Alex: (Okay… this is weird. Right now, I'm stuck in a cart, locked up, heading to the capital. What did I do? Simple. I'm accused of murdering a merchant. Sigh… talking to myself, but this is a huge misunderstanding. The weird part? After the boar appeared, all my wounds healed, then it vanished. And right then, the capital's knights showed up, saw the dead merchant, and—surprise!—blamed me. Great. In Nora, murder equals the death penalty… Damn, I wonder if Eva will… wait, it's way too early at night anyway.)
Locked in the back, Alex stands and shouts at the two knights in front:
"Let me go! I had nothing to do with this!!!"
One knight snaps back:
"Do you really think you're convincing? We found this man dead—and you, sword in hand, clothes soaked in blood. Stop defending yourself. Prepare to answer to His Majesty, King Nestor. And one more peep, and I'll chop off your head and say you resisted."
Alex: (Shit… I'm completely screwed. The capital's not far, but we'll probably stop somewhere for the night. Better try to sleep now.)
He lies down and dozes off.
When he wakes, he realizes they're already inside the capital—inside the castle walls. He tries the door… and it's unlocked. No one's guarding the cart. Jackpot. Alex climbs down.
The castle is massive—bigger than his entire village. While looking for a way out, he stumbles onto the training grounds. And there he sees a familiar face: Arthur, blessed with the Hero's power.
Alex hides behind a pile of spears, watching Arthur practice swordsmanship, thinking:
(What the hell am I doing? I should be escaping…)
He turns to leave, but the pile of spears collapses.
Alex: "Shit!"
Before he can react, Arthur appears behind him. Alex spins around, their breaths synchronized, as Arthur swings a quick strike.
Reflexes take over. Alex dodges—but lands on the ground. Arthur strikes again. Alex grabs a fallen sword and blocks.
Alex: (Is that a hammer or a sword?)
Arthur: (Fast. He blocked my strike, even with perfect timing.)
Alex rolls, distances himself, and assumes a defensive stance.
"Wait, Arthur! It's a misunderstanding!"
Arthur: "How do you know my name?"
Alex: "It's… complicated."
Arthur: "Then we have nothing to discuss. Get ready."
Alex: "But wait—"
Arthur attacks again. Alex barely manages. The Hero's follow-up is relentless.
Alex: (Who the hell is this guy? If this keeps up, I'm done for.)
Arthur lands a powerful kick to Alex's stomach, sending him flying. Before Alex can recover, Arthur slashes horizontally.
Arthur: (No time to dodge. Checkmate.)
Alex's body reacts on instinct. He ducks perfectly, the sword misses, and spins behind Arthur before he can react. Gripping his sword with both hands, Alex prepares a lateral strike.
Arthur smiles, slow and confident:
"Heroic Power: Heroic Protection."
Alex's strike comes down—he's slammed into the wall.
Arthur approaches:
"Congratulations. You're very skilled."
Alex looks up, meeting Arthur's gaze:
"You say that… but you just broke every bone in my body."
Arthur studies his azure eyes.
Arthur: "Where have I seen you before?"
Alex: "Don't recognize me? I'm Alex, the orphan from the inn."
The knights who brought Alex arrive:
"Sir Hero, this boy is a criminal trying to escape!"
Arthur glances at Alex, then the knights:
"I vouch for him. Leave him to me. And you—stand up."
Alex: "I would… if you hadn't just destroyed my body."
Arthur: "Relax. I already healed you."
Alex rises, thinking:
(So… this is the legendary power of a hero.)
Arthur: "Don't waste time. Follow me."
Alex: "Hmm… alright."
They head toward the main castle building. Alex asks:
"Where are you taking me now?"
Arthur: "Stay polite. Say nothing."
The massive door opens. They enter the throne room. Along the way, Alex notices several people:
A knight in armor, short black hair, dark brown eyes.
A young mage with long white hair, violet eyes, royal mage robes.
A tall, muscular man with long black hair, a giant axe on his back.
A priestess with long pale green hair, a large staff, wearing the Church of DEA's robes.
Arthur and Alex bow before the throne. The king asks:
"Arthur, what brings you here, accompanied by this young man in blood-stained clothes?"
Arthur lifts his head:
"I wish to make him my last man—the squire of the Heroic Group."
Alex: (Sigh… okay, I get it now. The Heroic Group… legendary heroes. What a messed-up situation.)
END OF CHAPTER