The human fort of Airom Logat had seen better days. Their resources were burned with fire, and the champions were so enraged that a battle almost occurred. There was also evidence scattered all throughout the base that gave the impression that it was an inside job.
As such, each kingdom was heavily guarding itself against another, and the tension in the place was great.
Then a ragged, wounded, and demoralized group of soldiers walked towards the entrance of the fort.
"I am Mezal Steele of the Steele clan. I sent a request days ago to go here."
"No. We are not allowing anyone to pass! This fort has been attacked, and there were human traitors! We will not accept any more vassals, troops for people of Viscount nobility and lower!" The guard roared.
"Human traitors?" Mezal was shocked.
"What happened?"
And so the guards began to detail what had happened a few nights back and how they were attacked by ghouls led by a viscount and how a terrible fire occurred and burned their stocks. But the soldier dared not tell the tale of how the Generals had their items stolen.
"And then, during this entire commotion, some of the treacherous kingdoms began to steal from one another! So I cannot let any more soldiers pass by here!" The guards explained.
Mezal was silent as he listened to the account. But he knew the truth behind everything.
"This may sound strange. But I believe I know who the culprit is." Mezal finally answered.
"Do you really? Who is it? Who burned and ransacked the items here in this fort?" The soldier challenged.
"You said that a lot was stolen. But I have information that completes everything you didn't say. When I heard of this from our enemy, I never believed it. But hearing your story, I see now and understand what happened."
The soldier was caught off guard with the logical question.
"You said that a strange shadow figure moved in and disappeared into the forest, correct?"
"Yes."
"On our way here, we were attacked by... a certain group. It should be obvious with our current appearances we have fought a terrifying battle and have escaped with our lives and abandoned all our carts and carriages in desperation. But luckily, this young fellow was thought to be dead and fell on one of the burrows and heard our enemies boast. He said something that I couldn't believe. He had stolen from over ten Earls and a few others who are General level! Am I right?"
The guards froze at those words. Information about the exact number of level 40 individuals who had stolen stuff was unknown.
"It looks like I'm right. I have more important and shocking information. But I will only talk to the Champion or Earl that is allied with my Katarax Kingdom!" Mezal declared.
The guards listening all had their eyes wide opened. But even then, they hesitated. This pertained to a very sensitive secret.
Mezal noticed their hesitation.
"Fine. I'll do it myself." Mezal took a deep breath.
"I KNOW WHO STOLE THE PALADIN'S ARMOR OF CHAMPION VESTITUDE AND THE BLACK MASSACRE GREATSWORD OF CHAMPION EMBERWOOD!"
The shout used a great amount of Force energy, and it echoed all over the fort.
Several sonic booms were heard throughout the base, and everyone knew it was the Generals moving.
The first person to arrive wore bright white armor.
"You are Mezal Steele? Patriarch of the Steele Family? Come with me. Tell me everything. I will reward you. You are the one who attempts to imitate the path of a Paladin through Force Energy, correct? I can give you some rewards." A paladin asked as he zoomed in the sky.
Mezal knew this paladin. And he could not help but smile as he heard the word 'reward.'
"That grandson of mine really is amazing! Had he plotted this far ahead?" Mezal wondered.
No one knew what items were stolen from these Champions. These items were their secondary armors and weapons. For the heavy sword-wielding Champion, Berserker Emberwood, his Black Massacre greatsword was a weapon he used during his level 30 days. But now, two items were accurately described by one man.
And such precise information was important for these angry Champions.
"Too selfish." A beautiful woman arrived riding a strange long, funneled object that was enchanted with wind-sucking abilities.
Mazel saw the beautiful woman and identified her as the very eccentric hurricane specialist. Unlike most mages that enchanted a broom, she enchanted a device she called a vacuum cleaner.
"You should tell me." The beautiful mage gave a seductive smile.
"Mezal, you belong to our Katarax Kingdom. You don't have to listen to them. Whatever that stupid paladin offered, I can give a better inheritance." Another voice answered as his figure emerged.
The knight wore a Champion's armor. Unlike the paladin, this knight's armor was bulkier and wielded a larger sword. But most importantly, the crest on his armor bore the same crest that Mezal had on his.
"Your Grace, Champion Ordeus!" Mezal bowed. This was a warrior of his own kingdom. As such, he was obliged to call this knight with a respectful title.
One after the other, the Generals appeared. Many called for the nearby soldiers and demanded a report.
Suddenly, another loud voice erupted and called Mezal.
"I have heard his report. If I remember correctly, you are Mezal Steele! Tell me what you know, and my Lorem Ipsum Kingdom will reward you! I can give you gold and armor and marry you to one of our princesses. I know that your wife has long passed?" Another champion donning a Berserker's gear arrived.
"Streglas. Your viscount, Ragion Querk Stonefist, has been proven to be an ally of the vampires. At most, we can prove that your traitorous kingdom is part of this scheme. Are you trying to cover up your crimes?!" The paladin called out.
"Your kingdom has to pay for my Jericho Kingdom! If we can prove that you are allied with the vampires and these orcs, blood will be spilled!" Then, a Champion Spearmaster warrior arrived.
Several other generals arrived and began to accuse one another. Each warrior was known throughout the Lowlands and has proven their worth in battle. Sometimes even against each other.
"My lordships... Please allow this humble one to speak." Mezal finally spoke.
The group turned towards him.
"As you know, my sons have journeyed within the mountain to explore the region that has been opened up. My eldest, the famous Aron Steele, was the first to journey."
"I know of young Aron. Is it true that he is dead?" Ordeus asked.
"I do not know. His Life Talisman is still intact. But the rest of his men were dead. Due to... problems with another Viscount, I was unable to go here immediately personally. My other son, Branze, went and sought for him with a Life Compass that had locked on to Aron's Life Talisman. You probably are aware of the results. But the reason why I'm bringing this up is not for me to quickly be able to climb this mountain but because my son Branze sent me a message through his message talisman. He brought three with him and only used the first before going silent. Here is the message that I received from him. I ask Sword Champion Ordeus to hear the shocking message."
Mezal then offered a small rectangular jade stone with several inscriptions written around it to the Champion of the Katarax kingdom.
"Offering it to your own kingdom?! How Selfish! Play it for everyone! This concerns the Fate of all human kingdoms!" The Berserker demanded.
"Yes. Why should the secret be kept to your kingdom when it involves this entire region?" Another added.
"Play it for everyone. Infuse your Force Energy to amplify the sounds. That way, everyone is informed." The paladin ordered.
Ordeus turned to Mezal.
"Is there something in this message that will put other human kingdoms in a bad light?" Ordeus knew there was a purpose that the famous Baron Mezal chose this route.
"Yes." Mezal answered without hesitation.
"You heard it. I will play this to all, but whoever will be implicated, you cannot charge my Baron for any crimes he did not commit. I trust that you have seen the state of his troop. And there are even no carriages. The Steele family is in dire circumstance with the unconfirmed status of his two sons. So his appearance here is not of trickery and deceit from my kingdom. This is a Message Talisman that could be used, and it requires mages who are at level 30 or so to charge with a new form of energy to send it. Since we can all confirm the entry and passage of Branze Steele, then we can say right here, right now, that this is the only message that Mezal received and is not some ploy against other kingdoms. " Ordeus declared.
"Just hurry up and play it!" A Champion from one of the minor human alliances that had several towns shouted.
"I am saying this because I know that if the implicated is an enemy kingdom, he will accuse Mezal of whatever crimes you can use to redirect and push the blame to us! Am I being clear?"
"We all know that if there is a kingdom at fault, it would be the Lorem Ipsum Kingdom where Querk Stonefist hailed!" The paladin laughed.
The Champion Berserker raged and shouted, but Ordeus clapped with his Force energy and created a loud explosive sound.
"Enough! I will play it now! Brace yourself." Ordeus channeled his Force Energy and was about to play the one message in the message talisman.
Message Talismans are reusable tools that can send and receive one message. The message is saved in the talisman unless another message is received. Ordeus went to lengths to explain that it was impossible for Branze to send a message and resent another as they would need a mage to harness the energy for the Branze to send. And there were no mages in the mountain region who could do that aside from Champions and powerful mage Viscounts.
The one message was played.
"We are being chased by Querk Stonefist, Gradier Conquistar, and Esmeralda Toro. They are worshipers of a Necromancer from the Dark Shine Kingdom." Branze's shout could be heard. It was clear that he made this message while trying to fend off or flee from terrifying enemies.
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