Evening approached night, The sky of Millhaven reddened, the faint smell of smoke still lingered on the streets after the battle in the tavern, The townsfolk began to murmur, exchanging stories, about magic lights, screams, and a foreign young man who blew away dozens of pursuers with mere control of wind.
No name yet, only random nicknames.
Dex walked leisurely, a coin pouch filled with his loot swayed at his waist, Van followed behind him, his face sullen.
"Dex" he said softly. "You realize, don't you? What you did earlier wasn't just some ordinary commotion"
Dex had told Van about what had happened before.
Dex turned briefly. "If you mean killing a group of people who attacked me, yes, I realize"
Van rubbed his face in frustration. "Those weren't ordinary people, they were envoys of a noble faction, You've just dragged yourself into royal trouble."
Dex shrugged, too lazy to respond. "Royal trouble, inn trouble, breakfast trouble. All the same to me, I was hungry, they disturbed my food, done, besides they still haven't seen my face"
Van stared at him in disbelief. "You, I really don't know whether you're a genius or an idiot"
Dex didn't answer, He continued walking, returning to the small inn where they had stayed since last night, as if nothing had happened.
---
Meanwhile, far from the bustle of the main street, Anna and Liana hid in a narrow alley behind a closed shop, Night began to fall, the cold air bit, and their cloaks were ragged and full of dust.
Anna sat leaning against the wall, her breath still labored, Her face pale, blonde hair messy spilling out from the hood, Liana stood near the wooden door, alert to every sound from the street.
"Liana" Anna's voice was soft. "That man earlier, Who is he really? That stranger"
Liana turned, her gaze remained sharp. "I don't know, But clearly not an ordinary man, Controlling wind to that extent, even in the capital, even Master-class magicians would struggle to match him"
Anna bit her lip. "If not for him, we surely"
"You're alive because of luck, Anna" Liana cut coldly. "Don't make him your pillar of hope, We don't even know his name, He could also be an enemy, just happened to attack that group"
Anna lowered her head, her heart restless, There was a desire to trust that foreign young man, but she knew Liana was right, The world of palace politics was full of betrayal, Trusting a stranger just because he once helped was foolishness.
Liana looked back toward the end of the alley. "We can't stay here long, The royal troops must've already caught our trail."
Anna pulled her knees to her chest, her voice faint. "How much longer do we have to keep running like this?"
"Anna" said Liana softly. "You have to realize, this situation can't go on like this, Every city we come to, they always find us, There's no safe place"
Anna clasped her hands on her lap, her fingers trembling. "I don't want, more people getting hurt because of me, All this, shouldn't have happened if I…"
"If you weren't born as a princess?" Liana cut sharply. "Don't blame yourself for the filthy blood of your siblings, You know well, they're the ones who started this struggle for the throne, You were only made a pawn"
Anna bit her lip. "But still, people die, Even in a city this small, that tavern was destroyed because of me"
No answer. Only the silence of the night swallowed her question.
---
Night fell. In a simple wooden room, Dex was already lying on the bed with his hands behind his head, Van sat on a chair, his face still full of thoughts.
"I'm serious, Dex" he finally said. "News about you will spread fast, If what we face later are real royal troops, not just bounty hunters, that's a big problem"
Dex closed his eyes. "Big problem or small, all the same, aren't you being too dramatic Van"
Van snorted, then stood up. "Then don't drag me down with you, I'm coming along because we're friends, not because I want to die stupidly"
Dex opened one eye, looking at him. "If you want to leave, then leave"
The words were flat, emotionless, Van fell silent, then sighed. "You really can't be controlled"
The night passed in tension.
At the eastern gate of Millhaven, the sound of war trumpets echoed, Dozens of royal troops entered the city in tight formation, their torches illuminating the golden dragon emblem on their chests.
At the front of the line, a tall man in black armor strode steadily. His cloak billowed, his face stern and dignified, He was Commander Gareth, right hand of Prince Eldric.
"Find her trail" his deep voice echoed. "Princess Anna must not escape tonight"
The soldiers scattered, sweeping through streets and alleys, The citizens began to panic, closing their doors, The peaceful atmosphere of Millhaven vanished, replaced by terror.
Dex awoke from a faint vibration in the air, He sat up in bed, eyes narrowing. "Van, you feel it?"
Van straightened. "Yes, a huge magical aura, the royal army itself has come"
Before they could speak further, an explosion shook from afar, Fire spread to the night sky, the citizens' screams echoed.
Dex stood, grabbing his coat. "As usual, Trouble comes to me on its own"
Van grabbed his arm. "Wait, don't be reckless, We don't even know what's happening, at least wear this mask"
Dex caught the mask thrown by Van. "Thank you"
The city's gong rang repeatedly, a sign of danger, From the window, they saw lines of soldiers running along the streets.
Dex only smirked faintly. "Looks interesting"
---
On the other side of the city, Anna and Liana ran through the panicked crowd, The royal troops had already closed the main roads, forcing them to turn into narrow alleys.
"Head west!" shouted Liana. "We have to get out before they completely surround us!"
But after only a few steps, three soldiers appeared to block them, time seemed to slow, the sign of a Chrono Mage's presence.
Anna gasped, her steps halted, instantly a flying sword lunged toward them both, Liana immediately stepped forward, blocking the first strike with her short sword, The clash of metal sparked fiery bursts.
"Run, Anna!" shouted Liana.
Anna tried to retreat, but behind her, other soldiers had already closed the path, Her heart pounded fast.
Suddenly, a fierce gust of wind shot through them, making time flow normally again, Dust and stones scattered, making the soldiers stagger.
Anna looked up, a disheveled-haired young man stood on a low rooftop, his cold gaze still visible even behind the mask, his black cloak fluttered in the swirling wind.
Liana's eyes widened, instinctively shielding Anna. "Damn it!"
Dex jumped down, landing casually. "Coincidentally we meet again" he said briefly. "Looks like you two really love being chased."
"ha?"
Anna stared at him, startled. She didn't yet know who he was, not even his name, Yet at that critical moment, a strange feeling surged, a mix of fear and relief.
The soldiers who had stumbled began to regroup, a Gravity Spell was directed at Dex, along with dozens of arrows coming in volleys, But Dex raised his hand, the wind swirled harder, His eyes sharp.
"Now, who wants to die first?"