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Hey ya :) we meet again dear passengers Opps nvm that, I am glad to announce that on avarage 78 viewer had so far read this fiction, I thank you once again :) I hope you all will stay with me till this journey ends. with that said enjoy reading :)

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Walking on this wet mountainous path sure is a hard, even with years of experience serving Ra kingdom as its general. I need to keep my mind focused on my current task though.

Right now I’m looking for Ra kingdom fourth princess. She was sent here as an emissary also as Ra kingdom symbol of authority. We already hold a favorable position in this nameless Island and I am sure with a little bit push they would gladly join our mighty kingdom as one of the frontier garrison, thereby broaden our influence and dominance.

The majority kingdom in Benua had long since hundred years ago not fighting among them self. Our ancestors were wise and already held a peace treaty between each kingdom. It prevented us for waging a huge scale wars against each other.

The first aggressor would be squashed dry by the other kingdoms and risk losing all of its land. Since none of them had enough stupidity to do that, for years we managed to avoid major wars although there often occurred some small squabbles here and there between nobles.

Life were still lost though in those squabbles. I truly don’t understand these nobles that love to fight either. I was raised from a military noble family, I often found myself in position to fight against those nobles under his majesty command to subdue the chaos they made. I was granted land and authority because of that, but even after all of that my main concern was still on how could I serve his majesty and the royal family better, to the utmost of my ability.

That is also one of the reason I am walking in this mountainous path that is still wet from the rain that pour before. I am looking for the fourth princess that I accompanied for hunting. She had told me she was tired of all the squabbles the army brought to her and she needs rest, thereby she was hunting until I lost vision of her.

A lot of her suitor joined this expedition squad, fighting for her grace, her favor for her hand and that creates never ending cycle of problem. She is 15 this year, and that is a prime age in our country to begin looking for partners and marry when they turned 16 or 17.  Some  nobles had shamelessly even sent their son when she was still 8 years old, forcing her to do their bidding's thus making her very stressed till now.

She is what one would say like a winds, maybe because of her past. A moment here and a moment later who knows where she goes. It is not like she is childish or anything, despite her age she has a good grasp of her responsibility. I suspect she would accept one of the proposal after our journey here is done. Hopefully it is not one of those barefaced bastards.

Our purpose to journey here, beside to amass power and authority, were to conquer any viable Eru sites. This Island had one of the easy fulfilled requirement thus making this our priority. We weren’t the only troops that was sent here actually, there were also troops from other kingdoms which had left this island early because the arrangement that was made in Benua. They  need to head to other directions, leaving us with this Island to conquer.

I don’t exactly know what is the arrangements about, but the princess advisers just showed them some letters and its done. I would say that it was caused by the strife we had in Benua so the Kings and Queens held meetings there and had reached an agreement regarding how to split this vast archipelago. I sometimes wonder why they didn’t do it since years ago, but the appearance of Eru sites might be the cause.

I had heard some rumors stating  the rewards or relic that could be found in archipelago Island were special and different from what we had in Benua. There were rumors amongst the intelligent troops of my kingdoms that Eru sites actually had level. Because of that they concluded that Eru sites in archipelago were of higher level and thus it was normal for it to  held more rewards.

I don’t know much about Eru sites too even though I already succeeded  in conquering 8 different Eru sites back in Benua. Of all 8,  2 were done with crowds which resulted in many victims, 3 were done in small experienced groups and the rest were solo. Even from all of that, I got only 1 relics which hold the rarity as one of the kingdoms treasure.

My hips then grows warm as my belt tighten it self around my hips. This belt  were the relics I got from my solo trials. In it were some ancient writings that I couldn't understand although I remembered when I received it. There was a voice saying something but I couldn’t understand it and thus I forgot.

“ Hiimeeee !!!”

“ Hiimeeeeee!!”

I shouted aloud that even the leaves around me trembled. I then looked up, noticing the sun position, I thought the time is closing and we need to go back asap. I fear not we will be left behind by the troops but what I fear was the commotion it would cause since their general and princess were missings.

We had leave the troops behind without noticing anyone since the princess don’t want to get interrupted by her suitors in her hunts. I immediately complied to her wishes as long as she takes me, since she would still need a guards even though she is also strong, stronger than me. She is renowned in Benua as a famous Eru sites conqueror. She had successfully brought 3 relics backs in her hands for her kingdom after all.

Okay this takes very long. I really don’t want to do this since I want to stay hidden unnoticed by the army experienced squads and suitors, but I really need to use one of my skills that I had acquired on Eru Sites. I began to stand still, stopping all kind of movement and focused my concentration on my throats.

In my mind I shouted the words

{ Lion Roars }.

It was the steps I needed to enchant my voice with power, making it louder thus enabling it to reach wider distance. I began to sucks air into my lungs which growed to inhuman size that was allowed by this spell. I could hear a hiss sounds around me, as I forcefully pull the air inside.

[ Pr…….].

As the first 2 words left my mouth I stopped abruptly since I could hear a loud rumbling steps nearing me. I doubt anyone would attack me recklessly seeing my huge posture but there is still a chance he or she would since I wore a shabby clothes as a disguise.

I turned my focus towards the noises while letting my chest returned to normal size as a shadow suddenly leap from the rocks in front of me. I infused power towards my right hand that was formed like a sword, to chop someone head. I almost said the words { Magnus Break} , one of the skills I had that was capable of slicing sharp reefs bare handed without any injuries when the shadow suddenly stopped, lifting his hoods and showed his face.

It was a young man in his teens with a glowing black hair. His eyes shows radiant and hope that any normal young man should have. What bothers me though was the amount of sweat that was dripping from his faces. His breathing was also haggard, similar to when my scout  returned back, full of despair reporting a huge enemies waiting for us.

“ Are ..” I wanted to ask his condition forgetting about my duty, as it might be more important but he cut my words. Then come his barrages of questions.

“ Are you okay sir ?”

“ Are you lost ? I don’t think you are a locals that often traverse this path.”

“ I could help direct you towards the main paved road or I could take you with me towards the central market with me.”

“.....” I didn’t reply to him and just look at his erratic breath. This young man is interesting for stopping his journey just because of a random old man that is walking in this unpopular path. He was probably doing something very important that forced him to run like crazy, something like late in joining an expedition but still he stopped for a stranger.

“ Are you perhaps tired, We can rest a bit further ahead. This area is a bit dangerous since wild beast often roam this area.”

“ Tired ? hahahahaha…. no, if that word means something, it would fit you more than me.”

He showed an understanding look and proceed with his question without a hint to continue  his journey...strange indeed but interesting, he should have understand the situation now and go his way.

“ Then what are you doing in here sir ?”

“ Did you saw any young lady around your age when you go here ?”

“ I am sorry but no, I didn’t saw anything that could resemble a human on my path.”

“ Ohh … that's fine then … continue with your journey young man.” I said a bit dejected since I had hoped he could at least give me a hint.

“ Thank you sir, but I would like to remain here a bit longer… I am a bit tired like you say.”

“ It is your choice young man.”  I said that as I walk further away from him, I want to use my skills but I don’t want to use it near him. He could say words in central market after all and risk our sneaking to get known, bringing trouble for the princess.

“ Sir, let me accompany you a bit as I think a weak tired young man like me is an easy prey for any wild beast.”

“..... Fine.” This boy is smart I thought, he sensed that I don’t want his help but he forced his way to me in such a way that it was difficult for me to reject, interesting.

“ Hiimee.” I shouted and was followed by the young man too.

“ Himee.”

a while after that we still couldn’t locate princess and we rested a bit sitting down under a tree. I had slipped and fall down and broke my right foot. Right now the boy was busy massaging my foot, he said he would remedy it.

with a grin then he said. “ It’s going to hurt sir, are you ready ?”

“ I don’t need your warning kid.” I retorted back since I don’t like his grin at all, my pride won’t allow me either to succumb to his remedy, even if he doesn’t help me I could still walk just fine for a day.

“ As you wish sir.”

[ Crack ]

[ Crack, Crack, Prek ]

[ Crack ]  .

“ There done.”

“....”

“ I am sorry sir, that’s all I could do with my nonexistent skills.”

I imagine my face must had turner purple right now, I was withstanding this immense pain after all. I don’t know what method he used to fix my broken leg. I am used to be treated with artifact in the army and even before that, I would go to the medic tent and they would fix me in less harmful way.

“ It is okay Kid, but let me rest a few min.”

“ Yes sir, I will stay with you.”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“ Hah … hahahahaha” I laughed hard because of this boy.

“ I am sorry sir ?”

“ Hahaha … nah no problem kid, I just found you are funny.”

“ Funny ? may I inquire why ?” He showed me a confused look, contrary to the Image I had for him, the smart all knowing type.

“ Ah boy, before I answer that, let me know your name.”

“ It is Lupa sir”

“ Mine is Galahand, a random old man that was traveling with his granddaughter but right now he was  looking for his missing granddaughter that slipped of his view” I lied a bit, not wanting the truth to be spread later on.

“ I see, then we need to make haste and find your granddaughter.”

“ No need, there are  nothing  around here that could endanger her.”

“ Is that so ?”

“ It is young man, the world is vast and why do you think an old man like me could survive traveling ?”

“ Your granddaughter is it.”

“ Smart, and you should already understand your own question.”

“ I am sorry again sir, I still don’t.”

“ Hah don’t play dumb kid, I know you stopped doing your urgent matter just to help me, and even forcing your self after I kindly refused you.”

He just smiled ,  giving no agreement nor denial to what I said.

“ Still boy since you are here already, Why won’t you help me a bit longer ?”

“ That was my intention.”

“ You might come late for the screening to join the expedition though.” I said playfully, understanding his true intentions since the beginning.

“ You know all along ?”

“ Well, from your equipment and the way you carry your self, yes.”

“ And you and your granddaughter not going to join ?”

“ We had already passed the screening, so just worry about your self.”

“ Ugh … Okay, but I will still help you though.”

“ Now that’s a man” I gave pressure to my words, since he decided to help me already I will make it a lesson for him to not easily gave his hands for others while risking his own purpose.

“ Yes.” he answered my bait with a simple straight word. He must be either very stupid or just have a big hearts I thought.

“  Okay, I will wait here for a bit, please continue searching.”

“ Before that Sir Galahand, if I am not wrong, perhaps your granddaughter were hunting here ?”

“ Yes, how did you know ?”

“ What can a traveler that already passed the screening of Eru sites expedition team doing in this wild jungle ?”

“ Gathering herbs ?” I replied back, curios of his argument.

“ Yes, perhaps but I don’t think a strong person like her would want to do that here, since herb could be easily found in the river banks or the outside parts of this forest.”

“ And your point is ?”

“ If she is still hunting I could probably find her easily.”

“ Then why  don’t you do it ?”

“ I need to make sure first.”

“ Okay, just do it.” I said with hurry, he is indeed weird. Why would he ask for my permission first ?

“ Then wait for a bit.”

He then suddenly leap towards the three in front of me. The tree began to sway as he leapt left and right from one tree to another. He sometimes stick to one like a Saru (monkey) and climb it very fast until he was out of my sight. Well height certainly would help you to find someone in an open land or desert but not in this lush jungles with a lot of trees that have different high.

Snake would also become a concern when you are climbing in a forest like this, was he not feeling afraid at all ? Poisoned by snake is one of the worst thing that could happen when you journeyed through forest like this, and even one does survive its poison, one would be left with a crippled limbs or weak body. It would take very long for them to be healed up.

However he said that he had an Idea, and  I would trust this young boy that had spared his non existent time to help me. I was sure that we got only 100 place left and the chance is very slim for it not to be filled already when he arrive there by his means.

I could however help him a bit if there was a place left but I won’t promise my self that. The army is not such a place for charity, although we showed the people here that it was one of their job but actually it wasn’t. Our supply were also limited so we cannot accept numerous adventurers even if we want to.

Well maybe I could place him as one of lackey that help cook or transport our supply but I am not sure he would accept it. He would be stuck behind the army and although it is one of  safest position available if everything is in order but,  they would be the first one we dump to enemy if the situation ever arise. They would also be the one who would receive less rewards from Eru sites, since it seems Eru sites asses our ability and participation in succeeding the trials.

Never mind that, it's been a while and he hasn’t returned

[ rustle rustle, BRUUK ]

Something suddenly fall behind the trees that I was leaning. I don’t bother to get up and ready myself though as based from the sound of the fall, it was at least the size of human and from the rattles of equipment, whoever stupidly bring it with him would suggest me that it was the one and only young man that I had meet early in this forest.

“ So Lupa, did you find her ?”

“ Yes…”

“ And where is she ?”

“ When I arrived there she was a bit busy.”

“ Busy ?”

“ Yes, she was hunting …..fighting a Marghor”

“ You sure ?”

“ Yes, She seemed to enjoy her self tough.”

“ …..”

Well seems my princess was really venting her anger to the Marghor if she decided to play around with it and not kill it instantly. Marghor was known for its tender delicious 4 legs. they also had big horns, as big as a human arms. They would often use it to prove dominance over other male Marghor but they also use it to fight their hunter. Thier body were also bulging with muscles, not fat since they did eat a lot but they also move over a wide area with high intensity. Overall they do looks like a normal livestock but with huge horns, and bulging muscular body, making them a prize among prize in a hunt competition.

“ So have you talked with her ?”

“ Yes.”

“ And what does she told you ?”

“ For you to wait her in your current position.”

“ Did you tell her about my leg ?”

“ Yeah …”

“ And how did she react ?”

“ She just laughed and told me to leave you alone.”

“ As I thought … what do you think about her ?”

I am curious about his personality now after he is done with my task, I will use this as a reference between helping him to join the expedition later on or not.

“ Strong …. very strong”

“ Yes, she is very strong to be able to duel with a Marghor without any weapon.”

“ How do you know she didn’t use any weapon ?” He was surprised by my answer.

“ Well, Who do you think I am ?”

“ Right, her grandfather.”

“ Anyway I am not asking you about that.”

“ Then about what ?” He inquired me now, he is confused. Perhaps his experience with woman is lacking or did he swing to the other way ?

“ What do you think about her as a young man ?”

“ Uhmmm….”

“ Just be honest with me boy, I won’t bite.”

“ well okay. She is how can I say… beautiful, riveting, enticing ….”

“ Stop, not like that either, describe ! I already know she is very beautiful and you don’t need to sell your words like that to me ” I know for sure that Hime the fourth princess is beautiful and there is no doubt about that.

I couldn’t imagine what would happen to me if Hime know what I am asking this young man now. She would surely punish me, maybe even strips my rank as general but still I want an opinion about her, a honest one since he doesn’t know of her standing and I rarely meet chance like this.

“ O-okay, She is wild ? yet calm at the same time. Her smile is beautiful, her straight red hair that was floating as she turn around fighting the Marghor was heavenly … I guess ?”

“ I guess ? why did you sound like you are not fascinated at all ?”

“ Uhmmm how do I say it ?

“ Speak boy, I won’t mind it you see. She had trouble with boys her age or even older as she was simply beautiful and lot of man wanted her hands .”

“ I see” the boy give an acquiescent look.

“  Hmm, I am not sure if my opinion will matter since I am a nobody but what I said about her before was all true, I completely understand about why would a lot of man wants her hand but I for me, that is not enough ?”

“ Elaborate.” I commanded him ! How can he feel not satisfied ?

“ For me what was important is the inside, the true beauty lay inside. Her outside beauty of course matter but it isn’t something that important. Her family background and her wealth too doesn’t really matter for me.”

“ I was enticed by her for a few sec but after that I felt normal, Just like enjoying the beauty of flowers in the side road as I passed by, I am sorry if any of my words hurts you as you are her Grandpa.”

“ If I hadn’t been helped by you I would have chopped you head right now speaking about someone with royal ra blood like that.”

“ Royal ra blood ? what is that.”

“ Never mind that, but you are very strange boy. First you helped me and now this.” Added with the fact that he knows nothing about the word of Ra Blood, I suppose it is a blessing for me for him not knowing about royalty. Well later on he will still know about it if he join the expedition.

“ Ahahaha, well what can I do ? I was taught like that by my master  and my And….. urghh my savior.”

“ Savior ?”

“ Let’s not speak about that but since my business is done here, I would like to take my leave.”

“ Okay, good luck. I hope we can meet in the expedition as I haven’t given you my thanks yet.”

“ hahaha, I’m not even sure though I could join them now” As he looks towards the sky

“ But I will still go anyways, I will scratch and grab any chance that was left.”

“ Is that so ? then just go, surely we can meet again.” I said with a reassuring tone to him. Now I got his direct approval from his words to give him the position as lackey. I grinned a bit thinking about the revenge I could do to him when he accept those position. I was known for my dignity and power afterall but this boy had seen the other side of me, and I need to make sure he didn’t let it out. A few back pain from overworking would surely shut him up.

“ Sir Galahand you are making a scary face…..”

“ Oh ..sorry I was reminded a bit about old enemies seeing your attire.”

“ Pardon me then, but I really need to go now.”

“ Yes you may leave and next time if you ever meet me, use a polite tone again, otherwise you will be in trouble.” I said to him but he just grinned and leave me behind. Well I warned him, and if he didn’t abide by it, I won’t even need to lift my hand for revenge hahaha.