— What do you mean by Lumiera?
—…
— Hey, I'm talking to yo…
— Why don't we sit in that tavern over there and talk this through quietly?
He moved first, and after a moment's hesitation, Arthur followed.
They chose a table outside the tavern. Soon, a waitress appeared and asked:
— What may I bring you, gentlemen?
— Oh, I'll have a lemon drink with extra sugar. And… what about you, Arthur? Something alcoholic? It's on me.
Arthur stared at Erik for several seconds before replying.
— Anything will be fine.
— Hmm, then bring him a large glass of wine.
The waitress left, and the two remained in silence until eric spoke.
— So, Arthur… do you believe in God?
— …What?
— Do you believe the ruler of Lumiera is a god of the land?
...…
— Are you serious right now?!
— I'm only asking.
— No. I don't believe that shit.
Erik laughed lightly.
— Heh, looks like we agree on one thing.
— Man, I barely even know you.
At that moment, the waitress returned and set their drinks on the table: a lemon drink and a large glass of wine.
— Enjoy.
Erik raised his glass with a smile.
— I think we'll be friends soon enough, Arthur. But for now… enjoy.
---
Under the sunlight of a quiet courtyard in Auraya, Erik and Arthur stood side by side.
— So, what's your plan? Arthur asked.
— My plan is clear. We get into Lumiera, and then it'll be easy…
— Easy? Man, I don't have any permit, no fees paid, and I've never even set foot in Lumiera!
Arthur lifted his brow as though his mind had hit a paradox.
— Really… Well, don't worry. I'll handle it.
— Handle it?
— Yes.
— How?
— It's… a surprise :)
— Wow. And what exactly do you want to do in Lumiera?
— Some business.
— Will you stop speaking in riddles?
Erik took a few steps forward.
— My friend, so as not to trouble your thoughts, when we get there, you'll understand everything. All right?
Arthur gave him a long look that revealed his doubt, then muttered:
— We'll see…
---
— So, Arthur.
— Yes?
— We'll meet tomorrow at the carriage station. And try to find some decent clothes—we'll need them there.
The following day, Arthur was already waiting at Auraya's only station, dressed in a long traveler's coat. The noise of carriages and horses filled the air. Moments later, Erik appeared in the crowd, and as he approached, Arthur asked:
— So, what's next?
— There.
Erik pointed to a small carriage, pulled by a single horse and driven by an old man.
— What is this…?
— Our carriage. Let's go.
Erik went to greet the old driver, whom he seemed to know, while Arthur reluctantly climbed aboard the cramped vehicle that barely fit three. Erik joined him shortly after.
— This is the best you could find?
— Do you have money for a better one?
Arthur didn't answer.
— I don't even know why I'm following you… Damn that cursed bet.
The driver whipped the horse, and the carriage rolled toward Lumiera.
…
— Arthur, one question before we reach our goal.
— Huh? What?
— What's ahead may involve risk. Will you take that risk with me?
Their eyes locked, as if sharing a moment of truth. Arthur finally answered:
— Yes… I'll risk it with you.
Erik nodded.
— Good, then.
---
— Driver, could you stop here? Erik requested suddenly.
Arthur looked at him in confusion.
— What are you talking about?
— I know what I'm doing :)
The carriage halted in the middle of a long empty road, flanked by dense forest. In the far distance, the gates of Lumiera could be seen. Erik stepped down, Arthur following reluctantly, while the carriage rolled away.
— But we haven't arrived yet!!
— And what would you say when the guards of Lumiera stop us and ask for entry permits?
— …
— Hmph. We'll continue on foot, but by another way.
They walked among the trees.
— Are you sure about this?
— I told you: trust me.
After a long while of walking, Arthur's frustration began to show.
— We're almost there, Erik finally said.
They entered a sandy clearing. Arthur noticed horse tracks scattered across the ground and froze.
— What's wrong, Arthur? Come on.
Arthur pointed toward a wooden sign ahead, carved with sharp letters: NO STRANGERS ALLOWED!!
— Do you even realize what you're doing? It says right there!
— Hah, that's nothing. Just a formality.
Arthur exhaled deeply and followed.
As they crossed, the sound of hooves echoed faintly. Arthur froze again.
— Hey, do you hear that?
— Yes… but it's far away.
— What!!! No, Erik, you're insane!
— Come on, just a few more steps and we're there.
— Not enough! I'm going back!
Arthur turned, but Erik stopped him with a sharp reminder.
— Arthur, you said: I'll take the risk with you. Do you remember?
— Yes… but I don't want trouble with Lumiera's guards.
— But you said…
— Haaaaah…
Arthur returned reluctantly, and they pressed forward. But just as they neared the far edge of the clearing, a voice called out:
— Hey! You two!!
They spun around to see a knight of Lumiera astride her horse, several guards mounted behind her.
— Stop, both of you!
Arthur panicked and made to run, but Erik grabbed his arm.
— What are you doing, you fool? We should run!
— Running isn't an option. We can get through this—trust me.
The knight urged her horse forward.
— What are you doing here, intruders?
Erik opened his mouth.
— Yes, we are here to—
But Arthur interrupted quickly.
— No! We were walking through the forest and lost our way, and now we'll leave. All right?
He pulled Erik by the collar, forcing him to turn.
— Arthur! What are you—
— Just walk and shut up, you idiot.
But the knight's voice rang out sharply.
— You're not going anywhere.
Some of the armored guards dismounted, lowering their spears toward Erik and Arthur's heads.
Erik smirked at the scene.
— Well… looks like we're in trouble.
Arthur's face twisted with frustration at the absurd mess they had fallen into.
The guards dragged both Eric and Arthur, shackled tightly, into a carriage designed for prisoners. The wagon rattled forward, escorted by knights on their way back to Lumeira.
Eric lounged casually on a wooden bench as though he were on a holiday, while Arthur sat opposite the barred door, tapping his foot nervously.
— Well, at least look on the bright side. We're entering Lumeira free of charge.
— Yes, but straight into prison. Brilliant plan, thank you, oh wise commander.
— Heh…
Through the small barred window, Arthur caught his first glimpse of Lumeira as they entered. The land was unlike any other kingdom, as if every blessing had chosen to descend here alone.
— Nonsense…
The wagon came to a halt in a secluded corner away from the bustling crowd. Horses neighed as a female knight dismounted her steed and strode toward the carriage holding Arthur and Eric.
— Both of you, out.
Eric stepped down first, followed reluctantly by Arthur. The knight captain stood before them, her gait steady and commanding.
— I want to see both of your identification cards.
— Of course, it's in my left pocket.
She pulled a small case from Eric's coat, revealing an identity card.
— Mike Anderson?
— …
Arthur raised his brows at the name, but Eric shot him a quick wink. Arthur immediately understood—it was a false identity.
The knight continued:
— Very well… you are from the realm. And what about your friend?
— Ah, he's from the realm too… he just lost his card back in Auraya.
Her sharp gaze lingered on him. After a pause, she ordered:
— Release their shackles.
The cuffs were removed, and Arthur muttered under his breath:
— Damn it…
— Well then, can we leave now?
— Not quite.
The knight tilted her head slightly, then motioned with her hand.
— Your friend isn't going anywhere.
One of the guards seized Arthur by the arm.
— Hey! What's this?
Eric stepped forward.
— What do you mean?
— Your excuse is unacceptable. I sense no blessing energy in your friend, unlike you. Those scars on his face mark him as a foreigner. Bringing an outsider into the Sacred Land is a crime… and even you will be implicated.
Eric froze for a brief moment. He had overlooked that detail entirely. Then, with a crooked smile, he muttered:
— Seems like a tiny flaw slipped into the plan…
He gave Arthur the slightest nod. Arthur caught the message instantly.
.
.
.
Suddenly, one soldier crashed to the ground after Arthur dropped him with a single punch. Another followed swiftly.
— You bastard!
A guard lunged with his spear, but Eric kicked him in the head before he could strike. The knight captain unsheathed her sword in a flash, slashing at Eric, but he stepped back with ease.
The fight split into two fronts: Arthur brawled against the guards with heavy blows, while Eric faced the knight. She unleashed a strike infused with flames, leaving a shallow burn on Eric's arm.
— Flame arts, huh?
Their eyes locked in fierce challenge. The knight lunged with a piercing thrust—yet Eric's form dissolved like a shadow. His voice rose behind her:
— Still a beginner.
Before she could whirl around, a sharp blow struck the back of her head, and she collapsed unconscious.
Meanwhile, Arthur had already downed most of the guards, though four remained circling him.
— Come on then! Come at me!
Just as they moved to strike, a blur swept past them. In an instant, all four toppled to the ground, motionless.
— Haaah… what just happened?
.
— A little help never hurts, does it?
Arthur turned to his side and found Eric standing there, the knight captain lying unconscious at his feet. It dawned on him that Eric had finished the fight.
— Hey… how did you—?
— No time to explain. We need to leave, now.
Eric sprinted away, and Arthur dashed after him.
They fled into a deserted back alley, Arthur panting heavily from the run.