Age of Heroes

They are climbing down the mountain. It was evening and nearly dark and the dragon is left alone.

It is the first time to be left alone by a dragon.

And the first time in a long time since anyone defeated a dragon. Surely this will be talked about among their community, Arial thought to himself.

Around three hundreds of Arial troops died fighting the dragon. Dark Elves, White elves, dwarves and Orc.

The group that survived is given gold and the troops which is mercenaries, are now turned into a caravan.

The one hundred and fifty-five surviving troops is now carrying the gold, jewels, magical weapons, scepter, staff and many other items that they can hoard from the dragon lair.

After all what use dragons have with such things? Since Gaveror said he had no use for it, Arial took it.

Arial also took the dragon scale and Velamina stock on dragon blood that flow around Arial battle area.

His group also found many armours and arms.

Armours of great importance. Ores and many other. Everyone were given three thousand gold as their reward enough to last them for a lifetime

A hefty price but a price Arial has no problem parting with. They could call themselves rich. The people in the expedition all talked about what they will do with such coins when they returned home.

Some of the Dark Elves wanted to open a trading company, other wanted to buy weapons, some are returning home and wanted to support their family with that gold.

They deserved the gold and they did not regret following Arial expedition.

The three hundred people that died, their rewards will be given to their next of kin. Arial will send his people after he got home to Arrandy.

This is where Mikael could see Arial personality. Like many have attest, Arial attitude towards his enemies and his friends are like the sky and earth.

Merciless towards his enemies.

And those under his protection and oath, he would feel it his responsibility to redress any wrong which make him a lovable lord by his vassals and people.

After the procedure, Arial feel his body light. His stamina is always more than anybody else's but the feeling now is different.

Power is coursing through his veins and he could sense many things around him that he could not sense before.

'Let us stop' Mikael said panting behind.

'Yes, Commander let us stop' said another

'I agree with that smelly Orc, Arial' Velamina said

'WHAT!' The Orc yelled while the other roared in laughter and Velamina chuckles and pat the Orc back.

Arial look at his troop.

Behind him, his troops are sweating profusely, panting and have trouble following him. On the other hand, Arial seem to be leisurely walking.

He felt no tiredness or fatigue, nor any heat.

The land of dragons is hot in general but since the procedure of sharing the heart with the dragon happen he couldn't really felt any heat.

He only felt a refreshing air and wind. And at that time, it should have dawned on Arial. But it did not.

Arial believe it is because of his great internal energy running smoothly again, but even people without internal energy can still feel heat and fatigue.

But one day, he will understand it. So, they stopped. And open camp. They all drink and eat.

They are still many supplies from the monsters they hunt last time. Mikael and Velamina and the Kobolds told Arial about monsters.

Some monsters are poisonous but warrior tribes such as the Kobolds and Orcs and scholars like Mikael knew some monster are not poisonous.

The Firehorses for example. The Bat and the Fireworm on the other hand is very poisonous.

Their blood will cause itchiness.

At night all of Arial troops began becoming more curious about Arial identity. They could hardly believe that Arial is some hunter from Asteros or Vorthy anymore.

Velamina know of course that Arial is a lord but even she does not know of Arial true identity.

Vorthy and Asteros traded with the Dark Lands which is why, it is not awkward for the Dark Lands inhabitants to accept humans hiring them.

Though usually humans mostly congregate in the Capital. The reason that Arial is hesitating is because of his place of origin.

He comes from Human Continent, Davarus.

Velamina and the other then request Arial to tell who he really is.

The army crowded around him that night, near the fireplace; with Velamina on the front, her eyes did not leave Arial face.

Everyone wanted to know Arial true identity.

'I guess you all deserve the truth.' Arial said after seeing their eager faces.

Well, it is not like he intended to hide his identity all to the end of the journey. These men have fought for him and died for him. The least he could do is tell them the truth.

'I am Arial, Prince and Duke of Arrandy, Count of Acro and Baron of Danoba.'

'Prince?' Some exclaimed.

'A noble?' Some gasped

'Arrandy? Isn't that in Davarus?' some whisper

'You…you are a nobility?' Velamina said.

'Yes' Arial nodded

A prince. And Velamina remember Arial star.

Velamina knows that Arial is a noble but she believes that Arial is a son of a great noble but if he is a prince then….my God she exclaimed to herself.

She remembers her prophecy. Of how her offspring will be born to greatness, of great nobility. Surely, not King?

If…but she tries to forget her plan.

Before knowing Arial, she was determined to find the man of her prophecy and drug that man, fuck him and leave him.

But knowing Arial, there is something budding on her heart. She knows its love. She could not help but admire Arial stature.

He is kind, strong and responsible.

His love for his wife, his fidelity to such commitment, is admirable, and even though Velamina knows that Arial is attracted to her, he did not pursue it which make him even more appealing

If he pursues it, Velamina will surrender. But he did not. And just yesterday, Velamina confirmed that this is the man of her prophecy.

Peerless under heaven, born under two stars.

Then Mikael explained that the Dark Land have entered an agreement with Arrandy and the Human Continent in general.

Some of course knew about the story but some who do not finally understand why a man of human continent is here.

'You knew, Mikael?' Orc Fera ask

'Yes.'

'Oh' and Arial hold up his hand 'and do you know who Mikael is?'

'Who?' The Kobold said.

'Mikael Devonhurst' and the campsite is fill with gasp. Quickly all the people in the campsite kneel.

'We have wronged you' some Orc said.

Their reaction is a little different from when they know Arial identity. This is to be expected.

Arial is human nobility.

The Dark Lands inhabitants rarely know about the political power of the human continent only the upper administration knows.

All the troops know is that Arial is a prince and nobility but that rarely concerns them but Mikael is different.

Mikael is their nobility.

And like in the human continent, making a good impression on their own nobility surely would give them rewards and jobs in the Capital and so does offending them will do the opposites.

During the journey, Mikael is always being ridiculed by Orcs and the Dark Elves for gathering herbs and reading books, not helping in hunting or foraging.

The Kobold respects him enough because the Kobold understands the need for herbal properties.

But even then, they are sometimes annoyed by Mikael attitude that always delay the journey just because he found something curious.

But now that they know Mikael identity their attitude underwent such a drastic change. Arial almost let out a laugh.