Leticia and her entourage advanced towards the Autumn Kingdom, traversing the breathtaking landscapes of the Winter Kingdom. Majestic fjords, crowned with eternal snows, carved the horizon, while crystalline lakes mirrored the serene beauty of the boreal forest, creating a breathtaking scene.
During a brief rest stop on the banks of a river, the two knights responsible for the carriage conversed, intrigued.
"Sir Werner, don't you find it strange?" one of them asked. "I'm following the map precisely, but it seems we're advancing faster than we should. The landmarks are appearing sooner than expected."
"I've noticed it too," Werner agreed. "But we'll reach a village soon. There we can rest and replenish our supplies."
Upon arriving at the village, they settled into a cozy inn. Leticia's assistant approached the princess discreetly.
"Your Highness, you've been confined to the carriage for days," she said with a gentle smile. "How about a stroll through the village? Sir Aleph could accompany you."
Aleph nodded, and Leticia, grateful for the opportunity to distract herself, accepted the invitation.
While the other staff rested, Leticia and Aleph strolled through the town. For Leticia, it was an enchanting experience, as it was the first time she explored places beyond her kingdom. Marveling, she wandered through the market stalls, contemplating products she had previously only seen ready-made on her table. Her curiosity compelled her to approach the vendors, asking about the items that caught her attention. Aleph observed her with admiration, enchanted by the princess's enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge. She, in turn, excitedly pointed out and shared her discoveries with him, who became infected by her interest. Throughout the walk, they chatted animatedly about the peculiarities of the place, in a fluid and light exchange. The connection between the two was palpable, evident in the way they complemented each other and appreciated each other's company.
Their return to the inn was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a group of Shineids. The surprise paralyzed Leticia for a moment. Aleph, in a swift movement, positioned himself in front of her, his sword drawn and ready for combat. With trembling hands behind his back, Leticia whispered apprehensively:
"Sir Aleph, do you intend to fight them all?"
The question carried the weight of worry. Leticia's own sword rested in the carriage, rendering her a helpless spectator. The ability to defeat Shineids was rare, a gift she did not yet possess. The creatures advanced, their swords gleaming like sharp fangs.
"We've finally found you, Princess Leticia!" one of them hissed, their voice laced with icy menace.
"What do you want with me?" Leticia inquired, her voice firm despite her fear.
"Your head!" the creature hissed without hesitation. "And we're here to take it."
One of the Shineids lunged at Leticia with surprising speed. Aleph, however, intercepted the attack, his sword a whirlwind of steel blocking each of the creature's blows. Leticia watched, impressed; Aleph's skill was remarkable, an impeccable defense against the Shineids' fury. But he didn't attack, only defended. The princess wondered if he was merely conserving energy, aware of the impossibility of defeating them.
In a brief moment of respite, Aleph found an opening and ordered Leticia to flee. The princess hesitated, fear for the knight's safety tightening her chest.
"My duty is to protect you," Aleph insisted, his voice firm. "Run. Get help."
Taking advantage of the opening, Leticia ran, leaving behind the metallic clang of combat, the hope that Aleph would resist until her return pulsing in her heart.
As soon as the princess disappeared, a subtle but perceptible change came over Aleph. His gaze, previously focused on defense, turned icy, capable of freezing anyone who met it.
"Who sent you?" His voice, now cold as the steel of his sword, cut through the air.
"We don't have to answer to you, pretty boy," one of the Shineids mocked.
"We'll see," Aleph replied, a glacial smile on his lips.
With a swift and precise movement, his sword flashed. One of the Shineids fell, struck down.
"How many of you will I have to eliminate to get an answer?" Aleph questioned, his voice laden with a deadly promise.
The Shineids charged at Aleph in a frenzied assault. With precise and elegant movements, he dodged their blows, retaliating with lethal force. In a matter of moments, the creatures had vanished as if they had evaporated into thin air.
"It was someone who came with us," Aleph murmured thoughtfully. "I need to find out who."
At that moment, Leticia returned, accompanied by Ritz and Werner. They found Aleph on the way, and the princess, relieved to see him unharmed, asked about the fate of the Shineids.
"They gave up after you escaped," Aleph replied, omitting the truth about the fight.
Leticia found the explanation strange. Who would want her dead? Why would Shineids be involved? Could Risny be planning to invade the Winter Kingdom? The questions swirled in her mind, creating a tangle of doubts and suspicions.
After the incident, the group sought rest at the inn. The next morning, they resumed their journey. Ritz and Werner conversed, commenting on the speed with which they had reached the next village, something that seemed inexplicable to them.
Upon settling in, Leticia awoke to find her assistant missing. In her place was a letter. In it, the young woman explained her elopement with Werner, an act driven by love. Returning to the Winter Kingdom would mean an arranged marriage with some royal advisor, a fate she refused. Her heart belonged to Werner, and life without him was unthinkable.
"I'm happy for her," Leticia murmured, a trace of melancholy in her voice. "She found a great love and had the courage to run away to make it happen. Something I can't do..."
Leticia informed Aleph and Ritz about the couple's departure. Aleph, pondering the situation, concluded that Ritz was the only one who could have informed the Shineids of the princess's location.
"Those two ran away!" Ritz thought anxiously. "Sir Aleph may suspect me. I need to inform the Shineids of our location so they can attack."
"From now on, we'll head to the city of the Third Division, west of the kingdom," Aleph announced to Leticia, loud enough for Ritz to hear.
"Finally, a direction!" Ritz celebrated internally, relieved to have the information he needed.
The carriage was traveling along the road when, suddenly, it was surrounded by a large group of Shineids. Aleph, perceiving the ambush, slammed the carriage door shut, preventing Leticia from exiting.
"Don't come out until I say so," he ordered, his voice tense.
"But... I want to help!" Leticia protested, worried.
Ignoring the princess's plea, Aleph locked her inside the carriage. Outside, the Shineids stared at them, emanating a menacing aura. Ritz remained beside Aleph, waiting for the opportune moment to act.
"Hand over Princess Leticia and we will spare your lives," demanded one of the Shineids.
"If I refuse?" Aleph retorted, drawing his sword with a metallic gleam.
"We will have no choice but to take your lives," replied the Shineid, its voice icy.
"Those words should only be spoken by someone willing to die fighting," Aleph taunted, his gaze fixed on his enemies.
"A mere knight believes he can defeat ten Shineids?" another mocked.
"I have no doubt," Aleph affirmed, his confidence unwavering.
An icy shadow crossed Aleph's face. His eyes narrowed, his focus sharp as the blade of his sword, his fighting stance shifted to a style of his own. With impressive speed, he delivered a precise blow to the first Shineid, eliminating it instantly. The second met the same fate, barely having time to react to Aleph's agility and precision.
Meanwhile, Ritz, seeing Aleph focused on the fight, tried to force open the carriage door. Suddenly, a dagger grazed his face, causing a superficial cut.
"But how...?" Ritz murmured incredulously, touching the wound. "From where...?"
"Don't think for a minute that I'm distracted," Aleph's voice sounded cold and menacing behind him.
Taking advantage of Aleph's brief distraction, the third Shineid attacked. But Aleph, with a nimble dodge, counterattacked, eliminating it with a single blow. Fear began to spread among the remaining Shineids.
"You are Shineids! Defeat him!" Ritz shouted desperately, still trying to open the carriage door.
The Shineids, gathering their strength, attacked Aleph simultaneously. He, however, moved with the grace of a deadly dancer, dodging, blocking, and counterattacking with ruthless efficiency. One by one, the Shineids were eliminated until none remained.
Aleph walked slowly towards Ritz, who was hammering on the carriage door, shouting for Leticia. The door, however, remained inexplicably locked.
Pointing his sword at Ritz's throat, Aleph said, his voice icy:
"She won't hear you. Nor will she come out. Who's behind this?" Aleph demanded, stepping closer.
Ritz remained silent.
"It doesn't matter," Aleph continued. "Just tell your boss that he messed with the wrong kingdom."
Aleph released Ritz, who fled in panic. Quickly, the knight unlocked the carriage.
"We need to go," he said to Leticia urgently. "Hold on!"
Aleph climbed into the carriage and whipped the horses, taking off as if fleeing from something – or someone. Aleph's ability to defeat Shineids was rare and powerful, something he preferred to keep secret. The flight, therefore, was a way to disguise his true power.
Aleph stopped the carriage in an unfamiliar location. Opening the door, Leticia looked around, confused.
"What happened to the Shineids? And Sir Ritz?" she asked, trying to understand the situation.
"Everything's taken care of," Aleph replied, trying to reassure her.
"Good," Leticia sighed, relieved. "But I don't understand why the Shineids would attack me."
"I'd like to know that too," Aleph admitted thoughtfully.
...
Meanwhile, Ritz, with the help of the Shineids, reached the castle in the Winter Kingdom. He presented himself before the Shineid General, relating the events with distress.
"That man isn't normal!" Ritz exclaimed. "He defeated ten Shineids alone! He's a monster!"
"I doubt he'll survive the next attack," the Shineid General replied with a cruel smile. "One less city won't be missed by the kingdom."
On the map in front of him, King Hayden moved a piece, his eyes fixed on the Winter territory, calculating his next move.