The Two Kings Revolution: Act I: Chapter 4

    The room was dark, even if his eyes were closed, the room was darker still. Valliard tossed and turned all night. It had been a week since he's taken over Uthmere. Still no reinforcements, and still no word from King Salvor. The chants of his men ring in his head, Hellsing, Hellsing, Hellsing, the boy placed his pillow over his ears to try and block out the noise. It was no good, Hellsing, Hellsing, Hellsing, Hellsing the Man-Slayer!

    In that moment, Valliard sat up on his bed. Tears were rolling down his eyes. Hellsing the Man-Slayer! Those thoughts, he couldn't rid himself of them. And then the voice of his Master, Althir, came into his mind. Althir sounded mad, and disappointed.

     You foolish cur! Althir's voice exclaimed, Terrible things happen in war! I told you to not get involved... and now you have.

    No long able to withstand his thoughts anymore, Valliard got out of bed and dressed himself. He looked out at the dusk sky. Uthmere was a fortress village, much like Winterkeep, the only difference being a lack of snow that Winterkeep held. Soon the boy began to wonder about the place.

    Walking along the dirt roads, the people who were out at this time of day cowered at the sight of him. That made Valliard a bit depressed. He didn't want people to fear him, but he had a job to do, and someone had to do it. As the young Man-Slayer continues his walk throughout the village, he can't help but envision the bodies of the men he killed a week ago. Faceless soldiers, and nameless enemies, Valliard took their lives without a second thought.

    “You know, it's not good to dwell on the lives you take.” Came the voice of Elliam from behind Valliard. The boy turned around and saw his comrade in arms, “If you keep seeing them as equals then you'll never be able to kill again.”

    The young man sighed, “It's not that... it's just that I killed so many in a small time.”

    Elliam laughed, “That's why you're Hellsing the Man-Slayer. I don't think anyone else could've killed nineteen-thousand Western Dogs and live to tell about it.” The Private then patted Valliard on the back, “I have a feeling that you'll go on to do great and terrible things, lieutenant. Just remember, you're not the only one taking lives here.” He then took off.

    Valliard walked to the outskirts of town. He stared at the field, the grass waved in the breeze of the wind. The voice of his Master is heard yet again, Sadly, if you've already started killing it's very important to remember this. See your enemy for who they are, a person. That was, you'll think about your actions that much more. 

    The boy clenched his fist, “I am... Hellsing the Man-Slayer.”

    King Alexander looked at Caesar with curious eyes. For the past seven days Caesar has been warning his Lord about the power of the Man-Slayers throughout history. From the first Man-Slayers starting back to the eras long forgotten, to the most recent Man-Slayers that were recorded in the scrolls of the most recent war between the two Kingdoms.

    “You think just because someone is given a title, in other words, it makes that person a better soldier?” King Alexander asked in skepticism.

    “Milord,” Caesar pleaded, “you honestly cannot deny this proof!” He pointed to the a name in the scroll, “It says right here about a Tiefling who served the Easterners during the War of Five!”

    Even with all of the writings, the King didn't believe a word of it. “Bah!” He sneered, “What is a scroll? Nothing but ink and paper, where anyone could've written anything and say it's true!”

    Caesar continued his pleas, “Sir, at one point in time people thought dragons were a myth.” King Alexander raised a brow in interest, “Please, don't repeat your ancestor's mistakes.” Rolling up the scroll, Caesar spoke in earnest, “There's always truth in myths.”

    Aarongen Salvor looked at his map and smiled. The fortress of Uthmere had been taken in a single week. Looking at his map, he moves pieces of griffons and eagles. “Hmm,” Salvor utters, “If I move Valliard's troops to Lyrabar, then soldiers from the Helgabal will take back Uthmere.” He then moves a griffon from Bildoobaris onto Helgabal. “I can still have troops from Bildoobaris take over Helgabal, and then the central north will by mine by the time Valliard takes Lyrabar.”

    A surprised look came across Salvor's face. “They haven't attacked yet... the Westerners have a plan.” He scans the map, “The south!” A look of interest then came onto the King's face. “Ha, you can't travel into neutral territory unless...” Salvor got furious and shoved the map off of his desk. Banging his hands onto the wooden surface, the King of the East spoke, “Unless you get them to ally with you!”

    A maid knocked on the door, outside of the King's study. “My lord?” She asked gently, “It's time for me to clean this room.” The young woman opened the door and found the place to be a mess. The king was breathing heavily. “Lord Salvor?” This woman had a look of fright on her face.

    Salvor had to get a hold of himself, he gathered his composure. “Yes?” He asked nicely, “What was it that you wanted?”

    The maid's expression went from fright to a gentle smile. “King Salvor, please do not stress yourself. It's not good for your health.”

    The King took his seat and sighed, “As King I have too much on my mind. I'm hardly sleeping nowadays.”

    “I'm sure Lieutenant Rosenhill is very capable of winning this war for you.” The woman began gathering all of the papers on the floor.

    To her surprise, King Salvor was helping her. “Valliard is a strong lad, but he's just one boy. He can't possibly win an entire war by himself.”

    Still picking up one piece of paper after another, the maid replied. “He's not a boy, he's a man, and not just any man, but a Man-Slayer.” She stood up, and placed the papers onto the desk. “And I believe one Man-Slayer is more than enough to win.”

    King Salvor came to an revelation, “That's it! That's how the East can win this war!” He hugged the maid and with glee he shouted his plans, “I need more Man-Slayers!” The King rushed over to his desk and placed the map on it again. “I have to begin recruiting and seeing how powerful each man is, but I believe I can do this. While each Man-Slayer will have troops of their own, with a Captain to keep watch on them, I'll send the Generals to unite the other races of the lands!” Salvor began to laugh in his happiness, “The Man-Slayers will take this world, while the men unite it, and all the while I will rule with a just heart.”

    The maid smiled again, “Yes you will my lord, and it's because of that heart of yours that many people today are still alive. You're the most benevolent King in history.”

    The King suddenly got very calm, “No, I'm not benevolent.” He sighed again, “I caused this war after all.” Salvor sat down on his desk and opened a drawer. He took out a letter from Valliard and read it aloud. “This is a letter from Lieutenant Rosenhill. It says: “We have taken over Uthmere without a single casualty. Twenty-two-hundred enemy soldiers have died this night. I, personally have killed nineteen-thousand. My lord, is this death truly needed? Is there no other way?” See what I mean?” Salvor asked, he then put the letter back into the drawer, “He's been given a nickname, Hellsing.” Standing up, the King looked out the window. “In my anger and rush, I sent a boy out to war. I expected much out of him, too much. I forgot that he's still a child.”

    “And this is why you're still a benevolent lord.” The maid spoke, she tilted her head and smiled ever-so gracefully. “Because you realize your mistakes and correct them. You see the evil in the actions of others and you make sure to not follow. You've allowed Elves, Dwarfs, Maelstroms, Drow, Tieflings, and so many other creatures into your lands without so much as a care in the world.” She approached her lord, “And all that you've asked of them, is to just follow your laws. Their past is forgiven, and a new future is offered.” The maid stepped back and bowed her head, “This is why, everyone within your Kingdom will gladly give their lives to serve you.”

    “And that is why... I cannot ask that of anyone.” Salvor turned to face his maid, “To live to just die is something that only should be reserved for a Man-Slayer.” He opened the drawer again to look at Valliard's letter. “That is why he became a Man-Slayer, he had nothing to live for.” With a stern expression, Salvor finished his speech, “Now, he has something to die for. That is the life of a Man-Slayer.”

    While Valliard slept, he continues to hear Althir's voice. It's when a man goes to war, even if he has taken lives, even if he's been hurt, no matter what... when you go to war, you are innocent no more.