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Empire of Hasegawa, Eodra Forest, Time: 12:50 PM
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A loud squeal erupted from a wild boar as an arrow struck its chest.
"Gotcha!" exclaimed the man who had taken the shot, approaching the fallen boar to claim it as his meal.
He wore a steel plate mask adorned with a rough carving of a smiley face, along with a sleek black bobcat fur.
His outfit was an exquisite steampunk suit, complete with matching gloves.
As he sheathed his crossbows, he hoisted the boar's carcass and made his way back to the campfire, intending to prepare it for a meal.
"CAULI! The food is almost ready, just hold on for a bit, okay?" the man with a smiley face cheered, calling out to someone named Cauli.
"But, Donnnn, I don't want to wear this stupid helmet while waiting for the food to be finished," whined Cauli.
He was dressed in a vibrant blue and pink yukata, wearing a ring on his hand and a samurai sword secured to his belt.
His feet were adorned with uwabaki, and he had glorious cyan-colored hair and majestic blue eyes, though they were currently obscured by a steel knight's helmet.
"Well, if you had spoken to your father more politely, we wouldn't be in this situation," Don said, reminding Cauli of a previous event that had transpired before they arrived at their current location.
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Three days ago, The Day during Guardian Registry
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Inside the Empire of Hasegawa, two people seem to be in the throne room.
"I WANT TO GO ON AN ADVENTURE, FATHER," Cauli yelled at his father. He seemed irritated for a while.
The man possessed long, dark blue hair and wore a dark blue emperor's armor with a fancy red and yellow naginata in his right hand.
"Your childish behavior will not be tolerated, Cauli! I want you to be the ruler of this kingdom when I pass away. I will not hear any more of your childish desires to leave this kingdom and go out into the world!"
"Why not?! And don't give me the bloodline nonsense!" Cauli glared at his father who seemed to be more irritated than Cauli himself.
His father could only shake his head in disappointment, "You are next in line for the throne, so you will not be allowed to go outside and play hero with everyone, Cauli. I am your father; please just listen to me once."
He slammed the bottom of his naginata on the ground, causing a small shockwave.
"Well, if you won't allow me to go," Cauli said as he prepared himself, "then I will run away myself!" he yelled as he started to run away from the palace by jumping out of a castle window.
"DON'T YOU DARE BE STUPID! COME BACK HERE RIGHT NOW, CAULI!" his father yelled so loudly that the entire kingdom heard it.
As Cauli started running away, the kingdom's guards came out, trying to block his escape.
"Young prince, please listen to your father just this once!" the head guard pleaded as his men prepared themselves.
"GET OUT OF MY WAY!"
Cauli drew his katana, and as cherry blossoms surrounded both him and his sword, he started slashing the air, creating sword projectiles that instantly blew the guards away. Taking advantage of this, Cauli sprinted with all his might toward the gate.
"CLOSE THE GATE! DON'T LET THE YOUNG PRINCE GET AWAY," the head guard ordered the gatekeepers to close, preventing Cauli from escaping.
The gate started to close slowly, and Cauli put all his energy into his legs.
"CAULI!" Don yelled as he extended his metal arms so Cauli could grab onto them.
Cauli grabbed Don's metal hand as it pulled him back just before the gate closed, allowing him to make his escape.
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Empire of Hasegawa, Eodra Forest, Time: 12:50 PM
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"To be honest, you can't negotiate with your father, so one way or another, we have got to escape the kingdom somehow," Don stated as he finished prepping the meat for both of them to eat.
Cauli stayed silent for a little bit before saying, "I'm sorry..." to Don.
"It's fine, don't worry too much. We're just starting very wild. So, hey, it'll make for a more exciting story to tell people, right?" Don reassured him.
"Come on, let's eat. After that, we'll hire a wagon and ride to get out of here," Don said as he started to chow down.
"Ok..." Cauli nodded, appreciating Don's understanding.
They sat down to eat the prepared meal, the savory aroma filling the air around them.
Don relished in the taste of the cooked meat, while Cauli's thoughts were still lingering on the events that led them to this point.
After finishing their meal, Don wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and stood up.
"Alright, time to make our great escape. We'll need to be careful, though. The kingdom won't take kindly to a prince on the run," he said, eyeing the surroundings for any signs of trouble.
As they walked through the outskirts of the kingdom, Cauli couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
"So, where do you suggest we head to, Don?" he asked, trying to focus on the plan ahead.
"We could attend this festival!" Don suggested, pointing at an article in the newspaper that read "Morgan's Twilight Peace Treaty Festival."
"Okay, but it's just for you then. I'm not a fan of festivals," Cauli stated, expressing his disinterest in celebrating with other people.
"Alright, I guess you won't be able to enjoy the delicious food they're serving at the festival," Don teased with a smug expression.
Cauli's attention immediately shifted at the mention of food.
"Okay, let's go to the festival then. Both of us!" Cauli gave in, and Don chuckled at his change of heart.
Both of them stealthily sought a way to escape the land around Hasegawa.
"Just keep your guard up and try to find a way to escape here." Cauli nodded as both of them tiptoed around the guards in their area.
They looked around for a bit before spotting a wagon that had just stopped, with the driver taking a small break.
"Woo, payday might be my Mayday," he stated before he spotted Cauli and Don approaching him.
"Hello there, sir—wait, you look familiar." The driver looked at Cauli, who started to sweat a little.
"Shut it, and I will give you this much," Don stated, pulling out a briefcase full of money, which made the driver stunned.
"Yes, sir!" The driver opened the curtain for them as Don entered, with Cauli standing there with a concerned face.
"Don, you can't just—Hey!" Cauli was suddenly pulled into the wagon, and both of them took off to the festivals together.
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