Hello there!, you may know me as the author of Dragon Rising(the one I haven’t updated in over three months). Recent I switched into a top school of state, and things have hectic with assignments and such, even now my exams are in two days, so [Chapter 1] will most likely be posted next weekend when my exams end.
This was done entirely on my phone during train rides, so spelling errors will be there, tell me what you think
Also, Dragon Rising will continue after I reach chapter 10 of this, after that both will be updated together periodically. Atm I don’t consider any as secondary projects, and I prioritise both of them equally, so don’t expect one to update more frequently after the other once I get to Dragon Rising.
This chapter might be a bit confusing, and that’s supposed to happen, I purposely didn’t explain anything, the meaning of this chapter will be clearer after every chapter I release isn’t supposed to fully make sense straight away.
My writing skills might have dulled during these three months of hiatus, but without further notice~
Have a nice read
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The familiar breeze of our motherland brought us motivation, only a day more and we would arrive at the capital.
Just the thought of it overwhelmed me and my fellow guards with emotion. There were newlyweds amongst the batch of guards this time, all looking forward to see their loved ones again for the first time in a year.
For me, these expeditions were common, and my dear wife understood that this had to be done, but to these youngsters, it must’ve felt as if they had been gone for several lifetimes.
To my far left, I could see several of them joyfully discussing what they would do once they returned home whilst ignoring their duty as guards for the extravagantly decorated carriage behind us. Though they were quite stiff on their first few days of the expedition and followed orders like puppets, they seem to have become quite the big shots.
As the captain of the squadron, I can’t let these youngsters get carried away can I now?
Slowly handing over the reins of the carriage to the soldier beside me, I nonchalantly walked up to the group of four whilst hiding my presence.
Since we were currently in the [Karaza Twilight Forest], sneaking up on someone was quite easy as there was little to no visibility in the depths of these woods. The only reason we could still travel was due to the fact that we had a skilled magician on our side that continuously cast night vision magic for the entire squadron consisting of over a hundred people, quite the feat if you ask me.
Since this was the main road leading to the [Capital City Extraza] of the Ferzia Kingdom, the entire road was usually illuminated by tamed wisps, but we received a message from the security branch a while ago through a telepathy crystal that apparently something was interfering with the connection between the tamers and wisps, which meant that they wouldn’t be up for the next few hours.
It does certainly sound very suspicious, so I deployed each and every guard that was brought along for the expedition regardless of their shift. There was quite a stir between them since I woke them up during midnight, but if they couldn’t do this much then they wouldn’t have been chosen to guard a person of such status.
The group of four still hadn’t noticed me approaching them and continued to whisper amongst each other as though they were trying to hide it. Without remorse, I gave a light chop to all of their exposed heads in one swift motion. Since helmets were quite heavy, they were usually not worn and were carried with the hand without a weapon so that they would be prepared in case of an emergency.
“-And during that time, I-“””OUCH!”””
All four of them looked towards my way whilst holding the back of their heads with their free hand. Their eyes seemed to say ‘We’ve been caught’.
“There's still a day of travel left, don’t let your guard down, remember who we are escorting, and why I put you all on duty.”
If my memory serves me correctly, these were the heirs of the lower class nobles in the capital. Though I say that, their swordsmanship was proven to be the best amongst the squadron other than me and the other seniors. The other young boys of higher class nobles tried to harass them a year ago, which of course led to their expulsion from the squadron. I did receive a few letters of complaints from the families of the nobles, but they should know better that I only treat people based on their abilities.
They all tried to say something in return, but closed their half open mouths after realising that what I said was certainly the truth. There were many tales that they had surely heard of which told of grand adventurers being killed by thieves on their way back to their homes due to their carelessness.
I thank whoever made those tales; they seriously make my life easier.
After confirming that they had raised their guards again, I headed back to the front of the carriage.
The carriage itself was being pulled by two large creatures with four hind legs and four front legs. Their great speed and manpower was demonstrated by the fact that they had pulled the large carriage behind them for several days non-stop. Needless to say, these were the famous creatures known as sleipnirs. Their splendid snow-white fur glistened every time we passed through a small patch of sunlight.
Due to the great power and beauty they possessed, it is said that an entire decade’s worth of earnings from a large household could buy only one of these mysterious creatures.
But, in fact, it wasn’t what pulled the carriage that stood out, but the carriage itself.
The entire carriage was made using the wood of this very forest. All the organisms that live in the forest are known to contain magic essence, including the trees and the blades of grass below. Due to this, magic surveillance was placed all around the forest to ensure that no one except the higher ups could damage. Royal consent was needed to even pluck flowers forest. Today, since magic was quite unstable in the forest, even the surveillance system was shut down according to the messenger.
Though I do worry of the forest’s safety, it wasn’t something that I should worry about as I had my own priorities.
The entire carriage itself was about the size of a large hut. The front of the carriage was carved into the head of a phoenix, the symbolic beast of the [Ferzia Empire]. The same phoenix head was also etched onto the sides of the carriage made of dark wood. A small window was cut out on each side, but they were currently covered by a light, transparent piece of cloth that only let the people inside see outside, and not vice-versa.
The symbol of the phoenix also served as the mark of the royal family, which of course meant that the person in the carriage was –
“WE’RE UNDER ATTACK!!”
My body froze for a moment as the head magician of the squadron activated the sirens. Since the sirens were rigged to only sound when an intruder without a [Mark of the Phoenix] approached, it was clear that this wasn’t just a mistake.
As the captain of the squadron and war veteran, I gave orders to all the squadron in swift succession.
“Senior magicians! Take all the apprentices and stay in turtle formation! Spearmen! Stay right in front of them and slowly progress with the carriage, don’t create an opening for the enemy and most certainly don’t get in the way of the magician’s spells! Archers, stick with the magicians and provide support, don’t carelessly provoke the enemy unless they show hostility! Swordsmen, get your helmets on, get your shields ready if you have one and draw your swords, we will be covering for the others. If I see a single one of you even thinking of abandoning your squad, this will be reported right back to the army and I will revoke your privileges!”
Though the last line did seem quite harsh, the people understood and obeyed without hesitation. This was due to the spartan training that I had to put them through just so they understood how valuable comrades were in a fight. I could see the four I had apprehended earlier getting into formation. Two of them took up the frontline roles with their shields whilst the others picked up their spears and got into position.
Whilst they were preparing themselves, I also whispered into the ears of the driver of the carriage.
“Keep moving, we will leave ourselves vulnerable if we stop now, we should be safe once we reach the exit of the forest, we will hold this off until then, also tell the little miss inside to NOT peak outside no matter what, got that?”
Though he seemed doubtful at first, he nodded his head after seeing my serious expression for the first time in a while, and quietly lifted the curtains behind him and whispered something to the person inside the carriage.
After a few seconds, he put the curtains back down and nodded towards me. It seems that she agreed.
Just then, a shadow flew by from above at an incredible speed, a speed that no living man could have possibly achieved.
(Is the enemy a demon then? No, the forest’s essence should be poisonous to them, then what the hell is it…)
Whilst keeping a close eye on the shadow that was moving about above us in the canopies of the trees, I felt a sudden shiver down my spine.
(It’s watching me…)
That’s right, it was observing me whilst moving around at high speeds to try and make me lose him. Unfortunately for him, I honed these very eyes on the battlefields, if it was only observing then something like this is easy.
Suddenly, whilst I was in a train if thoughts, it stopped moving suddenly right in front of us.
Readying my two handed greatsword, I signalled the archers to nock their bows and the swordsmen to ready their shields. Whilst doing so, I managed to get a good look at the silhouette that was hanging on a branch.
A figure that stood at around 175cm. By no means was it large, it looked just like a human-
-No, it was a definitely a human.
I've fought enough monsters to know that nothing could move or react like that. If it really were a monster, it would’ve clashed head on without a second thought the moment it arrived.
The man or woman was covered in a jet black robe so I couldn’t see his face, but under that hood, there was definitely a pair of eyes staring down at us, analysing all our equipment and stances.
The staring contest continued on for another minute or so, before it took a step backwards.
“[Time Warp – Two Minutes].”
It silently muttered something to itself in a voice that was barely audible, but it was clear that it was a spell incantation. Knowing this, I tilted my heads to the side to warn the others of it, but it was already too late.
In an instant, the entire area began to distort as if the world was spinning. The scenery began to change as though I was slowly creeping into a dream, but all that disappeared the next instant, with a little twist.
“”””AUUUUGGHHHH!!!!””””
The screams of the soldiers enveloped the entire forest, some louder than others. I immediately turned around to see what had happened to cause such a thing, but the sight that greeted me wasn’t one that people would want to see.
Dozens of people lying on the floor, with their legs and hand twisted the wrong way. The white tips of their bones even showed at the joints as they desperately tried to reach for their severely displaced limbs.
Confusion ran through for a second, wondering just what on earth had happened in that instant, but suddenly realised that I had taken my eyes off the intruder.
The man was still in the place, staring down at us unamused. You could see that he was slightly twitching, as though the screams were annoying him.
Filled with rage, I called out to him.
“Hey, bastard! What the hell did you do to my men, and do you even know who you are messing with? And also, what happened to the princess!”
He swiftly switched his focus from the screaming soldiers to me whilst making minimal movement.
“What I did? I didn’t do anything; I just turned back the time for some people here by a bit. ‘That’ is the result of the brain failing to comprehend the sudden change in the body’s movement and skewering itself in an attempt to regain its balance; I did absolutely nothing to them personally. The princess is fine though, don’t worry, I only deal with the people who will possibly get in my way.”
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The voice that returned belonged to a man, possibly of ages fifteen to twenty, but definitely not over twenty. His voice still hadn’t fully matured, and was similar to that of the four boys that I apprehended earlier. Speaking of them, they were also writhing in agony on the ground along with the others.
I was never the bright guy back in the academy, but even someone like me could understand what he just said.
“… Are you saying that you aren’t to blame for this, and you did nothing?”
“In a sense, yes, it’s the truth after all.”
Suddenly, a burning sensation ran through me. This man had wounded my entire squadron, and was also mocking them, how could I forgive him for that? As I thought of this, my grip on my greatsword became even stronger, and I took up a fighting stance purely focused on offensive power.
“… Are you planning to fight as well? You know you and the rest of your squad can live now if you quietly let me do what I need to do…”
“Is that it? Is that all you need to say after you did all this?”
“…I'm giving you my final warning now, step down.”
“Hell no, I'm not budging unless you force me to.”
“*sigh*… Why can’t you people be more reasonable? And I was here thinking that the damn Ruler of Misfortune was stubborn.”
Hmm? He just said something pretty big there, Ruler of Misfortune? Wait, then that means –
“You…the [Time Reaper]?”
“Hmm? Is that what they call me nowadays? Well at least it has a catch to it, so I'm fine with it, what do they call the other five then?”
“That’s for you to find out yourself; right now your opponent is me.”
Cutting him off, I pointed the blunt end of my blade at him. This was the standard sign to request a duel that originated in the Ferzia Kingdom. The custom was also slowly beginning to reach other countries, and even the other continents.
Seeing this, he heavily sighed in disappointment and stared at my under his hood.
“Fine then, I accept the duel…”
“huh…?”
Without giving a prior warning, he immediately began to charge in my direction with no regards to the custom of counting down for the start of the duel. Caught off guard, I lowered my blade to parry the curved shortswords that he duel-wielded.
He initiated the uppercut, forcing me to raise my blade but immediately reached for a lunge after successfully feinting the attack. The tip of the blade slightly grazed me, but I managed to twist my body to the side just in time to avoid a fatal strike to the heart.
These moves were certainly not from an amateur, every slash and jab was aimed to kill.
Just when I had thought parried him and began to counter-attack, the space in front of me distorted for a split second, and the man disappeared from my sight.
“Wha…”
I was left dumbfounded as I slashed at the nothingness before me.
*clank*
Just as a finished the blow, my great sword fell to the floor as if the arm that had been holding had disappeared-
-wait, my arm?
Where my arm should have been, there was a large lump at my shoulder joints with blood oozing out like a fountain, my left arm which I was proficient with was resting on the floor with it’s colour slowly paling.
“If you know who I am, at least pay attention to your surroundings, I expected more from a seasoned veteran.”
The voice came from behind me this time. I swiftly twisted my body sideways and brought my remaining left arm to the dagger that was hanging at my waist.
The man who standing right behind sighed heavily whilst bringing his index finger to his forehead.
“Just give up already, anymore of this and it'll become the worst case scenario.”
Though I didn't specifically know what this ‘worst case scenario’ was, it was definitely not something pleasant.
I would love to withdraw here, I'm married and have kids, but that would mean I would betray the Royal Family, something I cannot afford to do.
“… I have my own reasons to continue.”
“Well that's a shame.”
For some reason, he seemed quite disappointed at my reply, and activated magic again after pushing down onto the floor.
“[Time Warp – Ground Zero].”
At that moment, everything in the area completely stopped moving. The trees stopped whistling, the wind stopped blowing.
My fellow soldiers all immediately stopped writhing as they were just seconds ago, and froze in their positions as though petrified. As far as I could see, only the two of us could still move freely.
“What the hell did you just do you bastard!”
“Just froze time, they should be able to move again in a week. Oh and also, before you ask, I put a shield around the princess too so she wasn't affected.”
Though I wanted to punch that face with all my might, I was thankful deep down in my heart since the entire squad was still alive-
But I realised that I had talked too soon.
He slowly stepped over to my current position and picked up the great sword that should have been over fifty kilograms, not something a person with such a small build should be able to wield.
As I observed him carefully, he inspected the blade before slowly walking over to my side.
“The captain should take responsibility for everything, right?”
My expression paled as he whispered this. It meant that I wasn't going to get out of here alive.
...No, not like this, what about my family? What about my children? Am I supposed to let them grow up without a father to guide them?
I tried mustering the last of my strength to stand, but I couldn't even lift my finger.
So I guess this is the end… What a pitiful way to die. Now I regret not making a will before this expedition, maybe I was too overconfident in my ability to survive.
I closed my eyes, preparing myself for the inevitable, but just then-
“UNCLE!”
A young girl’s voice resounded through the forest as I heard small footsteps coming towards me. The only person that addressed me in such a way and had such voice was…
“Your Highness! Why didn't you follow orders! Don't come near this man!”
Ignoring my orders, the girl in a fluttery dress ran over from the carriage to my side. Since I was lying face down, I couldn't see her face, but I knew that she was ready from the weeps that I was hearing.. I could feel tears trickling down onto the floor besides me.
About half a year ago, during the middle of the expedition to the [Qwaiser Dragonic Empire], this young silver haired princess, Celesta Phoenix Le Ferzia, suddenly grew attached to me, often assaulting me suddenly from behind whilst calling me uncle (not what some of you thinking, Baka)
Though I was worried as to how the Royal Family would react to this, she herself said that she would take care of it. Though she was only six and was the third princess, she still had some authority.
“Don't leave *hic*please!didn’t you promise *hic* that you would stay by my side *hic* and protect me?”
As she brought her face close to mine with a desperate and tears expression, she dropped quite a bombshell.
…That's right, I did promise her something like that, didn't I? If I can't even keep my promise to a little girl like this, then what does that make me?
During this time, the intruder was silently watching our interaction as though amused, but just then, he stiffened.
Clank
The sound of a gear moving was heard from inside the cloak he was wearing, and he shuddered for a moment. A small sound escaped his mouth, but he regained his posture immediately and acted as if nothing had happened.
“It seems that my time is nearly up so I'll be leaving now, I detect quite a large amount of troops coming this way from the capital, it seems that the rescue force was sent quite a while ago just before I disrupted the area’s magic supply.”
And he's openly admitting to being responsible for the incident in the forest too, what a guy. But wait, isn't something off?
“Why are you letting me live? Weren't you going to kill me a second ago?”
"... Too much of pain, my motivation disappeared after that touching scene.”
I was left speechless as he turned his back on us and headed back into the forest nonchalantly. It was obvious that he was hiding the real reason behind his sudden withdrawal, but I thank god for whatever it was.
Just as he was leaving, Celesta stood up and ran towards him and gave a weak slap to his legs as she couldn't reach his waist.
“Your Highness, what are you doing!? Don't provoke him any further!”
“…You did this to uncle and all my friends… I will never forgive you!”
Tilting his towards the small princess that was staring straight back at him without fear, he chuckled then crouched down so that they were equal.
“It doesn't matter if you forgive me or not, but I'm not interested in you at the current moment.”
Shaking his head, he said something incredible.
(He wasn't after the princess? Then what was he after…?)
“But that can change, get stronger and find me in ten years time, then you may try whatever you like.”
With those words,, the space around him began to distort just like earlier. I tried to signal the princess to back off, but she wasn't listening; she was far too immersed into what the intruder was saying.
The intruder shuddered again whilst activating the magic as if he was having trouble activating it, but tried hiding it nonetheless to avoid revealing too much about his power.
“Well then, goodbye, become strong ‘Litte Miss’.
With those final words of farewell, he gave us a wave before disappearing completely. The wind that had vanished suddenly returned, and the groans of my men could be heard from behind me.
“Your Highness…”
The lone girl was staring lifelessly into the twilight forest as though she had seen a ghost. She clenched her fingers together and hung her head.
“I couldn’t do anything…”
“Well of course Your Highness, the opponent this time was the [Time Reaper] of the [Heretical Six], We don’t even understand the extent of his power yet alone a way to combat him.”
“Time… Reaper… you say?”
“Yes, Your Highness, it’s hopeless for no- tsk.”
The bleeding from my arm was slowly exhausting my consciousness. If I don’t stop it soon, I might even bleed to death.
Ripping off a part of the leather chest piece that I wore under my armour, I tightly bound it around the wound to stop blood from flowing until our magician recovered.
“I’ll become stronger…”
“Hmm…?”
The princess muttered something just now, but I was far too busy cleaning my wound to pay attention to it.
“I’ll become stronger… and one day I will make him pay for what he has done today.”
“…”
It was something awfully strange to be coming from a frail princess, but the determination and seriousness of her voice wasn’t something to laugh at. The warrior blood inside me boiled as I carefully thought of what she said.
“I see… though I don’t recommend It, if you truly wish to become strong then I won’t stop you, do you really want to do this?”
“Yes.”
She replied without hesitation, what spirit.
“I see… If your family His Majesty approves of it, I will personally mentor you in the ways of the warrior if it is what you wish from the bottom of your heart.”
“…”
She looked up towards the sun that was slowly setting with her silver hair fluttering with the wind.
Though no one in the world could have known, this marked the death of the frail third princess of the Royal Family, and the birth of the hero known as the [Maiden of Light].
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#screwproofreading