The battle became a bloodbath. The clash between Askyros' soldiers and those that held the fort was gruesome as they fought for dominion.
"Yikes, I wouldn't want to be down there." [Aleph]
"It's a shame my soldiers are incapable of mercy." [Askyros]
"What are you talking about? You have a sword at my neck." [Aleph]
"I haven't killed a single one of your men, no?" [Askyros]
Aleph let out a scoff.
"Sure, but I'm pretty sure you crippled a lot of my allies. Remember how you got up here? You smacked my soldiers off and had them fall from… probably sixty feet?" [Aleph]
Askyros put on a blank face.
"They will live." [Askyros]
"That's not the problem." [Aleph]
Askyros pressed the blade against Aleph's neck.
"Enough. Tell me what I want to hear." [Askyros]
"What you want to hear? Sure. Uh… Your fortune looks good and future prospects will be-" [Aleph]
Askyros pressed the blade further. At this point, the blade had broken skin.
"Wait wait wait! I'll stop joking!" [Aleph]
Askyros gave an expression of distrust, but he decided to give him another chance.
"I will not ask again." [Askyros]
"Okay, okay. Let me just…" [Aleph]
He reached for his bow, but Askyros was faster. He slashed the bow in half and grabbed Aleph by the throat.
"Ack!" [Aleph]
"We're done here." [Askyros]
The soldiers around him reacted to the hostility, all charging him with swords raised.
"..." [Askyros]
Using Aleph as a weapon, Askyros spun around and smacked the soldiers.
"Ow?!" [Aleph]
Askyros was quick and efficient. Soldiers fell one by one, unable to fix the situation.
"Please stop! My head is gonna come off!" [Aleph]
Askyros did not falter. He only stopped when there were no longer any soldiers to stand against him.
"..." [Askyros]
He looked around at his surroundings, taking notice that the only ones standing were his allies that stared in awe.
"...That was incredible, Askyros!" [Ryse]
"It was tiring work that I didn't want to do." [Askyros]
Ryse pointed at Aleph.
"Are you sure it wasn't tiring because you were using a human as a weapon?" [Ryse]
Askyros looked at the limp Aleph within his grasp.
"Hm." [Askyros]
He released his grip, causing Aleph to cough and gasp for air.
"Jesus…! I thought I was going to die!" [Aleph]
"...He's alive?!" [Ryse]
Ryse sprang back as Aleph sat himself up.
"You wouldn't understand how many times I passed out." [Aleph]
He craned his neck as if to check if it was still there.
"This fort is now ours. Ryse, order our men to move all enemies off site." [Askyros]
"You're not going to execute them?" [Ryse]
"There is no need." [Askyros]
It was a strange order. No one would let the opposing factions live if they had the chance. However, Ryse was used to Askyros' eccentricities.
"Sure." [Ryse]
He then left Aleph and Askyros alone.
"Man… I can't believe I joined the losing side." [Aleph]
"Did you have a choice?" [Askyros]
He questioned Aleph's position thinking that he was drafted, just like everyone else.
"I actually did. I'm a mercenary for hire." [Aleph]
"Hm." [Askyros]
Askyros remained silent.
"What? You're not going to ask to hire me?" [Aleph]
"No." [Askyros]
"Seriously?! I could've sworn you would have offered me a job after seeing my skills." [Aleph]
Askyros raised a brow.
"Nothing? Really? This isn't like those light novels at all!" [Aleph]
"Light novels?" [Askyros]
"Don't mind it. Anyways, I want to ask you something." [Aleph]
"Then ask." [Askyros]
Aleph moved to his knees and slammed his forehead into the ground.
"PLEASE HIRE ME!!" [Aleph]
He shouted with all his heart and the depths of his soul.
"No." [Askyros]
"Why?!" [Aleph]
Askyros looked Aleph up and down before answering.
"You're not loyal." [Askyros]
"...Did you really just look at me to check my loyalty?" [Aleph]
"I was rating your sense of fashion." [Askyros]
"Cap." [Aleph]
"Cap?" [Askyros]
Aleph waved a hand.
"Don't pay that any mind. So, I just need to show you my loyalty?" [Aleph]
"Maybe." [Askyros]
"So it's not even guaranteed…" [Aleph]
Aleph felt a bit disheartened, but he still tried.
"Alright. I'll show you my loyalty." [Aleph]
"Hm." [Askyros]
"...You're not even going to ask how I'm going to do it?" [Aleph]
"No." [Askyros]
At this point, Aleph was already expecting Askyros to say "No" to everything.
"I'm going to become friends with all your men. Then, you'll have to hire me!" [Aleph]
He then cut himself off and murmured something under his breath.
"Of course that wouldn't work…" [Aleph]
"Okay." [Askyros]
Aleph eyes went wide with surprise.
"Huh?! THAT is what works?!" [Aleph]
He then proceeded to face-palm.
"Mission accepted. I'll come back to you so fast that it'll knock your shoes off!" [Aleph]
Filled with motivation, he ran off.
"...Knock my shoes off?" [Askyros]