Tavak was not happy with the disruption, His meal cooling on the side as he made his displeasure evident.

“You are?”

“Keith Fletch, servant of the Bloody Sun.”

The response broke Tavaks boredom as his face lit up. The hellish journey through the mountain, the pursuing of mercenaries through the Desolate, all in search of an intangible hope. This was the first time that he had confirmation that he was not chasing after a shadow, that his enemy was present.

“Haha. Well then Keith, to what do I owe this pleasure.”

The response was out of his expectations.

“The Bloody Sun demands that you move your forces back, or face the repercussions.”

It took a moment for Tavak to recover, before bursting into laughter. “You think you’re in the position to command me?”

“Hmph. A whelp like you? You think you’re worthy of being an enemy of the Bloody Sun? Brat you're a hundred years too early!” Keith sneered. The disdain in his voice tangible, clearly displeased with having to address the young man before him.

Tavaks eyes narrowed, the mirth on his face disappearing without a trace. His usual demeanor as the handsome prodigy of the Empire was replaced with a mask of coldness, the pupils in his eyes morphing into slits birthing an icy killing intent. Tavak considered himself to be intelligent, and he was, thus what he hated the most in the world was ignorance - when did it become the turn of the hunted to make demands of the hunter?

His rune beat, causing primal urges to slaughter fill his mind, the pressure in the area increasing, making those around him have difficulty breathing. As quickly as it appeared the venomous glare disappeared, the contrast giving rise to an even more hair tingling fear.

This was not fear of death. A man like Keith who had sworn to die while fighting the Empire did not fear death. This was a more primal fear. The instinctive fear of an apex predator.

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“The noble said that if we swear an oath upon our ancestors and sell ourselves into slavery, he may consider sparing our lives.”

The dumbfounded silence was shattered by cries of indignation, of anger. They cursed the nobles nine generations and their desire to fight rose without end.

“These bastards! Do we look like toys?”

“They got bored in their capitals, so they come to hunt us like dogs?”

“Good, good. The Desolate has no eyes. Has no ears. These soft nobles have chosen a brilliant location for their graves!”

“Brothers, since they give us no escape, we can only kill!”

“Kill!”

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“Triton, Gerald and Ged will move with me. I’ll take 200 men. Charles, You have the other 300. Make sure to threaten them, don't get pulled into a confrontation till I attack.”

“My Lord, if see an opportunity…”

“Lead the charge when there's a hole in their defense.”

Charles cursed. The others may not realize, but the Young Masters order to lead the charge didn't mean to command, but to throw himself into the front line.

Next time the Young Masters angry I’ll keep my mouth shut.

The command tent was filled with nods of acknowledgement. Tavak rose from his seat as he led three men towards their mounts. The Silver Dragon unit was a cavalry unit composed of body enhancers, mage units having their positions elsewhere in the army. Triton, Gerald and Ged where magi of water, fire and earth respectively. They were not military men but Tavaks direct subordinates.

He had intended to delay the attack. To draw them out, not wishing to encounter the spear walls. The mercenaries having been there for only a short time, there would definitely be a shortage of food. If he had harassed and suppressed them then a confrontation in the field would be inevitable. His cavalry would have the absolute advantage in mobility to crush the enemy with two pronged attacks.

This was the safe plan. The plan with the least casualties and highest rate of success.

What he was planning now would be labelled as impetuous and rife with uncertainty. But he wasn't rash. He was young and the young value their pride.

This was the pride of the Silver Spear.

This was a lesson to the world.

He was the protagonist...And the battlefield his stage!