The following day, Alonso and Lyra made their way to the city mansion to meet with the king. They were to escort him back to the capital, where the king would publicly honor Alonso for his bravery and loyalty in saving both his life and the city of Forest Hill. For his services, Alonso would receive a title, and a celebration awaited him in the capital.
When the king and Marcel saw Lyra, they couldn't help but be taken aback. Her crimson skin and unusual features already set her apart, but it was her regal bearing and graceful etiquette that truly surprised them. She greeted the king with a flawless nobility that spoke of refinement and discipline, her manner so poised it seemed she was born to it. A million questions crossed the king and Marcel's minds about Alonso's strange companion, but, having grown accustomed to Alonso's mysterious ways, they simply accepted it as part of his ever-expanding enigma. The king, having learned Alonso's secrets from the encounter with Warmonger, had not shared a word of it with anyone—not even Marcel. In truth, the king himself was unsure of how to even articulate such revelations.
After final preparations, the city lord bid the king a formal farewell. With Marcel, Alonso, Lyra, and the king inside, the grand, golden carriage pulled by two majestic horses set off. Streets cleared in honor of the king's departure, and crowds lined the sidewalks, waving their goodbyes, blissfully unaware that an Oni and a unique android were among the royal entourage.
As they passed through the city's front gates, the two usual guards stood watch—the young guard Declan and the older veteran by his side. Both maintained stern, respectful expressions as they saluted the royal carriage. Suddenly, Alonso, with a mischievous grin, pushed aside the red velvet curtain, revealing his face to the two guards. Their eyes widened in disbelief, faces turning a shade of blue at the sight of Alonso within the king's carriage. Momentarily frozen by shock, they watched, speechless, as the carriage rolled on. Alonso smirked, feeling the satisfaction of catching them off guard.
The journey continued smoothly, but just a short distance out of the city, a lone figure appeared on the road ahead. The carriage driver, startled by the sudden presence, pulled the reins sharply, bringing the horses to an abrupt halt as they neighed and stamped the ground in alarm.
The carriage came to an abrupt halt, jolting its passengers forward. Marcel, already agitated, snapped, "What the hell are you stopping for?"
The driver, eyes wide with unease, stammered, "S-Someone's standing in the road…"
Alonso raised an eyebrow. "That can't be right. I would sense any presence nearby."
Marcel glanced at him, nodding. "Exactly."
Lyra was about to interject when Marcel, ignoring everyone's concerns, pushed open the carriage door and jumped out. The king's voice echoed after him, filled with concern. "Marcel, you're still injured! Don't be reckless!"
Ignoring the warning, Marcel stepped forward, his eyes locking onto a figure standing silently on the path. His breath caught as he took in her appearance. "A… woman?"
Before him stood a striking figure of power and grace, her aura exuding regal strength. She wore intricately crafted armor that blended elegance with might—silver plates adorned with turquoise gemstones covered her chest and hips, while a flowing teal skirt revealed toned legs protected by detailed armor. Silver bracers and gem-encrusted thigh guards enhanced her commanding presence.
At her hips rested two katanas, their bold red scabbards decorated with streaks of glowing purple lines, adding a mystical touch to the design. Her long, flowing purple hair was tied in a ponytail that cascaded down to her knees, framing her serene yet intense expression. Her star-shaped eyes glowed with a light purple hue, adding an ethereal quality to her already formidable presence. Everything about her appearance spoke of a warrior queen—captivating, poised, and battle-ready.
Marcel was taken aback by the woman standing before them. Her striking purple eyes, shaped like five-pointed stars, shimmered with a fierce intensity. Her armor was unlike anything he'd seen before, a masterpiece of craftsmanship blending strength and elegance, as if it were forged for a true warrior princess. He couldn't help but admire her presence, even as he tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword.
"You there! How dare you block the path of the royal carriage!" he barked, his tone sharp, hand steady on his weapon.
Alonso leaned out of the carriage, his expression shifting from curiosity to shock. "Maria? What on earth are you doing here?" he asked, his voice laced with surprise.
Marcel, catching Alonso's reaction, raised an eyebrow. "You… know this woman?" he asked, clearly taken aback. But Maria was already stepping forward, her stride calm yet purposeful.
Without breaking her stride, Maria bowed respectfully before addressing them. "I have sworn my sword to Mr. Alonso," she declared with a formal tone. "I will be his protector, his blade. I intend to accompany him to the capital."
Alonso stared, momentarily speechless. He glanced over her armor, noting the meticulous design. "Did Astra make that for you?" he asked, his voice a mix of intrigue and disbelief.
Maria nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Yes. It's perfect, isn't it? Sturdy and flexible, built for true combat."
Marcel, still tense, cut in, his voice taut with authority. "This is the king's royal carriage, transporting the ruler of a kingdom, not a common coach for just anyone to hop on."
The king leaned out of the carriage with a warm smile. "Oh, come now, Marcel. Let her join us. After all Alonso's done for us, I think he's earned it, don't you?" His tone was kind yet firm, a subtle reminder of Alonso's contributions.
Marcel gave the king a hesitant nod, his jaw set, but he couldn't deny the truth. "Very well," he muttered, reluctantly stepping aside to let Maria board.
As the carriage resumed its journey, Alonso shot a pointed look at Lyra, clearly unamused. "You knew about this, didn't you?"
Lyra's eyes widened in mock innocence before breaking into a sheepish grin. "Yes, Master… I apologize. But Maria insisted, and Astra encouraged her, so…" She trailed off, chuckling as if she'd forgotten the serious tone around them.
The king chuckled heartily at the scene. With him and Marcel, Lyra was the epitome of poise and nobility, exuding elegance. But with Alonso, her playful side surfaced, like a mischievous child savoring a joke only she understood. It was an amusing contrast that didn't go unnoticed, lightening the mood of the carriage as they continued their journey.
Alonso leaned forward, studying Maria with intrigue. "Hey, why couldn't I sense your presence earlier when you stopped the carriage?"
Maria's face brightened with a hint of pride. "It's a breathing technique my Sensei taught me," she replied confidently. "It can mask your presence entirely, even concealing mana."
Marcel's eyebrows shot up. "Remarkable. I've heard the people of the Kunlu Mountains practice such techniques. Your master must be a formidable martial artist."
The king nodded, joining in. "Martial arts are often closely guarded secrets. You're fortunate to have been chosen as a student by such a teacher."
Maria smiled, almost sheepishly. "It wasn't easy, believe me. Gaining his acknowledgment took a lot out of me. I had to deliver… fifty drag—" She abruptly cut herself off, realizing she'd almost divulged personal details from her time in the virtual world, something the king and Marcel didn't need to know. Laughing lightly, she finished, "Well, let's just say my Sensei isn't one to divulge secrets easily."
The king and Marcel exchanged a glance, their curiosity clearly piqued.
The king chuckled, his eyes twinkling with humor. "Well, you're certainly Alonso's companion—full of mysteries," he laughed heartily.
Lyra interjected, shifting the conversation with an air of diplomatic grace. "Your Majesty, if I may, as the ruler of a nation, it's unusual to travel with only one attendant. I understand this wasn't an official visit, yet surely, even on a hunt, one would expect a retinue."
The king turned to Lyra, clearly intrigued. "It's true, this was not a diplomatic journey, and I trust Marcel implicitly. His strength alone is enough to keep me safe."
Lyra nodded thoughtfully, her voice soft yet carrying an undertone of insight. "Understandable, Your Majesty, given the unofficial nature of the visit. However, even so, a hunt traditionally warrants a small retinue. Ten or twenty guards would not be unusual, along with a royal advisor, a maid, perhaps even a squire. It seems to me that you hold deep trust in Sir Marcel, perhaps the only such trust within your court."
The king's eyes narrowed slightly, clearly impressed by Lyra's perceptiveness. He inclined his head, a subtle smile appearing. "You're quite astute, Lady Lyra. In these times, trust is a rare currency indeed."
He paused, choosing his words carefully. "I don't wish to burden you with politics, but… tensions in the capital have been high since I abolished slavery. Many among the nobility, especially the Duke, are far from pleased. Assassination attempts on both my life and my royal consort are becoming alarmingly frequent."
Marcel, his stance unwavering, added grimly, "And let's not forget about the bounty placed on His Majesty's head. Ordinary criminals wouldn't dare approach the king, but if an S-ranked threat decides to accept the contract, it becomes an entirely different matter."
Alonso's gaze darkened as he leaned forward. "If someone as powerful as Warmonger would send his own to kill you, because of your decision to abolish slavery, it's safe to assume there are plenty more who'd be happy to see you gone."
Lyra's eyes stayed fixed on the king, her tone calm and diplomatic. "In times like these, Your Majesty, your authority needs to be unmistakable. This is the moment to rally your allies and consolidate power." A knowing smile touched her lips. "Ah, so that's it. Honoring Alonso isn't just a show of gratitude. You're also using this opportunity to shake up the noble factions, to let them know exactly where you stand."
Alonso raised an eyebrow at the king. "And that's exactly why I hate politics."
The king chuckled, clearly unfazed. "Lady Lyra, you see right through me. Yes, I mean to honor Alonso, but having a warrior of his caliber—a hero who has taken on two S-ranked threats and single-handedly saved one of our cities—will make even the boldest dissenters think twice before testing their luck."
Lyra's gaze sharpened, her diplomatic tone unwavering. "Of course, the truly ambitious will see a move like this as a challenge—and that will be the moment to expose them."
Alonso smirked, arms folded. "Small fries don't concern me, but… I'll play your little game, Lionheart."
Marcel, visibly agitated, barked, "Watch your tone! That's His Majesty to you!"
Alonso gave him a hard look. "I don't take kindly to being used, Marcel. But let's set that aside—the real threat here isn't some petty noble. It's the bounty issued by the Dark Adventurers Guild."
Maria's expression turned hard as she tightened her grip on her sword. "Evil must be eradicated," she said with calm conviction.
At that moment, Alonso, Maria, and Lyra sensed multiple presences closing in from all directions. Alonso's smirk grew, a spark of excitement lighting up his eyes. "Well, well. They're quick. Maria, Lyra—I'd like to see how you handle yourselves in a fight."