Building a Kingdom and Conquering the World - Chapter 159

Chapter 159: Rusra (III)
The only word that could describe the sight in front of the captain was carnage, a carnage out of battlefield. A naked old man was swinging his sword wildly at the desperate people, cutting down everyone in his path. Blood covered the ground, streaming through the narrow streets of the city, and the once-busy plaza, filled with market stalls, was now empty and stained in red. Bodies everywhere.

The guards who had left the wall didn’t take long to reach the place of carnage, their steps slowing down with the sight of dozens of bodies on the strewn on the ground – “Lord! Stop!” – The captain shouted, but without the courage to get near the naked old man, who was furiously stabbing a corpse.

At the sound of his voice, the old man turned his head toward the captain and the dozens of warriors behind him. His movements seemed mechanical as he turned to stare at them.

“C-Captain?” – A bit of clarity returning to the old man’s voice and eyes as he tried to recognize the person in front of him – “What is happening here?” – he asked, looking around at the lifeless bodies strewn all about – “Did Stahl already attack? Where are they?” – He seemed unable to grasp that he was the real culprit of this massacre, like a patient with Alzheimer.

“Lord, please, can you lay down your sword?” – The captain swallowed hard, his voice nearly caught in his throat. However, his words seemed to blow away and destroy the residual clarity from the old man’s eyes.

The old man lifted his sword at the captain – “Who are you? Are you here to kill me?”- he asked – “Do you think you can kill me, insects? I am the lord of Rusra!”

“Lord! Stop, we—” The captain began, but he had no time to finish his words as the sword slashed toward him.

He barely had time to react. Instinctively, he threw himself to the side, the blade slicing through the air where his head had been a moment before. The old man’s strength was terrifying, and the captain knew that despite his age and frail body, he couldn’t win against the lord. At least, not alone.

He turned to his soldiers, who remained motionless. Luckily, the lord didn’t try to attack them and focused solely on him – “Get in position!” – the captain barked, scrambling to his feet – “Do not engage! Just try to disarm him!”

The guards hesitated, feeling the still warm blood of the fallen invading their boots. They felt horrified and afraid, Despite their fear, they still obeyed their captain. They spread out, forming a semicircle around the old man, their weapons drawn in a defensive way. The old lord’s eyes darted wildly between them, the sword in his hand gleaming with fresh blood.

“I am your lord!” – He screamed, the sound echoing through the narrow streets of the city as the people shut themselves within their houses while others ran to the gates, trying to escape – “I am your lord! You will obey me! You will—”

A guard to the old man’s left lunged forward, aiming to knock the sword from his grasp. The old man spun with an incredible speed, his sword arcing through the air. The guard fell, a deep gash opening across his chest, killing him immediately. At the same time, another guard advanced, his sword ready to strike at the lord’s back, but the old man seemed to have eyes on his back and sidestepped. His sword danced in the air, like the claws of a dragon, killing another one.

The other guards, who were about to dash forward, took a step back, their weapons trembling – “Just hold your position!”- The captain commanded, his voice enough to make them remain in place but not enough to quell their fear. He was together with them and his presence made them believe in it.

“Lord, listen to me!” – the captain tried to get through the madness – “We are not your enemies! We are your men, sworn to protect you!”

“Lies!”- the old man spat, snarling back at them – “All of you, deceivers! Traitors! You all want to kill me! I will not allow that!” His eyes flickered with even more madness as he swung his sword wildly at the air, but not enough to hit any of the soldiers circling him.

“He is mad!” – The captain thought, feeling desperate. He needed a plan, something to subdue the old man without more bloodshed. It was a difficult but not impossible operation. He quickly scanned the surroundings, his eyes falling upon a coil of rope discarded near a market stall – “Hold him off!” – he commanded his men as he darted towards it.

The guards exchanged glances, gritting their teeth and tightening their grips on their weapons. Fear coursed through them, but the sight of countless bodies strewn around fueled their will, those were their neighbors or cousins. They had to do something.

They pulled the circle closer to the lord, forming a tighter jail. They feigned attacks to distract the lord without getting too close. In his madness, the old man swung his sword wildly, his movements erratic, but a single strike meant death. The old man had already swung his sword hundreds of times and the guards only evaded, an easier task thanks to the madness commanding the lord.

However, in a minor error, a soldier forgot to step back, and the lord’s blade came hurtling towards him like a comet, claiming another victim. Another body joined the bloody river forming on the plaza.

-x-

Outside the city, Henry sat near his horse, his gaze fixed on Rusra’s walls as he bit into a peculiar blue apple – “This is quite tasty, isn’t it?”- he turned to Leier, who was chewing on one as well. She silently nodded in agreement.

“Who knew they would have something like this lying by the road” – he examined the blue fruit closely – “We don’t have anything like this in Stahl. When I claim these lands, I’ll order the cultivation of these trees. It’s a strangely familiar taste.”

Leier arched an eyebrow, puzzled by Henry’s words – “Have you tasted this before, my liege?”

“Well…” – Henry hesitated. He couldn’t say that the taste reminded him of Earth’s apples – “I’m not sure. It just feels oddly familiar.” – Leier wished to ask more, but sensing his reluctance, she only accepted it.

Suddenly, a distant sound caught their attention – “What is that noise?” – Henry’s ears perked up as he rose to his feet, scanning the city walls intently – “Do you hear it too?”

“Yes, my liege,” Leier confirmed. “It sounds like screams.”

Henry looked at the walls again, seeing the soldiers atop of it leaving their positions – “Call Olaro, we will be marching right now.” – he commanded, getting on his horse.