Way of the Knights

---

The waves of cheers slowly died down, the battlefield turned calm and the respective leaders of the army started giving out orders. 

The army was cleaning up the battlefield, Raven was still floating up in the air and looking down, observing how the army moved. Seconds later, three people flew towards him and saluted. 

The one who lead this group was a gorgeous woman who wore a set of armor. She had a bowl-cut red hair, skin as smooth as white jade, a beautiful pair of crimson colored eyes, pouty lips and an eye-catching mole on the edge of her right eye. She held a nine foot, nine inches long crimson spear and her armor followed the theme of a Fire Breathing Dragon.

"My name is Anastasia Strauss, Chief Commander of the 1st Devil Slayer\'s Brigade. I would like to express my sincerest gratitude for your timely help. If it weren\'t for you, our casualties would be higher than what it is right now." 

"At ease, Chief Commander. I should be the one apologizing since I arrive a bit late." Raven replied.

Anastasia shook her head, there was a visible dismay on her face as she said: "It wouldn\'t have turned out this way if it weren\'t for my miscalculations."

"Why don\'t we take this conversation else where? Your men are tired, I\'m sure they needed some rest. Will be there be another wave of devils anytime soon?" Raven asked curiously. 

"There shouldn\'t be any for next three days, although I can\'t be so sure."

"Then it\'s fine. Please gather your men around me. I\'ll set up a Formation so that we could set up a camp." Raven said as he slowly descended on the ground. 

Anastasia looked as if she wanted to say something but Kyrie waved at her and urged her to just follow his orders. 

Trusting the Battle Maid, Anastasia nodded her head and gave out orders to her men. The two soldiers behind her were skeptical but orders were orders. They can\'t show any signs of insubordination right now. 

When the army was gathered near him. Raven took out a formation disc. Upon seeing this, many people turned very skeptical but remained silent. They just watched as Raven activated the formation and it soon enveloped every single one of them. 

As soon as dome formed, everyone including Anastasia were gobsmacked. 

The soft and gentle caress of fresh and cool wind came as a misconception as first but as seconds ticked, the sensation repeated itself, making them realize that this was no misconception. It was real. 

The gentle winds turned into winter breeze. It eliminated all heat and brought a refreshing sensation to their skin. The gentleness within the barrier was incredibly touching that it tapped into the fatigue hiding from the depths of their soul. 

They were tired. It was completely obvious now that the feeling of safety and security surrounded them. 

Anastacia on the other hand was trembling on the spot. 

What she\'s witnessing right now is nothing short of a miracle. Indeed it was. She had been in the sect for far too long that she knew what this represents. 

Just the simple act of him changing the environment of Asphodel is a huge deal in of itself, not to mention about his battle credits too. 

"Here." Raven took something out from his spatial ring and passed it down to Anastasia and the two men behind her. 

Anastasia was startled, she couldn\'t help but ask: "What are these?"

"Camping materials. Tents, sleeping bags, pillows, blankets and so on." Raven pointed at the stuff he handed to her, he then pointed at the stuff he handed on the men behind her and continued: "Those are dried rations and those are medical kits. Feel free to distribute it to your men. We only have little time to rest, I advise you to move quickly."

Anastasia was shocked once again however this time she immediately recovered and started passing down orders. The surprises she received were too much right but unfortunately, Raven\'s not giving her anytime to process everything therefore she could only comply and follow his orders. 

The men behind her immediately carried out orders, when she turned around she saw Raven busying himself with something, she wanted to talk to him by Kyrie prevented her with a shake of her head.

Anastacia exhaled long and hard, she then shifted towards Kyrie\'s side and whispered: "So, this is the 9th Chosen of Zeus?"

Kyrie giggled and nodded, saying: "Yeah. How\'s he? Pretty capable right?" 

"Capable is an understatement!" Anastacia quietly exclaimed. "Look! Look at this! Never in my wildest dreams would I dare to imagine Asphodel getting cold but now? Now what can I say? And don\'t even get me started with that domineering display earlier. Girl, you have to understand, this lady isn\'t getting any younger."

"Aish, you woman!" Kyrie giggled as she playfully slapped Anastacia\'s arm. "You\'re old enough to be his great grandmother! Plus, he\'s married already. If not, then you think it\'d be your turn?"

"It\'s fine, I just need one child from him, I\'ll be satisfied." Anastacia giggled. 

The two women laughed as they discussed behind Raven\'s back. Thankfully, he couldn\'t hear it or else he\'d be shivering from head to toe. 

Anastacia and Kyrie were clearly in good terms. Even though they differ in status within the sect, that didn\'t stop them from being friends. Scenes like this are common within the sect, specially to those who had been here for too long. 

As the two discussed by themselves, Raven eventually finished with his work. He breathed a sigh of relief and looked around him. Seeing as the tents were already set up and majority of the soldiers were already either resting or tending to their wounds, he stood up and started walking around. 

He stopped by the nearest camp and nodded to the soldiers in a good-mannered fashion. He then crouched down, placed an incense burner near their tents and lit up some incense sticks. He repeated this process to every camp there was. 

Soon, the whole formation was filled with a heavenly fragrance. To everyone\'s astonishment, they discovered that their fatigues were slowly being washed away and their bodies were cheering inwardly. A comfortable silence filled the camp, nobody dared to emit loud noises lest they disturb those who were sleeping.

By the time he\'s done, Raven could he found sitting on a table, gazing at the sight of the broken floor. Kyrie and Anastasia was already walking towards him. 

"Young Lord? What incense is this?" Kyrie asked, unable to refrain her curiosity from kicking in. 

"Ah, it\'s a Fragrant Recovery Incense. My personal creation." Raven casually stated. "As the name implies, it aids on one\'s recovery and healing, it\'s best used when resting more so when sleeping. If you sleep while inhaling it\'s fragrance, you\'ll wake up refreshed as if you\'ve slept for more than 24 hours."

"It\'s an unrefined product though, the scent scattered very easily therefore I needed to lit up multiple ones. Thankfully, this formation prevents the scent from scattering so this should work for now." 

Raven\'s casual way of saying how \'unrefined\' this product of his, was a bit insulting. If this thing was \'unrefined\' then there shouldn\'t be refined products out there. The girls could only look at each other and smile wryly, this guy was simply devious. As if this formation of his wasn\'t enough! 

Anastacia already heard what kind of person Raven is from Kyrie\'s mouth and to be honest, she was intrigued. In fact, she couldn\'t help but look at him more fondly as she heard more. 

Just the fact that he was considerate enough to take care of her army, already rouses her interests greatly.

"Young Lord you\'re just…a gift that keeps on giving really." Kyrie helpless muttered as she sat down beside him. 

"Am I?" Raven chuckled and waved his hand, "Well, enough about that. Why don\'t we move on to the more important matter at hand?" 

Raven looked at Anastacia who\'s sitting in front of him, staring straight at his eyes as if she\'s ready to devour him. Raven felt quite intimidated, he cleared his throat and said: 

"Nice to meet you, Chief Commander Anastacia. My name is Vendrick Valorheart, I would prefer it if you simply call me Raven. Since you and Kyrie are acquainted, you should\'ve already guessed who I am."

"Yes." Anastacia nodded. "The future Father of my kid."

*Cough* *Cough* *Cough*

"Anna!" Kyrie exclaimed on the side, sporting a healthy blush on her face as well. "Too direct! What did I tell you about being too direct!? This is why you\'re still single."

Raven was speechless, and no one can blame him for it. 

No amount of meditation could\'ve prepared him from that. This woman was incredibly fierce and straight forward! She doesn\'t mince words, nor waste time!

"Oh, right. I\'m sorry." Anastacia got up from her seat, walked towards Raven, turned around, got on fours and said: 

"Please, Young Lord. Help yourself. I promise to take good care of our children." Anastasia purred.

"Okay excuse me but, What The Fuck?"