Chapter 131: CHAPTER 131- PRISONERS OF WAR

Keylan had allowed Alaster to ambush the Sicon Reinforcements and search for his friend, expecting that it would demoralize the Tarians as well as reduce the number of Soldiers.

What he had not been expecting was for Alaster to return with the majority of the Reinforcements marching through Colius’ portal carrying their neatly folded weapons and armor and willingly surrendering.

They stacked their equipment against a wall, sorting it until there were neat piles of each piece. They then sat down against the far wall and casually chatted with each other until the City Lord could get down there himself.

He was stunned. Not only had Alaster singlehandedly defeated over a dozen Drakes, according to Veo, one of the only people he trusted to operate independently, but he had captured the entirety of an enemy force. From the way the Sicon Soldiers looked up at Alaster with respect and admiration, he suspected they would even fight for the boy if he called for it.

When Keylan entered the underground bunker, he saw Alaster calmly sitting down with the Sicon Soldiers, casually talking and joking with them.

“Is that little bakery just off the main street still there?” Alaster asked the soldiers.

One of them spoke up, “Yeah, it ran into some financial trouble last year, but now the owners are talking about even opening a second store.”

“Good for them! I loved their little pastries dusted with sugar and cinnamon.”

“Oh, I love those!”

“What are they called?” One of the soldiers asked.

However, before someone could answer the man, they noticed the City Lord, followed by a dozen of his personal guards.

They all stood up, slowly so as to not startle the already tense Onigarian Soldiers. The Bunker was designed for hundreds of soldiers to prepare for battle, but not over a thousand. It was cramped.

Alaster walked over to the City Lord, “So, what do you think?”

“This is the entire Sicon detachment?” Keylan asked.

“Yep. The city actually had no intention to join this siege, but the capital sent their own Officers and took command. Said Officers are currently rotting in the mud. These men and women have no loyalty to the siege army and are perfectly happy to be your prisoners. They have even expressed a willingness to work.”

The Lord cocked his head, “Why would they do that?”

“I promised them fair treatment.” Alaster’s face turned dark, “Is that agreeable?”

The City Lord’s guards tightened their grips on their swords but did not act against Alaster’s malice.

Keylan waved it away, “Of course, of course. So long as there are no escapes or sabotage, they will be treated well.”

In response to the City Lord’s words, the Sicon Soldiers relaxed, and one of them stepped forward. After executing their own Officers, this man was technically the ranking Soldier.

He stopped three meters away from the City Lord and saluted in the Tarian fashion, in addition to bowing his head, “We thank you, sir.”

Keylan’s eyes widened and motioned for one of his aides to come forward. The City Lord typically had one or two following him around, they were simply so small, quiet, and out of the way that it was easy to ignore them entirely.

“Take the Siconian Soldiers to the prisons. Treat them well and have blankets and food brought down to them. Take the Saboteurs with you, after that, they are free to rest for two days.”

The small wiry man nodded and soon had Saboteurs in front and behind the procession of Sicon Soldiers, leading them up and out of the Bunker. All except one.

Keylan looked at the young woman who refused to leave Alaster’s side. By her uniform, she was a Siconian Soldier, a distinguished one at that, yet she stayed by Alaster over her own countrymen despite being in hostile territory.

“Is this your friend you wanted to find?” The City Lord asked.

“That she is. After leaving Onigas when I was younger, I ended up in Sicon for a few months. She helped me a lot, both because she knew the area, and by assisting my hunting. It would be safe to say that she is part of the reason I am as powerful as I am now.”

“You saved my life several times, it was only fair.” Astrid retorted with a blush, attempting to hide.

Shaking her head to clear the red, Astrid addressed the City Lord with a curtsy and bow of the head, “Thank you for your hospitality, M’lord. My name is Astrid.”

Keylan was impressed that a common soldier would know how to properly address a City Lord.

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“It is nothing. They had yet to cause any actual harm to my people. So long as they continue to cause no harm, they will be treated well. Will you not join your fellows?”

“I’m afraid not sir. The last time I left Alaster, he disappeared for several years. He has promised me his story and until he makes good on it, I am not letting him out of my sight.”

Alaster only grinned, but the City Lord chuckled, “Fair enough. I trust the boy. However, may I have a few moments to speak to him privately?”

“Of course, m’lord.” She curtsied once more before she left to join Colius against the far wall. She had noticed in the little time she had seen Alaster interact with the old man that he trusted him.

Keylan waited until Astrid was far enough away. There were still several haulers moving the Siconian equipment, creating enough noise that he wasn’t worried about being heard.

“You have exceeded my expectations time and time again Alaster.”

Alaster didn’t react. He had only tried to do his best to protect those close to him. In his eyes, that was nothing to be proud about. It was to be expected.

“You have proven you have the power to fight and protect by defending the wall, defeating the Assassins, and again with the Drakes. You have proven to be knowledgeable about politics by spying on War Counsil as we talked about you. And you have proven to be diplomatic by convincing several hundred men and women to lay down their arms and surrender to a hostile force.

We have captured many Tarian Soldiers since the Siege began. They are treated as you would expect. Poor food, worse accommodations, and even regular beatings to extract any knowledge they might have.

I promise you that these Siconian Soldiers will not be subject to that treatment. They will be in cells, but they will be given proper bedding and food.”

“Thank you. As to actionable information, I doubt they will have any. They hadn’t yet merged with the main army so only their Officers would have any actual information, and they are already dead.”

“A shame to be sure. Not just for potential information, but for ransoming power. I imagine the General in charge was of high standing.”

Alaster shrugged, “I don’t know. No offense, but almost all you Nobles act the same. Arrogant, self-important, and greedy.”

Keylan burst out laughing, “You got that right! You seem to be headed in the way of leadership so let me tell you a little secret. To be a good ruler, one must be arrogant. He cannot risk showing weakness to their enemies, but especially to those that follow them.

One must be self-important because you are. You cannot risk yourself in duties that are just as well done by those, and I know it’s horrible, but it’s true, more expendable.

And most of all, a good ruler must be greedy. Not just for himself, but for those that follow them. You must be willing to take everything for yourself, and in extension, those you rule over.

One must be all of that, and more, without being selfish. It is a hard balance. I want to give my daughters everything, let them do everything, but I can’t. They must learn to struggle, to fight for what they want.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

Keylan sighed, “Because I know you will leave once the Siege is over. You have your own goals, and I want you to understand something crucial. Sometimes, more often than is fair to anyone, a ruler has to make a choice. A choice that will create a better life for many, at the cost of a few.

I don’t know everything about the situation with your sister. But what I do know is that only a Noble could have done all of that, and covered it up, without any backlash.

Save your sister. I know nothing I say, or anyone for that matter, will change your mind. But I want you to learn why they took her. For what reason.”

Alaster’s face turned dark once more; except this time, it was paired with the Black Mana once more. Coating his body, moving around in small tendrils before dripping back.

“I don’t care. Even if it was to save the entire world, it changes nothing. I will torture them until they are begging for death. Only then will I grant it to them before I raise them once more as my Undead Minions.

Let the world burn for all I care. All I want is my sister.”

Keylan’s Elite Guards found themselves backing up despite their resolve and training. Everyone else in the room shivered in fear. Even Astrid and Colius were overtaken by fear. Fear not of Alaster, but of the Black Mana. It was not natural. Their minds failed to properly process it.

Only Keylan was unaffected, at least externally. His heart was clenched in icy terror, but his extensive emotional training did not allow him to show it.

“Calm yourself Alaster. Many might say revenge will only leave you feeling hollow. That you shouldn’t pursue it. But I am not one of those blinded moralists. I am a realist. I see the world for what it is, not what it could be, or what I want it to be.

Revenge keeps the world honest.

If you have the desire and power, you should make them regret crossing you. Take your sister back. That is not your right, but your duty. But that is not what I wanted to talk to you about.

While we were focusing on the Siconian Reinforcements, three thousand additional Tarian Soldiers joined the Main Army from the west.”

The Black Mana gradually seeped back into Alaster, disappearing, with it went the unnatural terror that grasped everyone, allowing them to breathe once more.

“The west?”

“Yes. They took the long route, crossing into Celarn to enter the Independent lands several days to the west. They come from Noln.”

“The border fortress, so they are all veterans?”

“Unfortunately. While you did very well ensuring the Siconians couldn’t join the Main Army, the effect will not be nearly as large as we were hoping.”

“They will attack tomorrow.” It was not a question.

“Without a doubt.”

Alaster sighed, “Alright. Then I need to prepare. I was planning on sitting down with Astrid and talking, but I don’t have the time anymore. Can you take her to the room you offered me?”

Keylan raised a brow, “Your room?”

“Not really, I have yet to actually sleep in it. Besides, I will be in the Training Hall. Please make sure no one interrupts me unless it is absolutely necessary. I will be working Magic that can cause quite a bit of damage if worked wrong.”

“Alright. Do you need anything? Mana Potions perhaps?”

“No, I doubt those will have any effect on me anyway.”

“Ok, I will personally guide Astrid to the room. I will have to post a guard there; you might trust her. But she is still technically an enemy combatant.”

“That will be fine.” Alaster waved Astrid over and explained the situation. She was upset but understood and graciously followed the City Lord out of the Bunker.

Colius then walked over and pat his old pupil on the back, “It is good to see you lad.”

“Same to you old man. I really want to talk to you, but there will be an attack tomorrow, and I have to prepare for it.”

“Don’t forget to set aside some time to sleep.” Colius reminded.

“I’ll be fine. Good night Colius.”

Alaster bowed slightly to his own teacher and walked up the many stairs. He had not been given an opportunity to properly show off his newest Adept Minion during the trip beyond the city walls, but it did not matter, he needed more. Of everything.

‘They are likely finished studying me. Tomorrow they will send people they believe can kill me. I wonder how close they will get.’