"Sir... there's been an emergency," a soldier muttered as he approached with his horse.
"What is it?" Reinhardt asked, whipping his long golden hair back and staring at the frightened soldier with a condescending gaze.
"T-The barbarians of Ogarak have intercepted our communications and are asking for a meeting," the soldier explained.
"What?" Reinhardt's brows furrowed. "Do we have a traitor in our midst?"
"I don't know, sir, but I believe one of the scouts might've taken a detour," the soldier said, avoiding his gaze.
Filthy rat. Reinhardt scoffed as he jumped off his horse and unsheathed his lustrous golden greatsword.
The soldier's eyes widened in fright. However, before he could gallop away, Reinhardt brought down his greatsword, severing both the horse and the soldier in two.
-248,228,421! Critical Hit! (x1 Melee)
<+2,942 Constitution>
"Hmm..." Reinhardt stared at the messages, satisfied as he sheathed his greatsword once more.
To think that this worthless soldier dared to make such assumptions in my presence. Here I thought I'd trained my soldiers well... he thought with a sigh.
Today was a very eventful day. And he, as the prince of Aztera's royal family, had no choice but to deal with his father's unruly whims.
Of course, he didn't mind it, since these soldiers were expendable. At any given moment, he could kill them and gain extra stats.
He turned to the side, meeting the gazes of a few of his 10,000 soldiers—well, 9,999 now.
And all of them recoiled in fear immediately, unable to even protest the death of their friend.
Because his decisions were absolute in this expedition.
Yrgon and Celestara... Why is Celestara even on the map when its population is as large as our red light district back in Veltharin, Reinhardt thought with a scoff.
Nonetheless, his father's orders were something he had to comply with, else he'd lose his rights to the throne.
That was why he should be hearing back from his scouts soon enough.
Just as he thought that, a single soldier approached, one who wasn't frightened like the others.
And rightfully so, since the soldier was his sister.
"Azarielle, I take it you bring good news?" Reinhardt asked, earning a nod from her in return.
"Brother, you're still acting on those irrational whims of yours," Azarielle said with a sigh. "The soldier's concern was right. We have several men tracking the locations of a few of our scouts, and one of them did pass by Ogarak on their way to Celestara."
"I see..." Reinhardt nodded, unfazed. "I killed him because—"
"I don't need justification, brother." Azarielle cut him off with a frown on her face. "You've been using that skill again, haven't you?"
"So? How does that concern you?" he asked. "Are you going to volunteer as tribute just like our cousin did?"
Azarielle flinched. "You know every time you use that skill, you lose a part of yourself permanently. And yet, after all this time, you've not realized that you've become a monster."
Reinhardt halted as he felt his blood boiling in anger.
He reached for his greatsword, attempting to unsheathe it. However, before he could do that, Azarielle summoned a javelin out of nowhere and thrust it directly between his eyebrows.
[HP -938,300,290 | 0/938,300,290]
Reinhardt's vision darkened as a single message fell.
<-22,942 Constitution>
<-13,388 Intelligence>
"Azarielle..." Reinhardt muttered, his brows twitching. "Do you realize what you've done?"
Azarielle shrugged. "I'd hoped to snap you out of it. Did it work?"
He reached for his greatsword again. However, Azarielle merely shook her hands in panic.
"H-Hold on. You know us fighting each other won't do much, right?" she said, pointing at her bloodied javelin buried in the sand, covered in his brain matter.
"You have so many stats, this was barely a dent... you're basically unkillable—"
"Azarielle." Reinhardt cut her off, his frown deepening. "Get out of my sight. Until this expedition is over, I don't want to see your face."
"Well... your wish is coming true, I suppose," Azarielle said, scratching her cheek. "Father has reassigned you to Celestara. I, on the other hand, will go meet with King Halemire and discuss further business."
Before he could protest, she continued. "Ezbeth took a portion of the soldiers and headed for the capital of the Holy Kingdom, Elarin. She'll deal with King Arthur just as she had done the previous times."
Reinhardt sighed. "So she's manipulating him with her charms again?"
"Precisely," Azarielle said, kicking the side of her horse as it sped up. "Ignore the barbarians, brother. We have no use for their negotiations—simply continue toward Celestara as ordered."
Deep down, Reinhardt was angry. His father had gone behind his back again.
Yet he couldn't do anything, since even if he staged a rebellion, his father was simply too powerful for him to beat.
That's why I need to absorb someone powerful... here I thought the people of Yrgon would be enough, but I suppose Celestara will have to do, Reinhardt thought absentmindedly as he got back on his horse.
There would be no more Celestara after the negotiations, so the king and queen of that dumpster would be up for absorption with his main skill, Gluttony.
Maybe then can I take over... Reinhardt thought, a small but unintentional smile tugging at his lips.
He couldn't hold back his excitement in the slightest. Therefore, he kicked his horse hard, and it sped ahead.
The soldiers seemed confused. However, once he gained enough distance, they followed after him.
"Soldiers of Aztera!" Reinhardt shouted, gathering the attention of everyone who was following him.
"We shall strive to arrive in Celestara within three days! Those who lag behind, either go with Azarielle or be prepared to turn into my stat points!" he finished, causing each of the soldiers present to shiver in fear.
Some recoiled and actually left the formation.
-1,248,228,421! Critical Hit! (x9 Melee)
<+14,242 Constitution>
Reinhardt wiped the blood off his greatsword as he sheathed it across his back.
His gaze slowly darted across each of the soldiers present, making sure they were on the same page as him.
And after confirming they were, he simply nodded, put on a warm smile, and pointed ahead.