War.
What is war?
The absence of peace?
The presence of strife and anarchy?
These are the common definitions and notions of war. But there was one man who thought differently, they called him the warmonger.
Emperor Delarus Matir Kafer. He disappeared over twenty-three years ago, on a voyage to the unknown Eastern continent.
Everyone thought him dead, only a few of his trusted nobles knew the truth of his departure.
But a few years ago, he returned as... a monster, changed, reborn and more refined in strength.
His first act after his return was to request a duel with the Golden Swordsman, the strongest of the Lances. He won the duel, shattering the legacy of the Golden Swordsman.
Delarus claimed the title of the First Lance.
To the people of Kafer, his return was a nightmare reborn. He was a tyrant who loved war and used war to settle every single dispute. The citizens of Kafer enjoyed peace in the 20 years of their Emperor's absence. But when he came back? He brought war with him and they've been at war with the Japur Empire for two years now.
And now, as the sun bathed the blood-soaked Earth...
"FOR THE KAFER EMPIRE!!!!"
A man clad in full steel armor raised a sword to the sky as he roared.
"FOR THE KAFER EMPIRE!!"
Thousands of voices followed, surging like a tidal wave.
Steel met steel as screams tore through the air and the battlefield trembled under their feet as they clashed with the Japur Empire's forces, swords clanging, blood spraying and heads rolling.
This isn't it! We can't keep fighting like this!
The commander of the Kafer army, Lexario Diarmani gritted his teeth as he watched his men fall one by one.
"Rosario!"
A lean, blonde knight-level soldier turned from the enemies he had just beheaded. His armor streaked with blood, and his green eyes sharp with a loyal spark.
"Yes, Commander!"
He answered Lexario as he wiped off the splattered blood on his face and ran toward him.
A Japurian blade clanged off Rosario's shoulder plate. He turned, cut the man down, and then faced Lexario again.
His breathing was slightly uneven as he stood next to his commander, waiting for his command.
"Rosario, I trust you. I know of your capabilities as I have trained you myself. Hold this line in my stead. I am going to have a talk with our Emperor and demand the presence of Healers."
Lexario told Rosario, his voice was stern and loud due to the noise of the battlefield and he cut down soldiers who attacked him as he spoke.
*Hyaaaa!* *Clang* A distinct battle was going on in front of them.
Rosario nodded, gripping his sword tighter and he asked with his voice slightly louder, "Would you be gone for long?"
Lexario chuckled and replied, "I can't leave my men to die on the battlefield, Rosario. I will be back."
Is this finally my time to shine? Rosario thought to himself.
He nodded and said firmly, "Then go. I will handle it."
"And remember, switch to the formation we discussed as soon as their numbers drop."
A grin tugged at Rosario's lips and he replied, "Go, commander. I got it, we won't die today."
Lexario nodded and turned as he gathered pure mana through his body and slammed it on the ground. With a thunderous burst, he launched himself into the air, toward his mount at the rear of the field.
Rosario exhaled and smirked as he saw the figure of his commander propelling in the air, That's why he's a swordmaster.
He thought to himself.
_____________________
In a tent, not too far from the battlefield, a dignified figure sat on top of a golden throne. He sank into the throne, rested his ankle on the armrest of the throne and his chin on his folded fist with a bored expression on his face.
He was clad in golden armor, and the crest on the chest of his armor had the number '1' written on it, signifying his identity as the First Lance.
His golden eyes scanned the room, his spirit was restless and itching for battle as he could hear the screams and clangs of the swords from the distant battlefield.
But he had to wait. It was not his time to fight yet.
Tat! Tat! Tat! Tat!
He heard the sound of a horse approaching his tent with desperate speed and he closed his eyes, mixing his heightened senses with mana to perceive the figure approaching him. To decide whether to prepare to cut down or to prepare his ears to listen to the ramblings of one of his men.
Ah, Lexario.
He thought to himself as he frowned his face.
"How disappointing. I thought I'd have a little fun." He murmured to himself.
Lexario walked inside the tent. The room inside the tent was dark and the only source of light was a dimly lit candle at the end of the room. He could barely see the papers where they had drawn battle tactics on top of the wooden table a few inches from the throne.
Lexario shook his head and walked toward the Emperor who sat high on his throne, staring down at Lexario with his dominative and predatory golden gaze.
Lexario bowed, his head low, one knee down and the other knee up.
"I have come to make a request My Lord."
He said calmly and cautiously.
Delarus tilted his head, squinted his eyes to look closer at Lexario and he shook his head.
He could feel his soul.
"The Healers... The pope of Hubolt, he still disagrees to release them. Commander Lexario, you'll have to make do with your men."
Delarus declared. There was no hostility in his voice as it was calm, but there was something about his calm voice that seemed to press down on Lexario.
Lexario felt his body temperature rise.
Every Empire that has citizens that awakened Holy power sent them to Hubolt, except you, My Lord. Claiming that the Pope is evil and he'd mess with the souls of your people. But now we need healers and we don't have any healer in Hubolt under the banner of our Empire so we have to beg the pope! You stubborn Emperor!
The pope is evil? No, you are!
But of course Lexario couldn't say this, he could only gnash his teeth and listen to his Lord.
"Ah~" Delarus exclaimed softly.
"An envoy of the Western continent, Hubolt is here. You can go back Lexario, rest assured that you'll have the healers."
Delarus declared coldly to Lexario, a wicked grin stretched on his face as Lexario shuddered, raised his head and turned to leave.
"May your grace live long."
As Lexario walked toward his horse, he saw a carriage from the direction of their Empire coming toward Delarus's tent.
They must be the envoy he talked about.
And he shook his head, his lips parted to say something but he didn't and he climbed his horse and rode off.
As soon as the Envoys entered Delarus's tent, Delarus spared no time and went straight to the point.
"Tell your pope that I have a trade to offer for the healers."
The three men who were dressed in white robes, Envoys of the Holy Continent were shocked at his sudden proposal.
"And what do you have to offer for the Healers?"
Delarus laughed maniacally and narrowed his gaze at them.
"Tell him that I bring information from the Eastern continent about the being he has been trying so hard to find."
The three men exchanged glances in confusion and turned to ask him in unison.
"What being?"
Delarus paused, his grin growing more wicked.
"Lucifer."