Jaune looked back at the villagers as they waved him off. He returned the gesture as they began to leave the remains of their village.
He had seem this before, many times.
He's seen Bandits and Marauders leave villages destroyed, the survivors forced to flee along the roads. It was a sad fact that he was forced to endure many times through his life.
Still, he had helped them bury their dead and pack their supplies. They knew where to go and had enough supplies to last the journey.
He gave them one last look as the line began to disappear down the road. Two children, the very same he had rescued the day prior, looked back and smiled at him. Jaune smiled underneath his helmet and nodded, watching as their mother put a hand across their shoulders and pulled them back into the line.
He kept his eyes glued to the road as they all left. It was only after the last of the villagers had walked far enough that he could no longer see them did he turn away. He began to wander, his eyes darting between the graves of the fallen villagers and the open pit dug for the dead demons. It wasn't long before he stood on the same road that the demons had fled down the day prior.
He took a deep breath and reached into the bag on his side, a gift from the villagers. He pulled out a map and unrolled it. He had spent part of the night asking questions, just simple ones. The Year, the village's location in relation to the map, how long had the war between humans and demons been going on. Simple things that would help him get a small grasp on his situation. (He would have to thank that unamed god for giving him the ability to understand the languages of the world).
The basic rundown was that for the past four years the Demon army has been at war with the The Empire of Atarska, the largest human civilization. Every few weeks the villagers would be visited by fleeing merchants and terrified wanderers talking of destruction and the fall of armies and kingdoms. Now that the Demon army is drawing closer and he was headed right for it.
Jaune huffed before stretching his shoulders and looking over the map. The nearest human settlements were all days away on foot, and theres no telling if they haven't been struck either.
Putting the map back into his bag Jaune let out a sigh. He could still see the imprints left by the boots of the fleeing Demons on the road, so he had a lead. With little hesitation his stride turned from a walk too a jog, then into a full sprint.
The Demon's had half a day on him, he had to be quick if he wanted to catch up to them.
Emperor Crastelle had to grit his teeth as he stared down at the gathered War council. Across five tables sat the highest authorities in the Empire under himself. The Thirteen High Lords, now reduced to Nine by the War, took up two such tables. Hetren, The head of the Arcanum and The Ministers of Magic held their own table. Elephus, The Pope of the Six Divines Church and his Arch Bishops were discussing sonething at their own table. Finally was the Marshals, all waiting diligently for the meeting to start as they stared at the High Marshal standing to his left.
Letting out a sigh before raising his hands he let the meeting begin. "Gentlemen, the latest news from the frontlines has been much the same as the last, our forces have been pushed back once more." The High Marshal began. Crastelle watched as many of the others grit their teeth much like he had earlier at the news. "At the current moment we are fortifying the cities that would soon be in their path, but we are running short on man power." The High Marshal continued.
"Not to mention the food situation, The plauges unleashed by the that damned able Wench has made it harder to keep our warriors fed." One of the High Lords spoke up. "My people have been spread thin working to alieviate these issues." The Hetren chimed in. "As have mine." One of the Arch Bishops added.
"Yes, I know of these issues. We've had mages and priests turning land fertile and having excess refugees working the fields to ensure proper harvest, now back to the situation at hand." Crastelle interrupted before turning back to the High Marshal. "Thank you." The High Marshal whispered. "As I said, we've been fortifying the cities next to be in their path, however we lack the manpower for such a thing. I propose the activation of the Hephest Forge." The High Marshal stated as many stood up.
"Are you mad!" One of the Ministers of Magic shouted. "No... I already have a small list of smiths and artificers to start working it." The High Marshal pulled out a small list and held it high. "So long as we posses the resources to fuel its creations, we can arm and replenish our army." The High Marshal said as Hetren approached him and took the list.
"Are you sure it will work? the people listed have been vital to the war effort?" Hetren inquired. "Yes, with the Forge active we can begin to turn them back, so long as it is active." The High Marshal replied. "Sir, you can't be considering it, the usage of the Hephest Forge was forbidden by our forfathers." One of the Arch Bishops argued. "Would our forfathers rather see us turn to ash and ruin, dead upon the fields that they once called home." The High Marshal argued back.
"Gentlemen, quiet!!" Crastelle shouted, forcing the two men to back away. "We are in desperate times, so long as we are being pushed back we must use the Divine Relics, less we face extinction." Crastelle spoke sternly to the War Council. There was a small grumbling but no one objected.
Crastelle took a breath before leaning back in his throne. "Now, Pope Elephus, Arcanum Master Hetren, Marshals, how has training the Gifted been going?" He asked. "They are still young and in need of training." One of the Marshals spoke up. "Their gifts have only come in recently. It will be a long time before they are ready to fight the Demon Army." Elephus chimed in. Crastelle sighed as Hetren stood up. "Some of them are growing stronger than others, The Gifted of War and Nature have shown greater potential than the others." Hetren explained.
"I see, how have they done thus far?" Crastelle inquired. "The Gifted of War has held his own against some of the lower ranked Marshals, while the Gifted of Nature has been at the forefront of leading our food production." Hetren answered. "Good, what is the exact progress on the Gifted of Light, Darkness, Fortune, and Knowledge." Crastelle inquired. "Light and Darkness have been absorbed in training their greater magic power." Hetren answered once again. "Fortune has been working hard under the tutelage of our fellow Marshals." one of the Marshals stated. "The Gifted of Knowledge had been sent to study at the Island of Enjract, her powers have been somewhat... unstable." Elephus spoke with concern.
"I see, keep them back for now, we don't want to risk them slain by the Demon Army. We will not risk their loves until they are ready to face them in battle." Crastelle ordered. All present nodded in agreement. "Now, onto our next order of business." He spoke as two servants wheeled in a large piece of armor. It was a pauldron, spiked and warped with pitch black soot falling off with each small movement.
"This... Was found at one of the battles.."
Andrum huffed as he looked over the map on the table. Across it were numerous villages and roads topped with small miniatures. By now many of these villages would be gone, razed too the ground with their population either killed or enslaved. He had groups setting up baracades and outposts along the roads too keep him informed of potential movement.
Taking a moment he stepped out of his tent and looked upon the sights of his camp. Rows of tents for his soldiers in neat lines, the sounds of metal working and rattling chain permeated the air. He could smell the desperation of slaves as they were moved into the holding areas.
It would be a few days before he would have to move camp once again. The state of the war demanding that they stay on the offensive, less their new Empress grow agitated.
As Andrum turned adound he found himself face too face with one of his underlings. "Sir, Hannibel's squad has returned in dire condition." the Underling reported. Andrum raised a brow; "Hannibel, what did that glory chaser encounter that gave them trouble?" he inquired with a whisper. "Unknown, Hannibel was not one of those who returned." The underling replied. Andrum raised a brow, knowing that while Hannibel had his issues, he was a proficient warrior. "Where are they?" he asked. "In the medical tents." The underling answered.
Andrum nodded before gesturing for them to move along. He turned in the direction of the medical tents and began a slow stride towards them. It wasn't long before he had arrived at the tents and entered to find what remained of Hannibel's sqaud.
Imagine his surprise to see sliced up armor on the ground as apothacaries worked to treat wounds with medicine and magic. his eyes ate in the sights, before he narrowed them at the sight of Ectre.
Hannibel's second in command.
The Demon's face had been smashed in, large sections of his nose and lips were simply gone. His eyes seemed at ease for the moment before the warrior looked him in the eyes. Ectre let out a strange groan before shifting his eyes over to the Demon next too him, one in far better shape than he. Andrum just nodded before turning to the next demon over.
"Soldier, what did you and your fellows encounter?" he inquired. The Demon took a deep breath before tensing his shoulders. "A Knight, in rusted armor." The soldier answered in a hushed tone. Andrum grit his teeth before putting a hand on the Demon's shoulder. "Just one, and he did all this?" he asked, gesturing to the soldiers on the beds. "Yes, he was skilled, even while fighting against numerous opponents at once." The demon said.
"And Hannibel?" Andrum asked. The Demon's expression saddened. "He decided to fight the Knight one on one, he lost." Was all the Demon said as Andrum resisted the urge to sigh. "The worst part was, all our attacks did nothing. Even Hannibel's own strikes, ones that I've seen cave in mightier armor than the knights." The Demon said. Andrum paused, then leaned in.
"Ellaborate, please?" he requested. "It was like magic, our every attack bounced off of something around him, even with strikes that struck unguarded areas." The Demon said. "Can you describe the knight?" Andrum inquired. "He was tall, for a human at least, and all his armor looked rusted." The Demon said. "Rusted how?" Andrum inquired. "Rusted from age and use, like those armors in the old temples." The Demon answered.
Andrum sighed before he made a signal too one of the apothacaries. They nodded before heading out of the tent. "Well, I shall see to it that this "Rusted Knight" will be dealt with, before the Empress catches word of this." Andrum said as he turned away from the soldiers and left the tent.
Alright, so this chapter is a bit of a lore dump for this world. Hope you like it so far. I have big plans for the Gifted and the Demons when they finally encounter Our Rusted Knight.
(Also to Torment the Reincarnated Cinder with images of the past the moment she hears his title, but thats just me).