-The Story So Far-
And so Olberic triumphed over Gustav the Black Knight in Victor's Hollow in an epic struggle.
Gustav shared the story of Erhardt's past, a tale of a home lost while a king sat idly by, and how Erhardt swore vengeance upon the crown.
"Did you wield your blade only for vengeance, old friend?"
"What do you fight for now that the thirst is sated?"
"Have you too lost your purpose?"
Olberic sought answers to these questions-Answers he knew would only come after a clash of blades.
And so did Olberic and his companions arrive in Wellspring.
"Wellspring...we've finally arrived." Olberic said.
"Now we should ask about Erhardt." Yaoyorozu said. "Excuse me, mam, but do you know of a man named Erhardt?"
"Yes. Of course I've heard of him. He's a bit of a hero around these parts, defending out small town against the horrifying lizardmen." a woman said before walking off.
"Lizardmen...of course. They are found of warm areas such as deserts." Hera said.
"You know alot about them, Hera?" Izuku asked.
"Of course she does, she's a Lamia. They are reptiles too." Rainbow said.
"First off, that's offensive thinking all reptiles know one another. Second, I know of them as savage monsters who attack without discrimination." Hera said.
"There are few that have some intellect, but in most books I've read, they're just nothing but mindless monsters." Jade said.
"So why is Erhardt defending wellspring from them? I thought he betrayed you and Hornburg, Olberic." Starlight said.
"I do not know...all I can do is ask him." Olberic said. "The townspeople seem to trust him as a hero. But I need to find him and get my truth."
"I think I have an idea where he's gone. Look." Vector said pointing to soldiers heading out to the desert.
"They're likely going to fight a lizardman raid." Hera said.
"So let's follow em. Maybe we can give them a hand." Eijiro said.
"It's not so easy." Hera said. "Lizardmen may seem mindless but they act organized and well prepared with their chieftains leading them."
"I see. Then we should focus on eliminating their leaders first. Once they're gone, their organized union will crumble." Kid said.
"If I remember the map right, there should be some caves further into the desert. That has to be where they're coming from." Sunset said.
"Me and Olberic can handle slaying the Lizardmen chieftains. You can focus on the soldiers." Hera said.
"Sounds simple enough. Let's do it!" Mina said.
And so the heroes went into the caves further in the Sandlands and spread out, keeping the Lizardmen busy. Olberic and Hera entered the caves where they saw Erhardt battling off the lizardmen single handedly but was quickly being surrounded. But Olberic quickly entered the fray as he helped Erhardt fight them off. "Olberic...of all the…"
"How long has it been, Erhardt?" Olberic asked.
"Long. Too long." Erhardt said.
"Erhardt...I need to…" Olberic said before the three heard a loud roar.
"That sounded like the leaders of the horde. Didn't think they'd venture this far. If we take them down, the rest will be easy to disperse." Erhardt said.
"I'll take the right one." Olberic said.
"Then the left is mine. Be careful, these monsters are a lot more cunning than they look." Erhardt said running to the left corridor.
"Olberic...leave the chieftain to me." Hera said slithering off down the right. She continued till she came across a large lizardman with a shield and sword with its minions beside it. "Ah...you shield your followers...foolish but very prideful." Hera said.
The lizardman chieftain roared as its minions rushed at Hera.
"The Serpent's Silencer." Hera said swinging her blade in a straight line, decapitating both lizardman minions.
The chieftain roared as it charged at her.
"I apologize...but I have been raised a gladiator...I have no need for mercy against monsters like you." Hera said tossing her sword at the monster, piercing its heart and pinning it to the wall. "It's done." she said retrieving her sword before slithering back to the cave entrance where the heroes had just arrived after dealing with the Lizardmen outside.
"So, you slew yours too?" Erhardt asked.
"Aye." Olberic said.
"Good. Without the leaders, the tribe will descend into chaos and confusion and then we can slay them at our leisure." Erhardt said. "So...how did you find me?"
"Gustav told me." Olberic said.
"I see. How is that man? Still in one piece?" Erhardt asked.
"He fights to earn his keep. He also told me about Grynd." Olberic said.
"Did he tell you about the soldiers who went and burned it down to the ground? And how the king did nothing to save us? I was thankful when that band of sellswords picked me up...and when they planned to destroy Hornburg, I was more than thrilled. I spent those years working my way up to that final battle where I would end the king. I thought it would bring an end to this despair and emptiness. But in the end...it didn't." Erhardt said.
"Revenge didn't do anything for you." Roku said.
"After Hornburg's fall, we disbanded. My wanderings lead me to Wellspring where I found some solace. So I stayed and became the town's protector. The only kind of retribution I can pay." Erhardt said.
"Erhardt...draw your blade." Olberic said drawing his sword.
Erhart did the same. "You still wish to cross blades with me? Even after all these years?"
"Erhardt, I cannot go on and pretend to understand why you did what you did. And though I search my heart, I cannot find forgiveness. I cannot lose these feelings until we fight here and now. This time...I will not lose. For warriors such as us...there is no other way." Olberic said.
"I could tell you to learn from my mistakes, but then...who would I be to tell you that. Don't hold back." Erhardt said.
"Nor you." Olberic said.
"For honor...and truth!" the two of them said as they clashed blades.
"Whoa...this is intense." Applejack said.
"This is a fight between men and warriors. It's the only way either of them can find solace." Elfman said.
"This is just...so manly man." Eijiro said being moved to tears.
After a long going clash between Olberic and Erhardt, Olberic came out winner. "So...how do you feel?" Olberic asked.
"It's odd. Even though I used all my strength, it felt like you were protected by a greater power. For the first time in a long while...I regret nothing." Erhardt said.
"Aye." Olberic said. "Tell me one thing...who was he? The leader of your little band? The one who plotted Hornburg's fall?"
"Olberic, leave it be." Erhardt said.
"Yeah...you beat Erhardt, isn't that enough?" Mina asked.
"No. He brought down a kingdom. Our kingdom! Who knows what such a man is plotting now. Nay, such a fiend is too dangerous for this world." Olberic said.
"You want to stop him." Jexi said.
"I do." Olberic said.
"I see. The man's name is Werner." Erhardt said.
"And where is the bastard?" Asta asked.
"After the fall of Hornburg, he departed for Riverford in the farthest part of the Riverlands. We have no clue what became of him after such." Erhardt said.
"Men like that tend to leave a trail." Olberic said.
"Until someone stops them in their tracks." Erhardt said.
"We should be going soon." Jexi said.
"Hold it. If you all mean to go up against Werner, all I can say is this. Watch your backs." Erhardt said. "I've never seen anyone swing a blade like him and can strike fear within one's hearts. Be well advised to fear him."
"Heh. He should be the one to fear us." Bakugo said.
"We'll take your advice to heart." Sora said. "For now...we're off to Riverford."
And so Olberic and company bid farewell to Wellspring.
For too long, had he forgotten a simple truth. He wields his blade to protect the people. And that means...he cannot let the mortal foe of Hornburg roam free.
So he sets off to Riverford where his long journey may end…
