I Am The Only Witch Hunter-Chapter 351: Civil War

Althaia lifted her head up and looked at Siderius. She removed her helmet slowly.

"I don’t know what to say to the Exalted Lady." Althaia’s voice trembled.

"You will tell her the truth. That you meet an enemy you cannot defeat." Siderius said. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Althaia took a deep breath and stood up. She nodded at Siderius before turning her back and went away.

Ashe looked over to Damien, "You don’t seem to be that upset about us letting her go. She is your captor."

Damien smiled, "That beast of a woman might be my enemy. But she treated me well on our journey. Because of that, I hold no grudge against her."

Siderius approached Damien. He summoned Silver Hawk again to slice the chain on him quickly.

"You aren’t a third rank swordsman. But you have a Spirit Blade. How?" Damien said.

"How do you know I am not?"

"Because I am one. I can sense your willpower. It is immense. Much more than anyone I’ve seen but it’s only Iron Will. Not the willpower of a Spirit Blade."

"I guess we will never know the truth then."

"Argh, keep your secret then."

"Where is my manners? The name is Siderius Snow Satterblade, Baron of Eldoria."

Damien widened his eyes a little bit, "Eldoria? Why are you here?"

"I came to visit Quinlan a while ago and conducted some business. What about you? Why did you get caught by the Glacirius?"

Damien sighed heavily, "I lost."

Siderius let Damien on the back of his horse. They went away from the area, preventing Althaia from returning with reinforcements. Then Siderius found a secluded place to set up camp.

There was a river nearby so he tossed some clothes to Damien for him to go bath. He and Ashe stayed behind to prepare some food for the evening.

When Damien returned, he was no longer the dirty beggar from before. Traits of the handsome Evening Sword returned somewhat, but not entirely. He still looked ragged and tired, missing the light that made him who he was.

Damien saw Siderius and Ashe kneeling at the campfire. They seemed to be in a trance or some sort. When he was close enough, Siderius opened his eyes.

"Finish?"

Damien nodded.

Siderius glanced at Damien’s hand. His right hand was cut off, leaving an empty wrist.

Damien pulled his sleeve down and covered his right hand.

"What happened?" Siderius asked.

"I was cut by Victor. He wanted to make sure that even if I managed to get back to the capital, I would no longer be useful."

Damien’s eyes lowered and didn’t meet Siderius.

"Come. Sit down. Tell us what happened." Siderius gently said.

Damien told the two of them of the current civil war in Everia.

Everything happened when the King of Everia, Magnus Theistius, died because of an accident during hunting.

The Lord of North, Erdemir Glacirius, was accompanying the King at that time.

The Queen, Diana Argentius, accused the Lord of the North of treason and captured him.

All the Great Houses were informed very soon.

The North announced their independence from Everia right after. Erdemir’s first son, Victorus Glacirius, claimed the throne and became the first ever King of Glacirium.

They had been fighting for months now. The capital underestimated Victor because of his young age but that was where they were wrong.

Victor stayed true to his name and continued to win battles despite the disadvantages he had. Many Minor Houses had joined the new Glacirium Kingdom and betrayed Everia.

As of the moment, Everia was split into two areas. The south, as old Everia. And the north, the land of snow, the new kingdom Glacirium.

As a member of a loyal house to the throne, and also the strongest swordsman in the kingdom, Damianos Argentius was tasked to attack Glacirium.

Unfortunately, he lost.

The kid was merely a first rank swordsman. But he was incredible in strategy and large scale battle. Damien’s army was brought to its knees and he was captured by them.

They contacted the capital and wished to exchange Damien for the life of Erdemir, their original lord.

"Why didn’t I hear any of this on our journey?" Siderius’ brow furrowed.

Damien chuckled, "It is an embarrassment for Everia to have a Great House betrayed them. They will try to keep this a secret as much as possible in the South."

"We have been dragged into a war." Siderius mumbled.

"Don’t worry. As long as you can get me back to the capital. My father will reward you greatly. We won’t force you into any war." Damien said.

Siderius shook his head, "No. That’s not how it works. Fate has already decided that I will be dragged into this war one way or another.

I just don’t know what that is yet."

"Are you serious? Are you a Seer or something?"

"I’m not a Seer. But I can see the hidden layers of this world.

Eat. And rest. We will talk more in the morning."

For a long time, Damien had a good and full meal. The Glacirius didn’t treat him too badly. They kept the bare minimum of decency for a prisoner of war like him. But still, the best he could have was some porridge.

"Meat truly is the best thing in the world." Damien snickered while munching on the rabbit leg.

It was unthinkable that this lowly looking man was once the greatest swordsman in the entire kingdom. He had lost himself in pain and in suffering.

The man slept through the night and snored like a fat cat.

The next morning.

"Well. Are you going to lead me back to the capital?" Damien said.

Siderius shook his head, "Not right now. We need to visit someone in the North. Basilus Adracius, you know him?"

Damien’s expression immediately darkened, "You know who he is, right?"

"He’s a descendant of the previous royal family."

"There is a civil war going on. It’s the perfect opportunity for him to raise an army. And if he sees me, he would want to get rid of me."

"As long as I am here. He won’t. Unless you want to go on a solo journey to the capital."

The North was filled with soldiers of Glacirium. Going alone was a death sentence. Damien had no choice but to follow Siderius to see Basilus.

Kynidus stayed in a castle. Regulus stayed in a small wooden cabin. As for Basilus, he stayed in a cave of a snowy hill.

"We have arrived."