Some minutes had passed since the three young children began to run away.  Though energetic they may be, their stamina still had its limits and once they went deeper into the forest, all of it was but spent.  Lark sprawled down the ground and breathed heavily while Kurrin just silently sat down.  Only the third prince was left standing as he searched around him.  His mind was continuously searching for a single thread of hope.

“That is…”

He narrowed his eyes as he stared at a trunk of a certain tree.  It had three deep holes on it which formed a triangular shape.  He immediately searched for his memory and his eyes lit up at the answer in front of him.

“Lark!  Kurrin!  Quickly find other trees that have those holes in it!  If you see a tree with four holes on it, point it out immediately!”

The two were still resting their tired bodies when the third prince spoke to them with a hurried voice.  They were both confused at his sudden shouting but they still both nodded and stood up.  The three started to walk around the forest as they searched for a tree with four holes on it.

“Hey!  I see it!”

After five more minutes, Lark pointed towards a tree in a distance.  The other two stopped and looked at the direction he was pointing at.  It certainly was a tree that had holes bore through it but it definitely wasn’t the correct number of holes.  The tree Lark pointed at only had three.

“This one only has three holes, Lark.  We need to find one with four holes.”

“How many are four?”

“Stupid.”

The little girl commented sharply while the third prince smiled bitterly.  He, however, did not hold out thoughts of derision towards Lark as he explained with a kind and warm voice.

“You know the three heroes, right?”

“Right!”

“If we add another person with them, let’s say the wandering alchemist they met in their journey, then that makes them four heroes.”

“Ah!  So that’s how many four are!”

Lark’s voice was full of delight while the third prince smiled widely.  They resumed their search when the little girl spoke soon after and pointed towards a tree.

“There.”

“You know how many four are?  Four are...  Ah!  Yes, four are—“

“I know something simple like that.”

Lark’s shoulder drooped down as his explanation was quickly shot down with a cold voice.  He was murmuring something to himself as the third prince just gave him a pat on his back.  They then looked at the tree Kurrin pointed at.  The two stared at the tree with wide eyes before looking at each other and raising their hands up in the air.  They were running around Kurrin happily which greatly tested her patience.

“Thanks, Kurrin.”

“Thanks, thanks!  But you know how many four are?”

“Haven’t I said it earlier?”

“But!  But!  How you know how many four are?”

“Because my mother taught me, stupid.  Didn’t yours teach you too and you just forgot about it?”

“I… have no mother…”

“!”

The third prince watched the two as they talked to each other.  Upon seeing the frown on the older boy’s face and the lowered head of the little girl, he approached them with a childish smile on his face.  He put both of his hands on the shoulder of the two as he looked at them in their eyes and spoke cheerfully.

“Aren’t we all friends here?  Don’t be so gloomy, you two!  You’ll just ruin our discovery of the tree.  We should be happy, right?”

The third prince wanted to ease the situation but he still was not used to comforting others so he just said what was on his mind, as it was.  He knew he was just forcing it but he just didn’t want to see the pained expressions on his friends’ faces.  And, as if rewarding his earnest effort, the two raised their heads and looked at each other.

“…Sorry.”

Hearing the soft voice of the little girl towards him, Lark’s face brightened up faster than a blink of an eye.  He smiled so brightly towards the girl which brought a small smile too on her usually cold-looking face.  The third prince smiled warmly as he brought the three of them closer with his arms.

“Ok, you two, can you find a fruit of this shape around here?  It normally grows on a small plant so it will be very easy to find.  It should be just around here, if the book I read was correct.”

The third prince grabbed a stick on the ground and drew a circular shape with a crown of leaves on top of it.  He informed the two that the fruit bearing plant should grow around ten metres of the tree with four holes.  The three of them began their search around the vicinity of the tree as the third prince found it within just seconds.  The fruit was too easy to find because of its distinct fragrant smell that allures anyone who pass by it to take a mouthful of bite of it.

“Here, this is the fruit.”

Plucking the circular fruit from the small plant, the third prince held it on his palm.  The two looked at the fruit curiously as they were drawn by its mouth-watering smell.  Lark, who already had drools leaving from his mouth, tried to take a bite from the fruit only to be stopped by the third prince.

“Don’t eat this fruit, Lark.  I know it smells so deliciously but eating this will kill you in seconds.  It’s a very poisonous fruit and it’s called the Danba fruit.”

“Danba fruit?”

The little girl asked as the older boy was still in trance from the fruit that was constantly being kept away from him.  His mouth was trying to bite it again and again as the third prince skilfully controlled his hands and kept the dangerous fruit away from his friend.

“Yes, according to a book I’ve read, this is called Danba fruit.  The name is derived from the only creature that could eat this deadly fruit.  A monster called Danba.  And that Danba is exactly what we need right now.”

The two were making confused faces as the third prince’s explanation was very lacking.  He forgot to explain the details of his plan as he was still trying to figure out any possibilities of success or failure in his plan.  This could very well lead them to their deaths so he was very careful in considering the various outcomes of his actions.

He then sense a number of men approaching the place they were at as he hastily told the other two with him to move away from the tree with four holes.  A distance of fifteen metres was spaced between the tree and them as the third prince finally told them to just stand in place.  Lark was still confused on the actions of his first friend while Kurrin narrowed her eyes with frown at the sight of some men nearing.  Her eyesight was very exceptional which also helps her see well in the dark.  While still eyeing the approaching men, she saw the third prince beside her smashed the Danba fruit on the ground.  She was surprised that the very fragrant smell of the fruit disappeared as if it was dispelled.  She looked questioningly at the third prince’s action but was only replied with a childish smile on his face.

The group of men were now already in front of the three children, with wide grins on their faces.  The burly man in the middle issued some commands for the other men when a blonde haired young squire cut in between them.  Even without seeing his face, Kurrin knew that it was her older brother.  The third prince already knew that the young squire was hiding behind a tree earlier but he was surprised that the young squire came in front of them.  Lark was still standing there with a question all over his face.  A few seconds after the young squire showed up, a female squire showed up too.

Seeing this, the third prince couldn’t help but smile.  But as he knew what was about to happen, he hurriedly made the two come closer him.  The two looked puzzle but they moved towards him after a second persuasion.

“Lark, Kurrin, close your eyes.”

Kurrin narrowed her eyes before closing them while Lark nodded and closed his eyes.  They both somehow understood that the third prince they’ve been with would not tell them to do something for no reason.  They may have had some questions but they decided to just follow his words for now.

And a carnival of blood soon happened.

Screams, dying screams came from the direction of the group of men.  They were greatly alarmed at what was happening behind them so they all turned around just to see a four metre tall monster that looked like an ape, save from the hard scales protecting its body and the long claws on its fingers. 

The group of men was a group of veteran assassins that were known by some nobles as they accomplished their tasks swiftly.  They also never failed a mission before as a testament to their great skills.  But to have not noticed such a huge monster behind them also meant that the monster was not something of their level.  Their happiness and carelessness also served to dull their senses allowing the scene of carnage within them to happen.

Embrick and the female squire were already pale-faced as they watched what was happening to the group of men.  Most were slashed in three, while some mere pounded to the ground.  The more unlucky ones were ripped in two.  They could see some form of fear enveloping the group of men as only a number managed to retaliate back, only to be clawed through.  The once blue scaled monster was now dyed red all over as he finished the group of men in less than two minutes.  Those who decided to flee were the ones who had their fate ended first.

The scaled monster, the Danba, stared at the group of young teens and children.  This made Embrick and the female squire tremble in fear, their bodies shaking and their knees already almost failing them.  From behind the two, the two children still had their eyes closed even when they heard the agonizing screams earlier.  Only the third prince calmly looked at the monster directly on its eyes.  He then strode forward to meet the monster and then bowed his head slightly.   The two squires also did the same thing as they clumsily tried to copy his actions.  The scaled monster just grunted in response as it walked away from them.

“Haa…  I really thought I’m going to die.”

“Same here.  What kind of monster is that by the way?”

“No idea, but whatever it is, it helped us.”

The two young squires breathed a sigh of relief as fatigue overcame their bodies.  They talked to each other as they were sitting on the ground.  They both thought that it was already the end of their lives as they stood against the group of men only to see that group of men be destroyed by a blue scaled monster.  They were surprised by what happened but they once again thought they’re going to die when the monster approached them.  The slight intention to even draw their weapons wasn’t even on their mind as they trembled.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“It’s called a Danba.  They were usually found in the western parts of the continent so I’m surprised to find one here in the central part.”

“How did you know about that?  More importantly, why did the monster not attack us?”

“I’ve read it in a book in the royal library.  There was a book full of known monsters recorded there which were explained in great detail, with various illustrations to match.  Sadly, not all the monsters had illustrations.”

The third prince explained as he sighed at the end.

“Ah, we’re straying off the topic.  As for why it did not attack us, it was written in the book that the Danba was a peaceful monster; just that it was very territorial.  It would attack on sight any that was armed with a weapon in its territory.”

The two squires stared wide-eyed at the third prince.  They were very much surprised by the knowledge he showed them.  They both thought if the talk about the third prince being stupid was true but they quickly shook their heads.  If their generous and kind king said he was, then he was.  Now, they just couldn’t fathom how intelligent and wise the genius brothers of this third prince were.

“Why did you smash the fruit?”

Kurrin, who already had her eyes open, asked the third prince.  Lark, who was beside her, still had his eyes closed as he awaited the third prince’s words.  Seeing this, the third prince laughed a little as he told Lark that he could already open his eyes.  He was still laughing a little when he felt cold down his spine.  The little girl was already staring daggers on him as he awkwardly smiled.

“You remember earlier when the fragrant smell disappeared after I smashed the Danba fruit, right?  Even though our noses can’t pick up its smell, the Danba’s very sensitive sense of smell could, even if it was far hundreds of metres away.”

“And the holes?”

“Those were marks of territories for the Danba.  The four holes meant it was an important place for the Danba as a Danba plant was around it.”

The little girl nodded in response to the explanation.  The two squires were already in a world of their own as they continued to talk to each other while laughing together, seemingly trying to bury the scary memories deep within them.

“Hey, hey!  What is a Danba?”

“Aren’t you listening?”

Kurrin’s sharp eyes penetrated easily through the older Lark as he scurried away to hide behind the prince’s back.

“Basically, it’s a big and scary monster.”

“And why you have us close our eyes?”

“What happened wasn’t something that children should see.”

“Ah, ok!”

“You’re also a child though.  And we can still see the remains of what happened.”

“Ahaha.”

The third prince averted his stare after Kurrin’s words.  He really didn’t thought of it well when he should’ve changed places first before letting the two open their eyes.  He deeply understood that he still wasn’t used to having people with him or even caring for others.  Deciding to learn from his mistakes, he patted the two who were still in their own world.

“Let’s leave.”

“Ah!  You’re right.”

The two stood up as they fixed themselves.  It was already far too late for them to find and retrieve their armours that were thrown away.  They just patted their clothes to remove some dirt from sitting down and it only took them a minute to be prepared to leave.

“Let’s go!  The carriage should still be there on the place we hid it so our first destination should be there.  Our supplies are also in it after all.  Can’t travel on an empty stomach now, can we?”

With Embrick leading the group and the female squire following him closely, they began to walk.  Their feet were already light as if it was freed from being bounded by fear.  The mood was also already light and their faces were smiling, almost humming.

“No.  That’s a bad idea.”

Embrick ignored the third prince who tried to stop them from their steps.  In his mind, the one that saved them from earlier was his luck and no credits were given to the third prince.  It was already deeply engraved in everyone’s mind to ignore everything about the third prince, even the tiniest bit of accomplishments.  The only reason for talking and listening to the third prince was due to the fear and panic that they faced.  Now that everything was back to normal, the third prince’s treatment should also rightfully be back to normal.  It also shouldn’t be needed to explain that his earlier actions were all for his sister and her seemingly new friend, not one bit caring for the third prince’s welfare.

The female squire had the same stance at Embrick when it comes to the third prince.  These actions were already considered normal for all the people living in the city where the royal palace was situated.  You would be looked down upon and treated badly if done so otherwise.  This continued on for the five years that the prince had lived so it already became sort of a habit for them.  Only the children of those who were not nobles didn’t think like this.  Their minds still weren’t engraved with that thought but would all soon learn of it as they age.  No one was spared from having this thought towards the third prince, not the generous merchant, not the heartily innkeeper, not even the kind old priest.

“Wait, it really may be dangerous!”

The third prince was already too used to this kind of treatment that he didn’t feel bad about it.  Never in his mind appeared the thought of rejecting the attitude others were showing him.  But only now could he not concede.  Things involved his two friends so he would not back out from this.

“We still don’t know if those men left behind others to guard this forest!  Our carriage may also already be found by them!  We should just head towards the north and proceed with caution.”

All of the third prince’s effort was just ignored by the two squires.  The two children were dumbfounded by this.  Previously, they both thought that the others didn’t talk to the third prince because he was of royal blood.  But now, seeing as how the two squires older than them were blatantly ignoring the third prince, they knew they were wrong.  Lark was still confused while Kurrin narrowed her icy cold eyes towards her brother.

“Brother.”

“What is it?”

Embrick have not been really close with his sister but he still cared for her a lot.  His previous actions of sacrifice were already evidence to this.

“What are you doing?  Didn’t you hear?  There may still be bandits around!  They could also have found the carriage already!”

The male squire stared wide-eyed at his sister before putting his hand on her head.  A proud smile appeared on his young face as he also spoke with pride in his voice.  Kurrin was puzzled by her brother’s actions as she awaited his next words.

“That’s my sister for you!  So calm and thoughtful!  How did I not think of that earlier?”

Embrick immediately talked to the other squire, leaving Kurrin in shock.

“Hey, Rachel, we should be more cautious.”

“Why?”

“Well, my sister…”

The two of them talked about the possible dangers inside the forest, crediting Kurrin for all the ideas.  Kurrin wanted to shout out and say that it was wrong but another person had already done so before her.

“Hey!  That’s wrong!  That’s the third prince’s idea!  Aren’t you listening?  Can’t you hear?!”

Lark was already shouting, his face full of disbelief and amassing some anger within him.  He couldn’t accept how his first friend was being treated as nothing.  He wasn’t so good with understanding lots of things but one thing he understood the most were emotions.  And he could clearly sense that there was something wrong from and that his first friend was being bullied.

Rachel, the female squire, squatted down and placed her hand on Lark’s left shoulder.  Her face had a smile on it while emitting some form of motherly warmth that Lark never experienced.  In her eyes appeared kindness.

“Boy, that isn’t right.  You should credit the little girl for her achievements, alright?”

The female squire smiled gently at Lark who had his mouth open in disbelief.  He looked towards the direction of the third prince, only to see the third prince shook his head once and then smiled.  He clenched his hands as he look down.  Rachel, taking Lark’s actions as understanding what she said, gently pat the child’s head.

“Good child, good child.  Embrick, let’s go.  We have to leave this forest fast and get to the nearest city.”

“Ok!  Let’s go!”

The two squires began to walk again, this time more hastily.  They both held the hands of the two young children so as to not lose them.  Kurrin had an ever icier look in her eyes and face which excludes coldness.  Her small closed heart that was slightly pried open by her two friends was immediately closed once again by what she witnessed.  Now, not only was it closed; it was also barricaded by a very sturdy and icy wall that would freeze anyone who dare go near it.  The little warmth that was accumulated inside her in the last few days was instantly chased away.  She once again saw the darkness within people’s hearts that made her vow never to approach anyone again.

With relief in his heart, the third prince followed the group.  He did not care about credits or all; he just wanted to make his friends safe.  He understood the value and weight of one’s life compared to something like accomplishment and pride.  He walked as he remembered these values that were once taught to him by a certain someone.  His most precious treasures.

He didn't realise that something within him was already collapsing.  The ideas of happiness he forcefully put in his head were only just false imitations.  The harshness of reality that he knew too well but still pretended not to see would slowly erode his hastily constructed heart.  The weight thrown upon him would forever continue to pile up and he would soon learn...

That there was no repentance for him in this world.