Path of the Berserker

It was getting close to sundown by the time we arrived.

Du Gok Bhong was just a short hop away by skiff. It was something I had been looking forward to, but my eagerness to see my old stomping grounds again had been damn near ruined by my visit to Du Gok Shang. The combination of now being responsible for a shitshow of a prison, all while having to bend to the whims of Tai Su Long, left my stomach feeling ill.

When I had asked the High Council to throw in Lung Zept as a planet to rule, I had no idea it would come with such strings attached. I sighed and pressed a palm against my forehead, feeling the headache building.

Zin Tai smiled at me from across the cabin. “Fear not, Duke, I think this one will go much easier for you.”

“I damn well hope so. Just about got shafted back there.” I then looked to Ling Wei. “Would have been completely shafted if not for you. Thanks Ling Wei. You were top notch.”

“Thank you,” she said. “What does shafted and top notch mean?”

I chuckled. “I’ll tell you later. But you did good is all I was saying.”

She smiled. “Thank you, Duke Iron Bull.”

“And you can call me Max when we aren’t in front of people, you know?”

“Okay. I will try…” she said and then paused awkwardly. “…Max.”

I chuckled and looked to Zin Tai. “Any pointers for this one? Should I expect another contract to sign?”

“Not as onerous as the former perhaps,” Zin Tai said. “As you are likely already well aware, the school operates quite independently. They gather their own materials, grow their own food. The payment from the Empire is less as well. No rental agreement, just the same intake fee for new prisoners.”

I grimaced at that. “I guess that probably balances out considering how many never make it through the first trial.”

Even now I could recall my first day of school, being dropped onto that desert in a gauntlet run. Hundreds died, but I had to admit, that place made a man out of you damn quick. Granted sending common prisoners probably wasn’t the best method of finding people strong enough to face the Cursed Stars, but it likely served as a cheaper method for the Empire to get rid of people they didn’t want.

“Let me guess. I have no control of how Du Gok Bhong operates either? Who they send to it?”

“Yes and no, I would say,” Zin Tai said. “You probably have great influence on how the school operates, but as for who gets sent to it, no. That matter lies with His—”

“Imperial Majesties Prisons I get it.” The name was starting to wear on me. But maybe I could still influence things somehow. The cries of those kids in the prison were still ringing in my ears. No way could I turn a blind eye to something like that. I felt my responsibilities growing, but I needed to keep sight of my goals one win at a time. I was here to get Aetherite to protect my home first. Once that was stabilized then maybe I could come here to try and clean this mess up.

“The biggest issue for you here might be the transport,” Zin Tai said.

I furrowed my brow. “What transport?”

“The transport of the legionnaires to the Hell Worlds. Your brother-in-law’s ship, the Xing Long. They are financed by the Su Long family.”

I was seeing how this was playing out already. “So they pay for the ship, and the army pays for the personnel?”

“Yes, similar to the prison I would imagine.”

I huffed out a sigh. “At least I know what to anticipate this time.”

“I would expect a much harder negotiation,” Ling Wei said. “Aetherite is a prized commodity and this is the primary source. Losing Lung Zept and the income it brings will not be something the Su Long family will take lying down, I don’t imagine. We should discuss how we are to handle this.”

Zin Tai smiled. “Please leave me out of it. I’m a neutral party in this matter.”

“Yeah, got that,” I said. “Alright, Ling Wei. At least we have a bit of a heads up this time. Let’s formulate a plan.”

* * *

As I stepped out onto the landing deck of Du Gok Bhong, it felt like a home coming. The heat in the air and the acrid scent of the desert was the same as the prison I had just left, but here the ancient stone walls and even the harmonic resonance of the Aetherite Crystal, the fragment of the world spirit Fhae I’ung, greeted me with familiarity and comfort.

And those weren’t the only things.

Three figures stood on the deck and the sight of them brought an instant smile to my face. Chief Yora, Master Eiji and President Tzu Li Zen all knelt to prostrate themselves before me, but I rushed to stop them.

“No, no, no!” I said and then knelt and bowed to them the same way. “I can’t let you honor me like that. My great teachers, it’s so good to see you all again.”

“And we you, Duke Iron Bull,” Chief Yora said with a smile and then gave me a hug as we stood. “I have never been so proud to welcome back one of my students.”

Master Eiji gave me an embrace next. “It’s good to see you again, my boy. You truly have made something of yourself. I can’t believe you are the same White Robe that was bumbling about in my lab.”

“I’d probably still be bumbling around in there, don’t worry,” I said with a laugh.

I then turned to the tall Dharmian that was the President of the Academy, Tzu Li Zen. He gripped my forearm in a handshake and gave me a nod with only a hint of a smile. “You truly have surpassed all who have come before you, Iron Bull. I am honored to greet you as our new benefactor.”

“The honor is mine. I hope I do you all proud.”

“You already have,” Yora said. “As one of our own, one of our best.”

“I’ve prepared a special assembly,” Tzu Li Zen said. “The transferring of ownership is a monumental occurrence which must be commemorated.”

“And not a moment too soon,” Chief Yora added. “We desperately need someone who knows the importance of our mission at the helm.”

I chuckled. “Well, no arguments here.”

I then turned to my companions. “Oh, please let me introduce you all. This is Ling Wei, my Chief Aide and this is Master Zin Tai, Grand Sage and Arbiter of the land transfer. Guys, these are my three great masters from here at Du Gok Bhong. Chief Yora, Master Eiji and President Tzu Li Zen.”

They each bowed as I introduced them.

“I believe we have actually met before,” Ling Wei said as she bowed back to them. “I represented Duke Iron Bull at his trial upon his return from the Hell Worlds.”

“Ah shit, that’s right,” I said. “My bad.”

Ling Wei chuckled. “Nevertheless, it is a great honor to see you all again under much better circumstances.”

“Indeed, it is,” Tzu Li Zen said. “Welcome back, as it were.”

“President Tzu Li Zen, I would very much like to peruse your library after we finish with business, if you would permit.” Zin Tai gave a smile as he said it, but Tzu Li Zen’s semi-permanent frown didn’t change.

“Our library is reserved for Legionnaires only. I’m sure as one who has privileged access to the grand archives, you will understand.”

“Yes, of course.” Zin Tai then chuckled. “I suppose it was worth a try.”

Just then the backwash of Tai Su Long’s skiff touching down drew our attention and the president bowed to him as he disembarked. He had his two auditors with him, carrying more books.

“President, I’d like to execute this transfer right away,” he said walking past all of us. “It is nearly nightfall and I do not want to be subject to that cursed Bloodmoon.”

I scoffed. “Why? What’s the problem? Weren’t you a legionnaire? You did pass your final exam, didn’t you?”

Yora blurted out an uncontrolled laugh and I joined in, forcing the others around us to smile and chuckle as well. But Tai Su Long turned red with embarrassment and anger. I was calling him out on being a fake legionnaire, no different than his punk ass nephew. The balance of power had finally shifted. He was a nobody in both martial strength and political status compared to us now.

“It’s okay.” I patted him on the shoulder. “Not all of us can handle the scourge of the Cursed Stars.”

It probably wasn’t smart to piss him off before we got down to business, but I didn’t care. I had to take my wins where I could get them and plus, I had a plan to boot. Or at least a half-baked one.

“We have arranged a ceremony,” Tzu Li Zen said. “As this will be your last official visit as our benefactor, it would only be fitting that we honor you with a last gift of thanks.”

That broke the tension and he perked up a bit. “Yes, of course. But make it quick.” He paused to give me the stink eye. “I yearn to be back on my homeworld soon and off this planet. And I would rather we conclude the business officially before any ceremony.”

I shrugged and looked to Zin Tai. “That’s fine with me. Let’s get to the books, especially the Aetherite supply.”

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* * *

We convened in President Tzu Li Zen’s office and was joined by Chief Yora. Ling Wei and Zin Tai went over the logs, tallying up the one figure I wanted to know about the most.

“Since the start of the latest campaign, it appears there have been a total of 4 deployments with a total yield of 37256 taels of Aetherite,” Zin Tai said.

I’d already calculated that each city would need roughly a ton of Aetherite crystal to provide protection, maybe even two. With a Tael being just a little over an ounce it would take around 40,000 taels for each city.

Damn, I thought. Only enough to protect one for now.

“Okay I want that loaded onto our freighter immediately.”

“I beg your pardon?” Tai Su Long said. “That Aetherite does not belong to you.”

“Like hell it doesn’t. I own this planet now.”

“Yes, and you may receive the Aetherite for all deployments under your rule. These gains are from deployments up until the Order date. I instructed the president to cease all deployments as soon as the Order to transfer ownership was issued from the High Council.”

“What?” I said, looking to Tzu Li Zen. “This true?”

He released a deep sigh. “Regrettably so. We are behind now by some eight deployments. We are nearing the end of the Campaign and any gains we made are, of course, now lost. This year’s endeavors may be considered a true loss overall as a result. I would expect our chance to sufficiently cull this planet has now passed.”

Anger filled my heart with heated rage. “You damn jackass! You have any idea what you’ve done?”

Tai Su Long blinked back in shock and fright.

“You think this is some game? These deployments are needed to keep the Cursed Stars at bay! Not to mention that any deployment now will be starting from scratch.”

“Please Duke Iron Bull, Governor Tai Su Long has not acted inappropriately in the eyes of the law,” Zin Tai said.

“Maybe not, but it damn well makes no sense in regard to our mission. Why didn’t you just keep them going?”

“What? For an entire year?” Tai Su Long said, defending himself. “I will not expend resources on gains that will not be mine. You will need to find your own way to extract Aetherite if you so wish it.”

He was referring to the transport.

“Fine, let’s talk about it then. How much?”

“Pardon?”

“How much to hire the Xing Long to carry out the deployments? Because I know that’s what you’re going to offer next.”

His anger flared. “Who’s says that I’m going to offer you anything?”

“Self-interest,” Ling Wei said quickly and everyone paused. “It would make no sense for you to continue to support the Xing Long with no steady means of income, especially considering its sole purpose is to perform runs to the Hell Worlds for the academy.”

The intense scowl Tai Su Long gave her confirmed she’d hit him right in the balls.

I could tell he wanted to retort, but she simply gave him a shrug.

That’s the way, I thought, proud as hell.

Finally, Tai Su Long’s nostrils flared with a sharp exhale. “450,000 spirit stones per deployment, plus a percentage of the haul.”

Son of a bitch, I thought. Once again Ling Wei was spot on.

We’d done the math earlier and she had estimated Tai Su Long would give a figure close to 500,000. Aetherite sold for around 50 Spirit Stones per tael and with the average haul being around 12,000 taels per deployment, that put us at 600k per haul. Just as we figured, he would make an offer that would leave us with next to nothing. But I had a counter to that.

“No percentage,” I said. “I’m going to need every tael we can find. And 450,000 is too much. I’ll give you 350,000 per deployment.”

His jaw fell open at the offer. “That’s an insult!”

“It is not,” Ling Wei said. “I’ve calculated what it costs to make that voyage. You would still earn a hefty profit for taking on practically no risk. You are guaranteed your money even if the entire deployment is lost.”

“Little girl, you know nothing of what it costs to run a battleship!”

“Take it or leave it,” I said, using [Struggler’s Resolve] to play hard ball. “There are lots of lower ranked battalions out there that would jump at the chance to earn this kind of prestige. I’m just giving you a shot because you’re already here.”

I shut up after that and let the dead silence do its work.

I was completely bluffing about having other options, but it sounded plausible.

After a long while, Tai Su Long finally grimaced. “400,000.”

“Deal.”

* * *

Ling Wei got down to drafting the contracts and Chief Yora pulled me to the side. “That’s still quite a bit of money, Iron Bull. You know what our success rate is like. Is this sustainable?”

“It’s the best I can do for now,” I said. “But don’t worry. I’ve got a plan.”

As I signed the documents Zin Tai stamped them with his seal. “Looks like Planet Lung Zept is officially wrapped up.”

“Not yet,” President Tzu Li Zen said. “There is one final matter to address. Duke Iron Bull, Governor Tai Su Long, if you would please accompany me to the main square.” He opened the door to his office and ushered us outside. “The assembly awaits.”

* * *

The beating of drums and the whistle of flutes accompanied us as we took center stage at the head of the assembly. More nostalgia returned as I saw the ranks of Black, White and Browm robes laid out before me, their numbers in the same proportions that I remembered, growing lesser as the ranks advanced towards Black.

Although there did look to be a good number of Black Robes at the moment—perhaps ten platoons strong. Which made sense considering they were eight or so deployments behind. These people were now stuck here with no way to progress. As I gazed out into the crowd, I eagerly looked for people I might recognize, like Lo Ren and Chu Ren but the numbers were too vast to pick them out.

The President then began his address, calling everyone to attention.

“Tributes, we have been called together to bestow honor upon one who has supported this great institution in the past and one who will now take us into the future. The great Su Long clan has been the stewards of this great academy for well over two hundred years. Governor Tai Su Long has represented our interests and provided for us. It is with deep anticipation that we now witness the passing of this responsibility to one of our own. But before we do, let us give gratitude to the clan that has provided for us, for the last two hundred years.”

The president faced Tai Su Long and gave him a bow. “Governor, we thank you.”

The assembly then did the same, each tribute prostrating in a kowtow.

Tai Su Long smiled woodenly. “Well, I must say that my time here—”

“Will be sorely missed,” Tzu Li Zen said cutting him off. “But the Stars have seen fit to provide a new benefactor. One who came through our ranks as but a lowly Brown Robe. His ascension bears witness to his greatness. His strength. He has won favor in the eyes of the Empire and now claims this Planet of Lung Zept as a Duke. Let us all give great honor to our new benefactor, a fellow legionnaire and brother-in-arms, the Imperial Marshal, Max Chun.”

The assembly erupted into thunderous applause, drums rolling.

I was invited to center stage by President Tzu Li Zen, barely dodging the scowl of indignation by Tai Su Long. I gave a deep bow as a mixture of emotions filled my soul. These were the few that fate had picked to defend the realm against the Cursed Stars, and I was now responsible for their destiny. Each one of them now looked to me as one who had tread their same path and who would provide for them. It was humbling, the outpouring of honor and praise enough to fill my Dantian with fresh lemonade.

“Tributes, this is not the only first we are assembled to witness here tonight,” Tzu Li Zen said. “For those who know, the Duke Iron Bull has surpassed all measures when it comes to Legionnaire ranking. Most survive but a single tour to become full-fledged legionnaires. Officially, the Duke Iron Bull has earned the ranking of Imperial Marshal, by surviving three. However, the truth is far more impressive, causing most to now believe it only a myth. But I stand here today to affirm that the Duke Iron Bull, Max Chun, survived 42 consecutive days upon the Hell World of Fhae I’ung, a feat unprecedented in all of history. While I beseeched the High Council to recognize this feat, it received no response. However, with the Iron Bull now obtaining the sovereignty and title of a Duke, he is no longer bound by Imperial Law and conditions. As such, as President of this institution, I am now free to bestow upon him a new title. One deserving of his accomplishments within our ranks.”

Tzu Li Zen turned about and Chief Yora handed him a set of Black Robes with Gold, Jade and Crimson trim. My heart raced a little as Tzu Li Zen then bowed and presented them to me.

“Imperial Marshal Max Chun, due to your never before seen levels of strength and accomplishment, I hereby grant you the new title of Supreme Grand Marshal. These colors represent your mastery. The first of Jade, representing your roots and standing as a true legionnaire, one who has graduated the trials of the academy and one who has stood against the odds and successfully defended the realm against the scourge of the Cursed Stars. The color of Gold represents your mastery as a Marshal, one who has defied the scourge multiple times. And finally the never before seen color of Crimson, which represents the fires of the Hell Worlds themselves, something you have demonstrated absolute mastery over. Please accept these new colors with honor and pride.”

I couldn’t help but well up a little as the crowd went into another round of thunderous applause, even greater than what came before. I could feel the admiration in their hearts as well as see the hope that lit up in their souls. It was different than being recognized for a title like Duke. These people did not see me as their new ruler or benefactor. They saw me as one of them, one who had gone beyond and now returned.

I felt it in my heart as well.

This was the closest thing I had to a true clan in terms of rank and advancement. And these tributes now looked up to me like an elder. A true elder. A leader who had demonstrated what was once thought impossible to be possible.

“I accept these robes with the responsibility they hold,” I said, bowing back to President Tzu Li Zen and then bowing to the assembly. “I pledge to serve this institution with honor and dignity and to never forget our simple mission. To battle the scourge of the Cursed Stars.”

That got a drum roll in response.

I then waited for it to quiet down again before I continued.

“As my first act as benefactor, I will, starting tomorrow resume the deployments to the Hell Worlds in order to fulfil our great mission.” That got more cheers, but it was time to drop the next part of my plan. “Unfortunately, we have much lost time to make up for, tributes. Which is why the next deployment will contain not one platoon, but all eight who have earned their right as Graduate Legionnaires to earn their jade trim.”

A rumbling murmur when throughout the crowd and President Tzu Li Zen looked at me with a raised brow.

“Y-you can’t do that,” Tai Su Long stuttered. “Deployments do not work like that. Tell him, president. Tell him.”

Tzu Li Zen just shrugged. “I am merely a High Marshal. I would defer to the knowledge and experience of the Supreme Grand Marshal when it comes to detailing the deployments.”

Tai Su Long’s mouth hung ajar.

“This will not be a permanent change,” I said. “But it is a push that we must make now. And to ensure the success of this special deployment, I shall be accompanying all eight platoons personally.”

The crowd went wild with lemonade at that, the Black Robes cheering especially.

“The Iron Bull will fight with us?”

“We fight alongside a legend!”

“A Supreme Grand Marshal! Our survival is assured!”

“Take a ninth platoon! Take us all!”

With the cheers and yells growing, I sensed the need to pin the moment with something of substance. Something to inspire them to greatness. I recalled the salute we were all trained to say when a new deployment was about to depart: To those who now face the Hell Worlds of the Cursed Stars, we the assembly of Tributes salute you! May we too one day tread the path of death and sacrifice ourselves for the glory of the Empire. Go a mortal and return a god!

But it didn’t seem exactly fitting at the moment.

I thought for a moment and then nodded.

“I will leave you tonight with a salute of my own,” I said. “To you who shall face the Hell Worlds of the Cursed Stars, I the Supreme Grand Marshal salute you! May you too one day tread the path of death and sacrifice, for the glory of the Academy and the protection of the realm. Go a mortal and return a god!”

The applause increased even further. Even President Tzu Li Zen wore a smile that he couldn’t seem to wipe from his face. I bowed again, cultivating the adulation and praise as I donned the new colors of my robes.

The applause must have gone on for over a minute.

When they finally died down President Tzu Li Zen drew the assembly to a close and I was bum rushed by the crowd, all of them chanting my name.

“Iron Bull!”

“Iron Bull!”

I felt a tug on my sleeve and looked to see Ling Wei staring up at me with a huge smile. “Congratulations, Max.”

I laughed.

Her calling me Max was like an accomplishment in and of itself.

“Thanks, Ling Wei.”

I greeted as many people as I could then, finally finding Lo Ren and Chu Ren in the crowd. I embraced them with lively hugs, realizing I personally hadn’t seen them in over six years. As the festivities continued, the square was quickly converted from assembly hall to dining hall, with pots of food being ushered in by Brown Robes.

I lost track of where Tai Su Long went to, and I didn’t care.

This planet was mine now and his departure couldn’t come soon enough.

I sat on the dais with the President and Chief Yora, reveling in the homecoming.

“I must say you surprised me,” Tzu Li Zen said. “Eight platoons at once?”

I chuckled. “Shouldn’t be a problem.”

“I suppose not for a Supreme Grand Marshal,” Chief Yora said with a laugh.

I toasted to them both. “Don’t worry. I’ve got this covered.”

With my new ascension, I felt more than confident.

I could turn into a [Colossus] to take behemoths head on, use my [Sacred Soul Shield] to protect all eight platoons, and keep them alive to mine enough aetherite to protect both cities back home and maybe pay off some of our debt as well. I’d need to make sure we were hitting an area with lots of potential though, but the more I thought about it, the more excited I got.

I couldn’t wait.

It was time to go back to the Hell Worlds.