V1 Prologue (2/2)
Francis nodded He prepared hi questions, however none came
Only the oldest subordinate carefully asked one
“If that’s true, then were those monstrosities sent as assassins by one of the Earls?”
“That’s a possibility I thought about it on the way here, but I couldn’t find a connection I can’t ht be a mere coincidence?”
The knight let out a despondent laugh
“You really think this is a coincidence?”
Francis smiled half-heartedly He was unable to come up with any words to cheer up his men
“Let’s hurry”
He spurred his horse onwards, and his men did the same
He could have raisedcaught in dangers like them, and hoas crucial that they succeed as they had the most men He could have also mentioned how they could have been the last hope for His Majesty, but he could not
He couldn’t because he was scared It see he could do was to head south, towards the border of Ironpeace The only thing enabling hi hope of salvation once they crossed it
‘Just to the border’, he chanted inwardly, ‘It’ll be okay as long as we get to the border’
Unfortunately, his vague hope lasted less than an hour
Two black knights stood on the road, blocking the Royal Knight’s path Francis’ horse reacted before him
Francis tried to control his ra horse as he shouted:
“Men, get in your battle formations!”
However, a split second earlier, the knight beside him had shouted “Brothers, protect the Captain!”
Usually Francis led the troops at the front, however, this time, his men didn’t allow it
“Captain, run!”
“What is this nonsense!? What are you guys doing?”
Francis yelled, however his men didn’t listen
“Even e had twenty men we couldn’t stop three of those monsters Our last resort is to sacrifice ourselves in order to alert the king”
“There’s no way I’ll accept this Even if we follow your logic, the one to flee shouldn’t be me”
“Face it, Captain They already know our route It’s better to turn back and report to His Majesty You’re the highest ranking one, it should be you
Francis shook his head
“You dare to give me an order?”
“Sir, there’s no tiue Go!”
Two of the black knights were rapidly approaching on their horses
Captain Francis bit his lip
“Survive You’ve got to survive”
Francis turned back, forcefully suppressing his tears The horse, as if it knew the pain of its ed away However, less than twohoofbeats echoed from behind
Francis look around and wielded his sword The black knight’s horse galloped to his side instantly Vapor poured out of the gap in the black knight’s hel inside it
Francis let out a battle cry as he slashed doith his sword The sword broke as it h so had happened As Francis gazed into the helazed back
It was darkness itself Francis’ eyes widened as he stared at the oncoed towards his neck, and, with that lunge, Francis knew that the uilt of breaking his promise to his men trumped his fear of death
He just wanted the pain and terror to end