An hour has passed since I returned to the bandit camp. And I've killed everyone I could sense who wasn't a captive. The main problem is the camp is empty, but my anger has barely subsided. The risk is still there. They still target my people.
What next? Wait or tell my men. I think I'll do the second option. As I teleport to the castle, I am halted as I approach my military coordinator's room.
You stop!
My lord, forgive me! As he recognizes me
Why are you covered in blood?
This I visited the bandits. It was time for the counter-offensive as I walked past and pushed open the door. The door's opening wakes my advisor, and when he sees me, his eyes go wide. My lord, are you okay?!
"Yes, it is time to rally the troops. The bandits die within the week!
A day passes, and the troops are rallied. Based on what I gained from the camp and their group size, we have two days before they return! Plenty of time, the field marshal and my military advisers tell me.
Before we set off boches wife stops me and hands me a large cloth with a symbol on it, the scales of fate submerged within the bottom of an hourglass. The sand coming toward the golden scales is crimson in color with a black background.
She then tells me, "May the scales consistently tip in your favor. May the blood of those who fight the scales flow like time, and May these words shine in the darkest of times!" As she finishes, I reply to her
"I will use this later." As for the flag, my crest has been chosen. I like it."
"I thought you would he responds.
As I call my standard bearer to me. I then proceeded to burn the old standard and put on the new in an exaggerated fashion.
I then look over my troops and begin to give my speech.
Attention people and warriors of the lands, I stand before you, not as not a lord but a warrior of the empire, a man of the empire. Though young, I will lead as a man, not from behind, but in front; I will fight as though you are my very brother, as if you are family, for that is what we are the family. We will win. We will bring the scales of fate back in the favor of the right, for time wills it!
As if in a trance, all 3,000 troops in front of me shout in unison, but three words
"Time wills it!"
and remember only the blood of these bandits will set the scales back into balance for
"Fate wills it!
The soldiers and citizens respond in unison.
"Now, forward march! As the citizens cheer, the soldier's eyes burn with fierce will and determination as marching echoes through the streets of Ankeir Boch approaches me.
"That was a good speech. We needed a good speech."
"I hope it's enough. The enemy is about 5,000 strong." We have the advantage if we make it in time. We have half a day's rest. Then, the battle should start. Boch, I'll be fighting on the front. Escape if things go wrong; tell my family and Emily about my fate if it happens."
"whoa! Death flag much? That's not like you, Zeus. I believe you are stronger than you think and tell yourself," As the day passes, the watches are assigned, and everyone gets rest that night.
-mid-day-
I hear the bell signaling the approaching bandits. I get my gear, tighten my blindfold, and leave my lodgings. I see many of my soldiers readying themselves for what's to come. Prayers to Luxus letters are read. The whole thing pains my heart, as some will die today, but I will save as many as possible. That is my promise to the people who follow. As their determination burns, mine also flares. I push past the line of my men and stand on the makeshift wall. Warriors, are you ready
"Time wills it! Fate wills it!" they shout in unison.
As the bandit realized what was happening, I ordered my standard to bear. They begin to charge. I teleport to the front of the makeshift wall. Behind me are the most elite troops I have, I ask over the sound of battle cries.
"Are you ready!"
In reply, I get
"Time wills it!"
"Archers fire!" I hear from my field marshal as volley after volley lands in the bandit's ranks. They fall and more charge forward this time, but the arrows are ineffective as a barrier of wind is summoned.
"A mage, huh?" I say to no one in particular.
"Found you."
I whisper under my breath as a fireball appears over a cloaked figure. Immediately killing him as the wind barrier collapses, the arrows reap, life after life. Eventually, the bandits reach me and my forces. Hours pass as I boost and begin killing, and the blood flows like time unending. My side has taken some causalities and a lot of wounded. About half the troops I brought cannot fight, but the enemy is down to the last few hundred. I am nowhere near the end of my stamina or essence/mana, but I will admit the slickness of the blood on my hands and the stench of death is rather unpleasant. as I give a final rallying cry.
"Fate wills it!"
My remaining men charge with me at the front. I cast time stop and kill more than I care to keep track of my troop's chant as I come out of time stop.
"Time wills it! Time will it! Time will it!
As they charge past me, I look over the carnage. Only about fifty of the bandits remain as if an apparition Boch appeared.
"Good work, kid. Rest."
I return to the makeshift camp. That the bandits once called home.
Filled with the wounded, I begin healing them with Time Heal until I pass out due to essence exhaustion. As I open my eyes, a familiar ceiling reaches my senses.
I quickly shoot out of bed and to the military advisor's room as I knock
Who is it? God damnit, can people wait till tomorrow?
As I opened the door, he was surprised. "My lord, I'm sorry I didn't know it was you! what is
"The death toll?"
I interrupt him
"250 he says with a frown. He begins to speak, and I cut him off
"How are we honoring the dead?"
"Post humerus promotion and their families will get three silver."
"I want a military burial for all that died in this battle I will be attending. Make the necessary preparations."
"My lord, I want you to know something: The cave in the valley. We found gold veins!"
"what! I want fortifications built and a garrison placed, then get a surveyor to the location."
"Yes, sir"
"One more thing, my lord, your family is here."
"Wait, they are?" I rush out of the room shortly before he can respond to find the nearest maid. Which, in return, leads me to the dining hall, where I find my father, mother, and sister!
As I bust through the door, they turn to see the commotion and treat me to a rush of people and a group hug. My mother was in tears, and my sister and dad thanked Luxus. They recount what has happened. The king has granted me another town and an influx of people to help with the population and workforce. Seeds and means to grow. And so two years have passed, and things have become peaceful and tranquil. The gold mines brought a boom to prosperity. In the fief of Ankier and their surrounding lands, I'm now eight. Not much has changed. I haven't seen Emily, but we write to each other often. The grounds I have developed have grown for farming, forestry, and soon the new village. Well, village three is set to be founded near the gold mine. One in the forest that borders a valley. I used to trade with the neighboring country, to the West. I plan to bring in earth mages for this one to make a walled city. Hopefully, it will become a trade hub. The other is near the new farmlands to the south. I plan to have their foundations set in two years!