Chapter 88: Time I don’t have
"I’ve not asked you this before, but are you sure you still want to continuing following me?"
"If I wasn’t I won’t be in this carriage or even miles from you."
Thaedric adjusted himself on his seat. "I thought as much but it is something I must ask."
"Because you have something bigger to ask me." Malak snorted.
Kagerou who was in front of them tapped the carriage floor with his sword, drawing their attention. "Malak, you see far too much for all your pretense."
"And you don’t see much?"
Kagerou gestured to his eyes. "My eyes is to see the threat that surrounds him. You are not one."
Thaedric sighed. "You forgot I am here? Let me tell you what I want Malak. You will be the commander of my men. You will see to their training and....put them into shape. For that I need you to stop pretending of Insanity. What I need is that brain of yours and your technique. Put your bloodlust aside until you see a fight."
Malak sighed. "That’s a lot to ask but you really are serious about this aren’t you. Going east and fighting the Cockatrice. You might end up dead."
"Probably. But we don’t know that. I might survive. I might not need to fight. The Cockatrice’s province is my mother’s. I won’t give out. What’s not yours will belong to someone else. And I’m a greedy person, Malak." Thaedric nodded.
Malak laughed. "You like to play your games, Thaedric. But you are also truthful in your way. Very well I accept. I will be your commander."
"And what about us? Are we to join Malak?" Flynn asked.
The carriage slowed and then it stopped. Kagerou stood and opened the door after checking out. They took no blue shields with them but the guards were already at their destination anyway. It was private arena in the middle the city that Thaedric rented for a week starting from today.
Thaedric came out and looked at all the people surrounding the arena. It was a large crowd and they hushed to low murmuring as they saw him. In front of the arena gate was some of the Bloodshields, their jobs is to screen the people before they enter the arena.
Thaedric put a Scion’s smile on his face as he started walking. "Flynn. You and Gorvo are my personal guards. Listen to Kagerou, he’ll show you how it’s done."
The people shouted and call out question as he walked.
"Is it true you will accept anyone even if they are from the slums."
"I don’t have bloodline technique should I ne allowed in."
"They said no one will come because you are weak."
"No rashaka will put their lives on the line for you weak prince of a crumbling house!"
"A coward who hides in his room!"
"It’s a lie he can’t have saved the palace!"
"You really are not popular." Flynn said. She waved at the people as if she was a noble and they were there to greet her.
Thaedric sighed. Today is going to be a long day.
*******
Three hours later and the only person that has registered to join Thaedric’s army are the ordinary Rashaka personnels. Those who will take care of camps and servants. In fact they had to turn back some people as they are too much.
But of the rashaka with bloodline techniques? None.
"Maybe your standards are too high." Gorvo spoke for the first time.
"No one below Tier two is a rather cheap standards," Thaedric said. "Don’t you think so, commander?"
Malak snorted. "Commander of what?" He gestured to the empty arena. They are the only one standing under a canopy to avoid the sun.
Thaedric was siting while the rest were standing. He was eating a fruit that looked like an apple while he studied his personal banner that stood in the middle of the arena. A purple background and then a skull with the seven head of the Hydra growing beneath it– the crest of the Scion of Hydraeus.
It was said that years ago Scions are always the Supreme Commander of their Clan’s army. And since they had a lot to prove their sword was always wet with blood. But things are changed now.
But the crest still remained.
"Is that Urlk?" Kagerou asked, drawing everyone’s attention.
And yes it is Urlk making his way towards them from the entrance, he was hurrying forward. And he began speaking immediately he got close to then. "Ah! The Clown sent me!"
"I can deduce as much." Thaedric said. "What news do you bring to me?"
"Well. It is that someone has sabotage what you planned to do here today. Rumors has spread that you are...a coward and that no one should enlist with you because you have no money to finance them and you are going to get them killed."
Thaedric sighed. "Predicted. This is annoying. What do you think I should?"
Urlk shrugged. "Maybe give them a show? It’s going to take long to prove yourself."
"Time I don’t have?"
"Why not do a counter rumor? Tell them things. Like that their commander is a tier four! That’s something right." Kagerou said.
Thaedric was silent. Had he overestimated himself and underrate his enemies? That seems likely. Maybe he should have started q rumor of his own immediately before he started enlisting but he had no time to be playing around.
"What are you going to do? Your reputation will take even more hit if none later show up to enlist." Malak noted.
Thaedric stood with a sigh. What Malak said is the truth. Even if it one person he must make them enlist here today.
It was then that a commotion happened in front of the gate, there are loud voices being raised. It got their attention and Thaedric shrugged. "Let’s check it out. It’s not like we have anything better to do."
Malak laughed. "You better find some action for me, Thaedric!"
