Knowledge is power
An unknown amount of time passed
NOD base
Prisoner Cell
The Wandering Scholar POV
Argh… My head… Where am I? Heaven? Pandemonium? Oh. I am in a strange room. But that is not remembered or is it? Let me recall this incident. Think. Think. I remembered that I am travelling on a ship to the Mist continent. Although risky, it will be a good opportunity for me to search for any mamonos for my research until the storm hits our ship. I mean really hit hard. And then… I can't remember after that.
Am I seeing something wrong? This room is… different. There is no window or door on each wall but a metal cell on one side as an entrance. I am feeling that I am in some sort of prison. The room is cramped and gloomy with a shade of red and orange. In front of me, I can see a large metal box along with something hanging on my robe. On my right, I can see a large mirror and basin (mistaken for a sink) as well. As I get up on my bed, I am wearing a brown shirt and black pants. What in the world am I? This is not what normally what in a prison cell is like.
Wait a minute. What are my research notes? My inventory? My stack of books? They are missing. I need to find it. Until I hear someone speak.
"Hey, he is awake. Go and tell our commander that he is awake and wait for his instruction."
"On it."
What is going on? If the guard says the commander, then it means I am in the army camp. Interesting. I wonder who the commander of the camp is.
"Excuse me…" I asked.
"What is it?" The guard replied. The guard seemed to be wearing a black clothing cover, exposing his face and the red google on his eyes. Is this a soldier? That's not what I usually see like that. Also, he seems to carry a musket rifle but something off. It looks so advanced. His voice is rough and grunted.
"Where am I?" I asked.
"That is none of the business." The guard rudely replied.
"I just want to know…" I hear my stomach start growling.
"Err… I am quite hungry. Do you have any food for me?"
"Wait here." The guard grumbles before he takes something out of his pocket.
"Here's your food. Just tear the package off." The guard passes me the 'food'.
What kind of food does the guard give me? There is an invisible container with 'food' in it. He said to tear the package. What is the package? I curiously look at this mysterious food.
"Errr… How to open it?"
"Are you kidding me? Give me that." The guard felt annoyed at me.
So I passed the 'package' to him. The guard just simply rips off the package and passes back to me.
"Here's your food. Don't ever ask me again unless it is important." The guard starts calling some words elsewhere.
Hmm… so that's how it tears off the package. Huh? Interesting. Inside the 'package', it looks like simple bread. At least, this bread eases my hunger for a while. I take a bite and it tastes good. What is this filling inside this bread? It is amazing. It is sweet, fruity, and creamy, and the texture is soft. The bread of my nation is tasteless and hard yet such as this bread is divine. How did they do it? There must be some secret in it.
"So how is the prisoner?" The guard asked.
"Man… This guy is so annoying." Another guard complains about this 'guest'.
"How so?"
"He doesn't know how to tear the package of the bread. That is so easy and yet he is confused about it. Even he admired the boring bread I gave him for breakfast."
The guard giggled a bit before telling the instruction. "Anyway, the commander wants the guest to meet him."
"Alright, then."
"Hey, there."
"What is it?" I asked.
"My commander wants to meet you. So go and change up and when you are ready, let us know and we will escort you." The guard gives instructions to me.
"I will be there," I responded to the guard.
Curiously to know why the commander needed to see him. I am hoping that he will let me go so that I can continue my research, finding any mamonos in the Mist continent.
A short while
"I am ready," I tell my guard.
The guard immediately opens the prison cell by using his card. I am amazed by this discovery.
"Follow me." The guard instructs me and I follow him. What discovery I could find in this camp.
As I am accompanied by two guards, I have seen other cells. Some are empty while others are occupied. There is nothing unusual about it until I reach the end and see a box looking door. There are two squares with arrows: one facing up and the other facing down, on the right side. What is that?
The guard pressed the one facing up arrow and the door opened. The door is automatic by pressing this square. This is amazing.
As we enter the 'box', it appears to be a shiny coffin inside. I am first hesitant to go in but the guard ensures it is alright. So I entered the 'box', trusting the guard and found some discovery. As I turn around, there are numerous circles and squares. The guard simply presses the circle and square. Instantly, the door closed which caused me a bit of panic.
What is going on? Am I going to die?
DING!
Within a few seconds later, I hear the sound and the door opened that shrine brightly. By Chief God, is this heaven? I wondered.
"Hey, keep moving." The guard said.
"My apologies. I am quite stunned about this discovery."
The guard shakes his head before proceeding. I follow them as well. As I check the surroundings, it seems the building is looking… intimating. Black and red strange and weird-looking buildings. It also appeared to be flickering invisibility on and off. This is not any camp that I have been to before. From my observation, they don't seem to be either the Order or the Demon Realm. Just who are they?
"Hurry up…" The guard grew impatient with me.
"I am coming." As I quickly follow the guards, lest I will not get lost for wandering too much.
It takes a short walk until I am shocked to see this 'thing'. That black interior with multiple red markings of a box. There are 8 wheels, with 4 on each side. 2 of the wheels are connected to each other. My first impression is that I am going inside the bug looking thing which scares me.
"What is this thing?" I asked the guard with a bit of hesitation.
"Don't worry. This is our transport. It's going to be fun," The guard assured me.
Is this a transport? It doesn't look like a carriage to me. My legs wobble as that 'bug' gives an intimidating aura.
Then something happened at the back of the 'bug'. The hole expanded and revealed the inside. There are chairs on each side. This confused a bit of what I had seen. What is this carriage? No nation ever produces this kind of 'carriage'. It piqued my curiosity.
"Go in."
"You want to go in that thing?" I don't feel right about this.
"Nah. It is going to be alright. So are you going in?" The guard invited me into the butt of the bug.
Should I go in? I dealt with dangerous mamonos, escaping the Order pursuers and surviving the storm. It is my duty to search for mamonos as the master encyclopaedist. So why should I be afraid of this bug? And then I step inside the 'bug' and take a seat.
After this, it starts to close its 'butt' of the bug and it lights up with a shade of red. It freaks me out of the strange carriage I'm in. A few guards giggled at me for being silly.
"Wear the seatbelt. It is going to be a bumpy ride."
"WHAT?"
The driver accelerated the bug at high speed. I am feeling that I am in danger now.
10 minutes later
NOD Operation Center
Oh my Chief God, why must I put this hellish ride? Why should I deserve this? This is cruelly painful as I almost screamed my head off. How the hell did the bug speed so fast? I almost thought that I was going to die. I feel like I have butterflies in my stomach. Come to think of it, the soldiers seem fine after riding this bug. Haa… Interesting. I guess that they will get used to it. The soldiers will probably laugh at me for being weak, let alone riding this 'bug'. What do you expect? This is my first time riding this 'bug'.
"We are here." The driver arrived at the destination.
Despite this rough setback, I am surprised to hear from the driver that I had to reach the destination that quickly. Better take note. As soon as the hole of the bug appears, I immediately leave this bug. Good riddance with this bug. I will never try to ride this 'bug'.
Back to the surroundings, I see a building. And my first reaction is …sinister. As the usual colour of the army camp, I noticed three notable odd-looking structures along with the main building. The first one is a dome-shaped structure beside a tall cylinder. The second is the largest plate I had ever seen attracted to stand. The last one odd-looking point tip cylinder and four other smaller versions attracted the larger cylinder.
"What is that?" I am terrified about this building.
"That is where the commander works." The guard explained.
"I see. But are you supposed to bring me to the commander?" I asked the guard.
"No. The commander's elite guards will be escorting you instead."
"What elite guard?" I was confused.
"You will find out soon."
Not long after, four elite guards exit the building entrance. As they approach, I am starting to get scared by meeting these elite guards.
Each of them wears black body armour along with a red cloak bearing the red triangle emblem and has a scorpion's tail inside. Their tall helmets have four red eyes and a ruby gem on their forehead. Are they really human? I wondered about this. They also carry their more advanced rifle than the guard's rifles.
"Are you by the alias: The Wandering Scholar?" The elite guard asked me.
"Yes, I am," I replied with a hint of nervousness.
"Then, follow us. The commander will be pleased to meet you."
"Oh … okay…" I quietly obey the elite guard. I have no idea of what to expect as I follow the elite guards to that building.
Legendary Insurgent POV
Interesting of his works. Right now, I am reading the 'Monster Girl Encyclopaedia II'. But instead of reading the physical book, it will be a tablet as I flip the page from my screen. LEGION has uploaded all the documents to my tablet.
It's been a week since the Brotherhood of Nod arrived in this world. Since I got the map from the village, I immediately upload the map onto our map navigation for my all troops as guidance.
So I organised a group of my best Shadow Teams and Vertigo Bombers to do area reconnaissance and survey the area first. Shadow Teams had to be very cautious of their surroundings, especially these annoying mamonos. Specifically, these beastmen have heightened senses to detect their presence.
Of course, each Shadow Team member had equipped with a machine pistol that dispose of small threats. Should they encounter a dangerous mamonos, they have to flee immediately as engaging them (mamonos) will put the Shadow Team at risk.
Selected Vertigo Bombers had their bomb removed in order to increase their speed and coverage in finding suitable areas for expansion of the hidden outpost. Currently, there are six hidden outposts, no more than 5 miles distance away from the cities in both Order and Demon nation territory (three each), monitoring their movement. However, due to the terrain, they were not covered with Disruption Tower as the outpost's size is too small and it depends on the dense forest.
In their main base, some changes are made. Instead of using dummy buildings for their Disruption Tower, the engineers construct hologram devices around the tower. Due to the forest terrain, it becomes suspicious of leaving a dummy building in the middle of the forest. Furthermore, no village or town building can match the tall height of the tower to cover up.
Additional buildings will be built but further away from their main base at least 15 miles distance for all captured manonos for fear of contamination of 'Demonic Energy'. Guards performing duties to safeguard these mamonos were given strict instructions on how to handle them and be vigilant at all times. I gave them instructions on minimising contact with these mamonos unless being selected for research purposes.
Extra instructions for all WOMEN not to get close to those 'mutants', seeing how contiguous these 'demonic energies' so easily among these female genders. Also, I asked LEGION to restrict the female from these forbidden areas on their IDs. Not trying to be sexist or something like that but to ensure the safety of all within the NOD bases.
*KNOCK*
*KNOCK*
"Sir, the guest has arrived." My secretary reports to me.
Good. I am eager to meet him.
"Bring him here."
"At once, sir!" My secretary understood and closed the door.
I am hoping that he will enjoy his stay at my base.
Upon arrival at the door opening, I see 4 Confessors escorting the mysterious man in white. I notice that the man is nervous to see me.
"Ah… Welcome to our Brotherhood of Nod… Confessors, please excuse us as we need to have a talk …privately."
"Understood." Confessors immediately obey my instructions and leave the room.
"Have a seat." I politely said to the scholar. Both of us sit down on the chair provided.
"Who are you?" The Wandering Scholar asked my name.
"I don't have a name. But you can call me The Legendary Insurgent. I oversee the whole base operation and command the army of this NOD base." I introduced myself.
"What do you want from me?" The Wandering Scholar asked.
"Oh. Straight to the point, is it? First of all, I want you to join our brotherhood. That's all I asked."
"What do you mean?" The scholar was confused about my proposal.
"Simple. Your mass amount of information will be useful for our campaign. Mamonos, magic and the world's government system and army."
"What …are you trying to do?" The Wandering Scholar knows my malicious intention.
"We are going to dominate this world, is that a problem?"
I can see The Wandering Scholar's face appear to be shocked.
"Why? Just why?"
"Why, you say? Should I tell you my opinion?"
The Wandering Scholar nodded his head.
"But first… LEGION, retrieved the data about Tiberium and our world in the year 2047. Our guest will be intrigued by our origin." I commanded LEGION.
"Certainly, Commander. Standby." LEGION's voice spoke up.
"What… is …this?" The Wandering Scholar raised his eyebrow about this voice.
"You mean LEGION? Think of it as 'Automation' in this case except it sounds like a male voice and not in physical form." I explained.
"Tiberium is a dense "dynamic proton lattice" held together by exotic heavy particles. When Tiberium comes into contact with other matter, the heavy particles randomly collide with the nuclei of the target matter, smashing it to pieces or incrementally knocking off protons or neutrons. Tiberium captures a fraction of the protons that are ejected during this collision process and incorporates them into its own structure, thus transmuting matter into more Tiberium. Whenever one of the heavy particles collides with an atomic nucleus, fission occurs, which results in the production of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation as well as other forms of electromagnetic radiation. During the transmutation process, nuclei that Tiberium has come into contact with may be changed into nuclei with different numbers of protons or neutrons." LEGION explained as follows the data of Tiberium.
The LCD screen shows a display on the green crystal with detailed material properties.
"What?" The Wandering Scholar was dumbfounded about the 'Tiberium'.
"In other words, Tiberium leeches metals and other heavy minerals out of the soil, concentrating them in crystals which can be easily collected by specialized vehicles and processed into easy to use resources such as fuel, construction materials, energy sources and other use. Also, Tiberium will regrow over time."
The LCD screen shows specialized vehicles harvesting Tiberium.
"Despite the benefits, Tiberium has a negative impact on all life forms and the environment. Toxins produced by Tiberium become harmful and lead to the extinction of a thousand types of fauna and flora. Humankind is not spared either. Long exposure to Tiberium leads to mutation and even death. As for the environment, due to toxic gas released into the environment, it creates unpredictable and violent storms known as Ion Storms."
The screen shows the earth has been covered in green crystals, emitting toxic chemicals in the air. Thunderstorms have become a common occurrence. Ocean has been crystallised. Human victims' skin turns green and crystallised. Numerous places become a warzone.
The Wandering Scholar is speechless to see the world is doomed by these green crystals. He couldn't believe how these humans survive in this world.
"Why are you telling me this?" The Warning Scholar said in a mixture of grim and panic.
"I would like to remind you that we do it for our survival. From where I form, there is only humanity that we pit against each other. Some for selfish reasons while others fight for 'doing what is right'. In the end, war is a vicious cycle of endless waves of violence that we bring upon ourselves. Corruption, complacency, greed and power hunger happen. But who suffers the most? The poor, the hungry and victims of oppression. However, we are different."
"Different?"
"The Prophet Kane had shown us the power of Tiberium could be used as the future of mankind. We are completely aware of this dangerous substance but we believe its benefits outweigh its risks. So we mass-produce firearms, recruit our followers in impoverished areas and become an unstoppable army."
"That means… you…" The Warning Scholar realised my intention.
"That's right. We are going to show the world that humanity is the dominating force. With the 'Way of Nod' to guide this humanity to see the error of their way. Those who refuse, well… let's just say they will receive the wraith of Kane. And thanks to your research, we knew every mamomos' profile and this world's systems. I should give my thanks to you."
"My research is not meant to be used for war effort…" The Warning Scholar argued.
"Do I really care?"
"But this…"
"This is the only chance mankind will stand up against the demon force whether you like it or not."
"I… couldn't stand this…" The Wandering Scholar decides to stand up from his chair and he is about to leave the room. All of a sudden, his face turned pale and gulped to see Confessors staring at him as they seemed too eager to do something …malicious to him.
"You know…"
The Wandering Scholar turned around to see me with his face turned pale.
"The moment that you leave my room, my Confessors will take you elsewhere to the place where they may hurt you or have you… well… let's say they will make you a 'non-existence'. So if you don't want to suffer this fate, take a seat. Furthermore, it is a shame that you waste your talent for your morals. Choose it wisely." I warn the Warning Scholar.
The Warning Scholar has to think hard about choosing his morals or his life. While he is not afraid of being beaten up or dying, he worries about his research. The Warning Scholar closed the door and returned to his seat.
"A wise choice." I give a grin and smile at the Wandering Scholar.
"What do you want from me?" The Wandering Scholar asked.
"Simple. Do you know Runya Runya?"
"Yes, but how did you know?" The Wandering Scholar was surprised to hear this name.
"I had received a letter from Runya Runya that you expressed interest in co-writing with her work."
"Yes, but my trip toward the Mist Continent was a failure as I was caught in the storm. There is no way to contact her as baphomet lives in the Demon Realm and rarely ever lives outside the Demon Realm. In addition, I lost a special item…" The Wandering Scholar explained.
"Don't worry. I have a present from you." As I hand out a special item to the scholar. A large heart-shaped object with a mid-size circular mirror in it.
"How… Did you find this?" The Wandering Scholar was surprised to see the familiar item.
"Let's just say… we are very resourceful in finding items like this," I explained.
Projecting Mirror is a special magic item that looks similar to a modern handphone but is very cumbersome due to the size of the item. One of my men found it while raiding the villager. At first, I thought it was believed to be a white elephant until I found the back of the mirror with the name Ola in it. That squirrel girl was so feared by me that she did not notice her precious items gone missing. It could be an important tool but I could not understand how it works. So I decided to keep it until the awakening of the Wandering Scholar.
"I want you to contact her and get her research notes, especially her knowledge of magic," I order the scholar.
Although we had the research, I am curious about the knowledge of magic. Baphomet, witches and other mamonos have a vast knowledge of magic that can be cast against their foes.
"But I am not sure…" The Wandering Scholar became concerned.
"Confe…"
"Alright. I will do it." The Wandering Scholar gave in to my demand.
The scholar has his eyes shut and calmly mutters in his lip. Within a few seconds, a voice could be heard and a young girl appeared in the mirror.
"Who is there?" A young girl felt sleepy as she just awoke from her nap.
*YAWN*
She rubs her violet eyes using her fluffy animalistic hand to see clearly who the person calling her is. She straightens her blonde messy hair.
"It's me. The Wandering Scholar. I want to…" The Wandering Scholar introduced himself.
"Oh, it is you. Where have you been? I have been looking for you. You said that you co-write the third world guide with me and yet you have gone for a long time. In the end, I wrote all of my research and published it myself." The baphomet pouts at the sight of the Wandering Scholar and scolds him.
"I am sorry, Runya Runya. I went missing while travelling on a ship attempting to reach the Mist Continent. Wait, you published it already?" The Wandering Scholar apologize to Runya Runya before he received a shock from her.
"Yes, I did. So what do you want from me?" Runya Runya said in an annoyed tone.
"Well, I… er…"
"We need your published work." I interrupted the Wandering Scholar from speaking.
"And you are…" Runya Runya wondered about me.
"He is…"
"A friend of the scholar who is interested in magic. I hope that you don't mind giving it to me as I appreciate your work." I explain to Runya Runya, expressing in learning magic. But it is just a ruse to get to know the world's magic system.
Runya Runya's mood changed from being angry to being happy to hear from me.
"Oh really? I am happy for you. Would you consider joining our Sabbath and becoming our onii-chan~?"
This part makes me cringe but I hide my emotion just to convince Runya Runya to give me her book.
"That depends."
"Pretty please…" Runya Runya attempted to convince me to join her group.
Argh! She is so annoying.
"I leaving."
"Please don't. You are so hard to convince you to join our Sabbath. Fine, then. I can send my witch to your location." Runya Runya decide to give in.
"Good. I let the scholar handle this."
"ME?!" The Wandering Scholar was shocked to hear from me.
"Ok!~ Let me check first." Runya Runya uses another project mirror.
"Err… I can't find you… My project mirror couldn't find you. What kind of magic that you are living in?" Runya Runya was confused as she see a forest background with nobody inside in another Projecting Mirror.
"What!?" The Wandering Scholar was shocked to hear from Runya Runya.
Interesting. Their magic couldn't sense our stealth base but I have to act fast, otherwise, we may be exposed to our secret to the enemies.
"I think another kind of magic seems to be interfering with the mirror as we seem to be deep in the forest. How about this? The scholar called you in about an hour when we are outside the forest area." I try to bluff Runya Runya.
"Hmm… Whatever. Anyway, I will ask my witch to prepare the book for you." Runya Runya agreed hasty.
That is easy. Almost too easy. Seem their system becoming too lax but it is understandable the Sabbath want to recruit people for their cause. I am wondering how much content is Runya Runya putting in her book.
"That settled." I agreed.
"Okay.~ Are you sure that you are not joining the Sabbath? It is going to be fun…~"
"Err… He just left." The Wandering Scholar tells her.
Actually, I am still inside my room. I signal to the scholar to tell her I am gone.
"Huh?! Aww…" Runya Runya was disappointed.
"How did you know him? I can sense so much potential in him." Runya Runya expressed in me.
"Err… he is the one who rescues me."
"Really? Interesting…"
"Anyway, I got to go." The Wandering Scholar hasty turn off the mirror before Runya Runya says anything.
"Good job, Wandering Scholar." I praise the Wandering Scholar. Of course, he is not happy about it.
'Oh my chief god, why I should help a manic that wants to control my world.' The Wandering Scholar thought of helping my objective.
"Confessors, help me escort our guest outside the base. Moreover, if he does anything suspicious, you know what to do." I summoned my Confessors to help the Wandering Scholar.
Confessors immediately went into my room. One of them carry a black cloth bag and cover the Wandering Scholar's head and the other handcuffed his hands before escorting
One hour later
Outside the forest area
The Wandering Scholar POV
By the time I see the vision of the forest and clear blue sky, I take a few seconds to look at the surrounding. I am alone at last but I have to be vigilant as the elite guards are watching my movement.
By Chief God, I am unexpected to have been rescued by a mad commander and his army whose goal was to control my world under the mysterious prophet. They are even worse than Order but their army seems to be top-notch in terms of logistics and well-trained. Not sure how the Order or Demon Realm could stand against the Brotherhood of Nod if they (NOD) go full-scale invasion on them.
Furthermore, their world was doomed by these green crystals and humanity survive without the use of magic. For once, I admire their humanity's adaptability to survive their doom world. But that is all I can say for Nod.
Now, the Nod had all my research and I am an unwitting associate for their purpose. What I am getting into this mess?
Wasting no time, I immediately use the Projecting Mirror to contact Library Sabbath. A witch in a brown and white uniform appears on the screen.
"I am there," I tell her.
"Good. You know, I am wondering why your location is in the secluded forest nearing our enemies' border. But I let it slide for now. I will be there in seconds." The witch astounds to see me.
"Okay…" I become anxious about meeting her. Hoping the elite guards don't capture her just to perform their weird experiment on the witch.
A few seconds later, a purple large circle with weird language on it, appear out of nowhere. A witch steps out of the purple circle, holding the book on her small arm. She adjusts her glasses with the tip of her finger.
"Are you the Wandering Scholar?" The witch politely asks me.
"Ah… Yes."
"Here is your book at my leader's request." The witch hand over the book to me.
As I received the book, I glance at the book cover, and title: Monster Girl Encyclopedia World Guide III: Sabbath Grimoire.
"By many thanks." I thank her.
"Should I…" The witch is about to tell me but I hastily ran away from her, which confuse her with my sudden behaviour.
After I ran for a few minutes toward the forest, I quickly stop and control my breathing. I don't know why I am doing it but I have to do it.
All of a sudden, elite guards come out of their hiding. Seeing the same guards and carrying the same thing, I am afraid that I will be chained for life, serving the mad commander.
Demon Realm
Royal Makai
Library Sabbath HQ
A great hall of white marble, beautifully decorated and filled with memorable statues. The most notable figure is the current Demon Lord, Lilith, who create the foundation of her empire after overthrowing the previous lord. With her power, she transformed monsters into monster girls and tried to fuse the two species into what would in effect be one united "human" species and expand her influence on the world.
A large library that holds many books, research and documents. From the knowledge of medicine, magic and others related to mamonos for all public members to see and learn from it. There is also a handful of rare and ancient knowledge for only special people can access.
The same purple large circle with an inscription on it. The witch step out of the circle before she deactivated it. A familiar baphomet waiting for the witch's arrival.
"So do you hand the book to the scholar?" Runya Runya asked the witch.
"Yes, I did." The witch responded.
"Good. I am going to take a nap. *YAWN!" Runya Runya feeling sleepy.
"But, Runya Runya. Is it wise to hand over your work to him? He is acting strange." The concerned witch advises her as she notices the Wandering Scholar's sudden behaviour.
"Don't worry about it. Everything is going to be fine." Runya Runya ignored the witch's advice and head back to her bedroom.
The witch shaked her head as she sighed at Runya Runya's attitude. The witch just remembers one thing. She take out the mirror and called someone. Someone related to Wandering Scholar.
The mirror shows the boyish-looking face and a slender body, wearing sexy clothing and carrying a large bag behind her.
"Are you the student of the Wandering Scholar?" The witch asked the person.
"Yes, I am." The person responded.
"Good. I can see that you have been monsterized into an alp."
"Ah!~ Thank you!~ I had completed my third world guide-side version and was about to head to Mist Continent. What news that you bring to me?~" An alp politely replied.
"I saw the Wandering Scholar."
"Really? Where is he?" An alp shocked to hear it from the witch.
"Well… how to explain this?"
"?"
"I had seen your master in the forest closed to Nurenth's territory."
"WHAT!? Are you sure?" An alp is shocked to hear from the witch.
"Yes, I am sure of it. In fact, I delivered the item personally."
"What item?"
"Runya Runya's published book. But he is acting strange."
"Why is that?"
"He quickly runs away from me after receiving the book. From what I can tell, he seems to be nervous."
An Alp was confused about her master's behaviour. She knew it was not like this. Still, she is still eager to find her master. The forest is quite large and finding her master won't be easy.
"There must be a reason for behaving like this. Do you know any settlement close to the forest?"
The alp asked.
The witch sighed before instructing an alp, "Well, if you insist, the nearest settlement is in The Harbor Of Anham."
"My thanks." An alp say her thanks and expresses her determination to find her master. What she did not know was that she will be putting herself in danger.
OMAKE: Don't mess with Vizer Galina
NOD Base
A mid-aged woman in black armour and a red cape walking through the hallway. She carried a cane and her handgun on her right hip. She is not alone but accompanied by two Confessors following her superior. Vizer Galina received her subordinates that the Gulug, the high orc requested a duel against her and she accepted.
At first, the confessors refused Gulug's request but Gulug insist. Gulug become angry and beat up other confessors. It took ten confessors to put her down. Galina found it ridiculous to hear a girl had inhuman strength until the Legendary Insurgent told her about the high orc's unique ability.
As Galina reaches the mid-sized room, she sees two persons in it. One of them is a familiar confessor and the impatient Gulug carrying her favourite axe; eager for a fight.
"Are you sure you are doing this? You don't have to do this…" Dimitri concerning his superior's well-being.
"My… My… Look like I have to… discipline this girl. Confessors, no one interferes with the duel. That including you, Dimitri." Galina speaks in confidence.
Knowing his superior insists, he quickly bows down before allowing his superior to face off against Gulug. Her confessors simply nod their head as Galina walk slowly toward Gulug.
"Hey, granny. You should be taking advise from your men. You too old for this." Gulug smirked as she point her axe at Galina.
Instead of displaying fear and despair, Galina expressed determination. Hearing 'old' pissed off Galina as she had thirty years of experience in serving her prophet.
"So a tosser lecture me on how I fare against a hussy." Galina scorned.
"Tosser? Hussy?" Gulug is confused about these new words.
"Do I need to explain? It means you are small-brained mined onto a big breasts slutty body of your." Galina provokes Gulug.
"Why you…" Gulug was livid and instead of reason, she charged head-on toward Galina.
Gulug thought a single strike against Galina will be enough to defeat her. Little did Gulug knew, that it will be going to be longer just only a single strike. Galina simply dodges an incoming Gulug's strike, surprising and infuriating her. Her single strike deals a great impact and damage to the floor. Gulug hastily performs as many strikes against Galina. As a counter-measure, Galina dodges most of Gulug's strikes with a few small steps. Something she parried her sturdy cane but Galina has to be cautious for her cane to break if directly in contact with an axe's blade. Despite Galina being a frail body, she is unexpected to be nimble and seems not to be worn off.
"Why you don't die?" Gulug becomes furious.
Galina decide to end this duel as Gulug's body felt exhausted from her offensive stance. The moment Gulug launch her strike and Galina parried once more but unexpectedly, Galina grab the hook, focus on her strength and smashed directly into Gulug's face.
Receiving such pain, Gulug drop her axe and cover her face. But it is not over yet. While Gulug is distracted, Galina simply uses the hook to trip Gulug's leg causing her to lose balance and fall off. Before Galina does anything to Gulug, she simply surrenders as she lost the duel.
"Wait, I surrender. Please let me- Argh!" Gulug pleads with Galina but received so much pain on the blunt end of Galina's cane.
Unsatisfied with Gulug's cowardice, Galina plummets her cane on Gulug's weaken body. It is not one but multiple times on Gulug. Gulug yelp for help each time she received agony pain from Galina. She felt her bones broken; blood comes out of her mouth as plunging hard into her internal organs; multiple bruises on a certain area of her body, a few missing teeth and her vocal cords being damaged.
After Galina brutally beat up Gulug, she simply stops due to accepting her satisfaction in seeing Gulug's battered body. She takes out her cleanly handkerchief and wipes off the blood on her trusty cane.
"Confessors, throw her to the Mark of Kane. She dead to me." Galina commands her confessors.
"Understood." Her confessors immediately take and drag the Gulug's worthless body away from her.
"How do you feel, madam?" Dimitri was concerned about her superior.
"Splendid. Never felt alive for a long time." Galina is impressed with her performance.
Before they leave the room, Galina said: "You know…"
Dimitri stopped and listen to her superior.
"Despite some differences with our rival sub-faction, I can agree with one thing."
"What is it?"
"To become effective in killing soldiers, we cast our fear aside. Whether it is morally right or wrong." Galina smiled with confidence.
An unknown amount of time
Mark of Kane
Tech Lab
Gulug wakes up from a duel. She found herself strapped to the table vertically. She sees boxes and weird machine surrounding her. Her arms and legs are spread apart. Gulug tries to break free but she is unable to. A man covered in white clothing approaches her.
"Oh my… A lovely volunteer to be part of an experiment." A man in white becomes excited.
Gulug tries to speak out but her vocal cord is damaged, whom unable to.
"Oh, I forgot. I'm Dr Amare Adebisi, the leading scientist who will help you in becoming a part of us." Amare introduced himself.
"You see, I am my teammates are working tireless to make your friend's corpses be part of the machine. Half living being, half machine. A cyborg. A perfect killing machine. Surrender their mind and body for our cause. Take a look over there."
Duluth turn her head toward Amare's direction and she was shocked to see it. She sees an orc strapped into these hideous metal parts onto her body. Once thought to be dead, show a bit of life in it. Not only one but over tens of them are involved. Gulag started to panic and she tries to free herself to escape this madness but to no avail.
"Hush now. It is going to be over once the operation is over." Amare calm Gulug down before he pressed the switch. The table slowly turns horizontally til Gulug sees a bright light over her eyes.
"Sleep dream." Amare takes out a mini electric saw from his display of toolkits.
Gulug becomes helpless as she hears buzzing noise, followed by a pierce through her skull and sees darkness.
Author notes:
Seem to The Wandering Scholar is working with the Brotherhood of Nod for some information about the world system and later print books for their propaganda use in later chapters. Runya Runya's carelessness gives away their crucial information about magic. Nod still doesn't have any information Lescatie's army composition as they received an outdated version.
Only the student of The Wandering Scholar did publish the updated version of Lescatie which she appear in a later chapter. The student also monsterized into an alp. The Wandering Scholar will be disappointed with his student as he expressed his neutrality toward both humans and mamonos.
So if you are wondering what is an alp. Well… The alps are incubi that, deep within their heart, strongly desired to become a woman or be with a man. Wonder how the Nod going to react to an alp.
Snipervtk4: There is no need to cover their base surrounding with Tiberium as basic defence turrets are enough to ward off any mamonos off their base but it works for any general mamonos, however. Unique mamonos, more specific, ghost type can bypass their defence. Not even Tiberium could stop it, as it only work in physical contact. Still, I take your advice.
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