The Ancients World

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~~~(POV: Cera Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: The Land Amelia Zern is developing, The Kingdom of Zenith)~~~

~~~(Time: 11:58 AM)~~~

"You're telling me that you're such a selfless leader and man that you're willing to die for the men you've brought here today?"

This is the first time I've encountered a person willing to make such a large personal sacrifice. Giving up your life for another's is the greatest sacrifice a person can make. The man I'm looking at is unknown to me, and he's in his late 40s from the looks of it.

He looks surprised that I'm surprised he'd offer that.

"How else is a leader supposed to act? The failings of Bellvia and its rulers are the reason we're all here. We wouldn't be here if we were like them. And I'm not like the spineless cowards that led our once-great Kingdom to defeat."

That's a mighty high opinion of oneself, but from what I've seen, he's backing it up. There is only one question left to ask.

"My decision will depend on your answer to my next question."

He nods his head, and I can see that even though there is fear and respect. There is also someone prepared for the consequences of his actions. If he were as smart as he was brave, he wouldn't be standing across from me.

This is a man that can lead a Kingdom. Usurp the throne of Bellvia, and lead it better than before. But he decided to be a fool and come here with an army brandishing swords.

Not only is he still waiting for my question, but so are the soldiers that can hear us.

"How much of your force is NPCs Turned Players?"

If I kill him, and he comes back at the last Respawning Cathedral, this has no value. The forces that I'm on the fence about ending might just come back after I kill them.

The man I'm talking to is taking longer to answer than I think it should take. That's not what I want to see. He's likely weighing his odds about lying to me or not.

"All of the forces you see before you are NPCs Turned Players."

His word selection is very specific... Why would he phrase it like that? Are the forces I can't see still NPCs? He's playing some angle...

Or he's buying time by confusing me...

One doesn't rise to the position of a military leader unless they're smart, and this man is a fool... I've already established that... But being a fool is different than being an idiot...

"You're lying."

He's trying to save the lives of his men by bluffing about their status to me. Hoping I let them all go. That's the best play he has. It's where his life is spared, and so are the men he's leading. He gambled and lost.

"I'm not lying. You can see for yourself if you want."

There is a burst of confidence from the man, and while it's strange to see. I'm still convinced he's lying. A sign of guilt and desperation is a desperate attempt to prove you're telling the truth. But his even and calm expression makes it hard to tell.

The fact his hand hasn't left the handle of his sheathed sword means something... It means he's prepared to fight... This adds to the good possibility he's lying to me.

So I take my eyes off the man and look to the closest line of soldiers. After using Inspect on some of them, it shows the same information you'd see from anything else. Nothing to indicate that they're Players or NPCs.

He did that to buy more time... What's he buying time for? A great force? That doesn't make sense... A rogue military faction like these guys doesn't have allies... Not even The Kingdom of Bellvia allies with them.

"I don't know what games you're playing at, but they're coming to an end here. Since there is no way to prove that these men are Players or NPCs, I'll have to come to a decision on my own. And your lies to keep buying time are an anomaly..."

I still don't know where buying time fits into all this...

But enough time has been wasted. I grab the handle of The Witness and unsheath my Legendary Grade Blade. It's my greatest weapon aside from my wings.

Speaking of my wings, I spread them out, and as I finish preparing, a look of desperation appears on the soldiers and that sells the truth to me.

They wouldn't look desperate if they were NPCs Turned Players.

The leader that I've been talking to gets a fresh scowl and tightens his grip on his handle. He takes a deep breath and pulls it out of its own sheath.

"HOAHHHH!!"

The battle cry that escapes his lips inspires the rest of the men to yell too and draw their weapons. But now that I know the truth, I can make a decision.

"What's your name?"

He's steady and prepared for battle, but he still hears my question.

"I'm Fredlin Vendez. General of the Militia of Bellvian Soldiers."

Fredlin Vendez is a name that I'm still unfamiliar with...

"I'll take your offer up. Your life in exchange for the lives of your men. Now that I know they're not NPCs turned Players. I can let them go knowing they'll never come back."

People would say this is a foolish thing to do, but it's something that's necessary... When they see how hopeless it is to challenge Zenith and me by proxy. There won't be any more problems in the future.

The man prepares and gets into his battle stance, and I flex my wings intimidatingly. Brandishing The Witness in my own stance too.

But instead of either of us attacking, the rushing of horse hooves down the path can be heard, and the man known as Fredlin Vendez looks back to the sound in desperation and fear.

After getting a better look at the approaching rider, that's when I see it's a female. One in high-quality armor.

"You stupid girl!! I told you to wait until I return!"

From the age difference and the air between them, I can tell they're Father and Daughter.

The girl hops off her horse and approaches her Father. Taking out her sword too.

"If you're going to kill my Father! You'll have to kill me too!"

Talk about something you see in movies...

The man turns his head to me, and I see the worried look of a panicked parent. Not the one of a warrior.

"Please, Angel Zern... Spare her life... She knows not what she speaks... She's young and naive..."

You can say that again... I don't like the thought of killing a Father and Daughter... Or a Father, period... I thought the man was alone in terms of family... Taking him away from his Daughter wouldn't sit well with me...

"The deal still stands, Fredlin. Your life in exchange for everyone here. But your Daughter attacks, I'll respond accordingly."

I can see the hope in his eyes flicker to life, and when I look at his Daughters. The hope in her eyes is gone. Before she can say anything else, he chops her with his hand on the back of her neck and knocks her out.

He motions for one of the soldiers to take her away, and he does.

Turning back to me now that the issue has been settled. He lifts and points his sword toward me, getting back in his stance in the process.

"I've kept you waiting long enough."

Bellvia never deserved such a man fighting for them.

I follow his lead and get back in my stance. And the soldier watching all fight to hold back tears. After today, they'll all be going home to see their families. Alive and well, and it'll be all thanks to Fredlin Vendez.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.

[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.228][Tier-3]

[Exp: 42/100%]

[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]

[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]

[Mana aura control: 6/100%]

[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]

[Stat Points: 350] [Armor rating: 500]

[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [Hardened Tree sap Armor (Very Rare)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Camping gear] [Food Rations 3x] [Dried meat 3x] [Fishing poles 2x] [Fish 8x] [Festival Garbs 2x] [4x EXP Boosts]

[Passive Perks]

[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]

[Active Skills]

[Heavens light Lvl.74 325/7400] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.74 225/7400] [Slash Lvl.92 4600/21000] [Parry Lvl.68 85/6800] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controlled Fun]