****** Carolus' POV *******

We finally reached the castle in the eastern border in the Kingdom of Aezeokar after parading with thousands of weeping citizens that just want to have a little glimpse of their "Lady Rose".

The travel was really annoying and so slow but thankfully we managed to get past them and are now slowly walking inside the castle.

The climate of this place is also bothering me since after a day's travel in the southeastern border. It started snowing nonstop and it is really cold. I am not ready for this and have to quickly craft another set of clothing. It seems the Kingdom of Aezeokar is living in a cold biome.

I started to observe the people in the surroundings and notice that the tension here it still high because of the incident yesterday. There was a scream that shook all of us and nobody knows who and what it is.

Damn. What is going in this world? I remembered that someone whispered to me that this world is about to get destroyed. I need to return quickly to my own world otherwise I will get caught up with their demise.

There are also strange things going on in the nether. I read all the letters and reports in the pigman's ender chest and discovered that they are planning something.

The pigmen and wither skeletons also stopped fighting all of the sudden and they seem to be united or something now. What happened that make these two monsters that are constantly killing each to ally themselves?

I also discovered a letter with disturbing information. It said that they took over a castle in the middle of the forest and they need to help transfer the newborn green monsters to the giant portal.

I don't know how to react to this information. I hope they are not talking about my castle since it is located in the middle of a forest. I also hope that Merek is fine. I am starting to regret leaving that person alone in the middle of the forest that is surrounded by monsters.

The information about the green monsters also started to bother me. There are a lot of green monsters in this world like zombies, slimes, and creepers. I wonder which one are they talking about?

I just cleared my mind since there is no point in worrying about the things that are far from my priorities.

I dismounted on my horse and handed the reins to the soldier that is beside me. I told the soldier to take care of my horse and to keep him warm since he is a good companion of mine and we share a lot of experiences during our stay in the Forest of Monsters.

Rose and her company also dismounted and ushered me inside the castle keep.

After the gate is open wide, I saw people standing in front of us. They are well dressed so they are probably nobles or something.

Great. Another lengthy formalities and conversation.

Contrary to my belief, one of them suddenly run forward and hug Rose.

"Rose. I can't believe it. You are really alive." The lady said while holding tight Rose.

"I'm back, dear sister. I'm home." Rose replied while hugging her back.

Okay. This is huge news for me. Didn't know Rose has a sister. I hope the sister is not like Rose with being short-tempered and aggressive.

Another thing also approached Rose.

A bird. It is a red parrot.

The parrot flew over the people in front of us and quickly landed on Rose's shoulder.

Okay. I didn't know that Rose also has a pet. There is a lot of shocking things about Rose that I just know right now.

The hugging finally stopped and the sister is now wiping her tears away.

"Jack. Glad to know that you are alright too." Rose said to her parrot while rubbing his head.

I really feel like I'm out of place here and I really want to go talk to this prophet but I'm glad that I managed to find Rose and cured her. Otherwise, Rose will still be a zombie and I don't have any way of knowing about this prophet.

This prophet is said to be in the capital though so there is still more traveling to do.

Rose, her sister and the people here talked for a moment while I'm just standing here not doing anything and just listening to their conversation.

After a while, they finally offered a room to rest in and I quickly said 'Yes' since I'm really cold and tired right now.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

The sun is also about to go down so it is perfect timing to finally sleep.

I was ushered to my room and quickly get inside so I can finally rest.

They tried offering food and other things but I just said 'No' and send them all away.

I was about to get on my bed when suddenly I can hear a knocking on my door.

God, no. Please let me rest.

I just grumbly opened the door of my room and was shocked to see that it is the sister of Rose.

I let her inside and both of us are now sitting in a chair.

"King Carolus. Thank you for letting me talk to you even though you are resting." The sister said while bowing her head to me.

Well, to tell you the truth, I didn't even get to lie down on my bed before you knock on my door.

I didn't say anything to her and just nodded my head while continued staring.

"Oh. I didn't get the chance to introduce myself since you said you are tired of your travels and wanted to rest."

If I have to guess, she is probably named after a flower or something just like her sister since she also has red hair.

"My name is Poppy. It is pretty nice to meet you."

Knew it.

Poppy started talking for a while and I just let her even though I really want to lie down on my bed.

I noticed that she is a lot different than her sister. For starters, she is really kind and mature which is odd since she is the sister of Rose. My guess is they probably grew up in different places and didn't get the chance to be together or they are not related. I hope it is the former.

Poppy also started thanking me for returning her sister and this time I finally stopped her from talking and just kindly ask to be left alone so I can rest.

Poppy left the room and I quickly changed to my pajamas.

I suddenly remembered that I'm a little dirty from the travel and I needed cleaning. Thankfully, they have a bathroom in this room and have a quick wash.

After washing myself, I was about to get on the bed when suddenly I can hear a sound of sorts like it is a blowhorn or something.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes while raising my head.

Great. What is happening now?

******* Rose's POV *******

I didn't expect to be finally back home.

When I was ordered to leave for a mission to find the 'Lost Hero', I was actually expecting to fail and not be able to get back to the kingdom.

My welcome here is also really heartwarming. People on the roads was happy and screamed for my name.

I was talking to Poppy in her room when she suddenly asked to leave to talk to somebody.

I just let her leave while holding her newborn child on my hands.

I didn't know that my sister got married while I'm away.

I was a little bit angry though for Poppy to be married since she is still very young but I'm very happy for her.

The boy in my arms has the same hair as her mother.

I was about to give the child to one of the caretakers when suddenly the door of the room opened and Poppy came in.

"Your back. That was quick. Who did you talk to you?" I said to Poppy while walking towards her and carrying her baby.

I handed her baby to her.

"I just talked to King Carolus. I tried to thank him for returning you but he just said that he needed rest." She said to me while she walked towards one of the chairs in the room and sit.

"I see. Well, he probably still not adjusted to the climate here." I said to her while chucking more wood in the fireplace since it is slightly cold for the baby.

"I guess your right."

The silence began to fill the room and I'm just staring at Poppy.

I requested for her to be in charge of this place while I'm away. I know she is still young but she is capable and I don't want anyone else taking over this territory.

I suddenly remembered something that bothers me.

Why is there so much iron in this kingdom?

All of the armors, weapons even tools used by normal people are made out of iron.

Where did they get this amount of iron?

There is also about the wall that seems to be surrounding the entire kingdom. When did they build it and where did they get the materials for it?

I was about to ask Poppy about these things when suddenly I can hear a sound that I was hoping that I will never hear again in my life.

The sound of horns indicating that there is a phantom invasion.

Poppy also knows what the sound of the horn is about.

She was about to hand over her baby to the caretaker when I run past her towards the door.

"No. Stay here. I will handle it." I quickly said to her.

Poppy looked at me and her face is full of concern.

"Don't worry. I'm now back. I will take care of it like I always do." I said to her while starting to run towards outside the castle.

I am finally back in my kingdom and I'm together with my family so I'll be damned if I let anyone hurt them.

I run outside the castle keep and then towards the stables.

I quickly mount my horse and I'm now traveling towards the very tall eastern wall that I don't remember existing while I was still here. I'm together with a lot of soldiers.

I managed to reach the bottom of the wall and quickly run on the stairs towards the highest tower here.

I looked around here and saw about five hundred soldiers here equipped with iron armor and weapons. All of them are ready for battle.

I ignored the matter of why there is a lot of iron here and was glad that we have a lot of advantage with the enemies.

I looked up in the sky and saw hundreds of phantoms circling the dark sky.

Their numbers are still growing since more and more phantoms are still coming from the east.

"My lady. I'm glad to have you with us." I can hear someone talking beside me.

I didn't face the person who was talking to me and just continued staring at the sky.

"Who are you?" I just said to him while now wearing my armor and holding my diamond bow.

"Right. I haven't properly introduced myself. I am the general that is assigned to protect the eastern border and I'm also the husband of Lady Poppy."

"I see," I said to him while wondering what my sister's husband looks like since I didn't want to take off my eyes in the phantoms.

I actually asked the moment I reached the southeastern border if there are any invasions while I'm away but was surprised to know that there wasn't any.

What happened to make the phantoms attacked my kingdom once again? Is it about the scream that occurred yesterday?

I was starting to get anxious to order to fire at the phantoms but there are still so high in the sky that the arrows will still not be able to reach them.

I can hit the phantoms at this distance though with my diamond bow but I just calmed myself down and observe.

A shriek suddenly roared in the sky that makes everyone around me cover their ears.

I remember that sound.

A giant phantom appeared flying low in the distance above the ocean and is now getting closer here.

The giant phantom suddenly flies up in the sky to join the small phantoms.

I am now filled with so much rage.

That monster is the one who took away my father.