"What the-"
A scene straight out of a movie. The C - Class talents defended the rest of the forces with everything that they've got.
Malik and Matthew took turns in defending the fort.
The B - Class Knight, Lancelot could do nothing but be at awe at the display of the exhausted party. Behind him riding on the same Griffin is a priest, ready to help with healing as the two of them landed on the roof next to the Virtuoso.
"Lindel! Prioritize these spellcasters! I will do the rest."
The priest did as he was told, casting healing spells and mana rejuvenating spells onto the two heroes.
"The Lion will take care of everything from here, you may rest"
The Lion, a simple epithet, but a powerful one. The Knight known as Lancelot is the bodyguard of General Di'Chevie.
His power is nothing short of astounding. Capable of clearing hordes of demons with a single stroke of his sword. He is at a level that deserves all manner of praise.
If he had gotten there just a few hours prior, multiple lives would have been saved.
The survivors watched as the knight single-handedly massacred the monsters.
...
"Davis! Sir! You know that this will lead to the death of a lot of soldiers right?"
"It will also lead to me going back to the real frontlines. Let me finish my mission in peace you stupid fuck!"
There was no use fighting against or even trying to go against the orders of the man.
That night, the portal leading to the demon realm was closed. Leading to a mass hysteria among the demons, rapidly increasing their power which then caused them to multiply.
Mass panic ensued in the frontlines as hordes of monsters continued the assault.
This caused the fall of at least 5 out of the 10 forts that have recently been established.
While the people loved Grayson Davis, those in the frontlines simply saw him as an asshole.
The Dragon Knight's closing of the portal, would normally be seen as good news but due to its early closure, this would mean that more danger encompassed the defending forces behind him.
The closure has led to the death of multiple soldiers, causing the so called "win" to be a bit of a controversial topic.
Debates among the masses would ensue but no repercussions would be held on the "Hero" who sealed the portal.
At Fort Nikaos.
A dying soldier wanted to meet the puppeteer, what Matthew did not expect to see is who this soldier actually was.
"It's been a while, Matt."
Gavin is dying. He suffered a grave wound and the priest could no longer purify or heal him. The demonic corruption coming from his wounds are too severe. He had at best half an hour to live.
The blades from Matthew's puppet armor flew around the room as he looked at his former friend.
Rokhan who joined his Captain saw something he never thought he'd see from him. An expression that seemed to never appear on his face, he would smile, laugh and even cry. He has only seen the captain cry once and that was during Gollic's funeral.
But the one expression he almost never showed was anger. This person must have done something truly vile for his captain to act like this.
Matthew saw the rest of his so-called friends there, or at least the ones who still lived.
"Rokhan, nothing you see or hear from this room goes out okay?"
Rokhan could only nod as screams were heard from the tent. The two fully healed soldiers along with the crippled Gavin would be considered killed in action.
There would be no closure for them, they betrayed him. He simply gave them what he thought they deserved.
He could have been more "mature" but being mature and forgiving these people who ruined his trust is simply something that Matthew cannot take lying down.
"You should have started by groveling, at least that way I wouldn't have gotten blood on my clothes."
Would he do the same to Natalie? He himself didn't know. All he knew is that from here on out, he lives for himself.
Anyone that betrayed him would face the wrath of the one they call the virtuoso. This was how Matthew achieved closure.
The egos in his head discussed.
"Francis, what do you think the difference is between revenge and justice?" The original Matthew asked with a blank expression.
"One pretends to be impartial and objective while the other is a lot more honest." Francis nonchalantly replied.
"Do you think that revenge was the right call?" Matthew stated as he wandered about the white room.
"Who benefits from the idea of forgiveness? Is it the perpetrator or the victim?" Francis struck back.
"You're right. The whole better person narrative never really suited my tastes."
"Resentment grows due to the incapability to act, once you act on it you can let the pain and grudge die. It might not be the morally correct choice but is it not a satisfying one?"
They discussed for hours in Matthew's head as the remaining survivors rested for the evening.