-"Is your arm ok?"-Diarmuid asked while approaching me with the body of the enemy commander.-"Dealt with this one."
-"Thanks. I'll be ok, just need a moment to heal it."-I answered.
I covered my wound with my left hand and concentrated for the moment. A few seconds later, when I took my hand away, a golden flame started to burn on my shoulder. It started to burn away any curse and poison coating my wound, healing it in the process.
-"Oh? Why not do it earlier?"-Diarmuid asked when he saw me healing my shoulder.
-"Because this flame isn't fully my power. I can't control it easily, so I need to be concentrated while using it. In the middle of fighting, using it can lead to unforeseen circumstances arising."
-"Cautious as always. I already contacted our main army and asked them to take care of our wounded and dead. I'll stay behind to look for any stragglers."
-"I'll leave that to you. I'll send a few Ashes to watch over the forest, be alert for their cries."-I spoke while taking out Ashes to summon.
-"Sure."
With that, Diarmuid went toward the knights waiting for his orders. After I sent all the Ashes for search, I rode Arion to the fortress, where our army was celebrating and slowly beginning to deal with the aftermath. I noticed Gawain standing by the gate, so I approached him and dismounted Arion, letting her go back to her space.
-"How's the battle?"-I asked, seeing him being all serious.
-"It's a victory. I just mourn the loss of my knights and soldiers."-He answered, his voice filled with sadness.
-"It's their honor. Live by the sword and die by the sword. They completed her duty and earned their glory; now we, as living, need to complete ours and preserve their names."
-"You are right."-The sadness in his eyes cleared quickly after my reminder.-"We can't let our sorrow and doubt tarnish their sacrifice."
-"Now it's time to celebrate, we'll grieve later. Let's move."-I reassured him once again and entered the fortress.
Inside, the atmosphere was slightly different, more sober. While many celebrated, many were rushing around carrying stretchers and medical supplies. Little further away, there were rows of injured, lying and waiting for medical care. All of them were members of our army, as for defeated enemies, well, tough luck; you fend for yourself, and after we are done, we can give you some scraps. But that's how it was, so it didn't bother me.
I turned my eyes to the heavily injured and moved to help in their treatment. With my shoulder still burning to fully heal, I started to stabilize those dying around me. I worked for three hours to ensure that no more people under my command died, but even so, the losses that were still being counted were serious.
To this day, the over 20,000-strong army shrank to little over 15,000; the 5,000 lost souls were hard to stomach. What was even more serious was the loss of 400 knights, almost one-third, which seriously damaged the foundation. While only around 120 fell in battle, the rest were injured to the point of retirement, which was even more troublesome, to be honest.
I discussed retirement stipends and rewards for service with Agravain, but while these helped boost morale and recruitment, they put serious pressure on the treasury. If not for the merchant guild I created with Morgan, we would have been bankrupt long ago. But respect and care for those who sacrificed their life and health under my command was something I won't compromise on.
-"We completed the battle summary."-Fionn broke me out of my thoughts and handed me a few pages filled with numbers and descriptions.
After reading it, I was silent; the weight of what these few pages represented made me stop for a moment.
-"How long will you need to train new knights and soldiers?"-I asked finally.
-"Hard to say precisely, but no less than three years if we want to restore the army to previous numbers. Taking into account the fact that half, if not more, will leave to join your king's banner, I wouldn't dare to guarantee that even after five years this front would be able to make much waves. With our plan to slowly take everything on this side of the Tyne..."-He didn't continue as I could understand his meaning.
-"With enemy losses being documented as 8,000, in addition to around people still being 3,000 unaccounted for, this front was a strategic victory for us. Focus on the restructuring and training. Leave most of the heavy fighting to the king's army."-I instructed Fionn carefully.
-"You..."-Fionn seemed to notice something in my voice.
-"This army will have time to shine, but not now."-I looked at him, my eyes conveying some silent meaning.-"Now I need it to lick its wounds, showing weakness to both enemies and allies."
-"Understood."-Fionn nodded, believing me despite my having no proof.
-"I'll leave the matters here in your hands. Agravain will help you set everything up during this half a year before we have to leave for the coronation."-I stood up and started to leave.
-"Won't you stay for the celebrations?"-He asked.
-"I have no time."-I shook my head.-"There is a contract I need to uphold."
-"Be safe."-He extended his hand to me.
-"You too."-I shook it before going my way.
After leaving the fortress walls, I called for Arion and mounted her quickly. Arion already knew our destination, so she rushed forward the moment I sat in the saddle, wasting no time.
It took me two days of rushing without stopping to travel from Valley Pass back to Morgan's castle. When I arrived, Morgan greeted me personally, standing by the entrance.
-"Long time no see."-She nodded as I dismounted, her face cold as always.
-"Not that long, only a week, but I'm also happy to see you."-I responded after sending Arion back.
-"How's the summoning's pull?"
-"Stable, but growing in strength steadily. I can stay five days without much issue, two more if I concentrate on resisting."
-"Then we have no time to waste. Let's go, Scáthach and Medea are waiting for us."
-"Medea?"-I asked after hearing a name I hadn't known before.
-"The person I asked to come earlier. She is one of the best witches when it comes to Divine Language magic."-Morgan introduced her to me.
-"Divine Language? Then I'll have to ask her for some lessons."
-"Oh? The great Angel Knight asking for help?"-A pleasant voice asked sarcastically.
-"Is it something strange?"-I looked at the cloaked woman.-"There is no shame in asking, and learning more will never do you bad."
-"Heh, despite what I heard about you, you seem quite naïve. Well, whatever, I can teach you if you offer something of value in exchange."
-"What would you wish to receive?"-I asked directly.
-"After you settle your matters in Britain, you'll help me with something."-She spoke instantly.
-"May I know more details?"
-"Vengeance."
-"I see. I'll help you to the best of my abilities."
-"Won't you try to talk me down from vengeance?"-Medea asked, a little surprised.-"All the 'knights' I know always spewed those platitudes about virtues or something."
-"Knightly virtues are what one should live by, not judge others."-I answered simply.
-"I see why Morgan and Scáthach speak well of you. As you heard, I'm Medea, the witch of betrayal."-She formally introduced herself with a polite slight bow.
-"I'm Eno, the so-called Angel Knight. It's a pleasure to meet you."-I also responded with a bow.
-"Ok, the pleasantries are done, let's get to the matter at hand."-Morgan spoke after we finished.-"We need to prepare the spells that will be able to keep us connected."
-"I already built a framework for it, but as none of us could do that Sliding thing, that boring Archimedes theorized."-Medea pointed to the magic circles inscribed on the floor and walls of the empty room we just entered.
-"I already gave you all the date on the method I used to come here. I lack a deeper understanding of space and time spells, but I could use Stars as a medium to keep the connection up."
-"Using celestial bodies and constellations? That might work, but you'll have to pick something with a strong connection to you."-Medea spoke after some thinking.
-"Don't forget that he has a contract with Gaia. We can use the connection to the Inner Sea to help with stabilizing everything. Eno is a Nature Spirit, so he will always be linked to it. While we'll still need to use Stars as a medium for the spell, we'll have an easier time with that second link."-Morgan suggested.
-"We'll have to do so. My connection to celestial bodies aside from Earth is not that good. The best one is with Moon, but that creates even more trouble."
-"Ancestors."-Medea understood my meaning.-"Let's go with the dual link, but expect that our connection might be delayed or unstable that way."
-"It's our first try to do something like that, so I understand."
-"As I thought, you forgot about me"-Scáthach called to us as he entered the room.-"I heard what you discussed. Primordial Runes can ensure everything works smoothly."
-"Good to have your assurance."-I smiled at her.-"Good to see you, Scáthach."
-"Same, let's have a good fight after you return."
I nodded in agreement.
The next two days were spent discussing, inscribing runes, and casting spells. Each of us used our best, to create something that touched Root's Authority, and while we ran into some issues, we were able to complete a working prototype.
It definitely wasn't perfect; the cost of casting it alone was astronomical, and we were able to use it only due to the lay line below the castle, in Morgan's words: 'This ceremony uses the same amount of magic as summoning three Heroic Spirits'. But in our current rush, the outcome was the only thing that mattered; optimization could wait for a later date.
While we were working, I talked at length with Medea about the Divine Language. She taught me some simple symbols and words, but due to time constraints, I was still far away from being able to use it. But we also spoke about the situation in the Mediterranean.
Greece and Rome were in decline, heroes of old had either settled down or fully retired, while Roman legions could barely contend with barbarians on their borders. New empires such as France and Germany were born from lands captured by said barbarians, and Rus in the east started to sharpen their fangs. Even the Nords were slowly emerging from their long hibernation, the loss of their pantheon left them injured but never broken.
Medea was well informed about the matters happening around the ocean on the other side of the continent. Jason's Argo Fleet offended almost all other forces, but was able to remain one of the great forces in Greece due to his previous connections. The Troy Federation and Kingdom of Amazons were the other two great forces, much more amiable but also troubled with serious issues.
The barbarians from the north tied up the two great forces in defense, making the Argo Fleet the strongest of the three at the moment. Medea was quite displeased with that state of things; I could feel that she hated that man to the bone. Curious, I asked about her story, and after a moment of silence, she spoke about her experiences.
-"I loved him. At least that's what I thought. That man, he never saw me as a partner, only as a prize and opportunity. He used me to destroy my family, bringing demise to my home kingdom, then he threw me away. He said that my connection to Hecate disgusted him, that as a woman I should stand behind him and support him, not overshadow him."
-"Foolish."-I commented.
-"Yes. But after years passed, I'm somewhat thankful for what occurred. Don't get me wrong, I hate him to the bone, but I also know that we were pawns in the gods' play. What I believed before as love was a power of Aphrodite; she wanted to destroy me, who was a priestess of Hecate. Luckily, Hecate stayed by my side and protected me from the hands of the man; this was why he discarded me so quickly."
-"Protected you?"
-"This part is absent from myths about me, but Hecate cast a spell on me. Only those of pure feelings, without greed or lust, can touch me. Because of this, I saved my body, even though my reputation and heart were beyond saving. Later, all Divine Spirits retreated to the reverse side of the world, but I still retained a connection to my goddess."
-"The gods of your world are truly human."-I couldn't help but sigh.
-"Indeed, but is that good? The gods that can feel will also hate, envy, and be bored. Look at Zeus, Aphrodite, or, to a lesser extent, Athena and Ares."
-"While it's true, the alternative is not better. Look at the Golden Order, nothing more than a program to control a world through a proxy. Everything not aligned with it will be destroyed, and everything in it will be controlled."
-"That might be."
-"Well, the world where gods aren't the ones controlling everything is better, isn't it?"-Certain red speared godslayer smiled from the side.-"When will you attempt that challenge?"
-"You mean godslaying? Maybe after everything calms down."-I answered simply.
-"I'll be waiting till then."
Two days of work caused Medea and me to develop a professional friendship; we promised to keep in contact and exchange ideas in our free time. She was especially interested in miracles, wondering if she could create similar spells by using her connection to Hecate. But before we could work on those, I needed to finish the matter at hand.
-"Are you ready?"-Scáthach asked me.
-"Everything I could do we had already done."-I nodded.
-"We will keep the connection between us, but be sure to gather all the things we need in case something goes wrong."-Medea passed me a bag containing many magical instruments.
-"And remember that your safety is the priority."-Morgan spoke with serious expression.-"Your contract only states that you have to respond. If something goes south, escape. Even if you are lost outside our world, after a year passes, the contract will bring you here forcefully."
-"I'm aware. Don't worry."
-"I know you enough to know that I need to worry."-Morgan sighed.-"Be careful."
-"Thank you."
I smiled and knelt before the worried princess. Taking her hand into mine, I lowered my hand and kissed her hand lightly. With that, I stood up and accepted the summoning, slowly disappearing from the cold castle where three witches remained.
-"That fool has quite a luck."-Scáthach said after I left.-"Every one of the women he is surrounded by could be heroines of a great myth, yet we still tolerate his ignorance."
-"We, huh?"-Morgan shook her head.
-"Hey, don't put me with you."-Medea protested.
-"Right now you might not be, but can you say it won't change?"
Medea was silent, knowing well that she wouldn't tell her past experience to some nobody like that.
-"Let's not dwell on it."-Morgan decided to end the subject.-"For all we know, it might be the influence of his constitution on us."
-"None of us will let something like that influence us to this extent."-Scáthach rolled her eyes.-"But you are right. Let's leave everything for the future to decide. He will have to prove himself first."