The sun hangs over a man's head, creating a halo-like circle. His golden hair slowly drifted between the wind, showing his holic look but he was the least holy person. The blood tainted on his hand could cover entire streets with scarlet and he didn't regret his actions because it was for the greater good to him.
" Sir Sera, we found the saintess's tracks. She is heading toward Aachen where Sir Richard is heading. I assume she is there to meet him."
One of the knights knew how terrifying Richard was when it came to battle and he was hesitant to meet him as an enemy for he was a merciless machine of massacre.
" The White Lion of the church. I heard they failed to persuade the Golden Lion and if the two lions meet up, we can't defeat them unless we summon our legions."
Sera wasn't keen on fighting against them, knowing they had far superior units and weapons but his mission was to capture Anna and her affiliates. He was already half on his way and he had no way to back. The blood of the guardians was on his hand, urging him to do it or drop it.
" We will become hunters then. Avoid alerting the lord and the lion. They should split up for a moment to fool our eyes and others' eyes. Hence, the last chance would be there to capture her before she rejoins the church. If the tools become weapons, don't hesitate to eliminate them."
Sera wasn't willing to take a risk in the worst situation when Anna could turn onto them with her knife. Her knife was widespread fame and authority among the people which could cause civil war in the empire again.
" Yes, sir!"
The knights understood his words, not daring to mention mercy since their lord was the cruelest person in their eyes.
10 years ago
" Seraphine! Why aren't you listening to my words?"
A female knight squire stood before a young man with a pouting face. She pinched his face to the limit, annoying him in the process.
" Stop it, Gabriella! It hurts."
He pulled her hands from his cheek, bear-hugging her with a calm face while the former struggled to free herself from his grasp. Despite his not-so-big build, the man had great strength and he was proficient in the martial arts, so he could easily hinder her move less.
" You big meanie, let me go. We have to do our chores before the paladins arrive here."
Sera raised his eyebrows slightly, loosening his arms before tightening it again. Gabriella who was caught off guard, tried to free herself by pushing him down to the ground but both of them fell onto each other.
They looked into each other's eyes, feeling softness in their hearts while laughing with happy faces because they were only an inch away from completing their goal which was to become paladins.
" What are you doing?"
An old paladin entered the room to find them on the floor but he didn't scold them, instead he just watched them with a helpless face.
" We were getting ready for our training, sir."
Gabriella kicked Sera's shin while dusting herself off. She coughed with a slightly embarrassed face while glaring at Sera who was scratching his head with awkwardness.
" Don't do it in the public. This is the church and people love talking."
The old paladin warned them with a calm face while taking off his armor. His whole body was covered with scars but he didn't hide it, believing it was his lifetime achievement and glory since he was a Northerner.
" Teacher Marcus, will other paladins and lord watch our upcoming spar battle? I feel anxious."
Gabriella asked while fidgeting her fingers. The eyes of the paladins and lords were only focused on talented figures like Sera who was born with the initial gift. She wasn't confident enough to catch their eyes.
" Of course, you can do it. Don't belittle yourself even if you are a woman. Have you heard of those Greek women who had similar strength to men?"
Marcus patted her head with his rough hand while taking something out of his pocket. It was a little dagger with an extremely simple design yet with a sharp blade.