Chapter 23 - "To the capital"

"No! Papa! Don't leave! *Sob*" (Wyndy)

"Calm down Sweety... Papa really sad to leave you too, but after that we always be together. You understand?" (Shun)

It was time to depart for the capital, but right now I'm trying to calm Wyndy who his crying like never before since yesterday after I told her I was going to leave her here in Melinda care for around 2 months. Well that wasn't really the biggest problem... Yesterday, as I told her I was leaving soon, the surge of emotion awakened her mana channel, and she infused her magic organ, luckily we were outside at the time and I was able to make her look into the sky before it was too late, when she blew her dragon breath a pillar was raised into the sky and did blow away some clouds. But it wasn't still at the level of an ancient dragon luckily... Still that was fearsome enough... Because of that, I punished her for the first time since I adopted her as she was a good girl, by spanking, so she don't use it again mindlessly. Even if it broke my heart to see her cry even more after that.

And even after all that she didn't give up and was ready to use it again to force me to stay here, but it seem she can't use a lot for now and she fell asleep from exhaustion, but today she was back at full strength...

"I use it..." (Wyndy)

She looked at me half in despair half in anger, she was really serious about using it.

"*Sigh* Sweety, believe me I really didn't want to do that but you don't leave me any choice." (Shun)

While saying that I approached her to hug her, and she received my hug happily. Before falling unconscious as I hit the back of her head... I really hate myself for doing that, but since she learned magic and even gone as far as threatening, me she didn't leave me any choice.

"Melinda... Can you give it to me?" (Shun)

Melinda grimaced but still handed me what I asked her to bought yesterday, fearing it would happen.

"So it's coming to this? Poor Wyndy... Even if I understand where you coming from, that still hard to accept." (Melinda)

It was a anti-magic cuff, of course it wasn't made to look like a real cuff and more like a bracelet, but with that she won't be able to use her breath at least.

"Believe me, I also didn't want for it to come to that , and I understand she was desperate, but I can't let pass the fact she threatened me. Until I made her understand it's not something she can use whenever she want she will have to wear this..." (Shun)

Reluctant to, I still put the cuff on her wrist before giving the key to Melinda and hand the unconscious Wyndy to the Head-maid, who was also really sad to see this scene.

"See-you Sweety, I be back as soon as I can... *Kiss*" (Shun)

After giving her a small kiss on her forehead I took a step back, and after giving a small bow and asking them to take care of my daughter I joined my wives who was waiting outside with the rest of the peoples going to the capital, as they didn't think they would be able to endure leaving Wyndy behind if they were to see her cry like yesterday... As I got out of the mansion they were in front of the door waiting for me.

"Are you okay dear?" (Mysty)

When Mysty saw I was frowning still unable to accept what I did to my precious little girl, she looked at me really worried, Setsuna who had most likely sensed what happened just stayed silent trying to hid her sadness as best as she could, but lately I'm able to see trough her. And in only answer to Mysty question I gave her a small nod, making her worry even more but I didn't even have the heart to act...

"Oh Shun my boy! Did you finish your business? Then let me introduce you with the one who will lead the punishing force!" (Arllan)

Arllan who couldn't read the mood came to me excited like a kid before Christmas while being followed by a tall and handsome young man with dark hair and eyes, who had the aura of a prideful noble.

"No, Duke Galvira. I am thankful but I think I should be the one to introduce myself to Lord Fenrik." (Proud noble)

I have a hard time reading him, I'm not sure if he is just some spoiled noble, or one who take pride in his duty.

Mmm? Oh... Now that's interesting...

Behind the said noble I could see Sarius looking at him while blushing a little, I guess he's her type.

"Nice to meet you Lord Fenrik, I am the son of the Marquis, Ericson Foddlor, Thomason Foddlor is my name. It's a pleasure to finally make acquaintance of someone as famous as you." (Thomason)

Am I really this famous? But Ericson Foddlor uh? He was also a hero in the war against our rival, the Kingdom of Nalldam alongside my father.

"Nice to meet you too Sir Foddlor, but I must say that my family as fallen for now, so you don't have to call me 'Lord' as I didn't inherit my father title. And I'm not really one for such formality anyway, so you can simply call me Shun." (Shun)

In the Kingdom of Asfellana only the head of the family have the title of a noble. And when the said head of the family retire he decide upon whom of his descendant the title should be given. Even if I should have inherited my father title when he died as I was the only son of the family, I didn't, since our family title was gotten rid of when my father was judged as a traitor by the new king, my sister and I are now what you call, fallen noble...

Not sure how to react to my words Thomason grimaced a little, but soon replaced it with a smile.

"I understand, then please call me Thomason." (Thomason)

"Sure, Thomason." (Shun)

He was a little surprised that I called him by his first name that easily as noble really didn't joke around with formality, but still kept his smile and shook my hand. After all he was one who asked me to call him that.

"Anyway Si... Shun, we're all ready to depart so we can leave whenever you're ready." (Thomason)

"Good, do you think we have enough troops to guard the prince from attacks on the road? Aren't we a little short on men here?" (Shun)

I pointed that out, because there was around 50 knights on horses at most, and all looked really young, well that was expected when you know that their leader was at most around 17 years old. But that seem not really enough to start an attack on the capital...

"Ahahahah, I understand you're worry, but it's also part of Duke Galvira plan, also every one of my men are more than competent, some of them hold a blessing and we even have a champion on our side. I won't say she's as strong as you but she's still really powerful for her age! I think I should also introduce you to her... Algurd!" (Thomason)

So we also have a champion in the second 'prince' faction apart from me?

When she heard her name a young girl with dark hair and eyes who looked around 14 years old ran to us in a hurry.

"What is it brother?" (Algurd)

Oh so she's his sister? They do look really alike.

"This is Sir Shun Fenrik, please introduce yourself." (Thomason)

Surprised to hear my name she looked at me in a daze, maybe she had a hard time believing I was the said man as I was this young or something, as she kept starring into my face while making a strange scowl...

"That's rude Algurd!" (Thomason)

*Pow*

"Ouch!" (Algurd)

As she was keeping starring at me Thomason reprimanded her attitude by a little smack on the head that made her put her hands on it in pain with teary eyes... Is that girl really going to be useful?

"I-I'm Sorry! It's just that I'm pretty sure to have see you somewhere before, but it's more something close to a feeling than a memory..." (Algurd)

Of course Mysty misunderstood her, thinking she was hitting on me, and hugged me while growling at her.

"Grrrrrr! He's already taken!" (Mysty)

But that reaction just made Algurd smirk awkwardly.

"Introduce yourself already!" (Thomason)

*Pow*

"Ouch! Sorry!" (Algurd)

Thomason looked quite ashamed right now because of his sister... and couldn't help but heave a sigh in desperation. Well that how he act but they seem pretty close to me.

"*Cough* *Cough* Nice to meet you Lord Fenrik, my name is Algurd Foddlor, I am the champion of the Earth god Malmuir, my hobby is mining!" (Algurd)

Mining?! What kind of hobby is that?! Even more for noble girl, but I guess that's the reason why she was chosen by Malmuir.

"*Cough!* Please excuse me for a second..." (Thomason)

Looking angry but keeping his smile, Thomason took hold of his sister by the shoulder and walked a little further from us with her to talk. They were too far for me to hear but it wasn't the case for Setsuna who whispered to my hear their conversation.

"You idiot! Didn't I tell you to make a good first impression?! Not only you're rude to him what was those lame pick-up lines?!" (Thomason)/ Setsuna do the imitation here, she's pretty good at that /

"But! I don't know how to do that! You just told me to try to seduce him, it's not that easy, I didn't even hold hand with a boy to this day, what did you expect from me?!" (Algurd)/S/

Wait, so she was seriously hitting on me?! Talk about awkward...

"It's because at this rate I won't ever find anyone to take you as a spouse! I had my hope with Shun as I heard he have a lot of lust and seemed to love 'peculiar' women, but you had to talk about your weird hobby of course!" (Thomason) /S/

"That's rude! What is wrong with mining?! Ahhh, the feeling of carving the earth with a pickaxes is just so awesome! *Cough* Anyway! Sure he's handsome and strong, but didn't the rumors said he was a cannibal?! Do you want me to finish mixed in a salad or something?!" (Algurd) /S/

I had a hard time to keep myself from laughing out loud here, that girl is really funny.

"*Sigh* Listen, I won't ask you for the imposible, but at least try to keep a good relationship with him, okay?" (Thomason) /S/

"Leave it to me!" (Algurd) /S/

Saying that Algurd made a thump up to her brother. And they came back to us, Thomason making a little bow in apologies.

"Sorry about that... I had something to discuss with my little sister." (Thomason)

"I'm sorry if I seemed rude to you lord Fenrik! I hope we can still be good friend!" (Algurd)

"Well why not, and don't worry about being rude, like I already told you're brother I'm not really one for formality. Anyway, let's work hard together to kill that bastard of a king." (Shun)

I didn't correct her about the 'lord' thing as it was going to be a pain if I need to explain myself everytime...

"Sure! I'm gonna break that bastard balls!" (Algurd)

Hearing her answer Thomason made a facepalm, looking exhausted.

Now that we finished with the introduction, we all mounted our own horse and departed for the capital. Well for me I made Setsuna change into her cursed blade form and put her in my scarf, as for Mysty she was behind me in human form hugging my back, as she would be too heavy for the poor horse if she were to change in her sword form... Setsuna really looked jealous at first when I told her to change form, but when I said to her it was because Mysty would be too heavy she did it while laughing at Mysty who was now pouting.

And so we were finally on the road to the capital! It's going to be a long travel, at least one month as we will have to fight our way trough. But when I think that at the end of road my sister and that fucking king wait there, it's not that much anymore, also if I think absentmindedly then days will pass in a flash.

But like we were expecting, a week after departing we encountered an army.

It happened in the middle of the day, we were advancing at a good pace when suddenly one of our scout who was 10km ahead of us, came back at full speed on his horses to warn us that their was an army approaching us at the front, and they were no less than 200.

"Was their any champion among them?!" (Thomason)

"No sir, at least from what I saw their wasn't any champion that serve the first prince. It seem that this is the private army of Earl Mankan as he was leading them." (Scout)

"Mankan, that fool! That bastard promised me he would be on our side! Did he lose his mind to betray us for such a king?!" (Arllan)

"It doesn't matter if Earl Mankan betrayed us Duke Galvira. Such a small army is nothing in face of my unit. Everyone! Take your..." (Thomason)

"Wait." (Shun)

As Thomason was going to give order to his men to take their position I stopped him.

"What is it Shun?" (Thomason)

"Let me take care of it." (Shun)

"""Wha?!"""

Everyone around me gasped at my word from shock.

"Shun! Even if that you that's pure folly!" (Sarius)

"The prince's right, Shun my boy! That's a whole army of 200 men we're going to face!" (Arllan)

"So? Thomason didn't you say your unit could take care of them easily?" (Shun)

"That's right yes..." (Thomason)

Thomason not really understanding what I want to say with that, grimaced a little while answering me.

"Then I don't see the problem. I don't want you to think I see your men as weak, but let me tell you than I kill every one of them whit no problem." (Shun)

"What?! Shun you're going too far! I won't let you insult my men in that manner!" (Thomason)

Thomason men glared at me with hate in their eyes as their pride couldn't let what I said simply go.

"*Sigh* Elivera what do you think?" (Shun)

I didn't want to ask for her help here, but since she's the only one present you saw most of my strength as Arllan didn't really see me taking care of those assassins, I didn't have any choice.

Elivera who was riding a horse while hugging Rakki back just heaved a sigh while shaking her head.

"Frankly, I don't know, but if it's you that wouldn't be surprising... You did take all my men head on while being unarmed and using only a part of your strength." (Elivera)

An awkward silence came as they weren't sure what to think of what Elivera just said...

"Let's say you can take care of all those men by yourself for argument sake. Why would you do that? Wouldn't that be simpler to simply use all our force to get rid of them?" (Arllan)

Good, now we can talk.

"It's to simplify what come next. First nobody on our side would die so we would keep all our force for the next attack. Second, I will use my strength to install fear in them and let the survivor run away, that would decrease the number of peoples who would dare to attack us. And lastly but not least..." (Shun)

Waiting for my words you could heard my listener swallow their spit wondering what I was going to say.

"I would finally be able to let off some steam!" (Shun)

They all made a stupid face as their expectation was betrayed... Apart from Mysty who was joyously laughing behind me.

"What did you expect? I didn't fight for a goddamn whole month! Even more than that I didn't kill for 2! I'm seriously itching for a fight! AH A FIGHT!" (Shun)

Letting myself getting a little too much excited, blood-lust started to leak out of me in crazy quantity. Knocking out the horse I was riding as he took a direct hit of it, making him stand unconscious. And as they feel a little of it all the horses and the peoples riding them around me, felt a shiver up their spines from fear.

"Cal-Calm down boy! you're getting a little too excited there!" (Arllan)

Oops

"Forgive me. *Cough* I kinda get ahead of myself there... Anyway,now you should understand, it's the best course of action to let me handle it." (Shun)

"*Sigh* You're really as blood thirsty as rumors said... I understand Shun, please take care of it, I just hope you won't come to regret it." (Thomason)

Finally! That's going to be funny! First time I'm going to fight such a number of opponent! I couldn't help but make an evil smirk while thinking about it.

"Scary..." (Algurd)

That comment was unnecessary!

"Understood, and don't worry about me I won't die that easily." (Shun)

After saying that I jumped down my horse as he was now looking like a taxidermied animal with eyes wide open and helped Mysty get down too.

"Setsuna turn back, if I'm going to make them as afraid as possible I should use Mysty, protect everyone as I take care of it please." (Shun)

Like ordered Setsuna changed back into human but was clearly pouting.

"Is something wrong?" (Shun)

"Hmpf! Nothing my lord, it's just that myself was in sword form while sister Mystyval was enjoying herself cuddling thou for a week, and now that thou finally going to use us after more than 2 months of wait, it's not myself that thou choose but sister Mystyval... That is all..." (Setsuna)

Wow... That's the first time she so openly showed me her discontentment, it was kinda cute. But she's not totally in the wrong too.

"Don't be like that Setsuna, I understand where you come from but I also didn't use Mysty for an even longer time you know. But it's true that it's unfair that you travel in your sword form when Mysty don't." (Shun)

I hugged her and gently patted her head while approaching my mouth to her ear to whisper in it.

"You will have plenty of punishment tonight..." (Shun)

"... I understand my lord! Please do thy best there and do not worry, as myself will protect everyone from harm!" (Setsuna)

Setsuna sudden change of attitude surprised everyone and they were now wondering what the hell I whispered into her ear for provoking such a change, everyone but Mysty, who was now the one pouting...

Seriously, what it's going to be when I have more cursed blades...

Either way since she did want me to use her to fight she didn't said anything and turned into her sword form.

[Let's go dear! Blood going to rain today!]

"Sure honey!" (Shun)

Oh! That was a long time since I last called her that.

Now ready, I started to run at full speed while Setsuna was waving at me behind my back.

I ran at an incredible speed that's was even faster that when I ran to Melody village a month ago, and around 7 minutes latter I slowed down as I was feeling tremors under my feet from the horses of the enemy army that was coming my way.

"Good! Now let's enjoy ourselves honey!" (Shun)

Since their wasn't anyone else around, I was back to call her with that nickname.

[Yeah! I hope they be strong enough so you can enjoy yourself dear!]

Little by little what was a blur faraway became more clear as they were approaching me. Sensing my will Mysty started to cut the air with her teeth making a high pitched sound.

*VVVVVVVVVvvvvVVvvvVVVVVvvv*

I kinda missed that sound!

"Pff...PfffhahaHAhAHAHAHAHAHA!" (Shun)

[Hihihihihi!]

I tend to become a little crazy when I wield Mysty...

From far away I could see that the man who was leading the army made a sign to slow down, and slowly they slowed down until they completely stopped their advance looking at me from 100 meters away, not sure who I was but sensing my blood-lust and the dark aura that oozing out of Mysty they became wary.

Mmm... Now that I think about it isn't their a chance that they're joining us? I should maybe hear them out before killing them...

While I was thinking that a man who was most likely a messenger approached me still on his horse, looking angrily at me.

"The Earl Mankan is pass!..." (Messenger)

*VVRRRrRRrrr*

Just kidding! Like I care about this shit! As soon as they didn't hold their part of the contract they became enemy!

As the messenger talked to me in a tone that didn't please me I ripped him apart with his horse making body parts mixed with blood and gore flying in the air, before the poor guy could even cry from fear or pain. I grew stronger since the last time I used Mysty, most likely a side effect of my other souls as they already changed my stamina to something ridiculous, when I think what kind of power I'm going to hold when I build a bridge between them, I can't help but grow impatient to see that.

As they saw their comrade and his horse flying in little parts in the air, they were now looking at me, eyes wide open wondering what the hell happened.

"CHAARRRGEEEEEE!!!" (Earl Mankan)

From afar I could hear the Earl ordering his men to charge, and as soon as he did they all rushed at me on their horses while shouting a war cry.

"NOW WE'RE TALKING!" (Shun)

Using their numbers and horses they tried to run me over.

The fool!

*VVRRVRVRRRRRRrrRRrRrrRr*

As they came in my range I ripped them apart one by one swinging Mysty in every direction at an incredible speed making a strange red blur appearing in front of me and creating something akin to a blood mist, as rivers of blood was flying around me. What is most incredible with Mysty is that she eat your opponent with such speed that you almost don't feel any resistance when you rip someone apart. But well it's still a mess...

I only killed thirty of them yet everything around here was red with blood... Me included...

Oh wait, someone was struggling in the river of blood while missing his legs...

"Ahhh! *Sob* Save me! Anyone please! I give you everything I have! Please! *Sob*" (Random knight.)

"Mmm? Didn't I heard something like that not long ago? Where was that already?... Oh well let's not leave any leftover!" (Shun)

[Yeah! That's rude!]

Time to do my job and make them crap their pants...

Approaching the legless knight who was trying to run away from here by crawling on the floor. I hold him by his hair, making him cry even more in despair.

"Help me!!! Plleaaasseee!!! AAHHHHHhhhhHHh" (Shun)

And as I bite is neck, ripping his flesh with my own teeth his cry of despair become one of pain. Poor guy, even though he forgot about his legs until now... But still, I'm impressed with myself... I don't even care about eating someone alive, that's even a little funny too. My mind sure became weird in a matter of months, well since it make me better at killing it doesn't really matter anyway.

Little by little I ate him from the neck, as I thought using Mysty curse I can eat even bones with no problem, as I started to eat him before I even knew it all that was left was but his head. As I was devouring him heartily the Earl men looked at me shaking in fear not making a single move, afraid to be the next one to be eaten.

"I can't... This guy not human... Screw this shit! I'm not staying here to get myself killed for that retard king!" (Random Knight #2)

After him you could her a lot of other knight saying something like that...

They aren't going to run away are they?! I mean sure I wanted them to be afraid! But not THAT afraid!

And sure as hell they did, even the goddamn Earl who was looking from afar, ran away as soon as it turned bad for them...

"Seriously?... I ONLY KILLED THIRTY! Shit... And here I was, thinking it was going to be a blast..." (Shun)

[If you run after them wouldn't you be able to catch up?]

"*Sigh* I'm not in the mood anymore, those small fry completely destroyed my fun. Let's just go back..." (Shun)

[Okay... Too bad it wasn't as fun as you first thought, uh dear?]

"You said it, and now I'm red with blood... Oh well, maybe Algurd or some of the knights know at least a weak water spell." (Shun)

And so I turned around and walked away from the bloodbath still disappointed about the battle. After walking for a while dragging my feet I finally joined the others, blood still dripping from my hair. When they saw in what state I was while I was walking through, you could hear gasp of shock around me, until I reached Setsuna who was guarding the prince.

"Did something go wrong my lord? Thou look pretty sad to me..." (Setsuna)

"Yeah... Those retards ran away after I only killed around thirty of them... It really was no fun." (Shun)

"Thirty?! Why did they ran away when they still had that much troops?" (Thomason)

Not minding the fact that I was covered in blood, among others things... Thomason looked more curious about the fact the enemies ran away this soon in the battle...

"I just ate some guy whole, well yeah I wanted to scare them somehow, but I didn't expected them to be that scarred for this much..." (Shun)

While saying that, I showed them a piece of skin that was stuck in my teeth...

...

......

"*Bweurghhhh*" (Sarius)

Hey Sarius, wouldn't Thomason be disgusted to see you vomit all of a sud... Oh... He's also vomiting...

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Next chapter we learn a lot more about the others cursed blades and Shun plan for the future! Stay tuned!