The soldiers tried to stand up, but they couldn't. Their bodies trembled from the impact, and pain crawled across their faces.
"Stop, you four."
A calm but commanding voice echoed on the path.
Keiss walked forward, observing the scene carefully. His boots crushed the gravel beneath him as he approached. At first, his eyes landed on Aron.
"It's the same guy I saw that day…"
He looked back at the fallen soldiers and shook his head in disappointment.
"How pathetic for you three… losing to a kid who already has injuries on his hands. You don't deserve to be soldiers. Mere scraps."
The soldiers hesitated, groaning in pain. One of them struggled to speak.
"T-this man… he didn't even use his hands… only legs and elbow…"
Keiss raised an eyebrow.
"How interesting."He kicked one of the soldiers on the ground.
"You pathetic trash… I still can't believe you got beaten by him."
He looked up at the sky for a moment, as if waiting for a thought to appear in his mind. Then he lowered his gaze, staring at Aron, before looking back at the soldiers lying on the ground.
Aron stood silently, waiting for what would come next.
Keiss pointed at him.
"Hey, you! Do you know it's one of the biggest crimes to lay a hand on a soldier?"
Aron replied calmly.
"I didn't know. And I didn't lay a hand on them first. They started it… and I ended it."
Keiss stared at him for a moment, measuring his words.
"Well… I hereby arrest you."
He turned toward the soldiers.
"Put chains on his wrists."
Suddenly, more soldiers appeared from behind the trees. Bad timing, Aron thought.
The chains were placed around his wrists.
At that moment—
"Stop!"
Balrad came running toward them.
"What are you doing? Remove those chains! He hasn't done anything bad!"
One of the soldiers pushed Balrad harshly.
The old man fell to the ground.
Something inside Aron snapped.
His eyes hardened.
He kicked the soldier with tremendous force.
The man flew backward and smashed into two other soldiers.
"Don't you dare lay a hand on him!"
His voice had changed. Anger burned through every word.
Immediately, the surrounding soldiers raised their spears, pointing them at Aron from every direction.
For a tense moment, the path fell silent.
Then Keiss spoke again.
"This brat injured three soldiers today. We are arresting him. The decision will be taken by King Amrock."
Balrad slowly stood up, dust on his clothes.
He looked at Aron with worried eyes.
"Don't worry… I will come for you."
Aron said nothing.Only regret came to his mind; he could do nothing but obey.
Soon a cart was prepared. Soldiers climbed into it, and Aron was forced inside as well. The horses began moving, pulling the cart toward the Kingdom of Amrock.
The wheels rolled across the rough path, shaking the cart.
Inside, Aron sat quietly.
How bad can a situation become? he wondered.
How something can turn from peace… to destruction… in just a moment.
He looked back once.
Balrad stood far away on the road, his frightened face fading into the distance. His eyes refused to fully open, as if he couldn't accept what had happened.
Aron lowered his gaze.
The chains clinked softly around his wrists.
...
"What a beautiful forest… I might get lost if I don't remember the path," Lilith said to himself.
His deep voice echoed between the trees.
He had searched for Aron everywhere, yet he still hadn't lost hope.
"Even if I have to go behind that mountain… I will find him."
His eyes shined under the sunlight filtering through the leaves.
Back at the village, near Mr. Wood's house—
Two men rode their horses toward it.
They were none other than Luxorious and Trail Smith.
"Is this the house he lived in?" Trail asked.
The horses slowed and stopped near the entrance.
Luxorious clicked his tongue. "Tch… yes. Now go and look for yourself."
Trail dismounted and walked toward the house.
As he approached, he saw two old men sitting on chairs outside.
Trail cleared his throat to get their attention.
"Ahem."
They both looked at him.
"I would like to know where Aron is."
Wood narrowed his eyes.
"And exactly who are you… to ask about him?"
Trail's expression turned serious.
"I am the commander from Wingman City. Trail Smith."
The master instantly recognized the name. Trail was famous in Wingman City.
"Comm… Commander Trail?" the master said, shocked. "Why are you here? And what happened?"
Trail spoke calmly.
"I am here to take Aron into safe hands. He is someone far too precious to wander in darkness. These lands are dangerous for him. If we bring him with us… humanity will still have a chance for freedom."
Wood frowned.
"Freedom? Seriously? You people couldn't even save your own city. Now it's nothing but an abyss. And you expect us to believe you?"
Trail sighed.
"I will not repeat myself. Yes, I have been removed from my commander position because I opposed the government. But I will fix that myself. Right now… I need Aron."
Wood crossed his arms.
"Well… I guess you are late. Aron disappeared about one and a half years ago. We don't know where he is."
Trail looked straight into Wood's eyes.
"Is that truly the truth?"
Wood shrugged.
"You can check the house if you want. You'll only find his belongings."
Trail's eyes sharpened.
"Belongings? Does he have a blade?"
Wood nodded slowly.
"Yes… he does. Want to see it?"
Trail took off his hat and held it in his hand.
"It would be my pleasure."
He followed Wood inside the house.
The wooden door creaked as it opened.
Wood walked across the room, looking around.
"Oh man… I forgot where I placed it… ah—there."
In the corner of the room, a cloth-covered object rested on a table.
Wood pulled the cloth away.
Trail's eyes widened slightly.
There it was.
The blade… forged to exterminate the darkness.