The carriage passed beyond the last traces of civilization, through the outer walls of the Empire, and into the open grasslands stretching toward the southern border.
Mikhail turned to Gwenllian.
She sat rigidly, her eyes cast downward.
"Gwenllian," he said. "Are you afraid of Lancelot?"
She slowly lifted her gaze.
"Your Majesty... what sensible person wouldn't be afraid of Lancelot?" Her voice was quiet but steady. "The man called the Emperor's Angel of Death. The man who truly believes he is Solis Dei's vengeance made manifest."
Mikhail nodded, then turned to Miyako.
"And what about you, my love?"
She looked out the window, her expression calm.
"The most dangerous person in this world is not the one who knows himself. But the one blinded by the belief that he is right."
Mikhail leaned back in his seat.
"Looks like we all agree, then."
He closed his eyes, thinking.
Now I put him out of my mind. I need to prepare for Blackfen.
From everything I know about it from the game... it's ruled by the Witch Queen of the Undead—Morvanna. And her Council of Witches. They govern independently unless the Queen personally intervenes.
Thousands of witches. No formal military. Each one owns a piece of land.
It'll either be an advantage... or a pain in the neck. Depending on who we meet.
Time passed.
The grasslands slowly gave way to dense forest. The light filtering through the canopy grew dim and green.
By the time the sun began to set on the horizon, the carriage came to a halt.
A knight approached and opened the door.
"My Lord, we've reached the southern border."
Mikhail, Miyako, and Gwenllian stepped out.
The knights brought forward the three extra horses, already saddled and ready.
The lead knight bowed deeply.
"We hope you return safe and successful in your conquest, my Lord."
Mikhail raised an eyebrow, then let out a short laugh.
"Conquest? It's not a conquest, soldier." He paused. "You may leave."
He mounted his horse. Miyako and Gwenllian did the same.
The knights bowed once more, then climbed back on their horses and rode away, turned and began the journey back toward the Empire.
Mikhail turned to Miyako. She nodded.
He looked at Gwenllian and smiled faintly.
"You can put your helmet on now."
She hesitated, then lifted it and secured it over her head. She looked ashamed.
From atop his horse, Mikhail stared at the ominous forest ahead.
Dark. Dense. Silent.
For a moment, memories surfaced—unbidden, unwanted.
The Orc war. The walls of Eldrath. Hilowat's face.
He took a long breath.
"I will forget your face one day," he murmured to himself. "But I will never forget what you did for me, my friend."
Then he kicked his horse forward.
Miyako and Gwenllian followed.
Together, they rode into the forest.
Leaving the Empire behind.
Into the land of the undead.
Blackfen.