"After conquering the independent city of IronClaw, the warriors from three different groups—the Royal Berillan Warriors, the Band of the Sirens, and the Band of the Sun—traveled back toward Alku village.
They left the city of IronClaw with pride, the spirit of victory still burning in their hearts. However, some soldiers found it tough to let go of their comrades-in-arms who had died in the war. Among the many Lonewolves who had participated, only Eran remained.
Before them lay a vast grassland that stretched so wide it seemed to be lost on the horizon. A cool breeze caressed their faces as they continued to advance through the grassland.
"Looking at this meadow, I feel how beautiful nature is," Taneaya said with a smile. "We should thank nature for giving us the strength to fight."
The other members of the Band of the Sun agreed, nodding their heads at Taneaya's words. They had been through an intense battle, but this beautiful landscape renewed the
"All the people who had participated in the struggle had gathered, and the atmosphere in the guild was lively. It was evident that they sat in groups with their respective comrades, while Eran, as usual, chose a seat at the far end to avoid drawing attention."Well, it seems you all have gathered. Today, as promised, mercenaries can collect their pay based on their service during the war. All payments have been distributed to your respective leaders," said the official representative of the Berillan kingdom.Eran wanted to inquire about his payment since he didn't belong to any group. However, he was suddenly called by someone, and he searched for the source of the voice."Over here, Eran, over here."Aldrich was waving his hand from the frontmost table on the left side. Eran understood and made his way to Aldrich's table.As he approached, amid the crowded room, Eran could hear whispers and feel many eyes on him."This is your fee," Eran lo
Eran was still awake, he rested his chin on his hand while looking at the scenery outside through the window of the carriage.Eran and Taneaya sat facing each other, the atmosphere was tense along with the cold gaze that the beautiful gray-haired girl threw.Taneaya started the conversation with a slightly sarcastic tone, "So, what do you mean by insulting us in the guild? I don't understand why you, a foreigner, dare to insult our band."Eran's reverie was interrupted and he looked at Taneaya with a flat expression, "I was just expressing my opinion at the time, after all, it was a guild officer who asked me. And there was nothing wrong with what I said back then, there wasn't even an element of insult."Taneaya shook her head in annoyance, "Opinion? How could you express an opinion like that to us? Do you think you're better than us?"Eran smiled sarcastically, "I have never claimed to be greater than anyone. But I have my principles and stances."Taneaya squinted, "You're confident
They entered the palace gates and were amazed by the sight before them. Streets lined with white marble led to the royal palace towering in the distance. There were fountains with golden showers symbolizing the beauty and wealth of the Berrilan kingdom. Hundreds of colorful flowers spread along the streets, filling the air with a tantalizing fragrance.Taneaya was still mesmerized by the beauty on display. "It's like a fairytale world..."Eran smiled. "Hmmm..."Taneaya looked at Eran sarcastically. "Ckk...An annoying person like you wouldn't understand!""How can you say that, I just cleared my throat, not saying anything," Eran protested.Taneaya only glanced sarcastically at Eran, then looked back outside.After entering the palace area the carriage carrying them stopped in the courtyard of one of the luxurious buildings.There stood a man in a red robe. Behind him were two soldiers guarding him."Yuwin," Aldrich greeted after seeing the person who greeted him. The man smiled broadl
The rule of the Heirs of de Golden is not only valid within the kingdom, but is also recognized by neighboring kingdoms and countries on the Anthares continent. They have established strong diplomatic relations with other kingdoms, and are often invited to participate in state events and international gatherings.The hereditary rule of the Heirs of de Golden has also earned them the respect and recognition of the kingdom's people. They are considered a symbol of the kingdom's unity and identity, and many people vie to serve and support this ruling family. In the eyes of the people, they are respected and beloved leaders, who always care and strive for the good of their people.However, hereditary power also carries a great burden for the members of the Heirs of de Golden family. They must always strive to maintain their family's legacy and honor, as well as fulfill the expectations and responsibilities of being rulers. They must be prepared to face pressure, demands from the people an
"Well, in addition to these honors, this party is also being held to welcome the only emblem of the beauty of our kingdom, my little princess Catallina here," said the King proudly.Everyone was surprised and excited to see the king's daughter.Catallina was seen hugging Taneaya."This is so embarrassing me, I told him not to do this," she whispered to Taneaya."Go Cata, uncle is waiting for you," Taneaya said while pinching Catallina's cheeks."Ugh, okay," Catallina pouted.Then she noticed the gawking expressions of Uldor and Gorstag."I'll explain later," Catallina whispered as she begged for mercy.Catallina stepped into the center of the hall to approach the king, then gracefully pulled on her two ball gowns and bowed her head before the crowd in the hall."Please enjoy this award party," Catallina said to applause.Catallina's embrace with her parents, the king, and queen, revealed a deep secret that only a select few knew. Born into a noble family, Catallina is the daughter of
They stopped by the only old tree in the middle of the park."I'll be serious from the start as you requested. Are you sure, Eran?" asked Theo as he took out a thin sword from its sheath."A man speaks with his sword," said Eran as he took out his two daggers."Wow, I'm surprised, even with a suit like that you can hide your two daggers," praised Theo.Tonight the moon was full, the park was very quiet. Its light refracted until it illuminated every corner. Without anyone knowing, without anyone seeing, this battle witnessed their strength.Without a signal their battle began, Eran disappeared from Theo's sight, then a split second suddenly appeared in front of Theo. Eran quickly attacked with his two daggers, but Theo had no trouble parrying Eran's attacks. His daggers continued to look for gaps to penetrate Theo's defense, but Theo beautifully parried them all.Not running out of ideas, Eran increased the speed of his attacks almost imperceptibly, it was not enough for him to penetr
Theo continued, "The Empire should be promoting peace and unity, not massacring other groups. I've always felt that there are other ways to resolve conflicts, without having to sacrifice so many lives."Theo was silent for a moment, then he bowed his head."I'm sorry Eran, I hope you'll forgive me."You don't need to apologize, you're innocent, it's already part of history, after all it's already a destiny that I have to carry in my life.""Really?""Never mind, rather than discussing that, tell me why you chose your path now. Even though you are one of the strongest clan members today. Damn lucky, you make me jealous."Theo smiled wryly at Eran then looked up at the moon."Lucky huh?" Theo exhaled his breath in exasperation."If I could choose, I'd rather be born in another clan or even a mediocre clan, it would allow me to savor every breath."Eran was slightly transfixed by Theo's words."You know Eran, as a child I dreamed of becoming a Sinners."Eran was surprised to hear Theo's
Cheers echoed through the tavern as the tankards clashed, an air of celebration spreading throughout the place. The night was filled with laughter, singing, and camaraderie, stories shared, jokes exchanged, and heard outside the Tavern.Amid the celebration, Theo took the opportunity to introduce Eran to his fellow mercenaries. The room was silent for a moment as curious eyes turned to Eran, intrigued by the presence of the skilled warrior who had played a crucial role in their recent victory.But things were not as Eran had imagined. Uldor, Kain, and Catallina greeted Eran with sincerity. A visibly embarrassed Taneaya also welcomed Eran.Gorstag voiced his disapproval, "This band is reserved for those who have proven their loyalty and fought on our side from the beginning. We can't just accept outsiders with open arms."Eran, showing his typical confidence and wit, retorted in a mocking tone. "Ah, Gorstag, always quick to judge. Perhaps you're afraid I'll defeat you
Gorstag was looking increasingly angry and frustrated as his previous attacks were fruitless. Even more embarrassing, all the attacks using his two axes were successfully parried by the two hammers used by Kain."Damn it! Damn it! Damn you, shorty!" shouted Gorstag very loudly, letting his frustration explode.Kain could not help but laugh, mocking his opponent. "Hahaha... Alright, Gorstag. I'll end this now, I think I'm starting to sweat."Gorstag who was provoked by Kain's taunt responded with his signature move. He took one step back, then with a steady stride, he leaped towards Kain, his two axes aiming at Kain as if to split him in two."You're crazy, Gorstag! Do you want to kill me?" Kain grumbled, trying to maintain his composure amidst the escalating situation.However, as Gorstag got closer to Kain, Kain quickly dodged the attack with an agile movement to the left. Gorstag's axe missed spectacularly, and as the axe was about to land on the ground, Kain immediately slammed bot
"Slow down, Gorstag," Kain said, trying to advise his opponent. "Watch your step. It's too stiff!" Kain was trying to guide Gorstag, albeit in the context of a training battle.Gorstag only responded with a loud screech, still pressing Kain with his two axes. His attacks were hard and merciless, creating tremendous pressure on Kain.Kain, however, had his strategy. He continued to evade Gorstag's attacks with no intention of counterattacking. For him, this fight was about testing endurance and agility.Gorstag tried to provoke Kain with his words. "You're just like a rabbit, Kain. Are you afraid to attack me?" he tried to interrupt Kain's concentration, but Kain responded with a casual and dismissive tone.Kain replied in a dismissive tone, "No, Gorstag, I'm just wiser in choosing when to attack. To me, this is just practice."The fight continued, and Kain continued to show his agility and dexterity in dodging his opponent's attacks. He knew that his counterattack could happen at any
"Really, were they chasing you back then?" asked Catallina, wanting to know for sure.Eran nodded as he sifted his gaze towards the soldiers they were observing. "Right, those are Dignus soldiers, they were chasing us back then.""That snob," grumbled Catallina in a hateful tone."Do you know him?" asked Eran, his voice a little louder than expected.Catallina looked sharply at Eran. "Shhh...don't yell. Your voice is too loud!" whispered Catallina in an annoyed tone."Did you hear something?" asked one of the soldiers suspiciously."No," the other soldier replied doubtfully."I just heard what sounded like someone over there," the soldier said, pointing to the thick bushes where Catallina and Eran were hiding.Eran and Catallina lingered in suspense, hoping the soldiers would leave soon."Really?" the first soldier's question echoed in the tension of the silent forest.The two soldiers looking towards the bushes suddenly felt an unexpected presence. They moved cautiously toward the bu
Catallina and Eran stepped slowly into the forest of Tossing Rill. They held arrows and long sticks as weapons and carried bags containing the results of their previous hunts."Isn't that enough?" asked Eran, referring to the existing game while pointing at the rabbits and mushrooms lying on the green leaves near them.Catallina shook her head, her eyes busy searching for traces of other possible games. "Not enough. We need more. Rabbits are getting hard to find around here," Catallina explained as she moved her head, searching for signs of the game.Eran understood the situation and looked around the increasingly dense forest. "Hm, we should go deeper into this forest. Chances are we'll find more food sources there, there must be a lot of deer we can bring, I've brought one before, right?" he suggested, hoping to get more adequate game inside the forest.Catallina looked thoughtful for a moment, her concern growing as she felt that time was passi
Amidst the bustling atmosphere of the Tavern, the sounds of laughter and joy filled the air as Theo and his group celebrated the success of their two recent missions. The clinking of tankards and the lively melodies of the master bards of Halbarad created a joyous atmosphere, bringing a sense of relief and relaxation to the weary soldiers.Theo approached the table located in the corner where Eran was sitting and then made an inviting gesture. "Eran, why don't you join us?"Eran, with a faint smile, shook his head slowly. Then, Theo asked again, "Does your wound still hurt?"Eran shook his head again. "The longer it goes on, the better it gets," he replied.Theo smiled and looked excited. "Great, so let's join in," he invited, trying to persuade Eran to join in.Eran still refused, "No... you know me, right? I prefer to be alone like this."Theo didn't give up, pleading in an excited tone, "Oh, come on Eran, just once to celebrate the success of our two missions."However, there was a
The shadows suddenly moved again. Eran, breathing heavily, tried to consider stopping for a moment in the dark forest filled with thick fog. For a child of Eran's size, he had shown incredible toughness and courage by being able to penetrate into the haunted and mystical forest of Yaban.However, he didn't have time to rest for long. The voice of an angry warrior could be heard from nearby, intimidating, "Where is that little boy?!" The shout was followed by more voices, "There he is! Let's go get him!"Eran felt his breath catch, and horror began to overcome him. The two soldiers who were trying to capture him kept getting closer, their voices echoing in his ears. The situation was even more difficult because the dark forest made it almost impossible for him to see his way between the dense trees.Unexpectedly, as Eran continued his run, he found himself right in front of a ravine. "Ahhh... ravine!!!" he screeched when his small eyes caught sight of the ravine that lay before him.In
The strapping old man looked at Eran with sharp eyes, hinting at great seriousness. The night wind rustled, and the atmosphere around them was filled with a tense atmosphere. It was as if nature itself was participating in an imminent war."You should run later, Eran. Understood?" he said again, his voice accompanied by the rustling wind that deepened the tension of the night. The dim moonlight shone on the old man's face, revealing the seriousness of his message.Eran pondered, his eyes never leaving the old man's face. Many wrinkles adorned the experienced skin on his face, giving the impression that the man had been through so many battles. There were several small wounds adorning his face, traces of the heroic stories he had gone through.Who knows how many battlefields he had witnessed, who knows how many friends he had left behind. But his scarred face also reveals that he is someone who always perseveres, never giving up.Eran's own face reflects the man's youth. His shoulder-l
In the already tense atmosphere, Enid with a chuckle said, "Ah, I forgot about someone... my third sister, Taneaya... I wonder what she looks like now. I'll bet she has grown into a very beautiful girl..." As Enid glanced at Dignus, he looked for any sign of reaction on his brother's face. Not long after, Dignus was startled, his expression frozen as if he saw a ghost. Enid cruelly continued, "I think Taneaya would be an expensive item if he were in my whorehouse, and of course, I would be able to enjoy her body every day."An explosion of rage was inevitable as Dignus vented his anger, shouting, "Bastard!!! I'll kill you if you dare touch her!!!" His eyes turned red and the veins on his face bulged like they were about to burst.Enid smiled with satisfaction, looking at Dignus challengingly. "So? Do you know what to do, Dignus?" asked Enid as he pulled himself closer.The two engaged in a battle of glances, Dignus full of anger and Enid with a terrifying
In a room filled with tension, Dignus and Enid faced each other, their eyes radiating anger and hatred toward each other. There was no weakness visible in their postures, each determined to uncover the truth underlying their conflict.Suddenly, Dignus let out a long breath, trying to ease some of the tension that filled the room. "What do you mean?" asked Dignus in a voice that, despite trying to remain calm, sounded bitter.Enid could no longer hide his annoyance. "Don't pretend you don't know! Your acting is terrible, Dignus," he said in an unfriendly tone. With steady steps, he approached Dignus, standing tall before him. "How come the mission in Hollowfield Village is still on your mission list?" said Enid in a puzzled tone.Dignus tried to defend himself, saying, "I already ordered my guild master to burn it when it was sent to my town." His face looked pale with guilt, and Enid's sharp gaze was probing every word that came out of his mouth.However, Enid, who could not bear the