be seen here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BE3jlv4lJ3l/

Credits to the artist