[Ruined Kingdom's Territory]
Outside the campsite where the Frontline of the retaliation of the empire is happening, both Lily and Mia are having a chat inside a tent as they talked about Hibiki's current actions
For some reason they have noticed that somehow after the happenings back at the border town, Hibiki himself seemed to have grown considerably stronger than before and by each passing day his power seemed to continue to rise, this in turn gives doubt and uneasiness to both the Empire's princess Lily and Mia
"Hey how's Hibiki's doing recently?" Asks Lily in concern
"Him? He's like a machine! He's seemed to never grow tired for some reason, not only that I can feel that his growing stronger as the day pass... . . At this rate maybe one day he'll grow stronger and on par with that Archdemon we have fought" stated Mia as she shrugged her shoulders
"Is that so?... . . Well indeed he may have changed a little... . . Still he is using his power for the best right? Asked Lily as she gripped harder on her magical staff
"Umm... . . Yeah! But you know... . . This days... . . He's somehow little by little doesn't mind killing people so much, in fact sometimes I see him seemingly mocking them as he cut down the terrorist soldiers" said Mia
After that silence permeated the place for some moment as Lily gripped her staff even tighter
"It's our fault that the terrorist are like this" she muttered
Since the place was quite, Mia somehow caught Lily's whispering and asked
"What was that?"
"The terrorist... . . They are the kingdoms citizens that were once living in peace with the empire" she said
"Once?" Pondered Mia
"Yes... . . You may not have known this since it's been so long but... . .this ruined kingdom was once a beautiful land where peace and harmony between races reside, and since they taught of each races are equal, they have regarded the Empire's actions and deeds to the demi-humans and beastkin a little on the negative side" explained Lily with an expression of regret
"I see... . . No wonder... . . With the Empire's discrimination to the demi-humans and beastkin, it's no wonder why this two territory have an issue that lead up to their demise... . . Let me guess... . . Due to that the Empire's dealt with them to remove an obstacle" said Mia as she leaned closer to Lily
"Yes... . . That's how my father solved the problem, it's quite regrettable on what happened to them, but it is our fault for their destruction so it is only natural that they are angry at us" said Lily
"I see"
As they were talking about the Empire's actions in the past conflict that resulted to the current situation, the troop of soldiers wherein the Hero is leading together with Luke have returned to the campsite with some casualties
"Hoh! They're back" reacted Mia as he saw some crowds forming
As they took a peak they saw Hibiki bathed in blood as he stride through the front as he proudly pronounced
"We have defeated the enemies commander! It won't be long till we push them back to their castle! Be strong!!!"
With that announcement the whole campsite roared in excitement as they shouted and cheered for his name
"Hero!!!"
"Hero!!!"
"Hero!!!"
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As that happened Luke came closer to both Lily and Mia who seemed to take a peak at the current situation
Sensing Luke's approach, both Lily and Mia glanced at him as the former asked him
"How was he?"
"He's overwhelming! He actually pounced at their center and disrupted the enemy's forces from the middle... . . But no less he's power seemed stronger than yesterday, he's affinity to light magic also seemed to rise" reported Luke
"So indeed answered my doubts" stated Mia as she glanced at Hibiki
As they glanced at them, they felt that for some reason the hero was getting farther from their reach and is changing a little from the approachable one too the cold and stern Hero who they didn't know
"I hope he doesn't change" remarked Luke
"I like the old one better" complained Mia
"This kind of hero seemed distant for some reason" pondered Lily
As the three of them came to an agreement, they couldn't helped but want the old Hibiki to return
Unbeknownst to them such wishes never came to light as the celestial spirit that is within the Hero's soul sea is beginning to take over completely of his own body as it powers grow and match the Celestials spirit old power
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[Deep underground prison]
Inside the darkness within Sui is crouching on the floor as both hunger and pain course through her body
The enemy did provide them food, but it is only good enough for them to survive but not enough for them to get their fill
What's worse is that some noble brats was still haughty as they flaunt their reputations as somewhat important to take dominance over the rations of food which made most of the children to despise them
"Uhhhh!" Groaned Sui as she clutched her stomach
Despite all of this feeling she's having, Sui still remained firm and a leaning hope for other children as they assured them that her own Papa or Kaido will save them in not a moments later
Not only that she also concluded that the enemy was not only taking them as hostage but seemed to have plans for them as one particular person visits them everyday as a creepy smile arch up on its face
She even heard his mutter as she fake her sleeping
"Kuh! Kuh! Kuh! It won't be long... . . With this number of sacrifices I will achieve my plans hahahaha!"
Seemingly with that notion she concluded that the enemy must have plans on sacrificing them and by sacrifice means killing them
With that in mind she always prayed intently for her Papa's fast arrival whenever that creepy person arrives and visits them
"Papa! Sui is scared, Sui is hungry, Sui is in pain, but Sui will stay strong... . . Just please save us faster" she pleaded as little tears swept through the edges of her eyes deeply praying for Kaido's immediate arrival
**************************************
[Eldion Empire Gates]
Along the gates where numerous numbers of soldiers are gathering, the Guild master Barton seemed to have been talking to Marquez Lucio and Kaido for a bit
"Don't worry! The soldiers were once my worker! They won't betray you" assured Barton
"Kaido-dono... . . What are you doing?" Asked Marquez Lucio as he saw Kaido seemingly playing with arcs of electricity in his palm
"Huh? Oh yeah... . . I'm practicing my control over this element... . . I deemed that such element will be beneficial in the future" said Kaido
"Is that so?... . . Then it must be so... . ." Replied Marquez Lucio
As they talked some soldiers went up to them that alerted the three of them
"Well speak of the devil" stated Barton
After that three soldiers stood in front the three of them
"Sir! We are at your command! My name is Mike! Beside me is Carlo and Sid, we are in charge of this troop that will be accompanying you... . . But rest assured all of my soldiers were former adventurers so we don't discriminate other people easily" said Mike
***********************
Name: Mike
Age: 27
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Job: Soldier
Title: Captain of the troops
Skills: Mid level Swordmanship
Blessing: Blessing of the courage
***********************
Name: Carlo
Age: 26
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Job: Soldier
Title: None
Skills: Mid Swordmanship
Blessing: Blessing of the Insights
***********************
Name: Sid
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Job: Soldiers
Title: Vice-Captain
Skills: Mid level Swordmanship
Blessing: Blessing of the prudence and integrity
**********************
"Right... . ." Replied Kaido
"Don't worry... . .they can be trusted" assured Guild master Barton
As they were exchanging their greetings some haughty, achievement hunger nobles shouted back at them
"Oi! You commoner! Let's get ahead on! If we don't make our move then we will be late for the action! C'mon move your sorry butts"
As one of the nobles shouted that, it was followed by series of laughter from other nobles that made the soldiers to seem to feel anger due to their haughtiness
When both Marquez Lucio and Guild master Barton turned grim as they thought that Kaido would kill them on the spot, the next reaction from Kaido betrayed them as the latter actually smiled
"Hoh! Looks like some interesting insects have come on board" he said
"Yeah! They will be troublesome" said Barton
"Please be lenient" pleaded Marquez Lucio
With that the troop started their March at the Gates of the empire