“You’re no war hero. Just a mass murderer who got drunk on power.”

“He should have just been executed for such incompetence.”

“What did you expect from a low-class baron? He was just lucky to rise to such a rank. Such filth should’ve been put in his place long ago. What was our king thinking?”

Many such jeers rang out as the sound of a whip tearing into flesh rang out in the colosseum. The one receiving the punishment made not a single sound as he stared with utter hatred. He would remember every voice that dug his name through shit and have his vengeance.

“One hundred whips have been carried out on the sinner. Now the punishment of burning shall commence, carried out by the families most affected by the sinner’s decisions. May the flames burn away the sin that he has committed!”

When the voice finished dozens of men and women came walking out the shadows carrying hot iron. The first to walk up was a young child of ten with tears in her eyes, her face pale and full of hatred, “For my brothers and father who promised they would come back alive!”

Hear the little girl's voice, the sinner spat out the leather-covered wood stopping him from biting his tongue. He gave the little girl a deadpan expression “Do it. Anderson, Mythis, Hoei, and Bap were fine men. In a week you’ll get their final letters, treasure them little one.”

“D-don’t think you can j-just say that and get out of this, you monster!”

“I’m not, now be a model citizen and deal out the punishment under the law of our great empire.” He turned his head to the crowd with his next words, “Unlike these spineless cowards, pieces of shit who can’t even cover a simple flank. Should be down here with me, for my men's blood are also on their hands!”

...

Sighing, Ubel opened his eyes and stared at the stone ceiling. Throwing off the fur blanket, he got out of bed and began a light workout before heading to the showers. It was ice-cold water, just how he liked it. The chill made him feel alive like this new life wasn’t some kind of illusion.

Drying off, Ubel put on his old uniform that was prim and proper thanks to the mages doing the laundry. Walking into the command room, he sat down in his chair and waited as the rest of the key personnel walked in.

He enjoyed his tea served by the waiting peasant as Urist, Volt, Ayil, Vlad, Vaikus, Helga, and Grim and others made their way in one by one. When all were seated Urist held his hand up to silence the room.

“As we’ve already discussed the plans for the western expansion yesterday, I’ll just go over the summary as to burn less sunlight. The hunters will be the vanguard with Volt and Helga taking up the flanks. They’ll have the peasant spearman and mages as backup. Which will then be protecting the earth mages and builders that are going to be setting up the walls.

The reserve will be made up of me, Ubel, healers ready to be dispatched, and combatants to cover them. The hunters will head out first to kill any troublesome creatures, then the rest will head out. The expansion will be considered a success after we capture the land west until we hit the river. Does anyone have any questions before we move out?”

When only silence met his query, Urist nodded. “Then enough talk, let us act and reclaim the wilds!”

War cries filled the room as the dwarfs rose from their seats and filed out of the mountain. Standing before them were the warriors all geared up and ready for the campaign. The hunters sailed out of the gates and took to the forest. A few minutes later, the army followed.

Not even minutes into the march sounds of beasts rang around the group, causing those who were weaker in will to feel their neck hair stand up in fright. Standing in front of the masses Urist turned to the crowd, “Fear not the beasts, for your fellow dwarf will be by your side! We shall reclaim this land for dwarven kind!”

“For dwarven kind!” The dwarfs, empowered by Urist’s words, cheered the words three times as they felt the pressure lift off their shoulders.

“Move out and kill the monsters of the night!”

Pushing up his glasses, Ubel watched on as the dwarfs moved out in their parties.

Heh, if only those under me in my past life were so easy to rouse.

…

Moving silently through the forest, the hunter squad didn't even move a hundred meters before they encountered their first ferocious creature.

The strange being hung on a tree, its red skin pulsing erratically. Its arms and legs were larger than logs and dotted with swiveling twitching eyes. Worst of all the beast had no head but instead, the twisted demon had a face filled with wild yellow teeth and a mouth that spewed a constant stream of thick white gas.

Without much thought, Valkus made a hand signal to his group, telling them to surround the demented thing. Unfortunately for him and his group, Arben, still not used to being a hunter, had snapped a stick and made the red thing twitch.

Suddenly all its sickening eyes opened wide and swiveled towards the group of dwarfs. Its mouth opened wide in a horrid grin, showing off its large shark-like teeth. The beast gave off an inhuman scream as its four limbs cracked and split apart, instantly doubling its number of limbs.

The creature’s screech caused most of the hunters to drop their weapons and cover their ears, shouting in pain. With even the senior hunters distracted, the beast dug its claws into the tree and launched itself at Arben with blinding speed. It opened its mouth wide, intent on taking a large chunk out of the young hunter.

Flustered and dazed, Arben tried to pick up his weapon to defend himself. Only the beast was too fast. Just as he touched his bow a shadow loomed over him and razor-sharp teeth were closing upon his body.

Time seemed to slow as Arben’s thoughts raced.

Is this how I die? Because of a fucking twig?

As he said his prayers, a fist came right out of left field and smashed into the beast's midsection, blasting the creature into a small tree and breaking it in half. Arben didn’t get to say a word before he was pushed away by a large hand.

“More. Training. Later. Prepare.” Valkus said with a snort as he moved forth to do battle. The red beast crawled up with a roar, shaking splinters off its body and seemingly unharmed.

“Tough. Bastard. Aren’t. You.” Cracking a grin Valkus moved forth, intent on dealing with this challenge head-on.