The General stared into the horizon, toward the next village awaiting conquest.
Ever since Anima had been attacked by the savage tribes along its southern border, his entire life had been consumed by the frontlines.And he wouldn't have had it any other way.
Few outside his army had seen him since he'd awakened that power. He despised the Aegir and their pacifist politics, but for now, he had to keep up appearances. At least until his plan was complete.
After his true body had been destroyed, his soul had managed to take over the corpse of an old man—banishing its original owner to the land of the dead.It had been a necessary sacrifice to survive, but now... now he needed a new vessel, one that was truly compatible. Once he had it, everything would begin.
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
At his side stood his most trusted officer—Lieutenant Senrika Hina—waiting silently for orders, along with the rest of the army.
She was still young, only twenty, with dark eyes and jet-black hair. She wasn't particularly gifted in strategy and was often clumsy, but she worshipped the General like a God.That was enough for him. All he needed was loyalty.
With his unique abilities, every battle was a victory. The secret behind his strength was known only to a select few within the Aegir—and even that would soon change. The entire nation of Anima would know his name.
His breathing grew labored."This body won't last much longer," he muttered under his breath.
"My lord!" Hina exclaimed, worried. "We'll find a new vessel—one that's a perfect match for you."
"I hope so. Then I can finally wield my full power."
"Are you certain you should be fighting in this condition?"
"I'm not going to sit around and wait for this carcass to turn to dust. I will find a new body—today!"His voice snapped like a whip. "Let's finish this already. These savages won't stop themselves!"
The army roared in response and charged.
The savages weren't strong individually, but they were numerous. Their traps were devastating to conventional troops—but the soldiers of Anima had superior weapons and overwhelming force.
After months of fighting, the General's army had finally pushed deep into the desert heartland of the enemy, preparing to reduce their capital to ashes.
"Lord General, we'll cover you in battle!" shouted Yuki, one of his two personal guards.
"To the death!" echoed Aria, Yuki's younger sister.
The General motioned for them to follow, and then he leapt into the fray.
The savages swarmed him—but with an agility that defied the age of his decaying vessel, he slipped through their attacks, tearing into their ranks with ease. Black spears, as dark as night itself, pierced through their bodies as they crumpled to the ground.
Yuki and Aria flanked him, pushing back the enemy. Yuki's long spear moved with breathtaking speed—every touch left her enemies frozen solid. Aria danced around the battlefield with elegance and grace, her sword slicing through foes like the wind itself guided her blade.
The General couldn't have asked for better bodyguards. Together, their coordination was flawless.He had saved their lives once—and in return, they had vowed to protect him until the end.
"You two, deal with the ones behind us," he ordered. "I'll take care of the plaza."
"Yes, sir!" they answered in unison, obeying without hesitation.
Once the plaza was cleared of enemies, the General stopped.He sensed a presence behind him—he turned, but too late.
A savage warrior charged, sword aimed directly at his chest—and plunged it through his weakened body.
His strength failed him. The General fell to one knee as the savage raised his blade again to finish him.
But before the killing blow landed, Yuki's spear tore through the attacker's skull.
"My lord! Take my body! Please! You must live!"
"Don't—" He couldn't even finish the sentence.
That's when his eyes fell on her—a little savage girl. She wore filthy rags, no shoes, her golden hair wild and beautiful, even in grief.She sobbed beside the corpse of her mother.
Yuki understood instantly.
Without a second thought, she seized the girl and brought her to her master.
The General placed a hand on the girl's forehead. In an instant, his soul left the old man's shell and invaded the child's body, casting out her spirit like dust on the wind.
For the first time in years, he felt it—all of his power, surging through him.
"Yuki. Aria. I've found it!" he shouted, laughing with the sweet, high voice of a little girl.But it was no innocent laughter—it was cruel, twisted, unholy.
The two sisters knelt before the rag-clad child.
"After all this time... I've finally found a compatible vessel.Now, I can reveal myself to the world."
Black rain began to fall from the sky.
The General, in the body of a child, carved a path of destruction through the city, reducing it to rubble.
Lieutenant Hina arrived moments later."My lord—what...?"
He silenced her with a single wave of his hand.
"This is the final vessel."
Hina stood frozen, her eyes wide. Then her expression darkened. She stepped close and whispered: "So... it's time?"
"Exactly," he replied. "Give the order."
And just like that, the peace the Aegir had so carefully built was shattered.
The General's men lined up, ready for their next objective.
Lieutenant Hina activated her communicator and spoke to the loyalists embedded across the remaining legions:"Soldiers—our time has come. In the name of the General, eliminate all who stand against him."
In the days that followed, the lives of nearly every commander and political rival were extinguished.As for the Aegir themselves...The General would deal with them personally.