The nightly hunts had caused panic on the flanks. More and more units were disregarding orders. Those in the centre and rear weren't targeted for the time being. The delegation of command would come to bite their field marshal in the ass now. They weren't trained to handle long range snipers. By the time they figure it out the engagement range it would be too late.
I also arranged for one runic grenade to be placed in an inconsequential part of the command camp. I wanted it to seem like the brass was trying to show that they weren't spared either. The only possible deaths would be commoners and serfs. It would, to the normal soldiers, smell of conspiracy. Causing more discord between the ranks. It would help later, causing soldiers to dessert of mutiny.
The scouts were smart. Usually mages or adventurers, they just made up reports of their 'patrols.' I literally saw them gambling in the woods. I let them be, after marking them. Just because they are not engaging now doesn't mean they won't in the future.
I went on my way. Causing more mayhem and discord in the enemy forces. Cypher was doing his thing. At this point, I let him do whatever. The only people to give him trouble were adventurers. They were all being held in reserve. Poor leadership there, you can't hold your best troops in reserve, and use them later to clean up the mess. They won't be enough. Also it will reveal the state of your forces if the elites come out late.
*****A week later*****
I got bored of the nightly hunts. I started focusing on my runes and alchemy. I had a few thousand souls at this point in time. The more souls I had the better the Philosopher's Stone would turn out. I also needed large quantities of blood. So now I was focusing on extracting blood through runes. I had a lot of unfortunate targets to practice on.
I was simply blowing shit up all over the place. What's more, I wouldn't retreat. My constant destruction of front line troops forced the enemy commander to call a retreat.
The souls and blood of the dead would be collected. The soul container was improved over time to cover a larger area. The process was coming along nicely. I would keep collecting until the end of the war.
As expected the enemy adventurers were dispatched to take care of me and Cypher. Reports from spies and scouts made me aware of this fact. I laid traps and ambushes all over the hills for them, just to be safe.
A few bursts from my M240 and that problem was quickly handled. Cypher and I attacked the command centre and killed everyone there. Our spies and scouts were called back before I did that.
Today, I am on a hill watching the Aglarian army retreat over the river into their own country. I will submit a plan for more fortifications on the hill and the river. For now I will preside over the complete removal of the enemy forces as per the terms of surrender.
*****15 days after the enemy retreat from Westfort*****
The elves have won the war. With that our initial terms of the job are complete. The secondary terms are now in play. All willing prospects will go with Asfi, Aisha, Thane and Suicia. I was to remain here due to the fourth princess expressing a desire to join our familia. Asfi and her being a couple also complicated matters. But that's their problem.
Now I can relax, read, learn and improve without distractions.
The queen of Zorya will most likely keep me in the city. Or have a bunch of guards around me to make sure I don't run off. Not that she can do anything to stop me. Cypher will throw a wrench into her machinations. He's just too chaotic for anyone besides me to handle for a long amount of time.
A break from the routine will be nice. I can also use this time to learn from the other members of the Chat-Group. I haven't been in contact with them for a few days now. Hopefully everything is well.
The rest of the familia are preparing to leave. Hermes cannot teleport them back to Orario. The act of doing so will set a precedent and other gods can use their powers to smuggle in contraband or cause mayhem. It's a few months from here to Orario. So I guess I'll have plenty of time to improve my skills.
I will request a stay at Griffons Nest. It's the best place to keep me 'entertained.' I'm on the far side of the Country, and will have to traverse several cities in order to leave elven territory.
*****3 months later Griffons Nest*****
I am quite content with my accommodations. The view is spectacular. Cypher gets to run around as he pleases. I have an entourage of servants helping me out with my experiments.
I met queen Selene Stygios on the day of the departure of her daughter. After the departure ceremony was complete, we had a short meeting. After which I was escorted to my current abode.
Things had been going rather well, for the last few months. I was steadily making improvements in my understanding and applications of Runes. My mastery of Alchemy was progressing steadily as well. I had made a few test Philosophers stones to practice for the final attempt. The practice ones could turn about one ton of raw iron into hold before turning to dust. That's also because I was using the entire power reserve of the stone in one go. If I spaced it out and let the stone get back to equilibrium, the stone can last for centuries. The transmuted gold is gold all the way through. There are no impurities, trial and error did show that working with smaller pieces was more efficient. The elixir and panacea were also of decent quality. By now I think I have enough experience and confidence to try and make the real thing.
*****Odin*****
The madman has done it! He's created a Philosophers stone. Metal to gold is only the tip of the iceberg with what he has in his hands. He can literally become the ruler of wherever he wants with that power. And to think he won't even considered a beginner apprentice in some places.
My advice to him was to master the fundamentals of alchemy. Everything else is now just superficial with the power available to him from the stone.
*****Cassius a few months later*****
It's been eight months since the departure of the rest of the familia. I have completely taken over the Griffons Nest. It is now my personal laboratory. I made several golems and war machines. I now have a platoon of golems to guard me and either a tank or an attack helicopter to take me airborne.
Missile launchers, flamethrowers, machine gunners, grenadiers, scouts. I have it all.
The queen requested a few meetings with me, in the time I've been here. I simply rejected them. She can't harm me. Even if she tried. And she has nothing I want. I've basically made Griffons Nest impenetrable for anything under a level 8 monster.
The Philosophers stone is actually the reason why my Runes and Golemancy have improved so drastically. Acting on Odin's advice, I revisited and mastered the basics of Alchemy. With creation and transmutation being so simple for me at this point in time. I just went off on making whatever I fancied. Now I have a flamethrower golem and a golem that can fly.
I'm thinking of making a hover bike. I need a superconductor and a bit of magical mumbo-jumbo. And voilà, my own hover bike.
I need fresh air. Being stuck inside for weeks is not good for my sanity. And my sanity is the only thing keeping a lot of these annoying knife ears alive.
I wanna go home.