In the depths of the dense forest, a group of black-clad escorts carefully guarded a carriage as it navigated the rugged mountain paths. The uneven road caused the carriage to jolt frequently, but the group remained silent, their focus entirely on safeguarding their charge.
The carriage struck a jagged stone, causing it to lurch violently. One of the black-clad escorts reacted swiftly, steadying the massive carriage with a single hand, bringing it safely back to balance. This was no ordinary guard; he was at least a mid-level knight's squire.
A startled cry came from within the carriage, clearly shaken by the sudden jolt. The curtain of the carriage window was pulled back, revealing a fair and delicate face as beautiful as a painting.
"Sir Lane, where are we now?" came the clear and melodious voice of the young woman within.
"Your Highness, we are currently in the southeastern part of Mophy Forest. Beyond this stretch lies the Bering Mountains," replied the black-clad man who had steadied the carriage.
"The Bering Mountains? I recall my teacher mentioning they are famous for their fiery-red fruits," the fair-skinned beauty murmured thoughtfully.
"How much longer until we reach my brother?" the princess asked, her voice laced with impatience. She had been confined to the carriage for nearly two weeks now, and for someone accustomed to the comforts of the royal capital, this journey was an exhausting ordeal.
"For safety reasons, we are taking less-traveled roads. It will likely take another week before we can rendezvous with the nearest military unit. With their protection, Your Highness will soon be reunited with the prince," Lane replied honestly.
"Can't we go any faster?" the princess pouted.
"Your safety takes precedence over speed, Your Highness," Lane responded firmly, indirectly rejecting her request.
Frustrated, the princess let the curtain fall and ceased speaking to the rigid knight.
Indeed, this group was none other than Princess Angelina and her guards, who had secretly left the royal palace. Lane, the black-clad knight, was a captain of the Shadow Guard's Earth Division.
The convoy traveled until dusk before stopping to rest. The Shadow Guards began hunting and scouting the surroundings, while the princess's personal maids and guards set up a fire and prepared dinner, attending to Princess Angelina's needs.
Lane perched atop an ancient tree over thirty meters tall, keeping watch. As the strongest member of the group, it was his responsibility to remain vigilant.
As night fell, the princess and her attendants gathered quietly around the fire. The maids stared absentmindedly at the flickering flames, while Princess Angelina clutched a massive leather-bound book, her lips moving softly as she read aloud.
Lane, having completed another patrol, leaned against a tree trunk and stared into the distance.
How did the palace approve such a reckless plan? Lane wondered bitterly. The most precious princess of Garrel, entrusted to a single squad of Shadow Guards, traveling to a war-torn frontline through the treacherous Mophy Forest? Lane could scarcely believe the orders he'd received.
When Lane had first been assigned this mission, he had been elated. He had envisioned the glory of his family name being restored through this one grand opportunity. The Lane family, once noble, had long since fallen into obscurity. They were now little more than farmers with a family crest and a faded family tree. But now, all Lane wanted was to deliver the princess safely. Glory and revenge could wait; failure would mean his head and the final ruin of his family.
Lane's childhood had been one of loss and humiliation. His family's meager farms had been stolen by nearby petty nobles, leaving him with nothing but resentment and a burning desire for revenge. Through sheer luck and distant family connections, Lane had managed to join the Shadow Guard—an elite unit loyal only to the king.
Despite his dedication, Lane was not well-liked among his peers. Years of hard work and countless bribes had only earned him the title of captain in the Earth Division. Others from his cohort had risen far higher.
But Lane's loyalty to the princess was unwavering. He had realized the danger of their mission the moment they crossed the border. There was no backup, no other convoy—only them. They had been sent as pawns, expendable in a game of political intrigue.
Lane had discreetly shared his suspicions with Princess Angelina. To his surprise, the princess had remained calm, as though she had already anticipated this outcome. "Your only task is to deliver me to my brother," she had said with quiet determination.
Lane had done his best to fulfill that task. When a traitor disappeared from their ranks shortly after leaving Garrel's borders, Lane had acted decisively. They abandoned most of their baggage, including the princess's carriage full of personal belongings, hiding them in a secure location with the princess's consent. Lane then led the group into the depths of Mophy Forest, where the chaotic terrain and dangerous magical beasts offered some measure of protection.
The journey had been grueling. Two shadow leopards, mid-level magical beasts, had reduced their convoy from three carriages to two. Attacks from lesser beasts and corrupted creatures had further thinned their numbers. From an initial party of thirty, only a little over ten remained—mostly Shadow Guards, with three royal guards and two maids surviving.
For many, it was their first encounter with magical beasts, and panic had cost them dearly in the early days of their flight. Even Lane, despite his years in the Shadow Guard, had rarely faced magical creatures before. The near-constant danger had frayed his nerves.
But now, with the worst of the forest behind them, morale had begun to recover. Lane's impressive combat skills—his victory over two shadow leopards—had inspired confidence among the survivors. Princess Angelina, despite her exhaustion, maintained a composed and dignified demeanor. Her upbringing as a royal ensured she never displayed fear or weakness.
She sat quietly by the fire, engrossed in A Brief Study of Corrupted Creatures. The image of the serene princess reading by firelight brought an almost holy calm to the camp, soothing the fears of those around her.
The fire crackled and grew higher under the watchful eyes of the guards. But then, a faint whistling sound cut through the night air.
An arrow, black as midnight, struck one of the guards in the neck. The man let out a strangled cry before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
The camp erupted into chaos as everyone scrambled into action.