In a territory close to the Raiden territory stood a muscular old man on the outskirts of a city gazing at it. He had a playful expression on his face.
"I can enter this city and have some fun relaxing or I can make Heddo pay which shall it be. " Pulling a coin and flipping it before catching it with his palm. Looking at it he smiled then laughed.
"Haha Heddo even the gods want you dead. Guess I have to go to work then I'll be back for this city when I'm done. I mean the city is getting a new Lord so I'll go In place of Jake hahaha. " Turning his head in the direction of the army, he bent his knees and jumped there. Soaring through the sky his expression unchanged as he flew to the army.
***
"I want this army ready by sunset. Tomorrow we take the Raiden territory and add it to mine. The sheer size of it might finally elevate me to the marquis rank. I want everyone on alert and ready. " A voice sounded from a massive tent. The voice belonged to Count Heddo as he sat on his massive chair to fit his massive body and gave orders to his retainer.
Heddo was a white skinned fat man with a silly grin on his oily face. His gelled hair was arranged backwards perfectly that no grand was loose. He wore a bright red robe that screamed nobility and adorned himself with various jewelleries on his neck and fingers holding a glass of wine and savouring the taste.
"I am so close to being a marquis I can taste it haha. This is pretty good wine I'll order more during my victory party. " Arrogance that was the only word that could be used to describe him. The reason for his arrogance was outside his tent. Standing a few meters away from the tent was an army ten thousand men both soldiers and adventurers alike. The adventurers outnumbered the soldiers five to one.
The reason he was able to gather this much adventurers was because of the quest rewards he put up for it. Five gold coins each and a chance to join his personal army, the coins were much sure but it was the second reward that drew more people in the chance to join a future marquis army that will elevate their status in life and the requirement just to take over another territory, simple right?
Soldiers and adventurers mixed with each other and were chattering, some playing games like poker, the atmosphere was lively, no one was taking the Raiden territory as a threat So everyone was discussing about what they will do with the reward money.
Knight captain Johas was also indulging in the games being played when he same a figure appear in the corner of his eye, he was alarmed but relaxed when he saw an old man covered in thick robes holding a walking stick and had a playful grin on his face. He stood up and approached the old man attracting everybody's attention.
"I didn't know that even old people wants to accept the Lord's rewards so much " Johas drew laughter from the crowd behind him and smirked. "To think he wants to make easy money off our heads. When we are fighting he will probably fake an injury and still be given a share. " He said further aggravating
The crowd behind him some even picked stone to throw at him.
The old man closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of regret. Johas mistook this for fear and his smile grew even wider.
"Stop don't you guys have shame to want to attack an old man just because he wants to make money. I'm sure some of you had the same plan to fake injuries or am I wrong. " A girl in her mid twenties came out from the left side of the crowd with her party of five two female and three males. She was Kishira the wind mage of her party which consists of a tank, two mages, an archer and a swordsman.
"To think mere adventurers want to go against the Lord's will I will have you all execut- " A sudden interruption silenced Johas and it came from the old man.
"Enough. To think I wanted to spare all of you people. HEDDO!! come outside this instant. " His voice towered over every other voice and reached his target.
Count heddo came out to see his men surroundingan old man and was confused but when the old man flashed him a playful grin his face went pale for an instant before it regained colour. ' What is he doing here? No this is my chance to kill him. '
"Heddo your knight disrespected me and it is a crime to disrespect a noble. What should I do to him? " everybody's face went pale immediately. So he is a noble was the only thought in everyone's head.
"You are lying! " Johas said trying to make himself believe another thing.
"No I am not. Let me introduce myself, I am Kor Raiden! " The fear in everyone's eyes turned to greed and was further amplified by what Heddo said. "Five gold coins for the one who brings me his head. "
Kor smiled then turned to the hesitant party he that defended him earlier. "Because you people were nice I will give you a little tip it's best you abandon this quest trust me on this. "
"Ok Sir. " Kishira replied as her and her party members stored their weapons and moved to his side. Though they were hesitant, Kishira just couldn't shake the feeling that they were making the right choice.
The other adventurers looked at them in disdain, throwing away their lives for an old man.
"You see I originally came here to spare some of you but I'm in a bad mood thanks to Johas over here so nine of you are leaving here. " Kor said in a nonchalant tone as he looked at them like ants this further infuriated them and they got ready to charge. "I will show you what happens when you mess with the Lightning Emperor. " As he said this some older adventurers realised their mistake but it was too late.
Kor snapped his fingers and the sky began to darken and lightning began to strike. Everyone realised that something was amiss but it was too late as they directed their sights to a floating Kor. They all had one thought "Who did they mess with. "
Kor opened his mouth directing his gaze upwards. "Grand lightning storm. " That was all the adventurers heard before a light consumed them. A loud thunderclap was heard throughout the world scaring both intelligent species and beasts alike.
In an isolated island stood a man who looked in his prime as he looked up to the sky smiling. "Is this the way you are announcing your return old friend. Guess I have to prepare on my end. " after saying this he disappeared as if he was never there.
Back to the battlefield, after the light faded only count Heddo remained standing as Kor wanted him to see what his actions have caused. "Now you see the difference between the two of us. My son would have probably done the same here. Now you will sign the documents of transfers. " Waving his hands as a cage made out of lightning covered him. HEDDO was thoroughly defeated.
"It seems you guys made the right choice standing by my side hahaha. " As he said this he turned to see them still reeling from the shock of his prowess. "Now off I go. " He stopped a few gold coins for them and started walking off with the cage floating above him.
"Wait. " Kishira raised her hand to call him back. "Thank you sir we really needed the money. " She bowed her head and her other party members followed.
"Hmm. How about this I hire you guys to work for the Raiden household, there you can train more. " Kor replied as he looked at them giving them his offer.
"Huh! We accept. " Kishira was taken aback by the offer but still accepted.
" Good Now let's head to my new territory. Hahaha. " He said as he continued walking and was followed by Kishira and her party.