I jumped on my feet, scaring Thalia.


    “Your majesty! You shouldn’t move. Your wounds may reopen!”


    She checked the bandages to see if they were bloodied with a worried expression. And for the first time, I noticed how tall she was. Actually, others were tall too, both Aurora and Artemeni were taller than me. Valeria was a giant of a woman too. Did all amazons were like this? Ouch, my fragile masculinity.


    “I am needed. My companions are in danger.”


    I knew that she would be against the idea so I spoke up with a stern tone as I manifested my armor around my body. Thalia''s expression softened with concern as she observed me, her blue eyes reflecting worry and determination.


    "Your safety is paramount, Your Majesty," she insisted, her voice tinged with urgency.


    "Allow us to handle the situation. I am sure that your companions are capable warriors, and you need to focus on your own well-being."


    …


    I cannot do that. I was still alive, still conscious, and still could swing my sword. The logical part of my brain told me that going into danger while weakened endangered not only myself but the people around me too. But I couldn’t sit still. I had to do something.


    "I appreciate your concern, Thalia," I replied, my voice firm with resolve. "But my friends need me. I cannot abandon them in their time of need."


    With a determined nod, I took a step forward, ready to face whatever challenges awaited me. Thalia hesitated for a moment, her expression torn between worry and respect for my decision.


    “We will be coming for you, your majesty. Allow us to be your strength.”


    I nodded. Even if I wanted to deny her, which would be too stupid even for me, she would follow me regardless.


    “I.. I will come too.”


    Arslan who was unconscious just a second ago walked towards me with a limp as healers tried to stop him. B?rü was behind them while holding his chest.


    “You are wounded.”


    I calmly stated.


    “So you are.”


    He barked.


    I sighed.


    “Come on, man. Our wounds are not equal. Just rest.”


    He pulled his lips back and growled.


    “I haven’t seen Amaterasu since this evening. She… She is there, right?”


    My eyes locked with his determination-filled eyes. I sighed once again. I looked at one of the healers who was trying to take care of Arslan.


    “If you think that he cannot continue, choke him out and drag him to safety.”


    “I hear and obey.”


    This time B?rü was looking at me with a knowing expression on his face. He was one of the leaders of Whifur. I didn’t think I had any authority over him but he looked like he was asking for permission.


    “Fine, fine. You can come too.”


    I moved towards the horses. I guess I could rest a little more while they took me to the safe zone.


    “Your majesty, don’t!”


    Thalia shouted as I extended my hand out to one of them. It lowered its head and nuzzled to my chest. G?kb?rü let out a jealous growl from my shadow. I patted the horse and it was really muscular and big. Damn, what they fed these horses for them to grow like this? I gazed back to the others and saw them watching me with their mouths agape.


    “Hmm? What happened?”


    Thalia walked towards me.


    “These horses are descended from the first Champion of Aliera’s steed. Normally one would need to prove themself and wrestle them to submission. But it seems they recognized who you are.”


    I patted it more.


    “Hmm. Bolverk’s horse huh? Yeah, I remember that donkey.”


    Thalia blinked in surprise as I jumped on the horse’s back.


    "You truly are the chosen Champion of Aliera,"


    Thalia said, her surprise turning into a look of admiration.


    "To have the steeds of Bolverk recognize you as their own speaks volumes of your connection to our goddess."


    I didn’t say anything but I made a mental note to be careful about her zealousy. It was either going to make her fully loyal to me or… I didn’t want to think of the other possibility.


    I guided the horse forward, others joining me. Arslan looked extra displeased as he rode the back of one of the priestesses but B?rü didn’t seem to mind it. At first, I was worried that the bulky build of the horses would mean that they were slow but the moment they started galloping, I had to hold on for my dear life. They were not only immensely fast but agile too, clearing the destroyed buildings with a single jump and navigating the ruined streets without slowing down. G?kb?rü popped his head out of my chestplate, clearly enjoying the ride but I couldn’t say the same for myself. While the shaking wasn’t as bad as one would think, with the state of my body every small vibration caused me pain.


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Thankfully, the ride was quick thanks to their speed. Just as I was starting to get really uncomfortable, we neared the outskirts of the safe zone, the bones of demons I killed turning to dust under the hooves of our horses.


    …


    My sacred sword gave out a hue as if to warn me but even without it, I could feel the mana and demonic energy. The divine force inside me flared out to counterattack. I could hear the screams of beastkin and soon I understood why they were screaming as the barrier protecting the safe zone was gone. Now defenseless, they tried to escape the fight taking place, crushing each other as they ran.


    “To the sides! Establish another barrier and gather those who cannot fight!”


    Some of the amazons following me broke off to care for the civilians while I rode my horse to the fight.


    “Morrigan…”


    The source of the demonic energy was Morrigan. Ama, Methild, and Nocturna were trying to defend themselves while stopping her but I could see that they weren’t going to win from the wounds covering their bodies.


    A part of me feared that the horse I was riding would be afraid to charge towards Morrigan but I was wrong once again as it got even faster. I made a mental note to reward it with something after this ended.


    My horse jumped between both parties, its hooves raising a dust cloud.


    “Poyraz! Morrigan isn’t herself!”


    Ama called out. Looking at Morrigan, I could tell much. The blood covering her hands was somehow fused together with the demonic energy and now resembled massive claws. Black veins ran across her entire body.


    “I wonder why I constantly have to snap people out of their berserk state.”


    First Blanche and now Morrigan. Honestly, this caused a horrible taste to form in my mouth. Back in my world, I also had to deal with this kind of stuff too.


    War by just itself was horrible enough. Many soldiers broke down under the stress. While 9 out of 10 of them just wanted to be left alone and live in peace, 1 of them would turn violent. This is of course, for normal soldiers. For super soldiers like me, things were different. The program I went through was a fairly standard and stable procedure and while had its risks, the effects were minimal. Not all programs were like mine, however. Higher-ups constantly wanted stronger and more effective soldiers, which meant more drastic changes to the human body and mind. Some went mad because of the chemical changes while others wanted revenge for what was done to them.


    I put all of them down.


    Regardless of if I knew them.


    Regardless of whether their actions were justified or not.


    Regardless of if they looked inhuman or human.


    Looking at Morrigan, an ache started to form in my chest. Could I do it again?


    I dismounted my horse. I patted its mane while not breaking eye contact with Morrigan.


    “Thanks, girl. Can you take them away to safety?”


    “Neigh!”


    The horse neighed in response, its eyes seeming to convey understanding as it turned closer to my companions.


    “Ama, take G?kb?rü with you. You can communicate through him.”


    When we escorted beastkin before she was able to form a telepathic communication, probably using the connection between me and G?kb?rü. I focused on Morrigan. She was on all fours and her stance reminded me of a cat ready to pounce on its prey. I locked eyes with her but her eyes carried no recognition. Instead, they were filled with anger and bloodlust.


    "Morrigan, listen to me," I called out, my voice firm but tinged with sadness. "I know you''re in there somewhere. You''re not yourself. Let me help you."


    But Morrigan''s response was a guttural growl, her eyes flashing with dark energy as she lunged forward with deadly intent. I raised my sword to block yet her aim wasn’t me. She melted into shadows as she sidestepped me, aiming for retreating Ama and others.


    “Two can play this game!”


    I also turned my hand to shadows as I barely managed to grab her ankle. She looked back at me for a second, shock overriding her anger for a brief flash. I used that opportunity to raise her up and slam to the ground hard enough to cause cracks. I thought that it would at least stun her but as her foot dug into my stomach, changing the shape of my armor. She managed to escape my grasp as I doubled over with pain.


    I heard a loud crack and suddenly I was seeing my retreating comrades but they were upside down. Pain brought me to my senses and I remembered what happened. Morrigan kneed my jaw so hard that my head snapped back. I gritted my teeth as I straightened my body and slammed my forehead to Morrigan’s solar plexus so hard that the bandages covering my forehead came loose.


    “Poyraz. Can you hear me?”


    Ama’s voice rang in my head.


    “Loud and clear. I think I managed to get Morrigan’s attention.”


    I replied in my head as I blocked Morrigan’s claw strikes.


    “We can also hear you, Poyraz.”


    This time it was Methild’s voice that rang in my head. Okay, it was better if I could speak to both of them at the same time.


    “Okay, what I am working with? What is going on?”


    I tried to use my reach advantage caused by my longsword to hold Morrigan at a distance but she was too aggressive for it to fully work. Her strength was formidable, her blows raining down upon me with relentless force as I tried to read her movements.


    “We have a twofold problem. One is there is some kind of signal in Morrigan’s soul. It is harmless and small by itself but it is drawing the demonic energy to her soul.”


    Methild explained. My mind immediately went to the encounter we had with Adonis. Even though he was unsuccessful, he tried to corrupt Morrigan.


    “It''s that time with Grandpa Adonis… But it can’t be! I checked for any kind of abnormalities!”


    Ama interjected.


    “It was inactive and didn’t affect the soul at all. Unless you had Soul Sight or was a master soul mage you couldn’t have known it.”


    While Methild and Ama had what sounded like an academic lecture in my head Morrigan whose strikes had all been blocked by me seemed angrier and angrier every second. She raised her foot up and brought it down, fully intending on splitting my head into two with an axe kick. I raised my sword to block. While I was successful, the impact was so heavy that a crater formed beneath my feet.


    “The other problem is demonic energy. I am not sure where it is coming from but it is surrounding Morrigan’s soul, trying to break in. If it gets in that''s it. We would lose our chance to save Morrigan forever.”


    Methild continued her explanation.


    “Okay, how do we get rid of it?”


    I transmitted through our mental link.


    “These priestesses are with you, right? I need their help.”


    Methild asked.


    “Go to Thalia. Blonde hair, blue eyes. Tell her that I asked her to work with you.”


    I replied as Morrigan stomped her feet down to the ground, causing shadow blades to pop out of the ground.


    “Okay. She will help. First, we need to immobilize her. While we can create a circle to catch her I don’t think it will be enough. You think you can hold her down?”


    Methild asked after a short pause.


    “I can freeze her.”


    I replied with little confidence. Morrigan was nearly strong enough to tear my head off my body with a knee and had no regard for my life. Subduing her when I was at my full strength would have proved a challenge and I was barely 60 percent now.


    But, just like always, it wasn’t about if I could do it. I had to do it and I will do it, no matter what.