As the rampart drew closer, it was now possible to hear cries in the distance.
A few dozen meters from the main entrance, several families had gathered to watch young people training hard on an open field under the shouts of various instructors.
"Bunch of maggots. You feel like you're going to die? That's because you're going to die. WHY?! Because you're weak, you bunch of trash. Start three more sets now!"
Auriel couldn't help but let out a little nostalgic laugh.
Approaching calmly, he took out a small bag of fruit and then sat down on the edge of the low wall, away from the other inhabitants.
After a few dozen minutes, a deep voice resonated behind Auriel: "Remie is motivated today."
Without turning around, Auriel handed his bag of fruit to the man who had sat down to his left.
"For you, Captain."
He shook his head before gently pushing the bag back towards Auriel with his only right arm.
"Not today, thank you."
A silence fell. The two watched the youngsters training in the center of the large training field, under the continuous shouts of several instructors.
After a long silence, the captain broke the silence. "They are the next generation of soldiers sent from Ravenspire for the Hollow Frontier."
"I know."
Auriel remained silent before continuing, "People think they are safe, this is necessary to maintain good growth. Still… I'm not convinced by our current situation."
The captain turned his head towards him.
"Why?"
"Well... Our city, like Tornreach and Blackenhord, was born from the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of lives. Our peace comes at a price, so it's only right that we pay it today too. But I wonder what that price is; it seems to grow larger every year."
Auriel's gaze shifted blankly to the young people training.
"Several decades ago, the Hollow Frontier emerged on the edge of Hell, the Ashen Wild Forest. About ten years ago, a law was enacted requiring a quota of young boys to go to the front lines. And now, two years later, we see young girls on our training grounds. Is the situation really improving by continuing in this way?"
The captain remained silent. He took a few steps forward before turning and throwing a wooden sword at Auriel, who caught it effortlessly.
"It's been a month since we last saw each other, your last quest," his voice was deep and distant but really attentive. "Let's see what you've learned."
Auriel planted the wooden sword in the ground, gently set the food bag down, then took his own bag from his back and propped it against the wall.
Finally, he took out his old, dark brown coat and placed it on top of the small stone wall.
"Yes, my respects, Captain."
Auriel got into position, then calmed himself with four deep breaths.
Looking each other in the eyes, they agreed to begin the fight.
Instead of charging at each other like two rabid dogs, they decided to keep their distance, waiting for an opportune moment for a decisive strike.
While the captain remained motionless, Auriel began to walk slowly around him.
Some parents behind the wall of the field began to notice the fight between these two men.
The distance between them was shortened in silence.
Then, with a decisive leap, Auriel moved first.
Time seemed to stand still as he approached the Captain's vulnerable left side. Less than a meter away, he angled his blade and struck violently!
But as the wooden blade sliced through the air... it stopped abruptly, and a violent trembling ran through Auriel's body.
The captain then seemed to have become some kind of insurmountable monster. Auriel, still airborne, frowned as his blade was gradually and effortlessly pushed back.
With indifference, the captain finally unleashed his full force, and Auriel was thrown several meters, catching himself at the last second and sliding for several meters across the fresh grass.
The scene lasted only a few seconds but demonstrated the immutable difference between them.
The captain was, after all, a former veteran of the Hollow Frontier.
He was a soldier of the first generation.
He was ... a demon slayer.
He smiled slightly at Auriel, "I was expecting better, but it's still clever to target my weak point, you little rascal."
Auriel got back into position and struck again, aiming for the captain's left leg but at the last moment turning his movement towards his head.
The captain didn't react.
With a simple step to the side, the captain dodged and simultaneously followed up with a downward lunge strike aimed at Auriel.
Auriel managed to react, but it was still too slow to fully parry the attack.
He was thrown backward again, bouncing several times on the grass. None of his bones were broken, but it was a close call.
With some difficulty, Auriel slowly got to his feet, breathless, but still in a fighting stance.
[His blade is fast, but he also manages to control it perfectly. I have virtually no chance of winning as is; I need to change my strategy.]
For a brief moment, nothing happened.
The captain moved.
The handle of the captain's wooden sword splintered under the pressure of his fingers.
Auriel immediately let go and stepped back.
Too late, their blades crossed.
Without warning, Auriel abandoned the attempt to deflect the captain's blade but instead put all his strength into a leg-to-leg strike with the captain's left leg, which didn't budge an inch.
"Nice try, brat, but you underestimated your opponent with... uhh."
Taking advantage of the momentum from the recoil, Auriel gritted his teeth and pushed through the pain. He steadied himself against the ground, then, with a decisive burst, launched forward, driving his blade toward the captain's head.
The captain snapped his weapon up, wood striking wood with a sharp crack. His pupils narrowed as he tilted his head aside at the last possible moment. He took a few measured steps back before settling once more into place.
Auriel, meanwhile, hit the ground hard and rolled several times before coming to a stop.
"This kid has improved tremendously in a month," the captain murmured under his breath, a faint smile forming as he looked at him.
"Shall we continue?"
Auriel wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with a quick motion of his arm.
"Yes, please, sir."
At first, the parents were drawn to the intensity of the sparring, but as time went on, they grew used to the duel happening nearby and gradually returned their attention to their own children or simply left.
Two hours passed.
Auriel's body was heavily collapsed on the ground as the captain approached, holding a wooden glass filled with water.
"When are you leaving again?"
After a few breaths, Auriel slowly stood up and drank the water in one gulp.
"Jade told me about an escort mission with Malconte's group. I'll go see them later; we should leave late tomorrow morning."
"Jade? Oh yes, the little steward. I see, then I won't keep you any longer."
He raised his only arm and placed it on Auriel's shoulder, smiling kindly at him.
"Be careful, brat."
After a few seconds, Auriel smiled back.
"You too, sir."
Auriel headed towards his bags, which were lying against the wall. After putting his coat back on, he jumped off the field and continued on his way back to the guild.
The late afternoon was approaching, and fewer people were visible in the streets. The usual patrols and a few lively adults crossed his path as he walked across the central square towards the guild.
A pinkish-orange hue spread across the sky on the horizon, and the temperature became very comfortable.
[This body is still far too weak!]
This realization had come to him during his previous fight and continued to relentlessly ravage his mind.
[I need a way to strengthen it quickly. If I remember correctly, the empire began its great crusade when I was sixteen. I have very little time left.]
As he walked, his smile slowly faded, replaced by a strange, impassive coldness.
[I've been thinking about this for a while now, I only see one real way... I have to kill them.]