Amid the crowing of roosters, the sky slowly brightened in a hazy gray.
The church bells rang, and a flock of white doves flew into the blue sky.
People gradually started appearing on the streets of the small town.
The knights who had been making a ruckus all night and the town guards leaned against the wall, dozing off.
Early in the morning, Eileen's soldiers lined up in front of the inn. Surrounded by her entourage, she mounted her white horse. After giving the innkeeper a silver coin as a reward, she led her troops down the town's main street, through the crowd, and left the town, continuing south.
In peacetime, the shadows cast by evil forces always come and go quickly, especially when they have hardly harmed anyone. Sometimes it seems more like a joke, and even some conspiracy theorists begin to suspect that everything is just a fabrication of the church. There are no demons or witches in this world.
From midnight on, the witch Gray was never seen again. So, after just one night, except for the knights who still cared about their merits, no one remembered that a witch had once lived on the mountain next door.
The vendors had set up their stalls and were shouting their wares in the street.
A frustrated housewife stood at the stall cursing because she was being shortchanged on sesame seeds and mung beans.
Hardworking farmers were already working in the fields.
Children who had nothing to do and no need to go to school chased after the knights who were still searching for Gray, occasionally cheering.
If there was anything wrong, it was probably that the blacksmith realized that the armor he had made a few days ago was missing, but he couldn't remember whether he had already delivered it or lost it. Or maybe he had drunk too much wine a few days ago and forgot to make it.
The persimmon seller found that the straw shed he used to shade himself from the sun was destroyed by the lich last night, causing him great distress.
As for the bookstore owner, he didn't even notice that a book called "The Knight's Guide to Success" was missing. In fact, he had too many unsold books in his store, and if no one asked, he couldn't remember what books he had. He was surprised that the door had been kicked open, but wondered why nothing had been stolen.
After just one night, the small town had returned to its peaceful state. The commotion caused by the lich was like a gust of wind that swept through and left nothing behind.
...
In a clump of grass a kilometer from the small town, Gray and the skeletal horse quietly stuck their heads out, and only after confirming that there was no one around did they sneak out, dragging a dying black cat out of the grass.
"Let me check and see what we should do next," Gray lowered his head and began flipping through the "Knight's Guide to Success."
The black cat, with countless broken bones all over its body, said mournfully, "I think... what we urgently need is a doctor, or more specifically, a vet."
"But we've already left the town, there are no doctors here."
"Then find one."
"Umm...that's quite troublesome. Actually, I have a better idea. I'll kill you and summon you as a bone cat. Then you won't need a doctor anymore."
The black cat's eyes widened in shock.
"And you won't have to eat or excrete. Isn't that convenient?"
"No! I think I'm fine now!"
"But you look like you're about to die."
"No! I'm fine! Get your paws off me! I'm healthy! I don't need a doctor!" The black cat screamed in terror.
"Okay..." The flame in Gray's eyes faded as he sincerely thought it was a good idea. Unfortunately, the black cat seemed very resistant. Lowering his head, Gray continued to flip through his book. "Hmm...next, I should find a lord to pledge allegiance to."
The black cat and the skeletal horse looked at him expressionlessly.
"That's what the book says. A knight must pledge allegiance to a lord, otherwise, he is not a knight."
"Do you think any lord would be willing to accept the allegiance of a lich?"
"Let's look for one. Maybe we'll find one. We also need to find a church. The book says that knights are devout believers and must attend worship every week, otherwise, they are not qualified knights."
"Hmm, a lich who attends church. That's creative." The black cat was losing all hope.
But Gray cheered excitedly. "You think so too? They'll never think of such a creative idea. That way, no one can suspect that I'm a lich!"
Just as he was speaking, the skeletal horse stumbled and fell apart with a loud crash.
...
"How far are we from Salty Fish Port?" Eileen asked.
Abel Robert, riding a horse beside her, replied, "Not far, Miss Eileen. If we keep heading south at this pace, we'll be able to feel the sea breeze tonight."
Walking on the other side, Horsche would occasionally slap his helmet, trying to keep himself awake.
"Do you need to stop and take a nap?" Eileen asked.
"No, Miss Eileen." Horsche lowered his head and muttered to himself, "Where the hell did that damned lich run off to?"
...
"Where should we go first?"
"Let's go south..." the black cat, stuffed back into its helmet, said weakly, "Anyway, we can't go back north, so let's head south. We'll eventually come across some kind of city. Any city will have nobles, but whether or not they'll accept your loyalty is anyone's guess."
"Are there any churches too?"
"Yes," the black cat rolled its eyes helplessly. As a ghost cat, it couldn't help but feel like crying at this moment.
And so, a lich led a black cat and a skeletal horse unsteadily on the road south. They hadn't walked far before they fell off the horse with a "clatter" and had to climb back on, looking dejected.
The skeletal horse looked down on them with disdain.
...
The sun climbed higher and higher.
They passed mountains, crossed small streams, and walked through fields.
Birds chirped and flew over their heads, while rabbits scurried away at the roadside.
A farmer with a felt hat leaned on his hoe and watched them from afar, the wild grass in the field swaying gently.
Gray's posture on the saddle, with his familiarity with horsemanship, changed from normal riding to sitting backwards, then to lying down. From a distance, it looked like the skeletal horse was carrying something.
The black cat was already dozing off, while Gray was still flipping through the "The Knight's Guide to Success" He wasn't just awake, he even laughed out loud.
"This book is really good, more interesting than a magic book."
"'Is it? Then read more."
"Don't you want to take a look? I just saw the Eight Virtues of a Knight."
"I don't want to read it."
"But if you don't read it, I won't be able to discuss it with you."
"Shut up! Who wants to discuss this crappy book with you! I want to rest. Dear God, you didn't let me find a doctor and now you won't even let me rest. Are you a demon?"
"I'm a lich."
"I know! Bone horse! You can talk too, can't you? Quickly persuade him!"
"Great Tenebrous (Tomato) marches into battle facing the sunrise..."
"Okay, you can shut up now!" The black cat was on the verge of tears. "Can you stop moving? I beg you, I just want to sleep peacefully. It would be perfect if I wake up and find out it was just a dream."
"Okay, I won't move," Gray replied helplessly.
...
The sun was setting in the west.
Everything around was gradually getting darker.
After a long day's journey, Eileen and her group, covered in dust, finally saw Salt Fish Port, a seaside city known for its abundant seafood.
From afar, the entire city looked like a crescent moon. Neat houses with orange bricks and tiles had a unique charm under the sunset.
Seagulls kept squawking, and returning fishing boats were being checked at the port. The busy people were already on their way home, while children were playing in groups on the streets.
Following the straight path under her feet, Eileen could clearly see their destination, a towering castle located in the center of the town. And... there was Gray, standing at the entrance of the town on horseback, looking dazed.
Eileen raised her hand cautiously, and the whole team stopped. With a swish, Eileen's shield-bearing soldiers had already built a shield wall between the two.
Separated by the shield wall, Eileen looked at Gray, and Gray looked at her too. Both of them were on horseback, facing each other silently at the entrance of the town.
"Excuse me, do we know each other?" Eileen asked.
"I don't think we do," Gray replied.
"Then why are you blocking my way?"
"I am waiting."
"Waiting for what?"
"My cat to wake up."