Terra Nova Online: Rise of The Strongest Player

617  Backstabbing

As Leo emerged drenched in blood from within the manor, his domineering visage alone caused the soldiers gathered outside to hold their breaths in subservience.

The soldiers had never seen their lord in action before and had only heard the tales of his valor.

Today, watching him fight alongside them, they realized for the first time as to what sort of a warrior he really was and it left them speechless.

"Men, cover each other's backs and kill every enemy soldier you cross paths with.

If possible, pretend to be their Ally unless they attack you first, and backstab them ruthlessly if the opportunity presents itself.

There is no honor in fighting with humility. There is no need for you to endanger your lives needlessly.

History is written by winners, and if we win, nobody will remember what methods we used to achieve it" Leo said commandingly, as his men listened to his words in rapt attention.

Unlike the nobles of this world, Leo did not talk about fighting with honor or for the sake of their lands.

Unlike a tyrant, he did not ask his men to bring him glory.

All he asked from them was to keep each other safe and achieve victory, and it was a message that resonated deeply within every soldier present before him.

"We disperse now, but by nightfall, I expect the fighting to wrap up.

New forces may join the fray responding to the Duke's previous distress call, but as long as you can, you must confuse them as well and claim their lives pretending to be their Ally.

From now onwards, the local rebels and the soldiers wearing the crest of the Crest-Hill Barony are your only friends.

While everyone else is the enemy…..

We show no mercy to the enemy!" Leo said, as he clutched his fists with conviction.

"FOR JUSTICE!" He said, raising his fist in the air, as the soldiers mirrored his sentiment.

"FOR JUSTICE!" they echoed, their spirits alight with the fire of battle as they raised their fists in unison.

The atmosphere crackled with energy, each man invigorated not by empty words of honor, but by the promise of survival and victory.

Immediately as Leo finished speaking, the captains, experienced and loyal, began gathering their troops.

"You heard Lord Boss, We fight smart, we fight as one, and we win!" They said, as groups of men broke off, moving with deadly precision as they disappeared into the labyrinthine streets of the city.

Their movements were calculated, like a predator stalking prey, not bound by rules but by the simple thirst for victory.

Each group had its own mission, its own section of the city to infiltrate and claim and as they vanished into the twisting alleys and side streets, their collective excitement was palpable.

These were no longer ordinary soldiers—they were wolves in sheep's clothing, ready to strike.

******

Leo stood alone as his men dispersed, the sound of their boots fading into the distance.

The evening had finally grown darker, giving way to the night, as shadows began creeping across the city like a silent veil.

Beside him, Dumpy stood quietly, his large eyes glinting in the low light, a subtle tension coiled within the mythical frog's muscular frame.

Without a word, Leo turned and began walking toward the city, his every step silent but purposeful.

His long black cloak billowed in the cold night air as he disappeared into the darkness, a solitary figure with only Dumpy by his side.

In his right hand, a dagger caught the faint light of the moon, its sharp edge glinting ominously, the steel ready to taste blood.

His presence was an enigma, a force moving quietly through the streets, cloaked by the night, as he became the living embodiment of death and vengeance.

He had no need for a squad or company as the only disciple of Ben Faulkner hunted alone.

*******

In a narrow alleyway near the city's center, a group of Leo's soldiers approached a gathering of Viscount George's men.

The soldiers, led by Captain Hal, marched in formation, wearing the crest of the Crest-Hill Barony.

The Viscount's men, worn from battle and confused by the chaos of the rebellion, welcomed them without suspicion.

"You there!" one of the Viscount's lieutenants called out. "What news from the Duke's manor? We're stretched thin here. We could use the extra swords—are you here to reinforce us?"

Captain Hal stepped forward, his face unreadable. "The Duke's orders were clear," he said, maintaining a calm and steady voice. "We're to assist you in holding this position."

The lieutenant exhaled in relief. "Good. We need to clear the rebels from the southern sector. We're outnumbered—if you flank them, we can push through." n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Hal nodded, signaling his men to move into position. The Viscount's soldiers felt reassured, believing reinforcements had finally arrived. They focused on preparing for their next advance, unaware of the danger lurking within their ranks.

Moments passed, and the tension in the air thickened. Hal's men fell into formation alongside the Viscount's soldiers, their hands steady on the hilts of their blades. The Viscount's forces, weary from the long fight, failed to notice the predatory gleam in their supposed allies' eyes.

Then, with a single, fluid motion, Hal drew his blade, and before the lieutenant could react, plunged it into his back. The lieutenant gasped, his eyes widening in disbelief. Around him, the same scene played out as Leo's soldiers turned on the Viscount's men, cutting them down with ruthless efficiency.

"W-what is this?!" one of the Viscount's soldiers screamed as he was run through, blood splattering onto the cobblestone street.

"You fools," Hal said coldly, wiping his blade on the dead lieutenant's tunic. "Did you really think we'd fight for the likes of you?"

Panic erupted among the remaining soldiers. Their formation shattered as they realized the betrayal too late. "Traitors!" one man shouted before he too was silenced by a swift blade to the throat.

Leo's men moved like specters, methodical and deadly, slaughtering the Viscount's forces with merciless precision.

The street ran red with blood as Leo's men, emboldened by their surprise attack, overwhelmed their confused and betrayed opponents.

It was a one sided massacre, and a ruthless one at that, as the enemy had simply no chance of survival.

Soon the battle was complete, with the final result being that Hal and his men were unscathed, having struck with such precision that their enemies had no chance to fight back.

"Move on," Hal ordered, his voice as calm as it had been at the beginning, as he knew that this was just the start.

"Let's move to the next block, the city is ours for the taking." He said, as leaving behind the bodies of their fallen enemies, Hal's squadron pressed deeper into the heart of the city.

His wasn't the only group who achieved this sort of a victory, as the same scene could be witnessed throughout the city, occuring at multiple streets at once.

The clueless men of the viscount and other nobles welcomes Leo's men as allies, only to be backstabbed in the worst way possible.

It was an unexpected betrayal, however, the unexpected nature of it was precisely why it was extremely successful.