Lelloid walked around the large bookshelves in the library, skimming the books with his fingers. He grabbed a book entitled 'Among you and upon you by Rose Risemann.'
He then proceeded to open the book to read its content.
He can't even go through 5 pages before he felt the telltale of a familiar wetness cascading upon his cheeks.
"One who lacks the bleakest voice,spout words with the most weight.As if you have it all aligned,my princess." he sobs out quietly to the air.
He closes the book and takes a big, deep breath. Maintaining his barely-there composure, he walks off to the reading room, where he joins the rest of the kingdom's main force leaders.
The table is full with six people sitting idly: the squadron heads and their Viceman.
Firstly, sitting right by the window, there's Keith, the Head of 2nd Squadron of the kingdom followed by Alex as his Viceman. By their right, there's Ethan and Oscar of the 3rd Squadron.Lastly,Sandro and Ivan on the opposite side leading the 4th Squadron
"It's been a month since they escaped."Sandro voices out. "What are they even doing out there?"
"What even is out there?" said Ethan. "We all fear the unknown and they are just gradually trusting whatever nonsense the boy spouts."
"Is everyone here?"Lelloid inquired, taking a seat.
The table is rectangular and seven people including him are surrounding it.
"Yeah.Before you start, I hope the important issue is about them .If not,I'll take my leave." Alex announced while raising his hand.
"Indeed, it is regarding that issue.We will look for them." Lelloid declared.
"WOOOO!!!!!" Everyone shouted in unison except for Keith.
Keith was unamused. "Took time huh Lord.The gap is far of course.Their circumstances are also unguaranteed."
"Yet we must search for them.Yes we don't know what lies outside. But it's because of our ignorance of this issue that we may be putting ourselves into danger."Alex quipped."Be it now or later. We have to act."
"Well when you look at it...General and Raya are on a special level of theirs."Ivan bites the pen he was spinning. "Of all people,they are the ones we have full confidence in."
***
"Next!" Raya taunted.
The remaining knights charged as one, briefly managing to corner him. However, Raya swiftly found their weakness, disarming them all and sending them crashing to the ground.
"Squadron head, what?! Only Ivan.That last prank was personal," he muttered, kicking Ivan's unconscious body for emphasis. He then taunted the archers. "Now you'll switch to me, right? Because I know I'm the bigger target now."
Some of the archers shifted their aim to Raya, and a volley of arrows followed. He began to dash, moving like the wind, weaving through every gap and slip in the barrage.
One by one, the archers fell. Raya's incredible evasion skills were simply too much for them. In the end, he was the only one left standing on the fortress wall.
"Good thing I dosed my boys to sleep a while back," he muttered. "It's not good to beat up your own employees."
He then used a rope to descend the wall and hopped onto a waiting white horse, galloping away from the fortress and outside the barrier.
The shower of arrows ceased, their target now beyond their reach. Raya sped across the large field, the arrows that had missed their mark sticking in the ground behind him, marking his path.
"Farewell, everyone! Thank you! It's not worth it to catch up!" he called back.
Back with Iris and Will, they were approaching the Grand Barrier.
"That's Raya for you," Will commented, taking the reins from the boy who had been driving the cart. "Azuria Kingdom's magical border. The Grand Barrier. A new step…for a new age."
The cart reached the massive barrier, the shield that protected the kingdom. They penetrated it as easily as passing through a waterfall. Raya followed shortly after.
***
"Yeah, bitterly true," Ethan agreed, snapping shut the book he'd been pointedly ignoring. "Our careers just got summarized in that fight."
"No need to rub it in," Alex sighed. "Even if it turns out to be true, people would make jokes about us by the end of the day." He turned to face the empty air and gestured dramatically.
"Back to the issue," Lelloid said, taking a seat. "An expedition squad will be assembled two days from now. Use your time for preparation.
"My question still stands, Lord Lelloid," Keith pressed.
"As for the expedition's guide, worry not. That role is mine."
"What?!" the knights exclaimed in unison.
"You're the King's right-hand man," Keith stated firmly. "It's your job to act as his substitute."
"Then, with the power vested upon me," Lelloid countered, "I hereby claim my place in this expedition. Are you still defying me?"
"Well, suit yourself," Keith shrugged. "I'm going, right?"
"You'd all force your way in even if I refused," Lelloid pointed out. "During these two days, bring your men. We will include Squadron 1, led by me. Make full preparations—and by full, I mean all aspects." Lelloid rose from his seat. "Understood?"
The knights stood and saluted in unison.
"I want to add an outside party to the squad," Lelloid continued. "I would like you all to handle it."
"Who?"
"The female thief who broke into the palace three months ago."
"Ah, Keith's girlfriend…" the knights murmured in unison.
***
A girl with white hair and blue eyes sat alone in the dim cell of a dark chamber. Her legs were chained, heavy weights dragging them down.
The sound of leather boots echoed in the silent hallway.
"This cell, Viceman Alex," a guard's voice announced.
The girl, Diana, wondered what was happening.
"Diana, right? Congratulations on your…accomplishment," Alex said, his voice laced with irony.
"What?" Diana asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"You can step outside," Alex continued, "Touch real grass. Grass beyond the Barrier. You've been selected to accompany the expedition team outside." He casually slipped his hands into his pockets and leaned against the cell bars. "Decline the offer?"
-To be Continued-