The season was autumn, a time when the warm shades of orange, yellow and red dominated the trees and blanketed the ground. Along the dirt road filled with the myriad of colors, a pair made their way on horseback. Both of them wore black cloaks, with hoods that cast a shadow over their faces. Detailed patterns of gleaming gold lined the edges of the cloaks, running down their length. To anyone who saw this could easily tell that the pair were people of high status or great importance.

The road they followed was one that led to Yverl, a small but prosperous farming village south of Eryndol, the Erice Kingdom’s capital city.

After sometime the village slowly to come into view. A lone village guard, clad in simple chain mail and leather armor, stood at the village gate. The day didn’t exactly offer much excitement for his particular line of work, so the middle-aged man couldn’t help but let out a yawn.

“Your job seems as dull as ever, huh, Dan?” an old man chuckled, coming out from within the village.

“Very true,” the guard said as he turned and smiled at the old man. “Still, I would choose this dullness over the constant worry of ravenous monster attacks any day.”

“Very true.”

“So, what brings you out here, chief?”

“Not much my boy, just felt these old feet of mine deserved a good stretch.” the old man chuckled once more. “Besides, checking up on you youngsters is still my duty.”

“That’s good to hear then, just don’t strain yourself…” before he could finish, Dan caught sight of the two people on horseback, slowly riding towards the village.

“Visitors?” the chief questioned, eying them with suspicion.

“I’ll go find out.” Dan said, taking up his spear and running towards the two.

“Halt!” Dan commanded, planting the shaft of his spear onto the ground. “Please state your identity and business!”

The two pulled their horses to a halt before they getting off of them.

“Good day to you, dear soldier.” A female voice spoke as the first person approached Dan.

Removing the hood of her cloak, revealed a young and beautiful dark-skinned girl, seemingly in her teens. She had an air of quiet confidence, her striking appearance enhanced by her intricate white hair, which was highlighted with vibrant blue streaks. She wore her hair in a single, thick braid that fell gracefully down her back. Her bright aqua eyes, full of kindness and graceful determination, shone with an almost luminous presence.

The other person too removed his hood, revealing a large man with dark hair and stern brown eyes. His serious demeanor and the menacing way he treaded behind the girl made Dan assume he was the girl’s guard at the very least.

“My name is Erica Caster,” the girl said, holding out her hand, “And this is my companion…”. She continued as Dan shook her hand before moving on to the man, who held out a hand covered by a red steel gauntlet.

“Kalius Vons.” The man spoke with an icy stare and a rough voice, shaking Dan’s hand before opening his cloak a bit, showing the emblem on his armor.

Dan’s jaws dropped as he saw the shining emblem of the Erice army. Unlike the usual black one like the one on his own chest piece, the man’s emblem was golden.

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“Apologies for the rude reception sir! And likewise, to you ma’am!” Dan quickly bowed as sweat dropped from his forehead after immediately realizing he was in front of his superiors.

Erica smiled, “It’s alright soldier, be at ease.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Dan said as he raised his head, “So, may I ask who it is you might be looking for?”

“A young man, by the name…,” Erica took a moment to read from a parchment she pulled from her robe, “Blaze Fellis.”

Dan’s already nervous smile immediately faded.

“Pardon my asking, but why exactly might you be looking for him?” the chief asked, walking up towards them.

“So, he is here,” Kalius said narrowing his eyes.

“Maybe so, maybe not,” the chief said with a confident smile as he walked up to them, “My name is Jacob, the chief of this humble village. I am honored to welcome the both of you.”

“You have surprisingly good ears,” Kalius commented since it seemed that Chief Jacob had heard through their conversation.

“A perk of my magic.” He responded holding out his hand.

“The honor is our dear Chief Jacob," Erica said as she shook his hand, "but I’m sorry to say we are not obligated to state our reasons for looking for this person. And I would appreciate it if you would cooperate, please, I beg of you.”

Erica ended with an earnest bow.

“A high-ranking knight who would bow their head to an old man so easily, I’m truly touched.” Chief Jacob said with a subtle chuckle, “Alright, I’ll escort you to the person you seek. Under the condition you do not harm him.”

“It will all depend on them,” Kalius said coldly earning a sharp glare from Erica.

Chief Jacob could only chuckle at this before turning to the village.

“This way then.”

Out at the very opposite of Yverl’s entrance gate was a large number of fields that the villagers took care of together. In one of the wheat fields, a dark-skinned boy with spiky black hair and intense brown eyes was hard at work. He was focused on threshing the wheat and stacking the bundles with care when he heard an all too familiar voice.

“Big brother! Big brother!” A young girl came vigorously rushing through the wheat that was almost as tall as her.

The boy straightened up after laying down another bundle and stretched, his muscular arms flexing against the white tunic that highlighted his well-defined physique. He then turned with a blank expression as the little girl approached, holding up a small, tied bundle of wheat

“Look, look, I did it myself!” She said with a big smile, “I think I worked even harder than you today big brother!”

“Oh wow, you sure decided to go all out today huh?” He said patting the little girl on her plaited ginger hair, “But ~”

He turned to his back where huge piles of tied wheat bundles sat, and smirked.

The little girl frowned and started to pout.

“Well, mine is still cuter.” She grumbled.

The boy offered a subtle smile before lifting the girl onto his shoulders, causing her to burst into joyful laughter.

“Sure is.” He said as he began to spin around making the little girl shout more excited.

“Anna!” A ginger-haired woman chimed out as he walked toward the two.

The boy paused and gently set the little girl down, holding her steady as she swayed, still dizzy from the spinning.

“I see two mums,” Anna chuckled, her head wobbling side to side.

“Oh, my goodness.” The lady laughed as she shook her head.

“Good afternoon, Milka.” Blaze greeted her.

“Good afternoon, Blaze,” She said taking her daughter's hand, “I’m sorry, the moment I turned my eyes away from her she was gone. I hope she didn’t cause much trouble.”

Blaze shook his head.

“Not at all, playing with Anna is always fun. I don’t mind it.” He said with a faint smile before returning to his serious self.

That was how Blaze always was. Though he rarely smiled, his presence exuded a warm and approachable demeanor. His serious expression was softened by a kind and attentive gaze, and his actions consistently reflected a genuine concern for others. There was an unspoken kindness in the way he interacted, making it clear that beneath his reserved exterior, he was a genuinely nice person. It was for that reason that Anna and her mother Milka as well as the other villagers were so taken by the boy.

“I’m glad, then…” Milka began with a smile but was cut off.

“Hey, Blaze!” A man’s voice called out from the edge of the fields. “The chief’s here for you!” The villager bellowed.

“Grandpa!” Anna lit up with even more excitement.

Blaze looked out in the general direction with curiosity. Taking a whiff of the air, he narrowed his brows almost viciously.

“I’ll be back, alright.” He said before he started heading to where he was being called.