Henry could feel a powerful energy, buried deep in his heart, pushing outwards, trying to leave his physical body. The young king could feel his muscles rupturing and a few bones cracking under this immense pressure as his heartbeat accelerated.
It was like a bomb going off.
The Second Form – Fire Guardian was a technique that could only be safely used when the user entered the Fifth Stage and developed a tough body. It forcefully strengthened his bones and muscles by sending large influx of Mana, which led to their eventual rupture.
Henry activated this technique while in the Fourth Stage, which could potentially harm his wellbeing. However, he had to risk it. He could not compete with this barbarian neither in strength nor in speed, maintaining the status quo could only lead to his death.
That's why, seeing the axe aimed at a non-fatal spot, Henry activated the Second Form and let himself be hit on purpose, giving a clear and open opportunity to the barbarian who took it.
The barbarian leader had a satisfied smile when he saw his axe piercing through this man's defense, after almost a hundred strikes, causing the madness in his eyes to slightly fade away. However, his happiness and satisfaction were short lived.
Although his attack passed through, the axe didn't make it through past his enemy's rib bones, staying lodged there. He diverted his attention and raised his head, looking in his enemy's eyes. There, he saw neither desperation nor pain, only relief and decisiveness.
The barbarian tried to pull out his axe, but Henry grabbed his arm with his free hand and raised his Fire Sword.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" – Henry shouted from deep within his soul. A scream of victory, mixed with pain.
The young king powerfully slashed at the barbarian's neck and like a guillotine falling, his head rolled on the ground while maintaining a face filled with shock. It was an unwilling face of a person unable to kill his enemy.
"It's finally over…." – Henry exclaimed in relief, his body faltering like a rag doll and his head spinning from the pain.
A great portion of his muscles has been burned by the fiery and destructive Mana generated from the Imperial Sun God Technique. The Second Form, besides burning also ruptured a few veins and tendons. Luckily, his Mana circuits were able to withstand the huge influx and didn't split.
In sum, there wasn't a single fiber intact in Henry's body, leading to an excruciating pain that not even his inborn talent could fight back. It hurt to the point where he wasn't able to move an inch and only dizzily watch his surroundings.
He could see the First Battalion consistently ending the barbarians while Luther and his two Generals were rapidly dealing with their personal enemies. In fact, Luther was already covered in blood by beheading three of his enemies.
Soon, Henry couldn't support his body anymore and tumbled on the ground as the snow gently piled up on his face. It was the first time since he arrived in this foreign place that he looked at the skies.
"It not ugly" – He thought, looking at the grey clouds while the metallic taste of blood permeated his senses – "But a little bit of sun wouldn't hurt."
This was Henry's last thought before he succumbed to darkness, losing his consciousness, letting his body be submerged by the holy white snow.
-x-
About a month later…
The war ended with Stahl's complete victory after almost all barbarian's powerhouses were beheaded and the soldiers either captured or mercilessly killed.
Henry was unconscious for five whole days, waking up to an immense pain and unable to lift even his index finger. However, maybe because of his enhanced physique or because he was constantly exposed to Mana, he rapidly healed enough to stand up.
And, right after, his first action was to ask for the casualties report and a detailed description of the kingdom's current state.
"About five hundred soldiers died. We are going to need workforce and an army and experienced hunters to survive through the winter…Our food stock is rapidly waning."- Henry thought while sitting on his throne, his whole body covered by linen bandages and his right arm immobilized by an improvised wooden splint. – "How can I solve this problem?"
Henry placed the parchment on his lap and gently tapped the throne's arm with his free fingers, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Manpower…"
"Manpower…"
"Manpower…."
"That might work, but an occupation government might invoke even more hatred towards us…." – Henry was seriously pondering, with his fingers madly tapping the throne. –"However, there is no other way
"Luther! Bring the prisoner!" – Henry commanded with decisiveness.