Chimaera's Conquest: The Legend Of The Devourer
Chapter 73: Gluttonous Commander (1)

Chapter 73: Gluttonous Commander (1)

A few hours ago, beyond the Forbidden Forest...

*Slap!*

"Annoying fucking bugs..." Malachi Ironhand, a Nexarian commander, groaned.

Prior to the Pope’s announcement of sending the heroes to subjugate the tribes, Nexaria’s monarch had already made his move by sending a contingent of soldiers to deal with the Banur tribes.

However, there was a problem. Since the tribe was protected by the uncharted forest, the Nexarians faced trouble navigating their way to the tribe.

That was the primary reason the Banur tribe hadn’t been dealt with yet. Fortunately for the Nexarians, the Banurs had enemies of their own, enemies who were more than eager to let go of the difference with the outsiders and deal with the common enemy first.

The army, stationed outside the Forbidden Forest, awaited the arrival of one such ’ally’. But they were running late, and the soldiers’ patience was running out as they began complaining about everything.

’Weak bastards...’ Malachi mumbled, taking another drag of his favourite cigar.

The army wasn’t made up of new soldiers, but it was their first venture into the forest. Their small group included people from different backgrounds, like disowned and discredited nobles and convicted serial killers.

Despite their differences, they shared a passion for violence and were skilled with weapons.

All these individuals had been sent away from Nexaria as a form of punishment and a chance for redemption. Serving in the army offered them a way to lessen their sentences, but it came with a risk – they had to survive whatever was thrown their way.

Malachi had no trouble commanding the criminals, as they didn’t hesitate to follow his orders. It was the former nobles that he disliked.

Despite their ruined status, they still believed themselves to be above the rest, and that thinking annoyed Malachi. Among them, a particular bastard was getting on his nerves.

It was a blonde guy with broad shoulders, while he looked strong from the outside, he was nothing but a brat. Sure, he was skilled with the blade, but his skills weren’t sufficient for Malachi to overlook his behaviour.

"I’m here because of my father’s stupidity!" the brat scoffed, chatting with other nobles. "Just because we took some money doesn’t mean the crown gets to treat us like this!"

Malachi wasn’t surprised by the brat’s entitlement; after all, he wouldn’t expect anything less from the son of the low-ranking noble who got caught siphoning money from the royal treasury and then threw his only son under to save his neck.

At first, Malachi ignored the brat, given that he was ’wronged’. But his patience began to get tested when the brat wouldn’t stop complaining in his annoying, squeaky voice.

An unfocused and lazy warrior was akin to a weed on a farm; if not dealt with briefly, the weeds would grow and multiply, ruining the crops.

With a sigh, Malachi threw the cigar on the forest floor, stomping on it to put the flame out before making his way towards the brat. The guy had his back towards the commander and didn’t notice Malachi until his rapier was pierced through the guy’s chest.

"Wha..." the brat mumbled but couldn’t continue as he choked on his blood before collapsing on his knees.

The rest of them were shocked to see their commander kill one of their own so nonchalantly. The healers within the army stared at each other, not knowing if they should try to help the noble.

Fortunately for them, Malachi made their decision easier by stabbing the brat again, but this time, his sword let out a faint dark glow before consuming the noble brat’s body till only his bones remained.

While everyone stared at the bones, Malachi retrieved another cigar from his inventory and returned to smoking without saying anything. Yet, the message he intended to convey was crystal clear to everyone. They weren’t there for a picnic and should behave as such or else...

Thankfully, they didn’t have to worry for long as their allies showed up just in time. The bush parted, and one by one, direwolves emerged. Fifty or so of them came forward, each with two men from the Tulka tribe who lived on the other side of the forest.

"Would you look at that," Malachi said, the cigar still in his mouth. "I had almost given up on you people."

"Didn’t know the outsiders would be so eager to meet us," the leader of the Tulka’s replied, stepping down from his wolf.

"Do you have it?" Malachi asked, using the cigar’s smoke to cover the foreign smell from the direwolves.

The leader nodded, and the girl next to him handed Malachi a scroll before speaking, "The rough layout of the Banur’s settlement, as well as the map that’d lead you to them as safely as possible-"

"No, no, no. This wasn’t the deal," Malachi said, threateningly pointing his finger at the leader. "You were supposed to join us and take on them together."

Malachi had the numbers advantage. However, numbers didn’t win battles, especially in a foreign territory. Within moments of his threat, a barrage of arrows rained down on them, most of them landing close to Malachi’s feet.

Strangely, it wasn’t the leader’s men standing before him who were behind the attack. Instead, the arrows descended from above.

Unbeknownst to Malachi and his men, the leader’s forces had skillfully hidden themselves among the trees since the previous night. Yet, neither Malachi nor his men had noticed them until they revealed themselves.

Disregarding the assault, the leader advanced toward Malachi, leaning in to murmur into his ears, "The Banurs are vulnerable after a recent monster attack. It’s the opportune moment to attack them. But don’t underestimate them."

He continued as he turned away, "The Banurs are formidable adversaries who have consistently thwarted our advances to try and claim their forest. It’d be wise for you to take them by surprise. The longer you fight, the more likely you will lose against them."

With that warning, the leader whistled, and the tribals retreated, leaving behind an angry Malachi.

***

Author’s note: The bonus Chapter will be released in 4 hours.