Chapter 37: The Most Loyal General (5)
Even with the rise of morale, it did not change the fact that they were in a predicament. It didn't improve the situation - men screaming, body parts being brutally torn by the beasts and flying across the battlefield. His companion's blood covered the ground. Even with his speed and agility, Teo could only be in so many places at once. Unlike the Queen, he had no long-range attacks that would destroy the enemy in one go. Teo supposes it would have been convenient to learn magic, but it's far too late to have regrets. He has to make do with what he can.
Teo assessed the situation again, no matter how many beasts they cut down. It kept on coming, the source of all these beasts, where is it? The cause is the one who summoned them, but finding the main beast helps too. Teo looked as he continued slicing down monster after monster with his blade. Eventually, he detected strange movement from the left - amongst the beasts, there seemed to be a more substantial presence there. That must be the main one! Unfortunately, Teo was not the only one who figured this out.
The soldier who approached him earlier, his name was Gerald if he recalled correctly. He clicked his tongue in annoyance seeing that Gerald did not flee; instead, the man charged towards the beast with his blade, "I shall avenge my comrades and my brother." Gerald screamed.
Teo then understood the reason for his carelessness, the man who died earlier was this man's relative. He seldom remembers the name of, but when he does, it's because of their distinct features and abilities. The man earlier was under the head knight's command, so Teo recognized him for his skills and friendly personality. That may be why he was desperate to save him. Too many good men die, and too many bad men stay alive. Men like himself.
Gerald managed to land a blow at the beast, it was a clumsy blow, however, and the creature immediately counter-attacked. A piercing screech escaped the beast's mouth as it's large claws grabbed hold of Gerald. Teo watched as color slowly drained from the man's face.
Damn, he looked around and spotted a nearby archer who got separated from his team, "Throw me your bow," Teo gritted his teeth, there's not much time left. He doesn't know how many people can make it out here alive but he ought to at least save this man, after failing his brother.
"Y—yes!" The archer seemed startled but threw it, and soon the bow was in Teo's hands.
As a General, he's learned many skills over the years taught to him by his master, the retired General Adrien of House Bennet. When the man retired, Teo discovered that he had no purpose in life. Once his mentor left, what would happen? If Queen Orthez didn't die, then perhaps his mentor Adrien wouldn't have retired, maybe he would still be around. If General Adrien was still here, if he was the one commanding here; then this bloodshed would not have happened.
If Queen Lyn hears of this, then she will surely be more disappointed in him. Just like General Adrien who retired because of the death of Queen Orthez, if anything were to happen to Queen Lyn and he happened to survive then — The mere thought of that made his blood boil, he cannot allow the Snow Kingdom to cause even more problems than this.
With the strength of his dragon arm, Teo unleashed countless arrows in the beast's direction. Several arrows managed to fall on the beast, some on the shoulder, some on the stomach and feet. In the time he did this, the creature let go of Gerald and Teo yelled, "Go! Leave, take your squad - no take anybody else you can see. You know where the emergency horses are, leave now!"
Gerald seemed startled but nodded and scurried away. Teo turned to the main beast. If his flood of arrows were all it took to defeat this beast, then the rest of them would not struggle so much. Everybody here is highly trained individuals; some even belonged to the head knights squad. So why? Why is this happening now? It's because of his careless mistake. At some point in the battle, the enemy must have changed leaders. This is the only thing he could come up with. The tide of the battle shifted because of the change in command.
In all his years as a general, this has never happened. Nobody knows him this well, Teo paused. Nobody should know him this well.
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Year XXXX (Mist Kingdom, Main Castle)
While he was in the middle of discussing the next move against the enemy with his companions, "Daddy!" A little girl around six years old with bright hair called out to him.
Teo turned to his daughter, "Cyann," he said, "Daddy has to work; I shall play with you later."
The girl's cheeks puffed into a pout, "I understand Daddy's work! But Cyann is bored; let Cyann help!" Help she says, he looked at his companions, but they merely nodded. Then again, this isn't the first time she's done this. He scooped up the young girl in his arms and brought her over to the table.
Cyann immediately played around with the pieces on the board, Teo was about to scold her with messing with the formation; when he noticed something. Ah?!! His eyes widened alarmed, "This.." This was what he had in mind but was afraid to bring up. How did she know?
Cyann grinned proudly, "I'm the one who knows Daddy best!"
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Nobody but Teo paused, fear spread through his face. It can't be, can it? But only one person other than Luke knows him this well in the Snow Kingdom. This is not Luke's style at all; that man doesn't play around with beasts. Then it can only be Cyann doing, his beloved daughter.
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