The Devouring Knight

The words hung in the air like a drawn bowstring. Even the faint crackle from the hearth seemed to dim.

Lumberling's gaze lingered on Eldric for a long moment before he spoke. "Depends."

Eldric's brows rose. "On what?"

"On whether they're with me," Lumberling said simply. "If they stand beside me, then I'll stand beside them. But if they see me, and my people, as the enemy…" His tone sharpened ever so slightly. "Then that's exactly what I'll be."

A flicker of understanding passed over Eldric's face. He'd heard enough from Drake and Orrin to know exactly who Lumberling's people were. Goblins, Kobolds, monsters. And he knew just as well that most men, given the choice, would rather put such creatures to the sword.

Eldric gave Lumberling a curt nod before speaking again, his tone shifting. "Actually… after seeing your subordinates here, I want to ask for your help."

Lumberling tilted his head slightly. "What kind of trouble are we talking about?"

Eldric hesitated, eyes flicking away as if searching for the right words. "Uhh… it's…"

Orrin suddenly cut in, leaning forward with a small sigh. "He wants to ask for your help to save some villages and cities." His voice was calm, but his gaze carried an unspoken apology. He knew how much he was asking, a task with no promise of reward, and one that could easily claim lives. It was no wonder his brother couldn't bring himself to say it outright.

Eldric drew in a breath, shoulders tense. "The war has worsened," he began, voice low but steady. "It's no longer just the borderlands, now it's spreading deep into the empire's heart. Villages and cities are being razed. Our enemies turn our people into slaves. Killings have become rampant… and the ones suffering most are the innocents, the commoners. They're either forced into chains or sent to die on the front lines."

Uncle Drake's jaw tightened, his hand curling into a fist at his side. Jen's eyes darkened, lips pressed thin. Celine instinctively drew Evelyn closer to her chest, rocking the baby gently as if shielding her from the very words.

Eldric's hands clenched into fists on the table, knuckles whitening. "It's chaos… pure chaos." His voice wavered, and for a moment, the hardened Quasi-Knight looked more like a man haunted by the weight of helplessness. He had seen it all and been powerless to stop it.

Lumberling's brow lifted. He hadn't expected the conflict to spiral to such a degree. "Did the Sengolio finally reveal their mages?"

Eldric's head jerked up. "Yes. How did you know?"

"We're aware of the Aetherborn Empire's alliance with the Sengolio,"

Eldric's eyes darkened. "But… it's not just their mages who've come for us."

Lumberling leaned forward slightly. "What do you mean?"

"There's been a group of powerful warriors raiding our lands," Eldric said, his voice dropping further. "They've made the war even more chaotic. Unlike the Sengolio, who slaughter our people outright… these invaders turn them into slaves."

A tense silence followed, the weight of his words settling over. Orrin and the others exchanged grim looks, the atmosphere growing heavy.

Eldric exhaled slowly, as if releasing the last of his restraint. "A group of pirates… the Vikings."

"Vikings?" Orrin echoed, his brow furrowing. Celine glanced between the others, equally puzzled. It was the first time any of them had heard the name.

Eldric leaned back slightly, his voice carrying the weight of old tales. "Aye. They're warriors from the sea, strong as Knights, some even rivaling mages. And now… they've joined this war."

The statement hung in the air.

The others exchanged uncertain looks, but for Lumberling, it struck a different chord. His mind churned. 'So, they've come too. Did they also hear about the artifact that leads to the higher stage of Knight Five?' His gaze narrowed. 'If that's the case, then more and more forces will flood into this empire. The more they come, the more dangerous it becomes.'

He knew the pull of such a prize. He sought power himself, and understood the truth few admitted, everyone who stepped onto that path did so because they craved it.

Breaking from his thoughts, he fixed Eldric with a steady look. "Regarding your request… you can see our strength for yourself. In a war of this scale, we're little more than a drop in the bucket. So, who exactly do you want us to save, Chief Eldric?"

Eldric's shoulders tensed. "That's… you're right." His next breath came slow, as if the admission dragged something heavy out of him. "The enemy is strong. But even so, I can't stand idle while people die."

His tone softened, though the steel in his gaze didn't waver. "Please, help us defend the villages and cities still standing. I know it's asking too much. But I'm not asking for the nobles. Not for the empire."

He stepped closer, lowering his head in a solemn bow. "I ask for the common folk who suffer."

The open air fell silent, as if listening.

Orrin stared, stunned. "Eldric…" This was the first time he'd seen his brother bow to anyone. The two of them, as leaders of their village, had never cared for the empire's politics. If anything, they despised the nobles. Their rule was simple, so long as the village was safe, the empire could rot. But now… for Eldric to bow? Was the situation truly so dire?

Lumberling's gaze lingered on Eldric's bowed form before shifting to the others, Orrin stiff with tension, Celine and Uncle Drake studying Eldric with narrowed eyes, and Jen standing beside Lunira, both unnaturally still.

He drew in a slow breath, feeling the air burn in his chest

'I had other plans in mind… but maybe now isn't the time.' His fingers drummed against his thigh as he closed his eyes, weighing the choice. 'Or… maybe this is exactly the time.'

When he opened his eyes again, the sun caught in his icy-blue irises, turning them into shards of glass.

His voice was calm, but it carried with a clarity that left no room for doubt.

"It's time," he said, voice cold but certain, "to revive the Duskpire Legion."