Adam approached Lemone who was deep in thought. "Bard, you could take care of preparing the water bottles and the rest of the equipment for the trip. We need to have everything ready before we leave."
Lemone rolled her eyes. He felt like he was being insulted. He, who had developed complex strategies, now had to reduce himself to filling water bottles? Arrogance was evident on his face. "Very well, Lieutenant. I'll take care of it."
Lemone was bustling around the supplies, a defiant look on her face. He sorted the rations, filled the water bottles, checked the condition of the weapons. Yet inside he felt torn.
The dark entity, this invasive voice, did not leave him for an instant. "You really think you can escape your fate, Lemone? You're a pawn, a tool. You're nothing more."
Lemone clenched her fists. "Shut up! I'm not your toy."
"Oh, but yes," the voice sneered. "You dance to my music, you know that very well. You're going to sabotage this mission, and you're going to find yourself at the top of the hierarchy. Isn't that wonderful?"
Lemone hesitated. The idea of seeing Adam humiliated and taking his place flattered him immensely. But he was afraid of the consequences of his actions. He was afraid of losing his soul.
Lemone, loaded with provisions, left the royal city of Aeternum. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows on the cobblestones. He joined the procession where the businessman, an obese and complacent man, was harnessed to a horse-drawn carriage.
At the sight of the businessman, a smirk appeared on Lemone's face. He remembered the entity's words:
"You're going to sabotage this mission, and you're going to find yourself at the top of the hierarchy." He liked the idea more and more.
"Hey, you, the little soldier! Quickly, take these provisions and put them on the horse!", ordered the businessman in an arrogant voice.
Lemone placed the supplies on the ground with a thud. He straightened up and looked the businessman straight in the eyes. "What if I don't want to, rich? Do you think you can order me around like that, you and your gold coins?"
The businessman, shocked by the soldier's insolence, blushed with anger. "How dare you talk to me like that? I could have you imprisoned for less than that!"
"Try it," Lemone sneered. "I'm not a dog you can train as you please."
An altercation broke out between the two men. Insults flew from both sides. Tensions grew as the argument escalated. Suddenly, Lemone, with a quick movement, grabbed the businessman by the collar and slammed him against the car.
Lemone, taking advantage of the advantage he had gained, pushed the knife a little deeper into the wound. "You should watch your weight, my friend. All that fat must be heavy to carry!"
The businessman, furious, tried to free himself from Lemone's grip, but he was too slow. "I'm going to have you fired, you insolent little one! You don't know who you're attacking!"
Lemone snickered. "And I know very well who I'm attacking. A big pig who believes that money can buy everything."
The situation was deteriorating quickly. The other members of the escort, shocked by the violence of the scene, hesitated to intervene. Adam, who had tried to calm things down, realized that he had underestimated Lemone's determination.
Adam, seeing that the situation was degenerating dangerously, intervened between the two men. In a firm voice, he ordered Lemone to release the businessman. "Bard, enough! You've crossed the line. Put the groceries back in the car and get ready to leave."
Lemone, surprised by Adam's intervention, reluctantly obeys. He released the businessman who, out of breath and blushing with anger, headed towards his car.
"And you," Adam continued, addressing Lemone, "you're going to have to carry your share of the burden. Horses can't carry all this stuff. You'll do the rest of the way on foot."
Lemone growled. He had hoped to get rid of this thankless task, but he had no other choice. He grabbed some of the provisions and set off.
Two long hours had passed since the start of their walk. Lemone, overwhelmed by fatigue and the weight of his provisions, dragged his feet. He moved closer to Adam.
"Lieutenant, could I request a short break? I need to catch my breath."
Adam, who had noticed Lemone's difficulty, nodded. "Of course, Bard. Let's take this opportunity to rest and refresh ourselves."
The squad settled on the edge of a small stream. While the other soldiers were busy filling their canteens, Lemone discreetly retreated into the bushes to relieve herself.
"Finally a little respite. I can't bear this weight anymore."
A sudden turn of events disrupted the calm of the short break. Six mercenaries, all seasoned and heavily armed, emerged from the surrounding woods. With surprising agility, they neutralized the guards in seconds and took the rich man hostage.
At the same time, a strange sensation enveloped the members of the squad. An unbearable heaviness overwhelmed them, plunging them into a deep sleep. Everyone passed out except Adam and Lemone.
The mercenaries, after securing the surrounding area, approached Lemone. "We need money, and lots of it. If you want your friend back here, you're going to have to pay us."
Lemone, a victorious smile on her lips, took out a bag of gold from her supplies. "Very good. Kill him."
Adam, awakened by the noise and the scene unfolding before his eyes, was stunned. He then understood that Lemone had planned everything. "Bard, what did you do?!"
Lemone calmly explained her plan. "I put poison in the water. It was easy. And now I'm free. I'm finally going to have everything I want."
The mercenaries, delighted with this turn of events, executed the rich man without hesitation. Lemone, now the sole master on board, had achieved his objective.
Adam, coming out of his unconsciousness, was seized with horror upon discovering the scene. Lemone, a glint of madness in her eyes, brandished a bloody sword. He had betrayed the entire squad, murdered the businessman and now he was preparing to eliminate his former friend.
Without hesitation, Adam drew his sword. He knew that Lemone had become a danger and that he had to stop her. A duel ensued, fierce and merciless.
However, Lemone had anticipated this attack. Thanks to his reflexes and mental abilities, he had read Adam's thoughts. He skillfully dodged his former friend's blows and, with a lightning gesture, he brandished his sword, shouting use the skill: "Blade of Death!"
Lemone's sword fell on Adam with incredible force. The young soldier was pierced and collapsed lifeless. Lemone had won her duel, but at what cost?
Lemone, soaked in Adam's blood and galvanized by his victory, activated his most formidable skill: Mastery of Lies. Focusing all his mental energy, he set about shaping an alternative reality, as plausible as it was cruel.
Five of the squad's soldiers, still inanimate, were transformed. Their bodies, disfigured by black magic, took on the appearance of enemy mercenaries. Their uniforms were torn, their weapons were broken, and their faces expressed mock agony.
Once this manipulation was completed, Lemone took cover and activated her communication interface. Feigning a trembling and frightened voice, he sent a distress message to the military council.
"Rescue! Rescue! We were attacked by mercenaries! My comrades are dead... I am the only survivor. I don't know where I am..."
With this message, Lemone hoped to sow chaos and confusion. He would be able to accuse the mercenaries of the attack and present himself as the only innocent victim.