Chapter 72 ‒ Shadows in the Forest
Chapter 72 ‒ Shadows in the Forest
The king’s shoulders seemed to relax, and a faint warmth reached his eyes. “Thank you. Before you leave, please ensure you are well prepared.”
Tyler agreed, stepping out into the palace courtyard. The sunlight felt warm on his face as he headed toward a narrow street lined with ivy and small signs. He paused before a shop door swinging in the breeze: “Lira’s Remedies.”
Inside, the scent of herbs and dried petals filled the air. Bottles of vibrant potions lined the walls, each labelled in careful calligraphy. A cheerful, sharp-eyed cow hybrid stepped forward, hands on her hips. “You look like you’ve been through ten years of battles,” she teased.
Tyler let out a faint laugh, easing for a moment. “I need to restock. Healing, energy, anything you recommend.”
She clicked her tongue, gathering vials and bundles with swift hands. “You’re always running into trouble, aren’t you? Be careful next time.”
He watched her work, feeling a rare, calm connection to the simple act of preparing for the next journey. When she handed him the potions, he tucked them into his pouch, feeling the familiar weight ground him.
Stepping back outside, he drew in a deep breath of Virelia’s salty breeze. The blue banners fluttered in the distance, and somewhere beyond them waited a forest, a missing prince, and another story yet untold.
Tyler exhaled and murmured to himself, “A new quest… a new chance to make things right.”
And with that, he stepped forward once more, the road stretching endlessly before him.
Sir Caldus met him early the next morning, armoured but carrying a resigned weariness in his eyes. They set out into the dense emerald forests bordering Virelia. Birds chirped in the canopy above, and sunlight trickled down in broken patterns, dappling the mossy floor.
Hours passed as they trudged through winding paths. Tyler quickly realized they were moving in wide loops. His instincts screamed that they were getting nowhere. “We’re circling,” he finally said, halting mid-step.
Caldus forced a thin smile. “The forest is tricky. It plays games with travellers. We must be cautious.”
Tyler narrowed his eyes. “I saw someone in the woods earlier. We should have pursued them.”
Caldus stepped closer, his voice low. “There are shadows in the forests that do not wish to be disturbed. Trust me. It’s safer this way.”
Tyler’s fingers tightened around his sword hilt. “If you’re afraid, you can return. I can work alone.”
The older knight’s expression twitched. “As the senior knight, it’s my duty to ensure your safety. But [Player], you are an outsider here. You shouldn’t involve yourself so deeply in Virelia’s affairs. I am the senior most knight, I will find them eventually. If it is becoming difficult, you could just abandon this mission. The queen might be troublesome, but the king is kind — you will not be punished for turning back.”
Before Tyler could answer, a rustling noise shattered the tense air. From the thick brush emerged a dozen corrupted tree wraiths, their twisted, bark-like bodies groaning as they lunged forward. Tyler spun into action without hesitation, his blade slicing through the first creature cleanly. Another one snapped at his side, but he dodged, feeling the rush of air graze his cheek.
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[Enemies Identified: Corrupted Tree Wraith, Level 29 x13]
Caldus drew his blade as well, moving with a fluidity and control that took Tyler aback. Each of Caldus’s strikes was precise, almost elegant, his movements so smooth that the creatures fell before they could even cry out. Tyler couldn’t help but glance over as he fought, marvelling at the old knight’s unshakable composure.
In a matter of moments, the clearing fell silent. The corrupted wraiths dissolved into piles of twisted, oozing bark.
Tyler lowered his weapon, breathing hard. “With skills like that, why are you in charge of a mere search operation? If finding the prince was such a highly difficult task, why isn’t the captain of the Imperial Guard leading this search?”
Caldus sheathed his sword slowly, his gaze distant. “Some people seek only glory. They chase grand monsters and orchestrate spectacles to be praised by the public. They believe slaying beasts will earn them favour rather than doing true duty.”
Tyler narrowed his eyes. “What is that supposed to mean— you mean Sir Baldwin?”
Caldus did not answer directly. “Some climb through connections, not skill. And some grow so desperate for glory that they might even become worse than the monsters they claim to slay.”
Tyler stared at him, a cold understanding dawning. But Caldus turned away, brushing off stray leaves. “Please, [Player], abandon this mission,” he added quietly. “I fear you may become entangled in a political struggle that could consume you.”
“Why are you so determined to stop me?” Tyler snapped. His patience was fraying. “You don’t need to hold my hand.”
Caldus looked away, silent. Tyler took a step back, his gaze sharp. “Enough. I’ll rest tomorrow. We will set out again the day after.”
Caldus only bowed stiffly, his eyes shadowed with something unreadable. Tyler watched him closely, his instincts screaming that something was off. He felt a cold suspicion slither up his spine — if Caldus really was connected to the culprits, confronting him now would only make them more cautious. Tyler decided he had to move carefully, play along for now, and gather evidence on his own before making any move.
The next day, Tyler left alone, slipping away before dawn. He first returned to the palace to gather information. In a quiet corridor, he encountered Sir Baldwin, the captain of the Imperial Guard.
“Sir Baldwin,” Tyler began cautiously. “Did the prince ever mention where he might go? Friends, favourite places?”
Baldwin shook his head. “The prince often visited the residential districts during his free hours, always under an escort knight’s watch. That knight… perhaps she failed in her duty and ran away in shame, since the prince was abducted.”
Tyler thanked him and turned a corner, nearly colliding with Prince Lucien. The younger prince’s lip curled into a sneer, his fingers twitching as if restraining further contempt. The faint smell of strong, murky perfume clung to him.
“You again?” Lucien sneered. “Don’t waste your time. My brother was a coward, always hiding from duty. If he’s gone, he doesn’t want to be found.”
Tyler’s jaw tightened. “He’s still the crown prince. Your brother.”
Lucien waved a dismissive hand. “He was always a burden.”
At that moment, Lord Sylas emerged, frowning. “This was not part of our agreement,” the minister hissed under his breath.
Lucien’s face paled, and he shot Sylas a sharp glare. “Silence,” he snapped.
Both turned abruptly when they realized Tyler was still standing there. “Leave,” Sylas ordered, his voice stiff. “You’ve heard enough.”
Tyler bowed slightly, his mind churning. As he walked away, he replayed every word and gesture, piecing together a web of deceit.
Once out of sight, Tyler activated [Disguise], melding into the background, as he took the appearance of a stick, and slipped silently along the hallway. He followed Lucien and Sylas into a secluded garden at the back of the palace. From behind a stone archway covered in ivy, he listened.
“We were supposed to handle him before he could act,” Lucien muttered, pacing restlessly. “How did he vanish before we even started?”
Tyler felt his breath catch in his throat, a cold shiver racing down his spine as the pieces of a dark conspiracy began snapping into place — and he knew, in that instant, that he had stumbled into something far more dangerous than he had ever imagined.