A week later, I received a report that what I was hoping for came true. The Dandelion City army was defeated, but managed to cripple the city and kill most of the Blood Knights. It was time to strike. It would take a week to march there. Because of the new recruits and the hiring, we had 350 men for the garrison. We had 20 Order of the Goat knights to lead them. I had 237 members of the Order of Apples and Orange. 20 Order of the Lion men and knights would join us. It was a small force, but it would have to be enough. I sent the orders to all the outposts and forts to march onwards to Rose City. I thought we had a good chance of taking it. If we did, there would be enough money in the treasury to beef up the security and defenses. We marched to Rose City. I was pulled to the side by Elis and Tybalt. They were not happy. I asked what happened. "We keep being put in danger with all these plans of yours! We have offspring to worry about." Elis snapped. Tybalt said "We can barely hold back our bloodlust in battle and we can't even shift."
I asked whether they were close to giving birth yet. They glared at me. "You want us to give birth right here and now? Where the fuck are we going to put them during the battle!?" Tybalt growled. I blinked. "Is that an option? It was just a question." I said. "We told you that we can manipulate our bodies at will. We want our offspring to be perfect so we wanted to ensure it had the best traits. If we wanted, we could have given birth weeks ago." That was a game changer. From how they sold the idea to me, the offspring would be basically demigods with Lancelot's powers. "Give birth after the battle. If they aren't ready to do what you need, they will never be ready." If I did have them on my side, we would be unstoppable. They did not like the idea, but there was nothing that could be done about it. With that out of the way, they let me go. Reiner walked over to me and said "I wish I was as clever as them. I'd also have a powerful offspring." I nodded and said "Yeah. But you get to shift forms at will. That must be nice." He thought about it for a bit as we walked.
Reiner grabbed my arm and purred. "When we first met, I offered you a reward for helping me. You never asked for anything, so I almost forgot it. If you bred me, I wouldn't mind bearing your offspring." he said with a smile. It was clear that he wanted something. "Are you saying that because you grew to like me, or because you think you're going to be horny later?" I asked. Reiner shrugged and said "Both." I nodded at that. It was valid. I said "I will see how I feel after the battle." Reiner purred some more as we walked together. It took a few days to get there. When we did get there the gates were damaged and there was little defense from the garrison. Over the next two days, we all regrouped and were ready to storm the gates. We did as one and there was more resistance than in Dandelion City. There were mercenaries and remnants of the garrison inside. Worse than that, there was a big Adventurer's guild office. That meant Players were there. I knew that I had to keep the chimeras far away from them. We had to take the manor and keep.
We ran straight to the keep. We fought the guards and killed them all. The mayor was standing in the main hall defiantly. "So the usurper finally comes for me. You have lost your reputation as a just order. We all know you are greedy and hateful people." he said. She was standing along the strongest of her guards in the city. There was even a Level 41 Player. I gulped and said "Be careful. This is going to be the hardest fight yet for us. Don't let your guard down." We then began to fight. I cut my way through a couple of guards and then moved to the mayor. I managed a swipe before the Player got in my way. She gasped and ran to the corner of the room. "So, you're the petty king? Orange is a pretty shitty name, so why'd you choose it?" he asked. I did not have to answer him. I looked at her cowering and said "Reiner! Burn her up. Hurry!" Reiner gave a predatory smile before he shifted into his true form. The Player was stunned for a moment and said "What the fuck is that!? That is not supposed to be possible." I took advantage and performed a critical blow.
The Player did not seem to mind and dashed to the mayor's side. He was a well armored paladin. Reiner charged her as well as he began to gather his fire breath. The Player tried to stab at Reiner, but I intercepted the large blade and blocked his path. "Shit! Run Mayor!" he called out as he began to fight me in earnest. I was not well matched to face him, but I was not the one that was under a deadline. Reiner began to chase her around the room as he held the fire in his mouth. He was really enjoying himself as she ran around in terror. "Stop playing around and end her! We're in trouble!" I snapped in frustration as I took another heavy hit with the sword. I stumbled back at half health. Elis and Tybalt had finished with the other guards and were waiting around. Looking closer some of the guards were actually beastkin and lamias. When the number of bodies did not add up, I understood a few were absorbed by the chimeras. Reiner finally released a big fireball and it hit the mayor dead center. She was lifted off her feet and fell with a hole in her back.
Damage like that was fatal unless immediately tended to. I was still keeping the paladin busy. Reiner chuckled as he turned himself into a white scales lamia and slithered over to her. "This is not personal. You just have to die for us to succeed." Reiner grew fangs and lunged down to bite her throat. He ripped a chunk out and the paladin and I both recieved the popup saying we won. I was happy because I was at low health. His attacks were doing extra radiant damage. "Damn it. What the hell is that guy!? Is he a Devil or something?" he demanded as he threw down his sword in frustration. Reiner slithered up to him and hissed. "What the fuck did you just say to me!?" I had seen him mad, but he was furious about what was said. "My creators were called that before they were killed by paladins. I've been hunted down by Master's like you for so long, you're not getting away." Reiner stretched his tentacles out and wrapped them around the Player. He struggled and screamed in fear as he tried to get away from the chimera.
