Oh, Mother. I've just turned twenty-five. I was about to go to a party when I received a letter.

On the table next to my bed lies the letter, asking me to return to my duties.

You know, I've been working as a spy in Rome, far from home, for six years!

It was late at night, the moon high in the clear sky.

Year 38, Roman Empire. The house has been dirty lately, and I need you to clean it for the guests. You have to come back immediately. C.D'B.

The letter said.

Funny, you send me away, and now I have to return.

After some thought, I looked at my room.

I went through a lot of trouble and discomfort to get this little thing I called "home." This small room, a bed by the window, a side table, and a wardrobe with almost no clothes.

On the hard bed lay a dagger, a short sword, and a plate with my name.

Now that I remember, I was starting to forget my name.

Taking

The plate read: Lucius.

"Hahahaha."

I couldn't help but laugh. I almost forgot my real name too.

"What was it again?"

Sigh!

It seems that Donlo will celebrate alone this time.

Fortunately, today they decided to throw a party, so I didn't encounter many people on the way. I reached the stable where a particular black horse was resting.

"Hey, Nightmare, we have to go, boy!"

This particular journey was going to be too long considering the weather. I hope to arrive before winter.

Taking the reins, I hurriedly set off.

HYAA!

Luckily, it only took me three months to get there.

The journey turned out to be tougher than I thought. The whole way was a constant change.

Currently, I was crossing the border near the mountains.

I still wore the leather armor and, underneath, a tunic that had turned yellow. I wore a black cape to cover my body.

Everything was going well; I had avoided the border soldiers until I had the misfortune of encountering an idiot out of position.

If he's stupid enough, he'll follow me to the nearest village.

Sigh!

Three days later, I managed to reach a small village near the border. I had left Nightmare in the forest, prepared to leave.

Near the entrance, there was a crowd gathered around what seemed to be a well. There, a bard was narrating what appeared to be the history of Britannia.

I was tired, and as an excuse, I approached to listen.

...

...

"And unlike the previous heroes who fought against the demon lord Ventini, the nine heroes were granted noble titles for their contribution to the nation..."

Although with some gaps, the story served its purpose of entertaining. Every coin that fell made the bard more eloquent.

I was planning to resume my journey when I saw someone familiar.

The small figure dressed in a brown tunic quickly passed through the crowd and stood in front of me, cautiously looking around.

Her small figure was hidden among the crowd and me.

After a few seconds, knights dressed in white armor with a white horse emblem on their shoulder passed by in a hurry.

They glanced quickly at the crowd and took another path.

"You don't seem to be a runaway to be hiding from those knights, miss." I spoke to the defenseless girl using me as a shield.

Beyond her hood, I could see intense red hair and a pleasant young face. Her blue eyes captured all my attention.

"I'm sorry, it wasn't my intention," she replied.

She was about to leave, but before that, I took her hand and brought her closer.

"Oh Mother. May I ask what Miss Roxanne is doing near the border?"

Startled, the young girl turned to look at me. Upon turning, I saw her blue eyes widen.

Yes, she had changed a lot, but I know who this girl is.

Struggling a bit, I saw doubt appear on her face.

"I don't remember seeing you before. Can I ask your name?" she asked.

"You can call me Lucius for now. Can I know what you're doing?" 

Her face seemed less cautious, but the doubt intensified.

"Lucius? Did my father send you? I was already planning to return, so could you let me go, please?

...

...

After following Miss Roxanne through the village, I decided to talk.

"Can I know why you were running from your father's soldiers? And also, why are you so close to the border?" I asked.

She was reluctant to talk to me, but more than anything, she was in doubt.

"What do you say? I can take care of myself. But what worries me is the armor you're wearing under that tunic, and you even have a laguncula. I'm sure you're not one of my father's soldiers."

She sighed.

"But still, I'm intrigued because you remind me of someone... are you..."

Sluup

Interrupting Roxanne after sipping water, I observed her carefully. I'm impressed by how much she has grown.

"I'm surprised, Roxy. I'm sure you're only 14, and you're already a student at the School of Wizards. Georgina is undoubtedly an incredible mother and teacher."

"How do you know that!? No, wait! Then, it's you!?"

I saw Roxy approach abruptly, revealing her hair once again. Everyone's attention was instantly focused on her.

"Shh, you don't have to make a fuss."

"Oops, sorry. It's just that I'm very surprised to see you again."

Her expression changed from disbelief to amazement.

This unnecessary attention gives me a bad feeling.

And to make my thoughts real. Three soldiers with the symbol of white horses stamped on their left arm and a dark blue cloak entered the scene.

Unlike the soldiers who followed Roxy, these were border soldiers.

Before they noticed Roxy, she hid behind me.

Sigh

"Roxy, I think it's time to go." I said as I took her hand.

The soldier who seemed to be the leader stood close to me.

"You don't have to worry, I, Joshua, leader of the border unit, am here to arrest this spy!"

The commotion erupted immediately.

Joshua drew his sword, pointing it at me, and ordered, "You are under arrest on suspicion of espionage, refrain from doing anything. You have nowhere to go."

I was a bit annoyed because this idiot didn't let me rest well these last three days.

"Oh Mother. You've been following me for three days, and you still think you can stop me here? I'm surprised by your perseverance."

ZAS

With a quick move, I kicked Joshua's hand, sending his sword a few steps away. Without wasting time, I took Roxy and lifted her onto my shoulders.

"Wait, you don't have to do this, right?" Roxanne asked nervously.

"Relax, I'm just going to have a little fun. Then we'll talk about why you're near the border."

The struggle caused Roxy's hair to fall out of her tunic, revealing her features once again to the public.

"What, Lady Roxanne!? Darn it, catch him!" The knights tensed upon hearing Joshua say Roxanne's name.

Their nervousness was evident, after all, in Britannia, there are only two types of people with such striking

 hair.

One of them was the "Barbarians," specifically the Caledonians from the north, who rarely ventured south to trade materials. The others were the children of the noble "White Knight." Yes, one of the noble heroes.

"Goodbye, bastard. The next time we meet, plead to your mother."

Disappear

...

Disappear

This got out of hand.

As soon as I saw that guy disappear with Lord Northay's daughter, I felt my life disappear.

"Quick, before Lord Northay-"

I felt a large shadow blocking my way.

"But what? Sir Parlot? What the heck-"

Sir Parlot is a knight who serves under the standard of Lord Blackend. He wore black armor with the emblem of three lances on his shoulder, with a height of 189 cm and a face carved with experience that was notorious.

His voice pierced my ears.

"Joshua, you're interfering with my duties from the border. You've been meddling where you shouldn't. Blind as you could be." Parlot replied.

I reluctantly went with my unit. My discomfort was evident; however, I couldn't disobey him; Parlot was of higher rank.

Soon, he ordered his soldiers to reorganize.

I was delegated to guard the border. At one point, my squad and I had encountered this mysterious man a few days ago.

I had gone out of my jurisdiction alone to catch him and get some credit for catching a spy.

"Gather everyone; if Parlot is here, that guy won't be able to hide in this city. We'll pursue him!" I ordered.

Anyway, I'm sure I'll be punished for insubordination, so I'll follow through to the end.

...

After seeing Joshua leave with his unit, Parlot proceeded to give instructions to his subordinates.

"This fool is asking to be punished. Quick, send the message to Sir Duran. We're going to pursue him; I'm sure he'll do something stupid."

Parlot, one of the 4 leaders of the border units and a member of the Black Fortress knights.

The latter are famous and known for maintaining military law and dealing with internal affairs of the country.

But their fame really comes from something else. The reason is that in their unit, there are different races, among them the hated semi-human races, undead, and witches.

Races that were involved with the demon lord Ventini and Grejard.

Located at the border with Votadini. The Marquis who manages the area is known for not showing himself frequently.

"We have to catch him before he dies. QUICK!"

...

On the outskirts of the village, near the forest.

I was standing, watching the disheveled Roxanne, who looked at me suspiciously.

"You! Don't you have tact? You're too rough!" - She yelled euphorically.

"Let go of the drama; I didn't hold you too tight. And to think you used to run to me to carry you when you were smaller."

"What! You don't have to remind me of that, Uncle! Besides that, I thought you were in Rome. When did you arrive?" – Roxanne's blue eyes shone brightly.

"Oh Mother, I haven't seen you in a long time. How is everyone?" I said, extending my arms.

"We all miss you, Uncle; we thought you wouldn't come back anymore." She replied, hugging me forcefully.

"Come on, I'll take you home." I said, whistling.

Fiuuu

The loud whistle was heard in the distance. And after a few moments, a Frisian horse emerged from the forest.

"Hey, remember Nightmare? You liked riding him a lot before." – I said while petting Nightmare's shiny mane.

"How could I forget? I always went with you and Dad to the hills. How have you been, boy, do you remember me?" – She carefully stroked his mane.

"...He's tired from the journey; we haven't stopped since we left to get here immediately." – I approached Roxanne, holding her waist to lift her onto the horse. – "I have to say, even I'm tired. Sigh. And your brothers?"

The horse walked slowly as we advanced and talked. At some point, I mounted and galloped until I disappeared on the horizon.