"Why have you never given an oath to me? Why don't you swear an oath to me?"
"An oath? Didn't I take my oath of Allegiance as a knight in front of the King three years ago?" Evan was confused by Diher's question about the oath that had been given three years ago.
"Not an oath as a knight... but... as a witch."
"What? What did you say?"
Disher was silent for a moment, he could feel Evan was upset with him, and to be frank he was afraid that Evan would be angry at him, because if that happened, then no one would be able to help him. If Evan thought of killing him it would happen, as Evan's ability was much better than him.
"I'm asking you, Disher! Which oath do you want?"
"Your oath as a witch! An oath by your blood and soul."
"Why? Don't you trust me? Or do you want to betray me?"
"I... no... I'm just afraid that if one day you leave me and instead stand with other's side, I just want you to stay by my side as a best friend!"
Evan's stiff face instantly softened. He exhaled all his vexation, then took Disher by the shoulder and said. "I will never betray you. Either now or in the future. Whether by an oath or not, as long as you don't betray me, then I'll stay on your side. So the most important thing is you, will you betray me in the future?"
"No! Never!"
***
Summer of the year 3049 calendar Prima.
After getting a request from the West a year ago, and the prince was sent to the field to fulfill the people's request this time the same thing happened again. But from the opposite side, or it was known as the Eastern region of the Akaid Kingdom.
The easternmost mountainous region of the Akaid Kingdom was reported several times to have monsters in it. But recently many people have urged the Empire to solve the problem because the two-legged monster began to show itself on the border of the forest.
The mountainous region was also called the Kerinci mountains, an area that was known for its dense forests and wild animals. But for the last hundred years there was no report for the emergence of monsters or commonly called Orc. Was there anything left of the extermination by the previous king?
"Prince, Disher Phosphen, I grant you an order to eradicate the Orcs in the Kerinci region. I am Roan Phosphen will officially bestow the title of Crown Prince on you if you succeed in eradicating all the Orcs in the Kerinci region. Will you accept this task?"
"With all honor, I accept it, Your Majesty."
"You... The Head of The Knight and the best witch in this kingdom. Evan Evescent."
"I am, Your Majesty."
"I request you to accompany The Prince, and bring victory to all the people."
"With all honor, Your Majesty."
Thus the official duty had been handed down directly from The King to The Prince and his entourage. They immediately headed for the Kerinci mountains without wasting time. They must hurry before the monsters came to the settlement area.
In addition to the White Knights, there were also medics and chefs who departed with them, and there was also the state councilor who served as a strategist.
At first they did their job well. They roamed the Kerinci forest starting from the south, then moved into the forest to eradicate the monsters hiding in the forest. Hundreds of Orcs managed to be killed in just five weeks.
They began to feel pleased as the area they would go to was the last of their mission. The victory was plain in their eyes. That was what they thought before they realized that they were wrong. They were getting away from the victory.
Just less than a day, over half of the soldiers died, even many group leaders were dying.
"Disher, listen to me. I already know why the Orcs we're dealing with are different. They have been infected by Timira (darkness)." Evan explained while fighting alongside Disher.
"Timira? How can it be!"
"Someone is using the monsters. But I have a solution."
"Solution?"
"Listen, gather everything that remains at one point."
"What about you?"
"There are about eighty Orcs. I will absorb all the Timira around here, so you and the army should kill them as soon as possible while I keep Timira in my body. You have to do it quickly, Disher!" I don't know how long I can hold this.. I don't want any more victims-
Disher The Prince nodded in understanding then he stepped back right away leaving Evan and gathered all the remaining soldiers in hurry. Before absorbing Timira, Evan took time to create a fortress of protection for the remaining soldiers including Disher there.
Disher who was looking from a distance couldn't say anything, he could only look at Evan's back which was casting magic that he might had trained himself, or that was a forbidden magic. Disher was amazed and scared at the same time as he saw Evan's unbelievable power.
The power that Evan had never shown all this time.
"Get ready!" Disher screamed when he saw the fortress Evan had made begin to fade, along with Evan who was in difficulty.
"Kill them!"
All the remaining troops returned to the battlefield with the Prince, eradicating all the remaining Orcs as quickly as they could. Evan eradicated all the Orcs around Disher who were prostrate on the ground.
Evan endured the pain.
Exactly as predicted by Evan, everything was easier after Evan absorbed Timira than the Orcs. In two hours they won the most strenuous battle they had ever fought. because of this strenuous battle, they were only able to lie down on the spot after winning the battle
Disher was the only one who ran away from his group, then approached Evan who was still in the same position for two hours.
"Evan... listen to me... Evan..."
Disher knelt on the ground, then grabbed Evan's body. The body was still alive, but it was cold and rough.
"Disher? Did we win?"
amidst the pain, Evan asked then opened his eyes. Disher was shocked, he couldn't say any single word when he saw Evan's current appearance. Evan's round and red eyes had changed to golden yellow and oval. Then scales emerged in Evan's body and part of his face, a horn also emerged on his left head.
"Disher? Don't be afraid, all this will soon be gone.
Disher didn't give any response to Evan at all, he was still caught in shock. At the same time, the word of the Royal Council and the nobles crossed his mind.
"Are you sure he won't betray you? He must be hiding something from you... He has a great chance to dethrone you in the future... he can destroy you and this kingdom at any time, Your Majesty, you must kill him when the time comes to you... Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."
"Disher?"
"Evan?" Disher was aware from his reverie after hearing Evan's scream, then he turned to Evan. Disher was really scared of Evan's terrible body right now.
Disher slowly took out a poisoned dagger from his pocket, the dagger he always kept in case of enemies, it turned out that he used on Evan, his friend. But Disher had no other choice, everything the council said was true. Disher had decided. He hugged Evan tightly.
"Evan... I'm afraid of you... even without your being... Evan... I'm sorry Evan..."
"No, Disher!" The dagger had been stuck in Evan's right chest.