The Chronicles Of Rhaxtyx

The group was on the move through the Helenia Forest. Because they were in the forest for a while now and they encountered with soldiers here and there, they were familiar with their patterns and schedule a little bit. Especially Damian, he came into the forest from where they were headed to. Thanks to his help, they would sneak past most of the groups. If they were seen, they would run quickly and left the soldiers in their dust. With Miriam's help, they also wouldn't leave any tracks behind them, making getting fount out impossible. By these soldiers anyway.

Like this, their days went until they left the exclusion area and headed for the nearest city towards the south east, where capital's general direction was. Roman was in charge of carrying Kai and Badgey was to scout ahead of them. Miriam would keep an eye out around them to see anyone followed them and made their trail invisible while Rhaxtyx and Damian were the main fighting power.

"It has been almost a week now, Mr. Damian." (Rhaxtyx)

"And?" (Damian)

"Just wanted to hear your opinion about us. If you had anything to complain about and all."

"Well you are the weakest link in the group, that's for certain."

"Ugh!"

"The only point you have is your crazy regeneration ability. Other than that, I don't see much about you. You might work as a vanguard with that ability of yours but your opponents would get bored after some time and just ignore you."

"B-but, there're some good things as well, right?" (Rhaxtyx)

"Yea, your spells are powerful."

"Yes! I knew I was-"

"But even I can stop or avoid them. Dispelling them is not a hard task after all."

"Ugh!"

"Oh my god. It's the first time I see Rax like this." (Roman)

"Mhm. It's first for me as well." (Miriam)

Roman and Miriam were watching the exchange between Damian and Rhaxtyx as the former dealt psychological damage to the latter. Rhaxtyx was holding his c.h.e.s.t while he walked. What Damian said was the truth and he couldn't deny it but him saying it that bluntly made him suffer a bit. Rhaxtyx wiped the sweat from his forehead and spoke with a forced smile.

"You are more formidable than I thought. But I won't fall like that." (Rhaxtyx)

"What are you talking about?" (Damian)

"I think he lost it." (Roman)

"Mhm. Having his short-comings pointed out for the first time can be cruel. Especially if you are like master." (Miriam)

Rhaxtyx tightened his muscles and did some other stretching moves before he pointed at Damian.

"All right, I've decided!" (Rhaxtyx)

"On what?" (Damian)

"We shall duel!"

"""Haa?"""

Everyone was confused as to why Rhaxtyx would something like that all of a sudden. Rhaxtyx's bright smile was unwavering though. His whole body was radiating confidence and determination. Damian was the most surprised at this. When he looked at the others, he saw that Miriam was shaking her head and Roman was face palming with quite the force; his forehead was red. Badgey on the other hand decided to take the matter to its hand and jumped on Rhaxtyx and started clawing at him.

Even though he yelled for it to stop, even launching a spell or two, Badgey didn't and at the end of its rampage, Rhaxtyx was left with a face filled with scratch marks that healed quite quickly.

"Look, we already know a bit about how we fight but I don't think it is enough. It would also benefit us both, learning of our habits when fighting and all."

"Oh master just wants to learn your spells if you know any." (Miriam)

Miriam was spot on. Rhaxtyx's primary objective with his challenge was to learn what spell Damian can use, if he can cast spells that is. Also fighting a sword master firsthand was bound to b.a.r.e benefits for him in regards to close quarters combat.

"If that is your objective then I will have to refuse." (Damian)

"What? Why?" (Rhaxtyx)

"It is the Dire Wolf we are talking about Rax. A person if his position is bound to know some things that is top secret." (Roman)

Damian didn't answer, not confirming the idea but not refusing it either. He just continued walking. Rhaxtyx looked at him while he passed him by but didn't catch any expression on him that would suggest him accepting his challenge.

"I think you should give up Rax." (Roman)

"Yes master. I don' think he will accept it." (Miriam)

Miriam and Roman gave their opinions as they also passed by Rhaxtyx, continuing on their way. Rhaxtyx looked at their backs and started walking. He was let down but he would have his way, he was sure. He just had to be himself. He just didn't think that Damian was a really formidable opponent in that regard.

They walked to the nearest place they could have a rest which was a nameless village for a week. And every day of that week was comprised of Rhaxtyx bugging Damian about having a duel. He would challenge Damian 3 times a day for a week. But Damian would not yield. He was starting to get angry one time but managed to calm himself down at the last second.

They reached the village safely without alerting any of the guards on the way. They were finally out of the exclusion zone. They could finally relax and sleep without any worries.

The village they entered was not a rich one. To be fair, a village that far away from the inner regions of the Kingdom was bound to be a poor place. For example, a big town that is situated near the outer regions of the Kingdom would be considered a big village near the inner regions where the capital situated. That is why most of the villages around where the group was were just nameless as they weren't big enough to be named officially.

That is why the locals just called this place by a placeholder that is usually an eye-catching thing around the village or a special thing the village produced. This particular village was called Hopps as it had large fields of hops around it. This village produced wine and sold it to the passing adventurers or merchants but because of its location and how the roads were made, it was bound to be a place that couldn't make a living just with that.

Currently the party was in a small pub, being served wine. They were talking about which route to take from then on.

"If we follow that road, we will make it longer for us." (Roman)

"How is that longer?! It is one of the direct paths!" (Rhaxtyx)

"That road contains the most stops from here to the capital. I know what you are trying to do Rax, don't try to hide it." (Roman)

"Sh*t! I've been found out?"

"You are making it obvious master. And you are trying to hide things from the wrong people. We know you more than you know yourself probably." (Miriam)

"Yeah you may be right. Haah. Okay we won't go that way than."

"We didn't refuse it though. You are right, it is one of the more direct paths to the capital. Going there could prove useful."

"Keep in mind that there's a constant influx of soldiers going towards the borders, either for the exclusion zone or to protect the borders. There's a war blooming on the horizon. If they even get an idea about any one of us, we are done for." (Damian)

Damian was right. They met up with soldiers frequently in the past week, going towards the way they came through in companies. Some had stern faces while some had crestfallen expressions.

"They might think that the envoys either died or, if there's any conspirators inside, they might think we decided to not help them and keep our neutrality with the Dynasties. Either way we need to rush to the capital." (Damian)

"There's that as well. How about this route?" (Rhaxtyx)

The route Rhaxtyx pointed at was a more secluded one. It was not really used by anyone other than some adventurers or merchants which had confidence in their abilities and their bodyguards as that route was near an old stronghold that is used as a headquarters by the bandits now.

"I suggest against it. If we go there, then a fight is inevitable. I prefer not to fight unnecessary fights." (Damian)

"Oh c'mon. The great Sir Damian is afraid?" (Rhaxtyx)

"You can try and provoke me but it's futile. If I wanted to kill useless bandit trash then I would've stayed as a lowly corporal."

"Plus they wouldn't even be good training material. Bandits are not known for their battle prowess after all." (Roman)

"You are no fun!" (Rhaxtyx)

"Master I know that you are trying to get stronger but there are better ways for that. You can't rush in like that anymore or you'll blow your cover. We also have Kai with us. We must think about her as well."

Rhaxtyx's eyes opened wide and he sat down. He forgot one of the important things for him in his excitement and determination for strength. Yes he had to become stronger but he couldn't forget what was important to him. After that point, he didn't spoke again for the remainder of the planning if he wasn't asked a question. He just listened and nodded. He would just listen. Seeing him like that, Damian sighed and spoke.

"Haah. You bastard." (Damian)

"What did I do this time?" (Rhaxtyx)

"Why do you want to become strong?"

"Isn't it obvious? Vulca happened because I couldn't protect Kai when she was in trouble. The first friend I had when I came to this world was taken from me by force. I don't want to lose people anymore."

"When you first came to this world?"

"That's not the point. What I'm trying to say is that I am not as strong as before. Therefore I have to get back what I had."

Rhaxtyx then drank his wine in silence. Miriam wand Roman were both had their head lowered. They knew why he acted the way he did for the past half a month and they had nothing they could do apart from being moral support for him.

Damian thought for a while before nodding. He looked at Rhaxtyx, looking at him confusedly.

"I respect men trying to protect what they have. I decided to teach you how to wield a sword if that is what you want from me. But nothing more! Do you understand?"

"I understand! I understand!"

"Good. We'll start tomorrow. For now, I just want to eat and relax a bit."

Damian then took a sip from his wine and smiled. Rhaxtyx was also smiling from ear to ear. At that moment, there were not many people who were happier than him.