The element.. of surprise!

*1 day later*

*Narrator POV*

In a room in a rather nice looking mansion there was a meeting. This meeting was held by a certain Patriarch of a branch family. He had gathered several people of importance in the family and made sure to have them all gathered on time. They all took a seat and the meeting started.

"I have gathered you all today for one reason. My son is dead." The patriarch started.

Surprise filled the room as people heard this. One of them asked the important question.

"Who did it?"

"It was the owner of a rather large company who we were going to make a deal with and hopefully increase relations with. However what we did not know was the fact that he is a survivor from the very village we burned to build this place. Those mercenaries told us they got everyone but it seems they were wrong. Remind me to never hire mercenaries in the future."

Cries of "Outrageous!" and "how dare he!" Echoed through the room.

"He will mostly target us next. However don't worry, I have hired several bodyguards for each one of you. As for myself, I have no need for one. I don't think I need to explain why. With all of us protected we can take our time to take him down. Even if he uses his company to pressure us and try to tear us down financially I have prepared a large amount of emergency funds for times like these."

Relief filled several faces in the room. A smile came across the face of the Patriarch.

"As long as we play our cards right there will be nothing he can do. We don't have to worry about him. Also since we are a branch family of the mighty Arie family there is no way he can defeat us with force. We are too strong for that. So there is no way he will ever even try a frontal assualt." The patriarch finished.

"Even if there was an unexpected threat everything will still be fine. After all even if we are only a branch family in the outer ring of the tower we still possess our own strength."

Suddenly there was a loud bang as the door was opened suddenly. A man stood there panting heavily.

"P-P-Patriarch, we are under attack by a large group of mercenaries! They seem to be led by someone with dark blue hair."

"What!?" The Patriarch stood up and yelled in surprise.

*Byleth POV*

This was easier then I thought. After breaking through the front gate everything was

pretty easy. They didn't notice use coming as we used the forest to get close then just straight up charged. Their gate was made not for fortification but to look nice so it didn't hold for long. Once we got inside we started the slaughter and since they weren't prepared they were weaponless.

The mercenaries I had with me were my own personal squad I had hired to work for me at all times. In the outer tower there is no big government that rules everyone. King Jahad only rules the inner tower and has no care for the outer tower. In this place it's not uncommon for battles to occur between groups. That's why it's always best to have a squad of fighters at the ready. I have had these guys hired for situations where fighting was necessary. I'm glad I made the right choice. We outnumber the family right now so it's best to keeping pushing for now.

Sadly, it seems our surprise advantage is coming to an end. The family has started to regroup and are gathering near the Patriarch's mansion. I guess that's where they will start their counter attack.

Also I brought both Elana and Nathaniel with me. The two need as much combat experience as possible in order to survive. Plus they demanded to come with me and I just can't refuse them can I?

I climbed in top of a building and stared at the mansion. I could see people gathering and weapons being handed out to those who had none. Do they think we are going to sit here and wait while they prepare themselves? Then their mistaken.

*Patriarch POV*

How could this be? We are getting massacred right now. A surprise attack like that managed to damage a good amount of our forces. We have to finsih handing out weapons then we can fight back. Some of us own our own weapons but no everyone does.

Then I heard fighting and I rushed outside of my house to check on it. My eyes widened when I walked onto my balcony which overlooked my front yard. There was a battle outside. The invaders fought against our family warriors and there were deaths on both sides.

It seems they were hoping to gain the upper hand by attacking us before we were ready. How unfortunate for them. It seems they don't know that I'ma shinsu user. I can just shoot shinsu and slowly wipe out there forces from here. It's our win!

Then I raised my hand and shinsu condensed in my hand as I aimed with a grin on my face. Then I felt something pierce into my back and the shinsu dissipated. Pain flared up as I fell onto my knees. I turned around and my eyes widened to see the face of my enemy, a blue haired swordsman.

"You know, you should really have someone to watch your back. I mean seriously, what if you have an itch on your back you just can't reach with your hands. What would you have done then?" He said with a grin on his face.

My body collapsed onto the ground as my vision started to fade. How did he get behind me? How did I not even hear him coming? Perhaps I shouldn't have touched that village. Maybe my fate would of not ended this way if I had. Maybe I should of done thing different.