"It seems you've woken up. Your Highness."
"Who are you?"
When I woke up, I was already in a carriage. Where are we going? I have no idea. I'm sitting in a carriage meant for the royal family, facing me is a maid I don't know, and by the sunlight coming through the small window, it seems we're in the late afternoon. The interior of the carriage is richly decorated with dark red velvet upholstery and gold details embedded in the window frames. The gentle tinkling of small crystals hanging from the ceiling accompanies the soft rhythm of the horses' hooves on the road. The maid, in an impeccably white uniform and lace apron, has black hair pinned up in a precise bun and eyes that reflect the tranquillity of the approaching evening outside.
"We were introduced before entering the carriage, Your Highness Sophia, but you were so sleepy that you fell asleep as soon as you got in, so you probably don't remember."
She says with a smile faker than fool's gold, and I definitely don't remember her.
"My name is Josephine, a maiden of war sent by His Holiness the Pope of the Holy Sanctuarium Empire to be your escort to the sacred capital."
"Escort? And why am I going to the sacred capital?"
"Exactly. I have been specially assigned to attend to your needs during the journey; furthermore, we are being escorted by a joint force of the Magnaria knights and the Knights of the Temple."
The Magnaria knights, with their armor in shades of blue, present a lighter and more agile style. Their armor is made of flexible materials, allowing greater mobility during battles. Their helmets have open visors, revealing confident and serious faces. Contrary to the seriousness of their expressions, their eyes convey a tranquility and serenity characteristic of the inhabitants of Magnaria. The horses they ride are agile and elegant, with well-groomed coats and shimmering manes.
The temple knights, on the other hand, have an imposing presence. The impeccable whiteness of their plate armor demonstrates a dedication to perfection. Adorned with gold details, the armor gleams in the sunlight, giving the temple knights a divine appearance. Their helmets have a more detailed shape, with adornments in the form of feathers and sacred symbols. The shields on their backs, large and robust, impart a sense of security and protection. Each shield is adorned with gold details, evoking the grandeur and importance of the temple. While the Magnarian knights seem to be riding casually, with relaxed postures and occasional smiles, the temple knights seem to be on a divine mission. Their coordinated movements are executed with precision and grace. Each action reveals an unshakeable inner strength, the result of rigorous training and spiritual devotion.
As our entourage progresses, the distinction between the fighting styles of the two groups becomes evident. The Magnarian knights stand out for their agility and technique, using their swords and daggers with skill and speed. On the other hand, the temple knights rely on powerful and firm strikes, wielding their heavy halberds with an almost supernatural precision.
"Continuing."
It seems I got a little distracted looking at the knights.
"You are going to the sacred capital for a festival; at this festival all the hero's brides will be presented, and after that he will spend a night with all of you."
Josephine's expression as she answers my questions is that of a serious person, except when she talks about the hero; at that moment, she seems like a passionate maiden. Honestly, I can't see myself loving that vulgar hero.
Knock Knock
A temple knight knocks on the carriage window, and Josephine responds to him rudely.
"Speak your business, Captain Roman."
Ignoring Josephine's rude manner, Roman states his purpose.
"We are entering the Forbidden Forest, our scouts found a clearing, so we will set up camp there for the night."
"Understood."
The Forbidden Forest, despite its name, is only forbidden to ordinary people, but even those who can enter it only do so as a last resort and still do not leave its edge. It is a buffer zone between various kingdoms, including between the Magnarian Kingdom and the Sanctuarium Empire. But even though it's so important, after losing a large part of their armies in the past, no country wants to try to explore its interior, where they say a creature lives that has killed several heroes, all in the prime of their strength, resulting in 95% of the forest being unexplored.
Well, there's no way a creature capable of being a hero—the strongest man in the world in his prime—could exist, so this story is treated as a fairy tale.
Still, everyone, regardless of whether they are veteran adventurers or masters of battle, avoids going too far from the edge of this forest. We are entrusting our guard to the knights, so we will camp a little deeper in the forest, beyond the edge.
The clearing was a spacious and open area, surrounded by tall, leafy trees. The rays of the setting sun bathed the place in golden hues, creating a comforting and welcoming atmosphere. The knights skillfully pitched the tents in a strategic area, ensuring they were protected from any unforeseen events during the night. The combined effort of their experienced hands resulted in an organized and efficient camp.
Meanwhile, Josephine, with her impeccable culinary skills, prepared dinner for everyone. The tempting aroma of spices and herbs perfumed the air, increasing everyone's anticipation for a hearty meal. With skill, she seasoned the succulent meat and grilled it over the crackling fire, accompanied by fresh vegetables. The delicious taste of the dishes invaded everyone's palates, creating a moment of pleasure that was hard to resist.
After satisfying our appetites, I realized there was no way to take a proper bath as there were no water sources nearby. So I decided to sleep in the carriage. Inside it, I found a cozy corner and prepared my space to rest. As darkness gradually enveloped the clearing, the silence of the night was broken only by the subtle sounds of nature around. Crickets chirped rhythmically, tree leaves whispered in the wind, and the crackling of the fire seemed like a comforting song. Nestled in the carriage, I absorbed the tranquility of the surroundings and allowed the serenity of the night to envelop me. Finally, I tried to rest my mind and body to face the anxiety of this journey.
The moon was at its peak in the sky when THOSE THINGS emerged from the trees, illuminated by its light.