19

19

Random Tilean Mercenary POV

Business has been great. Those Bretonnian Knights always pay high even if it is just one shot. Easiest money in a decade. The Boss asked them Grail Knights if they wanted a further contract. But it seems them knights don't really need us as there are only a few hundred left of them beastmen Now back on the usual contract of patrolling Marienburg to Wouduin Tollstation. Can’t wait till the contract ends. Then we will party like kings.

Crack

“What was that?” But I see nothing. Probably just a small animal or just some wind.

Then I saw a jaw

—

Valeria POV

I raised my eyebrow. That beastwoman just bites a chunk of that mercenary head. I need to ask Mal to tone down the aggressiveness after this. The beastwoman are practically more bloodthirsty than the beastmen now. That, or ask Mal to increase the beastmen's aggressiveness to match. The rest of this patrol is routinely dispatched. Lak provided invisibility, while Kal coordinated an encirclement to kill them all. We can just pass by directly to Drakwald. But Kal wants to see how the beastwomen work in raids. So far it is manageable. No beastwomen got too caught up in bloodlust and going nuts. Yet. But I think Kal also agrees with my viewpoint to tone down the aggressiveness just in case.

Kal led us to another bigger patrol group of a hundred. Two hundred at most. Seems like he wants to test it one more time. The beastwomen loot the weapons from the dead mercenaries. Looks like they are also eager to try more too. I look back to the hills. The night just started, and those Knights won’t chase us at night. Kal waves at me. This time it is my turn to provide invisibility. Like usual, first we encircle them. The Norscan werewolves and the new wolf beastmen surround the other side as they are the fastest. Things are progressing smoothly. Those farthest from their camp are killed one by one. But then I saw a fireball pass and explode a distance away from me. They have a fire wizard!

With the veneer of stealth gone. Kal roared and issued the charge. The warherd roared as one and charged. Things quickly devolved into chaotic melee. Sounds of gunshots. Then sounds of bullets ricocheting. Normal bullets cannot penetrate our skin. But as I kill another mercenary with Mother’s spear, loud booming sounds. I saw a group of ogres with cannons. Led by a woman who keeps barking orders. That might be the mercenary’s leader. So I dashed at her. One of the ogres turns at me with his cannon. Then a Bovigor charged at the ogre, her horn gored at the ogre’s side and pulled him into a fistfight. But the cannon’s fuse was already lit. Then the cannon fired into the chaotic melee. I continue to dash at the leader as the way is cleared. I managed to tackle her and pin her to the ground. Unlike the rest, she doesn’t wear her armor. Weird. I knocked her unconscious with a hit to the head.

Another fireball thrown. Another round of gunshots. Fires start to spread wildly. I saw the fire wizard is guarded by two other ogres and a group of heavily armored soldiers. Kal led the attack. I followed closely along with three other Bovigors and many other beastmen. As her bodyguards desperately hold us off, the fire wizard starts channeling for a big spell. Then Mal landed a distance away. She cast a spell to the wizard, twisting her body with her own blood. I have to ask her to teach me that later. The chaotic battle finished soon after as their leader and mage is out of commision.

We started looting the dead bodies. This battle is a disaster. Almost. 30 of us died. 18 of them are the beastwomen. I saw Kal order Mal to tone down the beastwomen's aggressiveness. Apparently a few of them are too eager and moved too fast. But I think with the ogres around it will still be a melee. Although there might be fewer dead as our Bovigors outnumber the ogres.

The other group arrived soon after. This group consists of the Tuskgor raiders, one gold furred chaos mammoth that is still small, the female captives, and the beastmen that guards them. The beasts are mostly used as beasts of burden now as they are not stealthy at all. The chaos mammoth is especially helpful as he can carry many things even though he has not reached adulthood yet. Can’t wait for it to reach 8 meters tall like his father.

—

Valariel POV

Valariel is out again and I have nothing to do. That is until Teclis enters the Sanctuary. I glance at him warily.

“How did you get inside?” He didn’t answer but looked around. “What happened to Valariel?”

“She is just having some meditation.”

“It is rude to enter someone’s mind without their knowledge.” But I believe that she is fine. Teclis is quite soft and understanding compared to other high elves. He won’t hurt her.

“Why are you here?” I prod

“What is this place?”

“The Warp”

“The Warp?” I forgot people in Warhammer Fantasy have no knowledge of this place

“The place where magic, daemons, and Chaos Gods come from.” I explained the Warhammer Fantasy explanation of the place.

“Surprisingly empty.”

Teclis POV

The daemon thought long at my demand. As accepting it will forever bound it to my will. This is the safest way. I cannot make any compromise.

“My name...” The daemon starts to speak.

I’m surprised yet again. The daemon must be desperate. Why so? A daemon that falls out of the dark gods favor? But it doesn’t matter. It will reveal everything after it gives me its true name.

“My name is...” The daemon starts to clutch its head.

“My name is...” It repeats.

The daemon starts to clutch its head even harder. Repeating the word over and over. Then it stops.

“My, my... what are we talking about?” It asked as if lost.

I frowned. Things are never straightforward with daemons. I repeat my offer. And like a broken thing it repeats the same thing.

“W-what are we talking about?” It asked again. As if not recalling my demand for its true name.

“Forget it. How about you tell me who is Valariel’s father is?” With that avenue for answer blocked by some other power, I return to my initial plan.

It moves its head to face me.

“Have you spoken to Asahane yet?”

“No. I have to make sure Valariel is stable.” After all, she is the first case of a soul wholly intact that returns after daemonic possession.

“I think... You will regret knowing that.” I chuckle at the notion of regret knowing the truth.

Such a thing is absurd. Why should I? It’s not like Valariel and I are related. Then I pause.

“That's impossible.” The notion that this daemon always tells the truth gnaws at me again.

it’s empty face keeps gazing at me like a mirror to my own mind.

I have never met Asahane before.

You remember every high elf you have bedded before.

I know their every name

And you know there is only a handful of them

But then who...

...

“Tyrion”