Chapter 4: The Road to Drakoria and Foul Magic

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows of the DDDs' home.

Nyelle stepped out from the guest room, adjusting her cloak. At the same time, Arthur and the DDD brothers came down the stairs, yawning and stretching—though Zin somehow managed to trip on the last step.

After they had the breakfast, at the front door, the brothers stood with their arms crossed like ceremonial guards, it was obvious they are finding it difficult to be formal with a princess.

Fin grinned. "I kinda guessed you were some noble bigshot looking at your attire but didn't expected a Princess, Majesty."

"No need for the formality." Nyelle said awkwardly, her voice hesitant.

Rin chuckled. "Never thought I'd live to say this… but a princess had a dinner in our house."

Zin leaned on the doorframe, shaking his head. "Still can't figure out how a princess is just wandering around the wild alone in forest yesterday."

Nyelle shrugged casually. "My parents mostly focus on my three brothers. I told them I'm gonna stay at aunt's house for few days and sneaked out —wanted to find that herb I mentioned. And… well, here I am. Thanks again for letting me stay."

Arthur nodded."We should get going. Thanks for everything, guys."

The DDD brothers waved them off with their usual chaotic energy—Rin pretending to salute, Fin offering Arthur leftover bread "just in case," and Zin loudly whispering,"Don't die this time."

Arthur smirked faintly, Nyelle chuckled, and together they began walking down the dirt path out of Eindale village.

The morning was bright, the air cool, and ahead of them…

As they walked along the forest road, the birds chirping above and the scent of dewy leaves in the air, the silence between Arthur and Nyelle lingered for a while—comfortable, but silent.

Eventually, Nyelle asked hesitantly,"why... are you heading south, anyway?"

Arthur looked straight ahead, with one hand laying on his sword handle."I'm trying to find my parents."

Nyelle blinked. "Your parents?"

He nodded."It's been years. I was separated from them when I was a kid—Its chaos all around, war maybe, I don't remember everything clearly except in bits… honestly, I'm starting to forget how they looked, their faces, their voices… it seems so distant now."

Except my mom's final words to me, "Hang on, Son"

He let out a quiet sigh.

"I used to have this golden locket as a child. It had a picture of them. I always wore it… until I was sold to that trader in Cravendorn. He took it. Said it was part of the deal."

Nyelle's expression turned sad as she imagined what it must feel like—to desperately want to see your loved ones, yet slowly forgetting their faces and voices.

Arthur continued, "So yeah… I want to go back to Cravendorn. Find that trader, get the locket back—maybe it'll help me remember something, and try to find traces from where I came"

Nyelle walked beside him in silence, unsure of what to say. His words carried a weight that left no room for empty comfort.

After a while, she quietly asked, "Is there… any way I can help?"

Arthur shook his head. "No need."But then, after a pause, he added, "Actually… there is something. I heard from DDD brothers yesterday—Drakoria is known for its knowledge and spirituality, right? Do you think I could find anything there… about that surge of power and that reddish figure that consumed me?"

Nyelle nodded immediately. "Yes. There's a library. Ancient, with a vast collection of restricted texts. Entries are limited—but I can take you."

Arthur gave a faint smile. "Ah, Princess… I keep ending up in your debt."

She chuckled softly, with her cheeks getting red slightly. "Just call me Nyelle."

He looked at her, offering his hand. "Alright then. Let me officially introduce myself. I'm Arthur…"

Nyelle waited, expecting more—but he paused.

"I don't know my last name," he said finally. "I've had this small wooden sword when I was a kid, with Arthur carved into it. So… I assumed that was my name."

Nyelle stared at him, once again surprised by how much sadness trailed behind his every story at such young age. Still, she smiled gently.

"I'm Aeris Nyelle," she said.

As they walked, Arthur glanced sideways at her. "So… do you train too? At the academy?"

Nyelle nodded. "Yes, I do. Our academy in Drakoria mostly focuses on knowledge and spiritual growth—history, ancient magic, runes, meditation... that sort of thing. Physical training is basic, but important. Still, for the real combat training, I'll be going to Valoria's capital academy next year."

"Valoria?" Arthur asked.

She smiled. "It's known across kingdoms for producing powerful heroes—skilled in every form of combat imaginable. Swordsmanship, elemental arts, archery—you name it. I'll be eligible next year. I turn fifteen soon."

She turned to him. "What about you?"

Arthur shrugged. "I was already there, actually. In the junior division of the Valorian academy. Stayed in the dorms with the DDD brothers twins for a while. After they graduated, I've been living alone."

He went on, "Sir Garron Vale—he freed me from slavery and enrolled me there. I owe him… a lot. More than I can put into words."

Nyelle blinked, her heart skipping a beat. Wait... so we're going to be in the same academy? We're going to meet again—train together?She felt her face flush and quickly looked down, hiding herself behind her hair.

Arthur, unaware, added, "I'm excited to learn under Sir Vale. I've heard great things about him… though I've never actually seen him in action. Even though he's technically my guardian."

Nyelle nodded, still looking down, trying to hide the heat rising to her cheeks.

Arthur said, seems like we reached Elgen's Rest village.

They arrived at a quiet outpost village, a modest settlement and a known stop for travellers heading to Drakoria.

As they reached the carriage station, Nyelle noticed. "Only one carriage left…"

Arthur walked around it, inspecting. "No rider."

They exchanged a glance.

They asked a few villagers nearby, then a man shrugged and pointed vaguely toward a house near the edge of the village."That's Boro's place," he muttered. "Hasn't come out since morning."

Arthur and Nyelle approached the house. Arthur knocked. "Mr. Boro?"No answer.

He knocked again, louder. Still silence—until they heard faint groaning from inside.

Arthur glanced at Nyelle. "Did you hear that?"

She nodded.

They moved toward the window, and Arthur carefully peeked through the dusty glass.Inside, a man—likely in his late forties—was twisting and turning on the bed, eyes half-closed, drenched in sweat. His movements were frantic, like he was fighting invisible enemies.

"He's not asleep," Arthur muttered. "But he's not awake either…"

As Boro let out another pained moan, Arthur didn't hesitate. He stepped back and kicked the door open.

They rushed in.

The room was hot, suffocating with a strange scent. Boro thrashed on the bed, limbs flailing like he was trapped in a nightmare.

Arthur moved closer to hold him down. "We need a doctor. I'll go get—"

"No," Nyelle said sharply. She had already closed her eyes, sensing the room with more than just sight. "This isn't an illness."

She opened her eyes, concern darkening her face."There's something… foul here. Magical. Like a curse." She looked stunned. "I didn't think anyone in a small village like this would know how to cast something like this."

She began scanning the room, following subtle ripples of mana.

Her gaze stopped at the table.There was an apple. Half-eaten. And strangely… foul surrounded with mana.

Nyelle stepped closer. "This apple… it's the source. The curse is embedded into the fruit."

Arthur's eyes narrowed. "So someone gave it to him?"

"Yeah. And if it's a crafted curse, whoever placed it might also hold the remedy." She looked over at Boro. "We need to find them fast. He doesn't have much time."

Arthur stepped back, thinking."That man…"

"What man?"

"The one who pointed us here. Something about him, the way he looked at us when we asked about Mr Boro… kind of weird. Almost like—like he already knew something. He is the only one with apples in his store."

Nyelle's eyes widened."Yeah… and he said Mr. Boro hadn't come outside all day. But remember? That other villager told us he saw Boro at the market."

Arthur nodded once and turned sharply.

They rushed back through the narrow paths of the village. The fruit stall was now closed—shutters down.

Nyelle asked around while Arthur scanned the area.

A nearby villager said, "You mean Jorlen? Lives near the well. Second house on the right."

Without waiting, they darted in that direction.

At Jorlen house, Arthur kicked the door open.

The wooden frame splintered, crashing against the wall.

Inside, Jorlen stood calmly at the center of the room, a strange book opened and clutched in his hands. His eyes were sharp, dark… and expecting them.

"I knew you two were trouble the moment I saw you," he said coldly.

Without warning, he muttered a sharp mantra under his breath. A pulse of foul mana crackled in the air.

"Arthur, move!" Nyelle screamed.

But Arthur barely had time to react.

Before the spell struck, Nyelle darted in front of him—arms outstretched.

A blinding flash erupted...