I walked to the carriage door, kicking it hard enough to swing it open.
What greeted me wasn't what I expected. A person lashed out with a kick so powerful I barely managed to block it, the impact sending a shock up my arms. That wasn't an ordinary strike, it had real power behind it.
The princess.
She stood in front of me. She wore a green dress that reached her neck. Her blue eyes stayed locked on me, sharp and focused. She has dark hair framing her face, and in her hand was a simple sword.
My team stood ready, but no one moved. We needed her alive.
She didn't hesitate. She stepped in fast, slashing toward my shoulder. I deflected and shifted to the side, keeping my stance firm. She followed up with another strike, this time aiming lower. I dodged, countering just enough to keep her off balance.
She was skilled and strong as hell, no doubt about that. Her movements were precise... But her dress slowed her down. The fabric restricted her legs, making it harder for her to adjust quickly.
I took advantage of that. Each time she tried to reposition, I pressed forward, controlling the fight without injuring her. She fought hard, but little by little, I forced her into a weaker position.
That's when I noticed something under her dress (a necklace), barely visible against her neck. Its shape was hidden, but something about it caught my attention.
I finally trapped her sword with mine and stepped in close, cutting off her movement. She didn't struggle or panic, she just kept her eyes on me.
I caught her wrist and twisted it, applying just enough pressure. Her grip weakened, and the sword slipped from her hand, hitting the ground.
"You'll regret this," she muttered.
"Maybe," I said. "But not today."
I walked out, grabbing her hand, but something stopped me. There's something strange, when I look at her, I get a feeling, I don't know what it is, a familiar feeling…
I forced myself to focus. This's not the right time for distraction.
I turned to my team. "Tie her up tightly and the rest of the guards. We're done here." I looked at Sophia. "Sophia, treat the injured soldiers, everyone…"
Sophia and Andrew nodded, their soldiers moving to tie up the guards. The princess stopped struggling, realizing it was useless. I looked out at the battlefield; our mission was complete.
Without wasting another second, we disappeared into the rocky terrain.
The princess sat stiffly on the horse's back with her hands tied, looking between me and the others as we made our way through the forest. I walked in front, holding onto the rope tied to her horse.
"You think this will work?" she asked suddenly, her voice sharp. "Kidnapping me? My father will hunt you down."
Andrew, walking beside her horse, smirked. "She's got some spirit, doesn't she?"
Suddenly, the princess pulled on her horse's reins with her tied hands and stopped him from moving. The horse snorted and moved restlessly as the group stopped.
"I'm not going anywhere with you," she shot back. "Let me go or kill me here."
I gave the rope a tug, forcing the horse to move forward again.
Sophia, who was in front of us, looked back and said, "We're not going to hurt you, I promise."
The princess narrowed her eyes at Sophia but didn't reply. Instead, she focused on me, and after a moment she said. "You've barely said a word… You're awfully quiet for a leader."
"Silence gets things done," I replied, pulling the rope gently to guide her horse around a tree.
She stopped the horse again, her defiance clear in every movement. "I said… I am not going anywhere," she snapped.
I finally turned to her, my eyes cold and void of any emotion. "Stop acting like this… Move," I said, my tone flat and cutting.
Andrew said while walking just behind us. "Roy, you have to learn how to communicate with people."
I ignored him. But then, the princess's expression changed. she suddenly became quiet. "Roy…" she muttered under her breath, so quiet that I couldn't understand it.
She stared at me, her eyes searching mine. Her voice calm. "What's your full name?"
I paused. This sudden change confused me.
Without stopping, I turned back and gently nudged her horse forward and said, "Roy Celgius."
I heard her mutter to herself, "Roy. Celgius?"
Then I founded myself asking, "What about you?", maybe that will make her more comfortable, maybe she will be quieter.
She replied her voice steady. "Lily… My name is Lily."
Her gaze lowering for a moment as if she lost in her thought. I glanced at her from the corner of my eye without turning my head, feeling the same strange and familiar feeling again.
This wasn't normal. there's something deeper than I thought. I can tell she remembered something. Whatever it was, she's not the same person, she's calmer...
As we approached the camp, the sun had set and night had already come. The smoke from the campfires was becoming visible. The mission was over.
Andrew stretched his arms, his heavy sword resting over his shoulder. "Well, finally we can get some rest."
I remained silent.
Crimzo smiled lightly, walking a few steps behind us. "I'll admit, though, it wasn't boring."
Andrew looked at him smiling. "Looks like someone is ready to join the team. You're really fitting in, Crimzo. Besides, you have a style, and we could use someone who knows how to keep their arrows sharp."
Crimson shook his head, his expression unreadable. "Wait, I'm not a 'team' type. I never have been. I love adventures and the feeling of adrenaline pumping through my veins, and I have my own reasons for wandering around."
Andrew replied, clearly amused. "Oh, come on. You're practically one of us already."
Crimzo scoffed, his voice dismissive. "Don't rush things, big man. I didn't sign anything. I just joined the mission. I would have volunteered even if you hadn't gone."
He's gaze shift towards me.
"You're smart, Roy," he said, his voice quieter than before. "I admit you have something different."
I glanced back at him briefly, meeting his gaze. "If you want to join us, think fast. We don't have the time to wait for anyone who's unsure."
He replied. "Fair enough."
The camp was buzzing as we returned, dragging our prisoners behind us. The soldiers cheered, some of them exchange whispers. The princess sat stiffly on her horse.
General Daniel was already waiting for us near center of the camp, his arms crossed and a sharp glint in his eye.
As we approached, he stepped forward. He greeted, his voice firm with an edge of satisfaction. "Well done, All of you"
His gaze shifted to the princess. "She'll serve us well. The king will have no choice but to negotiate now."
Andrew put his sword over his shoulder. "What about the others?" he asked, pointing to the captured guards.
Daniel turned to them, his expression hardening. "Take them to the cells. They will be held until an exchange can be arranged. If they resist, you know what to do."
"Understood," Andrew said.
Daniel stepped closer to me, lowering his voice. "The princess will need to be questioned. You're in charge of that. Find out where they were going, why, and anything else that might be useful. Be specific, Roy."
I nodded, keeping my response simple. "I will."
He gave me one last look, then clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Get some rest after this. You've earned it. All of you."