Eran was still awake, he rested his chin on his hand while looking at the scenery outside through the window of the carriage.
Eran and Taneaya sat facing each other, the atmosphere was tense along with the cold gaze that the beautiful gray-haired girl threw.
Taneaya started the conversation with a slightly sarcastic tone, "So, what do you mean by insulting us in the guild? I don't understand why you, a foreigner, dare to insult our band."
Eran's reverie was interrupted and he looked at Taneaya with a flat expression, "I was just expressing my opinion at the time, after all, it was a guild officer who asked me. And there was nothing wrong with what I said back then, there wasn't even an element of insult."
Taneaya shook her head in annoyance, "Opinion? How could you express an opinion like that to us? Do you think you're better than us?"
Eran smiled sarcastically, "I have never claimed to be greater than anyone. But I have my principles and stances."
Taneaya squinted, "You're confident huh? You're just a foreigner who has nothing to do with us. What makes you think you have the right to comment on the Band de Sun?"
Eran remained calm, "I'm not commenting on you guys, you must know, almost every place I go talks about you guys. So why should I take the blame? I only mentioned your background. Isn't that a fact?"
Taneaya kept looking at Eran with an annoyed expression, "You know, some of us don't all come from the same background we embrace each other and don't distinguish where we come from. They are family to me, and I won't let anyone insult them."
Eran was tired, the thing he wanted to avoid the most was arguing with a woman.
"If what I said back then was considered an insult, then I apologize."
Taneaya mocked in a sarcastic tone, "Sorry? What do you mean, do you think that your cold apology will fix everything?"
Eran really couldn't take it anymore, he looked at Taneaya seriously, "Look, I don't care what you think of me. But if you're still upset, why don't you just kill me now?"
Taneaya looked upset and couldn't answer, not because she was afraid, but because of Theo's words at the guild. Taneaya wanted to stab her two swords right into Eran's face. Even more so when she saw Eran's mocking expression now.
"You started this insignificant debate, look in the mirror and see your current angry expression," Eran mocked with a very annoying expression.
Taneaya was very angry, but what Eran said was true, that's what made Taneaya upset, "Alright, say whatever you want."
"Taneaya, Taneaya. You look more suited to being a princess who dresses up every day and attends tea parties than fighting on the battlefield."
Taneaya reflexively squeezed the collar of Eran's shirt and brought his face closer, "Don't insult me, Eran! You may be used to your rude way of speaking, but that doesn't mean you can insult people to your heart's content!" Taneaya looked very angry at his words.
"Alright alright, I was just joking, I'm sorry this time," Eran said while explaining casually.
The beautiful girl looked on with a sharp expression. Despite their attempts at understanding each other, their different views and attitudes kept the atmosphere tense on the train. But at least, Taneaya had revealed the reason behind her anger
"You're annoying...annoying! Ever since I first met you, I've been mad at you!" she grumbled.
"Looks like you've decided not to like me from the start," Eran said.
Taneaya was annoyed with the previous argument and in her heart, she wanted to curse, but the horse-drawn carriage they were traveling in stopped abruptly. Taneaya, who was unprepared for this event, fell and was suddenly in Eran's arms. She was surprised and felt embarrassed at their inappropriate position.
"Sorry... I accidentally fell," Taneaya said embarrassed. The girl glanced at Eran, but the man looked strange.
"It's okay," Eran felt something was wrong and continued, "It seems like something is wrong. Why did the carriage stop so suddenly?"
Taneaya let go of him. "Let's go see," the girl said.
Taneaya and Eran got off the carriage and walked over to the worried-looking driver who was trying to calm the horses down, but without success.
"Sorry, ladies and gentlemen, the carriage in front stopped suddenly," the driver said.
Taneaya frowned. "What's going on up ahead?" she asked curiously.
"I don't know, we have to be careful," said Eran.
Eran was seen turning his head several times to check the surroundings, alert in case of a surprise attack. But Eran found nothing. At the same time, the other members got off.
Meanwhile, the other trains ahead of them also stopped because there was something terrible in the middle of the road. Taran, Theo, and Aldrich who were on the frontmost train saw a man lying in the middle of the road. The three of them got off the train and approached the man. When they got close they were surprised to see the man's condition, he looked like he was dying and his body was suffering from the symptoms of the plague. His skin was peeling off to reveal his bones.
"Cover your noses," Taran ordered.
"Don't come any closer, stay where you are!" shouted Theo as he extended his right hand.
Suddenly the man moved, startling Aldrich and Taran.
"That's the voice of the heir!" said the mysterious man still not lying down, then his eyes opened towards Theo who was in front of him.
He suddenly grabbed Theo by the collar.
"The heir of destiny! The heir of destiny!" said the mysterious man loudly while spreading a wide, terrifying smile. As if hypnotized, Taran and Aldrich were motionless, unlike Theo, who was confused by the mysterious man's behavior.
Then suddenly, the man was motionless as his head hit the ground and his grip loosened.
Aldrich, Taran, and Theo were silent for a moment thinking about what had just happened.
"Wha...what was that?" said Aldrich with a little fear.
Taran patted the shoulder of Theo, who was sitting quietly. Then Theo gasped.
"Are you okay Theo?" asked Taran.
"I'm fine," Theo said, still confused.
"Does he have the plague? We need to get away from here!" asked Aldrich worriedly.
"If that's the case, we should bury him," suggested Taran.
"Alright, cover your noses with a cloth," said Theo which was answered with nods from both of them. Theo stood up and turned to his friends who were gathered near the second train.
"You guys wait there, we will bury this man, and remember not to come close," Theo ordered.
Then they buried the mysterious man in the forest not far from where they stopped. After finishing, the three of them approached the other members while keeping their distance.
"What's wrong Theo?" asked Catallina representing the curiosity of the other friends.
"Throw us some water."
Kain quickly grabbed three bags of water and threw them at Aldrich, Taran, and Theo. Then they washed their hands.
"I'm not sure what it is, but it looks like the man has a disease and is dying," Taran explained.
"Disease?" asked Gorstag.
"What kind of disease?" Taneaya asked.
"I don't know for sure because it's dark. But some parts of his body were certainly peeled off so deeply that the bones were visible," Theo explained while washing his hands.
"Skin disease?" Catallina asked.
"It's possible," Theo replied as he threw away the water bag.
"We'll talk about it later," Taran suggested. The other members agreed.
"Let's continue our journey," Theo ordered.
They returned to their respective carriages and continued their journey, not long after the group left the forest area, the carriage continued to follow a dirt road with a little rock on the left and right, the scenery that had been filled with forests was replaced by a savanna landscape with many rocks around it.
The sun was already visible as the group approached the border of the Berillan Kingdom. As they entered the villages outside the walls, the scenery around them began to change.
Out of the corner of their eye, they could see the simple and spacious country houses transformed into grand and elegant buildings. The roads that were previously dusty and dirty now looked clean and tidy.
They finally reached the entrance to the royal city of Berillan. This magnificent and sturdy entrance gate was decorated with beautiful gold-colored carvings that told heroic stories from the past. Above the gate, there is a glittering royal coat of arms, depicting the power and greatness of this kingdom.
After passing through the gate, the Band of de Sun entered a new world of splendor. The old walls stood tall and proud, and around them stood luxurious-looking buildings.
The people of the kingdom were busy with their daily activities. Nobles dressed in luxurious and elegant clothes walked proudly along the streets, while merchants tried to attract the attention of visitors with their various wares. The atmosphere of the city was full of life, the low hum of human voices and footsteps beating against each other.
Taneaya, Eran, and the rest of the group were stunned by the beauty and majesty of the Berillan kingdom. Classical-style buildings with magnificent and elaborate architecture lay along the streets. Huge columns with sculpted statues of heroes adorned the corners of the city.
In the center of the city, a towering royal castle with majestic towers can be seen in the distance. The castle was built solidly and lavishly, symbolizing the power and splendor of the Berillan kingdom. Surrounding the palace, beautiful gardens adorned with various types of flowers and plants provided a peaceful and calming atmosphere.
Taneaya, Eran, and the rest of the Band of de Sun could not hide their admiration.
"Incredible...Incredible...Nothing can match the splendor of this kingdom."
Taneaya was stunned when she saw the view of the city from the window. Neither was Eran, he had never seen such splendor before.
"You look like a normal girl when you look like that," Eran said teasingly.
"Don't start Eran, let me admire the kingdom," Taneaya replied sarcastically.
Eran just smiled.
*****