As priest Samuel chanted the healing incantation, his hands glowing with the radiant energy of the Light. The Holy Knight's wounds began to close, and a faint shimmer of divine energy surrounded him.
However, Sir William, still fueled by the dark power of the Blood Pact, saw an opportunity. With a swift and ruthless motion, he swung his aiming to strike down the Holy Knight before the healing magic could fully take effect.
However, Priest Samuel Easly deflects the attack with his divine spell.
Priest Samuel, with a determined expression, channeled the power of the Light through his staff. A radiant barrier formed, intercepting Sir William sword before it could strike the fallen Holy Knight.
"Enough! You have already won, take your men back, before more people die." Priest Samuel declared, his voice resonating with the authority of his divine mission.
Sir William, still immersed in the dark aura of the Blood Pact, but he still controls his own body and hasn't been much affected by bloodlust and killing intent, when he looks at his force, they must be tired, and they need to bring possessed citizens affected by chaotic energy to the training ground.
With a reluctant nod, Sir William acknowledged the truth in Priest Samuel's words.
"Fall back, everyone. We've made our point," Sir William commanded, addressing his forces. The soldiers, weary from the intense battle, began to retreat, carrying the wounded and ensuring that those affected by chaotic energy were safely transported to the training ground.
The chaotic energy that enveloped him began to recede, and the crimson glow in his eyes faded. The dark aura dissipated, leaving behind a tired and battle-worn warrior.
"Ughh!" The Blood Pact buff has already worn off his body, the drawback of this technique has already affected him, Sir William is stunned for an hour.
Elara and Roland rushed to Sir William's side as he staggered from the aftermath of using the Blood Pact. His usual strong and imposing figure now seemed vulnerable and fatigued.
"Sir William, are you alright?" Elara asked, concern etched across her face.
Roland, ever the pragmatic warrior, added, "You shouldn't have used the Blood Pact, sir. The risks are too great."
Sir William, catching his breath, nodded in acknowledgment. "I had no choice. We needed to end the battle quickly. But you're right, the cost is steep."
"How many people die in this battle?"
As Sir William surveyed the aftermath of the battle, the toll of the conflict became painfully evident. The narrow streets of the slum district were littered with debris, the remnants of buildings shattered by the clashes of opposing forces. Wounded soldiers, both from Baron Gareth's forces and the mayor.
Fortunately, the Baron's troops and the possessed citizens were healed because of Ren's passive Health Point Aura, so the casualties are low compared to the mayor's troops, but they get support from the Church of Light.
Elara replied with a heavy heart, "Thirty-nine soldiers are fallen, and the citizens are worst situation, more than three hundred people are dead, mayor force hit their head, so they didn't have a chance to heal".
Sir William's expression darkened, the weight of the losses weighing heavily on his shoulders. He knew that the consequences of their actions extended beyond the battlefield and into the lives of the citizens affected by the chaotic energy.
___
City Hall.
Priest Samuel, still accompanied by Mayor Eldric and his mage advisors, made his way back to City Hall. The gravity of the situation hung in the air as they entered the building, where the aftermath of the battle was discussed.
Mayor Eldric, visibly shaken by the toll on his city, turned to Priest Samuel. "High Priest Samuel, we are grateful for your support, but we still need more Baron soldiers, they were strong, and our losses are high compared to them."
If the soldiers alone can cause us so many casualties, let alone that brat," Mayor Eldric broke into a cold sweat at the thought of the brat Gareth.
Mayor Eldric, still recovering from the shock of the battle, continued, "We need to find a way to bring an end to this chaos. Baron Gareth's forces are formidable, we also need support from the inquisitor."
Priest Samuel, his expression solemn, nodded in agreement. "I understand the gravity of the situation, Mayor Eldric. The chaos that has befallen Oscana is deeply concerning. I will dispatch a messenger to the Inquisitor, urging their swift intervention. We must unite against this common threat and restore order to the city."
Mayor Eldric expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, High Priest Samuel. We cannot allow Oscana to fall into further chaos. The Inquisitor's involvement is crucial to resolving this crisis."
Priest Samuel instructed one of his attendants to prepare a message for the Inquisitor, urgently seeking their assistance. The attendant quickly left City Hall to deliver the message.
As they awaited the Inquisitor's response, the mayor and Priest Samuel gathered their respective advisors to discuss the next steps.
"I propose a temporary ceasefire between our forces and Baron Gareth's troops. We need time to heal our wounded, tend to the affected citizens, and assess the damage to the city," Mayor Eldric suggested.
Priest Samuel considered the proposal. "A ceasefire would indeed allow both sides to regroup and tend to the aftermath of the battle. However, we must ensure that Baron Gareth's forces do not take advantage of this pause to further their dark agenda."
Mayor Eldric nodded in agreement. "Agreed. We'll communicate our intent for a ceasefire to Baron Gareth and his forces. In the meantime, we should strengthen the city's defenses and prepare for the possibility of another confrontation."
___
Capital City of Verdant Glades Kingdom.
In the Capital City of Verdant Glades Kingdom, King Richard II received urgent reports about the escalating conflict in Oscana Barony, Messengers from Mayor Eldric detailed the events that unfolded, including the use of forbidden techniques like the Blood Pact and the involvement of Blood God Cult.
King Richard II listened attentively to the messengers, his expression growing more serious with each detail provided about the dire situation in Oscana Barony.
"It seems there are remnants of the Blood God cult lurking around this kingdom, even though he is dead." King Richard II, reflecting on the war between him and his little brother.
"Such chaos and the involvement of the Blood God Cult are grave matters that cannot be ignored," King Richard II stated, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "We must act swiftly to bring an end to this crisis and protect the stability of the kingdom."
King Richard II, with a resolute expression, continued, "We cannot allow the influence of the Blood God Cult to persist. It poses a threat not only to Oscana Barony but to the entire kingdom. We must mobilize our forces and send reinforcements to support Mayor Eldric and the Church of Light in dealing with this menace."
The royal advisors, assembled in the throne room, nodded in agreement with the king's assessment. The situation in Oscana Barony had escalated beyond a local conflict, and decisive action was necessary to curb the dark influence spreading through the region.
"Summon General Cedric," King Richard II commanded, addressing one of his attendants. "Inform him of the situation in Oscana Barony and instruct him to gather a regiment of our best soldiers. They are to march to Oscana Barony immediately and reinforce the efforts of Mayor Eldric and the Church of Light."
___
Holy Seer Church of light
In the Holy Seer Church of Light, the Grand Inquisitor Robert received the urgent message from Priest Samuel regarding the chaotic events in Oscana Barony. The Inquisitor, a figure of great authority and influence within the Church, read the details carefully.
"This is a grave matter indeed," the Grand Inquisitor Robert murmured, his piercing gaze focused on the reports. "The involvement of the Blood God Cult and the use of forbidden techniques cannot be overlooked. It threatens the stability not only of the barony but of the entire region."
The Grand Inquisitor Robert, a stern and imposing figure, turned to his advisors. "Prepare the elite forces of the Church. We will send a contingent to Oscana Barony immediately. The presence of the Inquisition is required to assess the situation, root out the remnants of the Blood God Cult, and restore order."
The advisors quickly carried out the orders, dispatching messengers to gather the Inquisition's forces and prepare for their departure to Oscana Barony.
"The Church of Light cannot tolerate such darkness within its territories. We must act swiftly and decisively to cleanse Oscana of this corruption," the Grand Inquisitor Robert declared, his voice echoing through the sacred halls of the Holy Seer Church.
As preparations for the Inquisition's intervention were underway, a sense of urgency permeated the air. The fate of Oscana Barony hung in the balance, and the forces of light and darkness were converging in a battle that would determine the destiny of the region.
___
Village.
While Ren is training Maria Braveheart and her villagers to become anti-mage, he receives an urgent message from Sir William that the mayor's forces have formed an alliance with the Church of Light and that Sir William, Roland and Elara are now fighting against them.