The sound grew louder with every step.
Thud.
Clang.
Thud.
Lexia quietly stepped out of the cabin and into the morning sunlight the cool breeze brushed against her face as she looked around the clearing.
"...Where is he?"
The rhythmic impacts echoed from the far side of the field, curious, she followed the sound until she reached the edge of the garden.
Then she saw him standing before a massive tree whose trunk had been reinforced with several thick metal plates.
Each impact of his fists sent a dull metallic ring through the clearing.
Clang!
Clang!
He was completely absorbed in his training.
Shirtless, he wore only a pair of dark athletic shorts, boxing wraps around his feet, and an ornate pair of gauntlets covering his hands.
Morning sunlight reflected off the intricate patterns engraved into the gauntlets. His body moved with incredible precision, a quick jab then a straight punch.
A crushing elbow, a spinning backfist and a sharp knee every strike flowed seamlessly into the next. Lexia recognized none of the techniques they were unlike the swordsmanship or knightly combat taught within the kingdom.
Even so…
They possessed a strange beauty it was as though he were performing a dance. Only one capable of breaking mountains at first, his movements were controlled and deliberate.
Then…
He began to accelerate, his fists struck faster, his footwork became lighter and his combinations grew longer.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The impacts became so rapid they blended into one continuous sound. Sweat rolled down his back as every muscle in his body worked in perfect harmony.
To Lexia's amazement, the reinforced metal plates were beginning to dent and the tree behind them remained almost untouched. He was controlling his power with astonishing precision.
Then—
He became even faster, his arms vanished into afterimages, his feet danced across the grass with impossible speed.
Within seconds, his entire body had become little more than a blur only the constant ringing of metal proved he was still there.
Lexia stood frozen.
"...Amazing..."
She had watched the kingdom's finest knights train and she had seen court instructors demonstrate their techniques. None of them compared to this there was no arrogance in his movements.
No desire to impress anyone, only relentless discipline, only the quiet determination to become stronger than he had been yesterday.
Without realizing it, Lexia found herself smiling at the mysterious young man who had saved her life…
Was training just as seriously when no one was watching.
For some reason—
She admired him even more than before Lexia remained where she was, unable to look away there wasn't a hint of hesitation in Yuuya's movements.
It all spoke of countless hours of practice.
"...He's incredible..."
Just moments ago he had been throwing punches powerful enough to dent thick metal.
Now—
He slowly exhaled and lowered his stance, his clenched fists relaxed into open palms. The atmosphere around him changed from the sharp, explosive pressure from before disappeared.
In its place was something quieter and sharper, his hands no longer looked like hands. They looked like blades with one smooth step, Yuuya thrust his palm forward.
SHING!
His hand sliced across the nearest metal plate there was no deafening impact. No violent explosion, only a clean metallic sound.
A perfectly straight cut appeared across the plate.
A heartbeat later—
The upper half slid off and crashed to the ground. Yuuya continued one strike after another. Each palm left a flawless cut through the reinforced steel.
Within seconds, several plates had fallen from the tree.
"...He cut metal..."
Lexia whispered in disbelief she had never heard of anyone accomplishing such a feat with nothing more than their bare hands.
Finally, Yuuya let out a slow breath and relaxed only then did he notice someone watching. He turned around and their eyes met.
"...Oh."
A friendly smile appeared on his face.
"So you're awake."
He walked over to a nearby bench, picked up a towel, and casually wiped the sweat from his face and shoulders.
Seeing him up close, Lexia couldn't help but stare for a moment. His physique wasn't merely strong.
Every movement reflected careful training and unwavering discipline, the kind earned through relentless effort rather than vanity.
She quickly realized she had been staring and looked away, her cheeks warming.
"I-I'm sorry..."
Yuuya chuckled softly
.
"No need to apologize."
He draped the towel over his shoulder before extending a hand toward her.
"I'm Tenjou Yuuya, it's nice to finally meet you... while you're actually awake."
Lexia blinked before offering a small, graceful curtsy.
"My name is Lexia von Alceria."
"The First Princess of the Alceria Kingdom."
A playful smile crossed Yuuya's face.
"...A princess, huh? I guess I accidentally got myself involved in something pretty big."
For the first time since arriving at the cabin—
Lexia couldn't help but laugh Lexia remained where she was, unable to look away there wasn't a hint of hesitation in Yuuya's movements.
It all spoke of countless hours of practice.
"...He's incredible..."
Just moments ago he had been throwing punches powerful enough to dent thick metal.
Now—
He slowly exhaled and lowered his stance, his clenched fists relaxed into open palms. The atmosphere around him changed from the sharp, explosive pressure from before disappeared.
In its place was something quieter and sharper, his hands no longer looked like hands. They looked like blades with one smooth step, Yuuya thrust his palm forward.
SHING!
His hand sliced across the nearest metal plate there was no deafening impact. No violent explosion, only a clean metallic sound.
A perfectly straight cut appeared across the plate.
A heartbeat later—
The upper half slid off and crashed to the ground. Yuuya continued one strike after another. Each palm left a flawless cut through the reinforced steel.
Within seconds, several plates had fallen from the tree.
"...He cut metal..."
Lexia whispered in disbelief she had never heard of anyone accomplishing such a feat with nothing more than their bare hands.
Finally, Yuuya let out a slow breath and relaxed only then did he notice someone watching. He turned around and their eyes met.
"...Oh."
A friendly smile appeared on his face.
"So you're awake."
He walked over to a nearby bench, picked up a towel, and casually wiped the sweat from his face and shoulders.
Seeing him up close, Lexia couldn't help but stare for a moment. His physique wasn't merely strong.
Every movement reflected careful training and unwavering discipline, the kind earned through relentless effort rather than vanity.
She quickly realized she had been staring and looked away, her cheeks warming.
"I-I'm sorry..."
Yuuya chuckled softly
.
"No need to apologize."
He draped the towel over his shoulder before extending a hand toward her.
"I'm Tenjou Yuuya, it's nice to finally meet you... while you're actually awake."
Lexia blinked before offering a small, graceful curtsy.
"My name is Lexia von Alceria."
"The First Princess of the Alceria Kingdom."
A playful smile crossed Yuuya's face.
"...A princess, huh? I guess I accidentally got myself involved in something pretty big."
For the first time since arriving at the cabin—
Lexia couldn't help but laugh.
______________________
After introducing himself, Yuuya reached over to a nearby wooden post where he'd hung his shirt before training.
He slipped it back on with practiced ease Lexia quickly looked away.
"..."
For reasons she couldn't quite explain…
She felt just the slightest bit disappointed.
What am I thinking?!
She immediately scolded herself, Yuuya turned toward her. Then, to Lexia's surprise, he performed a respectful bow worthy of addressing royalty.
"It is an honor to meet you, Princess Lexia."
Straightening, his expression became more serious.
"If you don't mind me asking..."
"Why was the First Princess of Alceria being chased by assassins?"
Lexia hesitated.
Normally…
She hated telling anyone about her past, the pity they give and the judgment with the whispers always followed.
Still…
This man had saved her life so she quietly told him everything about her mother being a High Elf. Growing up as the daughter of a concubine, the incident with her uncontrolled magic.
The nobles who had never accepted her the hostility she endured behind her father's back.
And finally…
The assassination attempt when she finished, she lowered her gaze waiting.
Waiting for the same look everyone else eventually gave her but it never came.
Instead—
Yuuya simply frowned.
"...You've been through a lot."
There wasn't disgust, there wasn't suspicion, only genuine concern.
"...I'm glad you made it out alive."
Lexia looked up in surprise for the first time outside her father and a handful of loyal attendants…
Someone had listened to her story without judging her.
Her chest felt strangely warm.
"...Thank you."
She spoke so quietly she almost didn't hear herself. Yuuya smiled before continuing.
"After you passed out, the Dark Dryad eliminated all of the assassins that came after you."
"I managed to get us out of there before things got any worse."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"You've actually been unconscious since yesterday you only woke up this morning."
Lexia's eyes widened.
"...An entire night?"
He nodded.
"Your body was exhausted, you had cuts and bruises all over your hands and feet."
"I wanted to give you one of my healing potions..."
He gave an awkward smile.
"...But it's hard to make someone drink something when they're unconscious so I cleaned your wounds and wrapped them as best I could."
Lexia instinctively looked down at the neat bandages on her hands.
"...You did all of this?"
"Well..."
Yuuya shrugged modestly.
"I couldn't exactly leave you like that."
A brief silence settled between them then Yuuya glanced toward the cabin.
"...Come to think of it..."
"It's almost lunchtime."
He smiled.
"How about I make us something to eat?"
"You've got to be starving after everything you've been through."
At the mention of food, Lexia realized something her stomach let out a small, unmistakable growl. Her face immediately turned bright red. Yuuya simply laughed.
"I'll take that as a yes."
Unable to hide her embarrassment, Lexia nodded softly before following him back toward the cabin.
[Owen POV]
Galloping through the forest at the head of fifty mounted knights, Owen's expression remained grim.
As Captain of the Royal Knights and Princess Lexia's personal protector, every passing minute weighed heavily on him.
Please…
Please be safe, Princess A scout rode up beside him, breathing heavily.
"Captain Owen!"
"We've located the princess's last known position!"
Without hesitation, Owen pulled on the reins.
"Lead the way!"
The entire company spurred their horses forward, racing through the forest. Minutes later, they arrived and the smell hit them first.
Then…
Silence Owen slowly dismounted his boots touched the forest floor as his eyes swept across the battlefield. Broken weapons and shattered trees as deep scars carved into the earth.
And…
The bodies of the royal knights assigned to protect Princess Lexia. None of them had fled, every one of them had stood their ground until the very end.
Owen lowered his head.
"...You all fulfilled your duty."
Several knights silently saluted their fallen comrades then one of the younger soldiers looked ahead.
"...Captain..."
Owen followed his gaze, just beyond the ruined battlefield stood a weathered stone marker covered in ancient warnings.
His expression immediately changed.
"...No..."
The words carved into the stone made every knight's face turn pale.
The Great Devil's Nest.
A place so dangerous that even veteran adventurers avoided it Owen slowly clenched the hilt of his sword.
"If the princess fled into that forest..."
He couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence. An uneasy silence fell over the entire company as every knight stared into the endless darkness beyond the trees.
End of Chapter 15