The aroma of savory spices and sizzling meats quickly filled the canteen, a stark contrast to his initial, modest intention. He had envisioned a simple meal for his new companions, perhaps just some plain noodles for himself. Yet, the moment his hands touched what ingredients where left and found some of the others Oleg seemingly had in the bag, an array of cured meats and fresh herbs, it was as if old instincts woke up and took control. His movements becoming more and more fluid and precise, each cut of the knife, every sprinkle of seasoning becoming perfectly timed as a proper feast began to form over the modest meal he had planned. Various cured meats were expertly worked and diced before being combined with finely chopped vegetables curtesy of Elena, all brought together by a blend of aromatic and fresh spices both from her and the bag. The resulting fragrance was intoxicating, promising a hearty and tasty meal.
The girls, including his new slaves, having been attracted by the smell watched in mesmerized silence, their eyes wide as if watching an enchanting performance. John's hands moved with an almost supernatural certainty, intuitively knowing exactly which ingredient was needed at any given moment. In less than half an hour a feast fit for a king and certainly more than enough for everyone who had gathered was laid out. It was a spread so rich and abundant, it felt almost out of place in their current circumstances, yet undeniably welcome.
"Well, dig in everyone," John announced with an embarrassed laugh, gesturing to the lavish spread. "I think my class did most of the work again. Honestly, well I've always felt I was a decent cook its never being anything like this." His slaves initially looked confused, a flicker of apprehension in their eyes. They had anticipated a different kind of meal, perhaps scraps or a long wait, being fed only after he and those close to him had there fill, but John quickly clarified their unspoken worries after seeing the hesitation. "You may be slaves and I'm not to sure how it was for you lot before but you need your strength. And you're all equal at this table. Even if I'm the leader it doesn't mean I have to always put myself above everyone else, what is a king if not still a person? We're in this together and I will be relying on all of you. Also the whole king analogy thing is just to try and get my point across, we can work out the whole hierarchy nonsense later after I can see how strong everyone is through live combat and we all discuss it properly." He paused, taking a mouthful of the stew, a satisfied hum escaping him. "Either way, since you're my first group you'll be considered part of the 3rd ring or level. The second consists of Ash, Saya, the old man over there and the planner. I'll be at the top as a leader even if I don't see myself as much of one."
"Hey! What about me?" Z suddenly interjected, their voice muffled but clear, somehow having mastered the mysterious art of eating without removing the scarf draped across their face.
"You also want to join? How would that even work? Also weren't you saying something about needing me to be paid for lack of sales if I had you stay or something like that?" John couldn't help but ask, genuinely confused, especially when they gave him what he assumed was a proud, if obscured, look in return.
"After what ive seen I decided to stay around and leave only now and then to sort sales or restock, but other than that, I will stay here and be your sale assistant helping ensure any deals you make in the future are fair and others don't trick or scam you, now that you have all this amazing stuff and clear wealth you will need someone to help you manage it after all," Z explained, a hint of nonchalance in their tone. "And the food is really good." It was clear Z was primarily interested in a comfortable leeching arrangement, but after a moment's consideration, John realized the potential and truth in their words, that he could definitely make use of them. Z could serve as an invaluable intermediary, moving goods between their growing settlement and the mall, facilitating trade and resource acquisition during the week cooldown period between visits and possibly even something more if he could use them as the foundation for trade in his own world. Such a thought slowly began to solidify, a merchant contact, even an eccentric one he could use to create something more was too useful to pass up.
After their meals, everyone seemed to be in rather high spirits, the unexpected generosity and clear structure from John lifting morale, even though some felt slightly uncomfortable at being treated as equals they realized it was a matter of appreciation and respect he was trying to show them. They set off not long after that, the strategist already deep in thought, making combat plans for the small, newly formed group. The old man, meanwhile, promised to keep the base, or what was left of it after the recent turmoil in order with the help of the statue soldiers and clockworks left behind. Naturally, Elena was bound to remain due to her connection to her tree, but promised she would eventually figure out a way to send out her own "eyes and ears." That would be more reliable than her little ones, hinting that she had already begun to work on something, wishing for it to be a surprise before guiding the orator to the prison to see what he could do to manage the remaining prisoners and possibly help those who had been broken and brainwashed.
The first place John led the group was to the site of the recent Goliath raid. Along the way he explained to Ash and Saya that he planned to hunt down the Marauders main base, possibly even their higher ups to make them answer for what they did along with destroying them. He was convinced a raid like this would have no doubt caught there interest so he hoped to find one of them, even a half-dead survivor would be good enough to direct them to the main base of the Chaos Marauders, or even better, the primary stronghold of Warlord's Dominion. He knew it was wishful thinking though but felt it was worth a try as a group like Warlord's Dominion would already be incredibly powerful, commanding various factions and wouldn't want to let the rewards from a raid like this be taken by another. Still, another reason why he wanted to go straight to the top was that he felt it would be better to attempt to cut off the head of the snake early than to face ever-growing waves of enemies.
The journey itself was surprisingly pleasant. The various slaves cautiously conversed with Ash and Saya, seemingly trying to find out more about their new master. Aria and Ange, however, remained mostly silent, preferring to stay close to him well he and the strategist engaged in a pleasant, if intense, conversation, batting ideas back and forth. John explained how they originally had a seemingly high-ranking member of the enemy in captivity, how he had been helping the enemy capture, drug and break people, restrained and used as a means for Saya to take her grievances out on for what he had done to her and everyone else but before they left, he was found dead from a stab wound and electric burns upon his arm, clearly the work of the 'leavers.' This grim discovery was precisely why they were now heading to the raid site rather than using their captive to guide them. Z, for some inexplicable reason, also tagged along, claiming they wanted first dibs on anything they found and would offer a good price, going so far as to offer to buy or sell his spoils for him as a middle man at a modest fee. In actuality, their gaze kept hungrily falling upon the clockworks and statues whenever they thought no one was looking, clearly still hell-bent on acquiring one from him.
The sight that greeted them upon arrival was far from what they expected. The outer perimeter was indeed littered with bodies, but oddly, many still had their equipment on them, a detail that immediately put him on guard. Faint tremors still vibrated through the ground, a clear sign that a fight was still raging deeper within even now, so many hours after the monster had arrived which made him frown and realize something might be wrong with this creature and the fight in general, he slowly led the group in, his senses on high alert looking not only for survivors but any signs of a possible ambush in the event the Goliath was being used as bait to attack those hoping to end things. Z, true to form, declared they would catch up as they immediately began running around and looting the fallen like a tireless scavenger. John merely shook his head, a wry smile touching his lips, wondering if every person he was destined to meet in this desolate world would possess some unique brand of mental problems but enjoying the way they seemed to freeze and then stumble when he yelled, just loud enough for them to hear him that twenty percent of the loot was his as a guide fee.
As they ventured deeper, the body count began to paradoxically thin out, a detail that baffled him at first until the grim truth on why made itself clear. Up ahead, he watched as a veritable army of Chaos Marauders ambush and slaughter everyone in their path, employing sheer numbers with an utter disregard for their own losses. It was a brutal, overwhelming display of force that earned an angry frown from the strategist and even the other war slaves, their expressions hardening at the sight of such dishonorable tactics and sadism when they saw a few drag a women's crippled form out of sight well laughing and another group slowly cutting there victim just enough to cause pain well keeping him alive. This lopsided slaughter was only possible because the majority of the original combatants were still locked in a desperate struggle with the Goliath and couldn't risk turning their focus away from it to deal with them, The Goliath itself seemingly on its last legs, exhausted and nearly defeated and so the Marauders used that as a means to try and force the combatants into their current stalemate.
"They call this a fight? There is no honor in this! They are worse than volrats picking at scraps," the weapon master practically spat, his voice laced with disgust at what he saw. With a practiced motion, he pulled out a pair of gleaming broadswords with intricate carvings, their polished surfaces reflecting the grim scene like a warped mirror. His gaze shifted to John, a silent plea for permission to rush in and butcher these "honorless beasts." Hope ever proactive, was already buffing her sister and the warrior well simultaneously attempting to extend her protective magic to the statues. Her sister Ivy on the other hand, held a black wooden staff, different from the one he saw in the store but most likely a item she took from his offered selection that was in the bag earlier, its tip was glowing with a fiery red ember that was practically wanting to consume all in its path yet restrained as she patiently waited for the signal to unleash it, looking directly at him clearly waiting for his orders yet wishing to act already. The other girls – Eve, Angel, Ash and Saya, who gripped her sword tighter and stood closer to him – seemed less overtly bothered, but their expectant gazes were fixed on him, ready for his command and clearly hoping he would have them end this horrid farse.
"Everyone, listen to my orders," John stated, his voice calm but firm, cutting through the tense air as he prepared to give his first real commands. "Those in the red and black scrap-like armor behaving like beasts are the enemy I mentioned. I want you all to go forth and show them the errors of their ways and put them down like the rabid beasts they are. But if someone else attacks you and it isn't accidental feel free to deal with them as you see fit. And listen to the strategist's orders as if they were my own, his experience and skill in matters like this is exactly why I wanted him." That was all the signal they needed. The weapon master, flanked by the stoic statue soldiers and the whirring clockworks charged into the fray with a roar. Simultaneously, Ivy let loose a massive gout of fire from her staff, the energy coalescing into the shape of a fiery phoenix as it surged forward, its colors shifting from crimson to a brilliant orange with hints of shimmering blue that swept through the Chaos Marauders on the left flank like a searing knife through butter. As the fiery bird passed the weapon master, in a breathtaking display of skill he swung a broadsword into its trailing flames seemingly imbuing them with the phoenix's fire as he cleaved through the surprised enemies with a scorching force. The battle for the Goliath had just begun anew except the target wasn't the big monster but the various others in human skin.