Building a Kingdom and Conquering the World

155  The mages and Olaro

Luther stayed behind in Mirante to oversee preparations before marching off to war. He had to select the groups that would rotate and also build up a good logistic to support the war. On the other hand, Henry made the decision to depart for Aritreia on the very same day. Time was of the essence, and he had already delayed this war for far too long.

The White Merchant Road, created by the ancestors of Stahl, stretched from the capital to unknown parts of the North, whose domains were once under Stahl's reign. It connected both Aritreia and Luak, possibly extending to kingdoms even farther south. After years of disuse, the road had succumbed to nature, with snow and vegetation reclaiming it. The last human presence witnessed by these roads was during Aritreia's invasion of Stahl, not a single soul set their foot on it for a year or more.

"It's as if we've crossed through a portal" - Henry said, sensing the ground beneath his horse had become firmer, despite the piling snow. The animal moved easier, going over the frozen vines that covered the path - "It's also warmer here, but a significant part of the Mana is still being drawn to the North, to the Frozen Forest, making it as desolate as Stahl." - Henry could feel the Mana being tugged in that direction, like it happened in Stahl.

The memories he inherited upon taking control of Caelum remained somewhat fuzzy, like millions of shattered fragments strewn across the floor. However, amidst this haze, Henry was certain of one truth: something lurked deep within the Frozen Forest, absorbing a large portion of the Mana from his lands and others. It was an entity that his bloodline had been battling for eons, something they couldn't destroy but only subdue. Garret had come North only to fulfill his destiny of fighting against this beast.

"Where are my mages?" - Henry asked, swiveling his head from atop his horse, surveying the seemingly endless line of soldiers trailing behind him, occupying the whole road. Four thousand soldiers, eight hundred cavalry, two hundred barbarians, and three thousand infantry. It was a formidable force rarely witnessed in the North for the past century. Leier and Olaro, riding just behind the king, turned their heads as well, searching for the figures of the two mages. It didn't take them long to spot the pair: two young men dressed extravagantly, clad in what seemed to be the finest fur and adorned with jewelry rarely seen within the kingdom. Even Henry, the king himself, stood away from such wealthy display. The most expensive item that the king wore was his long black coat, adorned with gold buttons and delicate gold chains. Apart from this coat, Henry didn't even bring his crown and used the most simple iron sword.

Over the past few days, some soldiers had tried to approach the two mages, only to be met with disdain. The mages looked upon the soldiers with disgust, as if they were nothing more than insects. Henry and Olaro had observed everything but chose to ignore them, though they couldn't help but feel repulsed by the mages' behavior.

Olaro clenched his jaw, his eyes turning to the king, a silent conversation occurred. And, upon receiving a nod from his liege, a grin spread across the general's face, and he joyfully rubbed his bald head. He spurred his horse around, signaling the cavalry to halt and prompting them to clear the path.

The General brought his horse to a stop directly in front of the two young men, who gazed at him in confusion. However, their expressions quickly shifted to a mix of indignation and fury. They could feel the soldiers' disdainful gazes upon them, painted with a strange anticipation. The soldiers had no idea what was about to happen, but the expression on the general's face hinted that it wasn't something good. They wanted to see it, the soldiers wanted to see those disdainful and proud expression on the ground.

"You!" - one of the mages yelled, a young man with a big nose and brown hair - "What do you think you're doing, blocking our path?" - His tone was laced in disrespect, causing Olaro to clench his teeth so tightly they threatened to break. Instead of halting their verbal attacks, the mages continued their tirade, each insult more cutting than the last. "We are grand mages, born once in every century!" - one arrogantly declared - "We'll demand your head from the king! We are esteemed mages of the kingdom!" - The other complemented - "You are only a miserable general!"

Henry observed from his position, allowing the general to let go of his anger and impart a lesson on loyalty and respect to the soldiers. Olaro had already bestowed them mercy by not having them executed on the spot. These two had disrespected a general in front of his soldiers, in front of his brothers. Death would be an easy way out.

16:14

"Shouldn't we intervene, Your Majesty?" - Leier asked, fearing for the safety of the tools that her liege raised with such care.

They hurled insults after insults at Olaro, a smug grin spreading across their faces as they felt the soldiers' expressions shifting from mockery to an indiscernible emotion. It was as if they were looking at a crazy person, one that would soon die but didn't know the reason. And, they were right. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"What the fuck are you blabbering about, pieces of shit?!" - Olaro roared, unable to contain his rage any longer - "Grand mages?!" - With lightning speed, his hands shot out, seizing the faces of the two young men as if they were prey caught in the talons of an eagle. They had no time to be surprised, let alone react.

Without a single ounce of hesitation, Olaro yanked the two men from their horses and thrust their faces into the pile of snow beneath them - "Now, what do you have to say, huh?" - he bellowed, exerting pressure to push their heads even deeper into the snow.

The two men struggled, but they couldn't get away from his grip, their strength slowly fading away. They tried to breath and scream, but the snow was suffocating them. Their efforts were futile. - "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" - he asked, a sadistic and mocking smile covering his lips, tightening his hold on them.

Henry observed from his position, allowing the general to let go of his anger and impart a lesson on loyalty and respect to the soldiers. Olaro had already bestowed them mercy by not having them executed on the spot. These two had disrespected a general in front of his soldiers, in front of his brothers. Death would be an easy way out.

"Shouldn't we intervene, Your Majesty?" - Leier asked, fearing for the safety of the tools that her liege raised with such care.

Henry shook his head - "Olaro grows bored quite easily. He'll release them soon enough. He also knows that I need them." - he said. As if a testimony to his words, Olaro soon let both of them go. "Boring, so boring." - Olaro said, wiping his bloodied hands on his fur garments, shaking his head - "I thought mages were meant to be powerful, like the one who attacked us. Yet, you two couldn't even best a First Stage Warrior up close. Pathetic"

"The king awaits both of you. Get ready and don't be late" - Olaro declared unmerciful - "You have five minutes. If you don't get up and go greet the king, I'll make sure to dig a hole in this snow and let you two sleep inside it for the night. It will be a cozy house for both of you."

"The king requires your assistance to take down the first fortress in case they resist" - Olaro mounted his horse, leaving the two mages still trapped in the snow. However, he gave a last smile, seeing them struggling to be free from the snow.