The dragon slayers. Men mutated beyond their limits, towering over their lesser brethren.
Their thick fur coats with interlocking armour plates. skull helmets of steel.
Several dozen hulks strided in a single column. Great swords, Pickaxes and Warhammers on their backs.
Harpoons, cannons, javelins, slings to bring devastation from afar.
Grapples attached to tungsten cables, strong enough to subdue a dragon.
Armoured flasks filled with concentrated acid for melting through even the most stubborn of hides.
Staggered between them, men in dark robes and pointy hats.
Wizards. The slayers' attendants.
"So those are the slayers. Impressive. Terrifying even. "
Ria stood beside Rey as they observed the slayer parade.
"Indeed. A thousand man army is not their match."
"You think these guys can take down the wyvern queen?"
Ria folds his arms in contemplation.
"You can never be certain about the outcome of a battle."
Ria raised an eyebrow.
Wham! Ria slapped Rey on the back which almost caused him to fall forward.
"You are mumbling."
Rey choked.Ria's slender arms had an unexpected amount of strength inside them.
"I'm curious. How are these giants created? I know of one house Arestor. They use giant warriors supported by enchanters to match the orc's strength."
"Oh there are many methods. Spells, herbology or in some cases, the mana form itself allows growth to superhuman sizes. The slayer guild had jealously guarded their secret for generations."
"Whats the difference?"
"Cost. That's the simple answer. Giants aren't invincible you know. The precise method to produce them at scale is certainly as guarded a secret as the relics of the holy order of Silora."
"I see. What do you think Hikari used to grow to her size?"
Rey threw her a glance.
"My guess is that she probably has an innate mana form of sorts. My sister Sheela was able to grow to an impressive size through ingesting a herb formulae grown in the capital Kalaris. Enough to bully me everyday."
"Good to know."
They continued watching the parade.
"Say, what is the baby fawn general's opinion. How does Hikari fare against the slayers."
Rey paused, checking some calculations in his head.
"It's not even close. Hikari would easily wipe the floor with that squad of slayers. Where in the five realms did you find her?"
Ria shrugged. "Plains of Igar. The killing fields as they are called."
"Where heroes are decorated and then cleaved in half by the orcs within the same season. How come I have never heard of her.."
"Well. She spent the past few years training in obscurity at the RazenHeir estate, taking on only local bounties."
"This is one of the highest profile raids going on at the moment with blessings of the royal house. She'll be quite famous after this."
"Oh? Is the conquering baby fawn general Rey Hearthstone up for promotion this campaign?"
Rey nudged her shoulder in response.
As they were enjoying their conversation, a man in fine blanch robes approached them.
He was swearing a straw hat. His face was clean shaven and his hair was neatly combed. A sword case with elaborate golden decorations in his left hand.
Rey tensed up.
"Greetings, general. Is the path to the wyvern's lair clear yet?"
The man asked coldly with contempt in his voice.
Rey turned to face him.
"It's right on schedule."
The man continued to stare Rey down with a displeased look on his face.
Rey held his nerve.
After a few tense moments passed.
The man let out an abrupt chuckle.
"Hmm, we'll discuss that in the war tent later. For now, I have some personal business."
He turned to Ria and got on one knee, matching his eye level with hers.
"Ria RazenHeir, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Ria was taken aback by the sudden shift in his mood.
"Do I know you good sir?"
"Janryc Krelimerous Farador. A humble alchemist at the dragon slayer guild."
His voice was slow and warm. Ria felt seduced by it even.
"Speak plainly." Ria folded her arms.
"Ha! Straight to business then. You see, I brew potions for slayers. When I heard of the Lady wyvern bane, I hoped my skills might be of interest to her. What do you say, young RazenHeir?"
He edged himself closer to Ria, who leaned backwards in response.
"There is no need."
The man stood back up and folded his arms, visibly annoyed at the rejection. "Playing close to the chest are we? I see the young knight has yet to come to appreciate my work. Perhaps the Lord RazenHeir himself would see reason."
He turned around and just walked off. It wasn't until he was out of sight before Ria heaved a sign of relief.
"That was so scary, how did you manage to withstand him, Rey?"
Rey chuckled in response, eliciting an annoyed look from Ria.
"That was nothing but a show. He's not actually a knight. "
"Nothing to worry about then."
"Oh no, quite the opposite." Rey's face turned stern.
"He is one of the worst characters you could hope to bump into. Double the sentries. Double the warding. Don't wander out of your camp anymore."
Ria nods.
"Oh, I think we should go check on your champion now." Rey begins walking. Ria followed.
"She's still training with your elder sister since I brought them breakfast."
"That's good to hear."
They walked through the busy camp. Columns of troops and carts marched past them.
"Say Rey, I'm curious. How did you manage to convince your house to teach Hikari your mana form?" Rey stopped in his tracks. He turned to Ria and placed his index finger on her lips.
"I didn't. It's Sheela. She's impulsive. As the only viable mana form carrier that could birth the heirs to continue the blood line, she could get away with a lot."
"What about you? Are you not a carrier as well? I mean being physically weak doesn't mean you are not viable."
Rey looks at the ground silently.
"I apologize if I had pried open something I should not have."
"No, no. It's fine."
Rey glances at Ria's inquisitive eyes.
"Fine, i'll say it just for the princess who on this rare occasion has descended from her ivory tower. I'm a Dud. "
"A what?"
"If they shove me into a cannon, the cannon would misfire."
Ria bursts out in laughter.
"You certainly would fit at least."
"So would you."
"What does that mean?"
"Alright, you really are dense. It means I have failed to manifest the mana form of the hearthstone. On the other hand, your stats are really low but at least you can propagate the mana form."
"Thanks for the compliment."
"well, as a dud, I am basically expandable to my house."
"That's quite the predicament. At least your elder sister is watching out for you."
Rey's face started turning red at the mention of Sheela. And then, it turns to empathy.
"She's doing it because she's bored."
"Bored?"
"She's a born warrior. But as the only viable heir. She's basically grounded. The house won't risk her."
"I see.."
Rey smiled.
A warm smile, markly different from that of a merchant.
"Well, let's go check on them."