I never liked journeys. When I was a child, we used to travel very far by car. I don't understand how anyone can enjoy something so suffocating and uncomfortable.
"Ugh, I miss my home" someone complained as if they had heard my thoughts.
I looked around, wondering who this mind reader was.
A few steps ahead of me was the blond pole from our unit.
He walked hunched forward, whining like a sulky child.
I remembered the rule from my book:
Rule 2: Socialize.
The more people you know, the higher your chances of survival. Make friends who will watch your back and whose backs you'll watch in return.
I needed to make friends, and for that, I chose this muscular blond guy.
"I agree! I miss my home and my bed too" I said.
He looked at me in surprise.
"I thought I was the only one thinking that. The farther we go, the more my feet want to turn back" he said.
Because he was so tall, it was hard to keep up with him. I motioned for him to bend down and whispered into his ear,
"Then let's run away."
He let out a small gasp, covered his mouth, and immediately started thinking before even realizing I might be joking.
He bent down too and said, "I-I'm not ready for that. But… I'll keep it in mind!"
Come to think of it, his face was really cute. Light brown eyes, a small curved nose, and messy blond hair.
His face was the complete opposite of his body. Broad shoulders and a height like a national basketball player.
I smiled and decided this might not be a joke after all.
Maybe I should run away.
"Hey, what's your name?" I asked in a sweet tone.
"Torric. I'm Torric," he said, then took a short breath and asked nervously,
"A-and yours?"
"Merlin" I said quickly. "Let's be friends!"
I expected nothing more than a stunned expression from him.
Embarrassed, looking away, he asked,
"How old are you? You look older than me."
Come on! How could this baby face be old?
"Kid, I'm in my early twenties" I said.
He suddenly laughed, almost choking. It was adorable.
"I'm seventeen, bro" he said.
"B-BRO?!"
I was experiencing things in my female body that I never could in real life.
"Ah, was that too familiar?" he asked shyly.
How could I ever hurt him?
"No, buddy. You were way too cute" I said.
Puahaha. Inside, I was braying with laughter, unable to believe this was actually happening.
"Cute?!"
With his pink face, he quickly walked away from me.
"Don't forget we're friends now!!" I shouted after him.
…
We've practically completed the first week of this expedition, which is said to last about three weeks. We've covered quite a distance. I spend my time observing the people around me.
Murmur
"Did you hear? The Duke is coming here"
"What?! Isn't it just his aide?"
"Hey, what if we don't look good to him will we get in trouble?"
"Don't be ridiculous. Why would the Duke come all the way to us?"
"I'm not lying"
As the soldiers voiced their thoughts, the sound of horse hooves silenced everyone.
There were many of us, so the distance between units was large. The Duke's unit was at the very front, and we were at the very back. We hadn't seen them since the journey began. Central authority matters I guess we're being inspected to make sure we don't cause trouble.
Wait, what?!
That man was riding toward us on a black, noble horse.
When the wind swept the hair from in front of his eyes, his icy blue gaze shone.
It felt like time had stopped.
I fully realized that I was inside a novel. I had never met anyone this attractive in real life. His aura screamed main character.
When he was right in front of me, I could hear my own heartbeat and then…
He simply passed by me.
…
The Duke gathered the unit commanders, and there's a heated meeting going on in the tent right now.
Meanwhile, we were busy arranging where we'd sleep.
When Torric failed again to set up the tent he'd been struggling with for half an hour, I rushed over.
"Let me help" I said, and quickly assembled it.
He watched me as if mesmerized, nodding to show he understood everything.
Looking into his eyes, I said, "You should come to me when you're struggling" and smiled.
I left while he was still staring at me sweetly.
It had been very hot all day, and I was sweaty and smelled bad.
I remembered seeing a small pond on the way here. It was a bit far, but if I could reach it, that would be perfect.
While everyone looked busy, I slipped into the forest unnoticed. After walking for quite a while, I reached the pond, surrounded by mossy rocks.
It was about twice the size of a children's pool. The image of the full moon reflected on the clear water.
I dipped my hand into the water. It was a little cold but I thought it would do me good.
I took off my cloak and pants and washed myself in my loose white T-shirt. I figured my real body would need cleaning too.
My long black hair had become matted like felt, and I definitely didn't smell good. Taking a deep breath, I submerged myself in the water.
Snap-crack
What were those sounds?!
Blub blub bubbles
When I ran out of breath, I quickly lifted my head. Half of my body was still underwater. My hair clung to my white T-shirt. I shivered slightly from the cold.
I looked around at the bushes.
No one was there.
Could it be a predator?
I need to pull myself together and lea-
"Is there someone in that water?"
Startled by the panic of being caught, I tried to cover myself with my arms.
The voice saying, "Is someone there?" came closer, and from between the bushes emerged an armored woman with golden-blonde hair, blue eyes, and porcelain-white skin.
I stared at her with my mouth hanging open.
If she was my kind, then what was I?
Was I a cake?
Was I a human floating in the middle of nothingness?
Her gaze was the very definition of nobility sharp, startled and stern.
At that moment, I hadn't realized that my ring wasn't in its place. When the wind blew through my wet hair. I understood.
"Hey, what are you doing in the lake?" she asked in that delicate yet deeply impressive voice.
Which character was she in this story?
How could I not remember her? If she had been mentioned even once, I would never have forgotten. The author had crafted her with care and now that beauty stood right in front of me.
"Don't tell me you came here alone in the middle of the night just to bathe" she said.
Her suspicion was reasonable.
It was time to lie.
"Ah! Well. Actually, that's exactly why I came" I said. "I'm a servant assigned to this expedition. I fell into a large mud puddle on the road and when I saw this small lake. I wanted to clean myself. I have no bad intentions, ma'am."
Thank goodness I'm good with words. In sudden situations, I turn into a lie detector that lies flawlessly.
"There's no need to call me 'ma'am.' I'm part of the unit as well. Still, you should be careful—we're in an environment where men are the majority. Get dressed now. I'll take you back" she said.
How considerate…
but wait. I cannot go back in this form!
"A-actually, I know the way. You can go ahead" I said.
Her face didn't change, but it was clear she was surprised.
"I admire your courage. Leaving men aside there are also predatory animals here. The fact that you don't even have a weapon means I will absolutely not leave you here" she said.
She was more noble and more thoughtful than many male characters.
I decided to let her take me back and planned to put the ring on again without anyone noticing.
"Thank you for your offer" I said. I wrung the water out of my wet white T-shirt and put my cloak on. It was still damp and uncomfortable. I hung the ring around my neck, and we started walking.
We were taking a different route from the one I had come through.
I thought maybe she knew a shortcut, because it had taken me quite a while to get here. She walked ahead with confident steps. I followed quickly. Then, gathering my courage, I started asking what I was curious about.
"What brought you this far?" I asked.
"I was chasing a traitor" she replied.
"A traitor? I never thought there could be a traitor among us. That's unsettling" I said.
She slowed down, turned her face toward me under the moonlight, and smiled slightly.
"Don't worry. We'll do everything we can to protect you. You'll return to your homes safely" she said.
Her gentle voice and words warmed me. The hand she placed on my shoulder made me feel at ease.
"Excuse me, what should I call you?" she asked.
All right. I had Melanie and Merlin but I used them in different places. For this role, I needed a separate name.
"Maria" the name slipped out of my mouth suddenly. I liked it.
"Maria… nice to meet you. Unfortunately I can't give you my name. I hope you understand" she said.
If she was chasing a traitor, she might be on a secret mission. I understood why she wouldn't tell me.
I nodded in agreement.
She was quite tall if I had to guess around 1.78 meters. At 1.65, I must have looked like her little sister walking beside her.
We moved through countless trees and bushes. I was tired.
If this was a shortcut, why was it taking so long?
…
There was chaos at the gathering site.
Following the meeting with the Duke, it was announced to everyone that we had moved to a position close to the battlefield. Preparations were underway and war strategy was being discussed. Units were being called to assemble.
Laoron was one of the anxious people in this chaos but his worry was different.
Melanie was nowhere to be found.
So much so that he wasn't the only one who noticed her absence. Torric was also wondering where his friend had disappeared.
Laoron spotted Torric among the rushing people, grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him back.
He had seen him around Melanie several times.
"Hey! You, blond have you seen Mela-Merlin?" he asked.
Calling him "blond" was rather funny considering he himself was blond.
"N-no… who are you? I was looking for her too" Torric said.
"I know her. If you hear anything, let me know" Laoron said.
They went their separate ways. Laoron let out a deep sigh.
"For God's sake! Where are you?" he cried out.
…
They reached an open clearing and it was immediately clear that this place was different.
W-Where am I? What is this place?
Our tents weren't like this, and these people were dressed completely differently.
"Hey! Where are we?" I asked anxiously.
The female knight looked into my eyes.
"What do you mean? We're at the gathering point" she said.
What?
How?
How is this possible?
We didn't gather here. These are different people. What is happening?
My head was full of questions, and it was already too late to turn back. It was only a matter of time before they noticed me.
I need to understand what's going on then I need to go back.
Just as I was about to ask something, someone approached her, gave her instructions, and left. My words were stuck in my throat.
I need to ask someone where I am.
Two soldiers walked past me, arguing. The eagle emblem embroidered on their uniforms didn't that represent the Kingdom of Bastond?
The Bastond we're supposed to fight?!
"They said we're close to the battlefield, but the Mad Lord is still nowhere to be seen."
"You've heard the legend of the Duke on the opposing side, right? They say his icy blue eyes freeze his opponent in place and just when you think he's looking at you, your head is already flying. Our Mad Lord may be crazy, but he's not stupid. They're probably discussing strategy right now."
After overhearing the soldiers, I fully realized the disaster I had walked into.
My legs were trembling.
If they realized I was from the opposing kingdom, who knows what would happen to me?
I could be taken prisoner or worse, tortured and killed.
Faced with this terrifying reality. I no longer had the strength to stay standing.
I collapsed to the ground.