At the northern edge of the Kingdom of Deogon, beyond the reach of its protective barriers, lay a dangerous frontier region known as Livia, a land bordering the ruins of the fallen kingdom.
Here, the presence of demonic beasts was a constant threat.
On occasion, entire scouting units from the demon army could be seen moving through the shadows, surveying the land.
Because it lay outside the kingdom's protection zone, only elite soldiers, knights, or licensed adventurers were permitted to enter. Most came either to train or to investigate the lingering power that clung to the ruins.
To the south of this dangerous region stood the town of Eldham, a bustling hub of life and opportunity. Adventurers from all over Deogon gathered there, drawn by the promise of fame, fortune, or glory in the perilous lands beyond.
But while Eldham thrived in the spirit of adventure
It was also a place where death came daily.
Casualties and fatality reports were routine names scratched off guild boards, tales left unfinished. The beasts that roamed the Livia region were far superior, stronger, and more cunning than what was found in the safer zones of the kingdom.
Inside Silverwood, the dense, ancient forest that marked the boundary between the Ruined Kingdom and the Kingdom of Deogon, the shadows ran deep and the silence was rarely empty.
A sudden rustling broke the stillness—violent, fast, chaotic.
A group of adventurers and soldiers tore through the underbrush, breath ragged, armor clinking with each desperate step.
Something was chasing them.
Something fast.
"Don't stop! Keep moving!" one of the knight shouted
One of the younger adventurers tripped on a gnarled root and hit the ground hard. Blood trickled down his forehead as he turned, eyes wide.
"Incoming—arrows!!"
The warning barely escaped his lips before a dark-fletched arrow pierced clean through his skull.
He dropped instantly, his body hitting the forest floor with a dull thud.
"Form up! Battle formation!" another shouted, rage and fear mixing in his voice.
The adventurer party, once five strong, was now down to four.
Their leader—a man clad in well-worn armor—unsheathed his sword in a single, practiced motion. His eyes scanned the dense treeline, tense and ready.
His remaining teammates followed suit, weapons drawn, backs to each other as they prepared for an ambush.
Meanwhile, a separate group of soldiers stood just a few meters behind them. Among them were two mounted knights, four infantry, and a woman in plated armor whose commanding presence marked her as someone of rank.
"You soldiers!" the armored adventurer barked, never taking his eyes off the forest.
"Protect your lady and get the hell out of here! Find a way out—now!"
More movement stirred in the shadows.
And then came the sound, low, guttural snarling, followed by the faint shimmer of metal.
The enemy wasn't just watching anymore.
They were coming.
"Dark Elves"
=================================
Alex's Point of View
I still couldn't believe it.
Marci and Mr. Hex actually dragged me into their so-called secret unit.
We were currently en route to Eldham, a major frontier town said to lie a full week's ride from Lord Willson's fortress near Canos.
It was the first time in my life I'd ever left the region.
The roads were long and bumpy, the forest thick around us, and the tension awkwardly quiet in the air.
Everything felt foreign.
However, I couldn't shake the feeling that a cold gaze was constantly piercing through me—
Cloe's, hidden behind that helmet.
Even without seeing his eyes, I could feel it.
He didn't seem pleased with my presence.
And honestly… I couldn't blame him.
After all, I wasn't picked for my skills.
I was here because Mr. Hex and Marci recommended me—as a bag carrier, no less.
So if that's all I was good for then I'd better do that job perfectly.
Beside me, Marci was napping, using my shoulder like a pillow. This guy really lived rent-free, I swear.
"Are you all right?"
A soft, gentle voice pulled me from my thoughts.
I turned to see Sophia, the priestess, looking at me with genuine concern in her eyes.
She was always like that—kind, easygoing, and open. Despite revealing she was from noble blood, she never acted like she was above us.
Not like Sir John.
The knight barely spoke unless Lieutenant Cloe prompted him directly. He carried himself with pride, but his silence kept him distant.
Sophia, on the other hand, treated us like equals from the start.
"Y-Yeah… I'm fine," I replied awkwardly, scratching the back of my neck.
She smiled softly.
Up front, Mr. Hex was guiding the horses, reins in hand, while Cloe sat beside him.
"I think we're almost there!"
Sophia said cheerfully, poking her head out from the back of the carriage.
Her hair fluttered in the breeze as she leaned forward to get a better look at the road and the surrounding. The sunlight caught in her eyes, and for a second, she looked more like an excited traveler than a battlefield medic.
I shifted slightly, trying not to jostle Marci, who was still dozing peacefully on my shoulder.
"Already?" I asked, sitting up straighter. My back ached from the ride, and part of me wasn't sure if I was relieved or nervous.
Sophia nodded, her voice light.
"Yeah… I can see the fortress walls up ahead. It must be Eldham. It's bigger than I expected."
I felt a little excited, nervous too but mostly excited.
I had never stepped outside of Canos before. Not since the day I left Lvida.
That thought brought me back to Lis and Grandma. I hadn't seen them in nearly a month. They had gone to the capital, and I couldn't help but wonder how they were doing.
Maybe she's seeing the world too, like I am now.
Though knowing her, she's probably buried in books, studying hard.
"Ah, right—we've arrived!"
Mr. Hex called from the front, pulling the reins to slow the horses.
That sudden announcement stirred Marci, who let out a big yawn as he blinked awake.
"Good morning!" he said cheerfully, rubbing his eyes.
"Oi, it's afternoon!" I shot back, flicking his forehead.
"Ahh—oww! That's no way to treat someone just waking up!" he groaned, holding his head while grinning.
As we approached the entrance to Eldham, the once-distant fortress walls now loomed above us—tall, weathered, and lined with patrolling guards.
Just outside the gates, there was a long line of travelers and merchants, all waiting to be checked by the town guards. The air buzzed with the sounds of chatter, horses, and clanking armor.
At first, I thought we'd have to wait like everyone else, but Cloe dismounted and calmly walked to the front of the line.
He reached into his cloak and pulled out something—a pendant, though from where I sat, I couldn't make out the design.
The moment the guards saw it, their eyes widened slightly.
Without a word, they stood aside and quickly made room for our carriage to pass through.
No questions. No delay.
We were let in without a single problem.
Cloe led us through the stone-paved streets of Eldham, moving with the confidence of someone who knew exactly where he was going.
Eventually, we stopped in front of a modest but well-kept inn, tucked between two shops near the town's inner market.
Cloe gave it a brief glance before turning back toward us.
"Mr. Hex, park the carriage at the side. There's a shelter for the horses around back."
Mr. Hex nodded and pulled the reins, guiding the carriage as instructed.
"Alex, unload the supplies and everyone's gear. Bring it inside."
I blinked. "Uh—right."
By now, the others were already stretching their legs and heading inside at a relaxed pace, while I was left to unload bags, crates, and bedrolls onto the cobbled walkway.
I managed to haul everything inside fairly quickly.
I managed to haul everything inside fairly quickly, though my arms were starting to ache from the effort.
The interior of the inn was small, a little cramped, but clean and warm. The scent of aged wood and something faintly herbal lingered in the air. Near the front desk sat an elderly man, hunched slightly over a ledger. He looked up as we entered, his eyes narrowing as he squinted through a pair of small glasses.
Cloe stepped forward.
"Klien! How are you doing?" he called out casually.
The old man's expression lit up the moment he recognized the voice.
"Oh… isn't it Cloe!" he said with a slow grin.
"Long time no see!"
"We'd like to stay at your inn for a while," Cloe said. "Do you have any rooms available?"
Klien scratched his chin. "Let me see… hmm…
Looks like I've only got three rooms left."
Cloe glanced over at us for a moment, then turned back to Klien.
"Is that enough for six people?" he asked.
Klien nodded. "Yes… but one of the rooms only has a single bed. The other two each have two beds."
"We'll take them."
Klien scribbled a quick note into his ledger, then handed three keys over the counter to Cloe.
Without hesitation, Cloe turned and handed the single-bed key to Sophia.
"You'll take this room," he said simply. "You're the only girl here—it's appropriate that you sleep alone."
Sophia nodded, accepting the key with a soft smile. "Thank you."
Next, Cloe held out one of the two-bed keys and handed it to Sir John.
"You'll be sharing with Mr. Hex."
For a moment, I thought John might object. Given his noble status and the fact that Mr. Hex used to be a slave, things could have gone south fast.
But surprisingly, Sir John simply nodded.
"…Understood."
Maybe it was because Mr. Hex was once a knight—not just a peasant or common soldier. Or maybe John respected strength more than bloodlines.
"Alex and Marci—"
Cloe turned to us. "You'll be sharing the last room with me"
"Kyah!"
Marci let out a surprised yelp, practically jumping in place.
I sighed.
"Drop your gear, get settled—then meet me in our room. We're having a brief strategy meeting before dinner," he added, already turning toward the stairs.
The two of us followed Cloe to our assigned room.
It was small but tidy, with two beds neatly made and a small window letting in faint evening light.
I blinked, then frowned. "Wait… there are only two beds in here."
"Yep, true," Marci said cheerfully as he tossed his bag onto one of them.
"You'll probably be sleeping on the floor. Hehe."
I narrowed my eyes. "Really funny."
Then Cloe turned to me, completely serious.
"Actually, you'll be standing guard—outside our room. During the night."
I stared at him. "Wait... what? Why me?!"
"You're not part of the official team. You're our carrier," he said bluntly "Consider it part of your responsibility."
"Please—Cloe. I mean, Lieutenant Cloe—don't be harsh on Alex."
Marci suddenly stepped in, his voice firm but earnest.
"He can sleep with me."
There was a pause.
A long, cold pause.
"…With you?"
Cloe turned back, his voice flat. "Are you stupid?"
Marci folded his arms confidently. "What's wrong with that? We're both men."
I stood frozen, blinking in disbelief.
'This guy's actually standing up for me… in front of Cloe. Is he insane?'
Cloe's narrowed eyes flicked between the two of us.
Then he sighed, muttered something under her breath, and turned away.
"...Fine. Just don't blame me if you regret it."
I didn't understand why Cloe was afraid of me sleeping in the same room as them, we all men though.
After a short break to settle in, the knock came.
Soon, everyone had gathered in our room for the meeting. The tension was subtle, but it was there—hanging in the air like the weight of an unspoken question.
Cloe stood at the center, her helmet still on, as usual. Until now, all she'd told us during the carriage ride was that we were here to rescue someone important.
Now, she pulled a sealed letter from her satchel and gave it a quick scan.
"Tomorrow morning, we'll depart for the Silverwood Forest," she began, her tone sharp and focused.
"Our mission is to locate and retrieve a woman named Lady Clara."
She paused just long enough for the name to settle in before continuing.
"According to Lord Willson's investigation… someone attempted to assassinate Lady Clara. She is the designated successor to the Edward Household, and a target due to her political position."
"That's outrageous!"
Sir John rose slightly from his seat, eyes wide with disbelief. He clearly recognized the name.
"The Edward Household has always supported the kingdom—financially, militarily. They've provided weapons, armor, even training resources. Who would dare target Sir Edward's daughter?!"
Cloe gave a short, composed nod. "We haven't identified who's behind the attempt yet… but this task was personally entrusted to us by Sir Edward himself, through Lord Willson."
The room fell into a brief silence.
Even Marci, who usually had something lighthearted to say, looked serious now.
"That's why the incident hasn't been released to the public," Cloe continued.
"On top of that, Lady Clara is engaged to the Third Prince."
The room went still.
Even the air felt heavier.
"…No way."
Sophia murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. There was a softness in her tone—almost… sadness.
Her eyes flickered downward, and for a brief moment, I wondered if there was more to her reaction than just surprise.
"The Third Prince?" Marci echoed, blinking. "Then that means…"
"She's not just a political figure," Mr. Hex finished for him. "She's a future royal."
Cloe gave a curt nod. "That's why this operation is being handled in absolute secrecy. If word got out that the prince's fiancée had been assassinated…"
"…it could trigger panic," Sir John muttered grimly.
To be honest, I couldn't really follow most of their discussion.
Nobles, royal families, political alliances...
It all felt like another world to me.
The only thing I understood clearly was our mission:
Rescue Lady Clara.
That was enough.
After the meeting, we all headed down to the inn's dining hall for a simple dinner. The mood was quieter than usual—everyone was still processing what we'd learned.
When the meal was over, we returned to our room in silence.
The weight of tomorrow's mission still lingered in the air.
Marci and I ended up sharing the same bed.
He turned to face the wall the moment we laid down, his back stiff.
I could tell he was shy,probably overthinking it, like always.
Meanwhile, I was just trying not to fall off the edge.
"Relax, I'm not gonna bite," I muttered.
He didn't reply, but I heard a soft, embarrassed sigh.
Across the room, Cloe lay on the other bed completely still.
Helmet still on.
Seriously?
He's actually going to sleep like that?
He lay there like a knight guarding a tomb, not even bothering to remove his armor. I couldn't tell if he was sleeping, meditating, or just keeping watch with her eyes closed.
Cloe was a mystery. Tense and Quiet.
Always watching.