The vermax demon-hunting corp comprises four platoons, and under each platoon are twelve companies. each platoon controls three companies, and the companies are governed by their selected captains.
Captain rudeus is the captain of the third company of the hydra platoon.
Returning from their adventurous mission were the roman platoon, who had gone to destroy a horned demon. it takes a full platoon to defeat a single horned demon, as demons are categorized by their specialties.
Elemental demons are always treated as a-level threats, considering they can manipulate an element, while horned demons are regarded as s-level threats. even a platoon could be destroyed while fighting against a horned demon.
But the roman platoon proved themselves to be an exception!
As they returned on their horses, the people of the vermax empire greeted them, waving in support. the veil closed behind them after they entered the empire.
Emperor argilac could be seen seated on his throne when the door to his throne room opened. there is an unwritten law that all returning huntsmen must first greet the emperor before anything else.
Princess lily stood beside her brothers, dressed in her royal gown. the throne room was filled with ministers and military commanders who came to welcome the roman platoon. standing beside the emperor was lord rivers, the acting prime minister since the real prime minister was absent.
The gigantic door leading into the throne room opened gently as the platoon general made his way in. with brown hair and standing over six feet tall, he was dressed in his noble uniform.
The famous demon-crusher... general creg voila!
Behind him were the three captains of the companies under the roman platoon. general creg halted and slowly fell to his knees, bowing his head before emperor argilac with a warm smile plastered on his face.
"Your majesty, emperor argilac... your servant has returned from his successful mission. i hope to be welcomed warmly before thee," general creg spoke with a warm smile.
"Platoon general creg voila, you have done well in defeating the horned demon that ravaged the oriona kingdom. now oriona owes the vermax empire thanks to your leadership. i hope you continue to guard the name of this empire," emperor argilac declared as everyone cheered for general creg voila, a noble huntsman who belonged to the viola noble house and was one of the contenders for the princess's hand in marriage.
Princess lily frowned at him, refusing to clap her hands. captain rudeus, who stood beside her, chuckled softly. as her company's captain, he was also her personal bodyguard now.
"What is funny, captain rudeus?" princess lily asked, frowning.
"Nothing really, my lady. it's just that you refused to clap your hands and cheer for him, even after he was acknowledged by the emperor himself. do you really not like him at all? he is quite the man," captain rudeus answered.
"Quite the man, you say? pffttt... he is just a rude brat who got lucky to possess the suit of a high-ranked demon. he isn't all that great," princess lily replied, still frowning. captain rudeus sighed.
"I see. you know, my princess, he isn't the only one among the hundreds who seek your hand in marriage. if he doesn't charm you... there are others you could approach," captain rudeus said.
"That's the problem! i don't want any suitors. i want to be a huntsman, hunting down demons and wearing their skins as suits. i want to be a warlord, not just a princess," princess lily stated firmly.
"I see... i guess i will train you to achieve your dream then," captain rudeus said with a warm smile on his face. although he was the captain of the last-ranked company in the hydra platoon, having the princess in his company had already raised his status since she was a high noble of the vermax empire!
Platoon general creg smirked evilly when he gazed at princess lily, but she easily looked away. he took a deep breath and slowly turned towards the emperor, who had now risen to his feet and bowed his head once again.
"My emperor, i was quite surprised and pleased to hear that one of the vermax empire's companies is responsible for capturing a villain—the s-class assassin... the deathmaker. where is he now?" platoon general creg asked respectfully.
"Oh? that bastard who killed my little brother? he is locked up in the lyxx, awaiting his judgment. it calls for celebration, doesn't it?" emperor argilac asked with a warm smile.
"Of course it does. the hydra platoon is truly fortunate to have one of their companies drag in the infamous assassin of the north. your highness, if i may ask... what is to be his fate?" platoon general creg inquired.
"Platoon general creg, know your boundaries. you have no authority to demand such a question from the emperor," lord rivers spoke with authority, silencing the throne room.
"Yes, that's correct, lord rivers, but i guess platoon general creg really brought victory for the vermax empire at oriona... let him shine a little. but after this, platoon general, you dare not make such demands," emperor argilac spoke with authority, remaining calm.
"I'm sorry, your highness, if i made any demands. i was only asking for the glory of vermax. the deathmaker is responsible for killing your little brother, who was once hailed as the strongest in the empire."
"He shouldn't be given a little punishment. he deserves to be tortured until he reveals whatever secrets the assassin guild has in motion," platoon general creg insisted, prompting a soft sigh from emperor argilac.
"Father, platoon general creg is right. what is your judgment concerning the issue?" the second prince of the vermax empire, prince owen, asked, turning everyone's attention toward him.
"The deathmaker is wanted in thirteen high nations, including us. a swift death is mercy to him since he killed my younger brother and several nobles of the vermax empire, including our soldiers and huntsmen."
"He will be tortured, but since he saved my daughter during her scouting mission, i won't put him to death just yet. the hydra platoon is in charge of torturing the deathmaker until he reveals every secret he possesses."
"After that... he will be executed before the emperors of the twelve empires," emperor argilac declared with authority, suspending the execution of the deathmaker since he had saved his daughter. however, the assassin's fate was sealed; he would be executed by the vermax empire.
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The news spread wildly across the high nations and even to the other kingdoms and villages not under the command of the high nations. the thirteen empires controlled the west in total.
There are four regions: the eastern region, the western region, the southern region, and the northern region. the eastern region is infamously known as the domain of demons and monsters.
The north is primarily controlled by the underground forces of the assassin guild, while the southern region is not controlled by empires, unlike the thirteen empires that completely control the west.
However, the western region is the safest domain to stay away from demons!
Soon, the vermax empire would receive numerous visitors coming to witness the execution of the infamous assassin of the north, the deathmaker, who had instilled terror in the hearts of nobles and royalty.
The crimson lion company, governed by captain rudeus, and the claw bear company, governed by captain ari, were the two companies in charge of torturing the deathmaker, as the hydra platoon oversaw the assassin.
The claw bear, being the first-ranked company of the hydra platoon, and the crimson lion, being the ones who originally captured the deathmaker, sent their huntsmen into the lyxx as authorized.
Increasing security was necessary since the deathmaker was an s-class level prisoner!
All security systems were active, and huntsmen patrolled around the lyxx. captain ari and captain rudeus made their way toward the indestructible prison cell of the deathmaker, followed by their selected huntsmen.
Princess lily was chosen by captain rudeus since he wanted her by his side to protect her. they were all dressed in their battle suits, ready to clash at any moment in case anything happened.
The gigantic door leading into the special cell opened as they entered the grand hall, where s-class prisoners were locked away. only one prison cell remained sealed beyond imagination.
"My my, so this is the infamous deathmaker, huh?" captain ari of the bear claw spoke with pride. the bear claw wore blue capes with the symbol of the hydra platoon and their own flag.
They gazed into the monitor displaying the prisoner locked inside.
The prisoner could see them if he wished, and captain ari decided that the deathmaker should see them. the deathmaker was seated on the ground, resting his back against the wall. he calmly sighed, slowly looked up, and stared at the two captains standing on the other side of the cell. captain rudeus remained calm, while captain ari was overwhelmed with pride.
"Crimson lion, your lesser company did a good job catching this criminal, but i will be in charge of torturing him myself, so don't bother standing against my word," captain ari proclaimed with pride as captain rudeus nodded.
Princess lily frowned at captain ari, but there was nothing she could do.
"Hello, deathmaker. can you hear what i am saying?" captain ari asked as the deathmaker stared at them. his eyes were fixed on princess lily when their gazes met, and he grinned evilly, not showing it.
"Yes, i can hear you. what do you want?" the deathmaker asked.
"I'm captain ari of the bear claw company, the one in charge of your tortures. i would gently ask you to surrender all the information you have, but where is the fun in that? you killed our prince."
"You are going to suffer before your execution date," captain ari stated with pride as the deathmaker began to giggle. everyone fell silent, watching the exchange.
"Oh? what seems to be funny, criminal?" captain ari asked.
"Nothing exactly. it seems the emperor has decided to have me executed, right? even after i saved the life of his daughter. it's quite predictable... i never expected mercy from them in the first place," the deathmaker replied with a sigh. he slowly rose from the ground as four cannons emerged from the walls, pointing at him in case he attempted to escape.
"Hmph... vermax came prepared in case they captured me, huh?" the deathmaker remarked.
"You are correct. the emperor refers to this cell as the end of he who makes death. this cell was specially designed so you cannot escape. there is no saving you, deathmaker; you are dying soon," captain ari declared proudly.
"He-he-he-he... if that makes you feel better, i guess that's how nature goes. i'm sure you're quite happy to see me put down like the rest of your people, right?" the deathmaker calmly replied.
"Hey, you have no right to talk to the princess. you are a dead man walking. control your tongue, or i will pull it out for you," captain rudeus warned, slowly reaching for his sword. princess lily remained silent.
Her eyes were fixed on the deathmaker. she sensed nothing but excitement from the man behind the cage. a man on death's door would be panicking, seeking a way to atone for his sins.
But for the one known as the deathmaker, death was nothing but a game!