Thousands of defenders surrounded the thousands of captured invaders, who lost all of their morale.
All four tier 5 fighters, including Grand Jarl Wolfgang and Grand Jarl Audbjorn, were captured, suffering different degrees of wounds on their bodies.
Many of their champions also fell in battle, about half!
But what truly broke their morale was the bloody light of Qhiion shining in the middle of the enemy base, blessing the enemy. Their god abandoned them in favor of the enemy, even birthing a hero of Qhiion not seen in centuries. Highly religious individuals like Wolfgang surrendered on the spot when they saw this scene. Less religious people like Audbjorn struggled more but suffered debilitating injuries and got captured alive.
As for those who were weaker, those who were religious dropped their weapons and offered their necks, believing they sinned, while those who were less religious dropped their weapons and fled. Some stubborn ones resisted but were put to the sword, adding to the blood flowing on the streets.
The defenders were also in awe. Those who participated in the fighting felt their strength improve, some rising by a minor realm, regardless of their faith. And they knew their patron wasn't Bulthar or Druelia but Qhiion, the barbarian god of violence and sughter!
It made even the most ignorant defenders realize something: Qhiion wasn't an enemy barbarian god. He was very much a human god and was on their side!
Those who were more religious, such as the clergy of Bulthar and Druelia, knew this truth even if they wanted to deny it. Despite their beliefs, they felt reverent when looking at the creation of a human hero, a leader of their human race. Even their emperor had to treat such a figure as an equal.
Of course, the hero of Qhiion was controversial in the Erebium Empire, who renounced the less popur old gods and the old ways. It was unknown how the top echelons would react to a new hero popping up on their side!
And the most conflicted one was Varkas, the legendary warrior and father-in-w of said hero! He also received a nice portion of the blessing, and his realm solidified. He even felt that his talent minorly improved. And yet, he wasn't happy about this.
"What did that mad d do to become a hero of Qhiion?" Varkas, now a grey giant, bitterly muttered while looking at Rilden.
"And what should I do if the empire's religion wants to destroy him? Should I execute him? But Qhiion is not an evil god... he is just in conflict with the empire's religion. If I unjustly kill him, wouldn't I be cursed by Qhiion and branded a sinner of humanity? How would I expin to my daughter that I killed her fiance for no reason? Ugh... Why Qhiion, of all gods?" Varkas had a headache.
Just then, he suddenly turned to look at the distance, noticing a horseriding figure approaching. It was a veiled young woman who looked like a high-level priestess of Qhiion. He wasn't the only one who saw her.
Soldiers rushed forward, pointing their weapons at her.
"STOP! Dismount your horse and surrender, now!" Viscount Henry, a Champion Warrior, pointed his sword at her and demanded.
"I have already surrendered and am unarmed, but I shall only lower myself to the man to cim me." Astrid coldly said in the empire's nguage.
"You...!" Henry clenched his sword and was about to strike at her when he heard Varkas's booming voice.
"Let the holy woman enter. She is not a threat," Varkas said.
Realization dawned on Henry as he noticed how the woman was dressed. Connecting the dots, he sheathed his sword and made way.
Astrid gnced at him before looking at Varkas and respectfully saluted, "May Qhiion guide your bde, mighty warrior."
Varkas merely nodded and didn't comment further, letting the woman inside.
Astrid continued riding inside through the gates, her nose assailed by the blood of the fallen, of her people. But she knew it was the will of Qhiion. It was the price they paid for their sins.
Looking around, she saw thousands of corpses and thousands of captives, including her father, who seemed beaten and even lost his left eye but was otherwise healthy, unlike Audbjorn, who was seriously wounded, missing an arm and leg. Wolfgang's adjutant had held his chest, likely cracking some ribs, and Audbjorns adjutant was completely crippled.
She also noticed that the people of Osnines suffered far fewer casualties than those of Steurus, which was directly reted to their belief in their god. Osnines were always more religious, hence they surrendered as soon as they saw the bloody light.
However, that was only the surface. Astrid's ruby eyes saw the cause and effect and knew Qhiion was angrier at Steorus than Osnines. Qhiion affected everyone's judgment, both theirs and their enemies, thus influencing who would live and who would die.
She knew her father had lost his eye because he followed Audbjorn, the sinner, into battle. However, his life was spared for now. His, and everyone's fates, now rested in the hands of the man who would cim her. Her Hero. Her purpose of existence.
"Even if it's my father... I wouldn't hesitate if that is his will. He chose his fate." Astrid thought, cutting off her filial emotions.
Reaching the middle of the city entrance, she waited with a straight back, waiting for her Hero to come. And sure enough, he arrived after ten minutes.
Rilden walked to the city entrance with a short figure wearing super heavy full armor and a giant sword stained with blood. Erose stayed near the City Lord's mansion and killed anyone who fled inside the city, protecting Rilden and his ritual. When the fighting was over, she naturally accompanied him.
Of course, Rilden had a reason to go to the eastern gate. After midnight, his
[
[Due to the overperformance in your speech and a bit of luck, instead of gaining a warrior talent of 7 and Comprehension of 5, you directly became Qhiion's Hero! While a prestigious position that no human would doubt, it makes you a controversial one in the Erebium Empire. However, a Human Hero is a Human Hero, and no human would dare unjustly harm or plot against you, even those against Qhiion's worship. So rest easy with that in mind. But at the same time, they will not support you, and should you give them sufficient reason, they will turn hostile. The people of the Kadin Barbarian Coalition would be more accepting of you, but at the same time, they would know your origin and you would find it difficult to command and rally them. However, those who see Qhiion as their main god, such as the people of Osnines, will be your most devoted allies and subordinates. But you will have a chance to earn the loyalty of others from either side or even those not of the human race. But remember that evil or non-human gods and their believers would be hostile and wary of you.]
[Astrid, daughter of Grand Jarl Wolfgang of Osnines, and high priestess of Qhiion, has come to pledge her undying loyalty to the Hero of Qhiion, you, at the eastern gate. She is a tier 4 shaman of the old ways, born under Qhiion's bloody mark and his most zealous true believer, and will be promoted to a Prophetess of Qhiion once you accept her as yours. She will be your most trusted and loyal advisor and the only method of contacting Qhiion and helping convert the people of Osnines to your cause. As a side note, she will consider herself your woman, whether you or anyone else agrees, and will not seek any other man in this life. As she accepts polygamy as a given, she will get along easily with Erose and would actively expand your harem if you allow it.]
[Qhiion will test your wisdom! As the Hero of Qhiion, you must bance sughter and leniency, or you will be a weak ruler with many treacherous followers or a strong lone wolf. The people of Osnines will willingly swear allegiance to you, becoming your first loyal followers. On the other hand, the people of Steorus will hesitate or outright refuse to bow to the outsider. Not only that, but Grand Jarl Audbjorn lost all favor with Qhiion due to not only employing heathens but also plotting against Osnines once the battle was over, wanting to kill Wolfgang and annex Osnines in the chaos. Knowing this, Qhiion was more lenient on Osnines, but harsh on Steorus, and will expect you to put the people of Steorus to the sword while accepting the people of Osnines. It is advised not to fail his expectations, or he will be disappointed in you. Let the people of Osnines put them to the sword as their first act of loyalty, and prioritize the soldiers who got wounded first so they would heal. It is especially so for Wolfgang, who will become your first Legendary Warrior under your command after executing Audbjorn. And don't worry about the City of Tulens stopping you. They wouldn't dare stop a recently canonized human hero, especially one originating from their city. After the execution, the soldiers of Osnines will be yours to command. Due to needing to tend to the wounded and rest, you can only move them tomorrow.]
Three pieces of information were shown. The first was comforting yet depressing. His home empire and the barbarian coalition would not fully accept him. Only those who fully believe in Qhiion as their main god will be loyal to him.
The second was that he would get a literal Prophetess of Qhiion, meaning she would be in contact with Qhiion himself and receive divine guidance. However, he did find it troubling that she would become his woman. It was even more disturbing that she would create a harem for him! But at least she would get along with Erose.
And then was the third prophecy of the day. It essentially sealed the fate of an entire people. He would order the deaths of thousands.
Yet-
"I feel indifferent to it. Is
He felt he would feel more sorry for a dog or chicken than his fellow humans who betrayed their allies and conspired with evil gods. They deserved no mercy.
"My husband, is something the matter?" Erose asked under her helmet.
"I am fine. I was merely thinking of the fate of the captives." Rilden replied.
Erose nodded. Soon, they arrived at the eastern gate, and Rilden saw the bloodshed and corpses yet felt apathetic. His eyes nded on the woman riding a red horse, her back straight and her piercing red eyes staring deeply into his as if trying to imprint his image in her eyes.
Without hesitation, the veiled, red-headed woman with a blood-shaped birthmark on her forehead got off her horse and slowly walked toward Rilden before kneeling exactly ten steps away.
"Astrid, daughter of Wolfgang of Osnines, High Priestess of the Ancient God of Violence and Sughter, swears eternal allegiance to the Hero of Qhiion!" Astrid said with a clear and determined voice, her ruby eyes carrying unshakable zeal.
"I, Rilden Greybde of Tulens, Hero of Qhiion, accept you. Rise, Astrid. My prophetess." Rilden said as a ray of blood light fell from the sky on Astrid.
Not much changed about her outwardly, but Rilden saw that the blood mark on her forehead gained two more blood drops. Once the blessing was over, Astrid rose to her feet.
"I shall serve you with utmost loyalty and dedication, my Hero." Astrid bowed, her eyes locked on his. "I also received a message from Qhiion. He said you must decide the fate of those who betrayed his trust. It is your first trial as Hero."
"I understand." Rilden nodded.
He then looked at the silent crowd and asked one question.
"Who among you swears allegiance to me?!" Rilden yelled.
The surrendered soldiers looked at each other, most of them not knowing the nguage of the empire. Knowing this, Astrid also spoke.
"Hverr yevarr mun tjóna dróttni hetju?!" She spoke in their nguage.1Old Norse
The people of Osnines had fervor in their eyes, none hesitating as they knelt one after another, led by Wolfgang.
"Vie tjónum hetjunni af Qhiion!!!" They all spoke.
Meanwhile, the people of Steorus were hesitant. They didn't know this themselves, but Astrid saw it. Qhiion once again affected their judgment. They were already his sacrificial mbs, and the people of Osnines were the chosen butchers.
Rilden felt the loyalty of the people of Osnines. His
"People of Osnines! Pick your weapons! Those who fought the most bravely and were injured in battle shall be the first to draw the blood of the treacherous people of Steorus! They colluded with the Ludiron Cult and wanted to backstab you after the battle! Now is the time for justice and revenge!"
Astrid repeated his words with a fervent look. The people of Osnines were excited and bloodthirsty, while the people of Steorus were pale and fearful.
What happened next was expected. The protectors of Tulens coldly looked at the mass execution that unfolded. The first to be executed was Audbjorn, who Wolfgang slew in anger. The people of Osnines visibly healed, some even breaking through. Wolfgang directly became a Legendary Warrior like Varkas, but his eye didn't heal. Yet, although he was now a Legendary Warrior, he didn't attack anyone. Instead, he knelt to Rilden while offering Audbjorn's head, as did all the soldiers of Osnines.
Rilden had his first loyal force.