Troubles in the North

Chapter 17: Troubles in the North

"Meow Meow?"

― ??????

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"That's a cat.

A black fur blob….

A small black cat...…..

A ball of fur dipped in black tar and two blue stones stuck to it which made to look like a cat… Yes, that sounds about right."

"HAHAHAHAHHAHA"

I couldn't help but laugh at my lord's denial. I found my lord's behavior more amusing, than the creature that was told to be a legend. Only appearing in bed time stories.

'This was really something else. My dear lord what else will you show me?'

My lord went back to stare at the thing below, still in denial.

I cleared my throat.

"Congratulations My Liege, you have made contact with a Silent Stalker."

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Year 1212, 27th day of the 4th month- Evergrey~

[General POV]

.

In a room covered by curtains, a young man with beautiful blond hair was laying down sleeping soundly. The whole scene would look picturesque, if not for the fact there being a blob of black sitting on top of his chest. It was curiously looking at his face with it's bright blue eyes.

Lucian had exhausted a lot of mana today. So, when he returned to the inn, he directly went to bed. It takes time to recover psyche after all.

Mavis followed him back of course. And now they have a new addition to their little group.

A lot of people were crowding near the door. Watching Lucian sleep and the black object on top of him.

"So, umm care to explain what is that blob on Lucian?" Celine for once was actually whispering to her companions.

She was staring at the little black kitten curiously.

She could tell it was not a cat. At least not like the ordinary ones she saw around the cities.

Because the kitten was giving off a feeling of being ethereal. Not to mention the eyes, which bore resemblance to a clear turquoise gem with no blemishes.

It almost looked like, some black matter with two gems sitting on top of Lucian. If not for those ears and tail people would certainly think it was a demonic creation.

It did not have any whiskers. Which further made the creature more mysterious. Giving of the feeling of a cat while not being one. Certainly an oddity.

Celine was rather confused, as were everyone else.

Among them Casper was rather excited for some reason. He was feeling some sort of intimacy towards the creature.

'So cool!' was what running through the child's mind.

Julian was watching with interest, but he thought it was about time. So, he turned to Mavis who likely had the answers, as he was smiling fanatically.

Mavis noticed the look and smirked.

"That my dear ladies and gentlemen is a Silent Stalker."

Celine, Casper and Spike tilted their heads clearly not knowing what it was, while Axel was shocked even Julian seemed surprised.

"Silent Stalker? The creature that walks the shadows? I thought it was a myth. And weren't they supposed to be demonic beings, towering over three meters tall and with horns? Not to mention black flames dancing around them?"

Axel asked hurriedly while glancing at the thing sitting on his friend.

"Doesn't really look like what is written on the tales…"

"Well I do understand where you are coming from, dear Axel. But believe me, that there is a Shadow Stalker. But it is just an infant at the moment. Although when it grows up, however…"

Everyone gasped looking at the creature.

Celine seemed to understand a bit and with a smile she went near it.

"Hey kitty kitty come to me." She started cooing near the creature, just to be completely ignored.

"BAD KITTY." She shouted waking Lucian up. She felt a huge pressure right then. As if a predator was watching her. She noticed the creature turn to her and eyed her down. Seemingly dissatisfied by her actions.

*Gulp*

But suddenly a hand started caressing the creature. The pressure just lifted, as if it never was there.

"Don't cause trouble for my companions you little furball."

Lucian sat up on the bed and stared at the creature. Which transformed into a loving little pet under his touch.

Meanwhile, the others were sweating. Especially the combat sensitive ones such as Julian, Mavis and Celine. Axel looked worse for ware.

Mavis turned Julian with excitement.

"That's the stare down of an ancient predator alright!"

Celine was scared for a bit, but seeing Lucian being comfortable, she reverted back to her cheery self.

"HEY HEY LUCIAN. What's the name of the CUTIE KITTY?" She was super excited.

Lucian seemed surprised.

"Indeed she needs a name."

"""She?""" everyone had the same question.

"Umm… yes, she told me before that she was a female. And I asked her about her name too. But she didn't appear to have one.

Well I do not mind giving you one" Lucian smiled as he looked at the kitten.

"Hmmm. You shall be named.....

.

.

Lo. Bi. Ra."

Lucian spoke in an ancient tongue, that seemed to stop time itself. Mavis being a Wizard knew these were some Runic language phonetics. But with some letters missing from creating an actual Rune.

There was a glow over the kitten. Which closed it's eyes savoring it's new name.

"Meeeow"

"Welcome to the family Lobira."

Lucian stared at the kitten, with affection filled eyes and his gentle smile.

Everyone was surprised by the name bounding ceremony. It felt...

Holy..

'And here you were annoyed. Just a few hours ago about the creature. Mana exhaustion sure changes a person, I should be more careful.'

Mavis was thinking along those lines.

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Meanwhile in the North- Fort Brackhill

[Angeline]

.

My Quartermaster was kneeling and bowing his head in front of me. I could even see his trembling. Sitting behind my desk with crossed legs, I glared at the useless man.

"Repeat what you just said." I spoke softly but coldly.

The man shivered. Not daring to look up.

"G-General, t-the s-supplier s-said they c-can--- not send any more s-supplies for a while….."

*Thud .Crash*

I smacked my desk breaking it in half.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY CAN NOT SUPPLY FOR A WHILE?

WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED THAT THEY CAN NOT SUPPLY THEIR FRONTIER? THAT'S PROTECTING THIER CORRUPTED COWARDING ASSES?"

The soldier took a deep breath. He knew if he didn't give a satisfactory answer, he was done for.

He breathed again and this time he looked at me. Standing in front of me. I praised him in my mind. What he just did required tremendous courage.

*Gulp*

"General…. The supplier… changed."

"Changed?" I raised my brows looking at him inquisitively.

"Yes, the former merchant was removed… And by removed I mean literally, he was murdered in a... family dispute."

"Or they made it seem like a dispute" I smirked. I had a vague idea of the reason behind this shit show.

The old soldier nodded and continued.

"The new merchant is loyal to the throne, but he is being difficult with us…"

"Loyal to the queen you mean." I was amused.

"Did you send a letter to the castle to inquire about the situation? And did you check for supplies from other places?"

"I did general… Just that, the castle's letter said, they were having issues with this years harvest. So, the supply will be a month late. Telling us to persevere. As for other places… we did try sending letters. To towns with merchants or guilds. But they were all declined."

He then looked at me clearly scared. But still decided to tell me.

"By the help of lord Girdesh we sent a letter to Viscount Whitefox."

I widened my eyes, "YOU DID WHAT?"

I would have killed the man there and then. But stopped myself after thinking about the overall situation.

The situation is so dire, he even had to ask help from my lord father.

Everyone knew, whom I detested the most.

"Well beggars cannot be choosers.

So what did my dear father reply?"

"General, The Whitefox estate is under surveillance and they are under suspicion of treason."

I was shocked. "Explain!"

"After young lord Axel your brother relinquished his claim to the title. The Viscount no longer had an heir and… the side family with the help of … the royal family started putting a lot of pressure on the lord.

He then was almost assassinated. But as strong as lord Whitefox is he easily survived. He also found out who sent the assassin.

And knowing his personality, he just cut the man down.

Who later turned out to be a delegate from Brendenrod House. Claiming the man was visiting to propose marriage…

And now, that little act has earned the ire of the crown. And being investigated.

The main problem is, no evidence of the assassination were ever found."

I sat back down on my chair.

'Now that old man has done it… So is that bitch taking out every noble that supports Luce one by one? Possible… Anything is possible by that bitch.'

"So, does that make me a target of suspicion as well?"

"No general! Your services to the kingdom is unquestionable! And if the crown wanted your head claiming treason, they will be mocked. Without evidence, no one can touch you."

"So they are just going to let me die here. By starving and battling me to death?"

The soldier looked down. Even he understood what was happening.

And I was pretty sure all of the supply issues were done in silence. The letters that were sent from the north, are surely being thoroughly checked and rephrased.

I smirked because I found this funny.

"HAHAHAHHAHHAHA"

All the subordinates in my room were startled.

"This is rich… Did they think I was someone like my father? Who loved this shit show of a country? And would protect it to the bitter end?

HAHAHHAHAHAHA

They are really making me laugh. The only reason I am here is because of my father. if he didn't pissed me off, I wouldn't be here. Well then again, I don't mind cutting down trash for Luce.

But.

TO HELL WITH THIS COUNTRY!"

I stood up and looked out the window.

'Sorry Luce, I promised you that I will protect your country. That I held true as long as you were here.

Now, the country has forsaken you.

You know, I love the things you love, but you and Axy are no longer part of this corruption.

I will do this one last time for your sake.

I will fight for this country, in your name one last time. I will get rid of this plague in the north.

Hope you can forgive me after that.'

I smiled as I thought about Luce.

'I will be with you soon and after that… forever. Nothing will stop me this time. Not my father for sure.'

Taking a deep breath, I looked at my lieutenants and commanded.

"Gather the whole army. We are going right into the heart of Skullskate fortress. Tonight I want to eat Jovag Skullface's heart for dinner!"

I had a fanatical smirk on my face. Which appeared like the face of the devil to my men.

None of them dared to disobey though.

"""YESS MAM!"""

They hurriedly walked out of the room to gather the army.

I decided to go armor up. Thinking, 'Tonight will be a blood bath.'

.

.

.

A few hours later in Skullskate fortress~

"DIE YOU BITCH!" the barbarian king was brandishing his oversized axe at me. While I was dancing around him with a smirk.

I dodged all his blows. He really was pathetic.

"STOP RUNNING AROUND."

He kept chasing me. Now clearly more tired.

I was amused. I swung my glaive in a tricky angle. Which he totally could not dodge because of his huge body. So ,swiftly I cut the tendons of his left arm. Which immediately fell loose.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME."

'Heh.' Now I had an oversized idiot, with one arm and a giant assed axe in front of me. he was staring at me with his dirty face. One could easily see the horror.

Fun

"Did you barbarian trashes really think that, we were fighting with our full force this whole time?

Don't flatter yourself, idiot. The moment I came here two years ago. I could have wiped out your whole army of tribal trashes. It wouldn't take me more than a month.

Only reason you all survived was because I was bored and didn't want to go home.

Well that kind of changed now." I smirked as I said.

"IMPOSSIBLE. NOT EVEN THE RED HAIR'S ARMY CAN DO THAT."

The man was in denial.

"The old man Battleborn is hundred times stronger than me you idiot. Well this is goodbye. It has been fun.

But I have a boy to chase now.

Bye bye."

I got serious and materialized my aura to hold him down. He couldn't move anymore. Just my aura was enough to crush his bone and kill him. But I let my glaive do the honors.

*Swoosh*

"Now, the room had one head fewer." I smirked at one of the soldiers nearby.

The poor soul almost shat his pants.

Well whatever.

"Cleanup the battlefield I will be returning."

"Y-Y-Ye"

I think he became stupid after watching that battle. Well whatever. I waved at him and went back.

A smile was plastered on my face.

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Meanwhile somewhere in the main road to Eastigar~

A carriage luxuriously decorated, was travelling towards the capital of the hold.

Inside the carriage sat a very beautiful young lady with blond hair. She was holding a flower in her hand while looking outside the window.

'Mother called me back home. She said I had no more business in the capital… Sigh! She was right… That place... sickens me now.

I just hope he is alright.

Please be safe Lucian and I promise, We will meet soon.'

Lisbeth Alvarez was returning home.

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