The Departure

In the morning.

It was the long-awaited day of the expedition, and the castle buzzed with activity. Not only were the families of the knights there to see them off, but also well-wishers from across Nodara had gathered outside the castle as well, adding to the bustling atmosphere as they chanted slogans to honor the warriors.

As for Cyrus, he is still in his room, grappling with his situation. Since yesterday, he hasn't caught sight of Genevieve. Worried about her well-being, he used his 'Authority' over  the castle's servants, ordering them to treat Genevieve with the dignity she deserves.

Of course, he considered the idea of being the hero who saves the beauty, but the notion of first making her life worse and then showing kindness to win her love troubled him deeply.

Throughout last night, he mulled over the dilemma: did he truly wish to exploit her vulnerabilities? His conclusion, stemming from the depths of his heart, was simple and firm: absolutely not.

He can't help but admit that he is in love with her and has already regarded her as his own woman. Naturally, he doesn't want to make her life worse for the sake of love. It doesn't mean he wants to give up on her; rather, there is a thought circulating endlessly in his mind.

If he can't even win the heart of the first girl he had fallen in love with and has to resort to underhanded methods, wouldn't it be a disgrace to his status as a dignified arcmage?

Knock!

Suddenly,

His thoughts were interrupted as Dorthy knocked on the door of his room, bearing Baron Robert's requested order.

"Sir wizard, all the knights are prepared to leave. Baron Robert wishes to see you as you haven't chosen a horse yet," she informed him.

"Tell him to wait..." he replied to the headmaid, and she left accordingly.

Since it is a special day, Cyrus spared no detail, donning his majestic and regal attire worthy of an archmage. With black pants, a general-like commanding coat, his fluttering robe wore the symbol of a golden crow in full flight, spreading its darkened wings towards the sky.

It was an imposing sight, as mostly he only wears casual clothing like any other peasant. After admiring himself in the mirror, indulging in a moment of pure narcissism, thinking there isn't a man who can compare to him, he ran his hand through his blond hair, styling it perfectly before making his way to join Baron and the company.

As Cyrus arrived,

He spots three horses awaiting his choice: a palfrey, a destrier, and a courser. Since he doesn't need a war horse as a wizard, he opts for a white palfrey which looks more regal.

"What's its name, Baron?" he asks.

"Sir wizard, this horse is unnamed, and it lacks agility. How about the black one?" Robert suggests.

Cyrus remains silent, frustration evident in his narrowed eyes. However, Robert misinterprets his reaction, thinking Cyrus is disgusted with him, unaware that Cyrus isn't actually upset with him...

Rather,

It was the strange horse that made him feel repulsive.

The horse's structure and build seem fine at first glance, but upon closer inspection, one can discern not only does it have cock and balls but also a loose vagina hanging beneath its tail. This revelation is particularly unsettling to him, as he regards such a horse, belonging to the alphabet community, as a disgrace in his eyes.

'Sorry, pal, you don't deserve to carry my ass around,'

Cyrus silently thought before firmly declaring,

"I've already made my decision."

The poor horse continues munching on grass, unaware that he's been judged. Either way, it doesn't matter as Baron hesitantly asks,

"Um... then... Can I have it? You see, sir, mine is..."

"You raised it, why does it matter to me? Let's just hurry or it'll take a lot more time to reach Dorne otherwise," Cyrus interrupts, eager to move forward.

With resolve, Cyrus mounts the nameless white palfrey alongside all the other knights and soldiers.

Soon, Baron's heavy cavalry heads towards Dorne. Cyrus's eyes linger on the departing castle, hoping to catch sight of a figure he wants to see the most, but Genevieve is absent. He can't help but question,

"Baron, it's odd. Why hasn't your wife come to send you off?"

"Sir, we... she must be tired, you see, our child is sick, so it can't be helped," Baron responds.

Baron doesn't understand why Cyrus is asking about his wife, but thinking about her frustrates him, causing him to whip his horse without reason.

There is restlessness in Cyrus's heart, but knowing he had already controlled all the servants and there would be no danger for Genevieve, he eased his mind.

Now he just wants to conquer the dungeon as soon as possible, and after destroying the portal, he will force Baron to divorce Genevieve.

Then, after getting married to her, he also thinks it wise to have children early on to deepen their love.

Thinking about his own bright future, accomplishments, and the good days ahead with his beloved woman, Cyrus smiles foolishly, his restless heart becoming calm and tranquil, as though he had achieved peace.

But peace is a luxury that only the strong and influential can afford. How in the world can citizens of Nodara afford it? It's impossible, and thus all of them have absolute fear and uncertain worries in their eyes.

"My ... child, today is his 17th birthday, and he is being sent into the jaws of death... I can't imagine if something were to happen... god"

"Husband and I... we've only been married for four days, and now because of those damn monsters, he's leaving me... But I'm proud of him and I hope he will make it."

"I can only hope everything will be alright. We... we hope most of them come back alive."

"You're both worrying for nothing; they have an archmage with them."

"Monsters can evolve faster... it's still uncertain."

The sound of anxious conversations can be heard in all places of Nodara as the knights and soldiers march in unison through the streets. These soldiers are sons of many, and it is widely known that many of them are destined to die. Some of them are even the sole breadwinners in their families.

Even those who have no personal connection to these soldiers feel agony as the overwhelming feeling of gratitude is something they can't forget, as these children are going to fight to protect them, and the land.

Of course, watching your loved ones march towards their potential death is an incredibly painful experience. Because of this, whether it is the mothers, daughters, and wives, or even the fathers, it seems that today it will be inevitable to eat dinner without shedding tears and enveloping in sorrow.

Meanwhile,

Genevieve gazes down at the landscape below, peering through the partially drawn curtains of her bedroom window. Initially she desires to bid them farewell in person, like a sensible wife, but she inexplicably chooses not to do so.

Ever since Cyrus forcefully kissed her the previous night, her emotions have been in turmoil. She doesn't really want to show any affection towards Robert for some reason. Maybe it's because it would be fake anyway, but still, the sense of betrayal and guilt is overwhelming.

She is a conservative woman who believes in the Church of Light, so how can she entertain such unholy thoughts?

Although she doesn't have any romantic feelings for her husband and ever since the day of their marriage he had only abused her. But even if she doesn't like her husband, the fact that her first kiss was stolen by a rogue wizard she had only just met two days ago perplexes her.

There is also warmth in her heart, as Cyrus is the first man to have shown genuine interest in her.

Above all, the sensation of his hands gripping her waist and his muscular chest pressing against her breasts as he had tightly embraced her was both embarrassing and stirring for her innocent maiden heart.

Thus, she resolves not to meet him at all.

Who knows if something unexpected happens?

She can't deny the turbulent emotions any longer, as the taste of his lips still lingers in her memory, something she cannot easily forget.

She also ponders what would have happened if she hadn't run away from him?

And is he upset that she didn't accept the gift from him?

Unfortunately, she has no answers to these questions, and she can only hope for a better future as she herself is tired of living this way.

Hastily, she closes the curtains.

Afterward, she rolls over to the bed, clutching large pillows in her arms while hiding her face on its surface.

Her ears has turn red, and her cheeks flush with bashfulness. .

With concern, she speaks softly,

"Just... be safe."

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