Jarvis stood at the gate as the carriage approached. Signaling the hobgoblins, the gates creaked open, allowing the carriage to roll inside. Oliver emerged, alone this time. "I hope you are doing well, Lord Oliver," Jarvis greeted.
"Thank you, Jarvis. I am doing great. I trust you and your master are both well," Oliver replied.
The gates closed behind them as Jarvis led Oliver to the house, guiding him to the same spot he had occupied the previous day. As before, Akira, known as Fate, sat waiting. Jarvis, curious, inquired about Sir James.
"I trust you people," Oliver replied. "I don't think I need any protection as long as I'm your guest."
Fate, hearing this, remarked, "Well said, Advisor Oliver."
Lesley brought Oliver a cup of tea, and Akira began the conversation, "So, what news do you have for me?"
"Fate, we accept your offer," Oliver replied, then hesitated. "However, there is an issue."
"And what might that be?" Fate asked, his tone sharp.
"Lord Leonard has ordered Lord Henry to vacate his land and hand authority to you, but Henry refuses. He believes he doesn't have to obey Lord Leonard. So, while we offer you his land, you must deal with Lord Henry on your own."
Fate paused, considering, then extended his hand. Oliver, understanding this gesture, shook it firmly, sealing their agreement. Taking a sip of his tea, Oliver hesitated before asking, "Fate, may I request something?"
"Yes, please ask."
"Can we have the head of Lord Henry?"
Fate met Oliver's gaze with a cold intensity. "Of course. I will definitely send it to you, don't worry." Then, shifting topics, he asked, "How long until the army reaches the Concordia region?"
"They will arrive the day after tomorrow," Oliver responded.
Fate stood, declaring, "I should start working towards completing things." Akira says,"Jarivs I leave Advisor Oliver in your care" and then called for Alphagob and Gammagob to follow him. Fate strode to the main gate, which the hobgoblins promptly opened. Breaking into a sprint, Fate and the ogres sped away, leaving the soldiers at the gate sweating in awe of their speed.
Watching this, Oliver asked Jarvis, "Where is Fate going?"
Jarvis replied, "Probably to get the head of Lord Henry."
Coughing in surprise, Oliver stammered, "Did Fate go with two ogres to claim the town?"
Jarvis nodded. "Yes, Lord Oliver."
"How long will it take him?" Oliver asked, his eyes wide.
"I think he'll be done by evening," Jarvis answered confidently.
"What? Are you serious?" Oliver exclaimed, shocked. "It would take hours for a knight to sprint there."
"Master is way above a knight," Jarvis replied.
"Jarvis," Oliver called, "can I stay here until Fate returns?"
"Of course, my lord. You can stay as long as you don't leave this room," Jarvis assured him.
Oliver accepted the offer. Jarvis added, "I will inform your soldiers about your stay so they can rest as well." With that, Oliver settled in.
Akira, having put a good distance between himself and his base, teleported him and his ogres to the center of the town where he had first encountered the lich. His sudden appearance with two ogres in the bustling market caused immediate chaos. As expected people got scared and ran in any direction as long as they were getting away from the ogres. Guards surrounded him, demanding his identity and ordering him to surrender.
"I'm here to meet Lord Henry, sent by Lord Leonard," Fate announced.
At the mention of Leonard, the guards hesitated, lowering their weapons. They insisted on disarming Fate and his ogres before granting an audience. Fate handed over his sword, Gammagob relinquished his bow and arrows, and Alphagob offered his greatsword. As the guard tried to take the sword, its immense weight crushed his hands, causing him to scream in pain. Four guards struggled to lift the sword and free their comrade.
Satisfied with the display of power, Fate ordered the guards to lead him to Lord Henry. They escorted him to a modest mansion, not a castle. As they walked, Akira asked, "Why are there so many merchants in this town?"
"This area connects the Duatt Kingdom, Concordia, and the Ferrumhold Kingdom. Merchants from all over come here to trade," the guard explained.
"What a vantage point," Akira thought. "It is a gold mine if used well. A central hub of economics. Yet, it lacks facilities. Likely due to the lord's greed."
Reaching the mansion, the guards ordered the gatekeepers to open the door. Inside, Lord Henry was deep in conversation with his advisors about raising taxes. Upon seeing Henry, Akira teleported Alphagob's great sword to his hand and drew two short daggers from his inventory, handing them to Gammagob and handing the greatsword to Aplhagob.
The room fell silent in shock. Akira smiled beneath his mask, then commanded, "Alphagob, kill every soldier and guard you see. Gammagob, bring me Henry's head."
In an instant, Alphagob and Gammagob sprang into action. Akira ordered Alfred, his spectral ally, to ensure no souls escaped, absorbing them as they perished. "Yes, my lord. I will begin immediately," Alfred replied.
Alphagob tore through the mansion, slicing down guards and soldiers with brutal efficiency. Gammagob sprinted towards Henry, who tried to flee but was quickly decapitated. Gammagob then turned his attention to the remaining guards in the room.
Amidst the chaos, Akira strolled leisurely, as if taking a walk in the park. Men shouted and cried, blood splattered everywhere. He approached the throne where Henry had sat, casually sitting down and propping his legs on Henry's severed head, savoring the influx of souls and the surge of power they brought.
Gammagob, having finished off the room's occupants, stood by Akira's side, drenched in blood. Outside, Alphagob continued his rampage, cutting down anyone in armor or holding a weapon. The town fell into silence as terrified citizens fled and hid wherever they could.
Fifteen minutes later, Alphagob returned, his sword resting on his shoulder, his body covered in blood from head to toe.