Hero's Trial (3)
Sleep hits you like a truck, just like dozing off on the subway seat during your commute home. I leaned against one side of the carriage, letting the rocking motion lull me like a lullaby, and blacked out.
When I opened my eyes, somehow I was already pillowed on Ashu's thigh.
No wonder it felt so soft and smelled faintly sweet the whole time I was out.
I woke up because I sensed something off. Sitting up, I saw we'd arrived at what was basically a roadside inn—nothing fancy, just a civilian house serving as a rest stop on this long journey.
It was already afternoon.
As we finished resting and prepared to set off again, a group of riders came galloping toward us from the distance.
Twelve in total.
But something about their banner looked familiar.
A crest peeking slyly from between clouds. Not dynamic like an animal, not stylish enough to stick in my mind. I'd wiped it from memory.
But I did remember it being etched on Inadia's armor.
The moment I gripped my scabbard, the cathedral knights all drew their weapons in unison.
They'd surely heard how the saintess—their saintess—had nearly been assaulted and killed by the son of that knight commander's squad.
Sensing the hostility from our side, the Second Knight Division riders halted in formation a short distance away. Well-trained, just like you'd expect from knights—they stopped in a perfect line, like racehorses at the starting gate.
"The Second Knight Division, guardians of Darania's eastern frontier! I am Garisia, eldest daughter of Viscount Garisoran and captain of the Third Company! In accordance with the knightly oath to protect the royal family, we have come to escort Princess Ashushikara. Please grant us leave to fulfill our duty."
Right— the Second Division handled the east. Inadia had frequented this road to the academy, which was why those goblin bastards who hated his guts lurked around.
Did they know what Inadia had tried to do to Ashu?
Probably.
Sending a young female company commander might be their idea of consideration.
Or maybe they just didn't discriminate by gender.
Either way, Ashu scowled the instant she saw them. Not thrilled, but she'd known this was coming, so she fixed her gaze on Captain Garisia for now.
"Captain Garisia, if you have any sense of shame, disarm and approach me on foot."
"As you command!"
Garisia handed her weapon to a subordinate, rode forward, then dismounted a few paces away and knelt before Ashu.
"I behold the countenance of the saintess and princess."
"You know full well what your former comrade—your commander's son—tried to do to me."
Ashu skipped the formalities and cut straight to it. Something you'd do with urgent business or someone you had zero respect for. Obviously the latter.
"I do not trust you. But neither will I forbid you from carrying out your duty. Just stay out of sight—mine and Hero Kirgil's—as much as possible while you do it."
Polite way of saying, 'You make me sick, so fuck off and do whatever from a distance.'
"Understood. We shall escort from afar, as ordered."
Ashu was clearly laying into her, but Garisia didn't bat an eye—just responded with gusto.
Was this captain sharp or clueless? Probably the latter.
Garisia remounted, led her knights off to the horizon—just barely visible now. They'd trail ahead from there, it seemed.
"They sent her on purpose. Can't ignore me outright, but they still want to make a show of it. Even so, treating the royal family this dismissively... it's not changing. If anything, it's worse."
Normally, you'd expect more soldiers or someone higher-ranking. In peacetime, even a general might tag along for 'maneuvers' while escorting.
But this wasn't war—it was political infighting.
"It's weird. Mother's influence should be strongest right now..."
Maybe some court intrigue Ashu wasn't privy to was why she'd called me here.
I knew jack shit about palace politics compared to her, so I couldn't even guess.
The carriage rolled on.
Ashu sat beside me, clutching my left hand in both of hers. Like she was about to pray over it.
"……."
"……."
She was anxious.
We spent hours like this in heavy silence.
What should I say?
In the cramped space, the quiet dragged on, spawning random thoughts.
Ashu used to be no priestess who leaned on others or showed weakness like this.
To be precise, she felt off. Her actions, gestures, speech—all seemed exaggerated somehow.
She still had a touch of that chuunibyou flair, but back then her metaphors and flowery language were so thick I'd called her out on it multiple times.
A saintess who could command knights, yet she'd sneak into the adventurers' guild scouting for talent.
Seemed like she could handle everything solo, but she'd doggedly try to bind me to her.
From my view, she was one awkward saintess.
So I'd avoided her as much as possible.
Instinct screaming danger.
That awkwardness hadn't fully vanished even now.
But what remained just felt like her quirks.
...Simply put, cute?
Either way, I'd changed her—a lot.
My existence had to hold serious sway in Ashu's sense of self. Yeah. I'm sure of it.
Not arrogance. Fact.
Which led to thoughts like this:
What if I got into an accident and vanished? What would become of the Ashu clinging to my hand right now?
No. Snap out of it!!
Ah, damn it!!
Suddenly I was in full 'family man fretting over retirement and dependents' mode!!
I'd been spiraling into pointless worries without realizing.
Hospice caregiving had shown me plenty of terminal cases—these grim fantasies never end.
Better to find some small positive distraction.
They say worry feeds on worry—if you worry about the worry, the original fades away!
I yanked my hand free from Ashu's grip.
"Wha—why?!"
Ashu looked flustered by my sudden move.
"You always overthink ahead. And now I'm getting dragged into it without even trying.
Come on. This isn't the time to mope. Time to brace for impact."
"We have to anticipate and prepare..."
"Got intel right now? Allies? Options? Nope? Then no answers either, right?"
"......"
"I mulled it over for hours too. We're in the palace's palm right now.
Admit it. We'll face them day after tomorrow, so let's recharge till then. No more gloom."
She still looked lost.
I felt like I was missing something too, but couldn't pin it down. Words wouldn't come.
Wait—perfect example right there!
"Look at that Garisia. She shows up all upbeat and clueless, and suddenly we can't even complain."
"Pfft!"
Ashu stifled a sudden burst of laughter.
Clear sign of understanding—and relating.
"Got it now. Instead of brooding, I need to prep positively.
A priestess of the sun seeking answers in darkness... Figures you'd shine light on me again."
Yeah, yeah. Back to classic chuunibyou Ashu mode.
That's gotten us this far.
If you can't dodge, enjoy the ride.
Thorough prep through worry is key, but positive energy matters just as much.
Military analogy fits: Training and gear are vital, but morale wins wars.
For the remaining two days to Darania Royal Palace,
Ashu and I decided to enjoy it.
Not brain-off relaxation—find fun stuff to do while thinking.
Spotted watchtowers here and there, took in the scenery.
Gawked at the approaching massive fortress, chatted about post-mission fun spots.
Bonus: Joked about escape routes if shit hit the fan.
Before long, the carriage reached the eastern gate of Darania Castle.
This kingdom's history clocked in at about 400 years, right?
That's a solid run for a dynasty.
Over a hundred soldiers lined up neatly on either side of the gate.
Royalty incoming—they'd prepped to protocol.
Guards looked sharp, spears and armor polished. Technically our adversaries, but...
Thinking of those poor grunts sweating through inspection for some bigwig made me feel bad.
Passing the gate, the main Darania keep loomed in the distance.
That was the outer wall or frontier fort; inside was the real city.
Darania's capital sat smack in an open plain.
Even outside the keep was village-sized.
Entering the keep proper—damn, 400 years of history showed. Grand as hell.
Wide stone-paved road, four carriages abreast easy.
Massive stone buildings and temples flanking it.
A huge triumphal arch spanning the road.
Beyond: the white royal palace.
The central tower's grand terrace overlooked the whole avenue—one sweeping view.
From up there, you could eye the road's start and end, plus the palace square's crowds.
We followed that grand road... or not!?
Near the palace, the cathedral knights peeled off; kingdom guards took escort handover.
But the guards tried steering our carriage off the main drag onto a side street.
Even Ashu looked puzzled. As she cracked the door to ask, the lead guard captain removed his helmet.
Curling red hair, bright blue eyes brimming with youthful confidence. A young guy.
Stand next to him, and the age gap would hit hard.
"Princess Ashushikara? It's me. Remember?
Haiderian."
"Hari? Is that really you? How could I forget? Grown so dashing in just a few years. Never dreamed you'd be in the Royal Guard."
"I joined to honor that old promise—to serve you, Princess."
Seemed Ashu knew this guard well. Same age bracket too.
No way—was this guy the game-protagonist type? Childhood friend pledged to the princess?
Then I'd be the creepy uncle who swooped in and stole her.
Nah, not my kink. Unsettling for nothing.
"I heard that bastard Inadia nearly did you unspeakable harm. Kills me I wasn't there."
"I'm fine. Lord Kalderan's light was with me then."
That 'light'—bald adventurer Sarut? Or me?
"Still the pious saintess, Princess. Relieved to see you safe. And who's inside?"
"Yes, this is Hero Kirgil of Prosek."
Finally, I stepped forward to show myself and greet him.
"Haiderian, second son of Baron Haishuderka. I command the First Royal Guard Regiment, First Battalion, First Company. An honor to meet the esteemed Hero Kirgil!"
Haiderian saluted crisply, hand to chest. Polite, disciplined.
But... something intense in his vibe. Eyes sharp with edge.
Hey, the look he gave Ashu versus me? Night and day.
Listing his full unit chain—regiment to company—first time I'd seen that. Flexing?
Lots of 'firsts.' Probably rising star material.
Anyway, Ashu's beaming smile at him? Pure, shadow-free brightness.
Queen sent her daughter's old pal to signal 'relax.'
Seeing a hometown buddy after ages melted her tension instantly.
Still, mental prep in order.
This detour wasn't standard.
Regardless of Ashu's trust, this Haiderian kid was super wary of me.
Did she sense it?
Don't flash that fresh grin at me, you sinful woman.