The battle seemed to be over and yet no one came up to his location. He was bruised, battered, and bleeding, needing some immediate tending.
After a short while, Rainer let out an annoyed huff and groaned as he struggled to push himself up.
'If I don't move, those guys are going to let me bleed here to death!'
Rainer staggered up, pressing his stab wound. Then he reached down and picked up a spear as a walking aid.
Glancing down, he saw his discarded helm. The helmet lay gleaming on a puddle of wine with a black symbol etched on the front. It seemed to imbue it with a gloomy, intimidating aura.
Rainer caressed his forehead, feeling the nasty gash from the Chieftain's pommel attack. However, the demon didn't seem to have done anything to him apart from a slight scalding.
Rainer glanced again at the bright bronze helmet, its bristle-white crest standing pristine and nobly, and he smiled. He still liked the helmet; furthermore, it had protected his head multiple times now. It didn't seem right to abandon it here, so he picked it up and put it on.
That done with, he cautiously glanced around with a tired frown.
'There better not be any enemies left, or I just might crash out!'
Suddenly his eyes stopped on the scroll held within the chieftain's belt. He took it up and opened it, skimming through its contents.
Rainer's lips soon pulled up in an intrigued smirk.
'A plot, eh? About a Golden Gate and some Elysium Province?'
He raised a perplexed brow.
'Did the Roman Empire ever claim such a province? Hmm, this doesn't seem like your usual Earth.'
He let out a sigh and tucked it away, feeling lightheaded. It wasn't something he had the luxury of thinking about at the moment.
Lastly, Rainer went for the demon head. Yanking it up by the hair, he stumbled out.
Thin rays of sunlight beamed down the empty stairway from behind, and the dust particles danced under their radiance as the echoes of his footfalls bounced around the walls.
He soon reached the open doorway below and walked through, shielding his face against the blinding light.
When his eyes adjusted to the daylight, he was met with rows of archers on both sides, all with their bows strung and aimed straight at him.
His eyes shifted, scanning across the thick column of auxiliary soldiers standing in a solid formation before him. Their spears, pointed toward him out of their tight shield wall, glinted like fangs.
Rainer's eyes then settled on the sight of the Prefect, proudly seated on his stead behind the column.
He let out a calming sigh and walked down. However, He staggered on the last steps and almost fell. Luckily, Rainer just barely maintained his footing and preserved his dignity.
The soldiers glanced nervously at each other as he approached.
In truth, they had all heard the demon's booming declaration.
Ever since a year ago, a phenomenon began... There became a rare chance of someone who died becoming possessed by a powerful and frightful spirit who raved about a gate and a champion to come, warning not to cross, not to participate in god's knows what, while slaughtering and wreaking havoc until it was finally put down, or automatically melted into a dark puddle within the hour.
Recognizing that someone had turned into a demon above, they were ordered to wait outside where there was enough space, to avoid fighting such a superhuman entity within tight corners.
However, to their surprise, it was not the demon who came out—at least, not the one they were unfamiliar with.
They had seen Rainer's spirited charge toward the wall and predicted that he was going to die in moments. And to some extent, it was a relief to them. Yet reality gave them a slap on the face.
He didn't die. Bloodied and battered, yes. But he still walked, still drew breath.
Their shock turned into horror when they witnessed the head he carried, the terrifyingly familiar black eyes, and ink-like tears rolling down its face.
He had not only survived, but he had defeated the demon alone.
He had accomplished an astounding feat. Indirectly saving the lives of the dozens of soldiers who may have died in the fight when it eventually came out.
When Rainer came close, simultaneously, without orders given, they stepped aside, gradually parting and making way for Rainer.
Their expressions behind their cheek guards were an odd mix: shock, doubt, fear, and even awe. No—mostly awe.
Soon, Rainer stopped before the Prefect and his officers on horseback behind him.
There was a moment of silence, a heaviness in the dry air bearing down on all. It must have just been the sun, or Rainer's sheer presence.
None was certain.
Rainer tossed the head forth and it rolled before the Prefect. Soulless black eyes stared up at him.
The officers' faces ashened and many were grim, but the Prefect remained expressionless, collected even.
"It would appear that my helm has proven useful."
Alexios glanced from the head, up at Rainer.
Unamused, Rainer's eyes glinted as he gestured at the head with a look of distaste.
"The hell is that?!"
The question brought a look of surprise to many.
"You do not know?"
Alexios lightly inquired, doubt cracking through his carefully placed mask.
Rainer's expression creased even more.
"How the hell would I know?! This is the demon you guys have been yammering about? Are you all blind?! I don't even look like that! Stu—"
Rainer suddenly stopped and swayed, holding his forehead.
With the adrenaline dropping, his various wounds were only now beginning to register in his mind.
'Damn. I feel dizzy.'
Realizing he didn't have much time, he promptly drew out the scroll from his armor and tossed it forward.
"I-I got you their Chieftain's head, and something even better."
He groggily informed.
"Honor our deal."
The Prefect, completely losing composure at the sight of the scroll rolling in the sand, adeptly leaped down from his horse with surprising grace for his age and went to pick up the scroll.
Opening it and glancing through its contents, he quickly covered it and sighed.
His eyes then went up to Rainer with a suspicious furrow forming on his brow.
"Did you read this—"
However, he suddenly paused with a look of surprise.
Rainer's eyes were closed and the inspiring presence he exuded was gone, yet he stood.
The Prefect approached him and closely observed him for a moment before turning to his officers with a mildly stupefied expression.
"He lost consciousness."