Unmei Force: Vengeance
Prologue: Once Upon A Time, In a Faraway Land...
Story A/N: A warning beforehand for the reader, in this arc, Richard will be overly murder-happy and cruel. If you don't like anti-hero characteristics being flaunted throughout this arc, then please refrain from reading this, but do not complain about what the story may contain, as I have given fair warning here. A additional warning that there will be much more graphic death and implied sexual acts in the story, so the squeamish might want to shy away from those parts in particular.
In the GFS Ryujin's bridge...
Richard walked into the bridge, as he looked around, seeing that his bridge crew were hard at work, maintain the space fortress in its entirety. He then smiled, as he was quite content with the fact that everything was proceeding well for the recent few days.
So far, he remembered that Nitori found a surprise in her database, in the form of the Sistermon Trio. When he went over to check with a surprised Nitori, who didn't expect the Sistermon to be able to bypass the defences she placed on the storage network, where the rest of the Digimon partners were. However, when he met with them, he easily figured out that the Sistermon Trio actually used brute force to barge their way into the storage server, and succeeded with little ease, considering that they were quite powerful in their own right, especially with Sistermon Ciel leading her other two younger sisters.
Turns out that Sistermon Ciel was quite unhappy with the fact that their Digimon partners were slacking off in their long stay within the storage servers, and decided to shape them up, so that their skill and strength will not have worn away from being side-lined for so long. How the Sistermon managed to bring the Digimon training equipment into the servers without causing any more complications, was something that Richard was curious to figure out, but decided against trying to pry into it, considering that they have their own ways of doing things.
All in all, he left a satisfied leader, considering that he would be happy to welcome more allies into his organisation, regardless of their role, and their Digimon will be able to maintain their experience and potential with the Sistermon Trio supervising them, maybe even grow yet stronger as a result.
'I wonder what the future will have in wait for us... All these X-Stones... all of the things we went through...' Richard thought, looking at the outer space that was illuminated by the various stars and planets in their surroundings. 'I can only imagine the adversities we will face. However, we're no strangers to facing trouble in our lives, and we'll strive to see our quest through, until our homeland can be safe once more...'
Suddenly, Richard's thoughts were cut short, as the transmitter on the captain's chair was letting out a shrill ring, as well as flashing. Richard heard the shrill ringing, as he walked over to the large chair, and sat himself down, before activating the transmitter with a few key presses, as a large screen, showing the main lab within the research block of the fortress, as Nitori was the one who was calling Richard at the moment.
"Nitori. Is there anything you like to tell me?" Richard asked with a stoic expression and tone.
"Yes. We managed to finally locate the final X-Stone signature." Nitori answered with a nod. "I've patched the coordinates to your personal database, so that you can use them to get to the world immediately."
"That's good." Richard responded back, before he slowly stood up. "Have you got any footage of the world that the X-Stone is currently in? I need to get a good idea of where we're going, if we're going to decide who's on the mission."
"Don't worry, we have created a snippet of footage that has been created real-time." Nitori answered back, before the very footage replaced the screen itself.
On it was a large army of soldiers, who seemed to be at medieval-era technology, with siege towers, catapults and knights within the army. Seeing this, Richard pondered about the fact that whether Corrin and her friends would be most experienced in this kind of setting, as well as Link. To him, he found that considering their original worlds, they would fit in suitably well with the residents of this world.
But his thoughts immediately melted away, when he saw the banners and flags waved above the army, as it caused him to choke on his breath, when he found the symbol of the army to be quite familiar, even if it is small on the screen. He immediately zoomed in on several of the flags, as he was met by a series of red flags, one with black entwined snakes, and one with a red and green deer, and another with a green boar behind a yellow background.
"Those are... Those are...!" Richard exclaimed, as his hands trembled at the sight of the flags, before he then closed the footage, returning the screen back to Nitori. "Nitori, what are the destination of the army? Can you reliably predict it?"
"Of course, I can tell you that they're heading towards a stronghold located in the visible range, within a dry plain. ETA? A day or so." Nitori stated.
"Stronghold... Flags... Army... Red.." Richard muttered under his breath, before he then realised what the world was, and immediately dreaded the fact. "Oh... fuck..."
"Richard? Something wrong?" Nitori asked with concern, seeing Richard's spooked expression, and his swearing.
"Nitori, I think you have done enough." Richard answered back, before he then moved his hand to close the transmission.
"Richard, what's wrong-" Nitori was about to ask, before Richard cut the call off. He then immediately stood out of the captain's chair, as his expression was sour.
"Of all the worlds... Of all the worlds that I was expecting one of those X-Stones to be... And it has to be this one..." Richard stated with a growl, as he immediately entered the elevator "Oh, this is going to be hell on the minds and bodies of those who are joining me..."
A few moments later, in the main meeting room...
All current members of the Unmei Force, including Erika, who was present on a holographic projector that was carried in by Sanae. As the members took their seats, Richard immediately sat down as well, with a grim expression.
"I'm sorry for the fact that this meeting is so sudden..." Richard spoke to everyone. "But we have a urgent issue at hand, and one that warrants notice for all of you immediately."
"You look so disturbed, Richard..." Ieyasu remarked. "What seems to be the problem?"
"Everyone, we have our next target, the world where the last X-Stone is located." Richard answered back, before he then clasped his hands together. "Unfortunately, that's the issue at hand: The world itself."
"The world itself..." Sanae muttered, before turning to Richard. "Do you mean that the world has several things that we need to watch out for, in regards of ourselves?"
"You could say that. Although it's not specific to several individuals, Sanae. I hoped it was, because the problem would be easily rectified." Richard sighed deeply, shaking his head. "No, this is a general problem, a problem that goes out to everyone who would be assigned to this world."
"Then what is this world then?" Gus asked. "Surely you must know it, if you know what's wrong about it."
"Indeed I do." Richard answered back. "The next X-Stone... is in the world of Berserk. Mid-Golden Age Arc specifically."
Sanae's jaw immediately dropped, as her face paled greatly hearing Richard's statement, while the others, who didn't know the meaning behind Richard's words were left stumped.
"So, what's the problem then?" Marisa asked, not knowing what has caused Richard and Sanae to have these kinds of reactions.
"The problem is, Marisa..." Richard stated, before he then slammed both of his hands. "Is that this world is very much a place that none of you would like to stay in for anything longer than a day."
"How so?" Reimu asked. "Is it because of the fact that the world is torn by darkness? We've dealt with that before, Richard. There is nothing to worry about. We can take care of the recent members ourselves if needed."
"...I suppose if I don't explain what Berserk entails... You'd have no clue about what you're about to walk into..." Richard stated, before he turned to Sanae. "Sanae, if you could-"
"Nuh-uh, no way." Sanae strongly refused, shaking her head with a disgusted expression. "There is no way I'm going to dignify that damn... damn overly grim-dark fandom with a proper explanation! It's a hell-hole in canon, and I just can't bring myself to talk about it right before these kinds of people, especially not Elma of all people!"
"Why specifically me, Sanae?" Elma stated. "Is there something that you might think that would be considered a great insult from me?"
"...I see. Then it falls to me, as much it irks me..." Richard groaned. "Alright, let's start with what I can tell you without any of you paling like ghosts, or literally trying to stop yourself from retching. The world of Berserk, pre-Eclipse, is a fairly decent world. We have our typical war between equally corrupted and twisted human kingdoms, and the fact that the war is not a pretty thing. It's more or less without medieval ages, except the fancy monsters and magic is rarely seen at all."
"And...? What is this Eclipse?" Corrin asked Richard.
"The Eclipse... I rather not describe it. When the time comes, you'll see that it is the most despairing and dreadful event that heralded the world turning to an utterly cruel hell for everyone present on the world." Richard continued. "The real problems starts after the Eclipse itself. I'll simplify the Eclipse as the event where demons and monsters finally decide to show themselves and ravage the world. And considering that the kingdoms lack magic... The conclusion of how grossly over-matched, the humans are against the demons. But that's not the worst part of it all..."
Everyone silently waited for Richard to continue, although they all started to feel a sense of dread well up in their hearts, as if they instinctively tried to stop themselves from prying further. Yet, Velouria continued to ask Richard, "What is the worst of it all then?" She asked.
"The worst part of it all... is that this world is a hell-hole, from beginning to end, and the Eclipse was the tipping point." Richard answered back. "This world, is the exact opposite of a fairy-tale. The cruel reality is everywhere to be seen, and life is a living hell for everyone in there. The demons do unspeakable things, from raping their victims to death, to making the last living moments of their victims as agonising as they can make it, or even properly inducing despair into people to feed on said emotion. Combined with the fact that the people there have no power to resist the darkness... This world is considered to be one of the darkest worlds to be in, solely because of the fact that the status quo is for people to suffer."
Richard let his words hangs, as everyone was speechless at the horrifying truth regarding the world they were going to, as Gus was left sputtering, trying to comprehend how a world could possibly be so cruel to have such things being a common occurrence, while Reimu's expression darkened. Marisa was silent, as she slumped into her chair, Ieyasu's frown grew deeper, Corrin's expression of one of disbelief, Gunter was trying his best to comfort Corrin, Velouria was disgusted, and Virion grit his teeth in anger. Elma was completely horrified, as her hands were on her mouth, with wide eyes, and Antonio was literally shocked silent. The only ones who remained calm through the entire description was Meiling, Link, Fox and Reisen.
"Shit... That's one messed up place." Antonio muttered with a revolted tone.
"Now that I said my piece, I'll tell you this. The team I was originally was going to send, before I realised what the place was, was going to be Corrin, Gunter, Velouria, Virion, Link, Reimu, Meiling, Gus, myself and Antonio." Richard informed the rest of the members. "But since this is Berserk... I'm giving any of guys the chance to opt out. Elma, if you are willing, Elma, you may join us. Your magic might be able to ensure the safety of the doomed residents of the world. If neither of you wish to come with me, I am in complete understanding, and I will respect your choice. No-one would willingly dare to set foot in such a cruel world, where death and suffering are the norm."
He then stood up, and slammed his fists on the table strongly, with a determined expression on his face. "But make no mistake. That X-Stone is our only hope of achieving our goals." Richard declared with a much stronger tone. "Even if I have to wade into that living hell myself, with none of you to support me, even if I have to sink to the same level as those demons... I will go, and I will remain until the despair-filled tale of this land has run its course, and the final piece of the puzzle is done. I've been through a greater hell than this, and I preserved. This will not stop me."
After a moment of silence, Gus then stood up, as he glared right at Richard. "If you're going, then I'm coming as well." Gus stated. "I've been by your side this entire time, and I've been there in times where you needed someone by your side. Even if it means having to become a evil, I will only become a necessary one, so that the greater evil will be thwarted, and I will stand by your side, regardless."
Reimu then stood up as well. "Don't try to act like that you're better than us, Richard." Reimu growled back. "You're going to need as much help as you need in that damned place. After all, a shrine maiden's duty is to purify and ward off demons. Except in my case, I am far more extreme for the like of unrepentant scums like them. I'm going, and don't think that you'll stop me."
"I concur. It would be cowardly of us, if we let you suffer through this alone." Meiling responded back as well, standing up, along with Link, who merely stared back with a tempered look in his eyes. "We will stay by your side, and we will not regret that choice, no matter what."
"I've strove to fight alongside you, to make sure that more and more lives will be able to be liberated from suffering and be able to live peaceful lives, Richard." Corrin stated. "I will not shirk from the duties that have been entrusted to all of us. As the daughter of a kingdom, it is my role to help and save lives, so that no more will have to die for a unjust cause."
Gunter, Velouria and Virion then rose up with Corrin. "Well, you know, if I rob the bandits and thieves in that world..." Velouria remarked. "It'll be counted as a penance fee for their incidents, right? I'd love to see what kind of shiny stuff this place would have. It's been a while since I used those claws to actually fight a battle."
"And I cannot possibly let any of my friends head off without myself." Virion strongly agreed. "That includes you, Richard, and every single one of you, who have took me in and given me a cause to fight for, and friends that will remain with me for a long time indeed. If the world is unjust, then we'll fight until the world is right once more."
"Well, I guess that it's either watching all of this happen, or playing a part in intervening in this..." Antonio sighed, before he then rose up. "Well, a son of Sonic the Hedgehog never backs down, especially not the face of people being tormented like this. All I can say is that I might see some grisly stuff, but I won't regret helping out, as long as there's progress."
Richard then turned to Elma, who suddenly snapped out of her fear, before she then stood up to join the others.
"I... I won't back down." Elma stated. "Everyone in that world deserved to be helped, and to be free of all the terrible things occurring there. Even if it takes a long time... I will be willing to do everything to achieve it, and I won't ever look away. Not again, after what had happened with Trillion."
"... But this is a different case, Elma." Richard warned Elma with a stern tone. "You will see for yourself the darkest facets of humanity, and the cruelest realities that the world will force upon you. You could possibly be scarred mentally, permanently even, by what you may see. Even so, do you dare to follow me into this world...?"
Elma strongly nodded, as Richard then turned to the others. "Do you share the same drive as Elma here?" He asked clearly to everyone standing.
They didn't respond back, although the silence was enough for Richard, as he knew that they were mostly definitely coming with him, even if they knew what they were getting themselves in.
'I am blessed to have friends that have such faith in me.' Richard thought with a warm smile, before he then spoke. "Very well, we leave by tomorrow then. Antonio, if you're coming with me, you're going to have to implant yourself with the biological masking chip, because you don't want to be mistaken as a demon as you are now. And on the same coin... Elma, do you have magic that can hide your horns, and also mask your demonic energy to a degree that requires thorough detection to notice?"
"Yes." Elma nodded. "Dear Brother Astaroth taught me it before... I really miss him."
"I know... Just know that his legacy is you, Elma..." Richard responded back with a soft look in his eyes. "As long you're fighting for us, he's proud that his sister is surrounded by friends, and fighting for the sake of the people."
Elma smiled warmly at that, before Richard then clapped his hands together. "Alright, everyone dismissed." He stated.
Everyone soon filed out of the room, as Richard grimaced slightly, as he mentally prepared himself for the events to come.
A day later, in a deserted plain...
Right in the plains, a young man lying on the dry ground, who had short spiked black hair under his steel helmet, with the T-shaped visor raised, woke up immediately to the sounds of distant rumbling, as his brown eyes opened with a single snap. He was clad in a steel breast-plate with leather straps between the parts of the chest armour, and a leather sash around his waist, and faded pants. Under his chest-plate was a worn black tunic, and he had a metal gauntlet on his left hand, and a bandaged wrist-guard on his right. Over his neck was a dirty beige scarf that wrapped around his neck. His weapon, a large great-sword laid beside him.
"...a dream? I just hope it's not some ill omen before the battle." The man spoke to himself, before he immediately got up, and picked up his weapon.
As he looked behind him, as the troops that he was working with, were already preparing to march, as the various banners were already raised, and the war drummers and horn-blowers were already positioned. He immediately took that as a sign to prepare for battle, lowering his visor, and raising his blade at the ready.
However, he then suddenly felt someone tapping on his shoulder. He immediately spun over, and came face to face with Richard, who was wearing a steel breast-plate, with a black cape behind his back, and black gauntlets, with both of his blades sheathed behind his back. The man immediately growled at the other black-haired person, especially at the calm expression on his face.
"What do you want?" The man grumbled to Richard. "Do you have something to say?"
"Not much." Richard responded back with a gentle nod, before he then gestured at the large blade in the man's hands. "That great-sword... By the looks of it, you seem to have trained with that blade for a fairly long time, haven't you? Honestly, I never seen anyone as young, but also as skilful as you."
The man merely scoffed at the flattery Richard was giving. "What of it?" Guts asked. "Are you some sort of noble, who is planning to recruit me into your little organisation?"
"Not quite." Richard chuckled lightly. "The spirit in your eyes seems to prove that you deserve more than to be a subordinate. I rather respect you as a fellow mercenary. I am genuinely respectful of your own individuality and strength. I simply hope that we'll meet each other again when the time is right. May I at least query of your name?"
"...Guts." Guts answered back with a pause.
"Guts... A intriguing name." Richard hummed, placing a hand on his chin. "I may as well respond with mine. I am , and I have come with my small band of friends to find some coin to support us. The men who offered us the positions in this battle seem to pay us well."
Guts merely turned away from Richard. "I've heard enough. Leave me alone." Guts responded back to Richard.
"As you wish. May you find success on the battlefield." Richard answered back, before he walked away.
As Richard left, Guts pondered who 'Raze' really was, although he didn't think much of it, as he had seen his fair share of mercenaries before. Young or old, rich or poor, they all have drives that brought them into the work of mercenaries. 'Raze', as he believed, was someone who didn't seem to be worried about the dangers of the work, and was working for money. Oddly, that didn't sit right with Guts, who knew that these two things are rarely seen in the same person.
Meanwhile, Richard moved back to his group, with Corrin, Gunter and Virion clad in their own gear from their respective homelands, Velouria in leather armour to accommodate with her agility and speed, Link dressed in a silver tunic with a steel chest-plate, shoulder-guards and chest-plates. Reimu in her own shrine-maiden robes, and Meiling dressed in oriental armour with steel gauntlets in her hands. Gus was dressed in full knight armour, which was made of a mix between strong alloys, giving the armour a slight white-greyish hue. Antonio was dressed in golden armour, as he found it suiting, and he had a large blade with a golden hilt with a crown embedded in the middle of its cross. Elma was dressed in white hooded mage robes, as Intry, her weapon was under a illusion to made it look like a simple wooden staff with a large floating purple crystal on the tip of it.
"So, how's everyone so far?" Richard asked, turning to Antonio. "Anthony, how are you feeling right now?"
"Fairly fine." Antonio asked, as he flexed the fingers on his hand, being now in human form. "I remember that the first time that you did this back then, it was with a prototype copy of the biological implant... Well, with the real thing in me, I don't have to worry about anything messing up my looks right now. Although... I preferred to be what I usually am..."
"Hm." Richard responded back, before turning to the others. "Are you all prepared?"
Everyone nodded in agreement, before the first horns sounded off, indicating the start of the battle.
"Alright, off to battle, crew!" Richard cried, before he then immediately turned towards the gate leading out of the main camp where the mercenaries have been gathered at. They then moved out of the main camp, and right into the battlefield, as Richard could see that Guts was rushing into battle ahead of them.
"Chaarge! Whoever brings me the Generals head, will get all the rewards he wants!" One of the army officers cried. "Use the siege weapons to get over the castle walls! Get rid of those in your way!"
Richard's group immediately split off, as they spread out to cover the entire front of the castle, as they struck through the soldiers in their way. Richard immediately headed towards the gate, as he saw a group of soldiers in his path, who immediately noticed him. However, Richard charged right into them, before they could do the same to him, as he immediately cut down the soldiers where they stood, before he reached the leader of the small squad. The squad leader immediately used his spear to try and attack Richard, only for his thrusts and swings to be parried with little effort by Richard. After a few strikes, Richard immediately side-stepped a downwards swing and cut the spear in two, leaving the leader shocked.
"Tch. Weak." Richard clicked his tongue with a unamused expression, before he then walked towards the leader, and immediately grabbed him and walked over to the gates, and threw him with enough force to crush the officer right on the gates, as he slid down the metal doors, coughing up blood from his mashed organs, and passing away in agony.
Richard then looked around, checking on his own allies, as Gunter gutted one of the soldiers by the lung with his refined lance, before the grizzled knight immediately flung the corpse off with a simple flick of his wrist. Corrin used her blade to strike down the enemy with ruthless efficiency, as her blade split men into pieces with each swing. However, none of them surprised Richard as much as when he saw a maniacally grinning Velouria sprinting around the fields, using her claws to turn all those in her path into bloody chunks of flesh.
'Damn... Looks like Velouria's really giving it her all on this.' Richard thought. 'Just wait until the bandits come...'
He then turned to the metal gates, sheathing his blades, as he cracked his knuckles. "Alright, time to bust that gate down, with some real firepower." Richard smirked. "Whoever is on the other side, is going to be in for a surprise."
He immediately charged up his magical power, as his hands were beginning to glow with fierce orange energy, that was growing brighter with each passing moment. When he was satisfied that he has enough power to burst the gate off, he immediately then placed both hands forward, and let his spell fly.
On another point of the battlefield, Gus heard a loud explosion, as he was fighting back to back with Antonio, against a horde of soldiers coming their way, as Gus managed to cut down the officer leading them, and Antonio was sweeping the other soldiers with wide cleaves. Both of them turned to the source, as they saw that the front gates of the castle was slightly damaged, and the metal gates was knocked off their hinges, allowing entry into the castle itself.
"Must be Richard..." Gus remarked, before he then made his way towards the open path into the castle.
"Hey, wait for me, Gus!" Antonio shouted, as he quickly flicked the blood that stained his blade off, before joining Gus.
On their way, they passed by a pair of mercenaries, who saw the carnage as well.
"Good lord... Who just blew the gates of this castle off...?" The first mercenary stated.
"Don't know, and I rather not try to figure it out." The second mercenary answered back. "Whoever it was, it must have been one powerful bastard. Glad they're on our sides, not theirs."
"Still, have you seen the women he was working with? Just look at the damn red-haired amazon that's bashing everyone to pulp with her fists and legs!" The first mercenary remarked. "If only I could get her, I would be the most happiest husband in this world for sure, because this woman is sexy, and damn strong!"
"Woah there, don't try picking people out of your league." The second mercenary reprimanded the first, with a smack to the helmet. "You think she's the kind to go with you? She'll break your legs, then your family jewels if you even try to go after her. Nah man, woman like her are better unmarried than married, because at least no-one stupid would try to seduce her."
"Fair enough... And I gotta say, that girl in the white robes really is cute. I'd argue that a girl like her has no place on a men's battlefield, but when she started healing everyone's wounds like nothing, I rather just accept that she's some sort of battle angel, blessing our side for victory." The first mercenary added.
"Yeah, dude... I just can't find it in me to do anything to her. She's just simply so pure that it makes me feel so dirty to even dare be in her help..." The second mercenary said as well.
Gus and Antonio looked at each other. "Don't look at me, I don't know how the hell Elma managed to make these mercenaries like her so much!" Antonio exclaimed with a flustered tone. "But jeez, this is real messed up... I thought these bastards would have said anything else, because hearing that they're idolising her... That sounds so wrong."
"There's worse thing, Anthony. There's worse things." Gus answered back.
Soon, they passed through the gates, as they caught sight of Richard beheading one of the officers, as he was standing on the dislodged metal gates, which had pools of blood underneath them, presumably from the gate crushing unfortunate soldiers under it. When he noticed his friend, Richard immediately dropped the head and walked over to them.
"Well, how goes clearing the field outside the castle, friends?" Richard asked.
"Ri- Raze, did you just...?" Gus asked with a horrified expression.
"What? I gave them a chance to surrender, or get out of my way, so that I could take the head of their general." Richard responded back with a shrug. "They chose neither, so I slaughtered them. It's not my fault that there's nothing else to the mission than killing the general of this castle. If these bastards want to get in our way, I'll be happy to eradicate them."
Richard then turned away from the two of them. "Either way, I'm going deeper into the castle. You two help the western front, by finding a way to break open the gates. I'm going to see if I can find the general and end this battle quickly, and if you see the others, help them out." He stated, before he then rushed down one of the streets, disappearing from both of their sights. "
Gus and Antonio immediately turned west, as they saw that there were rocks being launched over the castle, right over the gates. "Let me guess... Catapult?" Antonio remarked.
"Your guess is good as mine, Anthony." Gus answered back, before both of them followed through the direction to the catapult.
They reached a small stair-way to a large tower, where the catapult was mounted, and was firing at the western front of the allied army. Before they could proceed, they were stopped by a commander, wielding a large axe.
"You would dare to try and take the catapult?" The commander growled. "You will never have it, until it's over our dead bodies!"
"Careful how you word that..." Antonio retorted back, as he readied his blade, and lowered into a charging stance. "Because you're going to regret saying that."
"And what can two mere mercenaries do against my garrison, you brats-" The commander mocked, before Antonio immediately darted towards the garrison with speeds that the soldiers could barely see and follow, as Antonio's slash came so quickly that it trapped the entire squad in a cyclone of slashes, as the soldiers were cut down at rapid succession, frightening the commander. "Wha- What is this...!?"
Suddenly, he felt the blade carve right through his back and slice through his spine, as he immediately dropped dead from where he stood. At that moment, Antonio immediately halted himself, as his blade was surprisingly clean from the attack.
"Alright then, that's taken care of." Antonio responded back. "How are we going to deal with this, Gus?"
"I have my ways, and hopefully this should be enough." Gus responded back, as he raised a hand, as it glowed with fire magic. After a few moments, the wooden catapult was hit by a blast of fire that ignited it, as the screams of its crew rang out from afar, before they ceased. "There, that should take care of it."
Suddenly, they heard the western gate of the castle break open, as they reached over, and found that the invading army forces were already pouring in through the breached gates.
"All units, rush the castle! Rush the wards!" The leader of the army front cried out to his men.
Meanwhile, with Richard, he cut through the last of the enemies, as he slew the gatekeeper before him, while the rest of the mercenary forces followed him.
"Hehe, now that's a good job done!" One of the mercenaries chuckled, before he immediately moved to open the gates before him. "I'm going on ahead...!"
He then kicked the gates open, as the invading army rushed in. As expected, they came face to face with the enemy general and his guards, with the general being a a man clad in thick and heavy metal armour, which seemed quite round, and his helmet was almost spherical. In his hands was a large great-axe.
"I'll take your head!" The mercenary cried, as he charged the enemy general with his weapon raised. However, the general immediately shifted his axe to the side, before he then roared, and swung the axe's blade right into the neck of the charging mercenary, stopping him mid-charge. The dying mercenary choked in agony, as blood spurted from the large wound on his neck, before he was flung off the axe, thrown right in front of the gathered soldiers.
"You bastard! Don't think you'll win against all of us together!" Another mercenary cried, as many soldiers charged at the enemy general at once.
However, all they accomplished was their own deaths, as the general swung his axe with such might, that the bodies of those struck were sent flying, spilling blood all over the castle ward, as the few blows that they could land did nothing against his armour, and their shield were rend apart with a single strike from the axe. As soon as all of them were killed off, the general turned back to the group of soldiers, who were quivering in fear, as he laughed cruelly.
"It's Bazuso!" One of the mercenaries near Richard cried, with a shaking finger raised up. "The one who killed thirty men at once!"
"I heard he fought a bear, and he won!" Another of the mercenaries cried.
"What's wrong!?" Bazuso mocked, his voice muffled through the helmet, as he did a beckoning hand-sign with his right hand. "If you want your head smashed in, step right up!"
However, no-one dared to come out to face Bazuso, as they slowly backed away. Yet, Richard remained where he was, and smirked, before stepping towards Bazuso. After he was in fair distance from Bazuso, he then turned his head to the allied front commander.
"Say, I recall that if I personally slay Bazuso, the general over here, I have all the rights to the rewards paid after, right?" Richard asked, gesturing at Bazuso. "After all, I'm in it for the money. If you give me a fair offer, then I'll gladly fight the general for you."
"O-Of course." The commander answered back. "If you really manage to kill him, I'll give you 10... no, 7 gold coins!"
"Pft, cheap." Richard scoffed. "Tell you what, I'll forgo the money, if you make absolutely sure that my feat is properly recorded, and will be publicly recognised as fit of the achievement. Sounds like a better deal, commander?"
"...Very well." The commander answered back. "If you manage to slay Bazuso, then I will make sure it is recognised."
"Then deal it is then." Richard smirked, before he turned around. "Right then, Bazuso. They say you slain bears before. I wonder if you'll be able to give me a proper fight, unlike the rest of your incompetent commanders."
"You'll regret this, kid. Getting your head smashed for mere recognition." Bazuso mocked. "For a young and smooth-skinned brat like you to be on the battlefield.. the enemy side truly must be desperate then."
Richard merely drew his blades. "Well then, why don't you see for yourself then?" He responded back, before he charged at Bazuso.
Bazuso immediately prepared to swing his axe down onto Richard's head, as he then brought it down. However, Richard predicted the attack from Bazuso's posture, and immediately side-stepped, before then slashing at Bazuso's chest with his blades, as his slashes managed to strike precisely on the armour, causing the metal to bend under the force of the blades, as Bazuso was knocked back. The larger knight immediately swung again to hit Richard, this time using a horizontal strike. However, that too was evaded, as Richard ducked under, and kicked Bazuso in the chest hard enough to cause him to stagger back.
"H-hey, that kid... He's pushing Bazuso back... And he's not even breaking a sweat...!" One of the watching mercenaries exclaimed.
"Damn it, don't get too cocky, kid! Your head is mine!" Bazuso growled, before he then stomped right at Richard, charging forward with his axe in a defensive stance.
As Richard slowly shifted his own posture to prepare for the blow, Bazuso immediately jumped, before he then swung his axe over his head, and right down on Richard, hoping that his most powerful strike would be able to break his guard and finish him off. Yet, Richard was enduring, as he crossed his blades in a guarding stance, as the axe's blade pushed against them. Richard then twisted himself around, spinning away from the falling axe, and then slamming both of his blades right into Bazuso's side, as it punched right through his armour, evident from the blood shooting out of the cut made by the blades.
Bazuso immediately froze up, as he tried to lift his axe up and strike at Richard, only for the dual-bladed warrior to swing his blades down on Bazuso's hands, as the force of the strike severed them cleanly on the wrists, causing Bazuso to scream in pain, as he tried to stop the blood spurting out of the stumps.
As Bazuso wailed and cried, Richard then walked right in front of Bazuso, and placed one of his blades on his back, and wielded the other blade with both of his hands, like a katana.
"You know, turns out that the infamous Bazuso is not so might after all." Richard stated with a sneer, before it then faded into disappointment. "The only reason you were able to survive fighting the 30 men in your little tale was because of your resilience and the mighty strength you have. It pains me how slow your own blows are, that this fight ended so quickly. Since you lose..."
Richard then prepared his blade, as Bazuso began to look at Richard with fearful eyes, as he tried to back-away, as his fear only grew when he saw the cruel grin on Richard's face. "Your. Head. Is. MINE."
He then struck right through Bazuso's neck with a single swipe, as the head dropped and rolled towards Richard's feet, as he picked it up. He then glanced at the guard of the late Bazuso, who were in utter disbelief at how their leader was killed so quickly and flawlessly by him. The mercenaries on Richard's side, immediately took the opportunity to charge the guard and annihilate them.
Richard then turned away from the fight, as he walked out of the ward. As he did though, he immediately looked up to the balcony above the castle, as he saw a few figures on it. As he looked at them, he gave them a smile, before then turning and leaving.
He then came face-to-face with Guts, who was covered in blood all over, with his large blade in the same state. For some reason, he was glaring at Richard.
"Ah, Guts." Richard greeted Guts with a calm tone. "We meet again."
"How did you manage to take care of the enemy general before I did?" Guts asked Richard in a almost demanding tone.
"Found the quickest way to the enemy general, I guess." Richard answered back. "Turns out the enemy general, although fairly formidable, was no match for me. I take it that you've been contributing a lot to the battlefield, haven't you?"
Suddenly, Guts grabbed Richard by the collar. "Listen here." Gus snarled at Richard. "I don't know who are you, or what your purpose is, but don't try to act like you're going to be my friend, or anything! I needed the money from the contract, and you took my chance to get myself extra money on all of this."
"Well, I can't exactly blame you for detesting the fact that I slain the enemy general." Richard answered back. "However, Guts, I would like to ask you something. Other than money, is there really no other purpose that you fight on the battlefield? Is it because it's your nature to fight with blade and heart, or are you looking for a purpose yourself?"
Guts was silent, as Richard then walked past Guts. "Tell you what, if you stay after you get paid, I'll share a part of whatever I've gotten. You're a fairly decent man, Guts, with that mindset of yours." Richard offered. "So it would be a shame if you didn't get your rightful pay from all of this bloodshed. Consider it goodwill from one mercenary to another."
Richard then walked past Guts, not noticing the latter's hands clench into tight fists.
At the payment post...
Richard then waited for the mercenary in front of him to receive their payment, before he moved up and faced the army commander, who immediately dropped a large amount of silver coins in front of Richard on the table he was sitting on.
"Here's your reward for you contribution in this battle. I don't know why you weren't contracted, but you managed to turn the tide of this battle to our favour." The commander told Richard.
"Yeah, that's fair." Richard answered back, placing the coins in his own bag of money. "Oh right, remember the promise that I made?"
"Yes yes, we'll keep it." The commander answered back, before Richard then turned to leave. "Next!"
Richard then walked away, as he looked at Guts, who was far back on the line, before he then walked to his group.
"So... How is everyone currently? Nothing bad happening with any of you?" Richard asked them.
"Well, we've gotten our payments without much fuss, not even for Reimu." Gus stated, looking at Reimu, who seemed fairly bitter about being paid so little, in comparison to Richard. Richard sighed, as he transferred some of his own coins into Reimu's bag, as a attempt to placate her foul mood about the matter.
"Right then... I may have sort of done a bit of a oopsie." Richard remarked back, rubbing the back of his head.
"And what is that mistake?" Link asked back.
"Well, you know the enemy general, Bazuso, right?" Richard asked them back. "He's the owner of the head that I was carrying. I decided to have some fun and take the glory myself, but I forgot that Guts only got recognised by the Band of the Hawk because he killed Bazuso himself. So I may have caused a Butterfly Effect, so to say."
"...You're utterly reckless." Meiling berated Richard sharply.
"I know, I know!" Richard shouted back, before he clutched his face with his hand and sighed deeply. "Hopefully, reality will bend itself around, so that Guts has some other remarkable feat, so that means that in addition for Guts, their leader wants a piece of me as well. At least this way, everything goes as planned, and we don't make ourselves look like fools doing so."
"I hope so as well... I dread to think what kind of things could go wrong in this place, if you and Sanae are repelled by the presence of this world..." Corrin muttered back.
Soon enough, Richard saw Guts finish receiving his payment for the battle, before he then walked through the crowd of mercenaries. Richard immediately moved over to him, as the two of them met in the middle of the crowd.
Wordlessly, Guts looked at Richard, before Richard then pulled out a small pouch of coins he prepared beforehand, and held it in front of Guts. And still, without any banter between them, Guts took the money, as Richard nodded, before the two of them turned away from each other, as Richard returned to the group.
"Now what do we do, Raze?" Gus asked.
"We wait." Richard answered back. "And then we leave this place, hopefully meeting the Band of the Hawk, and if lucky, Guts as well."
The group then looked for a place to bide their time, waiting for the right time for the events of this world to proceed.