They passed through Ryube and Durimal saw the carnage inside it. The burnt houses, burnt bodies all around. Such massacre. Ruka is truly indeed, an animal.

Durimal remembers the King's word very well. Keep an eye on the Prince. Don't let him go out of line. Supposing so, but how the hell does the King expect for me to stop Ruka if he were to go out of line? This man is just absolutely mad. There's probably nothing but bloodlust in his brains.

Durimal rode slowly, following the mad Prince from behind.

Ruka strode along the pathway, knowing the attack is about to start soon, but in no hurry to go into hiding. In truth, he wanted so much to just attack the Merc fort without all this dilly- dallying with first waves and second waves, but Justan and Durimal insisted on waiting.

Holding me back, the Prince thought. They're trying to hold me back so that their precious 'Princess', Jillia, can be ready for an attack. He understands Durimal doing so by order of the 'King', but what is Justan's purpose? That man is too mysterious to be left alone. Best to keep an eye out for him.

They passed through the town... Ryujin? Ryubi? Jyube?

Ryube.

Yes, that was it.

Ryube.

Ruka looked at it. A masterpiece. The woven excellence of the burnt ground, the elegant stroke of blood on the ground. It has just been days since the burning of this town, but the art of it's bloody splendor is still well kept. Granted, it will be gone in a few days. Ruka wished he'd have something to remember the look of this town by. Some kind of gadget that can capture pictures within a second. An artist would surely ruin the true art of the massacre with his stupid paints and definitive individual strokes. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.

But he is well determine to win this battle, if not the war. Of course, by winning this battle, it can be assured that the war is almost won.

Ruka grinned and strode slowly, in front of his soldiers.

They've arrived at their point of destination. Right in front of the Merc fort, but still not so. The people in the Merc fort cannot see them right here, but they can see the Mercenaries clearly. All standing ground, awaiting the battle from the other side. They're ready for that battle, but definitely not ready for what's coming right in front of them.

Ruka unmounts himself from his horse and stood erect on the ground. Durimal followed suit, so did the White Wolves and as Durimal landed, he moved forward slowly towards the Prince.

"These people won't know what hit them." Ruka said.

"My lord, it is wise we mount ourself. The sign may come whenever. We sure took our time coming here, I am sure the battle have started a long time already." Durimal advised Ruka.

Ruka still stood where he is, listening clearly to what Durimal said but acted as if he had put on a deaf ear towards him. After awhile, he turned towards Durimal.

"Durimal, I do not wish to ride in there with my horse."

"What?"

"I wish to go in by foot, and slash those who come to me. Death shall await them, not them await death. It is much more entertaining that way." Ruka said as his eyes glare into and his grin grew wider.

Durimal was wide eyed hearing this. The man certainly IS mad. And he is WAAAAAY beyond what the rumours have untold of him. Each and everyword those people say about him, they're all true only the real truth is much more sadistic than what is said. Entertainment? To him death is entertainment? Truly, such people don't really exist but in folktales and fairy stories?

Durimal slowly turned and mounted on his horse. And so did the rest of the White Wolves. As mad as they are to follow the Prince into battle, they still have some sanity in them to not be as sadistic as the Prince.

They waited.

Though not long, as one side of the Mercenary Fortress exploded.

Ruka grinned.