The crackling, orange, flickering flames roaring up to the skies reflected in Asher’s golden eyes. Seated on a log, leaning forward with a thick coat over him, Asher calmly ate the stew from the bowl in his hand.
There were hundreds of gatherings around fireplaces as the knights ate ravenously. It took two more days to round up and utterly wiped out the orc army.
After three days of intense battle, a stew this aromatic was a good reward. After all, there wasn’t a proper time to prepare a good meal with the threat of the orcs hanging over their heads.
“This is good.” Galanar nodded. He was amongst those that sat in the company of Asher. All of them could be considered leaders in the army.
“A hearty meal after a battle is a nice touch.” Omar chuckled. He dipped his spoon into the stew, put the contents in his mouth and began to chew.
“You’re something with the sword, aren’t you, Nero.”
Galanar looked at Nero. The silent BloodBlade lifted up his head, his eyes sharp.
Galanar leaned back a bit. The tension vapourized when Nero revealed a little smile before pointing at Sirius sleeping beside Asher’s tent.
“That’s the real danger.”
Eleazar, Simon, Levi, Moses, Galanar, Omar and Asher looked at the white wolf.
“It still can’t believe it ate an abyss beast and still lives.” Moses remarked.
“He can’t be affected by the abyss force.” Asher’s deep voice fell into their ears. Not even Omar’s voice could match the depth of Asher’s voice. It was like a drum—deep, soothing yet heavy.
Like his words carried an actual weight!
Their respect for Asher deepened after the battle. After all, none of them thought they could see their bones protruding from their flesh and not scream or even fathom the idea of punching an icicle as big as a building.
They all knew Asher could easily escape but he chose to save them.
Along with him calling them his brothers.
These men couldn’t forget it.
“I mean no disrespect, My Lord, but what do you mean?” Simon asked.
Asher faced him. “In times of old, energy wasn’t called force but mana. It was further splitted into magi force and battle force and later on abyss force was born. Sirius is a divine beast, it has the ability to assimilate the force merging them back into mana.”
“In times of old…” Simon muttered.
Asher glanced at all of them. “I have a question for you all.”
Everyone looked at him with different expressions but one thing was certain. They were all curious.
“Who do you think I am?”
“My Lord.” Nero replied firmly.
Asher smiled before turning to the others.
“My saviour.” Moses said softly.
“Achilles.” This was Eleazar’s and Levi’s reply.
“Duke Asher Ashbourne, last of his line. Conqueror of the north… and a gracious lord.” Simon replied.
“My General.” Galanar’s tone was firm and unwavering.
Omar looked at the chattering knights around other fireplaces. “To them, you are many things, a man touched by God, renowned in battle, favoured by nature, marked by the first…”
He took a deep breath. “… To me, you are the first of your kind. It pains me that we might never get another like you after you’re gone. It is an honour to fight by your side as it’s a memory I will ensure will be pass down my generation. Even if the view of the world about you is twisted later on, I and my generation shall remember the truth. I know I look into the eyes of the man who will restore the endless north, bringing it glory no one has ever given.”
Omar smiled bitterly.
Asher blinked. He could feel Omar’s bitterness came from the fact that he wasn’t immortal.
“We better build what we can before old age.” Asher rose up and patted Omar’s shoulder. He was the biggest of them all yet there was something about his heart was Asher considered special.
Omar nodded.
Nero stopped eating. Although no one could gauge what he thought since his yellow snake eye made it seem like he was already in a battle mode, it seemed like Omar’s words got to him.
Lifting his head, Asher looked beyond his army, staring at the lands at the horizon.
“Come to think of it. What lies beyond this border?”
“We still don’t know. But we think there should be the scattered remains of the brown bear beastmen and the last of the white clan there.” Galanar said.
“White clan. You mean the clan that once produced Kryos next vessel.”
Omar and Galanar nodded. “General Aldrich believed only those of direct bloodline were wiped out.”
‘killing all Ashbournes is the same thing as wiping us out. After all, no matter how much my subordinates call the land Ashbourne Dukedom, it’s not the same without us. Áthánatos…’
Asher’s eyes narrowed.
“I believe it’s a ravaged land, conquered by abyss force which is why we can’t see anything except snow.” Omar said.
“You haven’t gone further in, how are you certain?” Galanar retorted.
“Is there a need to go in? We rather build a wall and garrison a troop to protect the wall against the horrors of that land.”
“You’re just speculating.” Galanar laughed.
“And you’ve been spitting words based on baseless beliefs.” Omar spat.
“That is enough.” Asher said softly. “We shall take it…”
Omar and Galanar’s eyes widened.
Fortunately, Asher added more words.
“… In due time. I want to touch the walls of the Black Iron Mountain before I die.”
‘If he plans on conquering all these lands, won’t it be as large as an empire! Although the endless north never had an empire it was said to be as big as one.’
Simon thought.
“What about other clans beyond the borders of Dothan?” Asher asked.
“Beyond Mount Seir is Clan El. A powerful clan with five cities. I heard they have a guardian mythical beast that grants their soldiers the power to control water.”
‘Clan El.’
Asher’s eyes widened. He recalled Zanoah Ashbourne speaking to him about Clan El. Apparently, this clan shouldn’t be a foe.
“Dothan wasn’t their match but they are too powerful to bother about us. Besides, they’re far too. But they’re not the most powerful in these parts.”
“Oh? Which clan is the most?”
“It’s not a clan.” Both Omar and Galanar said at the same time.