With the whistling of the birds and the bright sunrise, I woke up.
Having decided to camp near a stream, I approached the shore and washed my face.
Once done, I woke up Roxy and prepared the horse to depart.
Yawn!
"Come on, we'll arrive in a few hours," I said.
This girl here is called Roxanne Northay, daughter of Jonathan Northay, my best friend.
That characteristic red hair didn't come from him but from his wife. But still, their family is famous for that color.
Both of us mounted the horse and rode.
Tac! Tac!
At some point, the silence seemed uncomfortable, so Roxanne decided to satisfy her curiosity by asking me.
"Uncle, what's Rome like? I've never heard or read much about it," she asked.
"Uum... if I'm honest; it's beautiful. I've never seen anything like it anywhere else. It was a very pleasant stay, but stressful," I replied.
"Stressful? Do you mean because of the war?"
I thought for a moment before answering.
"No, it's actually a very hot environment. The stress came because I was being watched. Despite knowing I was a spy, they never went after me or the others. There were a lot of spies from other nations, and we all ended up... getting to know each other. But it seems convenient for them to have us there."
"Convenient, in what sense?" Roxanne asked.
"Convenient for political use. If they wanted to kill some high-ranking official or even the emperor without seeming like a coup or another reason, they just had to take a spy and say that their nation caused the death of whoever. That's the reason they are at war with the Carthaginians."
Right, the reason they didn't pursue spies or conduct raids was for convenience. In exchange for spies sending information about Rome to their nation, they let them go with a sword at their neck. Maintaining control that way.
"Anyway, it's best if I drop you off at the city gate and pick up the pace. The flies won't stop bothering. Ha!"
With a shout, the horse began to trot, and then gallop.
After passing through mountains and plains, the city of the Northays, Isurium, came into view.
Isurium, in particular, didn't have stone walls or anything extravagant. But its soldiers were something to be reckoned with.
The galloping gradually slowed down.
"Roxanne, can I know why you went to the border instead of the north? What's beyond the border is something your father couldn't save you from."
I changed my tone to a stern one.
"Uncle, I just wanted to see the world for myself... But Father never let me." She said, murmuring the last part.
Seeing her lower her head, I could imagine she felt sad.
I gently stroked her hair.
"Roxy, I just ask that you don't go back to the border. At least not now that things are getting stirred up. I promise to take you on a journey beyond here, okay?" I consoled her.
"Yes. Thank you, uncle... but wouldn't it be better if we don't get married? Ow!" A smack landed on her head.
"Those are not things a lady should say, Roxanne! It seems Georgina wasn't able to teach you everything. And you're not an adult yet." I scolded mockingly.
"But next year, I'll be older!" She retorted.
"I don't want to hear that again, Roxy!"
I knew he was serious, so I stopped her.
...
Standing in front of the entrance, some soldiers approached.
"Look, we've arrived. I'll leave you with the soldiers and leave immediately. My office has been filled with papers for the past 6 years."
"Haha, sure, Lord Leo... oops, it's a secret, right, Lucius?"
He was clearly making fun of me.
Before reaching the soldiers, I dismounted and walked in tune with the horse.
When I arrived in front of the soldiers, I lowered Roxy and spoke with them. One of them recognized Roxy instantly and reported to the Marquis.
I looked at Roxy and knelt on one knee to be at her eye level.
"Roxy, your parents must be worried. When I have time, I'll come and visit you, okay?"
I hugged her tightly.
"It was a pleasure to see you again, my little one. Don't grow up any more, please."
"Uncle, I hope to see you again soon." I saw her grip my tunic tightly.
Without further ado, I took the horse and galloped south, towards Eboracum. I never looked back; I couldn't.
...
After losing sight of the city, I began to venture into the forest.
At some point, it was no longer possible to gallop, so I started to walk.
"Why didn't you respond to Roxy? She would have been delighted to hear from you," I asked.
No response.
Playing dumb, huh?
"For my mother's sake, don't ignore me, damn horse, I'm talking to you!"
"Ouch! What the hell is wrong with you? Do you want to fall? I'm tired of running day and night to bring you back from a journey that was supposed to last for months."
Pesadilla replied.
"You didn't say the same when you were mating with all the mares you found loose, you bastard!"
I looked at him disdainfully.
Despite resembling a Frisian horse, the truth was that he was a real nightmare. A mythical horse feared for its atrocious powers.
"If I had answered her, she wouldn't leave me alone for the whole journey." Pesadilla responded.
"You ignored her the whole way; maybe she holds a grudge." I said angrily.
"But let's leave that for later. It seems they didn't catch up."
Pesadilla stopped, and I dismounted.
Tacata! Tacata! Tacata!
Eight knights with the symbol of a white horse surrounded me.
All pointed their lances at me, except for Joshua, who pointed his sword at me.
"You, will be arrested and executed for trespassing the border without permission and kidnapping a noble. I will personally kill you in the--"
"Do you want to shut up?" I interrupted clearly agitated.
My loud voice made everyone on guard. Joshua immediately took an attacking stance.
"You've been following me since I arrived at the border village. And worst of all, you haven't even been able to capture me in all this time. I want to know what Jonathan is wasting his time training trash like you for."
I had put some pressure in my voice, making the situation even more tense. I could even see Joshua's face bristle.
"Well, I, Leonhart Blackend! Will test the soldiers of Marquis Jonathan. I must emphasize that I will mock and file a formal complaint about the incompetence of your squad." I was clearly mocking them.
The name echoed in their heads. The atmosphere changed completely; the knights tensed even more.
The reason was quite obvious. The surname Blackend belonged to only one person in the entire kingdom of Britannia, and that was none other than the Marquis of the Black Fortress. Known for being a hero in
2 out of the 4 recent wars.
And among the knights, it was known that despite being in the northern border, the Marquis of the Black Fortress was in charge of the internal division, responsible for maintaining law among the nobles and knights. That's why Joshua didn't confront Parlot in the border village.
"4 days, that's the time it took. No, let me correct that. Actually, you never even managed to catch up with me. Later, I'll go to an official meeting with Marquis Jonathan, and I hope to explain why there are no experienced soldiers guarding the border."
I said that because these guys were clearly younger than me.
"Lies!" Joshua shouted.
"It's impossible for you to be who you claim to be! In the first place, you have no proof! Enough of this farce. Attack!"
Pat! Pat! Pat!
The 7 knights ran towards me, pointing their lances at me.
"You damn idiots, consider yourselves dead!" I said angrily.
Chan! Chan! Chin! Chin!
Unsheathing my Gladius, I deflected all the lances, narrowly avoiding them.
The inexperience of this group was clear.
These were moves they taught in the academy.
"What are you doing!? Damn it, I'll have to go. Joshua said.
Chin!
Joshua pressured me into a disadvantageous space.
At least this one was different.
But, like with the others, I simply deflected his sword and moved out of his line of sight.
To not prolong things further, I accelerated and began to attack the others.
My sword traveled to the heel of one of the knights, making him unable to stand.
"Aagh!"
"There he is!"
"Behind him!"
Confusion intensified. No one could keep up with my speed. I wasn't even giving it my all.
In the end, several knights ended up injured. I tried not to kill them, but incapacitating someone was not an easy task.
At some point, Joshua tried to match my speed and slipped behind me. But his attack lacked stability.
Chan! Chan! Chin! Chin!
In the exchange of blows, I made it clear to Joshua that I wasn't an easy opponent.
I think it's time to finish this.
...
Something had bothered me for a while, but I couldn't give it a thought now.
This bastard was clearly strong, but if I surrendered, my squad would die here.
I raised my sword, and with a strong thrust, I launched myself again at him.
Cling! Breaking!
Good! His face was somewhat surprised; now I can press.
I managed to break this guy's sword, but when I looked up, he wasn't there anymore. He was moving too fast.
"Damn rat, stop moving." I shouted euphorically.
"How lucky! Maybe I should change strategy?" he mocked.
I saw how he approached one of the injured knights and forcibly took his lance.
"Keug, no-"
"I'll borrow this." He smiled.
His smug face made me even angrier. I had long forgotten the discomfort I felt at the beginning.
Fuu!
I saw Mark attack where the guy was standing.
"What!?" Mark couldn't even keep up with him.
"Behind you!" I shouted.
"What- Aagh!"
I saw him hit Mark's ribs with the lance shaft. The strong blow sent Mark crashing into the nearby tree.
The impact was so strong that it broke his ribs, and the same lance broke.
"My, I used too much force." He threw away the broken lance.
"This, this guy is not a simple warrior! We must leave now!"
Finally, I understood the situation my companions and I were in. Initially, I had to report this to my superiors or leave it to Parlot. But I was desperate to gain fame and ask for Margaret's hand in marriage.
I couldn't just run away like that. In reality, I had one last resort... it was Parlot.
I knew Parlot would follow me, so it was only a matter of time before he arrived.
Returning to my original thoughts, I thought what this man said is true. After all, no one calls the nine heroes by their names. Except for the heroes themselves, of course. But that was simply impossible; I refused to accept that stupidity.
"All right! What was it? Jose, Josh, Joshua! From today, I will depose you." He pointed at me.
Tacata! Tacata! Tacata!
Suddenly, 13 knights in black armor appeared. In their black flags was the symbol of a shield and 3 spears.
Pat! Pat! Pat!
Quickly, the knights dismounted and surrounded everyone, including the guy.
I laughed.
"It's over for you, bastard."
Or so I thought.
...
I was interrupted when these guys came on the scene and surrounded us quickly.
The one who looked like the leader approached within five steps of me and removed his helmet.
I recognized him instantly.
"I, Parlot of the Black Fortress, Centurion of the internal division, order the arrest of the border unit of the white horses for insubordination and abuse of power!" Parlot's voice was loud and concise.
"Yes-sir Parlot! This man is--"
With heavy steps, Parlot approached Joshua.
Slap!
Parlot slapped Joshua.
"You damn idiot! Do you even know who this man is? Even if a hundred of you joined forces, I bet my life that you would die a hundred times."
Parlot was agitated, and Joshua looked bewildered.
Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!
Parlot hit Joshua several times.
Everyone present was stunned, myself included.
The slaps soon turned into punches.
Pum! Pum! Pum! Pum!
Joshua's mouth was already showing red blood.
"Take this idiot and his entourage away! Punish him at the camp with twenty lashes! Let everyone see what happens when they go beyond what they should!" Parlot ordered.
Suddenly, he hurried and knelt in front of me.
"I-I, Parlot, apologize for everything that happened here! And I extend my most sincere greetings to Marquis of the Black Fortress, Leonhart Blackend!" Parlot was nervous.
Those present stopped moving and knelt one by one, including the white knights.
Joshua, who could barely see, was breathing heavily.
"Really was Lord Leonhart. Rumors said he had never been seen leaving the fortress," Joshua might be thinking that.
"Oh Parlot, you took too long. Although I admit I had fun these last four days. Get up."
"Lead the way and take me home; I'm tired. Oh right, but before that, let's pass by the capital. I need to meet with His Majesty."
****
Clattering sounds filled the air. Half a day after the events, Joshua sat by the campfire, reflecting on his mistakes.
"You honestly have luck on your side, Sir Joshua. If Sir Parlot hadn't found you, we might never have seen you again."
A knight in black armor sat next to Joshua, his beard showing visible signs of gray.
"What do you mean? Isn't the punishment the same either way?" With his vision only partially restored, Joshua couldn't discern who he was speaking to.
"You really are a novice. Listen. If, by some chance, your punishment had been at the hands of Lord Leonhart, you would have suffered something worse than death." The knight whispered as if avoiding being overheard.
"Eh, wh-what do you mean? Are you saying 20 lashes are nothing?" Joshua asked fearfully.
Snorting, the knight replied, "Tsk, pay attention when you're spoken to, idiot. Sir Duran, Lord Leonhart's commander, is someone who has never let those who go against the Lord go free. They say everyone punished by Sir Duran is alive, but they continue to suffer. The most famous case was when a noble refused to present the sales book to Lord Leonhart during his rise to marquis, I heard that the commander slaughtered all his knights and tortured that noble almost to death. If you were to see it, I'm sure you'd believe that and much more."
"I saw him impale a thief and place him in front of the market gates," added another knight.
"Yeah, remember the day the thief who stole a painting had her arms cut off? That was brutal," another knight chimed in.
All the black knights began sharing stories about Sir Duran and his atrocities. The more Joshua listened, the more he and his companions realized that Parlot had saved them from something far worse than 20 lashes.
"You see now? You're lucky that Sir Parlot intervened for you. Parlot fears Sir Duran, and that's why he accepted being part of the frontier for over 4 years without returning."
"Enough already. If Sir Parlot hears us, he'll have us carrying stones for days... oh right, something everyone might know, but... Sir Duran is the legendary Dullahan who fought against the nobles," added the knight at the end.
"W-what? You're joking, right?" Joshua exclaimed.
"No, not at all. You didn't know that either? All the knights and warriors at the Black Fortress are monsters or beasts. Haven't you heard about it? God, these kids nowadays don't..."
Joshua tuned out the voices around him. He had forgotten about it during the war when people were running. He was only 9 years old when the demon lord Grejard attacked, but among the commanders of the demon lord, there was him—the demonic General, Dullahan.
After the war, rumors circulated that he joined the Kingdom of Britannia. Since no one had seen him before, they thought it was a lie.
That day, Joshua promised to properly thank Sir Parlot.