Aaron opened his eyes, looking around and seeing a desolate landscape filled with ruins.
Everywhere, there were blazing fires, deep smoke condensing and twisting upwards towards the sky.
Happened to be a dreary weather.
"Cough, cough, is this a city on fire?"
Aaron looked around, this fortress style was very strange, everywhere are painted with filthy, violent bloodstained murals.
There were countless human skeletons subjected to cruel tortures, pierced at will.
It is the fortress of the dark followers, thankfully, it seems to have been destroyed by my brother.
He struggling out from the ruins, climbing to the top of this building.
According to previous experience, his younger brother should be facing some difficulties right now, not far from him.
I hope it's not the serious injuries caused by this battle, no, it's better not to be injured at all.
Aaron climbed to a sentinel tower about to collapse, finally saw beyond the ruins of a clean-up of a space, a group of robed ascetics, guarding his younger brother, Lucah-Orielian.
The giant was tired, sitting on the ground, one hand supporting the hammer-tongued ax.
There was a hint of confusion in his brow and eyes, but he kept his head down, not showing it to the others.
Erybas, the bald man whom Aaron disliked, was driving another group of elderly and weak people with their hands tied to Lucah.
Erybas's voice should have been clear and melodious, a good candidate for a choir, someone who could stand in front during performances, a handsome young man liked by everyone.
However, when Erybas opened his mouth, Aaron couldn't help but feel disgusted.
"Saint, this fortress has been conquered by you, under the guidance of the only true god, these are the darken people who provide support for the dark followers."
"We, we will hand over the power to execute these sinners to you."
Erybas stood with great respect, offering the snake scale whip he held in his hand.
Aaron took off the long robe from the dead true god's acolyte on the ground and put it on, holding the body's hand in apology:
"Wish, ah, wish Lucah will bless you to have a peaceful sleep. My father was out of tune, and in myths, the god of the underworld and Zeus weren't on good terms either."
"Lucah is clearly more like a god than I, my brother."
Aaron was unable to find a god to bless the deceased for a while, so he had Lucah do it.
As for having his father bless them?
That's a good point, I have a feeling that if his father came to bless the dead, something terrible would happen.
Aaron did not know if his prayer would work or not. After changing his clothes, he slowly mingled with the crowd, observing the changes in the world.
Now it was the stage of winding down after the battle, and his brother didn't seem to be seriously injured. What kind of trouble had he encountered?
The voice in front became clearer and he looked at the old and weak people, who did not have the dark decorations he had seen before.
They were simply weak humans who hadn't eaten well.
There were only the elderly and children, all of them expressionless, looking dazedly at everything before them.
Maybe it's because adults are considered to be the combatants, and have been killed?
Aaron's eyes looked at Lucah sitting on the ground, who stood up silently and raised his hammer.
"There has been enough killing today. They are not worthy to be chosen by the dark gods, nor are they worthy of execution by me."
"Build a holy place here, conquer and accept it according to our teachings."
Lucah said this and turned to leave.
Erybas grew anxious:
"Lucah! Can't you be more merciful?"
Lucah turned his head: "Mercy? I killed hundreds and thousands of people today. When I smashed their heads, my heart never wavered."
Erybas hurried to explain:
"We can't keep doing this. Conquering a fortress and building a holy place, spreading our teachings. This is too slow. We should destroy all the fortresses of the dark followers at once and achieve the unity of Corchis!"
"Otherwise, as we slowly advance, there are countless people on this land suffering under the tortures of the dark gods."
Aaron furrowed his brow, it seems that Lucah's style of doing things is slow and steady.
After capturing a city, he must completely transform it before moving on?
Erybas pointed to the old and weak: "I have no right to interfere with your decision regarding these people, everything is guided by the only true god. But I hope, we can speed up the progress."
"If you're willing, I can lead an army to charge forward and expand our territories."
Aaron took a breath, oh, he wants the military power.
It seems that the treatment of these weak ones is not the main thing, but Erybas needs independent military command.
What's he trying to do?
From the previous reactions, it seems that Aaron thinks Erybas is a man of execution but also ambition.
Erybas continued his performance:
"Considering that, as the name of the only true god, as the name of the saint, let's solve those subordinates stuck in darkness and distress as soon as possible."
"At least like Cole Faron, you trust him, gave him an army, you can also trust me!"
Lucah remained silent, unsure of what he was thinking in his mind.
A moment later, he put down the hammer in his hand and looked up at the sky:
"Your vanguard starts now, independent of my command. Erybas, may the only true god guide us on the right path."
Erybas trembled his hands, knelt on the ground, then five times prostrated himself, expressing his faith and loyalty.
But who will know his inner thoughts?
Aha, that's it, just like that.
Indeed, that's right. The future army of the cursed son will have a large half that he and Cole Faron will bring out.
The influence of the cursed son will be greatly reduced.
Then, use the army to guide Lucah to make changes.
Like this, step by step, shape Lucah into the image he wants.
After the previous corruption failed and worried that Lucah might be swayed in the future.
This is Erybas's temporary adjusted strategy.
"Go back, let me pray alone."
Lucah spoke, even his weapon left, directly to the farthest tent.
Erybas raised his arm and shouted:
"Brothers and sisters, burn our comrades' bodies and offer them to the only true god!"
He will not miss any chance to increase his reputation.
Until one day, without any order from Lucah, he could command Lucah's army himself.
"In the name of the saint!"
He added that Erybas always considers deeply, step by step.
People busied themselves, and Aaron watched Erybas coldly, the handsome young man respected by all.
This idiot must have a bunch of evil things in his stomach.
My younger brother is so pure and cute, he cannot be corrupted by Erybas!
Aaron was sure that Erybas's actions were the danger his younger brother was facing.
He rushed into the crowd, subtly approaching Lucah's tent without being noticed, and entered the tent unnoticed.
"Since you were born, I knew, Aaron."
Lucah's weary voice came from the other end of the tent. He leaned against a chair, looking like he had the same illness as Kirliman.
Aaron walked boldly over, lifting the hood of his robe:
"Brother, let me see what kind of trouble you've encountered this time? By all accounts, you should attend the farewell ceremony for your comrades instead of leaving everything to others."
"Even though it sounds like I'm sowing discord, I still want to say—"
Aaron walked to Lucah's front, reached into his chest, and pulled out a olive leaf.
It was the headpiece of the dress sent by Kirliman.
"Erybas has his own ambitions, you need to be more careful."
"Okay, take it. I don't know who among you two is older, but to me, both of you are my brothers. I think this thing can help people relax, which might be useful to you."
Lucah took the olive leaf and put it on the place where his previous wound had healed, which was now smooth and clean. He looked at Aaron:
"I know that, so I want to see what Erybas really wants to do. Does he think he can fool me?"
"Like my adoptive father, afraid of my wisdom and naively believe that as long as the plan is well-prepared, I can control me."
