1 Life in the village

The Grado Empire started a war after its imperial prince was possessed by the Demon King. The war shook the peace of the Continent of Magvel. Grado suffered many casualties during and after the war which resulted into the death of all the members of Grado's royal family. After the war, it was now recovering bit by bit through the help of the imperial prince's old friend, Ephraim who is now the King of the Kindom of Renais who is also the one who rallied troops to defeat the Demon King.

Cormag was once a high-ranking Wyvern Rider from the country of Grado.

After a few twists of fate, he eventually joined the cause of Ephraim in defeating the Demon King that possessed imperial prince.

During the war, his skill with the lance together with his ability of leading flying troops and his meritorious efforts were recognized and he was awarded with the class-promoting item "Elysian Whip". He was reluctant to accept it, saying he was just doing his duty as a soldier at war but a certain princess practically forced it into his possession. After using it, he successfully advanced his class from Wyvern Rider to Wyvern Lord.

After the war, he assisted in the reconstruction of his country, Grado. Shortly after, he left his wyvern in the care of the royal instructor of wyvern riders in the capital of Grado. Saddened by his beloved country's betrayal of his beliefs and faith during the war, he left to wander on his own. Another reason for this departure is that in his mind, he has long since been branded as a traitor by Grado for switching sides in the middle of the war from Grado towards Ephraim's side.

This cannot be further from the truth however. For the people view him as one of the most loyal knights of Grado that fought against the royalty for the people despite the risk of being seen and branded as a traitor in the process. Even the citizens realized something was wrong with the monarchy after it suddenly waged war against the other countries out of nowhere despite the king being known as a kind ruler for decades. As proof of this, bards sing songs of praises for him recounting his valiant efforts during the war alongside the others who fought for the peace of the continent.

It has been 3 years since then.

Cormag is now staying in a village near the outskirts of Frelia, a country neighboring Grado. He has been here for half a year now. How is it that he hasn't been recognized as one of the people who fought in the frontlines in the war in this village? He had dyed his blonde hair into brown and covered his trademark scar on his left cheek with a bandage.

"Ah, Sir Cormag. You're finally back." A villager that was standing near Cormag's simple house greeted him.

"I've already told you not to bother with formalities. I'm like you, a farmer." Cormag replies.

"But you saved the village when those bandits attacked. We can never forget your efforts back then."

"Sigh." Cormag shrugs. "Anyway, it seems the other villagers are lively, did something happen?"

"Oh, that. You haven't been here for the past days so you wouldn't know. Apparently, a noble will be arriving a few days from now."

"A noble?"

"Yes, also the Village Chief told me to he would like to see you. It seems he has something to talk to you about. He didn't mention what it was though."

"Okay, I'll head over in a bit. Thanks."

After taking a bath and donning a set of fresh clothes, Cormag then proceeded onwards to the Village Chief's house.

Along the way, he saw the villagers preparing for what seemed to be a festival of sorts. "It's just a noble right? Isn't this a bit too over-the-top for a welcome?"

"Village Chief, it's me, Cormag." he voices out as he knocks on the door of a house.

"You're here, Sir Cormag. Please have a seat inside." The one who opened the door and greeted him was an old man brimming with energy. You wouldn't be able to guess that the guy was already well into his 50's with the way he acts.

"I heard you had something to talk with me?" Cormag starts the conversation after the Village Chief guided him into the living room and being seated on a chair.

"It's like this..." the Village Chief then begins to tell Cormag about the things that happened days before.

It seems like the noble that would be arriving was actually a royalty of the Kingdom of Frelia. They are returning from a visit to the Kingdom of Grado from the south thus will be passing through this village that was on the border of Frelia and Grado to rest from their journey. The village chief was informed by one of the scouts of the party and was given a letter with the Royal Family's seal. The letter also mentioned that nothing grand was expected and it would suffice as long as the village can provide a place to rest for a day or two for the party.

This being the first time that someone of such status was to visit the humble village, the Village Chief was thus busy with all sorts of preparations to be made for the welcoming. Although the letter mentioned that there was no need for a grandiose welcome, the villagers have decided to throw a feast since it was a royalty that would be visiting. It seems that the royals of the Kingdom of Frelia were greatly loved by its people, thought Cormag as he listened to the Village Chief's story.

The Chief then remembered how Cormag single-handedly saved the village when it was attacked by bandits a few months back. It seems that he wanted to mention Cormag's deeds to the royalty so that Cormag will gain recognition for his actions.

"Being a resident, it's to be expected that I would protect this place. That being the case, there is no need to go through all that, Village Chief." Cormag replies while waving his hands in front of him as a sign of rejection.

"B-but..."

"It's fine already, Village Chief. Being able to spend my time quietly farming here in the village is enough for me."

"Rather than that, how about I help out with the preparations instead. I'll go out together with some of the hunters and we'll procure meat to further increase the quantity of the banquet for the welcoming. Yeah, that's what I'll do." continued Cormag.

Having said all this, Cormag stood up and walked out of the house.

The Village Chief could only smile defeatedly at his departing back.

"He saved the village from a large bandit attack... And then there was that time when one of our hunters told me that he happened to see Sir Cormag wielding a lance in the mountains near the largest bandit base in the area and fighting them all on his own. Ever since then, bandits were never again heard of at all. It is a pity that a man of such ability does not yearn for recognition and is instead just plowing the fields as if it was the most normal thing in the world."