My (Monster?) Hero Life

Chapter 123: Festering Wounds

A fist slammed down heavily, cracking the innocent wooden table that it landed on. A pile of papers, reports and letters scattered beneath the blow. With his free hand, Phillip crumpled up the latest letter that he had just received. He stared at the map beneath his fist with an intense expression. 'Still, no sign of him returning! Hurry up will you! What have you been doing for the past two years!'

"Why do you even bother requesting to be updated anymore? You know he's still alive from the system." Sarah said calmly. "They'll return in due time. It might not even be through the same gate."

"Call it my intuition," Phillip responded while glaring at her. "Who knows how much stronger he's become during this time?"

"Still, it's not like we've been idle either," Sarah replied with a charming smile as she caught the dagger by its handle that she just tossed into the air. "Who knew our failure at Stonefall would lead to this situation, though?"

Phillip could only silently agree with her. If the Heroes Guild had known it would develop into this, they would never have allowed them to chase after the Chimera so freely. In truth, the situation was causing a massive headache for Phillip. The guild master and elders refused to help with the situation at all. Instead, they were advocating it as the perfect opportunity for the weaker members to gain some experience in real combat. Resulting in rapid growth for the survivors and for the useless ones to be culled.

Phillip looked at the war map on the table again. Between the year chasing the Chimera and the following two since he had disappeared the situation surrounding Stonefall Town had become grim indeed. 'We need to do something about it. If we don't, the casualties amongst the civilians will keep increasing. Who knows when those old farts will eventually step in.'

It did not sit right with Phillip to just wash off what was happening as not really being their business. That's why he had volunteered to take part in the campaign. He felt quite responsible for it since he had allowed both the Chimera to escape, and for the monster presence in the area to fester.

Three years ago, they could have been compared to being nothing more than a slight scab on the landscape. However, now it was accurate to call them a gaping wound with sepsis that was bleeding the surrounding areas dry.

"A god damn fucking nation of monsters!" Phillip cursed as he looked at the new borders yet again. "They've even taken control of the capital! The royal family has been massacred, and nobody had the slightest idea that so many monsters were even in hiding in this damn country!"

"Can't we just negotiate with them?" A naive voice said from the corner of the tent. Causing Phillip to almost burst with his outrage and Sarah to glare at the source of the voice in anger.

"Kaitlyn, stop with the idealistic views you have. They are monsters. They exist to be slaughtered by us." Sarah scolded her new apprentice. 'She may be one of the newest rising stars of the guild, but sometimes she says the strangest of things.' Sarah could only shake her head in mild disappointment.

"The younger generation just doesn't understand," Phillip said coldly as he continued to glare at Kaitlyn sitting in the corner. "Apparently Earth has a trend these days where books are being written about humans and monsters becoming friends." 

"You're kidding!" Sarah asked in disbelief as she forgot to catch the dagger this time. It pierced through the floor of the tent with a soft thud as an awkward silence descended between them. She had never bothered to keep up with what was happening on Earth. Why should such silly things concern her?

"I wish I was," Phillip said while looking downcast. "Apparently there are even books that portray them as the good guys. So amongst the newer recruits, there are even those who sympathise with the monster's situation."

Sarah could not believe her ears! 'Monsters... Are the good guys? Who would ever believe such utter crap!' She suddenly had a thought, 'Oh, I bet this is some bad joke.' She set her sights on her apprentice to confirm if what Phillip had said was the truth.

Kaitlyn played with her braided blonde hair out of nervousness. She could not stand being looked at with that scrutinising expression of her master. She knew from the direction the conversation between the two had gone that her master wanted to hear if it were true from her. However, she was slightly afraid to confirm it. She had to admit, she was one of those who quite liked those kinds of stories. She did not want to upset Sarah, though.

Sarah's eyes went wide with shock. Usually, Kaitlyn was quite outspoken and boisterous. Unafraid to speak her mind. Its what she liked about her. Seeing her sitting there quietly like this now however confirmed the truth of Phillip's words. 'Oh gods, the guild will have to do something about this! We can't have them failing to act when they are needed because of some misguided morals!'

Phillip waved his hand through the air dismissing the conversation as being over. They had bigger concerns right now. He traced the battle lines of the front he was commanding. 'There has to be a weak spot! We can't just keep getting pushed back like this!'

At this moment, the tent flap was pushed aside as a young hero barged in. His breathing was ragged, and he looked distressed to no end. Phillip gave the young man a moment to collect himself. When he had caught his breath and swept his hair from his face, Phillip could see that he was not just young, but possibly only a teen.

"Give me your report," Phillip demanded as though it was natural for him to do so.

"Sir! They're coming! They've spotted about a days ride from this location!" The young man said with a shaky voice.

"And? Who's leading them?" Phillip did not like the sound of this. He had hoped for a few more days respite at least.

"Sir! Well. It's her. The Witch of Stonefall...'