Kalid's strange command did not have much effect on the titled legion. The original mission was to wipe out the slavers beyond the border. A clear contrast compared to the new command by the paladin. For any of the two orders to happen, however, the knights had to be capable of striking down their opponents. Which seemed like a hard task considering the feline beast men's movement in the trees. It was not a very surprising sight to see beast men fighting in the slaver's ranks. They already had plenty of rumors about them before the Dog's Cough and afterward, they were shunned entirely. Carrier of diseases and living filth were the most common associations made with a beast man.
One of the two beast men, the feline with dark orange coloration and plenty of white circles on his fur charged first. Its charge ended as quickly as the speed of when it attacked as Kalid Ligh turned to face it. A dissatisfied cat-like hiss was audible as it decides better than to rush into the man with a copy of himself made of divine power. Instead, prowling through the tree lines again with its companion. The claw marks they leave behind are insignificant compared to the vegetation of this forest.
'Still no brand.' Kalid Ligh thinks as he keeps his focus on the two creatures and the wounded man. The man appears to have lost consciousness as his cheap cloth-like armor seemed to have been torn apart by multiple beasts. Exposing the man's wound to the habitat, his hopes of living dwindling with each passing moment. The sweat an indicator that a fever had already taken a strong hold over the body.
"Grrrr!" one of the feline beastmen hisses loudly, before the other attacks. Aiming at one of the legs of one of the Titled legion's knights. The knight swings his great sword, something easily dodged by the beast as it manages to strike the lower back leg of the armored knight. Luckily the expensive armored boots managed to do their job, the claws only managing to strike a small amount of blood. Another knight of the titled legion unwilling to let this go unpunished steps out of the circle. Swinging his mace whilst holding his shield close to him.
"Don't!" Adhred only manages to yell as the still prowling in the treelines feline beastman jumps the sole Titled knight in his back. Digging his claws past the armor as if a beast digging through it's prey's intestines. "Argh!" the short yell quickly falls flat as the beast man on his back bites the throat. Such an abominable sight, no wonder these things were ostracized from society. No wonder they were the bearers of the deadliest plague there has ever been.
As fast as Kalid Ligh possibly can, he casts his divine power on the wounded soldier. Allowing the divine armor to serve as a shield for the nearly dying man. The beast tries to continue to bite, however, it could not. A blind light and forceful power resist the attacks as it's forced to jump back into the tree lines.
The other beastman seeing his chance attacks Kalid Ligh. The man capable of wielding this mysterious force that they could only compare to the forms of magic the "Lychen" manage to wield. Unfortunately for the beast man, it was seen through. As Adhred instead of following the other two soldiers to aid their comrade moved close to Kalid Ligh. He swings the proud heirloom of his noble household, connecting with the beast-man in midair. The feline creature is slammed into the axe implanted into its back. Adhred pulls out the axe and swings it downward again, right in the back of the creature's head.
"What are you doing?" Kalid Ligh yells enraged! Unlike Cristal, he had no desire to hold back his frustration. "Did I not say capture them alive! Follow orders!"
"I am." Adhred Brave-Axe responds defiantly. His reply primarily aimed at his soldiers. The two who are now protecting their friends, whose eyes are turning lifeless as the scarlet blood flows freely. Passing the divine armor and feeding this dark place what it desires. "We are noble knights from the Grand duchy of Norka. I will not take orders from a holy empire paladin that does not value our blood."
"As you wish. Then let me deal with the beast." Kalid Ligh does not hide his rage and disdain in his answer. Of course "noble knights" had to be his partners when encountering this mystery. Those who've never known danger and yet at the first sight yell for their value. How many farmers had died for their privileges? How many lives had their self-preservation cost? Now Adhred draws the line by calling him a paladin? Hedara An'Yis had some grounds as an elf to stand on but a human noble wanting to play knight? How preposterous.
Kalid Light steps out, recalling the divine power on himself as he walks towards the feline beast man. The two knights instead rush back to Adhred, letting the torchbearer deal with the issue he himself is so obsessed with.
"Face me!" Adhred commands his yell again strengthened by the sound of a crackling fire as his divine power intermingles. Something the paladins called officially "a commanded rite" and those with more confidence called "The last rite." A command imbued by divine power whilst using your voice as a catalyst. It takes experience, talent, and plenty of risks to actually pull it off. Still, the advantages were worth it. The used-upon victim would feel compelled to follow the paladin's will as if it was the will of Asariel itself. "Face me!" he yells again that divine fury accompanying his voice, his command.
The beast-man moves closer as if a moth drawn to a flame. Unable to resist until it just stands there. Still out of range for the paladin to strike.
"No." It says with a smile before rushing the man they carried and digging its claws in his stomach. Kalid Ligh's divine armor on the wounded man soon enough to not make it fatal but too slow to stop it.
"It's time for you to find out, paladin. Not all beings are so willing to serve an accursed fate." The beast-man says before jumping into the tree lines and running away. Far too quick and nimble for the heavily armored soldiers to catch up.