Rudolf Rose, the enigmatic founder of the mercenary company known as the Black Roses, carved a formidable reputation for himself many years ago, emerging from obscurity to play a pivotal role in the last great conflict known as the Great War of the Five Kingdoms. This fierce and brutal struggle was marked by the untimely demise of countless nobles and kings, propelling Rudolf into the spotlight as a figure of immense notoriety and respect.
Many in the Kingdom of Druwd believed Rudolf to be nothing more than an ordinary foot soldier, a perception he loathed. He was weary of being a mere pawn in the games played by nobles and monarchs, whose thirst for power often left a trail of destruction in their wake. His perspective shifted dramatically one fateful day when he encountered an enemy noble on the battlefield. Fueled by a surge of defiance and a deep-seated disdain for the ruling elite, he killed the noble without the slightest hesitation. In that chilling moment, rationality fell away, and Rudolf realized that the supposed distinctions between kings and nobles versus the commoners were meaningless illusions.
That realization birthed a fervent vow within him: he would not rest until he had eradicated every last individual who dared to wield control over him. Since taking that oath, Rudolf has established himself as an unparalleled warrior, undefeated in any of his engagements. While some believe his unyielding nature borders on insanity, branding him as mad, there's no disputing his prowess on the battlefield, marking him as one of the greatest combatants of his era.
After freeing himself from the constraints of the traditional army, Rudolf went on to assemble his own formidable force of mercenaries—the Black Roses. With his newly formed army, he unleashed a relentless campaign against the four remaining kingdoms, ultimately propelling the Kingdom of Marn to dominate the northern reaches of the continent.
However, this ascent didn't come without cost. As Rudolf's reputation flourished, so too did the fear and resentment among his erstwhile employers in the Kingdom of Marn. The king, sensing his own power waning in the face of Rudolf's strength, initiated a brutal war against the Black Roses. In the ensuing chaos, Rudolf exacted a toll of vengeance upon the royal family, targeting them for their treachery. Yet, the mercenaries' tactics forced them to remain constantly on the move, ever evading the relentless pursuit from rival kingdoms.
Seeking refuge, Rudolf and his men found an unexpected ally in the Kingdom of Fiafyr, through Count Marcus Revelia. Marcus, driven by ambition, envisioned using Rudolf's formidable forces to seize the throne from his cousin, drawing his father into the conspiracy to attain kingship. Rudolf, ever pragmatic, saw this as an opportunity to acquire his own domain as he approached the twilight of his days and aligned his interests with Marcus.
Tragedy struck when Marcus met an untimely death, leaving Rudolf once more adrift in his quest for power and ownership. Now, he stands at a crossroads, intent on persuading Duke Alaric Revelia, Marcus's father, to support his claim to the throne, hoping that Alaric would grant him the land he yearns for. Yet, a growing intuition gnaws at him—a suspicion that the duke may harbor treachery in his heart. If he senses that betrayal is looming, Rudolf knows he will have no choice but to eliminate Alaric and recommence his search for a more trustworthy ruler willing to grant him the land he so desperately desires. Such decisive actions would not be new territory for Rudolf; after all, he has walked this dark path before.
***
"Rudolf. Jeremiah has returned, and this time he brings the dark elf with him." The voice calling from behind cut through his thoughts like a knife.
"Took him long enough to come back. What news does he bring?" Rudolf inquired, concern lacing his tone.
"It seems one man perished in the process of putting the slave collar on it. But fortunately, it appears that the collar is functioning as intended," the mercenary explained, his eyes darting with a mixture of apprehension and hope.
Rudolf exhaled deeply, a wave of relief washing over him. He had invested a significant sum into the collar; it was imperative that it worked as promised. "Good. After all that expenditure, it had better yield results," he replied, his voice steady and resolute.
"Yes, Commander. What shall our next course of action be?" the mercenary pressed, waiting eagerly for his leader's directive.
Rudolf smirked, a glint of anticipation flashing in his eyes as he stood, his silhouette imposing against the dim light of the room. He strode purposefully towards the door, confidence radiating from him. "Next, we shall see just how strong this dark elf truly is."
***
Rya was walking through the cave corridor, forced to follow the mercenaries as they made their way deeper inside the mountain. They seemed to be heading to some kind of meeting point where the mercenary leader was.
'Dammit! I still can't find a way out of this mess. Why did I ever go to that brothel!? Just because I wanted to prove I was still a man? To get back at Nils? Fuck me.' Rya thought to herself as she kept following the men.
Behind her were Jeremiah and Dietrich. Both remained silent as they walked alongside her.
As she continued her way forward, she noticed that the corridor looked like an old mine shaft. It was cold and damp, but there was light ahead of her and a lot of men dressed in Black Rose armor.
'There's like a hundred of them in here alone. Are they planning an invasion or something?' Rya thought to herself.
She saw one of them walk by holding a sword in one hand and a crossbow in another.
"Slave! Halt!" Jeremiah ordered.
Rya quickly stopped and stared at Jeremiah.
Jeremiah glared at her. "Did I tell you to look at me?"
Rya looked away and sighed. 'Fucking asshole.'
When she looked around, she noticed all the men were staring at her. Some with disgust, others with lust and jealousy.
Rya had never had this much attention before in her life. And it made her uncomfortable.
'What the hell is up with all these creeps? I hate how they're staring at me.' Rya thought while feeling uneasy. 'I wish Quin were here. I-I miss him. God, he must be angry at me for doing something so stupid... I don't deserve him...'
"Rudolf is taking his sweet ass time," Dietrich said.
"You should say that to his face," Jeremiah responded.
"Uh... J-Just pretend that I said nothing."
"Spineless coward... Well, I know how you were the only one to survive the Tomb of the Horde." Jeremiah smirked at Dietrich, who was gritting his teeth in anger.
At that moment, a figure emerged from the depths of a large tent, the fluttering fabric catching the light and revealing the older man within. Clad in resplendent full plate mail that glinted like polished black steel forged by the finest smiths, he commanded attention with his imposing presence. A massive shield, emblazoned with intricate designs of ancient battles, rested firmly in one hand, while the other gripped a hefty mace that seemed to radiate power, the head adorned with menacing spikes. His face, weathered by years of combat, bore the marks of a seasoned warrior from an era long past, with deep-set eyes that told tales of both triumph and loss. Strapped neatly across his back was a battle-worn axe, ready to be drawn at a moment's notice.
The older man scanned the gathering, his gaze sweeping across the onlookers until it settled on Rya, who stood defiantly among them. "Jeremiah, you've done well. Do we know what she's capable of?" he inquired, a hint of curiosity lacing his voice.
Jeremiah, a steadfast ally to the commander, responded, "I haven't yet put her through her paces to truly gauge her strength, but she possesses the gifts of an earth mage. From what I've observed, she's quite powerful."
Rudolf's demeanor shifted as he considered this information, determination etching lines upon his brow. "We'll test her then. Who in this room wishes to fight this Dark Elf? Whoever manages to best her will have the freedom to do as they please afterward." His challenge hung in the air, electrifying the atmosphere.
A cacophony of cheers and shouts erupted from the crowd, each eager voice clamoring for a chance to prove their prowess against Rya. The din became a tapestry of excitement and bravado.
"Rudolf! Let me challenge her!" boomed Sims, his voice cutting through the noise like a dagger. His eagerness seeped into the words, cloaked in a dangerous fervor that sent a chill down Rya's spine. She could feel her skin turn cold at the thought of his intentions, the lustful undertones in his tone making her skin crawl.
Jeremiah couldn't suppress the smile that crept across his face, as though reveling in the challenge ahead.
"Everyone, clear the space in front of her!" Rudolf commanded, his voice brokering no argument. The crowd hastily complied, stepping back and carving out a wide berth in the center of the gathering area, the anticipation rippling through the crowd palpable.
Cheers transitioned to laughter, and the air buzzed with exhilaration as Sims sauntered closer to Rya, a predatory glint in his eyes. "Don't worry. I'll take good care of you after the fight," he said, smirking with unwarranted confidence.
Rya looked up, her heart racing. 'I've got to take this guy down, if I can,' she thought, steeling herself for the confrontation ahead. The weight of the moment settled heavily upon her shoulders, but within her, a flicker of resolve ignited.