Headed by a Snake

⟬ Letalis Serpentia Encampments, Outskirts. ⟭

Tycondrius smoothed out the folds of his thick cloak, thankful for the warmth it provided against the hillside wind. Far in the distance below, the city of Caeruleum glowed by the light of their nighttime lamps.

He didn't like fair fights.

His plans to siege the city had been set in motion. They were anything but fair.

He was the leader of Sol Invictus, an arena guild full of Gold-Ranks that fought against Bronze and Irons. He was the Warlord of Charm, a territory that fielded thousands of mixed-species formations against indignant ancients who preferred tradition to victory.

Tycon had plans. He had contingency plans.

He had allies. He brought as many as he could, promising them honor and glory... wealth and slaves.

Caeruleum would fall.

It was inevitable.

Complications would arise. They, too, were inevitable.

Maybe Holy Magus Antonidus had hidden away troops... Or maybe he had a team of Gold-Ranks he could summon. It wasn't impossible for them to have hidden away a Warlord or Commander Class-- something perfect for countering a siege.

Or maybe... all would go as planned?

Tycon stretched his arms and back, looking over to his silver-haired companion.

"Athanasius, Siren Virgilia told me you were the one in charge of scouting affairs."

Tanamar, real name Athanasius Mors, was the personal attendant of Athena Vanzano. He was also a Holy Lancer and a fellow transmigrator, and thus had the potential to be the strongest adventurer in the Realm.

He served as the Scoutmaster for guild Letalis Serpentia, a role he was highly experienced with. Besides having an excellent scouting Class, the young man had also experienced Caeruleum's treachery against the Brazen Guard Collective and Athena's allied businesses.

He, too, would have the city razed to the ground.

"No changes on the walls," Tanamar pursed his lips, "Even the number of guards haven't changed in the past three weeks."

"Excellent," Tycon nodded.

"They don't seem to have any idea," Tanamar shook his head. "It's a Flamescarred joke. There are hundreds camped here-- and the Guild Letalis main body is arriving over the next few bells."

Tycon shrugged, "Our forces can move across hilly terrain that other armies wouldn't dare. Then there's the fact that over half of our forces can see in the dark..."

He turned to grin at the footman, "And I assume our movements might have included the 'removal' of human patrols?"

"They didn't," Tanamar narrowed his gaze. "I had a bunch of Iredar scouts. The patrols, we avoided. No one has any idea we're here."

"Then it's thanks to you we've gone undetected," Tycon chuckled. "Have some faith in your own abilities."

Taking in a deep breath, Tycon looked over Tanamar. He, too, wore his dark Letalis armor, made of an Arcanite alloy. He carried no weapon but the young gentleman could summon beams of light that he could literally use as lances.

It had been a year or so since they last met-- and the youth had trained with the Frozen Cairn sect for the past several moons. Logically, his power and prowess had increased substantially.

How exactly he'd improved was not apparent.

Tycon usually estimated an adventurer's strength by the quality of their mana. However, that was far easier in combat situations, as warriors willfully circulated their mana to sustain a state of elevated combat prowess.

If Tycon couldn't tell by the quality of a person's mana, he relied on his System to measure their changes in Metal-Rank and Class. However, he could not ⌈Scan⌋ other transmigrators. It was a peculiar limitation.

And thus, he had to ask politely... like a normal person.

"Athanasius, have you grown stronger?"

"Maybe," Tanamar replied, his expression unchanging.

"I'm being serious, arse," Tycon glared. "Have you met with Harkus?"

"That old man?" Tanamar sneered.

"Well? Did you?" Tycon furrowed his brows, his irritation steadily growing.

Besides possessing infallible loyalty and a high proficiency with martial weapons, Tanamar was also one of the most arrogant and headstrong individuals Tycon had ever met.

When he was younger, he was well-trained by his adoptive father. The Tyrion dwarf, Harkus Mors, was a Divine Blacksmith... and a former Gold-Rank. However, their relationship had soured and they were no longer on speaking terms.

Still, there was great value in coordinating with a person belonging to a powerful support Class.

Tanamar looked away, grimacing... "Yeah, I talked to him... but only because you asked me to."

"You did?" Tycon stared back in disbelief, "Honestly, I'm a bit surprised."

The Holy Lancer let out an aggrieved sigh, "I just... want to win. I mean... even without all the points you brought up in your letter, you weren't wrong."

"I'm always right," Tycon nodded contentedly. "Never question me again."

"Anyroad," Tanamar rolled his eyes, "this isn't about me. My pride? Worthless. This is for Athena. And with everything you've done for her-- for us, the least I can do is listen to you... to get every possible advantage."

...The young man had indeed grown. If not in strength, then certainly in maturity and will.

Tanamar was a lowly footman who fell in love with his noble mistress, Athena Vanzano. Even when her family lost their prestige, he remained with her... and grew to be her strongest and most loyal defender. It was enough for the young lady to return his feelings in triplicate.

"I'm glad to hear it," Tycon smiled, pride in his heart. "Speaking of the young lady, have you had sexual relations with her yet?"

The Holy Lancer stumbled. Tycon glanced down... but there wasn't any uneven ground or debris. Tanamar had tripped on his own feet.

"I'm-- I'm not at liberty to say," Tanamar averted his gaze... looking somewhat guilty.

Tycon decided to press on, "Did you use protection?"

"Of course we--" Tanamar caught his words in his throat... "You're a Flamescarred criminal, Tycon."

So they did have relations.

Athena Vanzano's Yin Body made it potentially lethal for her to have intercourse with other cultivators, as her mana would transfer in full to her male partner.

The Frozen Cairn sect had a way to solve that issue... something called Dual Cultivation, a ritual that synergized their mana signatures, allowing them to refine and strengthen each others' cultivations.

Both Tanamar and Athena were powerful individuals prior to the Hidden Sect training.

After Dual Cultivation, Athena's soul would hold some of Tanamar's radiant energies. Likewise, Tanamar would have frost mana coursing through his meridians.

Tycon was pleased. He had not one, but another two monsters he could rely on to accomplish his goals.

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