15. Doubt Versus Hesitation

The entrance to the box slowly closed as Nathanial and Fredrick entered. They had been made well aware of what was at stake and what needed to be done. Now it was a matter of execution. Outside the room stood John, Luka, and Richard, with a contingent of knights bearing the Hearthfire’s crest. John met the gaze of their captain, donning a helm with two antler-like horns protruding from the sides.

“I’m glad you could make it.” John extended a hand. “I didn’t expect you to agree so easily to our request.”

Brian shook his head. “We both share a common enemy. There’s no need for our organizations to compete for merit any longer. Especially not against the Avalon Empire and their dastardly ways.”

The captain firmly shook John’s hand. “If it weren’t for the watchmen patrolling the borders, we wouldn’t be able to sleep so soundly.”

“With your knights here, I doubt they would be brave enough to launch a frontal assault.”

Both of the men laughed with their chests puffed out, causing their second-in-commands to avert their eyes in embarrassment. Luka sighed while Preston covered his eyes. Neither of them bothered to utter a word.

“In that case, I take it you want each of my knights at the corner of that stone cage?” Brian asked, letting go of John’s hand.

“Indeed, I need you to direct killing intent into that box onto one soldier in particular.”

Brian thought for a moment before nodding. “Ah… I see, it seems we’ve both got a keen eye for talent. Nathanial, is it? That lad seems to shine brighter than expected.”

“I see he’s caught your eye as well.” John glanced over at Richard’s uneasy expression. “He’s not a bad pick, but lately something has been bothering me.”

“Oh? What would that be?”

John crossed his arms. “I’m not exactly sure, to be honest. Something just feels off with him.”

“In what aspect?”

“His body is in decent shape, but it seems like there’s some sort of restraint on him.”

“Are you perhaps saying that his will is lacking?”

“No… more like his body can’t keep pace with his mind’s ambitions?”

“Interesting,” Brian gestured for the other knights to take their positions. “And you’re using healing potions to repair their muscles after each training session?”

“Roughly, there’s diminishing effects, but given the circumstances, the benefits outweigh the costs.”

“That’ll burn your funds.”

John brushed it aside by waving his hand. “Money is meant to be spent. There’s no point in hoarding our wealth when our lives could extinguish in an instant.”

Brian smiled beneath the shadow of his helm. He nodded once more. “If only more of our rank saw the same.” He stood beside him and crossed his arms. “Has the situation taken a turn for the worse at the front?”

John tilted his head toward Luka and prompted him to respond.

His friend scratched the back of his neck as the green hood fell and revealed his blonde hair. Luka hated being dragged into these conversations, but conceded.

“It has, at least from our predictions as to how the situation will play out. Just last night alone, the two of us had killed twenty three-star aura users in batches.” Luka kept a firm gaze on the knight’s amazement. “But the Empire keeps sending more of them out like nothing. They aren’t valuing the lives of their comrades and the pressure they’re exerting… it feels artificial.”

The captain of Hearthfire slowly nodded, not in agreement, but with confirmation. “Has the commander received this information?”

“He has, but there’s not enough concrete evidence to support our claims.”

None of them could find the words to ease the concerns mounting in the back of their minds. A darkness loomed over the front lines of the Everheart Kingdom, and the watchmen lacked the information to support their claims. Only time would reveal the severity of the situation.

John watched as Brian directed the four knights at each corner. Everything was carefully prepared, and as soon as the two had stepped into the room, his spirit companion, a glistening teal river skipper with long gilded fins and body, began its operations.

All that remained was for John to trust his intuition that Nathanial would break through his limits and Fredrick would overcome his nature in desperation to save his friend.

Yet, as everything was about to fall into place, the sight of a troubled Richard caught his eye.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“Is something the matter?” John asked.

Richard nodded. “Don’t you believe this method is far too extreme?”

“Extreme?” John let the word sit on the tip of his tongue before shaking his head. “No, not at all. You should already be well aware of their limits, Richard. You’ve fought beside them in that forest where men died without knowing the reason.”

The muscular man with long blonde hair tied back worriedly stared at the watchman.

“What this war has in store for us is beyond our wildest imaginations, and even if you knew what was bound to happen… what could you do?”

John rested his hand on the hilt of his blade. The light in his eyes dimmed, and for once, Richard gulped with the thick malice pressing against his body. He had seen John’s face countless times before, but now it felt foreign. More like a stranger than a friend, and beneath the shade of his hood, he could sense the sharp, stern gaze land on his body, judging his every move.

“You’re not strong enough to be their shield, and until you improve your mastery, you’ll never be.”