"Master."
"And what is it, Arden?" Andreas replied, his tone calm but expectant.
"There is a matter that requires your immediate attention."
"And where, exactly?"
"It is… in the courtyard."
It had been a day since Andreas had ordered Arden to inform the Beastfolk of their new rules. As he was working, Arden appeared with a sense of urgency, informing him of a matter that required his presence.
"So… what is this matter?" Andreas inquired, his brow slightly furrowed.
"It seems the Beastfolk are far more grateful to us than we initially believed," Arden replied, his voice measured and precise.
Andreas gave him a blank look, still trying to understand.
"For some time now, they have been kneeling outside the castle, waiting for you. And… it appears their warrior, Nok'thar, has been captured by them."
"Captured?" Andreas echoed, surprise flickering in his eyes.
"Yes, master. He is bound in chains around both his arms and legs."
As Andreas strode through the corridors, the Beastfolk finally came into view. There were roughly a hundred of them, ranging from young children to the elderly. Upon seeing Andreas, they immediately dropped to their knees, pressing their foreheads to the ground in deep submission.
Andreas began moving toward them, and the guards at the gate quickly cleared a path.
"And what is your reason for this display?" Andreas asked, his voice authoritative yet calm.
The Beastfolk exchanged nervous glances. Finally, an elderly man with white hair and a long beard spoke, his voice trembling.
"O-oh… Overlord Valekor… w-we heard that you were dis-satisfied with Nok'thar."
"And you are correct," Andreas replied evenly. "His attitude leaves much to be desired."
"And w-we also h-heard… that you might banish us should we use up our three strikes," another voice added, quivering.
"Yes… that is also correct," Andreas confirmed.
Arden stepped forward, gesturing to a ragged man with long, unruly hair, bound in chains and wearing tattered clothing.
"And what, pray tell, is the meaning of this?" Andreas asked, his voice cool but commanding.
"We… we came here to punish Nok'thar ourselves, m-mighty overlord," the elderly man said, bowing lower. "We do not wish to be affiliated with him."
"Why would you willingly punish your own leader?" Andreas asked, genuinely curious.
"Oh, mighty Overlord," the old man replied, "as you are aware, we are war refugees. We fled from human lands to the safety of demon territory…"
Andreas listened intently, intrigued by where this was heading.
"And then, to survive, we became bandits," the old man continued, "but eventually we received your benevolence. We are deeply grateful. When we heard that the overlord was displeased with Nok'thar's actions, and even considered banishing us because of his foolishness, we could not remain idle."
"So… you captured him yourselves and brought him here, expecting me to banish him?" Andreas asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.
"Yes, mighty overlord. We do not wish to lose our second home due to the recklessness of one individual."
Andreas allowed himself a small, inward sigh. I intended only to frighten them with the threat of banishment… yet it seems to have had a far greater effect than I anticipated.
He pondered his options carefully. Losing another master-level warrior when I am not yet fully powerful would be a significant blow.
Currently, Valekor had three master-level warriors: Arden, the Knight Commander, and Nok'thar. Only one hero-class mage, Barderrosa, the Mage Corps Captain, supported them.
"Bring him closer," Andreas commanded, pointing to Nok'thar.
The other Beastmen hurriedly dragged Nok'thar forward, chains clinking with each step.
"Tell me… why should I not banish you?" Andreas asked, his gaze piercing. "I provide you a home, a place to live, yet you wish to separate yourselves from demons. Why should I not make that separation permanent?"
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over the Beastfolk.
Still, Nok'thar did not respond.
"I… I am sorry," the warrior muttered, his voice rough but sincere.
"You are what?" Andreas asked, eyebrows raised.
"…I am deeply sorry for acting so foolishly toward my clan's savior."
"And that is all?"
"If… if you give me another chance, this will never happen again."
Andreas thought. He is the first to give in…
"And why, pray tell, should I grant you another chance at all?" Andreas asked, his tone unwavering.
"Because I am strong. I can be of help to you," Nok'thar replied, a hint of defiance still clinging to him.
"I will consider it. If you do not receive a reply within three days, consider yourself banished. Leave now."
"You may return to your normal lives. Do not block the gate," Andreas commanded, then returned to his office.
"You were very merciful, my lord," Arden observed quietly.
Andreas glanced at him, an unreadable expression on his face.
"Merciful was never my intention. I only sought discipline… I do not understand why they were so frightened."
"It must be due to rumors, my lord," Arden replied.
"What rumors?"
Arden hesitated, troubled, yet spoke nonetheless.
"There are many who claim you are a merciless tyrant, who slays anyone who displeases you."
"And what reason would such a rumor exist?"
Arden's expression darkened further.
"The sudden death of the previous overlord, combined with the fact that you ensured any dissenters received… additional education before ascending to the throne… made a strong first impression."
Andreas considered this for a moment.
"Then, as long as it serves my interests, there is no reason to dispel them."
"As you wish, my lord."
"Also, inform the Beastmen warrior that he is not banished at the late noon of the third day."
"However you wish, my lord," Arden replied, bowing and departing.
This simplifies matters considerably, Andreas mused. Though a power vacuum remains, having another master-class warrior is a significant gain
.
Near the end of the third day, Arden found Nok'thar lying at the side of a road.
"Have you come to banish me?" Nok'thar asked quietly, his voice rough but wary.
Arden studied him for a moment, noting the tension in his posture and the chains that had bound him just days before.
"I was preparing to leave," Nok'thar continued, shifting slightly. "I will not let my clan suffer because of my mistakes."
"Why did you act as you did?" Arden asked, his tone calm but probing.
Nok'thar was silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts.
"Which incident?" he asked finally. "The Beastfolk street… or the knights?"
"Both," Arden replied firmly.
Nok'thar touched the tattoo on his neck, his fingers lingering over the faintly glowing mark.
"I was afraid," he admitted.
"Afraid of what?" Arden prompted, stepping closer.
He pointed to the intricate tattoo etched into his skin.
"Ten years ago, humans carved this," Nok'thar said, his voice low.
"That's just a tattoo," Arden began, then froze, noticing the faint, pulsating magical energy embedded in the mark. "Is that… magical energy?"
"Yes," Nok'thar confirmed grimly. "A slave collar. Once engraved, the bearer must obey its master. Disobedience brings either pain… or death."
Arden's expression hardened as he processed the revelation.
"I killed my master and fled," Nok'thar continued, eyes fixed on the fading sun. "I escaped with my clansmen, who were also under him."
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting the land in long shadows. The divine magic circle above illuminated the darkened sky, bathing the world in an eerie, otherworldly light.
"We fled into demon lands," Nok'thar said. "Some of my people spoke of other human nations, but I could never trust them. Humans are unpredictable… cruel, and enslaving. I could not risk it."
"So you chose banditry over life among humans," Arden remarked.
"Yes. Who knows when they might claim you as their slave… while you sleep," Nok'thar said bitterly.
"Then why act the way you did in Valekor?" Arden asked, his gaze sharp.
"I was afraid," Nok'thar admitted again, his voice trembling slightly. "Afraid that you might enslave us. Afraid that you would kill us."
"Is that why you demanded a Beastfolk street?" Arden asked, piecing together the events.
"Yes," Nok'thar said simply, standing and adjusting the bag on his back.
"Then why allow yourself to be captured?" Arden pressed.
"When one of your master knights delivered the news, my clansmen were terrified that they would also lose this place," Nok'thar explained, his tone uneven with guilt.
"…" Arden remained silent, letting the confession sink in.
"If I had told them to leave, they probably would have followed me. But I saw how much they enjoyed living here. Their happiness mattered more than my pride."
"So… you told them to capture you?" Arden asked, incredulous.
"Yes," Nok'thar admitted, his shoulders slumping. "If my banishment could ensure their continued safety and happiness… it was a small price. In truth, all of this happened because of my mistakes."
Arden studied him carefully.
"Although… I now know that my fear prevented me from seeing your benevolence," Nok'thar continued. "If I were given a second chance, I would not cause problems again."
He stood, finally fully upright, a bag slung over his shoulder.
"I am leaving. Tell your master I am truly sorry," he said, his voice quiet but determined.
"Why are you leaving?" Arden asked, a note of concern in his voice.
"Because your master banished me," Nok'thar replied.
Arden's brow lifted slightly. "If I recall correctly, my master said you would only be banished if no answer arrived within three days."
Nok'thar's eyes widened in surprise, staring at Arden as though he had misheard.
"The fact that you are here," Arden said calmly, "means you are not banished."
"…Really?" Nok'thar asked, incredulous.
"Yes," Arden confirmed. "My master has chosen mercy. Do not waste it. Improve yourself, and repay the grace you have been given."
Before Arden could finish speaking, Nok'thar collapsed to the ground, tears streaming freely.
"Hic… thank you… truly… thank you," he sobbed, his body shaking.
"Thank my master by becoming better, not me," Arden said gently, turning away.
There was another matter more pressing than comforting a warrior—he needed to inform his master immediately.
"Humans really did create something vile this time," Arden muttered as he departed.