As they rode on, the air was thick with tension, the weight of their recent encounter lingering like a dark cloud. Sid was no longer just a passenger to George and the others - he was something more.

Lob, in particular, found himself drawn to Sid's mystery. He knew that this young man was not a Knight - Knights were proud and always carried their crests with them. No, Sid was different. He had an air of mystery, a quiet intensity that left him both curious and afraid. Who was this young man, really? And where had he come from?

"Someone with such a gift wouldn't go unnoticed in Willow Field," Lob thought to himself. He couldn't shake the feeling that Sid was hiding something, but he also couldn't deny the sense of safety and security he felt with the young man around.

"I've never seen anyone like him," Rey whispered to Lob, his eyes shining with admiration. "He's not just skilled; he's powerful for his age."

"He's a true warrior. I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes a Master Knight in the future."Lob nodded in agreement.He had seen One Star Knights before, but most of them were already 20 years old and above. This was the first time he had seen someone so young yet so strong.

Sid's immense talent had completely surpassed the abilities of Lob and Rey, who were merely third-rate warriors. In their eyes, Sid was a formidable figure, someone who exuded strength and power.

The road to the first Village was long and arduous, but the group pushed through, spurred on by the promise of safety and rest. Sid remained vigilant, his senses on high alert for any sign of danger. The two warriors seemed to have grown more comfortable around him, and George even struck up a conversation, asking Sid about his life and experiences.

Sid was guarded in his responses, not wanting to reveal too much about his past or his true identity. He merely replied with vague statements, keeping the focus on their current journey. Sid recalled the wise teachings of Nathasia: "Less is more." The words, though few, carried a weight that was not lost on him. Nathasia had instilled in him the importance of brevity, and how it could save him from the perils of misunderstanding.

As they arrived in Woodpine, Sid scanned the surroundings, alert and watchful as always. The village was bustling with activity, with merchants selling their wares and farmers tending their fields. The group settled down and the merchant began to sell his goods, while Sid kept a watchful eye out for any signs of trouble.

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But to his relief, nothing happened. The day passed without incident, and as the sun began to set, the group retired for the night. They had a long journey ahead of them, and they needed to rest and recharge their energy.

The next day, they set out once again, passing through another village on their way to Harnsey Village. He was vigilant as ever, his eyes scanning their surroundings for any signs of danger. The two warriors behind him looked anxious, but his calm and composed demeanor reassured them.

Finally, they arrived at Harnsey Village,

Sid's emotions began to boil. His eyes took in the familiar sights of the village, but they only served to remind him of the pain and suffering he had endured. The memories of being bullied, his grandfather's unjust murder, and Lily's broken spirit flooded his mind.

He clenched his fists, feeling deep anger and sadness that he had thought he had left behind. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He reminded himself that he had returned to this Village for a purpose and that he could not let his emotions get the best of him.

Sid stepped out of the carriage, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He saw the villagers going about their daily lives, but Sid had kept his face hidden behind a cloth mask, so no one recognized him.

Sid made his way to the marketplace, where Lily's house was located. His heart pounded in his chest as he approached it. He had left the village months ago, but the memories of Lily and her kindness had stayed with him all this time.

"I'm back," Sid muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. The door to Lily's house was closed, but he knocked anyway. After a moment, the door creaked open, revealing a middle-aged woman with kind eyes.

"Yes, how can I help you?" the woman asked, looking at Sid curiously.

"I'm looking for Lily," Sid said, his voice trembling slightly. "Is she here?"

The mention of Lily's name had an immediate effect on the woman's demeanor. She became melancholy, as if the sound of her name alone was enough to bring up past traumas. Sid noticed the sudden shift in her mood and knew that something was amiss.

The woman's eyes welled up with tears. "Come inside," she said, gesturing towards the house.

"Aunt Hanne, what happened to Lily?"Sid asked as he removed his mask.

She looked at Sid with a mixture of hope and sadness. "You've grown so much since the last time I saw you," she said, taking in his new gear and the confidence in his posture.

"Lily told me that you would come back stronger, and at the time, I thought she was just babbling nonsense. But now I can see that she was right all along. You have indeed changed a lot," Aunt Hanne said with a slight smile.

"Did something bad happen to Lily? " Sid asked with a concerned tone.

She hesitated before answering, "Lily was taken by Zion in Erast, a city east of here."

Sid's heart sank. "Why did they take her?"

"Zion insisted to get her, under the veil that she will be assisting her as a maid. But I know it's not the truth," Aunt Hanne replied, her voice filled with sorrow.

"Zion had other intentions for her, I just know it," she said, her voice filled with emotion.

Sid clenched his fists. "Don't worry, I'll do whatever it takes to get Lily back."