The sun had just begun to rise behind the mountains, casting its light over the dense forest surrounding the capital. Touya led his troops with renewed determination. With 500 soldiers marching behind him, they moved in orderly lines, each one aware that a great battle awaited them ahead. However, the forest's atmosphere felt strange. It was too quiet.
In the distance, shadows flitted quickly between the trees, unnoticed by ordinary soldiers. Johan's spies had been watching them since they entered the forest, every step reported with precision. Johan had prepared for this.
"Touya-sama," one of the knights approached him with a serious expression. "Something's not right. This forest is... too silent."
Touya, though worried, maintained his calm demeanor. "We can't stop now. They must know we're coming, but that doesn't matter. We're ready to face them."
