The formation of soldiers was shaken with the mere impact of the beast’s blow.

“HOLD YOUR GROUND, DOGS! OTHERWISE, WE ARE ALL DEAD!” the sergeant yelled

His men responded with one affirmative short cry, correcting their line and raising their spears. But Behemoth paid them barely any attention. His gaze was focused on a small party standing in the middle of the clearing. Woman with daggers distracting him running at the edge of his vision, landing painful stings with her daggers every now and then, heavy armored female knight that was weaving her colossal sword over her head, she was rather slow, but once when he was distracted she managed to land a powerful blow on beast’s join digging blade deep in his flesh. The party was also made of a priestess with a rather sizeable chest (COLOSSAL! COLOSSAL I TELL YOU!) that kept singing chants all the time, empowering her comrades; and the only male in the team – the leader. Carrying a bastard sword, shield, and helmet covering most of his face.

And beast knew that it was him being the most dangerous.

As a shieldman wearing mixed armor and reasonably sized sword, he was meant to possess the most balanced style of all his opponents.

Tha! “Balanced”. If by having him have each aspect of his battle aspect was being his “strong side” and showing not a single opening – you meant balanced, then he indeed was balanced!

“Archers!” Hero yelled bringing his sword high in the air giving the command to the other squad of soldier to take their aim. “NOW LADS! PUSH!” sergeant gave another order. Ten spears pierced the behemoth's skin, yet as his body was extremely thick, the weapons didn’t even fully bury their tips in the colossal body.

Creature roared and turned in their direction.

“FIRE!” hero brought his sword down.

A volley of projectile flew across the air, they were all flying tall – on beast’s head level, for that’s what they were aiming for. Monstrosity raised one of its hands trying to protect eyes from nasty little bolts. But, the arrows were too numerous. One of the bolts indeed dug deep in the eye socket, depriving creature of one of its eyes.

As his vision got reduced, and his side was still being attacked by a row of spearmen, the female warriors moved behind it and pierced his legs on the knee level. Behemoth roared and fell on the ground.

In the instant, the formation of soldiers broken as they ran to surround the lying on its belly beast from all sides. They raised their weapon and impaled creature to the ground, as deep as they could.

“Wonderful work, sergeant! Your people did great!” the hero said approaching fighters as the beast was still groaning in pain. “No, no! We were just following your orders! If someone would tell me just yesterday, that you can kill a behemoth with two squads of soldiers – not even elite knights – I would call him a fool… yet here we are… You are a wonderful commander, my lord.” The man bowed his head “Don’t lord me here! My name is Michael. We were fighting together which makes us brothers on the battlefield! I demand you to call me with my name!” Mike took his helmet off his head, showing his bit longer blonde hair and a bright smile.

Hero Mike. Hero Michael. Lord Michael. He liked how it sounded, but, he also had to pose for someone purer than angels. That also gave him a favor of the crowd. Very quickly he became almost the most worshiped individual in the Holy Kingdom. Every now and then he would help someone asking that person to remain quiet… for he knew that they wouldn’t. But, that also made him well-known for his humility.

Women were already gazing at him with affection as he walked past them across the street. He was more than enjoying himself.

“Also, you are underestimating the strength of your people and their trust in your leadership. Not even once they hesitated to do as you told them to. This victory is yours and your only!”

Mike gave the awestruck man a confidential pat in the shoulder.

Tja. … my ass. They would surely die. More than surely! More than die! They would be swallowed, chewed, spat out, swallowed again and shitted out without a question!

His team was occupying behemoth attention all the time letting guards to the only attack as they please and finish the deed!

But that one Female Soldier… the Capitan that came with her underlings, she got that thing. And he didn’t mean fighting style. His hare… tfu, party, already head a titty-monster priest, a tomboyish rouge, all it was lacking was balanced, bit muscular type that beamed with confidence and raw erotic strength!

That was the role meant for her! Mike learned already, that she was a daughter of medium-tier nobility. Joining the hero’s party would be a great status boost for her and her family. Later this day he was supposed to have dinner with lots of “important bastards” – as pretty much every day - AND her father (in the end he personally asked them to join). He would praise her style and bravery during it and loudly offer her spot in his hare… party.

There was no way she would refuse. Even if she would want to, the pressure from her family would be too strong. She couldn’t say no without risking losing the family good name.

And he? He wouldn’t be accused of but a one evil deed nor desire. He was just a man asking a strong warrior to lend him her strength for the sake of country well-being.

Over and over again, his strings were tightening around the legs, hands, and necks of everyone around him. Soon, they all will be eager puppets dancing to the music he would play.

This feeling of control… ah, something unmatched! Since he came here he made only one mistake – the one he couldn’t forgive himself – he pushed himself too soon of that female paladin. Amelia Scarlet, or however she was called. She was strong, had extremely high status and this kind of confidence, almost arrogance, that at the same time impressed and offended him. To lay his hands on her was like conquering all!

But it is fine. What’s the game without challenges? For now, that she-knight will do. For now. And maybe later?

The only question remained? Which one should he bewitch first? Priestess likes him most, but – she is a priestess. Purity and nonsense like that… but he already started praying with her twice a day, in mornings and evenings, if he would start using this opportunity to “share his burdens” with her, that he thinks he is not worthy, not strong enough and bla-bla-bla, then the bound would slowly start strengthening. Then some peaceful nice with wine and boom.

Yeah. Let’s do this.

“M-mike? Is everything all right? Your expression is… quite scary…” priestess noticed the faces he started making while he was lost in thought.

Damn! Quickly! The noble play!

“This monster… is dangerous. To think that such creatures walks this earth. What kind of terror the people are living in? How many can oppose this brute strength? I… What if next time we won’t be quick enough to react? What if the people would die? What if…” “Michael. You can’t think about it like that! By killing this stray behemoth we managed to save the entire village! This alone will be a blessing to everyone! You, Michael, are our blessing from heavens.” She smiled gently, so full of compassion and reassurement, that Mike almost felt bad for heaving impure thought about her.

ALMOST

Yet, opposite to his thoughts, he put his hands to pray, kneeled down in poll of blood and dirt and after of moment of silence he said aloud:

“… mother in heaven, let me save one more life… amen.” And he bowed his head lower in fake meditation. In the meantime soldier and his party member left him in order to not disturb his “meditation”. His senses, hearing included, were recently enchanted so despite the fact that everyone moved quite far away from him, he still could hear how they were whispering praises about him.” “Look at him… instead of being happy about people he just saved he prays about the safety of those he never met. Instead of boasting about defeating a beast, he tries to push the whole glory on the lowest rank soldiers praising their bravery… With all respect to her majesty, I think he is even more worthy to be called the living saint more than prophetess herself!” sergeant said “… I should scold you for blasphemy… but I know you had no ill intentions… and I can clearly see your point.” His first target responded

Ha. Apparently, his first goal will hardly be a challenge.