I watched as Asmara stood with the easy, commanding aura of a woman who knew exactly how devastating she was and didn't care who noticed. I smiled. ''I look forward to working alongside you, Asmara.''
She was taken aback, but Sahara interrupted with a sceptical expression. ''What's the meaning of us going to the Bleakmarch? That's a nightmarish place, your highness?''
''Look at me, general?'' I replied, holding up my arms and summoning my claws that appeared as if they had always been there. ''I'm no longer the same. I need to feed, and what better place than Bleakmarch? Once we clear it, we'll be famous across Verona, then my father can't take the legion away from me, and I get a rich, prosperous land.''
When my words hit the two women, their eyes widened as Sahara stepped forward, looking excited. ''Do you mean that? Yes, we've lost some fights, but we were put in an impossible situation and suffered for it.''
''Well, that's all in the past; from now on, the Ninth is my personal Legion, and I will make sure everyone thrives,'' I reassured the warriors. ''Now let's head to camp, the First Cohort should be done with our new fortifications.''
Following that, Sahara and Asmara led me back to the Highroad, where I finally met up with the rest of my army. They were marching in perfect order. My eyes widened, making the Orc laugh. ''I've trained the survivors well. I was a Centurion, but was promoted after the last general was killed in battle.''
''Interesting,'' I muttered.
We continued making our way to the front of the column, where a group of men and women, whom I assumed were the other Centurions, quickly jumped off their horses, kneeling as I closed in on them. I motioned for everyone to return to their mounts, as I, Sahara, and Asmara walked down the stone road.
While doing that, I turned to the Sahara, deciding to ask something that was driving my curiosity crazy. ''How much does a Legionnaire earn?''
''Fifteen hundred silver a year,'' Asmara answered, her voice calm and matter-of-fact.
The number caught me off guard. I let out a low breath. ''Not bad.''
I glanced between them, mind already racing. ''I have plans to change all that. Meet me once the legion is settled, and I'll give you the details later. I've written everything down properly.''
''Okay, Your Highness,'' Sahara replied.
After that, the conversation faded. We rode on in comfortable silence, the rhythmic marching of the Ninth echoing steadily behind us. Two hours later, we crested a low hill, and the sight below stole the breath from all three of us. A vast, disciplined encampment sprawled across the valley floor.
A wooden palisade ringed the entire perimeter, interrupted by four well-built gates. Two broad, straight roads sliced cleanly through the heart of the camp, lined with orderly rows of tents that stretched far into the distance. Even I felt a jolt of surprise at the scale of it as my plans went well.
I turned to the dark-skinned beauty beside me, letting a slow, satisfied smirk curl my lips as I watched her wide-eyed stare. The two women stood frozen for a long heartbeat, jaws slack. Sahara finally managed a stunned whisper. Sahara turned to me with a questioning look in her eyes.
''This is my first idea I added to the Ninth, it will give us protection when in enemy lands and keep our supply forts guarded using the cavalry,'' I explained.
Her dark green eyes widened, and she turned back to the fort that was taking shape just as the column caught up with us. I turned to Asmara. ''You will be the commander of the First Cohort. Your power intrigues me. Now lead the rest inside to rest after the long march.''
''What are you and the general going to do?'' she asked, after shaking her head and saluting.
''I'm taking her to my tent to go over several ideas I have to improve the legion,'' I answered honestly.
Asmara nodded and rushed off, leaving us alone as I turned to Sahara. ''Come with me, I need to ask a few questions.''
After that, we approached the western entrance. The guards halted us until they recognised me, then waved us through without further delay. Once inside the camp, I saw long rows of large tents, each spacious enough to house ten Legionnaires along with their gear comfortably.
I ensured the men had proper, comfortable quarters where they could rest during their off-hours. Just then, the entire camp went silent, turning to me with wide, fearful eyes before everyone dropped to one knee in respect. While standing there, I sensed someone approaching us.
Within seconds, the brunette appeared in front of us three, still wearing her armour as her aura slammed into Sahara and Asmara, the two women backed off as they were Fifth and Fourth Circle, respectively. I internally chuckled, cutting it off by speaking to the brunette as a smile crossed my face. ''These are Sahara Veyra and Asmara Dunthera, the general and First Cohort Commander.''
I turned to the duo. ''This is my bodyguard, Selene Rothvayne. She's my sword and will be by my side.''
''Selene Rothvayne?'' Sahara muttered, eyes widening. ''The leader of the Lion Guards? And the first daughter of Duke Ryo Rothvayne?''
The woman in question removed her helmet, the light blue plume billowing in the wind as she replied with a smile. ''Yes, but I was the former leader. They were traitors, tried to kill the prince here, so I dispatched them and joined his guards.''
When Sahara heard this, she huffed. ''Fools, who would fight such a monster? He tore those Wild Orcs apart.''
She looked at me and bowed her head. ''I mean no disrespect, your highness. But your powers are unknown, and those teeth make me shiver.''
Asmara nodded, keeping quiet, but I laughed and then glanced at Selene. ''They witnessed me save a merchant caravan.''
As I finished speaking, the very same merchants appeared on the main road, escorted through the fort by a century of Legionnaire cavalry. I watched the procession of men and women pass by when Garrick, Marcus, and Lily stepped out from the large tent nearby that served as the legion's ale house.
''Your Highness,'' Garrick suddenly said, looking tense. ''Someone has arrived and wants to see you.''
I sighed. ''What's it about? To shame me once again?''
''No,'' the older man replied. ''I believe the king wants you to return to the capital to meet. He's interested in your change.''
So my father wants to get a look at the new me? Meh, he'll have to wait. I have an area to clear out.
I shook my head. ''Show Sahara and Asmara to their tents, get the rest of the Ninth settled. We'll be here for a few days so they can rest.''
Following that, I made my way to the tent and noticed several Royal Guards standing there, causing me to stop. My Devourer Senses picked up one person sitting inside. I instantly sensed the Tenth Circle aura radiating from it, making me gulp. Who is this? Another assassin, or has my new father sent someone to deal with me?
I shrugged, trying to shake off the moment, just as Selene, Sahara, and Asmara passed by, Lily leading them. She spared me one glance before looking away. Then the orc beauty turned her head. Our eyes met. She winked, her purple lips curling into a smile that was equal parts invitation and challenge.
Heat flickered low in my gut. I crushed it instantly. No one gets to hurt me as Anna did. Never again.
I forced my gaze forward, ignoring the weight of Sahara's lingering look, and kept walking toward my tent. The moment I stepped inside, death hit me like a hammer. My knees buckled. I dropped hard, gasping, as an immense power coiled around me. It was cold, vast, and suffocating.
It pressed me down, pinning my breath in place. With effort, I dragged my head up. An older woman with the same white hair as I had sat calmly, watching me with light blue eyes. Thanks to the memories I got from the former prince, I knew who this was, and it was bad.
Grandmother, the queen mother.
I tried to rise. Nothing. My body refused thanks to her being a Tenth Circle mage. Of course, it was the Tenth Circle. That kind of power didn't negotiate or even care. A voice erupted inside my skull. ''Your next words will decide what happens. Who are you? And where is my grandson?''
Her gaze bored into me, peeling back every lie I might have considered before I even formed it. There was no hiding from the eyes or power that she had. I knew she was part of the Verona Five, the strongest beings in the kingdom. I swallowed once. Took the deepest breath I could manage under the crushing weight.
''Arthur's dead,'' I said, voice rough. ''Two gods offered me a second life in this body. I took it. You can't blame me, I was tired of being alone. I had family, yes, but they were always… distant apart from my father.''
''Would you mind if I confirm that?''
I glanced up after the aura eased up and questioned. ''How?''
''There's a lot a mage like me can do, young man,'' she warned. ''Now, can you do what I ask, or am I going to have to force myself inside your head?''
I gritted my teeth but nodded. ''Go for it, I have nothing to hide.''
Moments later, the older woman placed a finger on my forehead, and I felt a power rushing into me. It was wrapping around my mind and began showing her snippets of my life on Earth, my loneliness after my mother focused on my siblings, how I took a job at the camp to get away from it all, alongside Anna.
She scanned through everything until reaching the part where I met the two gods, and she was pushed out. The older woman shook her head, then smiled while stepping back. ''Welcome to the Verona Family, Arthur. I shall not repeat what I learned here this evening, but I would refrain from telling the others.''
''They will panic and do something stupid,'' she smiled.
I was confused, and it showed, causing my new grandmother to giggle. ''I know the stories of Otherworlders, people who get chosen to come here to live second lives or slay some formidable monster, but there hasn't been one who takes another's body.''
''Oh,'' I muttered. ''I just woke up with a knife being pulled out of my chest.''
The woman motioned toward a nearby table. ''Sit down, I would like to get to know my new grandson. I must admit your predecessor was different compared to you.''
''You mean he was a rude slob who abused everyone around him?''
A frown appeared on her weathered face, but she nodded. ''Well, before all that, I would like to introduce myself.''
''I am Vivianna Verona, the Queen Mother and your doting grandmother,'' she said with a small bow.
''I'm Arthur,'' I replied.
Vivianna laughed. ''Sit down, boy. There is much to discuss and very little time.''
I was confused even more now and sat down. ''Why are you so welcoming to me?''
''Because you're my true grandson,'' the older woman revealed. ''I foresaw it many decades ago. I didn't understand at first, but now I do.''
''So what were the aura or threats for?''
''To make sure you were the one who was meant to come,'' she answered.
I nodded. ''Makes sense, I bet it was White who told you?''
Vivianna's blue eyes widened at my words before laughing. ''Yes, that would be the Goddess of Light, Theia, one of our kingdom's deities.''
''Theia? So what's the other's name?''
''Ahriman, the God of Darkness.''
''Oh,'' I muttered, then asked. ''So you won't tell my father or mother?''
Vivianna shook her head, a warm smile crossing her face. ''No, it will be our secret, but I would like to get to know you some more.''
She suddenly stood up, offering. ''Would you like some tea and biscuits? I know the old you loved them.''
''Yes, please.''
''Grandmother,'' she warned, looking at me while she used magic to fill up the teapot.
''Yes Grandmother,'' I corrected.