The next morning.
Everyone was ready to leave. They stood outside the carriages, waiting for Ran and Jinny.
"Why is it taking them so long?" Harusheen complained, tapping his foot impatiently.
Tohru clenched his fists silently.
Imman studied the map spread across his lap. "Just one more forest to cross, and we'll finally reach Apomon."
"Which forest are we passing through now?" Ineah asked.
"It's called Wyrmholt Forest," Imman replied.
"Wyrmholt?" an old man passing by overheard and stopped in his tracks.
"Yes. Do you know something about it?" Kiko asked.
The old man's expression turned grim. "That forest is dangerous. If I were you, I wouldn't go anywhere near it."
"Why?" Rin asked, raising a brow.
"It's said that beastmen live there," the old man replied.
"Beastmen?" Hajee repeated, furrowing his brows.
"Aye," the old man nodded. "Beasts that are half-human, half-animal. They're powerful and they despise humans. Long ago, humans enslaved their kind. Since then, beastmen have hidden deep within that forest. Any human who wanders into their territory never returns."
The brothers exchanged uneasy glances.
"If I were you," the old man continued, "I'd find another route. Avoid that place at all costs." He tipped his hat and walked away.
Ineah turned to Hajee. "So, what's Plan B? That forest sounds like a death trap. Is there another way to reach Apomon?"
Kiko studied the map again. "We could go south, but that detour would add two, maybe three, more days to our journey."
"We don't have that kind of time," Hajee said firmly. "We need to reach Apomon as soon as possible."
"So we're going to face the beastmen?" Kasey asked, cautiously.
Hajee hesitated, then said, "Maybe we can communicate with them. Try to negotiate for safe passage."
Kasey glanced around at his brothers. "What do you all think?"
Shuu shrugged. "If Hajee can pull it off, we should try."
"If they refuse, we fight," Harusheen said, raising his sword.
"Or maybe just run for our lives," Rin muttered.
Hajee sighed. "We'll do our best. We're almost there. First, we'll try to negotiate. If that fails—we run."
Imman traced a new path on the map. "Wyrmholt isn't as vast as Elarion. Look here—this route skirts the outer edge. If we take this path, we might avoid encountering the beastmen. They usually stay deep in the heart of the forest."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
At last, Ran and Jinny emerged from the inn.
"What took you so long?" Harusheen called out.
"Sorry, I overslept," Ran said with a yawn as he climbed into the carriage.
Rin glanced at Jinny. He had heard them last night while walking down the hallway—their moans echoing faintly through the walls. He rolled his eyes and followed Ran without a word.
"Alright, let's move!" Kiko called out.
Everyone climbed into the carriages, and the group set off—onward to Wyrmholt Forest.
.
.
.
At the Border of the Serolf Empire...
Matias stood at the edge of the Serolf Empire, silently surveying the landscape from the top of the border wall. He lowered his monocular, eyes narrowing.
No sign of enemies.
Strange. Too quiet.
"How's Targaryen?" he asked, without turning, addressing the man beside him—his most trusted right-hand man.
"King Arash is stationed at their kingdom's border, ready and waiting. Their forces are fully prepared for the surprise attack," his right - hand man reported.
"Good." Matias nodded. "And the search for my younger brothers?"
"The Crimson Blades are still on the hunt. According to several guards, your brothers crossed the border using a merchant pass they stole from Sir Arthur. The group is now tracking them beyond our territory."
Matias's gaze darkened. "And Jinny?"
"There's still no word from Sir Arthur, Your Majesty."
"I see…" Matias exhaled, frustration edging his voice.
Just then, a knight approached, bowed, and spoke with urgency. "Your Majesty, King Froilan's troops are approaching."
Matias lifted the monocular again. In the distance, he saw King Froilan leading the group, galloping at full speed. His face was taut, his eyes red and swollen.
He's been crying. Matias could feel the grief radiating from him, even from afar.
Froilan had cherished his kingdom deeply. Its fall must have crushed him.
"Open the gates," Matias ordered. "Prepare food and water. They've traveled long and hard."
The knight bowed again and hurried off to relay the command.
Meanwhile, King Froilan rode with desperation, pushing his horse to the limit. The ashes of his fallen kingdom still burned in his heart, and only vengeance drove him now. As he neared the Serolf border, his blurred vision caught the figure of Matias standing tall above the wall.
Tears welled again in Froilan's eyes—but this time, they weren't only from sorrow.
They were from rage.
.
.
.
Rameses, Maikell, and Thane led the formation, positioned at the front as they guided their horses in the direction of Targaryen. Behind them followed their troops—and a monstrous creature, one of Jean's creations. They were nearing the edge of Barakuda Forest. To the west loomed Wyrmholt Forest, but they deliberately avoided it. They had no interest in beastmen; fighting them would only be a waste of time.
Meanwhile, in Targaryen, King Arash and his army stood ready. Positioned at the kingdom's border, they awaited the enemy's arrival, prepared for the coming battle.