I could tell from the awkward while it took Alexius to answer my question. I sighed as I put a hand on his shoulder.

“I can clearly see you haven't. So, I want you to listen carefully to what I am going to tell you, okay? Killing is not easy, especially not the fist time and if you lose your concentration during this attack, we both are going to die. You understand that, right?”

He nervously nodded at me.

“Of course.”

Despite doing my best to keep that memory down, I remembered the first time I had killed a person. Of course, it was related to the Paremy girl I had befriended when I was younger. Both of our families ordered us to break that friendship, but of course, that would not stop two foolish youngsters. To be honest, it's not like we were very close friends, but the moment that we realized that this friendship was forbidden, there was a strange new exciting taste to it. The social condemnation of our friendship drove us closer than ever.

Both of us improved and perfected the art of slipping out of our respective houses and meeting in a place where we knew nobles would not look for us. Time passed, we grew up with that fun and exciting secret of just being around each other. Of course, there was no way that this wouldn't eventually bloom into romantic feelings. We met more and more frequently and eventually we realized that we were doing this not just out of rebellion against our respective families, but also because we just wanted to be together.

Such sweet young love. She wanted for us to flee Tharaz Eron, go somewhere that would let us be together openly. Foolishly, I refused to take this course, as at the time I was entering university, pursuing the dream that I am working to this day. I thought I needed that university to complete my dream. If only I had known then what I know now. Eventually, our romance was found out and I was challenged to a duel by one of her brothers. Using an early version of my magic-armor-construct I took his life in the duel, believing that it would impress bystanders enough to allow not just further development of the armor, but also acknowledge my relationship.

Of course, the world rarely goes the way one wishes it to. Though I was challenged as a defense of my lover's honor, there was no stipulation that I could have her hand should I prevail. Of course, my win was taken as proof that I did not treat her inappropriately or take her chastity, but the Paremys would never accept me as a suitor to her. Besides, I later heard that the brother I had dueled with was the one she had been the closest with. I never met her again, but I am not sure that she could ever forgive me.

Of course, that situation is completely different from this situation. I still remember the shock I had when I realized that I had just killed someone. Alexius better be ready for it.

“Look. Killing takes its toll on you. For some, it comes immediately, you better be ready for it. Because standing around and looking at the blood in your hands won't stop anyone from coming and killing you, especially since we are just two and they are almost twenty. You kill someone, and you don't stop, okay?”

Alexius nodded back, a serious expression on his face.

“I understand. Even if I feel the most piercing guilt, I will leave it for later and keep going during the battle.”

Good, it seems like he understands.

“Even as you kill unarmed people. Don't forget, not only are they members of the Broken Wheel, but they are also likely to be mages, a mage is never unarmed. No mercy, not under these conditions. Unless you want to call this attack off and just follow them.”

This one seemed harder to swallow for him, but it seems like Alexius understood and accepted what I said.

“No, we can't call this off. I have... this feeling. We... I have to do this, whatever it is that they stole or whoever it is that they have kidnapped must not remain in their hands. It's like Virtue's guidance. I cannot have mercy for those who ravage the world as they do.”

I just nodded, but personally, I cannot help but feel uneasy. It's like something has possessed Alexius and, although I have not been with him long enough to know whether or not this is common, I can deduce from Helena's attitude that it is not. However, now is not the time to talk about that, now is the time for action.

Before leaving, I wore my whole armor, this time making use of the magic circle of the Vision Lantern to give its characteristics to my armor. Although mana consumption was quite greater while the function is activated, with this both me and Alexius can have almost perfect vision in this fog. It takes a while, but we approach the enemy's camp during the night, probably most of them but the sentries are sleeping. They did not move, as expected. We cautiously approach as much as possible before there is risk of alerting the sentries. Time to start the attack.

“Now, go! I will attack them!”

Alexius breaks into a run, but before any of the sentries can realize he is getting into the camp, I use one of the flashiest spells I have at my disposal.

“Oh earth, mother of dwarves, swallow my enemies and turn them into nourishment!”

As I pour my mana into the ground, it becomes unstable around the two now panicking sentries, who start to sink as if they were on quicksand.

“We are under attack! Someone is...!”

They are silenced as a wave of dirt engulfs them. Maybe that was a bad idea, I think I might have used more mana than expected. Oh well, guess I will just have to make do with good old head bashing then. I see a frostbolt flying in my general direction. Huh, they really can't see very well in this fog can they, still mages are mages, hopefully Alexius will take care of them. As for me... I suppose I will take care of these scary angry looking armed guys in front of me.

“How dare you attack us! You will pay with your life, whoever you are!”

One of them looks really angry, although it's not that scary when they are glaring at a rock instead of me. I suppress a sigh, this might end up being surprisingly easy. I have to wonder why they would use that fog when they themselves are just as affected by it.