Chapter 3: Chapter-1 Test of Mind 2/2

Night-Time.

Ethan opened his eyes, the night was old. he looked around to see Helena and Roland both fast asleep, he then got up to find nothing was off, the food was not poisoned, the horses and the Demon Hound were still there, and there was not a single bad omen to be seen. but still, he slowly woke up both his companions as they slowly opened their eyes.

Sir-Roland: w-what? day already?

both Roland and Helena exercised themselves and quickly got back on their horses.

Queen-Helena: come now, let's continue the hunt... I have work tomorrow.

Ethan got on his ride and soon set out to hunt more bandits with the others. Ethan felt like something was suspicious at first, but when he heard a deafening screech in the distance he quickened the speed of his ride and became the first to arrive at the scene, shortly followed by Roland and Helena as an eldritch horror stood above the corpses of many people.

witches, bandits, cultists and necromancers. all mutilated by a skinny yet tall creature, one with long hair and a head of a goat, the body of a man and a tail of a wyvern, and arms of a human but the fingers were sharp claws as half as long as the tail, and legs of a deer. this incredibly skinny abomination was the Woodland Nightmare, as Ethan could recall.

this creature of the night stood as stall as the trees that surrounded the three, this was supposed to punish the players who committed genocide but to think it would appear before Ethan, but then again he remembered the first thing he did when he was transported in this world, but with the powers of cheats, he could beat this monstrosity, if he could.

Queen-Helena: haha! the Woodland Nightmare! tonight we conquer our fears! a myth dies today!

Sir-Roland: your highness! to charge into battle with the beast is suicide!

Roland's warning fell onto deaf ears as Helena charged towards the Woodland Nightmare with only her sword, Ethan was quick to dismount and dashed ahead passing even Helena and her horse as he dealt the first blow.

Queen-Helena: hah! you won't take this prize!

as if I'd even let you. Ethan thought to himself while the Woodland Nightmare screeched loudly. it swung its massive hands left and right but could not hit the two fastest people on the continent, however, with a surprise swing of its tail Helena's horse was swung towards one of the trees, quickly turning the valiant steed into paste and lumps of meat.

Queen-Helena: you'll pay for that vile beast!!!

Helena's movements became quicker as she swung her blade on every part of the beast's body, stabbing her sword deep into the beast's flesh every time she got the chance. Ethan, on the other hand, had a far smarter tactic, while the beast was distracted he stood behind it before casting a very powerful flame spell. simply called, Ignite.

King-Ethan: Ignite...

the beast was quickly engulfed in a pillar of fire that reached the skies, burning everything around it except for Roland and his horse as well as the caster and Helena herself. the beast was cooked as the fires dispersed and vanished, but even that wasn't enough as it quickly stood back up and began fighting again, in its second form.

the Woodland Nightmare's arms split into four as it grew a large pair of wings on its back before screeching at the top of its lungs once again regaining its former colors as it prepared to attack.

King-Ethan: Divine Judgement...

a pillar of light formed below the Woodland Nightmare, purifying the beast and finally reducing it to ashes before disappearing. even with the beast felled and slain Ethan knew he would need to be careful next time, this was but one of many beings he would soon face should he continue on a killing spree. but then Ethan noticed that his health was low.

LV: ??? HP: [ 465,040/840,000 ] MP: [ 180,400/220,000 ]

his health was lowered drastically even though he didn't take a single hit from the Woodland Nightmare, but then he realized he used an incredibly powerful holy spell, and he was a demon sovereign. but to think his mana was increased just by killing the beast, by why only his mana and not his health as well? that made him guess certain monsters give certain rewards.

Ethan looked at his hands, he could see static on them. looks like the crack in his vision was spreading, but not really. the static on his hands began to spread all over his body until the entire world was engulfed in it, however, Helena and Roland don't seem to notice this so Ethan thought he probably was the only one who could.

Ethan quickly healed himself with basic healing magic until his health was at maximum, the healing returned his vision back to normal and eliminated the static effects, except for the crack though which remained permanent, before riding back to the castle with Helena and Roland, this time Helena rode with Roland as a passenger.

after yet two hours of gruesome traveling, they finally arrived back in the city where Helena decided to quickly teleport to her room without a single word, leaving only Ethan and Roland to return to the stables and dismount before entering the castle. Roland also never said a single word, until he and Ethan arrived in a certain room.

Sir-Roland: tonight has been quite the hunt, King Ethan, this will be your room where you will stay for the night... Helena had just fought a nightmarish creature of the dark, she must be tired and needed some rest...

Roland turned towards Ethan as he continued.

Sir-Roland: if you may pardon me, your highness, I must rest as well, please forgive my queen's misbehavior...

Roland left Ethan alone inside the empty room as he walked away to find his own. Ethan looked around his temporary quarters, a red bed fit for two people, a lamp suspended by an iron chain attached to the stone roof, a small window at the end of the room, a wooden desk, and a chair parallel to the bed as well as an empty cabinet beside them.

Ethan checked if he was alone and looked around, once he confirmed it, he let out a sigh before sitting on the bed.

Ethan: damn... I'm in deep this time, I can't believe that thing still existed, I thought I downloaded the game without that mechanic... *sigh* I can't afford to make mistakes, one wrong move... and I'm done for.

Ethan looked up to see the flickering and dancing fire inside the lamp, it was beautiful, however there was something wrong in his head, a thought that just kept poking him and his confused little mind.

Ethan: alright, alright, *huff* let's think positive... I know this game like the back of my hand, it's spells, story, everything... but the DLCs though... even if I knew most of them I'm pretty sure there were some that didn't go into the big screen, or worse, a DLC that was already in production but never made it through, especially that movie trailer... 

Ethan recalled the horrible cinematic when he went to the movies one time, before the movie started a trailer for the game's upcoming movie was released. and it was horrible, the magic system was off, new and terrible spells, weak and pathetic new characters as well as a horrible plot and villain. a cash grab as Ethan would notice.

but then it hit him, a crucial detail that he had forgotten in a very, very long time. The Narrator. 

Ethan: oh... forget the church, I'll get her instead.

The Narrator, from what Ethan could remember she was the only one in the game that knew how and where the world was heading, be it the past, present or future. this could save some time.

Ethan reached for whatever memory he could recall in his brain, every single detail that was in the cutscenes, from the book, the chair she sat on, and even the clothing she wore, but then he finally found the hint he was looking for. in a certain part of the fourth cinematic of Version 12.4, Ethan saw a window right behind The Narrator.

and through that window was a tall and slim stone tower with a blue roof. and literally the only tower in the game that had a blue roof was Tower Morgana, named after the resident herself, High Magister Morgana. in the story she was known to be a man, but after a bit of confirming and searching, Ethan found the information to be otherwise.

Ethan: two birds with one stone... what a quote.

Ethan said with a grin as he looked at the wall in front of him.

Ethan: if she's in the game I'm ready to go home early... once I complete this stupid mission.

Ethan then laid his body on the bed, looking at the stone roof with expectations of an adventure.

Ethan: the things I do for freedom... *sigh* but if there's a true god in this world, it'll be her...

Ethan slowly closed his eyes to sleep, and before he knew it the sun rose already.

Ethan: I think I'm starting to find this ability rather annoying... but for some reason I feel like I woke up from a long night's sleep, that's got to be the game's mechanics, oh well, can't do much if you're stuck in it.

Ethan quickly left his bed and went to find the throne room, but after only minutes he found it and opened the golden doors that blocked his path. and what greeted him were crowds of nobility, generals and commanders, all eyes were on him. Ethan knew he barged into a meeting unannounced, even Roland who stood next to the queen looked surprised.

Ethan: oh, I think I just interrupted an important meeting.

Queen-Helena: King Ethan! what a pleasure it is to see you awake, we were just discussing small matters.

murmurs spread like wildfire amongst the noble men and women, apart from the generals and more high-ranking viscounts and dukes, they spoke their minds nonstop like arrogant and drunken fools in a tavern or inn.

Noble-1: King Ethan? he's alive? I thought he fell during the battle with Yi Arma?

Noble-2: I thought so too, but I heard he massacred the entire army into only a few hundred men.

Noble-3: I heard he died but rose from the dead, that must be an undead.

Noble-4: but I heard he led an army of demons and became their leader, that mark must be it...

Noble-5: no, that can't be right... he was known as a righteous king, that one has to be an impostor.

Noble-6: shush... he might hear you, his gaze is like death compared to the queen.

Ethan looked around as the nobles avoided looking directly at him wherever he looked.

Ethan then walked towards a dark corner behind the throne where only those who truly focused on that specific corner could barely see his silhouette, but to the nobles, with nearly poor eyesight it made him look like he vanished.

Queen-Helena: silence! it appears this meeting has to end early, I have much to discuss with my nephew... you are all therefore dismissed! this meeting will have to wait for another time.

the nobles, dukes and generals all left the room, apart from a single commander who stood alone.

Ethan took a long look at this commander, this must've been the high and mighty Commander Hex that Helena personally chose to accompany him on his journey. brown hair and eyes as well as brown skin, a few scars here and there as well as a tattoo of two rings on his right forehead, this guy must be married, or at least Ethan thought.

wearing iron armor and a long red cape with the kingdom's crest in black as well as a short sword on the hip this guy was probably one of those commanders that fought in the front rather than stay in the rear. 

Queen-Helena: King Ethan, this is Commander Hex, your second companion during your hunt for the duke... I sincerely doubt he will cower in the face of any threat, be it even your demon army...

Ethan walked towards Hex as the commander introduced himself with a bow.

Commander-Hex: your highness, I am Commander Hex of Fia's 32nd Battalion of the 1st Army... I have a thousand men under my command, I assure you my men are experienced and have fought in many battles, they will not fail.

Ethan looked at Helena in which she snickered as he looked back at Hex.

Queen-Helena: have faith in my commander Ethan, with his skills he could rival even the best knights in the kingdom, even Regalia... his men could also rival that of the apprentices, each one can fight on equal grounds with a demon.

a magic circle appeared below Ethan and Hex as Roland approached them, looking back at Helena she smiled and waved her hand as she gave her final advice to Ethan.

Queen-Helena: this will lead you directly outside the castle, and I do hope you find that duke.

the three were teleported outside the caste where the 32nd Battalion was already boarding their ships, men in iron armor with iron swords and shields painted red, they sort of looked like the Roman Legion, but with better equipment and armor.

Ethan along with the other two boarded one of the ships as they soon sailed to their destination back into the continent of Vira. Ethan stood at the end of the ship as it sailed into the open seas, Roland and Hex stood behind him and spoke with one another, complimenting each other's skills but especially the legend that was in front of them.

Commander-Hex: and I thought the queen was unrivaled in strength and power, to think her nephew would be the king of Estera... although, his armor is quite different from what I heard from the townsfolk.

Sir-Roland: the townsfolk? I thought you were stuck in the city?

Roland asked with a confused look on his face.

Commander-Hex: yes, I even heard that his armor looked more glorious and captivating than the one he is wearing now, but... this armor looks more like a warrior's rather than a king's.

Roland crossed his arms as he sighed.

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Sir-Roland: then it must have been damaged due to the fighting and lost its color, I doubt any armor would last in a battle with rain and mud... besides, this is no longer the legend we knew before.

Hex turned towards Ethan before turning back to Roland with a serious look.

Commander-Hex: I noticed the deathly silence when I first met him, it was the opposite of what the people and bards sang great praises of him... something must have gone wrong.

Sir-Roland: heh, you are correct in that one commander...

Roland said with a smirk, surprising Hex.

Sir-Roland: you will soon see what a monster he had become...

Ethan looked at the horizon before him, he could see the peak of Mount Alter from where he stood, the Mountain of Change as many would have called it. and also because he made his greatest armor there, including the one he was currently wearing. he owned that mountain and no one was able to claim it, due to the fact that the story willed it.

the two men behind Ethan left to find their rooms, leaving Ethan to watch alone as hours passed by. the longer he stared into the distance was as if the world moved faster, but he didn't care, he wanted to go home as fast as he could. 

after hours of standing there like he was a part of the ship Ethan then noticed it was already midnight and stars littered the night sky. the winds howled as his perspective of time returned to normal, he didn't even realize that an entire month passed already. he could see the lands he conquered, ahh, what a sight to behold, what could go wrong?

King-Ethan: hey... is that... is that my demon army?

he could see an entire field of red in the distance, waiting at the very edge of the beach they would soon land on. surprisingly, the bells did not ring, and the men around Ethan didn't panic when they saw the large demon army. Ethan looked back to see the commander approaching him along with Roland who looked a little nervous.

Commander-Hex: I assume this is your demon army Roland informed me about your highness?

Ethan nodded before turning to face the continent.

Commander-Hex: ah... so it is, this search will be easy, whatever troubles we might encounter will be naught, perhaps we might not encounter a need of a long and arduous siege at all.

Roland nodded as he calmed down.

Sir-Roland: then prepare the landing procedures, we will hunt the duke and his men to the last... I heard he fled to Fort Ares, a fort that belonged to his majesty, I doubt his face will remain calm when he sees the ruler of these lands supporting us... this siege... if there ever will be, will be a short one, should they even last an hour...

Commander-Hex: indeed Sir Roland, whatever men under his command will surely cower before the army.

Roland's face soured as his voice became deeper.

Sir-Roland: if they have little resolve that is...

once the ships landed on the beaches Ethan jumped down as water splashed everywhere due to his weight, the demons immediately bowed their heads as they made way for him and the others that were with him.

Commander-Hex: there are thousands of them...

Sir-Roland: tens of thousands to be precise... I believe Duke Alton had over a thousand men with him... we outnumber them ten to one, unless he somehow recruited King Ethan's people to his side.

Hex gritted his teeth.

Commander-Hex: despicable...

Ethan walked towards Ignis who waited for him at the center of the army.

Lord-Ignis: my sovereign...

Ignis bowed as he followed Ethan towards Fort Ares along with 32nd Battalion and the demon army, as well as their commander and the knight Roland, leaving the ships behind as they walked.

I think Fort Ares is somewhere around here... from what I could remember the fort was built in an open area with nothing but dead trees and corpses surrounding it... Ethan thought to himself as he and his army as well as the 32nd Battalion approached an unnamed forest that even Ethan didn't recognize while walking.

Lord-Ignis: if I may ask my lord, who are these humans?

Ethan kept the natural silence as Roland and Hex introduced themselves to the demon lord. ignoring the noise behind him and took out his sword as he stopped, making the ones behind him stop as well.

King-Ethan: Wind Slash.

as if he didn't even move the trees in front of Ethan fell one by one as he returned his sword back in its place, revealing a massive fort in the distance. and just as he predicted, surrounded by nothing but only a few dead trees.

Commander-Hex: impressive! an amazing display of-

King-Ethan: Infernal Lance...

Ethan aimed his hand towards the fort before punching the air. an explosion of fire was released once Ethan stopped as it spread and formed into a pillar that quickly moved towards the fort, hitting its walls before exploding on impact. once the dust and fires cleared a massive hole was revealed to him. Ethan was quick to react and ran toward the fort alone.

King-Ethan: alright! I can't wait to go-

Ethan was interrupted by an incoming arrow which he easily dodged with his flexible armor.

what the hell was that!? an arrow!? from where!? Ethan thought to himself as he quickly looked around before landing safely on the stone road of the fort, and at the corner of his eyes, he saw his target. Duke Alton, along with some other person in white armor, Ethan recognized the massive crest on the knight's right shoulder, one of Atea's holy knights.

Argus... that goody two shoes... pet of Atea's church. Ethan thought to himself as he took out his sword and enhanced himself with all sorts of defensive enchantments and spells, as well as improving the damage of his sword.

fate sure is a jerk huh... if fate wants me to destroy the holy city... then so be it! Ethan thought to himself as he dashed towards the holy knight beside the duke, and before his blade could even touch the neck of the knight. despite the horror in the knight's eyes, Ethan's attack failed as an iron spear impaled the left side of his body, knocking him away.

LV: ??? HP: [ 722,400/840,000 ] MP: [ 140,000/220,000 ]

that attack shocked Ethan for a moment, but he quickly recollected after a few seconds, despite the enormous amounts of blood coming out from his body he didn't feel any pain, but only slight shock.

thanks to the iron spear he was impaled to a wall of a stone wall of a nearby building, Ethan remembered his armor was impenetrable, the game said so, but this iron spear managed to pierce through it with ease. 

but then he realized he wasn't actually impaled, but rather, a static formed where the spear struck, and a second one where the spear penetrated through. this made the illusion of him being impaled, however when Ethan tried to move it felt like he was indeed impaled, he could even feel the spear inside him, and it felt quite weird and confusing.

while he was struggling to pull out the spear he noticed that hundreds of enemy soldiers were watching him, but he continued to try and break free, despite the many eyes that were on him.

the soldiers below murmured amongst themselves, but when Ethan finally managed to pull out the spear from his body, the armor immediately repaired itself as the static disappeared. Ethan then broke the spear in half with ease with a single hand as he gripped his sword tight while looking at the massive group of soldiers before him.

the murmuring soldiers stopped as three knights approached Ethan, to the right was the one he saw before, the second one must be the one who threw the spear, but the third. Etha didn't know there was actually a third knight.

Everwind-Soldier: look alive! an army of demons is upon us! let's show these damned beasts what we're made of!

the soldiers cheered as they charged towards the demon army, leaving Ethan and the three holy knights to battle alone. upon further inspection, Ethan was finally able to distinguish the three knights from each other.

the one with blue eyes and carried a bow was Argus, the archer. the one with a shield and sword that had golden eyes must be Kale, the swordsman, or woman. and the one with brown eyes and carried a halberd, Ethan didn't quite know.

Lady-Kale: King Ethan of Estera! although this might be your land I hope you can understand and leave this matter to the church, proper compensation is already being prepared! the church wants this duke safe and sound! he holds the key to saving the eastern kingdoms! so please understand! millions of people need him!

Sir-???: my lady, are certain we must tell King Ethan our objective?

Lady-Kale: we have no choice... we are in his lands... and I do not wish unnecessary bloodshed.

promises, promises, as if I'd ever believe the church not doing shady things... the story's plot says otherwise, even if the pope isn't as corrupt as they say the cardinals sure are! Ethan thought to himself as he prepared his sword while the knights took their stances and waited for his move. and with a sinister grin, Ethan took the first step.

Lady-Kale: then you leave no choice... knights! fend off the king's attacks! we must let the duke survive!

Sir-???: right on!

Sir-Argus: aye!

Kale slowly raised her sword as she aimed it at Ethan.

Lady-Kale: prepare yourself, King Ethan! you fight the holy knights!

Ethan slowly charged at the three holy knights slowly increasing his own speed with each step he took while the knights did the same. and as they got closer and closer Ethan enchanted his sword once more with even more magic. and with one final step, the clash between a fallen legend and the three holy knights began. and the first chapter had just ended.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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