Rebirth: Rise of the Slave Master

Chapter Thirty-Six: The War God Returns

The armed forces of Aleside weren’t anything to write home about.

The majority of their military might was part of the navy. Most of them were out to sea at the moment, and the town guard had less than a hundred men in total. It was enough to police the city and that was about it. Because of the morally ambiguous nature of the inhabitants, the men rarely had much to do.

Since the number of archers on both sides was woefully inadequate, the battle would boil down to a big brawl outside the front gate. Arrows were just too expensive for the low-level bandits to waste ineffectively showering the enemy’s wall. On the other hand, there weren’t enough bows on the defending side to keep the bandits out if they were allowed to reach the walls.

It would be a different story when the budgets and numbers started to inflate, and war became a game of slowly breaking down a large fortress that had been armed to teeth. Smaller conflicts like this were far shorter and chaotic by comparison, and neither side would hesitate to retreat and regroup when things didn’t seem to be going their way. That was why Theo’s position in this battle was so significant.

The minute he appeared, it would be like dropping a huge stopper in the middle of the invaders' tracks. There was already the assumption that the opponent would avoid him at all costs, trying to outmaneuver him. Well, he was their ultimate target, so it would only be a matter of time before they sent a ringer after him. The Black Mountain Clan leader probably wouldn’t show up, but there was a high likelihood of a level 20 or so Elite lieutenant being sent to tie him down. It was similar to how the Shapeshifter had kept him out of the fight during the caravan mission.

In a straight up fight, the Aleside guard was outmatched, and the city wasn’t willing to pay out of pocket to hire mercenaries just to protect a random adventurer. Their whole plan was, after all, to feed Theo to the wolves while making a show of trying to fight back. This play was only meant to keep up appearances for the Guild’s benefit. It wouldn’t surprise Theo in the least if some of the council members had already spoken to the bandits and planned to hand him over at some point, for a price of course. Given the involvement of Old Man Snake Eyes and his agents, that wasn’t too far off.

While the defenders might have had a good impression of Theo at the moment, they probably wouldn’t hesitate to leave him behind if their own lives were at risk. Even Alaine, despite possessing a generally upstanding character, didn’t want to die for the sake of a stranger.

There was nowhere to patrol on the simple stone barrier that kept the monsters out, and Theo was forced to sit around, [Skullsplitter] at the ready, idly listening for the sounds of hooves. In his boredom, he cast a glance at his slaves, who were standing by his side. Meatshield was patiently inspecting her weapon, which had finally been upgraded to a decent quality Beginner-tier axe, courtesy of the guard. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any armor for a woman of her size. Although armor didn’t really count for anything in this game where most everyone had at least some level of superhuman strength, it still would have been sturdier than her villager clothing.

After all of the monster fighting, her outfit had already been torn up again. It was an occupational hazard of NPCs, and Theo would have to remember to get her some more solid garments the next time he had the chance. At higher levels, it would be unlikely that any of her clothing would manage to survive the various explosive attacks she was likely to face. How was Theo supposed to keep up with that kind of expense?

Gobthnora was eagerly awaiting the impending slaughter, like any good Goblin. Smiling wryly, Theo could only imagine what kind of sadistic thoughts were running through that little head of hers.

A while passed, and there was a distant sound that could be heard gathering in intensity from the other side of the wall. Alaine, who had been organizing the men, turned to Theo and nodded. The pair opened the gates and took up positions at the makeshift defenses hastily erected on the main road into the city. A dozen or so of the most elite soldiers equipped with the best gear the city had to offer, as well as Meatshield and Gobthnora, followed after them in silence.

There were a few Frisian horses and dirt mounds constructed to stop a cavalry charge, but they were ostensibly props.

From the distance, a cloud of dust could be seen approaching, but as the sound picked up, the hearts of the soldiers went cold. The vibrations traveling through the earth were enough to cause the metal of their armor to clang violently as a mob of black shadows came into view. Although there was a limit to the number of horses the Black Mountain Clan could field, there were well over a hundred of them. The pounding hooves quickly brought the force of armed invaders within sight of the small group.

This was just a formality to officially discuss Aleside’s denial of the Black Mountain Clan’s terms of surrender, but the full force of the enemy was far beyond what the small guard had expected. Putting aside the thundering advance of the mounted soldiers, the swarm of dark shapes that followed after felt like the final nail in the city’s collective coffin. It was too many… far too many.

The Black Mountain Clan was only supposed to have a force numbering in the low hundreds, if even that many were combat worthy. The encroaching rabble that brought up the rear were more than twice that amount. As the only two with a decent [Perception] skill, Theo and Alaine could tell immediately that many of these men were a cut above the roughly dressed bandits.

“Castle really did intervene this time…” Theo couldn’t help but whisper as he scanned the additional soldiers entering the field.

This could only mean the Shapeshifter and Old Man Snake Eyes had sunk their claws deep into the fresh meat that was the Black Mountain Clan. Unlike the bandits, which only had an average level of 12 or so, these black clad mercenaries were at least level 18 or 19, with some even entering into the low 20’s. Most of them would be considered veterans at this point, though it was possible a number of average thugs had been included to fill out the ranks. Either way, it wasn’t a comforting thought.

These trained killers were different than the [Castle Pawns] Theo had faced earlier. Even if their levels were a bit lower, they weren’t the type that would be frightened easily as long as they had the advantage of numbers.

Theo could feel the apprehensive eyes focusing on his back as the soldiers quickly reconsidered their chances for surviving the upcoming battle.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Theo decided to give his benefactor a way out, and asked Alaine with a heavy voice.

The gears in the man’s head were clearly turning, but he confidently met the adventurer’s stern gaze, “What’s done is done. I protect the city and its people, and we have offered you shelter here. Don’t look down on my men just because we’re out in the backcountry!”

Hearing the reassuring words of their Captain, the guards couldn’t help but rally behind the only thing they had left, their pride. Cries went up from both sides of the walls as the guardsmen reaffirmed their resolve.

“Even if we die, we’ll hold these walls long enough for the army to get here!” Alaine shouted, thrusting his sword in the air, “Let’s see if any of these damn bastards are left standing after that!”

Theo couldn’t help but smile when he heard this, watching the sliver of goodwill that he’d felt towards the guardsmen resonate with the charismatic NPC’s words. It appeared, that if he really was going to make it up to them, Theo would have to show them all what it meant to truly be an adventurer in this world.

“Then we’ll have to change plans,” Theo said, shocking Guard Captain Alaine out of his momentary bloodrush, “If you want to live, what we need now isn’t force.”

“Theo, you… you think we can get out of this?” Alaine looked a little taken aback, just as he was preparing to risk his life.

The man almost regretted asking the question when he saw the fire ignite behind the glassy surface of the adventurer’s sharp, black eyes. He knew the man was a strong and skilled fighter, but what he saw there now was beyond anything he could explain.

Theo might have regularly worn the pride of one who was once called the War God, but it had been a long while since he felt the actual power coursing through his veins. Although he wasn’t gaining attribute bonuses or skills from this feeling, the aura of slaughter that surrounded him grew thicker by the second.

“Take the men back behind the wall, there’s no need to discuss anything with this trash,” as he motioned towards the enemy forces, his voice laced with ice, as if he was referring to the lives of insects.

“What do you mean?” Alaine could feel something shaking at his core.

“Hee… heehee… heeheehee!” Theo couldn’t help but laugh as he shed the skin of a low-level adventurer and donned his full War God persona, “The only thing men truly respond to is fear.”

The thoughts that Alaine was currently experiencing were complex enough to make him consider Theo’s ridiculous strategy. A single man striking fear into the heart of an army? Was something like that really possible? He had heard tales of the legendary figures that founded the Adventuring Guild and protected this world, who were supposedly capable of such great feats, but were any such heroes left today?

“I’m sure you’ll be able to handle a small matter like this… Theo.”

Why did the words of that woman from the Guild suddenly appear in his mind now? Was what she said really true? Was this just a small matter for the man called Theo?

“I’ll trust you,” Alaine said firmly, not sure if he believed his own voice, and with that he turned around, “Everyone back into the city! Fortify the gate and prepare for battle!”

The voice echoed loudly, and the guards were left with no further choice but to retreat back to the paltry safety of the walls. A few of them let out gasps of relief, though they didn’t dare to look at the back of the one man who would meet the enemy head on. That was simply more than they could comprehend.

“Rasa, Nora, come here,” Theo ordered his slaves, using their cover names because the soldiers were still in earshot.

The two appeared by his side, clearly aware of when their master was being serious.

“This is an order, stand at the gate and watch. Only move to protect yourselves or one another. If I die, your priority is your own safety. You are not to perish under any circumstances.”

“M-master…” Gobthnora whispered, feeling the pull of the absolute order magic from the Slave Master’s Brand, but Theo already knew what she was going to say.

“I understand that you want to help,” he stopped her, “but the more you act, the bigger targets you’ll become. Try to help the city if you can, but remember my order to survive above all else. Watch, I want you both to see just what kind of Master you’ve sworn yourselves to.”

Meatshield cocked her head, the lack of understanding and acceptance clear in her features, but she would follow the order given to her without complaint to the best of her abilities. That was always one of her strong points. With nothing further to say on the matter, Theo dismissed them and took up a stance a few dozen meters away from the front gate. [Skullsplitter] felt warm in his hand.

“We haven’t known each other long,” Theo murmured to the poleaxe, “but can you feel it? Can you feel the battle calling to you?”

Once weapons reached a certain level in the game, they became precious magical artifacts. Whether it was spirits, elementals, or simply the rules that drove this computer generated world, they were usually possessed of a certain awareness. If intelligence could be simulated, it didn’t really matter what form it took. His glaive, [Autumn’s Reach] had been like a partner to him, and while [Skullsplitter] was simply inert steel, Theo couldn’t break the habit of encouraging his armament before a big battle. Whether it was truly something special, or merely the force of the galloping horses, the poleaxe seemed to vibrate excitedly in his hand.

After gathering up in what Theo could only assume was intended to be an intimidating line formation, a small detachment of riders broke off from the main force and rode his way. They were lead by a man in heavy, tarnished armor. He approached with a clear air of superiority, but the moment he entered Theo’s line of sight, the man couldn’t help but drop himself a few pegs as his sense of danger kicked in. Why was there only one man here to meet him? That build, the clothes, the poleaxe…

“So, they’ve decided to just give you over?” the man did his best to sound smug, but it was clear his guard was up.

The anxiety he was feeling, it shouldn’t have been from this one person, so he could only be ready in case the city guard had prepared an ambush. He didn’t pay much attention to the ‘bait.’

“There’s no need to talk with dead men,” Theo replied casually, lifting [Skullsplitter] as if spoiling for a fight.

The bandit was a lieutenant of the Black Mountain Clan, third in command! Did this single adventurer really think he could be his match? Let alone, he still had twenty of their best men at his back!

“You talk big for someone who’s about to die, did you really-”

There was a brief moment when the air shook, followed by a flash, and bandit felt the ground fall out from beneath him. He had barely seen it happen, but the horse he was riding on, his partner through a dozen battles, was beheaded in an instant.

“Enough talk,” Theo’s weapon dropped once more, clamoring like a thunderbolt gouging the earth, “This. Is. War.”

The bandit lieutenant just managed to roll out of the way as [Skullsplitter] crashed into the body of his mount. At the end of the day, he was a skilled warrior with years of experience under his belt. He wasn’t going to be caught completely off guard just like that! The man quickly drew his saber, but by the time it was free from its sheath, Theo had appeared before him.

[Lunge]

-460

“Kuhack!” he spat, barely mustering a chance to defend as he held up his weapon in a weak attempt to deflect the incoming blow.

The world seemed to move in slow motion, as the riders behind him struggled to react to this unforeseen course of events. Beheading a horse and dismounting a rider in a single swing was no easy feat, but there was reason behind Theo’s ability to take such a commanding initiative in this first fight.

[Rampage]!

The 50% damage boost showed its terrifying efficacy only after Theo had thoroughly increased his overall power.

The bandit lieutenant's awkwardly placed blade was somehow able to deflect the terrifying attack. His stance widened, and he felt his bearings returning in a flash. In the rush of excitement, he caught sight of a opening. The foolish adventure had left himself vulnerable for a counterattack. Seeing his opportunity, the man leapt forward in a frenzy, his sabre seeking another trophy!

Clang! The poleaxe seemed to defy space itself as it swept the blade aside.

[Parry]. [Riposte].

-231

[Fend]

-174. Knockback!

The bandit couldn’t speak as the breath was forced from his lungs. Where had the ground gone? He saw a pair of cold dark eyes, watching as if the wind was blowing aside a stalk of grass. Together with a gleeful smile, the face of his killer was burned into his memory. The poleaxe arrived before him in an instant.

[Lunge]

Combo x2!

-681

It was the last thing the lieutenant, third in command of the Black Mountain Clan, would ever see.

Still readying their weapons, the bandits weren’t truly aware until the body of their leader fell impotently to the ground. The black-haired man was standing over the corpse with blood still fresh on his blade. Rage. Fear. Confusion. The men were overcome by a flurry of emotions, making it even more difficult to comprehend the man’s next movement.

“One,” he spoke aloud.

As if ending the lieutenant was no different than breathing, the death of one man wasn’t something that gave Theo reason to pause. There was no such thing as as drama on the battlefield. That could all wait until the killing was over and done with, and there were still a few hundred men left.

[Skullsplitter] swung down on another of their number in clean movement.

“Two.”