Way of the Knights

---

"Welcome…Conqueror."

"Oh…"

Vendrick stared blankly at the scene in front of him. He was transported in an artificial world filled with lush, tall mountains, clear streams of waterfalls and a vast blue sky along with a boundless field. 

A spirit was floating in front of him, it was a woman who's facial visage was hidden behind a hazy light. She was nearly naked, her ample breasts are covered with what looks like her hair, she has a stunning hourglass figure and her lower half doesn't have any cover, however there's also that faint hazy light that covers her private area. Just this view would make any mortal delusional with lustful thoughts but not Vendrick.

A blue sash could be seen arching behind her body, anybody who sees her would most likely assumed that she's a fairy, a deity, a goddess even. Well, they aren't wrong…

"I have been waiting for 15,000 years for you to come, O dear Conqueror." The woman said.

"A Conqueror you say…" Vendrick frowned. 

In reality, he was surprised. 'Conqueror', her calling him this shouldn't just be a mere coincidence. After all, that word is strongly connected to his true purpose here. 

"Indeed, you have are born to be a Conqueror. Tis but a shame that you came 15,000 years late. I' afraid that the situation will be disadvantageous to you." The woman sighed, her voice carrying a deep sense of regret.

"Care to explain? Honestly, I don't know much about this world at all." Vendrick calmly asked, he didn't feel any kind panic or fear from the woman's somber tone. 

"My name is Lucia, one of the Imperial Fairies that are tasked to aid Conquerors in their Conquest of this land." 

"I am Vendrick Rogers from the Blue Mountain Tribe not far from here." He replied, "What is a Conqueror? How did I become one? And what's this about me coming here late?" 

"The name is of this land is Bright Star Great World. It is a prosperous land that had existed since eons ago. Ever since we became aware of our surroundings, it was humans who ruled this land, however that changed when the Demonic Beasts arrived." 

Lucia's voice become a bit faint as she recalled the history of this world. "The Demonic Beasts are merciless and cruel. Humanity was almost driven to extinction because of their relentless attacks. But as fate would have, it seems that humanity wasn't meant to end there." 

"From the dying embers of humanity, he came. The blazing sun that illuminated the path and ushered humanity to it's golden age…the First Conqueror - Lector Orwenz. He was born a slave but died as a God."

"It was thanks to him that we, Imperial Fairies, were born. Before his death, His Majesty Lector pried the Heavenly Secrets one last time. There he saw a vision of humanity's decline after his death. It would've been okay if it was a simple decline but from his vision, he saw that humanity's chances of extinction will be almost certain."

"His Majesty Lector didn't want such ending for his beloved race, therefore using his dying breath, he scattered his essence and fused it with his loyal subjects. He left them a gift that they can use in order to continue the legacy of humanity and prevent them from becoming extinct."

"Since we, Imperial Fairies, are undying beings, he left a task for us. He said that there will come a time when a Hero from humanity, bearing his pedigree and his ambition, will appear. He asked us a favor to watch over those Heroes and guide them so that they can replace him and become the next Conqueror of the land."

"So long as a Conqueror lives, Humanity will never fall. That was his decree. Unfortunately, His Majesty was a different cut from the rest." 

A sorrowful mood descended, Vendrick could feel sadness and pity rising from the woman in front of him. 

"He underestimated Humanity's flaws. Thinking that they're infallible, humanity began walking to its eventual disaster. Those who followed his were greedy, treacherous, betrayers, arrogant and so hungry for power that humanity began crumbling apart."

"His Majesty told us to watch over his next incarnations but they too aren't immune from the toxicity of human tongue. They were painted with dark colors and they became the thing that they swore to kill."

"We, Imperial Fairies, might be undying creatures but even us won't dare to claim that we're infallible. The greatest proof of this is me, the Last Imperial Fairy." Lucia's voice was filled with sadness at this point. 

"I'm guessing that it's humans who killed your kind?" Vendrick couldn't help but ask. 

"Indirectly." Vendrick could almost make out a wry smile on Lucia's face. "You see, we Imperial Fairies aren't blessed with the power to reproduce. Initially, we didn't think that it's necessary since we're undying, but we have our own emotions too."

"Maybe it's because we could feel our creator - His Majesty Lector's aura from this heroes that we feel a deep connection to those humans. Those heroes weren't dumb, in fact most of them used this connection to pull us from the skies."

"They used empty promises, flowery words, threats, some of them even directly enslaved us in order to fulfill their lustful fantasies. Using the excuse that they were 'Conquerors' to justify their actions. An Imperial Fairy is undying, yes, but if they devote their existence to only one person, their undying trait will disappear, making them mortals but also giving them capabilities to reproduce."

"We tried our best to fulfill our duties while also making sure to protect ourselves from falling. Unfortunately, even with our efforts, humanity's ingenuity never failed to obstruct our desires. In the end, I'm the only one left…"

Vendrick drew a deep breath after listening to her story. He wanted to say something to comfort her but he knew that any attempts would just cause awkwardness so he decided to move-on from the subject instead.

"So, you mean to say that I'm one of this person's incarnation. I am a Conqueror, but what does a conqueror do? Also, you haven't answered some of my previous questions yet." 

"As a Conqueror, we only request you to do one thing…" Lucia said, "And that is to lead Humanity to it's golden age."

Vendrick sighed, but he didn't interrupt Lucia since he could tell that there's still something she wanted to say.

"I'll be candid with you. You're not obligated to do this at all. You aren't bound to any oath nor contracts. Even if you didn't attempt to this, you won't be sanctioned nor will I kill you. You are free to decide whether to take this monumental task or not. It is completely up to you." 

"Additionally, as I've said before, you were 15,000 years late. That tribe of yours…are all the remaining humans there is. Everything else outside of this place and this continent, are territory of Demonic Beasts."

"Your tribe is located at the very edge of the Southern Continent, and as luck would have it, it is also the most barren part of the land. The undisputed rules of the Southern Continent is a Demonic Beast who had become a Deity 11,000 years ago - The Forest Witch and her Hag Daughters."

"There's also the Vampiric Serpent of the West. The Winter Troll King of the North, the Infernal Dragon of the East - these Continental Deities will surely prevent you from your conquest. And last but not the least, your final hurdle will be waiting for you at the Central Continent, it is a God that dwells at the Mouth of the Abyss."

"All of these entities will do everything in their power to stop you from your conquest. Compared to them who had been raising their forces for almost 15,000 years, it's almost impossible for you to face them."

"This is why I said that it's regrettable that you arrived late. Had you came at least 10,000 years earlier, then you would still have a chance. But now, you have to face Four Deities and one God. Your chances are abysmally low."

"That being said, the decision is still up to you." Lucia sighed, "Face them or not. It's your choice." 

"Wow, you don't have faith in me at all. That's so re-assuring…" Vendrick rolled his eyes after hearing Lucia's words. 

In the end though, he couldn't blame her. Had he was on her position, he would've thought the same. But Vendrick isn't a normal person now is he?

"…well, I understand why you don't have any confidence at me at all. But I would still like to ask, you were tasked to be my guide or support…something like that right? Do you probably have something for me that could help at least?" 

Lucia was surprised, Vendrick had this impression that she's looking dumbfounded at him, this impression was right, Lucia is indeed dumbfounded. 

"You still think of challenging their rule?"

"Isn't that my purpose?" Vendrick retorted with another question, "Challenging them or not, humanity is already at the verge of extinction. Rather than going down silently, it's better to die with a bang. Besides…it's more fun this way…" 

"..."