The sea had turned merciless once more as the Stella Maris cut through the waves, each crest crashing over the bow and soaking the deck. My hands clutched the ship's rail tightly, the thrashing of the ocean mirroring the turmoil within.
"We should be sighting land soon, Prince Gideon!" Captain Gaius shouted over the howl of the tempest. The crew moved about with practiced precision, securing ropes and battening down whatever could be battened.
Despite the frenzy, my mind raced ahead to Jagar Kingdom—its people, its princess, and its plight. I might have been caught in the midst of a storm at sea, but I knew that the real storm awaited me onshore.
Eventually, the outline of the coast materialized through the mist and rain—a gray smudge against the lighter gray of the sky. Relief swept through me, only to be replaced by a surge of dread for what was to come. I squared my shoulders and turned my gaze toward the jagged cliffs that marked the edge of Jagar's land.
"Prepare to dock," I instructed, the urgency clear in my voice. The crew responded to their actions quickly despite the fatigue that marked their faces. They, too, seemed to sense the gravity of our mission.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity battling the sea, the Stella Maris reached the safety of Meldon Harbor. The townsfolk gathered at the docks, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern as they eyed the warship from Havenby.
I disembarked with purpose, my boots hitting solid ground as I drew in a deep breath of salty, storm-washed air. The harbor was abuzz with activity, yet a somber atmosphere draped over the town like a shroud. The news of Vienerstien's army approaching the capital had stoked the fires of fear even here.
A contingent of Jagar's soldiers awaited me, led by a stern-faced officer who offered a salute. "Prince Gideon, I am Commander Roric. We've been expecting you. King Michael has urged us to bring you to the castle without delay."
"No," I said as I turned back and waved at Gaius. He nodded and then ordered for the men to get ready to cast off again.
The ship would spend the next week sailing to different harbors to keep on the move. This way if things got bad at any point, I would know where the ship was. It would also make it harder for my father to track the ship if he was watching. I had no clue if he had the mind to even watch anymore.
"You are not coming to the capital?" The Commander asked, and I nodded.
"I am, but I want to get a look at what I am facing firsthand. After, I will get to the city on my own," I said, and then stretched my arm out to the side. As I did, a futuristic-looking four-wheel ATV appeared out of thin air from my inventory.
The Commander and his knight jumped back in surprise at first, but then some of the men circled around to look at my Divinatech Quad. Considering that the Kingdom of Jagar was pretty big, I had made a point of working on this vehicle first. It was a sleek design, seemingly a blend of magic and mechanics—a manifestation of my skill and creativity. The quad was equipped with tools and gadgets I had crafted to navigate the rugged terrain and gather intelligence for the impending siege.
Commander Roric recovered from his initial astonishment, his eyes taking in the quad with a soldier's appreciation for fine gear. "A most impressive contraption," he admitted, though his stance remained guarded, reflecting the tension of the kingdom he served. "But I must advise against going alone. The roads are no longer safe; enemy scouting parties may have already infiltrated our lands."
I considered his warning seriously, weighing the risks. "I appreciate your concern, Commander, but I'm well-equipped to handle any surprise encounters," I reassured him, patting the side of the quad where various hidden compartments held weapons and defensive mechanisms. "Besides, it's crucial for me to see the front lines. I need to understand what we're up against before I face King Michael and Princess Lilliana."
Roric nodded, the creases in his forehead deepening with the weight of his responsibility. "Very well. If you must proceed, do so with caution. Here," he said, handing me a sealed scroll. "This is a direct missive from the king. It contains information about our defenses and the current state of the royal family. Keep it safe, Prince Gideon."
I accepted the scroll with a nod, securing it within my cloak. "Thank you, Commander. I'll return with insights—and hopefully solutions. Until then, keep the city's defenses high."
With that, I mounted the quad, revving the engine to life with a hum of arcane energy. The soldiers stepped back as the vehicle kicked up a cloud of dust, propelling me down the road that led toward the veiled heart of Jagar.
The trip was actually a lot more fun than I had imagined it to be. Now that I was off the boat and on dry land, the sky had also cleared up. This was also my very first time in Jagar, or really getting to see any of the continents of Corundum. I had been kept in the castle for the 8 years I had been in this world, and then shipped directly off to a new land right after.
I took a moment to marvel at the sprawling landscape of Jagar, with its rolling hills and ancient forests. The verdant greenery was a stark contrast to the steel and stone of Havenby's cityscape. It was a land of raw beauty, but beneath that allure, I could sense the undercurrent of dread—the wariness of a kingdom bracing for an assault.
Once I had gotten close to the capital, I veered off the beaten path and tore off through tall grass until I reached a big hill. Thanks to my suspension, the ATV had no problem climbing its way up, but I stopped just before the top. Hoping off, I started to equip the special armor that I had built as I made my way up the rest of the hill.
Once I reached the top, I sucked in a sharp breath of air. I was close enough to see the city with its massive gray wall that looked over 150 feet tall. I could also see the literal sea of blackness that surrounded the city. I had no way to estimate the numbers that I could see. I had never, in either lifetime, Seen this many people in one place.
The scene was unnatural, to say the least, like watching an ant swarm from a distance. Nothing could have prepared me for this. The spectacle before me was both mesmerizing and horrifying. The dark mass of Alphonse's army stretched as far as the eye could see, their campfires dotting the twilight like a malignant constellation.
This was no ordinary army; it was an unholy congregation, a manifestation of the twisted will that drove them. They were units operating with a single, malevolent purpose—to claim, to conquer, and to desecrate.
And at the heart of this nightmare was the capital of Jagar, steadfast in its defiance, the stalwart walls standing tall against the encroaching darkness. It struck me then—the enormity of what was at stake, the lives that hung in the balance, and the bitter war that was to come.
I focused on the city's defenses, noting the placement of archers along the walls, the trebuchets prepped and ready, and the grim determination etched on the faces of soldiers even at this distance. Jagar was ready to stand its ground. This was a city that would not fall easily, and that fortitude resonated with something deep within me.
With a renewed sense of resolve, I began planning my approach. The people of Jagar and their fiery princess were counting on me, whether they knew it or not. My inventions, my skills—all were to be put to the test.
Taking one last look at the teeming horde below, I mounted the ATV once more. This time I looked more like a mini battle mech than any knight in shining armor, but my new armor was any but for show. How was it going to do against the skills of Classes and real spell-casted magic? I had no clue, but while building everything, my main goal was to stay alive.
Descending the hill, I flipped down the visor on my helmet, and with a soft hum, the heads-up display lit up, feeding me real-time data. The Divinatech armor might not have been infused with the traditional magic of Velum's warriors, but it was designed with the same principles in mind. It was about enhancing my abilities, protecting me, and giving me an edge.
While I had many skills, every one of them was passive. If I regretted anything about my past few weeks in Havenby, it was not trying to train with people who had combat classes. That was the only thing that really had me worried since everything I was going to use was getting used for the first time. I just had to hope that what I had built so far would be enough.
I set off towards the city once more, my fingers twitching at the controls embedded within the ATV's handlebars. Each press and gesture activated different functions of the armor, calibrating weapons systems and defensive measures that I hoped to the gods I wouldn't have to use prematurely.
As I closed into the sea of blackness, I pressed a button that folded out a wedge on the front. I had taken the design from an old train that had problems with cattle and other animals walking onto the tracks. The ATV, now more akin to a charging war machine, tore across the grasslands, the wedge designed to clear my path of any obstructions. I had equipped it not only with a physical deterrent but also defensive capabilities, like shields, making me a bulldozer. Each bump and jolt rattled the frame, but the vehicle held firm, a testament to the craftsmanship that had brought it into existence.
As I neared Alphonse's forces, I found the target that I had been searching for. A large palanquin with two figures sitting atop it. This was the only reason I had not gone with the Commander. I had to see it with my own eyes.
I had no love for my father, but I cared about the rest of my family. If Alphonse was just doing this because of power, then fine, I understood that; my father had always been ambitious. Unfortunately, my gut, and the twist once-human knights coming up made me doubt that. Still, I had to see if he was completely gone, and what the thing was controlling him.
---
"Now, what is this? A single knight on a horseless metal cart?" Akasha asked, and the king looked over at the strange sight before them, his gaze hardening as he took in the unfamiliar sight of the advancing ATV. "A lone fool, or a reckless hero—either way, they pose no threat to us," Alphonse spat with contempt, the red fury in his eyes never waning.
Akasha's lips curled into a mocking smile as she watched me draw closer, her interest piqued by the oddity I represented. "Or perhaps a Prince coming to save the day? Not your runt, but maybe another?" She laughed but then stopped as Alphonse stood up quickly.
"What is that thing?! How is it tearing through the troops so easily?!" He demanded as the ATV sent the black armored knights flying into the air. Even those who tried to attack it with swords or arrows were blocked by some invisible barrier.
"Divinatech! Who in this age has the knowledge to craft such a complicated device?!" Akasha hissed and then pointed to one of the royal guards. "Go deal with that thing. I want it alive, but I do not care how close you have to bring the metal man to death!"
Marcus, who had only died once, like his king, still retained most of his humanity. He knew that he no longer followed the king, but Akasha. He didn't like it, but his body no longer had a choice in the matter after that red light had brought him back to life.
Obeying Akasha's command, Marcus leaped from the palanquin, his black armor gleaming with an unnatural sheen as he moved to intercept the rider.