In the famous Count Albert family home, in a room decorated with jewels and weapons, both Adrian and Maxwell sat at a long table large enough for ten people. The conversation between them was serious and quiet regarding their next mission.
Maxwell looked at Adrian, questioning: "Did you send them?"
Adrian answering: "Yes."
Maxwell: "Hahaha, you are never easy."
☆...☆
On their way to the shore of Fiore to board a ship to the Kingdom of Genoa, a person approached Kayden eagerly, saying: "Oh, Kayden, son of Count Albert! If you are going to Genoa, I would be happy for you to travel on my ship."
Kayden replied happily because of the ease of boarding a ship amidst the crowded people: "Alright, is there room for two?"
The man answered: "Certainly, young master, this way please."
Kayden and Eugene boarded the ship heading to the Kingdom of Genoa to meet Bin, who would help them reach the Kingdom of Swords.
After several days, Kayden and Eugene arrived at the Kingdom of Genoa.
The kingdom's gate was full of decorations and geometric drawings, as Genoa was famous for its engineers who designed weapons for wars and major Imperial projects.
When the ship arrived at the kingdom's shore, Kayden and Eugene went to the house of Eugene's mother. After they entered the house, Eugene's mother did not wait a minute before asking him: "Did you find out the truth, my son?"
Eugene answered with light seriousness while closing the door: "No, but we have taken a step toward it, and we still have a long way ahead of us."
After hearing this response and with anxiety appearing on her face, she welcomed Kayden and then went to prepare food for them after the long journey. At that time, Eugene told Kayden that they would sleep here tonight, then set off tomorrow for the Kingdom of Andorra and then to the Kingdom of Swords.
Kayden told Eugene, with a face mixed with sadness and seriousness as if he wanted those days to return: "I want to walk through the poor neighborhoods first."
For Kayden was accustomed to that.
Eugene nodded in agreement, then went to rest in his room waiting for the food.
Eugene's mother prepared the food; Kayden and Eugene helped her set the food on the table, then they began eating.
Silence prevailed over the dining table until Bella spoke, looking at Kayden sadly: "William did not tell us about you until shortly before his death. He was always telling us about your passion and ambitions. I am truly happy that he took a noble disciple like you."
Kayden thanked her for her kindness and good words, his features mixing between happiness and pride, then Eugene interrupted him mockingly: "He also said you are a playful boy."
Kayden's face turned red with embarrassment, then he gave Eugene a light punch on his shoulder, joking with him.
After realizing that darkness had fallen, each of them went to their room and went to sleep.
The next day, in the middle of the kingdom, amidst the corruption of the Empire and after sunset on a dark night, the darkness intensified for Kayden when he went to the poor neighborhoods and saw a sight harsher than the poor neighborhoods of Fiore. He saw people who had no shelter or food, and watched those who worked day and night to provide their daily sustenance, while many children of nobles spent their fortunes on useless matters. While Kayden was grieving over this situation, Eugene told him: "It seems there is no hope in fixing the Empire, Kayden. The matter is difficult, and the Empire is completely corrupt."
Kayden replied sadly but with determination to restore hope to Eugene: "But even in the deepest darkness of corruption, a glimmer of hope remains glowing in the hearts of the honorable."
While Kayden was walking in the dark streets, he saw some people who were exhausted from continuous hard work. Kayden went to them and gave them some gold pieces, then left, leaving them with words and a cheerful face: "Keep trying; dreams always come on a platter of exhaustion."
Their pupils dilated at Kayden's words, hoping that their dreams would come true.
Kayden had to tell them those words so they would know that the "Dawn" is coming.
(And now it is time to go to Bin)
On their way to the Leader's tavern, they felt that someone was watching them, but they did not care much, as all their focus was on their journey. Then Kayden saw a coffee shop and remembered that Fiona loves coffee, which made him write a note to buy coffee for her when he returns from the trip, written in it: "How do you like your coffee?" Then he added: "Send the envelope to the Kingdom of Andorra."
Kayden asked Eugene: "Can I send this letter to the Kingdom of Fiore?" Eugene answered him that there is a person who delivers envelopes between kingdoms, so he went and gave it to him.
Kayden and Eugene went to the Leader's tavern in disguise, then sat in front of the waiter.
Eugene said, looking at the waiter: "I want to meet your boss."
The waiter replied after realizing Eugene's features and identity under that hood: "You are that boy from the last time. This way, please."
They followed the waiter until they reached the desired room.
Bin: "How are you, boy? It's been a week."
Then he continued, looking at Kayden reflectively: "So, this is the person. Kayden Bryan, it seems you know him now."
Eugene, placing his hand on Bin's desk, said: "That is not our topic now. I want a ship to the Kingdom of Andorra."
Bin replied mockingly: "Why do you want to go to another kingdom now?"
Then he laughed, continuing: "Are you going on a recreational tour of the Empire?"
Eugene, with a cold face, waiting for a response to his request: "I think my personal affairs are none of your business."
Bin's features changed to seriousness: "Five gold pieces."
Kayden took the money out of a bag made of luxurious fabric, placed it on the table, and they left immediately.
☆...☆
They continued their way to the shore in a hurry, and when they arrived, they were met by the same person they had met in the Kingdom of Fiore, offering them the same offer to ride on his ship. This made Kayden think cautiously, questioning this person and the reason for his extreme eagerness for them to board his ship. Eugene intervened, saying to the man: "Thank you for your offer, but we booked a ship yesterday."
The man became very angry and went on his way, muttering words because of his rage.
After boarding the ship, Eugene told Kayden not to trust anyone, and that the road from here is full of dangers.
After three days, the envelope reached Fiona. She opened the envelope happily because she was waiting for a message from Kayden to be reassured about him, then she wrote her reply, and joy filled her face with a wide smile. The sender of the envelope noticed her smile, and she told him to send the envelope to the Kingdom of Andorra.
"As you wish, my princess," was the answer of the envelope sender.
After ten days, on a rainy night, Kayden and Eugene arrived at the Kingdom of Andorra, which appeared to have features of gloom and fear. The houses were all black, the gardens destroyed, and the taverns full of pirates and criminals. The academy was in the center of the city, and there was a crowd of students and expatriates around the envelope sender, reassuring their families about them.
Kayden took his envelope with difficulty from among the students, then went with Eugene to a large well-known tavern to rest. But as soon as they entered, eyes turned toward him. His green eyes, black hair, and the Bryan family emblem made everyone watch him with looks that could almost kill him; they also watched the books they were carrying.
Kayden was surprised by the looks, but he focused only on his journey. He sat down quickly to rest and began opening a book, but it appeared empty of letters and words.
Kayden continued writing after placing his bag on a chair beside him until Eugene said to him in surprise: "What are you writing?"
Kayden replied, looking at what he was writing with a beautiful smile: "I am recording what happens on our journey."
Eugene replied, crossing his arms: "And why is that? Who would have time to read in our current state?"
Kayden replied, thinking of the future: "I want... after all this ends, when the Empire returns to peace as it was and becomes a shelter for the weak, not a hell for them. Then, I will tell my children this story, this journey in detail, so they can learn from the virtues of this journey and not fall into its mistakes."
Kayden took the envelope out of his bag after he finished speaking, then opened the envelope to Eugene's surprise at the smile on Kayden's face, who saw Fiona's answer was Two words: "With you." Here, Eugene told Kayden immediately after knowing Fiona's answer: "It seems my father was right."
Kayden's face turned red again, then he saw Eugene stand up quickly and draw his sword from its scabbard. Kayden turned around, and when he realized the situation well, he found that everyone in the tavern was carrying their swords, looking at him with anger, led by the tavern waiter who said to Kayden: "We haven't seen you for a while, Adrian."
In the palace of the Kingdom of Andorra, the atmosphere was charged with tension. King Arthur, the ruler of the kingdom, was sitting in the throne room, studying a large map of the kingdom and the neighboring kingdoms. The tension in the Kingdom of Andorra was rising due to the unstable situation in the Empire and the presence of reports of suspicious movements.
King Arthur, pointing to his kingdom on the map: "The situation outside is getting worse every day. I need to know more about those who seek to achieve their goals in light of this turmoil."
The assistant, Edward, after receiving an envelope from one of the servants: "Sire, we have reports of a group of rebels coming from the Kingdom of Fiore. It is said they are carrying an ancient book that may be of great importance."
King Arthur: "The book? Is there additional information about this book?"
The attaché, Edward: "In fact, it seems they have two books, but we do not know the content of these books yet. However, they seem to have great value and a secret."
King Arthur: "Then, we must be prepared. Send a scouting party to verify these reports. And tell the Royal Guard to be on alert."
While King Arthur was organizing his movements, in a place far from the palace, in the depths of the forest surrounding the Kingdom of Andorra, there was a secret camp filled with caution and secrecy.
The leaders in the camp were discussing the current situation, and a recent report had been sent to them about the arrival of two noble men who could possibly be the Bryan family boy and William's son to the Kingdom of Andorra.
Marcus, the camp commander: "It is possible that the Bryan family boy and Eugene have arrived here. It seems they have an important mission. We must watch them carefully, for they may have information that could change the course of events, and we are waiting for any change."
Lisa, Marcus's advisor: "Yes, but we must exercise caution. If it is them and they have the book, they may be a target for many other parties. We must be prepared for all possibilities."
Marcus: "Contact the agents in the city and ask them to follow their movements. We will not allow any unexpected threat to approach our camp."
While the situation in Andorra fluctuated between planning and anticipation, there were other parties moving in the shadows, waiting for opportunities to achieve their own goals in this turbulent time.
At the same time, in the pitch black of night:
In the Kingdom of Swords, where cruelty and conflict spread, conditions were about to change when the city of "Oren" received a group of new recruits. The place was buzzing with noise; inmates talking loudly, soldiers training in sword skills in open squares, while the sounds of hammers echoed from nearby sword workshops.
Inside one of the dark prisons in the city, an inmate, a strong-bodied man named "Kiran," was waiting impatiently for the day he would participate in the famous sword competition held annually in the kingdom. Kiran knew that this competition would be his only chance to escape from prison and achieve his ambition of proving his abilities. But he did not know that the competition would be more than just a battle of life and death; there was a secret alliance between some corrupt nobles in the kingdom, who were manipulating the duel schedule to achieve their own goals.
At the same time, "Ryan," one of the loyal guards in the prison, was receiving mysterious orders from the captain of the guards, "Duke Alexander," regarding a new inmate who would arrive in the coming days.
Duke Alexander was one of the most prominent nobles in the kingdom, with suspicious relationships with merchants and criminals, and he was planning to employ the competition as a mere cover for his suspicious movements, a custom held every year.
When the new inmate arrived, it was "Elias," a young man with a calm appearance but with sharp eyes and black hair slicked back. Elias was carrying a deep secret, for he was in fact a spy from the Kingdom of Andorra, undercover inside the prison to gather information about the corruption of the nobles in the Kingdom of Swords. His mission was to collect evidence incriminating Duke Alexander and the corrupt authorities, and to expose their plans.