Marked Ones: Advent of the Demon Prince

Commander Arturo walked swiftly through the halls of the castle, his footsteps and the clinking of his armor were the only sounds he made. His eyes shined with determination as he made his way to the barracks where his personal forces slept and trained.

After the meeting was over, it was determined that Arturo and his forces would be mobilized alongside the Petra forces simultaneously to reinforce Watcher's Retreat first. After that, Docia would send in its forces. Wisteria had already ordered its standard troops to mobilize before they held the meeting.

After Docia's arrival to the field, Paede and Keinydd would remain on standby waiting for providing additional reinforcements, or until the Union made a large push.

Granted these plans included simply the first few companies of soldiers. There was still no massive mobilization of the five human kingdoms' full military. However, each nation did move the bulk of their armies to the furthest edges of their own borders to ensure rapid mobilization.

Only Wisteria held back because then they would have placed their entire army on the field of battle and that would put an unnecessary amount of strain on one single nation. Since the entirety of the Union were under attack, the different nations needed to equally participate.

As Arturo approached the barracks, he heard the rhythmic sound of steel clashing against steel. Currently his troops were running through their basic drills and exercises. Knowing this, he could not help but have a smile on his face.

His men always made him proud with their firm resolve to train on a daily basis. The moment he made his presence known in the training grounds, everyone immediately stopped and snapped to attention with firm salutes.

""Sir!""

"At ease men!" Arturo barked out. "Ready yourselves and rest for the day. Tomorrow at first light we march to Watcher's Retreat to reinforce those sorry excuses for an army made of Marked Ones! They softened the target for us, so let us advance and show them how its done!

"We will take the fight to Alorek, regain our lands, and put those filthy sand-loving beastmen back in their place: Under the thumb of the Five Kings Union!"

His rousing speech was followed by roaring cheers from his men. Arturo gazed at his soldiers with pride, satisfied with how well they have adapted to his harsh regimen.

There was no doubt in his mind that this war would be long, difficult, and deadly. Many of these faces greeting him with smiles and cheers would vanish from the world, but they would do so with honor.

Arturo then dismissed them to gather their things, write letters to loved ones, and rest before beginning their march the next day. He turned around and saw a noble, red-headed man looking at him.

"Lord Petra."

"Commander Arturo."

"Do you really think those assassins will be enough to correct your mistake? If he had the ability to kill that many people on that scale, what good will a few assassins be?" Arturo did not measure his tone. He allowed every ounce of vitriol to seep from his words.

"You are right that it presents a risk. However, one thing I know, is that if he survives that… and somehow returns to our kingdom, he will seek out my daughter at the academy. We can strike then, should all else fail." Richard said.

The man then gave him an description of the boy per his last known appearance. While his physical description could change somewhat from the field of battle, the dead giveaway would be his strange eyes.

"Look for those eyes, Arturo, and you will find him. I will not get in the way of anyone who wishes to end that boy. The promise I made to his father has long since run its course, so please, disseminate this information to your men. The bounty I set for the assassins will be given to any person who brings me his head."

Arturo eyed the nobleman closely. It truly appeared as though Richard wanted this boy dead. "What of your daughter? Given what information you shared today, there is little doubt that this is the same Marked One that seduced her. What will you do if she finds out about this?"

Richard answered quickly, and without hesitation. "Her opinion does not matter. She made her choice in regards to the family already. These are consequences she created for herself, now she must pay for them."

Arturo laughed, and then waved the nobleman away. They were to be traveling companions on the way to Watcher's Retreat. Petra had brought his forces with him and they were currently camped outside of the capital awaiting orders from their lord.

Though he knew that he would feel the same way given the situation, Arturo could not help but feel a little sorry for the girl that Lord Petra called his daughter. Many fathers liked to spoil their daughters, especially so when they were their only child.

However, it seemed that was not the case for such a staunch and resolute man as Richard von Petra. He was well known for putting honor and duty above all else, even his own family and friends. For him, duty to the kingdom came first. It was something Arturo respected, but that did not make him like the man any more. An ass was still an ass, even if he has a reason.

By the time light peaked over the horizon the next morning, the troops were already on the move. With Arturo and Petra's forces combined, they numbered nearly fifteen thousand men. Five thousand belonged to him, while the rest served Lord Petra.

He found himself excited to finally see the fighting prowess of the infamous Petra domain. Every single soldier in this formation experienced untold horrors and hardships beginning from a young age to be accepted where they were. Petra accepted no weakness among its troops.

Arturo could see it on their faces. They were already battle hardened and prepared for death and blood. It was impressive and slightly terrifying in a way. Though the biggest emotion Arturo felt for the battles ahead, was excitement.