The mornings in the Southern City of Alfar were not as busy as the streets in Central City. There weren't really any people on the street but maybe it was due to the earliness of Veritas' departure.
The sun had only begun to shine but at this point, people in the Central City would already go to their work and start their days.
Even though Alfar was still located in the kingdom of Elrod, the culture was still vastly different to that of others. Veritas accepted this fact and went on in his journey.
It didn't take long for him to leave the city and get back on the roads. Although he hadn't resupplied in his stay on Alfar, Veritas still made an essential deal that would help him in his trial.
The journey towards the camp near the Ruins of Orph didn't take that long. The forest was quite close to the Southern City, so Veritas didn't worry that much about wasting time.
Along the journey, Veritas read the documents that he was given last night. Although the records did not come directly in his room, the butlers and maid arranged them inside his carriage professionally.
Thus, when he scanned for his supplies, Veritas saw the new box that contained the various reports regarding the Gargoyle Knight.
In it, Veritas read the peculiar behavior of the Gargoyle Knight in detail. It described a Wielder's troupe being wiped out by the Gargoyle Knight. The reports read:
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{Subjugation Report}
Subjugation of the Gargoyle Knight in Ruins of Orph.
By: Wielder Sana Holle
Subjugation Leader: Wielder Riggard Castillo
Subjugation Members: Wielder Henry Oneal, Wielder Kevin Holle, Wielder Sana Holle, Wielder Devin Stanton, Wielder Eden Lahn, and Wielder Riggard Castillo.
Wielder casualties: Wielder Henry Oneal, Wielder Kevin Holle, Wielder Devin Stanton, Wielder Eden Lahn, and Wielder Riggard Castillo.
Surviving Wielders: Wielder Sana Holle.
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{The Gargoyle Knight in the Ruins of Orph could be explained as a calamity, wielding a formidable stone sword that shattered the blades of all the Wielders. As reported, the 6-troupe Wielders led by Wielder Riggard Castillo aimed to subjugate the monstrosity. However, things plummeted which caused 5 Wielder's lives to be lost in battle.
It could be said that the Gargoyle Knight is unmatched in combat, utilizing a unique swordplay that isn't recognized by the records in the Southern City of Alfar. Various swords....}
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Veritas read through the document hastily, he read the details of how the Gargoyle Knight fought, what weapons it wielded, and details that the surviving Wielder observed. Overall, it served as a great piece of information that Veritas utilized for his upcoming battle.
He felt respect for the fallen Wielders, especially towards Wielder Sana Holle, who seemed to have lost a family member during the subjugation. Wherever that Wielder was, Veritas wished her well for her future.
That said, Veritas skimmed through various pages of reports that described the details of the Gargoyle Knight.
Upon doing so, Veritas learned of the patterns and habits of the Gargoyle Knight.
Or at least what the surviving Wielders have reported..
First, the Gargoyle Knight never went past the Ruins of Orph. Something seemed to be keeping the Knight there. This was already common knowledge to Veritas but he still determined to find details about its entrapment. However, he could not find anything that was useful..
Second, its fighting style. It seemed to be using a unique type of swordplay that was not familiar to the people of Elrod. It didn't utilize the winds but rather.. it was an elegant style that was precise in its strike.
Veritas still needed to confirm this through battle. Mere reports weren't enough for him to learn of the full capabilities of the Gargoyle Knight.
Third, Veritas learned of the Gargoyle Knight's great defense. It was described that the Gargoyle Knight had high immunity to elemental attacks such as winds, fire, earth, and many more. The only way to beat it is to fight with sheer force, or to scheme and take advantage of its weaknesses.
Which was almost non-existent!
The reports mentioned that the Gargoyle Knight seemed to be formidable in every aspect of combat!
Lastly, the Gargoyle Knights pattern. The reports said that it stood still on the middle of the Ruins of Orph. The first time that various Wielders encountered the Gargoyle Knight, they thought that it was some sort of ancient statue that was made with great art.
However, that statue unexpectedly attacked when one of them wandered too close.
Veritas speculated that he would be safe as long as he didn't get too close. But he still needed empirical data to prove the Wielder's words.
After reading through multitudes of pages, Veritas focused on guiding the horses and making his way to the camp.
It did not take too long though.
It hadn't even taken an hour before Veritas arrived at the camp near the Ruins of Orph.
There were a couple of Wielders and Knights interacting among each other and eating their breakfasts.
With Veritas' arrival, every individual in the vicinity gazed upon him. They did not expect the Prince to be in their respective area.
"Your majesty! W-what are you doing here?"
"I have come to fell the Gargoyle Knight."
Everyone was perplexed by his declaration, stopping what they were doing in awe. They were speechless by his words, but Veritas continued to stop his carriage deeper into the camp.
Upon doing so, Veritas hid his highly valued materials and stepped out of the carriage to meet the Wielder that managed the camp.
It was quite a small camp that housed a few people. There were only a dozen or so Wielders and Knights inside the camp.
He navigated and inquired about the camp leader through the members that were outside their respective tents. One of the black-haired Wielders pointed to a brown tent near a large tree.
"There, your majesty."
"I see. I am grateful."
With a light bow directed towards the black-haired Wielder, Veritas made his way to the brown tent.
Inside, he saw a brown-haired Wielder that was eating a bowl of soup.
"Are you the leader of this place?"
Startled, the brown-haired Wielder stared in the direction of Veritas.
"Ah- Your Majesty!"
Veritas didn't let the brown-haired Wielder continue and began making his amends.
"I am here on a confidential task of defeating the Gargoyle Knight. As Prince of this Kingdom, I command you to leave the premises and report back to the Duke. Tell him that it is my word."
"B-But!"
The brown-haired wielder gazed at Veritas' elegant pair of deep golden eyes.
"A-as you wish!"
He then scurried back outside, leaving Veritas to inside the warm tent.
In a couple of moments, the area was immediately cleared and Veritas had been left alone in the camp.
"I'll take a stroll in the ruins, I guess.."
The ruins were already quite close to the camp. It only takes a few minutes to reach as it can already be seen in the horizon.
Veritas got closer and saw the stone debris lying in the ground. There were slash marks and destruction that was prevalent in the distance.
Veritas expected the ruins to be some sort of remnants of a lost town but he was very wrong!
The Ruins itself was only a singular and small castle that had been broken down. There was no roof, and there were gaping holes in the walls of the castle. In a single glance, one could deduce that this ruined castle is a remnant of a civilization from the past.
Although it was small when compared to the castle of Elrod, it still possesses the same dynamics that the castle from Elrod had.
In terms of aesthetic appeal it could be said that it was on par with the castle of Elrod. Veritas could determine that there were various pillars that resided within the castle. However, the ruined nature of the castle had removed that royalty.
"Interesting architecture.."
Although Veritas stood vigilant, he couldn't help but admire the castle in the distance.
Deep inside he was very excited to explore the Ruins of Orph. But there was still a major hurdle for him to conquer.
That said, the Gargoyle Knight was not anywhere in sight.
'Maybe it's inside?'
However that question answered itself as Veritas got closer to the castle and saw a statue with a daunting stone helmet that covered its face.
The armor was fitted perfectly for the statue due to its nature of being slim and proper.
The statue was holding its sword down in a position that seemed to guard something from within.
Veritas saw that statue and thought that it was wearing formidable armor. But alas, the impeccable detail of its armor was only stone, one that is as sturdy as metal itself.
The sun was beginning to shine inside the forest. There were streaks of sunlight that showcased the statue's honor even further. It held the sword gracefully and the flowing winds along with the warmth of the sunlight enhanced Veritas' vision towards the scene.
It looked as if the daunting statue was called upon by nature itself.
'The Gargoyle Knight..'
Veritas remembered the reports that he read from early on.
It said that if he were to get too close then the Gargoyle Knight would move and attack. Any normal person would be careful and not get near the Gargoyle Knight.
However, Veritas was crazy..
Immediately! He unsheathed his sword and dashed towards the direction of the statue, running at full capacity and speed!
He used the unique swordplay of Elrod to enhance his footwork and steps, aiming for a perfect introductory strike!
"Here I go you bitch!"
Veritas ran like the winds and dashed through the debris of the ruins. He was closing in fast, and in mere seconds he was only 10 meters away from the daunting statue.
With that, Veritas focused his energy on his feet and made a quick leap towards the statue!
He stroke down on the statue with the purpose of cutting it in half.
However! The taciturn statue merely moved its blade and deflected Veritas' strike!
Veritas was pushed back a couple of meters away.
Immediately, the statue was already in front of him, looking as if it were towering above the Prince's bright marble armor.
The two blades then clashed against each other. One was a pristine white blade and the other was a stone-cold blade.
The Prince of Elrod and the Gargoyle Knight began to exchange blows!