Odesday, 8th of Febrinna, 5662 AE, 468th Year of the 5th Era

A few days had passed since the eradication of the Malcanis Cult and our expeditionary forces were nearing Dansville on a triumphant return. The road back home was far less perilous as we didn’t have to worry about sporadic attacks by neither wolfbeasts nor werewolves. Though we could have reached Dansville much sooner, Hunt had directed for us to take a more relaxed march and to try and scavenge any of the corpses that we had slain along our march towards Anteron to see if we could gain anything useful to sell as ingredients, raw material, or other miscellaneous uses. This of course included gathering the evidence from the Wyvern corpses as well as the griffon corpse which we loaded onto a makeshift wagon pulled by Ivan, Harry, and I with the help of other knights. Believe me when I say it was heavy as hell.

The corpses of Magical beasts didn’t rot or decompose as quickly as regular animals, perhaps due to the innate mana within them, but even this explanation was more so educated guesswork compared to a real robust scientific explanation. Regardless of that, the stench was still something to behold as they were still in the process of decomposing and while I had pondered trying to see if I could try and use my spatial inventory to store these large items, I decided to keep that certain ability to a need to know basis as I had yet to discern how rare the ability was but the fact that Ivan too had the ability to call upon his inventory storage, I could at the very least guess that it was an ability that all awakened have, but I admit, a sample size of two people was far too few to make a generalised assumption.

The sun was already beginning to set when we finally caught a glimpse of the large village of Dansville. In the week or so that we’ve been gone, I’m glad to see that life seemed like it was returning to normal at least for this settlement overseen directly by the Imperial count. Outside the palisade walls of the village, I could see many damaged buildings and farms to have been mostly prepared and the villagers were back to their daily activities of farming, sowing the fields and replanting the damaged crops from the previous attacks of the wolfbeasts. Besides that, many of the livestock animals have already been let out to graze on some of the other open fields. Things were beginning to come back to normal.

Noticing how on the streets and pathways, militiamen and men-at-arms were regularly making their rounds, I could guess the added sense and layer of security provided the villagers with enough of a sense of safety to resume their activities. Also, judging from the fact that there were dozens of soldiers in a relatively uniform style of dress and weaponry, resembling men-at-arms of the renaissance era of my time, donned with steel cuirasses, some with brigandine, and most having burgonets, and armed with halberds and some even having more sophisticated-looking muskets as compared to the hunting arquebuses the militiamen had armed themselves with, Alfred’s personal county army had arrived in the area. If Alfred was able to have command of even a few thousand of such soldiers, there is honestly little doubt on his influence upon the Kingdom of Feldonia.

Looking at all this, I rarely caught a glimpse of Hunt chuckling as he mattered, “A shame, Indeed.”

“What was that?” I inquired to the veteran adventurer for his remarks

“No, it’s just I find it funny how all of this was prepared with the Lord Prince-Imperial even raising his banners and that of his men-at-arms and knights yet the problem has for the most part been settled and all of this movement of armed forces would only serve to unnerve or at best greatly confuse His Majesty’s other nobles and bannermen.”

“Fair enough, but in our defense, if the opportunity arises for us to nip a problem by the bud, we would be foolish not to take it.”

“Indeed.”

As we were walking past the many villagers and patrolling guards, they one by one began to notice our forces marching in return from our expedition and a look of joy had appeared on many of their faces as they saw familiar faces among the militia and knights of our retinue. Some of the villagers even began scurrying inside to spread the news of our triumphant return. Seeing this, Sir Churchward gave a nod to the knights as they immediately unfurled the banners of the gryphon alongside lances with the heads of wolfbeasts placed upon them to signify our success.

Not long after, many villagers had come rushing from outside the village to give us a sort of hero’s welcome. Honestly it felt like we were returning from some grand war or the like and were being hailed as heroes of a nation. I’ve had my fair share of returns from long arduous campaigns during my tenure as Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain. It was a far cry from my own victorious returns or other triumphs that I have personally witnessed or read about, but it was still quite the heartwarming experience and dare I say I felt rather deserving from what I had gone through along with Ivan and the rest of the expedition on this perilous adventure. I could confidently say that my past week of experience here would rank among the top of my most harrowing journeys and campaigns, though it probably wouldn’t top the massacre I had witnessed during my campaigns in North Africa and the conquest of Tunis, but that’s beside the point.

As the crowds cheered, several children and young women of the village had even rushed towards our formation, handing us flowers and the rest. Some of the young women I saw even gave affectionate kisses to some of the village militiamen. Perhaps they were the men’s wives or even lovers or other family members. I only laughed as I saw the jubilation. As all of this was happening, I caught sight of Zuri who was on a horse with the Reverend Mother Margaret still fixated on seeing the many soldiers within the village and their arms and weaponry. Perhaps he was feeling jarred at the difference in technology and culture that two thousand years could bring about.

As we were about to reach the courtyard in front of the village head’s office building that I have considered my home for the time since I had first come upon this world, I saw Rosie pushing Alfred on his wheelchair out of the building and onto the courtyard. I could also see Sir Blakebow come out from the building behind them followed by another man that I did not know and had never seen before. The man had thick short brown hair and a full beard on him though with a lack of noticeable wrinkles on his face I could say that he would be middle-aged at most. What caught my attention about the man, however, was that he was dressed in a very elaborate and intricately designed full-plate darkened steel armour draped over by an extravagant red cloak, elaborately embroidered with patterns and motives of gryphons and fleur-de-lis on it with ermine trimmings. He was holding an equally-grand designed baton on his right hand while his left was holding a helmet adorned with white and red feathers and plumes. Following the man were several knights in full-plated silver-coloured armour adorned with parted red capes with its flow designed to look like wings and on the trims of their capes were actual large white feathers. They were donning full burgonet close-helms that were designed to emulate the fearsome glare of the gryphons with eagle-like motifs. If it wasn’t for the fact that Alfred was in front of the man and Blakebow, I would’ve thought that the bloody King himself was in this village.

On the courtyard itself, I almost spat as I could see several griffons perched upon the ground, sitting like lions as they turned their majestic gaze upon us. Though they weren’t as regal looking as the White Gryphon whose corpse we were carrying upon the covered wagon behind us, they were still fierce-looking and unlike the white griffon, these beasts were mounted with saddles and were donning plate armour along with the red, blue, and gold colours of the Kingdom of Feldonia. The griffons must have sensed something as I noticed their gazes were practically fixed upon the wagons, though kudos to the animals as they showed that they weren’t wild beasts and the discipline instilled upon them won as they remained perched, laying on the ground ever-stoically. Beind these beasts were about a couple dozen more men-at-arms who looked far more professional and well-armed than the ones outside of the village. I had a peculiar feeling about all of this as this shouldn’t be a regular view in a rural village like this one regardless of how much it looked like a town.

I immediately leaned in closer to Hunt who I now saw had a more serious look on his face at all this. “If I may, Sir, can I have an explanation as to who that man might be?”

Hunt only gave a slight sigh as he breathed out to calm himself before answering, “That would be His Highness, the Right Honourable Lord Edward Osgiling, 35th Duke of Ardunon as well as Lord High-Marshall of the Kingdom of Feldonia…”

When Hunt answered me, I nearly spat out as I dropped my jaw at the mention of such an important figure to the state being in this humble village. I would think that in the presence of such a high-ranking state and military official, the people should be far more reserved and cautious of their surroundings here. However, with that being said, the villagers seemed to have paid no mind to it as they continued to cheer upon our arrival in such a friendly tone. As I gazed towards the duke, I was even more surprised to see that he too had a hearty smile plastered upon his face.

As all of this was going on, I saw one of the young men of the village - Jack, I believe was what he was called - climb on top of one of the buildings near the courtyard and held his palms over his mouth as he appeared like he was about to shout something as the other villagers were gathering and cheering. As I thought the soldiers present were going to do something in precaution to what would perhaps appear as a threat to security, they appeared to be absolutely calm about it and it was then that I finally heard what Jack was doing as he started to sing, and what got to me even more was that I think I even recognised the song he was singing.

“I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above!” The man sang at the top of his lungs a song I had heard before and recognised as one being sung on certain events in my previous world which I believed to have originated from Lizzie’s home country of Britain. I was pleasantly surprised that this young man of the village even had a very decent voice that while remaining strong to be heard by the entire courtyard, piercing through the cheers, it still remained soothing and melodious. “Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love!”

As the crowds listened to the man’s singing, soon enough, everyone else decided to join in the singing, including some of the soldiers and knights in the courtyard while the rest tapped their halberds and weapons to the ground in beat with the rhythm of the song . “””The love that asks no questions, the love that stands the test. That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best!! The love that never falters, the love that pays the price, The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice!””” When the singing ended, everyone gave a final cheer and clapped. I could even see some of the eyes of the older people among the folk tear up a little, including Sir Blakebow, Sir Hunt, and Sir Churchward. Alfred only closed his reddened eyes as the song was being sung.

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As we entered the courtyard, everyone dismounted from their horses as I followed Hunt’s lead. Ivan walked beside me on my right while following closely behind was the young Zuri with his white wolf-ears perked and his tail heightened in caution at the sight. As being one of the first people in the current day to speak to him, for the past few days, I have had many conversations with Zuri. They moreso consisted of me asking and inquiring him on various topics regarding the ancient heroes who were contemporary with him but sometimes he would ask me back the conditions of the world today and I would have to defer to the Hunt as mine own position in Orbis was that of a newcomer and I certainly did not have much practical knowledge outside of what I knew from books to best answer the dread wolf. I have yet to share with Zuri that Ivan and I were perhaps in similar conditions towards the heroes of the past but I had yet to find the best way to open up on that topic as I also feared he would start spreading things to the others by accident. Regardless of that, what Zuri whispered to me after he tugged on my cloak to get me to lean down shocked me.

“You know, that song the people were singing was very familiar!” Zuri said in a hushed tone “Iranos used to hum a similar song to himself every once in a while and whenever I asked him, he’d always say that it was a song from his homeland before he was summoned though I forgot what the name of that home was.”

That was a very interesting little tidbit I had heard from Zuri. I had long had my suspicions that the ancient heroes might have been summoned from Earth but from what the little white wolf had told me, I could almost ascertain those suspicions. Regardless, this was far from any definitive proof as it could be that Zuri was misremembering things, but it was enough proof for me. I merely nodded at Zuri’s assertions as I ruffled his hair in response which annoyed him slightly but it wasn’t like he could do anything about it. After that, I straightened myself out again as Hunt had given me a serious glare. I gulped and coughed before I stood at attention.

“Follow my lead…” Hunt had said to me and Ivan as he stood in front of our expedition and gave a bow. “It is with great honour towards His Highness, the Prince-Imperial and Count of Taltree, and His Grace, the Duke of Ardunon, that I - Sir James Hunt, Branchmaster of the Adventurer’s Guild of Ashfell, present my report on the expedition against the malevolent cult of Malcanis. I am proud to report that we have dealt with the menace of the cult and have eradicated all current traces of their activities from the realm! Glory to Archior and its Empire!”

“””Glory!!!””” Everyone shouted in unison.

It was then that Alfred had cleared his throat before he raised his hand. “By the power and authority vested in me by His Majesty, Albert V de Lamellarouge, King of Feldonia, I accept your report and hereby disband the expedition and release its members from their duty to the mission granted to them and declare it fulfilled!” With that being said, Hunt gave Alfred a salute to which everyone in the expedition followed suit. Zuri was a little confused at first, but he had the spirit and copied what everyone else was doing.

“Good peoples of Dansville, by my right as Count and Village Chief, I declare a feast shall be held here before midnight in honour of our heroes! The King’s brave Knights, adventurer’s, and men-at-arms!” As Alfred said that, the people cheered once again and after Alfred gave a nod to signal to Jasper, the crowd immediately dispersed to quickly prepare for an impromptu celebration. While all that was happening, Hunt looked at me and Ivan as well as the other adventurers before motioning for us to follow him towards the main building.

Once more Hunt had tried to kneel towards Alfred, but Al was having none of it. “Can’t you see the bloody ceremony’s done already? Get up and don’t you dare dirty my floorboards, you rascal!” Alfred was chuckling as he slapped Hunt’s side. “If you wanna do all that, the Duke over there would be happy to receive your placations.”

As Alfred said that, Hunt immediately got up and went up to bow towards the Duke, but this time again, even the Duke prevented the veteran adventurer from bowing towards him.

“Mentor, I think that’s quite enough!” Duke Osgiling said as he instead grabbed Hunt’s hand and pulled him in for a bear hug and slapping his back. At first the comparatively slimmer Hunt was almost lifted by the larger duke but Hunt returned the embrace as he had an exasperated expression as he laughed. “It has been far too long! What is the capital now too good for you to even visit?”

“Much like our master here, I much prefer the quietness of the country!” Hunt replied back to the man “It’s good to see our Lord High-Marshall is still in good health!”

“Hah! I’ve only just turned forty a couple of weeks ago! If you want to say ‘healthy’ then you talk to that beast of a man there!” Duke Osgiling pointed at Sir Blakebow who returned it with another hearty laugh of his own. It was seriously a little overwhelming being in the presence of such strong personalities. I did not envy Sir Hunt at all.

“Oy, oy, calm yeself, you little whippersnapper!” Blakebow said “I ain’t as healthy as I used to be! You even managed to beat me at wrestling this morning! I’ve definitely lost my edge!”

“Bah! It hurts my pride if you say it like that! To think that I could only best you at your current age of eighty is embarrassing to me!”

“Anyways, while I’d hate to break up this union, I have someone I would like to introduce to you, Eddie.” As Alfred said that to the Duke, he rolled over to where I was at and led me towards the jovial Duke who was standing tall with his hands on his hips and a wide grin upon his face. I did not like that look for I did not look forward to whatever it is he would have in mind for us to do. “This is my adopted grandson, Charles, whom I have told you about!”

“Ah so this is the Charlie I’ve been hearing so much about, eh? Blakebow and Lord Alfred have told me so much about you and if what I’ve been hearing from them is true, you must be quite special!” The Duke said as he put his hand on my shoulder as I bowed towards the High Official. I won’t lie, there was quite a lot of strength being put on his grip on me, but I couldn’t afford to protest for something as minor as that and the man seemed to be naturally boisterous and jovial.

“The honour is mine to be able to greet the Lord-Duke and High Marshall of His Majesty’s armies.” I said as I remained bowed.

“Ahahah! It seems my mentor’s meek and servile ways have poisoned even that of the most talented of the younger generations!”

“It’s called being respectful, Lord Duke.” Hunt retorted back

“There you go again, being all formal! Even Lord Alfred said to relax ourselves. Besides, no one else is here!”

“Your men are literally here!”

“Ah well, you know. No one important. Maybe if the King himself were here, but even then, I’m not too sure.”

“These men are the Greatest warriors of all the Knights of the Realm! I could hardly believe you’d call the Gryphon Knights as not important.”

“Bah! They’re not that special! I even made the title when I was but six and ten! BAHAHAH!!”

“I’m not sure how possible that would be were you not the son of the Mighty Red Duke, God rest his soul.” Alfred slipped in a playful comment with a slight chuckle.

“Point taken, Granduncle!” Duke Osgiling said as he put his hand over his heart and bowed “However, I wouldn’t be remiss to say that at least to our Beloved Sir Hunt is, not all the knights I have brought would be unimportant, isn’t that right?”

As the Duke said that, his gaze was directed towards the griffon knight next to him on his right. As he did that, the knight bowed before he removed his burgonet close-helm and revealed a handsome-looking young man who appeared to be in his mid-to-late twenties. Now I must preface this by saying I am not in any way gay or homosexual or any of that, but I say things as they are and the man was just that handsome. As if he were a character ripped straight out of the pages of the old fairy tales of Knights and heroes. To put it another way, if you were to type the word ‘knight’ and search it on the internet, it would be this man’s visage that would appear. Shoulder-length curly blond locks, striking blue eyes, a chiseled jawline and a slight stubble. I immediately glanced towards the back and I could see Jen practically drooling, fawning over the young knight. I even noticed Rosie stealing a few glances but when our eyes met, she only blushed as she looked back down. Hunt, however, had a different reaction when he saw the man.

“Junior!” Immediately Hunt dropped all decorum as he embraced the young knight “You look well! How’s Judith? Is she doing alright? You two never come and visit! And my grandson, too! I had only received the letter of the birth of my first grandchild yet you two haven’t even told me his name!”

“Hahahaha! Calm down, father! I’ve been well and so is your daughter and grandson!” God, even his voice was dreamy. I could swear I heard Jen swooning under her breath. I only managed to catch a small glimpse of Harry’s expression but as I expected, it was wickedly twisted. That only served to satisfy me more. “And we wanted to surprise you with the name. After giving it much thought and deliberation, we’ve decided to name the child James after you!”

Immediately as he said that, Hunt’s smile twisted as it turned into a frown as he squinted his eyes to which the young knight - who I now recognised as the Younger James Fitzwilliam and Hunt’s son-in-law - now bore a confused expression. “Are you fucking kidding me?” Hunt said as he put both the palms of his hand on his face. “James…? Again?!”

“Pfffftt…!!! HAHAHAHAH! That’s what I said, too!” Duke Osgiling said as he bellowed out in laughter followed by both Blakebow and Alfred. I only smiled along as I didn’t really get what was going on.

“Well… we thought it was a wonderful name and…” The knight now had a slightly sullen expression as his father-in-law’s reaction wasn’t as what he had hoped “James Fitzwilliam is a great name! Mine own name and that of my late father’s!”

“No, it’s not that it’s bad, but…” Hunt placed a hand on the Younger Jim’s shoulders as he had gathered himself “What are we even going to call him? I already call you Junior… Young Jim Junior the Younger?”

“I mean…”

“Pffft… AHHAHAHAHAHA!” Duke Osgiling could no longer contain himself as he laughed heartily while holding his belly. As everyone was enjoying the cheerful atmosphere, all of a sudden, a young albino boy with wolf ears sneezed next to me as all of a sudden fire appeared from his nose as he sneezed.

“Achooo!” Zuri had sneezed flames which had brought the atmosphere to a halt. He could’ve possibly started a fire to the wooden building posts of the building had Alfred not put out the flames instinctively with his own winged fire. As he saw all the attention was now on him, Zuri’s face reddened as he could only smile sheepishly and waved his hand. “Urm.. Sorry ‘bout that… I’m uh… I’m Edezuri!”

As the boy said that, I only chuckled out in disbelief at the situation. It was finally then that Hunt was snapped back to the matter at hand as he now walked back to introduce the newest member of our small expedition.

“I believe a further introduction is required here and after that, it would be best if we all headed inside as there are many matters on which we need to report…” Hunt said as he stood behind the small Zuri and held his shoulders to support him “I would like to introduce you all to someone we had managed to save from the cult’s fort. This is Edezuri Otsaita… also known as the Dread Wolf, Malcanis, the Father of Werewolves…”

As he said that, a look of shock appeared on the faces of the people who weren’t originally a part of our expedition. From their reactions alone I could tell that we were all in for a very long night report. The sun had set, yet I felt like the day had just begun.