After this, Esmeralda returned to her tent. Soon, a man followed her inside.
Esmeralda looked up, and her green eyes met his oceanic blue ones.
"Esmeralda, don't worry. I already talked with the imperial knights. They informed me that the land isn't dangerous and we can safely pass through it," said Michael confidently.
Esmeralda nodded and smiled faintly. She walked over to Michael's side and patted his shoulder. "As long as you're here, I don't have to worry."
Her green eyes glowed brightly, a flash of satisfaction passing through them. What senior wouldn't feel proud when their junior stood up to them?
Her remark made Michael feel optimistic. Michael D. Hollosear was Esmeralda's right-hand man. He was the second son of House Hollosear, born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Despite this, he never took advantage of his position and treated people with kindness.
Michael joined the army at the age of sixteen. Now, at twenty-five, he had matured into a wise man. His personality was exceptional, and his exquisite features made him stand out his sharp jawline, shiny jet-black hair, an ideal face, hollow cheeks, and slim lips. He was the perfect subordinate anyone could ask for. It was said if you wanted to become a perfect subordinate, you should learn from Michael.
Michael and Esmeralda chatted for a while until they heard the march of knights outside. Esmeralda already sensed that the knights were ready, so she signaled to Michael. Understanding her gesture, Michael left the tent to instruct the knights.
A few moments later, Esmeralda emerged from the tent wearing her shiny silver armor and carrying her sword in one hand. Her black horse stood nearby, as if waiting for its master's command.
She looked at the knights and declared in a commanding voice, "My fellow knights, we will pass through the land of Boruta."
The knights felt reassured by their commander's words and shouted in unison, "Yes, Commander!"
Soon, Esmeralda and the knights began their journey. Around noon, they reached Boruta, the land also known as the Devil's Land. Although it was referred to as the "abandoned land of the devil," it was still dangerous.
Once, a devil had lived in this area, but one day, the devil's wife abandoned her child, "Boruta" where the newborn tragically died. It was a mystery why there was no trace of water or greenery in this land. Some priests concluded it was a cursed place because the devil's son had died there, and this angered the devil to the point of cursing the land, making it nearly uninhabitable for humans.
Thinking about this, Esmeralda tightened her grip on her sword not out of fear, but because she didn't want to lose any more comrades. The war had already taken enough from her.
She addressed her knights, "Everyone, don't worry. We are the knights of Esclosten, capable of overcoming any challenge."
One knight shouted back, "Commander, don't worry. We are fine."
Esmeralda nodded and pressed forward. Suddenly, she heard a loud growl. Her horse stepped back as a massive shadow loomed over them.
Her eyes widened in surprise when she spotted a fifty-foot monster glaring at them, approaching with menacing intent.
The knights felt chills run down their spines. Many were trembling and waiting for Esmeralda's command.
Esmeralda gritted her teeth in defiance, aware that a confrontation was imminent. She understood that the imperial family couldn't be trusted; there was a saying in the empire: "Trust the enemy, not the royal family."
She sighed and dismounted from her horse. Esmeralda glanced at the knights and exclaimed, "Be alert! Michael and I will distract the monster!"
Michael also dismounted and looked at Esmeralda. She gestured for him to attack from a different side. Together, they charged at the fifty-foot monster.
The creature had four arms, and when Esmeralda jumped to slice off one of its left arms, to her astonishment, it regenerated immediately. Michael, attempting the same attack, was also taken aback.
Esmeralda held her sword tightly and refused to back down, attacking the monster relentlessly. A few knights joined her side and began their assault on the creature as well.
The monster roared and captured one knight tightly in its palm. Startled, the knight looked up at the horrifying creature, which then groaned and squeezed him purposefully.
The knight's blood spattered onto the monster's palm, eliciting a guttural sound of excitement. The beast eagerly began licking the blood from its hand.
Esmeralda watched in horror as one of her knights was killed by the monster. The remaining knights stepped back, shaken.
Michael observed the scene and coldly commanded, "Run away!"
The knights began to flee. The treacherous monster, preparing to attack another knight, was distracted when Esmeralda struck its leg.After this, Esmeralda returned to her tent. Soon, a man followed her inside.
Esmeralda looked up, and her green eyes met his oceanic blue ones.
"Esmeralda, don't worry. I already talked with the imperial knights. They informed me that the land isn't dangerous and we can safely pass through it," said Michael confidently.
Esmeralda nodded and smiled faintly. She walked over to Michael's side and patted his shoulder. "As long as you're here, I don't have to worry."
Her green eyes glowed brightly, a flash of satisfaction passing through them. What senior wouldn't feel proud when their junior stood up to them?
Her remark made Michael feel optimistic. Michael D. Hollosear was Esmeralda's right-hand man. He was the second son of House Hollosear, born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Despite this, he never took advantage of his position and treated people with kindness.
Michael joined the army at the age of sixteen. Now, at twenty-five, he had matured into a wise man. His personality was exceptional, and his exquisite features made him stand out—sharp jawline, shiny jet-black hair, an ideal face, hollow cheeks, and slim lips. He was the perfect subordinate anyone could ask for. It was said if you wanted to become a perfect subordinate, you should learn from Michael.
Michael and Esmeralda chatted for a while until they heard the march of knights outside. Esmeralda already sensed that the knights were ready, so she signaled to Michael. Understanding her gesture, Michael left the tent to instruct the knights.
A few moments later, Esmeralda emerged from the tent wearing her shiny silver armor and carrying her sword in one hand. Her black horse stood nearby, as if waiting for its master's command.
She looked at the knights and declared in a commanding voice, "My fellow knights, we will pass through the land of Boruta."
The knights felt reassured by their commander's words and shouted in unison, "Yes, Commander!"
Soon, Esmeralda and the knights began their journey. Around noon, they reached Boruta, the land also known as the Devil's Land. Although it was referred to as the "abandoned land of the devil," it was still dangerous.
Once, a devil had lived in this area, but one day, the devil's wife abandoned her child, Boruta, here, where the newborn tragically died. It was a mystery why there was no trace of water or greenery in this land. Some priests concluded it was a cursed place because the devil's son had died there, and this angered the devil to the point of cursing the land, making it nearly uninhabitable for humans.
Thinking about this, Esmeralda tightened her grip on her sword—not out of fear, but because she didn't want to lose any more comrades. The war had already taken enough from her.
She addressed her knights, "Everyone, don't worry. We are the knights of Esclosten, capable of overcoming any challenge."
One knight shouted back, "Commander, don't worry. We are fine."
Esmeralda nodded and pressed forward. Suddenly, she heard a loud growl. Her horse stepped back as a massive shadow loomed over them.
Her eyes widened in surprise when she spotted a fifty-foot monster glaring at them, approaching with menacing intent.
The knights felt chills run down their spines. Many were trembling and waiting for Esmeralda's command.
Esmeralda gritted her teeth in defiance, aware that a confrontation was imminent. She understood that the imperial family couldn't be trusted; there was a saying in the empire: "Trust the enemy, not the royal family."
She sighed and dismounted from her horse. Esmeralda glanced at the knights and exclaimed, "Be alert! Michael and I will distract the monster!"
Michael also dismounted and looked at Esmeralda. She gestured for him to attack from a different side. Together, they charged at the fifty-foot monster.
The creature had four arms, and when Esmeralda jumped to slice off one of its left arms, to her astonishment, it regenerated immediately. Michael, attempting the same attack, was also taken aback.
Esmeralda held her sword tightly and refused to back down, attacking the monster relentlessly. A few knights joined her side and began their assault on the creature as well.
The monster roared and captured one knight tightly in its palm. Startled, the knight looked up at the horrifying creature, which then groaned and squeezed him purposefully.
The knight's blood spattered onto the monster's palm, eliciting a guttural sound of excitement. The beast eagerly began licking the blood from its hand.
Esmeralda watched in horror as one of her knights was killed by the monster. The remaining knights stepped back, shaken.
Michael observed the scene and coldly commanded, "Run away!"
The knights began to flee. The treacherous monster, preparing to attack another knight, was distracted when Esmeralda struck its leg.