Chapter 195 - Who are you?

The moment the sun rose the following day Niel's army started attacking once again. The same actions were made by both sides. Niel continued to use his catapults and human wave tactics, while the defending side continued to be passive. The only difference was Lara, who this time didn't use any big spells. She decided that it was better for her to conserve her energy just in case the enemy sends in a powerful fighter like last time. 

Lara with her bow and arrow was a devastating force on the battlefield. As she only targeted those that look like commanders in the enemy army. Killing the enemy commanders disrupted the formation of soldiers and the overall flow of the enemy. Which resulted in battalions moving in a disorderly fashion. 

...

Valdel who due to learning a part of the truth regarding his situation, got a bit confused and was now standing outside the walls of New Grenton. The enemy soldiers who didn't know who he was, started charging towards him. 

The moment the soldiers got close enough they felt a heavy blow hit their jaws as they all fell unconscious. Valdel then tried loosening his shoulders as Lara came down to greet him. 

"I thought you didn't want to join this battle?"

"I was just a bit confused about some recent information I got, but now I'm okay," Valdel answered with a smile on his face. 

"Are you sure? I thought you didn't like killing other people?" Seeing how chatty Lara was made Valdel feel warm inside. The ever stoic Lara didn't really like talking so seeing her being so proactive made Valdel smile. Since this meant she was truly worried about him. 

"I didn't kill anyone these guys are all unconscious. I know it might look like I'm being a hypocrite but I decided that I'm going to do things my way." After answering Lara, Valdel charged at the incoming soldiers knocking them out. 

'Master are you sure about this?' Zwei asked Valdel through their mental link. 

'It doesn't matter if these feelings and ideal I have were handed to me, from now on I shall truly make it my own.' 

After saving the child last night from near-death, Valdel had a long self-contemplation. In the end, he found an answer that made him feel free. 

...

Niel who saw Valdel enter the fray was surprised to see how powerful he was. Valdel was beating down one soldier after another without killing them. In this kind of situation making an opponent, faint was harder than killing the opponent.  

Seeing how capable Valdel was Niel had to reassess how strong he thought Ren was. He bit his thumb as he grew a bit anxious. Seeing that Ren was more powerful than he thought, the plan of using his ace in the hole on Valdel and leave Ren to his four personal guards was impossible. 

If he sent all his personal guards against Valdel, then the moment Ren appears no one will be able to deal with him even if they use that trap Niel had set up. 

As Niel was getting more anxious a messenger reported some good news for once. 

"My liege the first prince and his army have arrived." 

Another army was approaching from behind. When Niel saw his older brother coming to his rescue, he felt both relieved and irritated. 

'Better late than never I guess.'

...

While everyone was concentrating on the siege battle, Harold was drinking some tea inside his shop. Oliver his butler was standing behind him waiting for the next command. 

"It's getting noisier out there," Harold commented as he continued drinking his tea. 

"The first prince and his army have finally arrived," Oliver reported to Harold.

"Oh, that means things are finally going to get a bit serious. What do you think are the chances of New Grenton winning?" 

"If that monster they call Valdel joins the fight they might be able to somehow survive this onslaught." Oliver gave his opinion on the situation. 

"Right... If that person joins the fray it would balance the battlefield, quality over quantity. Still, it's a surprise that the esteemed person was actually with that... Hero..." Harold cringe when he used the term hero. He looked like he wanted to puke just saying the word.

"My lord, I do not wish to question your judgment, but-" Before Oliver could finish what he was going to say Harold raised his arm stopping him from talking. 

"Then do not question it," Harold glared at Oliver. When Oliver saw Harold glaring at him he shivered in fear. Though Oliver had the mana capacity that could rival Lara's he was scared of Harold who was like an ordinary human. If anyone else saw this sight they will find it extremely weird. Still, even though he was frightened by that glare Oliver continued what he wanted to say. 

"Forgive me my lord, but as your butler, I think it is my duty to inform you... I do not think it is wise to presume anything. Especially if it's regarding the esteemed one." Oliver knelt on the ground as he spoke. Seeing his loyal servant acting like that made Harold sigh deeply. 

"I understand your worries... But it shall not change what I think." Hearing Harold's reply, Oliver could no longer argue. After a short moment of silence, Oliver stood up and spoke. 

"My lord it would seem that another rat has entered." Oliver tightened his white gloves as he informed his master. Unperturbed by the news Harold continued to relax and drink his tea. 

"Go and deal with the rat quickly and then make me some more tea." Harold gave out the kill order with nonchalance. 

"As you wish my lord." Oliver bowed as he answered and then retreated into the shadows. Once Oliver was no longer behind him Harold whispered, "I can't be mistaken."

...

It has only been a few seconds after Oliver left when Harold heard footsteps. Harold found it strange since even with Oliver's capabilities finishing the given task this quickly was hard.

'Maybe something happened regarding the intruders, was it a special guest?' 

"What happened, is the task already done?" Harold asked assuming that the person approaching was Oliver. The moment the question was asked, the body of an unconscious person flew passed by him. Harold was caught by surprise and as he looked closely he was shocked to learn that it was Oliver's unconscious body that was rudely thrown at the table in front of him.

Harold was about to turn around and look at the person who was able to do such a thing to his formidable butler. Yet the moment he stood up he froze in place. An immense amount of bloodl.u.s.t had suddenly filled the room. The intensity of the bloodl.u.s.t was so great, Harold started hallucinating and saw numerous corpses all around him. Harold then gulped dryly as he felt an overwhelming sense of dread.  As Harold was trying to figure out what to do next when the intruder spoke. 

"Who are you?" The moment that was question was asked Harold felt like a blade was placed beside his neck. The moment he answered wrongly he knew that his head would be detached from his body.