The quartet's journey was smooth, briefly stopping in a village before riding borrowed horses to the capital, Sepsel.
They could see the city walls in the distance, and just barely above it the colorful stone used to make the renowned Elim Castle.
Sepsel was what was known as a Capital of Hope. Capitals of Hope were cities where the ruling power had decided to use colorful stone in the city's design instead of the usually grey ones. It was done in an effort of raising public moral, a silent message of hope built into a city's very walls.
Naturally, Capitals of Hope were densely populated as their rulers tended to be nicer people making them a hot spot for anyone seeking a good life.
Sylace smiled seeing the familiar red of the city walls, this was his home. King Deren Trall, the ruling power of not only Sepsel but the entire Zegrow Kingdom, had been the one to personally welcome the orphan into his city.
There, Sylace was treated as the illegitimate son of king Deren. He held no political power beside what he had earned himself but was still respected due to his direct protection from the crown.
Sylace lived in the Plebiary, a manor dedicated to the king's bastards, adoptive children, and mistresses. There, one of the mistresses has become his second mother.
Her name was Lady Kioshin.
Hooong! Hooong! Hooong!
The city bells rung upon the platoon's approach. The guards were still too far to see Hadrian. Sylace was nervous about how he'd be received.
As a leader of men, Sylace saw Hadrian's transformation as a curse turned blessing. Being raised by a revenant, the transformed knight didn't have any qualms with loosing his humanity. He was also half a scholar, so after the initial shock wore off he found himself more intrigued with his transformation than scared. Gairon's insistence on refering to his new abilities as "cool" also helped with this.
Hadrian had gained super natural abilities that could prove frightening on the battle field. He was a great military asset.
But from the viewpoint of the common people, he might be seen as a freak or monster.
"How's your wound?" Sylace asked in an attempt to distract himself.
"Not bad, it stitched itself back together when I transformed." Hadrian brought his horse to meet Sylace's, giving him a knowing look.
"You're a cold person, forged by your experiences and made to hate. I understand that, as someone whose parents were also taken by the foggy sea and who also had to deal with those heart-renchingly cold letters.
"But know that the people of Zegrow are like us too. They have suffered an unimaginable amount, to the point where they can't even fathom the idea of putting that suffering on others. Our people are good people, trust them."
Hadrian went ahead to meet the guards as proof. They glared at him strangely, their bodies going stiff at his approach.
Until he flashed a smile.
It was a warm yet mischievous smile, friendly yet teasing. A smile that belonged only to Hadrian Charming, minor Lord of the East and Knight-Captain.
The guards relaxed upon seeing it. "Ser Charming." They said with a bow, opening the gates for the entire platoon.
The streets were full, adult and child alike impatiently awaiting their arrival.
Hadrian galloped ahead, making himself visible to all.
[He really knows how to make a point.] Sylace sighed inwardly, knowing what his platoon mate had in mind. He galloped forward to see what spectacle the man with the last name Charming would present the people with.
"People of Zegrow." Hadrian began, making sure his monstrous form was in full view.
"Not long ago, we left for the Zagreus Fortress to appease your worries, to better understand the looming threat threatening to one day wipe us off the map.
"And today, we return victorious in that endeavour."
He paused, letting the word victorious sit in the air before continuing.
"You must be wondering, 'he says this but why has he returned looking like that? Why does he look like the monsters we use to scare our kids at night?'
"And that is because I, Hadrian Charming first of my name, have become the first man since the First, Bless His Heart, to slay a mystery.
"Lord Sylace, Gairon, and I engaged in a battle with a horror of the fortress and emerged victorious! I was the one to kill it, dealing the final blow, and in doing so I have been enlightened.
"To kill a mystery means to become one yourself, to become a force that fights against evil."
Hadrian pointed his hand to the sky. The string around his lips undid itself and snaked up his arm before rising into the sky and forming the house Trall sigil, a sword and hammer crossed to form an X.
"From this day forth, I renounce my name as Lord Hadrian.
"I am now Straw-Man Hadrian, a figure that will scare the horrors that threaten us! A figure that will put his life on the line for his people!"
And with that, Hadrian ended his speech.
The silence was tense, many people's expression bouncing between awe, respect, and fear. Babies held their tongue, unsure whether to cry or not.
Finally, there was movement. An elderly man stepped forward, placing a hand on Hadrian's cheek so as to better see his eyes.
"Your face is different, but I could never forget that smile, those eyes. They may not be the same color but those are definitely his eyes.
"You are without a doubt Hadrian Charming, I'm happy you are still with us."
The old man offered a smile before returning to the crowd.
Clap!
It started off slowly but people were applauding Hadrian, inspired by the elder.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Soon, everyone was clapping and chanting, "Straw-Man! Straw-Man,!, Straw-Man!"
Hadrian looked at Sylace with his trademark smile.
"Told you."
[Prick.] Sylace thought, but his lips betrayed his true feelings, curling up into a slight smile.