Chapter 555 - Indomitus Arcanum

Harkelan Empire.

The cold of Harkelan lands had grown even more pronounced after summer’s passing, with the footsteps of winter slowly coming closer.

“Private Rasputin! What is your purpose in the army!?”

“To do everything you tell me to, drill sergeant!”

“Goddammit, private! That is the laziest answer I’ve ever heard in my entire career! Don't you have a brain, recruit? Get on the ground and give me fifty!”

Rasputin Liquidus, the newest addition to the Harkelan Army, did his push-ups immediately as the drill sergeant terrorized another new recruit. He felt a little puzzled, actually.

Huh. That didn't work like in Forrest Gump. I thought the whole point of being in the army was being a human robot that only lives for orders. Isn't that how it is in the movies? What did I do wrong?

Screaming, stereotypical drill sergeant aside, Rasputin’s integration into his new life had gone swimmingly. He had the backstory and an identity in the Empire, as if he was a native.

His face no longer resembled Viers. Although his Level was only Level 1 peak, he was also younger than the original. This body was designed to be seventeen years old for new game+ purposes, at least for him.

The Level was deceiving though. He could become much stronger when necessary.

Rasputin possessed water and soul affinities. Viers considered giving him other affinities but decided against it. With the same affinities, the clone’s battle strength would retain Viers’ mastery instead of relearning a new one from scratch. The clone would need some measure of power to smoothly put down roots in a new land.

Naturally, Rasputin would hide his soul affinity and refrain from using it. He wouldn't want to out himself as Viers’ clone.

If the worst case scenario came to pass and Viers got killed, Rasputin would carry on the torch. That was the point of his existence.

Well, not that I thought ‘me’ would get done in that easily. If I die, I wouldn't sell my life cheaply. I would create very big collateral damage, maximum destruction. If I can break the world, I most likely would. Whoever kills ‘me’, for whatever reason, is going to regret it. Serves them right.

For now, I just gotta do my own thing. And that is having a new game+. Not a bad time for me, not bad at all. New beginnings are always exciting. Ahh, the promise of a new adventure...

That said, Rasputin also had sub-quests for being in the army. Depending on how it went, he might get sent to the Harkelan-Latias war, which was intensifying. He might be able to help Croix from the opposite side. Sabotaging one’s own side during a war might be tricky, especially since Rasputin’s objective was to be a high standing member of the military, but he wasn't worried. He just needed to be smart about it.

Meanwhile, he would keep an eye out for a chance to take out Rostov. One of the Ten Tundras of Harkelan, that one had beef with Viers after the Battle of Grandia Castle. Viers was proudly a vindictive, evil sonnova bitch and didn't forgive offense against him easily, especially if the offender was a male.

And he was proud of it.

Not that being a pretty woman got you a pass, but Viers’ tolerance threshold was higher and so less likely to get killed by him without a second thought.

Rostov was hurt after dragon-mode Viers ate one of his arm, but he still wanted the Level 5 dead. That was why Rasputin went to an enlistment camp under Rostov’s jurisdiction. All of the Ten had their own army. So when Rasputin got promoted, he was one step closer to Rostov and engineering his death.

Heck, he could even outsource the murder to the real Viers or something else. He didn't need to sully his hands, as long as Rostov was eliminated.

All in all, instead of a school arc, I got an army arc, huh? Well, Everything is a plus for Horizon.

Rasputin concluded his push-ups and stood up straight, waiting for the drill sergeant to finish chewing out the newbies. He sneakily observed his army ‘mates’. He wondered if they would have interesting background.

Perhaps two among them are actually the Armored Titan and the Colossal Titan, hm? Wouldn't that be a blast... Eh? Wait a minute, since I’m technically a traitor, doesn't this make me the Reiner? Wow. What a twist!

One person already made Rasputin’s spider-sense tingle. The ones who entered the army had a 9:1 male-to-female ratio. The group he was in was all male. The female recruits were at a different location.

So Rasputin wondered why there was a girl here?

Well, she disguised herself pretty well. Even the sergeant and the army guys didn't seem to realize it. However, Viers was not an ordinary Pathseeker. And even though Rasputin was just a lesser version of Viers without many of the original’s cheats, he wasn't ordinary either.

We’ve got a Mulan situation here, most likely. Day one and the future is looking pretty interesting already. Good sign.

***

Zetel Sultanate.

In a shining metropolis in the middle of a desert, there was a new merc in town. The merc just entered the smallest league, the smallest of the small. He got his first job last night. The kind of job that a shady man offered to a street urchin who had just hit their teens, promising a quick buck and an in to the big leagues. The new kid went along with other mercs who got roped in by the too-good-to-be-true job.

Naturally, the job went to shit and people died. As he expected.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Fuuh. Fuuh... Okay, we should be safe here.”

Two guys were in a dark back alley. Police sirens could be heard somewhere in the distance.

“Haaah. That was close. You saved my bacon, thanks.”

The one who spoke was the bigger of the two youths. He was almost two meters in height.

“Don't mention it, since we’re in the same circumstances and all.”

“Yeah. Fuck... The Pillars won't stand for this. Once we report this, heads will roll. There are rules down here, man. We might be mercenaries but we’re not animals.”

“Pillars? What’s that? Are they super powerful swordsmen with distinct breathing styles? Please, please say yes.”

“Huh? Wha... How can you not know what Pillars are? Wait, you’re new around here, aren't you?”

“Guilty as charged. Just got here yesterday and magnificently botched my first job. Guess we won't get paid, huh? With the client's brain getting fried and all?”

“Yeah, no chance of that, heheh. That was funny by the way,” the big guy laughed and it was mixed with coughs. He was hurt in the stomach, though it wasn't fatal. “Well, welcome to Star City. The greatest and worst of all the Magisterium cities. I’m Lowe. What’s your name?”

“Zeke,” the youth shook Lowe’s hand. “Zeke Neon. You need a doctor for that cut in your stomach?”

“Nah, I just need a drink. Wanna come with? I’ll treat you a glass for saving my ass.”

“Just one drink for saving your ass?” Zeke gave the man a look from head to toe. “I ate a steak more expensive than you last week.”

“Hey! It’s a good drink and a good bar, all right?”

“Ah, just when I was searching for a good bar. Fine, but this bar better be worth it.”

“Oh, it will. Follow me.”

“All right, Lowe. This bar will determine whether I call you choom or not.”

“Choom? What’s that? Eh, never mind. By the way, you’re pretty strong, Zeke. How old are you?”

As the clone of Viers, Zeke was indeed strong for his age and Level. Like his other clone, Rasputin, Zeke was also Level 1 peak.

Zeke’s lifepath as a merc meant more freedom than Rasputin. It was a profession with a short life expectancy, but that was just what he wanted.

“Seventeen. You?”

“Oh heck. You’re older than me? Shucks.”

“Seriously? ...What did you eat, dude? You part giant or something?”

“Dunno, ask my mom. What are you hoping to find here, Zeke?”

“Hm?”

“Everybody comes to the Star City hoping for something. Let me guess: a new life?”

“You ain't wrong. I’m a simple guy. I want power, money, friends, women, and I won't say no to eternal life somewhere along the way either.”

“Bwahahahaha! What a greedy guy you are! Listen man, Star City is the perfect place for ya. Your stay here might be a short one, but sure as heck you’ll have fun here.”

“We shall see whether Star City can handle me. But first, the drink. Where is it, man?”

“Patience. It’s not too far from here. You know what, I can introduce you to someone. With your skills, you’ll be raking in money in no time. And it’s legit merc work, not like this one. Pheh!”

Zeke wondered why Lowe got mixed up in this shady gig then. He might be younger, and pretty much a kid, but the big local seems to be familiar with how things work around here.

“By the way, you're younger than me and you're treating me to a drink?”

The new merc of Star City met his partner that night and they went to get a lot of jobs together, slowly making a name for themselves.

***

Somewhere in Harkelan, in a lush jungle, Viers stood on a cliff overlooking a patch of greenery. As he often did before battle.

The base of the Warbringers cult was a pocket dimension under that patch of greenery, veiled with something like an optical camouflage.

Finding this place wasn't easy, even for Viers. For others, it was downright impossible.

Today was the 11th, the promised day of attack.

There was no sign of Freya or reinforcements from the Church.

“Doesn't seem like anyone's coming,” Paina said, her senses spread out.

“The Church abandoned Ciel, is it? I honestly didn't think they had the guts to make this move,” Farley's voice was a bit terse.

“Perhaps they don't believe you whatsoever,” Clarissa said to Viers.

“Doesn't matter. Freya’s made an awful move today,” Viers replied to his three original allies.

“Yeah. Even though you scouted that there’s only one Level 5 in there; it will still be a hard place to crack for us,” Paina sighed. “I was really hoping for the Church’s reinforcements. At least I can finally fight on the right side instead of opposing them for once, you know.”

“No, no. I’m not talking about the Church or us, but Freya. By not coming, I’ve landed a fatal blow on her Dao Heart. No matter what excuses she has, this is a terrible choice for her personally.”

“Dao Heart?” Farley fished for clarification.

“In simpler terms, she betrayed herself. It will impact her growth as a Pathseeker. Perhaps fundamentally.”

“So you cracked her foundation. If she comes, you win, if she doesn't, you also win. What a devious move, Viers,” Clarissa scoffed.

“'Cause I’m a good villain, khuhuhu.”

As Viers stifled his laugh, the Lovers Sakuya and her same-age niece, Yayoi, appeared with a ninja flash step technique.

“The traps are set, Viers-sama,” Sakuya said in her full kunoichi battle gear.

“All right then, let's get started, shall we?”

A portal opened behind Viers, from which Jessica walked out.

“On your left?” She sounded unsure.

Viers specifically said the single mother had to say those words when she arrived. After Viers heard it, he laughed.

Dia’s portals opened one after another.

Carlo, the Hanged Man, arrived with another three hundred people. They came from Viers’ city. These men were the security forces and mercenaries that were affiliated with Rashin Company.

Dia, Faiya, Futon, and Zerri came through another portal at the head of a monster army. No, these were not Tyra Zergs that Zerri birthed. She wasn't able to do that yet. These were monsters that the familiars befriended or subdued.

Boram answered his master’s call, and ten giants came with him, warriors all.

From Jessica’s portal, a soul army marched forward. Some were people, some were monsters. All were given shape and power to fight by Viers specifically for today.

No one except Viers knew the full scope of the force he was about to throw at the cult; therefore, even Paina, Farley, Jessica, Sakuya, and the others looked upon one another with awe. Their hearts were beating faster in anticipation.

“Who needs the Church? The Justice is one of us! This is what people will get when they mess with our club members! AVENGERS! Obliterate them!”

Viers summoned his BFG, Deus Vult, and unleashed the first shot. His warband immediately followed, launching a barrage of spell artillery akin to a falling meteor swarm.

Seeing the sheer amount of firepower, Doom Guy might even grunt in approval.

The sky cried and the earth shook. In the aftermath, the cult base’s main shielding had been completely obliterated and one-fourth of the base was wiped out of existence.

“Kill the cultists! Save the girl! No mercy!” Viers raised his green Beamsaber high before leaping straight into the carnage.