"Is it them?" Two somber men stood far from the city gate, quietly observing the procession of carriages. One of them quietly asked his companion.
"The one in the middle, it seems this guy really is going to leave Cyprus. What should we do? Follow him or go back and report to the Corps Commander?" Glancing anxiously at the distance, he was quite undecided.
Having spent two months in disguise in Cyprus City, their only job was to surveil that guy, but this elusive fellow hadn't shown any trace or clue. The Corps Commander's judgment must have been based on something, and years of experience made him absolutely trust in the Corps Commander's discernment.
But now that this guy was leaving Cyprus, reportedly heading to the distant Caucasus, a desolate place in the Wilderness, it was strange that these few people appeared to be so enthusiastic about what was clearly a punishment bearing the nature of exile. However, now was not the time to ponder over such matters.
Dressed in a robe as white as snow, with hair as smooth as satin, deep and unfathomable like a still pond, the frail figure in the garden, brushed by gentle breezes, seemed like an angel about to take flight. The young knight's eyes revealed a fervent, intoxicated look, firmly fixed on that retreating figure.
"You've come?" She didn't turn around, her mind seemingly still lost in the garden's vivid blossoms, and her gaze remained on the deep red roses, as crimson as blood.
"Commandery Princess, do you have any instructions?" The young knight took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. Yet a slow bitterness spread through his heart, knowing she would only turn to him when she needed him to carry out conscience-conflicting deeds. Otherwise, she wouldn't be so eager to find him.
"That man is leaving, heading to the Caucasus, and Hoffman has already proposed to my father, who has consented," the Girl continued, still not looking back.
"Oh, that's wonderful news, isn't it? The scourge Komer will be gone, sooner or later it'll mean his end, and Hoffman seems to be a strong contender for the king. It's not impossible for Your Highness to marry into the Royal Family and become the Queen," he replied.
Waves of tearing pain flooded through the young knight's heart as he tried to maintain his usual composure. Though he knew this was all too ordinary, and had long anticipated such a day, hearing her speak so casually and comfortably still made it hard for him to stay calm.
"No, this matter isn't so simple. I can tell that Komer still harbors deep hatred towards me and my father. Hoffman and I are set to get engaged within the year, and I don't want any rumors spoiling my important affair. Although I've given Komer a warning, I'm beginning to see through him less clearly now, and his two accomplices are also troublesome. I think we need a more permanent solution to this problem."
Her voice was still soft and bewitching, as if she were discussing an utterly mundane issue.
Even as a self-proclaimed Fallen Knight, to hear such angelic beauty speak so lightly of such matters, stirred an unspeakable sorrow within him.
Killing didn't bother him; he had killed so-called good people countless times before. Yet deep down, he wished not to see his idol mixed up in such bloody, ugly affairs, even if it was just a one-sided fantasy of his. But it seemed to him that apart from these tasks, she had no other need for him.
"Why, are you troubled? Do you feel guilty towards him, or has your heart grown soft?" Sensing the hesitation of the man behind her, the Girl turned elegantly, a tantalizing smile on her exquisite face.
"Your Highness wishes for them to disappear? Haven't they already gone to the Caucasus? Is there still a need for me to take action?" As she spoke, the fiery passion that had seized him calmed down, and the young knight knew he couldn't refuse her request, In any case, he thought, let their blood saturate my sword.
"I have a premonition. Komer's change is beyond my expectations. The Caucasus may not be their final destination. I don't know if my father has grown old, his actions increasingly indecisive, dealing with matters in such a foolishly intricate way. I feel it might be more appropriate to go with my own instincts."
Gently plucking an unbloomed rosebud, the bud crumbled into shattered petals between two translucent, jade-like fingers, falling, one by one, settling into the mud.
"Everything as you wished." The voice was somewhat hoarse and filled with emotion, the young man bowed slightly, then drifted away.
The time to set out had finally arrived, the belongings of the three travelers were completely loaded onto a single horse-drawn carriage. However, Puber's purchased goods filled two large carriages. The three servants were all capable of temporarily taking on the role of coachman, so there were no troubles. There was no fanfare or ceremony, no cheering crowd to see them off. Aside from a brief blessing read by a steward from the Archduke's Mansion, there were no other formalities.
Declining the insincere farewell from his family, Komer left the city gates alone, waiting there for Puber and Ylot to arrive. The two servants from the Andes region were very obedient and honest. In just a few days, they had proven to be very competent in their roles as servants to Komer and Puber, their hard work, honesty, and remarkable adaptability securing their status as one of the most favored servant clans in Mortal Society, sometimes even more popular than those Elves who always seemed to retain a hint of pride.
Fran's recovery over these past few days had been exceptionally smooth. Humans are a peculiar animal; when ignited with the desire for new challenges, everything becomes urgent. Komer was surprised by Fran's astonishing potential, spurred by the awakened will to survive.
The thought of hiring an additional carriage was dismissed. Although Fran and Baoling were born infantry soldiers, it didn't mean they couldn't ride horses. A group of eight people, under the dawn light breaking in the East, finally embarked on their journey.
In the deep autumn of September, the Blue Continent exhibited a scene of abundant harvests, yet it also revealed a slight chill. However, in the Homer region, especially in the bustling Busen Plain, this chill was hardly noticeable, with even a hint of mugginess lingering.
This was a crucial agricultural area for both the Homer region and the entire Kingdom of Nicosia, its fertile land and excellent irrigation system continuously supporting the food supply for the entire Homer region and several nearby areas. Giant windmills dotted the landscape, and under the azure sky, the clear and refreshing autumn air made the vast plain seem as if it encompassed the whole world.
Perhaps it was his rare chance to ride, but Baoling was clearly very excited about the opportunity, sometimes racing ahead at a gallop, sometimes trotting leisurely across the field, until Fran could no longer bear it and called out to him, then he finally calmed down a bit.
After two days of interaction, a somewhat unique relationship had been established between Komer, Puber, Ylot, and Fran. Even though Fran continued to refer to Komer as master, Komer never acknowledged it. He felt that someone of Fran's rare talents would be greatly limited by considering him a slave. With plans to establish a solid foothold in the Caucasus Region, Komer would need more capable people to support him, not simple-minded slaves.
As a former deputy corps commander of an infantry division in the Myron Duchy, known for its infantry prowess, Fran's martial skills, combat experience, and ability to guide and train troops were far beyond what common men possessed. Winning his sincere loyalty would undoubtedly be a tremendous help to Komer, who currently lacked sufficient support.
Although Fran had clearly expressed his willingness to serve, Komer always felt that Fran seemed to be troubled by his past, which was not only bad for Fran himself but also indirectly affected Komer's plans. He needed a fully spirited and dedicated loyal subordinate to throw themselves into his future endeavors, not a slave mired in despondence and concerned only with getting by.
Fran, of course, understood Komer's expectations, but no one could mend the deep wounds in his heart in a short time. Only time could gradually smooth over those scattered and gaping wounds.
But he wasn't as complacent, despondent, and inactive as Komer feared. At the very least, Komer had given him a second chance at life physically, and when one has received a kindness as small as a drop of water, they should return a spring's worth in gratitude—this was a principle determined by the honor of being a professional warrior, and Fran wasn't about to breach it.
During their journey through the Busen Plain, Fran had begun to somewhat understand the plight of Komer, his nominal master. Given that he could rise so quickly to become a Baron, yet be sent to the Caucasus to serve as a Lord, these two vastly different actions could only point to one thing: a conspiracy was at play.
Throughout their journey, Fran seldom spoke of his affairs in the Myron Duchy, but his military insights proved to be highly beneficial to Komer and Ylot. Fran's years of border defense experience gave him an insight into military affairs far beyond Ylot's. While Ylot was merely taking on the role of a knight on the Deccan Plateau, Fran had already served as a deputy corps commander of an infantry division tasked with repelling Beastmen invasions—a role not to be compared in terms of significance.