I figured the system was referring to the king, but I'd be damned if I saved him and not the princess or Roan.
They designated me as their savior. Not just the king, but the princess, Roan, everyone.
As time returned to the world, I narrowed my eyes and steeled my resolve.
Everyone threatening my people would die.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Hajime fighting off a mercenary as Seinko and his mother escaped. She covered his face, hiding a flurry of tears. His father... I looked down at the bloody mess of the man who was.
Seeing the glint of a sword as someone prepared to strike, I lifted my sword and blocked the attack with ease. I turned to see my assailant as rage fueled my existence. I ignored the sudden fear in his eyes and kicked his legs to knock him off balance. Before he could even raise his arms in defense, I was already on him with a barrage of slashes, gashing his arms and head. There was no opposition as I kicked him down again. Blood covered his eyes, making it impossible for him to have any sort of defense. I stabbed and sliced and slashed and then slashed and sliced and stabbed.
By the time I was done, there was nothing human left. He had been turned into a mangled corpse, as though he was run over a hundred times by a truck. His blood covered the floor, the tables, and me.
I stared at his body. For a second, I felt pain.
This man probably had a family, like me. He was trying to make ends meet. He just got unlucky with his job. But then again, he's a murderer.
Screw him.
Beneath my rage, I felt a sense of exhilaration. Soon, every one of these people would die.
"Hero! Help me!! Sei and Jules need to escape, please!"
I looked over at Hajime, barely acknowledging his request.
I was more focused on the 2 targets behind him.
The Lord's Grasp
5 mp
Level 1: You can telepathically control any object that is 100 pounds or lighter.
Hmm.
The 1st target suddenly raised his sword arm, jutting it into the 2nds jaw with the force of a sledgehammer.
I was correct. This skill can work on the assailant's limbs, even if I can't control their whole body. And the force I can project is not limited to 100 pounds. In fact, it appears as if there is no limit. But 5 mana is a heavy price for my current level. I can only use this skill 3 more times. Oh well, it is more than enough to kill you bastards.
The 1st target pulled his sword from the dead man. I guess he still wanted to fight. Looking to save my remaining 15 mp, I raised my sword. He lunged in a rage of fury, looking to disembowel me. I easily sidestepped him, then kicked his back. He fell face first hard enough to break his jaw.
I stabbed my sword through his heart and moved on.
Scanning for my next target, I paid no mind to Hajime. With an exaggerated shake of his head, Hajime went in the direction of the kid.
I dodged a strike and then sliced through another victim, paying little mind to the cries his body made as it fell to the ground.
My power became abundantly clear, and thus the ants started to scatter.
Who was I looking to protect?
I scanned the hall seeking answers and only found targets.
I killed 4 more ants.
Next.
3 dead.
Next.
5 dead.
NEXT.
"Roan!"
The princess's voice caught my attention.
I looked down at myself. With all the blood on me, I could've been mistaken as a zombie. I almost became one. In that murderous haze, my very identity was slipping away. I became a machine.
I followed the princess's scream.
She pulled a dagger out of a mercenary's throat while looking at Roan.
I saw why.
A behemoth of a soldier, covered in scars, towered over him, his blade embedded in Roan's shoulder. The swords Roan had been using lay on the ground. The soldier smiled at Roan. The princess and I were too far away to strike. Our only option was telepathy.
Attempt failed.
What?!
"Roan, God of Mercy. How many times has this position been swapped?"
Attempt failed.
"Once. And then you made an entire people pay for one person's error."
The soldier lifted his sword. "Tell Gai'ra I send him my regards."
His sword swung closer and closer to Roan's life.
Work, work damn you!!! What the hell do you mean the attempt failed!!
WOOOOOOORRRRRRKKKKKK!!!!
The soldier's sword missed its target by millimeters.
He turned to me and flashed a malicious grin.
"What a hero you are."
I suddenly felt all my insides converge all over themselves. Blood splattered all over the ground, pouring out of my mouth as if it was a faucet. My vision turned a blurry red. Any second now, we would all be dead.
Even with the system, I'm nothing.
Nothing more than an ant.
"You've earned a lot more scars since I've trained you, Vashak' Gor."
The pain ceased. As I came back to reality, I saw the soldier (Vashak?) take a sword out of his side. He threw it down at Roan's feet. Roan himself collapsed, having expended the last of his energy. Vashak kneeled to Roan, lifting his head to look into his eyes.
"Yes. How many of them were also your pupils? Would you like to know?"
Suddenly, a blinding light came from near the princess.
The king had decided to join the fight. A beam of light struck Vashak, knocking him back.
The king said, "You... seek to... kill us? Take my kingdom? You? You vermin!"
Another blast of light came from the king, but somehow Vashak was able to block this one.
Such speed... not even light bows to him.
Vashak opened his right hand, and suddenly the king flew towards him.
Vashak gripped his hand around his throat, choking him.
The princess ripped her dagger out of the last mercenary's throat as she turned.
Watching her father's life be erased right in front of her.
And there was nothing we could do.
"DAD!!!"
She sprinted towards him, jumping over tables and chairs and corpses. It was futile though. Even if she was a million times faster, she'd never reach him in time.
"You done?"Vashak threw the king's motionless body to the side, then telepathically flung the princess backward. Her body slammed into the wall, she crumbled to the ground.
What the hell is going on? What is wrong with me...
As Vashak attempted to return his focus to Roan, he caught sight of my sword. I had to try something. Maybe my insides will cave in on themselves, but I had to try. Everything I've known about this world is dying.
To one man.
As I approached him, I thought back to the ceremony. Just last night. Jovial cheers. An adventure promised. The optimistic future still exists.
But one bastard wants to take it away.
No.
"You would continue to step to me? Who do you think you are?"
Vashak turned to me and raised his hand again.
Move forward.
Even if my body turns on itself.
Move forward.
Until I'm dead.
Move forward.
After I'm dead.
Move forward.
Even as blood filled my vision I trudged forward. One step. Another. Another! I'm going to kill you! I felt a burning sensation overtake my left eye and continue down my face, revitalizing my strength. Almost there!!!!!!!!!!!!
"What the hell are you!"
I balled up my fist as the rest of my body abandoned me.
"I am your savior."
In one swift motion, I forced my entire body to act against instinct, to overcome complete destruction. It felt as if I was guided by something more primal than my own existence. I landed a clean blow against his face, knocking him back a few yards and shocking his entire body down to the core.
But it still wasn't enough. I watched with dire dread as his anger grew to an unimaginable level.
"My savior? What bullshit."
It summoned 2 swords out of thin air as it approached me.
It's over... no. I can still move!!!!
Suddenly, a blinding light filled the hall and I was swept away by some figure. I couldn't make out what was going on, but I heard multiple other people scurrying. I also heard a primal scream.
"You will not take my revenge from me!!!"
Vashak's threat filled not only the halls but also my soul.
As we escaped through the halls, I could feel an insane energy building. The air itself was crackling. Lights flickered as the wind swept through the mansion as if there was a tornado. Anger itself was coalescing into a single ball of murderous intent.
We finally reached the door of the mansion, exiting out into the courtyard. I saw 2 other kidnappers, one holding the princess and the other Roan. We were moving towards a carriage in the distance. We get to live a little longer.
As we approached the carriage, someone opened the door and stepped out. As we got closer, I saw that it was the girl from earlier. From the science kingdom. When she saw us, she forced a smile, but her gaze was focused on the mansion. I turned around to see a bright light envelope it. The next moment, the entire mansion was pulverized. Why. What does Yoku or Vashak have to gain from this... A gust of air swept past us, but otherwise, we were perfectly empty, perfectly quiet.
Especially the princess.
The lady from the science kingdom broke the silence by muttering under her breath.
"Such malice, such contempt, such pain, such anguish. This... this needs to be eradicated. Purified. This war and bloodshed have to stop."
...
We had been riding in the carriage for an hour, and still no one spoke. Even if the main group was still together, the loss was immeasurable, no, insurmountable. We didn't even really get to train, get our bearings, or honestly start the quest. And we already failed.
I already failed.
Quest complete:
Protect the designator
1/1
The system is mocking me... the king is dead. I saw him die right in front of me.
"I thought that you would be the one to lead us to peace." The science lady's whisper startled everyone. All of our sullen faces shared her sentiment though. The princess hadn't looked anywhere except the window the entire ride so far. Roan's and my wounds were mostly healed somehow, so our faces had to carry the burdens of this fight
....
Yoku stood with Vakash, assessing the rubble outside of their protective bubble. Yoku stared out at the destruction, smelling the ashes of 3 kingdoms in the air. He relished the scent, smiling.
"Well, what do we do now, that you got your revenge and I've got my house?"
Vakash turned to Yoku, returning the smile.
"We both know we aren't done yet."
Vakash picked up the king's body.
With a blinding light, they teleported away.