In the light of the setting sun, a large caravan came to a halt on a nearly empty road in the middle of a small town. Seeing the familiar red banners fluttering in the cold winds, the townsfolk came out one after another. In just a few moments, the empty street grew crowded as people gathered around the caravan, hoping to catch a glimpse of the owner of the flaming red banners.
All eyes were glued to the carriage, surrounded by Red Knights riding sturdy stallions. With a click, the carriage door opened, and a boy with silver hair and eyes as red as the banner stepped into view. A lone shout echoed through the air as the crowd roared:
"Honor to Ignis, Flame of the South!"
"Honor to Ignis, Flame of the South!"
The crowd gradually calmed as the boy struck his right fist against his left chest and bowed to them. He too roared:
"For the people, for the land — may Ignis burn ever bright!"
Seraphine watched from her carriage window. She had grown used to this scene, as it repeated in every town and village they passed through. The Ignis family was deeply loved by the people.
Throughout their journey, local merchants had gifted them cartloads of goods; farmers brought whatever they had harvested as offerings.
But the Ignis family refused to take them for free, offering fair prices even as the people insisted on giving them without payment.
Tracy rode closer to Seraphine's carriage and whispered:
"The Ignis family is truly loved here. It seems the Duke has done a fine job."
Seraphine replied as she gazed at the people crowding near the road:
"The Ignis family has ruled here for at least a millennia. Pyrathis was once an imperial capital; its surrounding lands, now known as Ignis Duchy, have been under their rule ever since. What we see today is the result of generations of goodwill this family has shown to its people."
Seraphine's gaze shifted to the golden banners of the royal family fluttering majestically in the air, though no one paid them any mind. The townsfolk even kept a conscious distance between themselves and the banners.
"You see that?" Seraphine pointed toward the fluttering golden banners."That's why Arvax wants Ignis rooted out of this land."
Tracy glanced in the direction Seraphine pointed. That part of the caravan stood in complete contrast to where Jack was.
People barely even looked there, many scared off by the stern stares of the royal guards. Meanwhile, the Red Blades maintained a safety perimeter around the caravan but handled the crowd gently.
Her gaze shifted from a nearby royal guard back to Seraphine. She whispered:
"Your Highness, calling the king by name…? If someone hears, it'll be troublesome to handle."
Seraphine lazily leaned back in her seat and waved Tracy off:
"We're already in trouble. What harm will something as trivial as that do?"
__
Night had descended on the town, as homes and streets bathed in the dim glow of burning torches. In a camp set just outside the town, Jack was resting inside his tent.
The curtain of the tent fluttered as a lone figure in polished red armor appeared before him. The man removed his helmet, revealing a head of grey hair.
Jack glanced at the grey-haired knight and spoke, his voice calm but curious.
"So, what's the problem now?" Jack asked, eyeing Garren, whose face bore a serious expression for once.
Garren pulled a parchment from his pocket and handed it to Jack.
"A messenger just arrived from Pyraethis," Garren said. "We'll have to pick up the pace."
Jack took the parchment and began to read. A deep frown crept onto his face, his eyes darkening.
"Those bastards," Jack spat, veins forming on his forehead.
His gaze shifted back to Garren."Call for Sir Jonathan. I want to hear his opinion."
Without a word, Garren turned and left, his steps unusually heavy.
Jack stared at the parchment once more, his face darkening as thoughts raced through his mind. Moments later, the curtain fluttered again as a tall old man in red armor appeared before him.
Jonathan gave Jack a courteous bow before speaking.
"We are in a difficult predicament, Your Grace," Jonathan said, his voice calm, his eyes steady on Jack. "It would be best if we convened a formal meeting with all key personnel."
Jack appreciated that Jonathan, as always, already had a course of action in mind, but still sought everyone's counsel.
Jack turned to Garren, who stood a few steps behind Jonathan.
"Send someone to fetch the princess. Prepare the main tent for the meeting, and call for all trusted officers of the Red Blades."
Jack rose from his seat, donning his red cloak embroidered with the Ignis insignia. As Garren left the tent and barked orders, the atmosphere in the entire camp shifted.
The large tent was prepared, with a table arranged at its center and a detailed map of the entire Ignis Duchy spread across its surface.
One by one, men in red armor entered. At the head of the table sat the young man with silver hair and deep red-amber eyes. Beside him stood the tall old man, pointing toward several marked locations on the map.
The guards outside soon announced the arrival of Princess Seraphine and her knight.
Once everyone had gathered, Jack gestured for Garren to begin.
Garren stepped forward, holding a long polished wooden staff.
"This evening, we received a message from Viscount Aldric of Redthorn," Garren announced.
He unfurled the parchment and began reading aloud for all to hear:
Your Grace,
I send this under the strictest confidence. There are troubling reports from the lands of Baron Elric of Black Hollow — strange movements of men, unsanctioned levies, and private meetings with envoys from Royal capital Valoria.
I strongly advise altering your route to avoid passing through Black Hollow. Though longer, the southern ridge road remains safe
Stay vigilant. May Ignis burn ever bright.
— Viscount Aldric of Redthorn (cousin of Sir Garren)
Viscount Aldric was Sir Garren's cousin and also a loyalist of the Duke. His word held weight and trust — disregarding his warning could prove fatal.
Everyone in the room shifted uneasily as their minds processed the gravity of the information — except for Seraphine. Although it was her first time hearing the news, her temperament remained calm, as if everything unfolding before her was part of a plan she had already anticipated.
Jonathan spoke up first."I think we should heed Viscount Aldric's advice and reroute through the Southern Ridge route."
"I agree with the captain," one of the officers added. "Although it will be a longer route, if we make haste and speed up the convoy, we can still manage to reach Pyraethis within a reasonable time."
Everyone nodded in agreement as they started discussing ways to accelerate the caravan's pace.Some suggested leaving behind the servants and extra food supplies — only the combatants, Jack, and the Princess would move forward, while the rest would follow at a slower pace.
Just as the final plan was about to be settled, a young voice emerged from the head of the table.
"I disagree."
Everyone turned toward Jack, suddenly reminded of his presence. The officers of the Red Blades and the Duchy waited silently for him to continue.
"We can't afford to waste time," Jack said firmly. "So we will pass through the lands of Baron Elric of Black Hollow."
His decision was immediately met with strong objections.
"Your Grace, it's better to arrive late at Pyraethis than not reach there at all," one of the officers chided.
Jonathan also advised against it."Your Grace, your safety — and the Princess's — is paramount to us. We cannot agree to that."
Despite their opposition, Jack remained calm. He had anticipated this response. With confident movements, Jack stood from his seat, picked up the wooden rod from Garren, and pointed at the map.
"This is Baron Elric's territory," Jack said, tapping the map. "And this is Viscount Aldric's territory."He pointed again. "Here lies the Southern Ridge Road."Finally, he gestured to a location close to Baron Elric's lands."And this is where we are now."
He paused, letting everyone follow his reasoning, then continued:
"If we go around Baron Elric's entire territory, then take the Southern Ridge route before heading to Pyraethis, we'll lose more than a week."
Jack let his words settle in for a moment before continuing.
"Sir Jonathan, how strong are Baron Elric's forces?" Jack asked, his gaze fixed firmly on Jonathan.
Though hesitant at first, Jonathan replied, "He governs a relatively small territory with a small population. So... about two to three thousand strong, Your Grace."
Jack shook his head. "No, Sir Jonathan. That would be after an official conscription order is given — and that takes time, a lot of time. Tell me, how many forces does he have right now?"
Jonathan paused, his eyes narrowing as a spark of understanding lit within them. A small smile tugged at his lips as he grasped Jack's meaning."Four to five hundred, at most."
Jack looked around the table, his voice ringing through the tent, carrying confidence and command.
Garren's whisper sounded loud and clear in the tense silence."Four hundred... against two hunderd elite Red Blades."
Jack's smile widened."Garren, Viscount Aldric is your cousin, isn't he? Why don't you pay him a visit?"