Chapter 24 – I will protect you!

There was awkward silence on air. Halim was a power hungry human being who was cornered by a demon knight. The fate has given Halim a test, which he couldn’t pass. Everyone was in shock. Halim was speechless.

[Me]: Is it how a noble acts?

[Knight]: Whatever I do is justifiable as you were the ones who breached the pact.

Halim turned towards us and…

[Halim]: Which one of you will clean the dirt thrown at our pride and dignity?

[Me]: I will.

I got off the horse.

[Me]: I, Aslan of Kali tribe, request a duel with Karan of the southlands.

Karan’s eyes turn to demon knight as if asking for permission and the knight nodded in agreement.

[Karan]: I accept.

[Halim]: Aslan, sometimes it is not about winning or losing. It is about standing against the oppressor and taking the side of righteousness and justice. You have chosen the path of heroes. Your name is going to be carved on royal road of legends.

If there would be somebody other than my father on my hate list it would be Halim. He was talking as if I was already dead.

He was making sacrifice of me for god knows what plan was going through his perplexed mind.

Everyone backed away. I was facing Karan. I knew that he has magical abilities that surpassed me many times over. I had to drag him into a physical fighting, but him having a scythe meant he is a good fighter too.

[Karan]: Kid, this is what you wished for.

I didn’t feel like answering to him. I telepathically called out to Ulfberht and asked him to turn into sword. Ring on my right pinky finger flashed and I had massive Ulfberht in my hands. I engulfed my body in mana and run to Karan’s right as my life depended on how quick I finish him off. Karan was caught off guard but he was no rookie. I charged Ulfberht at him as powerfull as I could as soon as I reached his claw but he moved too fast for a body such as his. He had his scythe trying to slash me but I jumped back. I attacked his scythe and he took it up into air when Ulfberht turned into a ring and I used the momentum to somersault. I rolled under him and Ulfberht turned into a sword again, I slashed at his claws and the joint, which had four claws, kept together. I jumped out and turned back at him keeping my fighting stance. He began to throw lightballs and fireballs at me. He was angry. I did my best to avoid explosions occurring all around the place. I was almost blasted away once but didn’t lose my composure. He was getting angrier, screaming around. I used the chance and teleported onto his front right claw and had Ulfberht up on his neck.

[Me]: We could kill each other here or we could fight the dragon side by side when the time comes!

I was lucky that Karan was a magician type of demon or else I couldn’t win him. I jumped back and turned to demon knight.

[Me]: I’m Aslan of Kali’s tribe. We came because we were attacked. We will leave because we know that you mean no harm to us. We will need a copy of pact to know what we are entitled too.

The 2nd monster spoke.

[-]: insan. Insaan. Insaaan.

[Knight]: In old language of humans that word means human being. Though it has a second meaning to it, which is the one who forgets.

[-]: I would love to fight Aslan to death in bedroom.

[Knight]: Succubus Anika control yourself!

[Anika]: That weapon is of the demon origin. A human controlling that is a rare sight to see.

[Knight]: You should leave now! We will talk about future relations at another time.

[Halim]: We will!

Halim lead us back to army. Balloons that brought materials for the construction of wall were sent back. We left the south lands back to kingdom. I was in Halim’s entourage until evening, when we stopped for night. I left them and went to my Band of Brats. Everybody knew whom I had fought and they were nodding at me to show respect. We sat around the fire and had wine.

It took us almost a week to reach the fortress of 2nd bridge. Halim had changed his plans, and it seems I was not taken as a disruption to them. He told me that, as Minister of Defence he would recommend me to king for my heroic activities during the “Southlands Exploration”. He already had a new name and plans to cover up his failure with the initial plan to invade and expand.

The night that we spent at 2nd bridge’s fort for the first time after we left the demon lands I had chance to talk to Zara. I could feel she was nervous.

[Me]: I told you I will protect you!

Next: Chapter 25 - Meet the Demon Lord