Chapter 6 A fiery princes

A month has passed since that strange encounter. We finally got enough money to effort an inn. There are two wooden beds, one on the left and on the right, with a white blanket and a pillow. The window is placed centrally in the back wall and shows a wintery night. It has become winter and that is making traveling a lot more difficult. On the wall to the left is a shelf with books and on the upper right is another shelf with a book and a candle. The candle is the only light source in the room making it cozy. 

I sat cross-legged on one of the beds, tugging the blanket closer around me as I stared out at the snow. Isaiah had gone out to check the job board, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Alone with the sharp contrast of how I thought this journey would go versus how it had actually turned out.

When we first set out, I believed it would all be over in a matter of weeks. That we'd find the answers, that we'd go home triumphant. But a month had passed since that strange encounter—the one that changed everything—and the reality of this quest had started to sink in. Progress was slow, painfully so, and now winter had come to make everything worse.

But I think I need to try to be more patient.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. My fingers were still cold despite the blanket, and the heat from the single candle wasn't nearly enough to warm the room. Isaiah and I had managed to save up enough to afford a stay at this inn, but even with the promise of a bed and roof over our heads, I couldn't shake the unease settling in my chest.

Most of our recent jobs were menial, far from the grand adventures I'd imagined. Cleaning the streets of filth, hauling nori ore to blacksmiths—it was hard work, honest work, but it felt so… mundane. The nori ore jobs had been reliable, though. The grayish-blue rocks were heavy and coarse, but valuable enough to earn us steady pay. I'd watched blacksmiths hammer them into swords, spears, and shields, their forges roaring like wild beasts as they shaped the weapons. At least that part of the work had a spark of intrigue.

Part 2

Isaiah walked into the room, brushing snow from his coat as the warmth of the inn embraced him. The sound of the door closing broke the quiet, and I turned to greet him with a bright smile.

"Hey!" I said, perhaps a little too eagerly. The stillness of the room had left me restless, and seeing him back made everything feel a little less lonely.

"You're in a good mood," Isaiah remarked, hanging his coat on a hook by the door. He raised an eyebrow, his voice tinged with mild surprise.

"Yeah! I feel like we're getting closer to going home." I smiled again, letting that hopeful thought linger in the air.

Isaiah paused, his expression unreadable as he set his bag down. "Yeah, that's right…" he murmured, almost to himself.

"Hm?" I tilted my head, catching the hesitation in his voice. "What's wrong?"

"Oh, uh…" Isaiah scratched the back of his neck, glancing away as if he were gathering his thoughts. "About that…"

There was a weight to his tone, and I felt my heart sink slightly. "Isaiah?"

"Do you… really need to go home?" His voice softened, almost as if he were afraid of my answer. "Can't you come with me to the University of Deity instead?"

For a moment, I was caught off guard. The idea was unexpected, but not unwelcome. I let out a small, thoughtful smile.

"That would be nice," I admitted. "But I'd have to ask Yatsu for an application form first, and that could take some time. Still, it doesn't seem like a bad idea."

Isaiah's face lit up at my response, his usual reserved demeanor giving way to a rare smile. "That's great to hear. I already have my application form ready. My brother's there, so he helped me out with it."

I nodded, trying to share in his excitement, but my thoughts wandered back to the home I had left behind. I didn't have a plan for when I returned. I had left in the middle of a battle, unsure of how things had ended.

What if… what if they're all gone? The thought was suffocating, but I quickly pushed it away. No, they're fine. They must've won. They have to be alive.

Isaiah's voice pulled me back to the present. "You remember what advice Kiruaki Kiriari gave us?"

"Of course," I said without hesitation. "How could I ever forget that?"

Isaiah's expression turned serious. "That quest she mentioned—it's on the board."

I blinked in surprise. "Wait… really?"

I had always thought Kiruaki Kiriari was just some eccentric kid pretending to be a figure from a storybook. But if she was telling the truth… could she really be the Great Sage?

"She said something about the Great Sage," Isaiah continued, leaning back against the wall. "But… who is that, really?"

I took a deep breath, sorting through the fragments of old legends I'd heard over the years. "There's a story. It's said that four hundred years ago, the Seven Heavenly Saints, along with a mage, the sage, and a dragon, gathered to defeat Nizhalgal—the devil himself. But even with all their combined strength, they couldn't kill him."

Isaiah's brows furrowed as he listened intently. "Nizhalgal… isn't he the one who killed the Immortal Hero?"

I nodded, a faint chill running down my spine. "That's right. And Nizhalgal's followers—the people who embody the Seven Deadly Sins—are still out there." I hesitated for a moment, touching the edge of my scarf. "Greed was one of them. He's the one who took my eye… and sent me here."

The memory was still raw, but I pushed it aside. There was no use dwelling on it now.

Isaiah looked thoughtful, then broke the silence. "Why don't we check out the quest Kiruaki Kiriari mentioned? We have enough money to last the week, and… a little adventure wouldn't hurt, right?"

I nodded, a spark of excitement lighting up inside me. "Let's do it!"

The next day, we followed the directions on the quest notice to a snowy stretch of road winding through the forest. It was a key trading route for merchants, and according to the quest, a hideous monster was blocking the way.

"The map says it's here," Isaiah said, studying the parchment carefully.

We searched the area, scanning the trees and the snow-covered path, but nothing stood out. The forest was eerily quiet, save for the crunch of snow under our boots.

"I knew it," Isaiah muttered, frustration evident in his voice. "She was lying. There's nothing here."

I wanted to believe otherwise, but doubt began to creep in. Had Kiruaki Kiriari sent us on a wild goose chase? But then I remembered her words—the way she had whispered to me, as if revealing a secret meant only for my ears.

"She has to be the Great Sage," I murmured, more to myself than to Isaiah.

Isaiah turned to me, his brow furrowed. "What makes you so sure?"

I hesitated, the memory of her whisper still fresh in my mind. "Because… she told me something. Something only the Great Sage would know."

Before he could respond, a low growl echoed through the forest, cutting through the stillness like a blade. Isaiah and I exchanged a glance, our hands instinctively moving to our weapons.

"Looks like the quest wasn't a lie after all," I said, gripping my blade tightly.

Isaiah smirked, his usual confidence returning. "Let's finish this."

Part 3

Isaiah and I were ready for battle, or so we thought. His sword gleamed in the pale winter light, the edge sharp and ready. I had my mana gathered, a spell forming in my mind as we both turned toward the source of the rustling noise. Whatever it was, we were prepared to face it.

At least, that's what we thought.

"Fwahaha! Fwahaha! You finally arrived at last!"

The figure that leapt from the bushes was not the terrifying monster the quest had promised. Instead, it was the self-proclaimed Great Sage, Kiruaki Kiriari, dressed in the same mismatched robes and carrying her ridiculous staff. Her grin was wide and triumphant, as if she'd just won a battle without lifting a finger.

I couldn't help it. My shoulders slumped, and a long, disappointed sigh escaped my lips. "Let's go home…" I muttered, turning on my heel.

"Hey! Wait up!" Kiruaki shouted, her voice ringing through the forest. "You can't just leave! You must fight me first!"

I stopped mid-step and turned back, giving her a long, unimpressed stare. The girl genuinely believed she was the Great Sage—a figure who, by all accounts, had died four hundred years ago. I almost felt bad for her. Almost.

Isaiah, standing beside me, pinched the bridge of his nose. "Luna, let's just—"

I cut him off with a wave of my hand. "Fine. I'll humor her."

I raised my hand, letting mana flow lazily through my fingers as I recited the most over-the-top incantation I could muster.

"By rivers deep and oceans wide, I call upon the water's tide, with liquid power, clear and blue, grant me now what I pursue…" My tone was as monotone as it could get, a clear sign that I wanted this over with. Finally, I called out the spell: "Water Ball."

A tiny orb of water, no larger than a pebble, formed in my palm. It wasn't even big enough to soak Kiruaki's whole face—just her hair.

I flicked it toward her. It hit with a soft splash, barely enough to qualify as an attack. To my shock, she staggered backward, clutching her chest dramatically before collapsing onto the ground.

"Is she… fainting?" Isaiah asked, baffled.

I shrugged. "She's just really good at acting."

Before we could process the absurdity of the situation, the sound of applause erupted behind us.

"They did it!"

"Unbelievable!"

Isaiah and I spun around, only to find ourselves face-to-face with an army. Dozens—no, hundreds—of red-armored knights stood before us, their cheers echoing through the forest. My jaw dropped in sheer disbelief.

"Good job," a high-pitched voice said, cutting through the noise.

The knights parted, and a girl stepped forward. She looked no older than seventeen, but her presence was overwhelming. Her Victorian-style dress was a masterpiece of red and black fabric, adorned with intricate patterns and sparkling gemstones. Her long, light red hair cascaded down her back, and a headband with spikes and roses framed her striking, dark red eyes.

She was beautiful, but there was something unnerving about her—an aura of absolute authority, like she could decide the fate of everyone present with a single word.

"I suppose you expect a reward," she said in the language of Deity, her tone cool and dismissive. "You can stay in the royal castle of Gaia."

I immediately felt uneasy. Her gaze was sharp, and even though she wasn't looking directly at me, I felt like I was being sized up. The fire in her eyes was enough to send a shiver down my spine.

"But—" Isaiah started to say, only to be cut off.

"What?" she snapped, her head held high. "Don't you think it's an honor to be invited to the palace of Gaia?"

Oh no. This wasn't someone you argued with. Just standing in her presence was enough to make my knees weak. I think that she would cut off your head without a problem. I dropped to the ground, bowing my head.

"It would be an honor to go to your palace, Your Highness," I said quickly. "But we have some belongings back at the inn that we need to pack first. And the reward for completing the quest….

The girl's confident smirk widened as she waved her hand dismissively. "No need for that! I'll have my knights fetch your belongings for you," she said, her tone brimming with pride. "And as for the reward? I can offer you something far more valuable than the paltry coins this quest promised."

Her words were tempting, almost too tempting. A higher reward? A place in the royal castle of Gaia? It sounded like a dream, but my gut told me otherwise. We'd already wasted an entire day chasing down this "quest," and now we were being roped into something much bigger—and much more dangerous.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid we can't—"

The words had barely left my lips when her expression darkened. Her confident smile vanished, replaced by a glare that could freeze rivers. "What?" she said, her voice low and sharp.

I felt the air grow heavy, the oppressive weight of her presence pressing down on me. My hands trembled against the cold ground as sweat beaded on my forehead.

Isaiah stood beside me, his sword still in hand, but he looked just as shaken. His knuckles were white, gripping the hilt of his weapon, yet he didn't make a move.

"We will go with you," Isaiah said finally, his voice quiet and resigned. It was the only answer he could give, and we both knew it.

I lowered my gaze, staring at the snow-covered ground. I couldn't bring myself to look up at her. That fiery, commanding aura of hers left no room for negotiation.

The girl's smile returned, as if nothing had happened. "That's what I like to hear!" she said cheerfully, clapping her hands together. Her sudden change in demeanor was almost unsettling. "You're going to love it."

She spun on her heel and began to walk away, her movements light and almost childlike. She even hopped a little, like she didn't have a care in the world.

As soon as her back was turned, I let out a long, shaky sigh. My shoulders sagged as the tension in my body eased, though not entirely.

"Well," I muttered under my breath, "at least we still have our heads."

Isaiah nodded silently, his expression grim. We exchanged a look, both of us knowing we didn't have much of a choice. This was no ordinary noble. Whoever this girl was, she held power—not just over her army, but over us as well.

I watched her figure disappear into the distance, her knights following closely behind. The thought of stepping into the royal castle of Gaia should have been exciting, even exhilarating. But all I could feel was dread.

"Let's go," Isaiah said, his voice breaking the uneasy silence.

I nodded, forcing myself to my feet. Whatever awaited us in the castle, we had no choice but to face it. For now, all I could do was hope we'd made the right decision—and that we wouldn't come to regret it.

Part 4

The room was heavy with a regal air, the kind of atmosphere that made you acutely aware of your every move. The soaring, intricately adorned ceiling loomed above, like a silent audience to our meeting. The grand chandelier, dripping with candles, cast flickering light across the lavish furnishings and detailed paintings that lined the walls. Every piece of furniture and decoration screamed wealth and power—so much that I found it hard to feel comfortable in this space.

Isaiah and I sat stiffly on a plush sofa, our eyes flickering toward the ornate fireplace crackling against the red walls. My nerves were on edge, though I tried to hide it. Across from us, a set of double doors opened, and the girl who had brought us here entered, her steps light but purposeful. Following behind her was an older man, his presence commanding in an entirely different way. He wore finely tailored noble clothing, a deep navy coat embroidered with golden designs. His graying hair was neatly combed, and the stern lines of his face gave him an aura of authority.

I immediately assumed this was the king.

They took their seats across from us, the girl folding her hands in her lap while the man leaned back, scrutinizing us with piercing eyes. When he spoke, his voice was deep and steady, carrying the weight of a ruler accustomed to being obeyed.

"I am George Shiva, the king of this kingdom. I've heard you two defeated the great beast that blocked our trading route," he said in the language of Gaia. His words were firm and precise, with no hint of exaggeration or doubt.

I blinked in confusion, unable to follow his words, but Isaiah quickly leaned over and whispered the translation to me. I nodded as if I understood all along.

The king continued, "My daughter told me I owe you a reward far greater than ten large silver pieces. And because I am both rich and feeling generous, I will grant you any reward you desire."

I fought the urge to grimace. Generous? That might explain where his daughter got her overwhelming confidence, but I couldn't understand why they were giving us so much credit for what felt like the most pointless quest ever.

Isaiah took the lead, sitting forward and keeping his voice respectful but steady. "We are traveling to Poseidon," he said.

The king's expression immediately darkened at the mention of Poseidon, his lips pressing into a thin line. Clearly, the tensions between their kingdoms weren't exaggerated.

Isaiah hesitated before continuing. "From there, we plan to take a boat to the city of Deity. I want to attend the University of Deity and learn."

"School?" the girl said softly, her voice losing its usual haughtiness. Her head tilted slightly, and her eyes filled with curiosity. "What is school?"

Her question startled me. How could someone who seemed so cultured and refined not know what a school was? Then it hit me—she'd probably never left the palace. She could speak multiple languages, but her learning must have been strictly through private tutors.

Isaiah smiled gently, as if explaining something to a child. "School is a place where people gather to discover and learn new things. It can be anything—magic, history, languages, or even just things you're curious about."

The girl's expression lit up with wonder, her ruby-red eyes sparkling. "Father, can I—"

"No!" the king snapped, cutting her off before she could finish. His voice was sharp, and his eyes were blazing with authority. "You must serve your people here and prepare yourself to become queen."

Her excitement vanished in an instant, replaced by a look of deep sadness. She bowed her head, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. "Yes, Father," she said softly, her voice barely audible.

It was a strange sight—this proud, confident girl, now looking so small and vulnerable. It left a sour taste in my mouth.

The king's attention returned to us. "So, what is your reward?" he asked.

Isaiah didn't hesitate. "Enough money to reach Poseidon and a carriage to travel there, please."

The king's stern face softened, and a small smile tugged at his lips. "Of course. That is a practical and intelligent request." He sat back in his chair, folding his arms with a sense of satisfaction. "You are a smart boy."

He clapped his hands, signaling to his attendants, and stood as if the conversation was finished.

"Wait!" I said abruptly, surprising even myself. I stood, my determination outweighing my nerves. Switching to the language of Deity, I spoke directly to the king. "I would like to take your daughter with us."

The room fell silent. Isaiah stiffened beside me, his eyes wide with alarm.

The king froze, then turned slowly to face me. His expression darkened as his brows furrowed deeply.

Isaiah quickly translated my words for him.

And then, to my shock, the king burst into laughter. "Whahaha! Whahaha!" His booming laughter echoed through the grand room. "A good joke, girl!"

I didn't falter. "I'm serious," I said firmly.

His laughter stopped abruptly. He stepped forward, standing directly across from me with only the table between us. His imposing presence was enough to make my legs feel weak, but I stood my ground.

"My reward," I said clearly, "is for you to let your daughter travel with us. You said you would grant any reward we desired."

The king's expression shifted. His anger was no longer fiery, but cold and calculating. "Girl," he said, his voice softer now but laced with warning. "You are asking to take the princess of Gaia to a nation we are at war with. For such a suggestion, I could sentence you to death. No, she will not go with you."

Isaiah translated his words, but I didn't need them to understand his tone. My heart pounded, but I refused to back down.

I straightened my posture, meeting his piercing gaze. "My name is Luna Davida," I declared. "Yatsu Davida is my master."

The king's eyes narrowed in recognition, but he said nothing.

"If something happens to your daughter during our journey, I swear that Yatsu Davida will take full responsibility. I will even sign a binding contract, and if necessary, I will offer myself as a slave to your kingdom."

The king's expression softened, a smile slowly forming on his lips. "Everyone, leave the room," he commanded.

As the attendants filed out, he turned to me, speaking now in the language of Deity. "Thank you, Luna Davida," he said.

I blinked in surprise. He knows Deity? Then why didn't he speak it before?

No that isn't important right now, why is he thanking me?

He continued, "I owe your master a great debt. He once saved my life. But are you absolutely certain about this? If you are not—"

"I am," I said firmly.

His smile grew wider. "I have wanted to send Rosilia to that school for a long time. It will be good for her to see the world, away from the chaos of war. I will provide you with a map to avoid the main roads. You must promise to protect her."

"I promise," I said, my voice unwavering.

Before I left, the king stopped me. "Wait, Luna. I have something for you."

He reached into his coat and pulled out a dagger. Its wavy blade gleamed like silver fire, and the hilt was worn but sturdy, adorned with the carved symbol of an ancient eye.

"This is the dagger of the dragon Volonica," he said. "Your master gave it to me, but now I entrust it to you. May it protect you on your journey."

I took the dagger with trembling hands. It was heavy with history and promise.

"Thank you," I whispered, clutching it tightly.