Marcus was impressed that the wood elf Sineat was still able to stay alive, but for how long could she keep that up.

“So still fighting death judging by that wound, I gave you with my sword if not taken care of soon, you will bleed to death long ears.”

He tells her while she tries to stand on her own two feet, but struggles greatly that Sineat fell to her knees with a hand over that wound that leaked out blood.

“You're going to have to take it easy or doing that would cause it to speed up faster.”

“How….. could you….. Do this.”

“Asking me that, what the point of answering a question from someone who is about to die.”

“Damn you….. Was your heart always black with darkness?”

Hearing the elf girl say that Marcus began to act differently walking slowly up to her.

When close in rage he looked down upon her allowing only her eyes to be seen, nothing more than that.

“I did not become this out of the enjoyment this curse was forced upon me when once a mortal.”

Marcus then gets down to her level.

“I do this killing to become stronger for the day I will face the one who turns me. So I will do anything, even keep on killing where I am standing in the sea of it no longer to feel peace with the feeling of it on me.”

“You are truly a monster, there is no redemption.”

“Everyone is a monster inside waiting until by your own will to open that door.”

After Marcus said that Sineat took the chance to strike him with a short sword she was hiding.

Aiming the blade at his neck, but he foresaw something like this to happen.

Quickly grabbing that arm holding the sword and then headbutting her hard breaking the elf girl nose while letting her fall back,

“Sleep now elf, go in peace with your mother earth.”

Those were the last words Sineat heard from the killer before falling asleep into darkness.

Staring at her for only a moment Marcus then began leaving, taking with him the two heads of the queen and princess.

===============================

Marcus returns to the conquered kingdom of Girean, making it into the castle where king Elwood, the new ruler of this kingdom, awaits him in the throne room.

The doors open for Marcus as he enters with two heads being held as they were not covered.

All who were in the throne room could see and felt a chill looking upon it.

“Ah Marcus you have done well by me in taking care of those two, but it would have been nice to not have you allow blood to be spilled in my now thrown room.”

“You wanted them killed and have done that job. Concerning dirtying your throne is the least of my problems.”

“Fair point still will have nice manners guard take the heads.” King Elwood orders one.

A guard comes up to Marcus taking the heads of the Queen and princess off his hands.

“Now for you to be paid, but before that, I like to ask you once more would you not work for me. I can use a person like you to help make my conquest easy with those skills.”

“Sadly no king Elwood I am a sellsword who takes on any job staying permanently for one client is not for me as I am the master of myself. Besides like I have said, I have something far greater that 

King Elwood wants to try convincing Marcus yet pushes that way knowing that he will not make any progress on it.

“Oh well, sad to lose such a talented person, but things must go on here, your payment, I hope one day you may reconsider.”

Another guard came up to give Marcus his pay as he then took it then put it away.

“No, we won’t be able to see each other again as this will be the last time we will be alive.”

Right as Marcus said that the door to the throne room burst open with soldiers marching in.

“What is the meaning of this!.” King Elwood was surprised and angry by soldiers forcing their way in.

These men were not unfamiliar to him as they were the same as his own.

“The king has asked you a question and answered him!.” Phoenix tells them.

No answer as these soldiers line up and ready themselves to attack waiting for the one they serve to commend them to.

King Elwood was worried about what was going on and turned to the person who may have the answers.

“Marcus, what is this? Are you betraying my men? Do you desire to rule this kingdom?”

Marcus laughs a little before answering the man.

“I am betraying you yes, but wanting this kingdom is not that sort of power I seek, no that is someone else.”

“Whoa!.”

“That will be me brother.” someone said as the man behind Marcus opened up to allow that person to walk up to the front.

KIng Elwood couldn’t believe with his own eyes who he was seeing before him.

“Edmond! My brother, why would you be doing this to me?”

Edmond smiles at his brother Elwood

“Why not, committing this act is the right thing to do besides I wasn’t going to allow this to create a big mark in history.”

As Edmond talks, Marcus takes out his sword having it ready if it is needed to be used.

“No, you see I put a lot of thought into it and saw what would be the point of being the little brother to the big brother who made himself an emperor. Rather I think a role like that would be much better for me instead of you, so to make that happen you will have to be dealt with.”

“How dare you! I am your blood and you seek to take away what I am doing because of your greedy desire.”

“Call it what you want, this has already been set in and I don’t think it's going to stop.”

Edmond says as see that he has already defeated his brother at the game and it seems Elwood has no move that can get him out of this.

Then one did appear to be made as he looked at Marcus hoping that the greed for money will save this man.

“Marcus, whatever my brother is paying you, I can give you far more than ever.”