The Devouring Knight

Lumberling had considered the idea before, their return to the world under the guise of mercenaries. But he hadn't expected the war to swell so quickly, consuming the borderlands and gnawing into the empire's heart. Reports of pirates and mages joining the fray had sounded like drunken tavern talk at first, until Eldric himself stood before them asking for aid.

Helping meant risk. But it also meant opportunity.

This was his chance to see firsthand what this world could truly offer, and perhaps carve out a place for themselves in the empire.

Lumberling surveyed the gathered faces, Uncle Drake, Celine cradling Evelyn, the wary villagers leaning in to listen. The weight of Eldric's request settled heavily on his shoulders.

This isn't charity and also not a noble cause. The thought pressed at the back of his mind. It's a gamble, risking blood and steel for coin and influence. But in this fractured world, profit and survival are two sides of the same blade.

He met Eldric's gaze, steady and unflinching. "We'll help you. But understand this" Lumberling's voice tightened, "we do it as mercenaries."

Jen shifted beside him, arms crossed, a faint grin tugging at her lips. "Fair enough. As long as the gold flows, I don't care what banner we fight under."

Uncle Drake chuckled dryly. "Mercenaries, huh? Seems fitting. War's a business these days, and we're just trying to stay in the black."

Lumberling allowed himself a brief nod. Duty may call, but it's coin that feeds the sword.

Eldric started to nod, then froze mid-motion, something flickering in his eyes. "Wait… Duskpire Legion?" His tone shifted, as if pulling an old name from the depths of memory. "You were that group?"

Lumberling's brow lifted. "Oh? You've heard of us?"

"Yeah," Eldric said slowly, studying him anew. "Colleagues of mine mentioned it once. Said you'd crossed some noble… then vanished. Guess they were wrong about the vanishing part. And" He hesitated, lowering his voice, "that noble's house were gutted not long after."

Lumberling didn't bother hiding it. "We did offend an earl," he admitted, voice even. "And we… played a part in his downfall."

"What?" Eldric's eyes widened, a mix of shock and something that might have been respect.

"That's a story for another time," Lumberling said, gesturing to Drake. "Uncle Drake can fill you in. For now, you should rest, Chief Eldric."

Eldric's expression softened. "You don't have to call me chief anymore. You're the one taking the lead here." He gave a small smile, inclining his head. "Uncle's fine."

Suddenly, he shifted uncomfortably, a grimace flickering across his weathered face as the bandages tightened against bruised flesh. He winced but said nothing, his jaw clenched tight.

Lumberling's eyes narrowed, reading between the lines. "Why won't you get healed properly? This won't fix itself overnight."

Eldric's gaze dropped, voice low and rough. "It's not just the pain... It's the cost. The Church demands gold now, enough to drain any soldier's last coin. I can't afford that. Not after everything we've lost."

His fingers curled into fists, knuckles pale. "And… maybe I don't deserve to be fixed."

Lumberling stepped forward, resting a firm hand on Eldric's shoulder. "Enough. You won't pay a single coin. We'll cover it, all of it. If it's the fees you're worried about, then stop worrying," He said with a grin. "We're loaded."

Eldric blinked, caught off guard. "Loaded?"

"More than enough to fix you up and then some," Lumberling replied casually.

"But…" Eldric began, but a heavy hand landed on his shoulder.

"Just trust him, brother," Orrin said with a chuckle. "He might not look it, but the kid's rich."

Eldric let out a long breath through his nose, finally giving in. "…Alright. But only because Orrin says so."

Lumberling nodded. "Good. We'll go after we settle a few things."

Before Vaenyra and the others departed, they handed over a sizeable down payment for the bulbs and batteries. The elves carried themselves like the nobles they were, unbothered by gold slipping from their purses.

Lumberling knew more would follow soon. Once their business was up and running, coin would flow steadily.

…..

Another day passed in the goblin village, peaceful on the surface, yet buzzing with preparation. Lumberling had already finalized the lists, those who would march as mercenaries, those who would follow Trask to the second base, and those who would remain to guard the village.

After his morning cultivation, he stood at the edge of the training grounds, arms folded, watching his captains and vice-captains spar. Beside him, Eldric observed in silence, his brow creasing deeper with every passing moment. It was his first time seeing Lumberling's forces in action.

Grokk stood in the center of the dusty field, a mountain of muscle. Alone, he held off Krivex, Skarn, and Aren, the three captains weaving in and out with coordinated strikes. Even together, they were barely holding their own. Eldric's eyes narrowed, 'that kind of synergy was enough to trouble a Quasi-Knight Level.'

A dozen paces away, Shade loomed like a nightmare. His eight legs blurred as he fenced in Takkar, Varn, Gobo1, and Gobo2, each of them darting like wolves around a bear. The rhythm of their movements, the coordination.

On a third stretch of ground, the vice-captains were locked in combat against hobgoblin warriors and kobold berserkers, their roars and snarls blending into a brutal chorus.

"They're all… your soldiers?" Eldric finally asked, his voice caught between disbelief and awe. His mouth hung slightly open as Grokk swatted aside Krivex's blade like a twig.

Uncle Drake and Orrin wandered over, both carrying the sweat and bruises of their own spar. Drake grinned knowingly. "Surprised, aren't you? I remember having that same look when I first saw them." He chuckled, clapping Eldric on the back.

Eldric tore his eyes away from the sparring pits just long enough to glance at Drake. The man's tunic was damp with sweat, his chest still heaving slightly. "You… trained with them?" Eldric asked, half in disbelief.

"Not exactly," Drake replied with a crooked grin. "But I've learned not to underestimate them."

Eldric's gaze lingered on Drake a moment longer, his brow knitting. Then his eyes widened as if he'd just caught a subtle shimmer in the man's aura.

"Drake… you…" He took a half-step forward, disbelief on his face. "You're advancing!"