Perched on a sturdy branch, Leon gazed across the expanse of the ancient ruins.
The ruins were less than a mile away from where he stood.
He was captivated by the beauty of nature reclaiming the once-majestic structures. Moss-covered walls and crumbling castle towers painted a picture of a historical site frozen in time.
Leon couldn't help but say, "This is beautiful."
Carlos, the captain of the knights, stood below the tree branch and replied, "Yes, beautiful indeed."
Leon calmly added, "All the more reason not to let the goblins take the place."
"Of course." Carlos nodded.
Leon scanned the ruins and discovered that tents had been erected around the pond.
The tents looked ragged and cobbled together from all kinds of materials, including linen, tree bark, and pelts from hunted beasts. The whole setup looked completely different from the tents Leon's men and the knights had erected not long ago.
Regardless of their state, the tents indicated where the goblin tribe was.
Carlos took a deep breath and asked in a serious tone, "Your Lordship, when should we begin?"
"There's no need to rush."
Leon then looked at the sky, where the sun was still mustering the last of its strength before setting.
In his contemplation, a distant cry echoed, and a magnificent eagle descended to rest upon Leon's arm.
"How many are they, Cid?" Leon inquired, addressing his feathered companion. Cid lowered its head, and through a silent exchange, conveyed a message to Leon's mind.
[Master, there are 212 goblins and three humans, bound and held outside the castle.]
Frowning at the unexpected presence of humans in a goblin-inhabited forest, Leon's thoughts raced.
Below the tree branch, Carlos asked, "That bird is…?"
Grinning with a touch of pride, Leon responded, "This is my contracted beast, Cid." His gaze shifted back to the ruins, contemplating the possibilities. "It seems our peaceful scenery has unexpected guests, Captain Carlos," Leon said, his smirk reflecting a blend of determination and intrigue.
"What do you mean, Your Lordship?"
"Hmm… Well, there are 212 goblins and 3 humans."
"Humans!? Why are there humans here?"
"I don't know. We'll only know that when we talk to them," Leon said.
With a graceful leap from the tree branch, Leon descended. Sword in hand, he walked near the lakeside. Awaiting him were 15 knights mounted on warhorses and 20 bare-chested barbarians, each wielding a silver sword; 10 among them brandished dual axes. As he approached the water's edge, the lifeless bodies of goblins lay scattered around.
"Let's start."
Stab—
Leon thrust his sword into the ground, gripping the hilt with both hands.
•|In twilight's realm where shadows dwell,
Echoed whispers, skeletal spell.|•
•|From soil and bone, rise at my plea,
Skeletal warriors, serve with me.|•
As a mysterious incantation escaped Leon's lips, a dark, glowing magic circle materialized beneath the goblin corpses.
•|In the moonlit dance of silent bane,
Awakened by my whispered name.|•
•|Fleshless guardians, heed my call,
In spectral embrace, stand tall.|•
As his chanting continued, an eerie transformation unfolded. The flesh of the fallen goblins melted away, leaving only skeletal remains.
•|Beneath the veil of mystic might,
Skeletons rise in pale moonlight.|•
As Leon continued his incantation, the dark magic resonated through the lakeside.
•|By ancient words and sorcery,
Serve as one, my army free.|•
•|Arise|•
The air seemed to hum with an otherworldly energy, and one by one, the skeletal remains of the goblins stirred. With eerie grace, they rose from the ground, their bones clinking together as they assumed a standing position.
The 40 goblin skeletons, now animated by dark magic, awaited Leon's command. Their empty eye sockets gleamed with an otherworldly glow as they stood in formation, ready to heed their master's will. Leon, with a commanding presence, approached them.
Carlos, captain of the knights, watched in awe—a mixture of amazement and a hint of fear etched on his face. It was this very power that had led to Leon's exile, a fact that sent shivers down the captain's spine.
The knights, too, exchanged murmurs among themselves, their whispers carrying a blend of astonishment and trepidation.
The power displayed by the baron was both astonishing and unnerving. Leon raised his hand, and the skeletal army awaited his next directive with a silent anticipation that sent a chill through the air.
"I command thee to follow me," he declared, his voice echoing with an authority that resonated through the skeletal army. As if responding to an ancient call, the goblin skeletons shifted in unison, forming a disciplined line before their master.
Leon then looked at Carlos and said, "Let's start now, Captain."
"Very well." Carlos sighed, then nodded as he took the lance in his hand. He quickly walked toward the 15 well-armed Kingdom of Cailux knights who were leading their horses and standing by. They were prepared to fight. The only thing needed now was an order from Carlos.
They were about to begin a battle they could not afford to lose.
"Ares, the great God of War, is watching us."
Carlos took the reins of his warhorse and made his way in front of his men. With a severe expression, he said, "We shall let these lowly, filthy goblins, who know nothing but breeding, know the bravery of the Kingdom of Cailux!"
The knights unanimously responded, "Victory!"
The Kingdom of Cailux was established through martial prowess. The faith of the nation surrounded Ares, the God of War, who, true to his name, presided over battle.
As such, none of them were afraid.
"It's beginning."
Leon, with a purposeful stride, approached the group of ten barbarians, each wielding dual axes. Among them, a burly figure with a prominent scar over one eye stood out. Leon reached out and tapped the scarred barbarian's arm, drawing his attention.
"Kael," Leon spoke with a measured tone, "Don't use 'it' until I give the signal. We need precision in our approach."
The scarred barbarian, Kael, met Leon's gaze, his expression a mix of respect and determination.
"Yes, Lord Leon," Kael replied with a solemn nod, the weight of his response underscoring the trust and discipline between them. The others observed in hushed anticipation as their leader communicated a plan known only to them.
"Good."
The lakeside breeze carried a sense of anticipation as the group prepared to march into the heart of the ruins. Leon's instructions lingered in the air, setting the tone for the unfolding quest.