Over three months had passed since the first recon unit of the Volunteer Corps went missing when investigating a possible ruin being used as a stronghold by the Demon Lord.
Further investigations were halted. Those at the Guild did not to want to risk any more members of the Corps, let alone any mercenaries or adventurers that came around. During the three-month span, only two groups composed of fast-moving members of the guild were gathered. Each time they came back with reports of hostile encounters within the forest.
Unable to receive support from the king, the people of the frontier were forced to cooperate with each other creating an internal ecosystem. Many became complacent; thus, the sudden reports of attacks being launched against their settlement grew fear throughout the lands.
Yet only one person did not truly understand what was happening. She had an answer to the questions that were burned into her mind but seeing such a thing with her very own eyes was something considered "rare" amongst her peers. Was she sheltered? Yes. There was no doubt about it. She was trained for the "glory" of the battlefield, rather than the realities that came with such an environment.
She no longer had the luxury of reading the lies that the Royal Press printed daily. Her ignorance was thankfully tested early on before it could grow out of control, yet the pain of the test was something she would no doubt come to remember for the rest of her life.
Her body shifted against the steady movement of the carriage she sat in. She made no move, yet she held her hand against her ears as she sat curled up in a small ball. She had no logical explanation of why she was in such state. For the moment her hearing remained impaired, but it was slowly improving. A small ringing noise echoed throughout her head, and a sick feeling was now resting over her heart.
The recently reassigned Chieftain Leccamaradel Emma Arish was only half broken. The men under her command were somewhat indifferent to her current state, with only Sergeant Mike Randall, and Staff Sergeant Baker occasionally checking in on her.
On the other side of the cart was one, Lucas Saxton, an archer. He was originally assigned to the Volunteer Corps under the guise as a guide, but he was no more than an old man that wanted adventure. His dream was misplaced during the mission, the gruesome story he told was more than enough to make everyone leave before the instigation could be fully concluded, yet the gory scene would've done the job either way.
Truths about what happened would be shared, yet they would need to return to the settlement first.
"Hey." Crouching next beside her was Sergeant Randall, Mike. He wore a tired face as he removed his helmet and placed it on the carriage floor.
With a lump in her through, all Lecca could do was nod. "You, okay?" He asked. "That scene we saw yesterday… It's something no one should have to see."
Here he was sharing his honest thoughts, yet his body lied about everything. When he said, "I'm fine." His body would show his exhaustion and fatigue. When he said, "We're okay." He forced himself to ignore the bodies around him. When he said, "We'll make it through." His face betrayed his true thoughts. He was on the verge of breaking, yet she could only guess what he had been through in his life.
"What are we going to do once we get back." Lowering her hands, Lecca found herself attempting to remain in a position of attention.
"We'll get someone to retrieve the bodies and investigate the site." Mike said in a hushed voice "But I don't think we should be going crazy right now. You're still recovering from the pressure the grenade let off." He motioned for the princess to turn her head, and upon complying, he brushed his hands against her left ear, "Looks fine. I can't see any immediate damage." His warm breath made Lecca shiver as he backed away.
Bringing her arms to her chest, she rubbed her exposed skin. The cold, late fall air bit at her as she grasped her body for warmth. The high-hanging sun was temporarily blocked out by several dark clouds, though it's not that it mattered as the tree canopy above let a limited amount of light through anyways.
"Shit man." Green whispered as he stared high into the clouds. "Does it always rain here?"
Not receiving an answer from the worn men, the young man fell silent. Lecca let out a sigh as a flood of relief traced over her body letting her relax. She was in no position of safety, yet she allowed herself to let go of the training that was once pounded into her mind. Amongst the multi-colored, battle proven gear of the Holy Knights under her command, she wore inconspicuous clothing. She looked no different from the average girl on the street with her loose fitting, and slightly baggy blouse and skirt, and her hair tied into a messy bun, she would've disappeared into the background were it not for her silver hair that stood out from the greenery around.
She listened to her own voice within the confines of her head. Every word she had spoken within her life echoed in-and-out without stop. Her beaths monetarily stopped. Brown eyes trailed over the man next to her. Mike had fallen asleep and was leaning against the cloth tarp that concealed and protected them from the outside world.
For once in her life, she removed her thoughts for the military politics that had enveloped her whole life.
"Guards ahead!"