Rebirth Of The Bastard Spirit Summoner

Theon walked out of the forest, adjusting his belt. Clearly, he had just taken a dump in the bushes.

He was an imposing man with broad shoulders, a well trimmed beard, and a thick, muscular build.

Unlike the other knights, he had taken off his armour and was now in casual clothing. A red short sleeved tunic with the insignia of the imperial knights on the chest, the depiction of a phoenix.

There was a fundamental difference between imperial knights and regular knights.

Imperial knights were the best of the best, some of the most skilled warriors in the kingdom, consisting of the Mage, beast tamer, and awakened factions.

You could only become an imperial knight by graduating from the academy or by special appointment by the king or royal council.

But that was not enough to qualify how powerful Theon was… he was also a member of the nine paragons, warriors who were the absolute best of the best, each one legendary in their own right.

To get to the king, Stark would have to plough through every single one of them.

Yet, looking at Theon, Stark could tell…

He stood no chance against him, at least for now….

Even on his worst day, coupled with an ambush, Theon would easily rip him and his spirits apart.

'Why is he here of all places?'

It had already been quite some time since the incident. Stark had expected him to be back in the capital by now to report his 'death' to the king.

'It doesn't matter either way.'

Keeping his emotions locked in his chest, Stark met his gaze with a friendly smile, while Theon yawned and fixed his gaze on them.

At the sight of the imperial knight insignia, the old merchant began to sweat profusely.

"S-sir. Good afternoon!"

Theon barely glanced at him, his complete focus set on Stark.

"You smell like blood."

Silence followed, then—

Whoosh!

A gigantic red claymore cut through the air, flying right into his hand. The speed of the sword sent the wind rushing past them, and sent dust flying into the air.

Still with a casual gaze, Theon stared down at them, the claymore resting on his shoulders, then he cocked his brow, waiting for an explanation.

If he gave one wrong answer, an explanation he did not like… or maybe he just felt a little iffy…

They would all die here.

Stark smiled and reached into the back of the wagon, pulling out the bloodstained crystal sword as well as a small bag.

His shirt had been stained with blood during the fight against the goblins, and since knight checks were frequent, Stark had brought the bag with him to avoid suspicion.

He tossed the bag to the floor and lifted his sword.

Theon did not react, he just watched as Stark sliced the bag open, perking a brow when goblin ears poured out of it.

"Met a pack of goblins on our way, a barricade back south from here."

The man nodded, but did not step back. "You took on a pack of goblins yourself?"

"No, I had some assistance from her. We are traveling adventurers escorting this merchant."

There was a period of tense silence, Theon's oppressive gaze piercing through them as though he could stare into their souls.

But after a short time, he nodded.

"You can go."

"W-we can go?" stammered the merchant. Theon nodded in approval and the knights removed the blockade.

The merchant swung the reins and the horses began to move past Theon, but when the part of the carriage Jade was resting on was about to pass him—

He grabbed her hat and ripped it off, far too fast for them to react.

'Damn it!'

Stark's mind began to race, multiple possible explanations appearing in his mind, but then, nothing happened…

When he turned to glance at Jade, he did not see her horns, just her silver hair billowing in the wind.

Theon tossed her hat back to her and stepped back. "Slavers around these parts, be vigilant."

The merchant mumbled a quick thanks, far too eager to leave that atmosphere, and when they were at a fair distance, he sent the horses galloping.

The merchant then frowned, wiping the sweat off his brow. "Knights can be quite a handful."

Meanwhile, Stark was staring at the figures of the knights that were now fading away.

'Soon, I'll be back for you soon.'

After watching them for about a minute, his gaze drifted to Jade, his eyes bearing a silent question. 'What happened to her horns?'

'I never said I needed the hat did I?' Jade's voice rang in his head.

Stark almost fell off the wagon in shock. How could he hear her in his head?

'You can hear my thoughts?' Stark asked, this time directing his thoughts at her.

She shook her head. 'No. What you were thinking was practically written on your face.'

'Then how can we speak like this?'

Jade shrugged. 'I noticed it some time back. I guess it's thought communication, it makes sense since I'm a spirit in your service.'

Stark looked to the other side of the carriage and the two goat men suddenly appeared, the carriage quickly speeding past them.

He stared at them, then passed a mental command, after which the spirits turned around and ran into the forest.

'This is pretty useful…'

• • •

Theon stared at the retreating wagon, his expression as stoic as always.

"A group of adventurers huh…"

He glanced at one of his knights and the man came running over, almost tripping on his own feet.

"Yes, my lord?"

He yawned and glared at him. The knight was incompetent, just like every other knight around him, a little rat in a kingdom of lions.

'I could cut him in half right now and he would know till the very last moment.'

"I apologize if I have caused offense, sir!" The knight straightened, locking his gaze on the dirt.

Theon scoffed.

"Get another man. The group that just left, trace them—and kill them all."

• • •

The journey to Sandhill was almost complete, now they were only a day's ride away from the city.

Night came upon them after hours of riding, and so they made camp in the forest, not too far from the road.

While the merchant was warming his meat rations on the fire, Stark was using the tip of his sword to cut holes into an empty sack.

It was the sack that their bread was being held in, but now that it was all gone, he was putting it to good use.

Just as he finished, he saw a shiny blue figure in the forest.

'He's back already?'

Stark glanced at Jade and walked towards her. When he got close enough, she discreetly slipped him a crystal dagger, one that was black like obsidian.

Then he began walking towards the forest.

"Where are you going? The food is almost ready." The merchant said, moving over to inspect the fire.

Stark held his stomach and bent over slightly. "It must be something I ate, I feel like I'm about to burst."

The merchant's mouth hung open. "Go, go. And make sure to do your business far from camp!"

Stark slowed his steps, making his act more believable as he waddled into the forest.

Once he got into the forest, he straightened and walked a bit deeper, where he met Shifu waiting for him.

"Jump twice if they are close."

Shifu jumped twice, his hand tightening around his axe.

Stark brought out a sack from his pocket, and placed it over his head.

The bag hid most of his face, save for his eyes where eye holes had been cut.

Then he tied it around his neck with a rope and lifted his dagger.

"Let's not keep them waiting."