"Are you certain this will work, my lord?" asked Jason after hearing his plan. Only he spoke, yet it was obvious he had asked for the group.
Their fear was understandable, as they were hunters and had held weapons only to hunt forest animals, and Anthony was requesting them to face the most elite force in the continent.
"I am sure. Haven't you seen my power already?" he replied, faking his confidence once again. It was critical that he maintain the facade of superiority and control, especially in that situation.
"What if they hold the people hostage, and force us to surrender?" ask another hunter. Anthony saw others agreeing with him. It was once again a valid fear.
"No, they will not."
"Why?"
"Pride." was the crisp reply.
They could not afford any more time, the soldier have finished asking questions. The imperial spears and swords were intent to butcher every villager.
"Draw your swords." the sergeant said to the soldiers, and the sharp sound of blades being unsheathed followed the command. Basil would once again plead, and the women cried for their lives and their children's. The noise and the weeping would not touch the soldiers' hardened hearts.
"Do no resist, and we will make sure you leave this world painlessly." the officer advised.
Anthony knew that a second more, and he might be too late. So, he forced his fearful heart to be brave and initiated the plan into action.
"Are you looking for me? The Mage of Thelessy! Son of Alexander, commander of the men who slaughtered yours." his voice rung out, and not a quiver in it was heard. He had assumed an entirely different character.
The imperial soldiers turned their attention away from the villagers to Anthony, interrupting the carnage that was just a few seconds from happening.
What they saw was a man in leather armor, which they recognize was the nobleman who escaped. In front of him was a row of eight men, in villager clothes and holding spears.
The initial surprise was followed by chuckles. And the chuckles turned to laughter. To them, it was an odd sight, but the words that have been spoken were odder still.
"The mage eh? Was this the one who saved a boy from the venom of the snake? Must be really powerful. How scary." the sergeant mocked, and earned a round of laughter from his men.
"I am warning you, my lord. He is more capable than he appears. He hunts in the forest without a weapon and comes home with hunted birds. And as I have told you, he could summon potions that could raise up even the dead, out of thin air." Basil, who was kneeling, used his knees to go closer to the sergeant.
"A capable fighter, he is indeed. He was able to take down two of our men, but he is nothing more." the sergeant looked down at the village chief from his horse, with contempt in his eyes.
"Lavrus weeps in his abode. Madmen are tarnishing his great name."
"Hear me, my lord!" Basil shouted, out of despair.
"For his Lordship." the sergeant freed his blade and executed a swing that struck Basil's throat. The old man received the blow, wide-eyed, and stiffly fell to the ground.
The mood suddenly got even grimmer, and the villagers shrieked at the sight of blood.
"You should have listened to the old man." Anthony was appalled, he would've never done the same, despite the betrayal.
"You have entertained us enough, jester. Surrender, and you will reach Lorinth alive and will have the chance to live out your days in a cell."
"I have no plans to go with you."
"So be it."
Anthony summoned a spear in his hand, and the potion in the other. His fate will be decided in a few minutes.
"Have at him!"
At the sergeant's command, around 10 mounted horsemen charged towards their position. However, the narrow village road only allowed a single file.
"Spear wall!" Anthony ordered, and the hunters, although scared to death, lowered their spears.
It was then that he uncorked the vial and drank the contents of the potion.
[Cooldowns reduced by 50% for 20 seconds]
The imperial cavaliers continued the charge in spite of the pointed spikes, their swords in the air, clothed in killing intent.
But their horses were not as braved. Just before it was about to be skewered, the horse of the Cavalryman at the head of the file, reared, suddenly halting in its track.
[Used 'Piercing Shot']
From behind the hunters, a short spear flew and made an abrupt stop in the side of the soldier. It pierced the mail and also two of the ribs, enough to drop the rider off his horse.
The second horsemen had to evade, interrupting his momentum and presenting the same opportunity to Anthony.
[Used 'Spear Throw']
Another projectile made its flight, not as powerful but deadly accurate. The second rider saw the spear leave Anthony's hands and fly with lightning speed towards his forehead. He was helplessly slow, and the spear entered his face like a hot knife through butter.
[You have killed an Imperial Cavalryman]
[Mastery Points +100]
A stampede followed, the horsemen could not slow down in time; their horse collided with each other, then stumbled and fell. The soldiers were injured and most were stuck under the weight of their mounts and comrades.
Anthony smelt blood in the water, and ordered the spearman to move forward but not engage. What the hunters did was pinned down the soldiers, under the threat of the long spears, while behind them, Anthony executed them one by one.
Soon enough, the effects of the potion faded, but there was no need to use the skills. The basic shots could not miss point-blank.
The predators became prey, and the elite imperial soldiers were mercilessly massacred by a man wearing a hunter attire.
Some pleaded for mercy, mostly the younger ones, but Anthony was deafened by the violence and none would be saved.