The smoke rising from the pile of corpses rose rapidly into the sky. The foothills of the mountain where the battle had taken place were the place chosen by the few survivors to give a dignified funeral to what remained of their comrades. In silence, without prayers, only tired eyes and gazes lost on the horizon, many did not know if surviving was a blessing or a curse, as what they had witnessed returned to their minds over and over again.
The fire went out, the ashes scattered, and silence once again took hold of the mountain as everyone began to walk back toward the big city, the silence making it seem like a procession. Several knights were carried on stretchers, barely alive, in the hope of being saved in the great city. The horror etched on their faces was accompanied by the large wounds on their bodies that would never heal for the rest of their lives.
Little by little, a large caravan formed, marching toward the village at a slow pace but taking the necessary precautions. Everyone followed Liria, despite never having followed the orders of a woman, and among the ranks, some called her "THE SAINT" because they believed it was a miracle that they had survived thanks to her intervention.
At the village gate, the adventurers who had accompanied her were waiting for her and came out to meet her. But they were astonished when they saw that she was not wearing her usual helmet.
"It's unusual to see you without your helmet," said Franz happily, along with the girls, who rushed towards Liria and knocked her down when they saw her alive again.
The adventurers, along with the surviving knights who were lying in the village, proceeded to help the wounded. Rose, along with other healers who belonged to the church, could not cope with all those affected, but they did not give up at all.
Liria saw concern on her friends' faces, but she didn't know how to ask what was going on. Saria approached her through the crowd in the village and whispered for her to come with her.
She took her by the hand and, without saying a word, led her to the elders' hut at the top of the village.
"No, this can't be, because they haven't woken up yet!" said Liria. Her friends arrived shortly after and saw her kneeling with tears streaming down her face as she asked for forgiveness from those who were still asleep, as if it were the same night she left for that mountain.
Even though the green light coming from the mountain went out, many of the villagers did not wake up. The knights and adventurers checked house by house, seeing that some had awakened, but others, no matter how much time passed, did not open their eyes.
Curiously, their bodies did not seem to deteriorate, it was as if they were frozen in time. It was undoubtedly a very powerful spell.
No matter how hard we try to heal them, our spells have no effect on them. Perhaps if we could investigate a similar incident, we could do something more for them, but for now, it's impossible," said Rose, tears falling down her cheeks as she closed her eyes, thinking that she had failed Liria and the people of the village. Are my abilities so useless? she thought as she bowed her head.
Liria hugged her and said, "We'll fix this together! This will be our penance for not being up to the task.
Everyone nodded their heads in reverence as an apology to Robert's family.
Colt, who was standing at the door of the cabin, looked at them with compassion and said, "You have done everything you could. We will take care of them while you look for a solution."
These words eased the hearts of the adventurers, who turned to Colt and said, "We swear we will get them back no matter what."
"I know you will," said Colt with a smile.
The preparations were complete, and that same day they set off again on their journey to the southern city.
The villagers, although decimated by everything that had happened in the village, willingly gave up much of their food and lent several horses to the few soldiers who had survived the incident at the fortress.
The adventurers stayed until the very end and, with a bow, said goodbye, saying, "We will get them back no matter what." The crowd gathered around them, forming a circle and hugging them. In soft voices, they whispered, "We know, just as you returned to protect us, we know you will keep your promise."
And so, with tears in their eyes, they left. They did not look back; they did not apologize further. In their minds, it was not a farewell, but a mission they had to fulfill.
They quickly caught up with the group of knights, positioning themselves at the end of the improvised caravan they had formed. Several days passed before they reached the village of Centinela. The group traveled slowly and with considerable fear, as the adventurers remembered the shadow that had pursued them to the village of Carmesí, but they did not see any monsters or feel any presence during the journey.
The knights looked nervous when they arrived at Sentinel Village, as they remembered well what they had done there, which looked intact to the adventurers who had no idea what had happened there before.
They passed through the gates and everything looked normal, even the people. Liria asked about Tom, but no one could give her an answer. Apparently, no one remembered what he had done or where he was, and they all came to the conclusion that perhaps he had traveled to the big city, or at least that was what those closest to the mayor said.
Late at night, when all the lights had been turned off, the four gathered in the farthest room of the tavern and, in the dim, light secretly conjured up by Saria, began to whisper.
Something very sinister is going on here. I don't know how to explain it, but this place is not the same as the one we visited last time, "whispered Saria, leaving everyone somewhat stunned. Certainly, everything feels manufactured and in very good condition. I don't know how to put it, but it's as if it had been created," said Rose as she stood up and touched her chin in curiosity.
Shortly after, Franz added one last detail, saying, "A few hours ago, my suspicions were confirmed. I walked all over the place, and even though it's not visible in the light, a great battle took place here. The place is charged with energy. I'm sure those knights know something... they've been silent since we arrived here."
Liria nodded, as she had been listening to everyone's comments in silence. She soon stood up and motioned for them to come closer. She raised her shield, and everyone saw it light up abruptly.
It is undoubtedly her power... It was the same in the incident at the cabin. I don't think we will find anyone who can give us answers in this place. I have asked about him, and no one seems to know him, or they simply avoid telling me anything by changing the subject. I even tried asking the knights I met at the fortress, but they just looked away, saying they didn't know what I was talking about. Whatever it is, he is no longer here. The most sensible thing would be to leave here as soon as possible; we are not safe here at the moment.
This time, without farewells or horses, not even a cart, they decided to leave under cover of night, in silence, without anyone noticing. They hid themselves with hoods, and a spell of silence cast by Saria covered their footsteps far beyond the walls of the village.
We need to get away from the trail to camp, it wouldn't be good if they found us, "said Franz, to which Liria added," We're supposed to arrive much earlier than them, at least that's what I wrote to excuse our sudden departure."
Do you think just saying we have other work to do in the city will be enough? It's obvious they'll suspect we discovered something... reiterated the archer.
It doesn't have to be a far-fetched excuse, that would make it even more suspicious. We just shouldn't travel with them, and that's that, replied Saria with a dismissiveness that made her seem tired. We should camp, added Rose.
It was a couple of hours before dawn, but they had already gotten far enough away from the village that they could catch up with them in a day or two. They lit a small fire to warm themselves, and when Franz looked up, he saw that the girls had fallen asleep on Liria's shoulders, who was still awake.
Liria gestured for him to be quiet, and Franz pointed up at the tree. He would keep watch so they could rest until sunrise.
As soon as the first rays of sunlight appeared, they decided to continue. It would take a week to reach the big city on foot, and the road was more difficult because they were climbing uphill. and without horses or sufficient supplies, they had to make do along the way by hunting and gathering food. This was not difficult for the boys, as most of their work consisted of doing errands such as killing monsters or obtaining supplies outside the city. They were experts at camping outside the city walls.
When they entered the city limits, Liria put her helmet back on. When they became visible to the city watchmen, the bell of the great cathedral rang out.
"Do you hear that?" said Rose.
I remember well the great bell tower of the cathedral, although it rarely rings... only on important occasions.
The large doors with golden medallions swung open at their arrival, and cheers were heard throughout the street leading to the cathedral.
The young people did not understand what was happening. A large number of knights with banners formed on both sides of the main street, and before them appeared an elegant carriage adorned with gold, representing the Holy Church, from which Rosinante emerged, escorting the high priest of the great cathedral.
Liria and the adventurers immediately knelt in a sign of respect, which Franz did not like in the least, but he was not foolish enough not to do so.
Behold the heroes who drove the darkness from our lands, who faced the jaws of darkness and emerged victorious!
...
A silence fell over the boys, who glanced sideways at each other, wondering what the old man was talking about.
Your Excellency, we don't know what you're talking about. Perhaps you are confusing us with other people.
I admire your humility, young knight, but Lord Rosinante has told me of your exploits in the crusade of the great forgotten fortress. Without your help, we would not be here today.
Now lift your head, the entire kingdom must see the face of their savior, the person through whom our lord showed his mercy to us.
The high priest removed Liria's helmet, leaving her completely perplexed. She tried to cover her face in shame, as the people who had gathered around the catwalk were greatly surprised to see that she was a young girl.
She's a saint, they shouted, she must be, others whispered... Silence fell, and others immediately said, otherwise how could a woman have the strength to be considered an ally in battle with Lord Rosinante?
SILENCE! The high priest exclaimed, and everyone could see how the sky turned green with an unholy power. Even the knights who managed to survive speak of this young woman as their savior at the decisive moment of the battle. If you do not believe the words that come from my mouth, being the instrument through which the god Vestu speaks... then believe the testimony of the very knights they saved.
The boys' faces paled when they saw the knights they had left behind in the sentry village emerge from the crowd. They had recovered, although those who had been mutilated were indeed missing limbs.
They ran and knelt before Liria, saying... my lord, we owe you our lives, adventurers, no, heroes! If it weren't for you, this kingdom would be finished today. And as if the scene were not already hilarious enough for the adventurers and Liria, who turned to look at each other with great discomfort reflected in their eyes, Rosinante knelt and said, "I myself witnessed it, as the hordes from the other world, one that does not enjoy the love of our god at all, were unleashed upon this land. My eyes saw it, and so did the eyes of my comrades..." Liria rose up against the creatures, even disobeying my orders to remain in the village for safety. Her desire to save us made her go beyond what our laws dictate. I didn't even know she was a young maiden, but her oath is much stronger than any law we have imposed. She defeated the abomination that was encircling the canvas on which our god painted us. There is no greater sign of faith and love than this, my dear citizens!
Our greatest protector could not have said it better. On this occasion, our lord has manifested himself as a miracle through this person, the apprentice of the great guardian of the walls, the great archer Sora.
Everyone began to murmur.
"So, it was true," said a stranger, to which another added, "It must be those orphans from the massacre fifteen years ago."
Liria turned toward where they were murmuring, but everyone fell silent.
It is my humble pleasure to recognize your bravery on the battlefield with an honorary title for you adventurers and for our first knight, but as you must be too tired from being out in the open, we will let you rest today. The ceremony will be in a month, and of course, everyone is invited to participate in the birth of a new guardian of our holy faith.
The high priest wore ostentatious garments forged in gold, his white robe was woven in the same color, and on his head was a skullcap that resembled a crown. In that great city, there was no king or ruler; the one who stood above the others was this lord.
Now, my friends, I will give you a gift from our lord!
A golden light came out of the golden staff and a trail of golden magic that looked like gold fell on them, healing their wounds immediately.
The people were ecstatic, some crying and all the others prostrating themselves at the feet of this character.
His holiness knows no bounds, my lord, sent by our god to proclaim his miracles on this land that was once pagan! said one of the women in the crowd as she prostrated herself on the ground and kissed his shoes.
It is time to go, Your Excellency," said Rosinante, and the high priest nodded and re-entered the ostentatious carriage.
See you in a month, Saint of the Sword!" replied Rosinante, glancing sideways at Liria and a small smile appearing on his face.