The morning mist hung heavy over the outer forests of Fontaniska. The scent of pine and damp soil filled the air as the young boy adjusted his grip on the hilt of a worn iron broadsword.
Anwan Rodas breathed out slowly, his dark eyes locked onto his master.
Standing across from him was an elderly man with a scarred face, leaning casually on a wooden staff. His grandfather and teacher, the former Grand Knight Commander.
"Your balance is leaning two millimeters to the left, Anwan," the old man grunted, adjusting his pipe.
Anwan shifted his weight instantly, his vision narrowing as he analyzed the old man's shoulders. To an average observer, the master was completely still. But through Anwan's eyes, he could see the subtle shift in muscle tension along his grandfather's right forearm.
"You're going to strike low from the left," Anwan said quietly.
The old man grinned.
In a split second, the wood staff blurred through the air, aimed directly at Anwan's flank.
Anwan did not panic. The movement appeared almost slow to his eyes. He stepped back three inches, rotated his blade at a steep forty-five-degree angle, and deflected the blow cleanly before bringing his blunt edge toward his master's neck.
Clang!
The staff parried the counterattack just in time. The old man laughed, stepping back and lowering his weapon.
"Exemplary perception as always, kid. Your eyes see through every trick in the book."
Anwan lowered his sword and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He looked down at his small hands and short legs, letting out a heavy sigh.
"If only my legs were longer, I could have closed the distance two seconds faster. I still look like a child, Grandfather."
"Growth takes time, Anwan. Your body matures slow, but that also means your cell decay is far slower than normal men. You will outlive most warriors of your age."
The old man walked over, placing a heavy hand on Anwan's shoulder.
"Your training with me is complete. You have learned the sword, and you have learned survival. It is time for you to leave this cabin and see the world."
Anwan blinked, surprised.
"Leave? Where should I go?"
"To the capital of Fontaniska. Join the Adventurers Guild. Register your sword. You need to see how real people fight, how the world operates, and how to feed yourself without my cooking."
Anwan nodded slowly. He didn't know much about politics, kingdoms, or gold. He only knew how to hunt, fight, and eat.
"If I complete guild quests, do they pay in food?"
The old man chuckled, shaking his head.
"They pay in coin, boy. But you can buy all the meat you want with coin."
Anwan's eyes lit up.
"Then I will go."
Two days later, Anwan arrived at the border roads leading toward the capital of the Fontaniska Kingdom. The dirt road was lined with merchant wagons and armed guards.
Anwan wore simple leather armor over a gray tunic, his broadsword strapped securely across his back. Because of his small stature, most travelers assumed he was a lost merchant kid or a squire running errands.
Suddenly, a sharp scream echoed from the treeline up ahead.
Screeech!
A horse whinnied in terror, followed by the sound of splintering wood.
Anwan stopped in his tracks. His eyes adjusted instantly, zooming in on a rich carriage that had been flipped onto its side near the edge of the forest.
Surrounding the carriage were dozens of small, green-skinned creatures armed with rusted daggers and crude spears.
Goblins.
Standing near the overturned carriage was a young girl wearing a fine silk dress. Her silver hair fluttered in the wind, and her blue eyes were wide with fear as three goblins lunged toward her with raised blades.
Anwan didn't hesitate. He kicked off the ground, his body moving like a released spring.
The goblins raised their weapons to strike the girl, but before the crude iron could touch her, a flash of cold steel sliced through the air.
Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!
In a fraction of a second, Anwan stepped between the girl and the monsters. His blade executed three precise stabs, piercing the throats of all three goblins before they even realized he was there.
The creatures collapsed into the dirt.
Anwan stood ground, his sword held low, his eyes scanning the surrounding bushes. Within seconds, his absolute perception identified four more goblins hiding behind the trees.
He darted forward, his movements clean, silent, and devoid of wasted energy. Within ten seconds, the threat was entirely eliminated.
Anwan flicked the green blood off his blade and sheathed it before turning around to face the girl.
"Are you injured?"
The silver-haired girl stared at him in complete shock. She looked at the bodies on the ground, then looked at Anwan's youthful face.
"I... I am unhurt. Thank you, traveler."
Anwan looked at her dress, noticing the intricate golden crest embroidered on the chest—a crest he didn't recognize at all.
"What is your name?"
The girl straightened her posture, recovering her composure, though her cheeks flushed slightly from embarrassment.
"I am Feodia. Feodia von Fontanis."
Anwan nodded simply, taking the name at face value without realizing its immense weight.
"I am Anwan. Where were you heading, Feodia?"
Feodia blinked, stunned that this boy didn't react to her family name. She was the First Princess of the Fontaniska Kingdom, yet he spoke to her as if she were just another village girl.
"I... I was returning to the inner city. My guards were separated from me during the ambush."
"I see. The forest is dangerous. I will walk you back."
Feodia looked at the calm, silent boy in front of her. Despite his small frame and youthful appearance, his gaze possessed a quiet strength that made her feel oddly safe.
"Thank you, Anwan. I would appreciate your company."
After an hour of walking, they reached the massive white marble walls of the Fontaniska Capital. Guards clad in heavy steel armor were frantically searching the gates.
The moment they saw Feodia, the knight captain sprinted forward, falling to his knees.
"Your Highness! Thank goodness you are safe! We were preparing a search army!"
Anwan tilted his head, watching the knights panic.
"Your Highness? Are you an important person?"
Feodia turned to Anwan with a gentle smile.
"I am the Princess of this Kingdom, Anwan."
Anwan stared at her for a moment, processing the information, then shrugged.
"Oh. That explains the nice dress."
The knight captain glared at Anwan, drawing his sword halfway.
"Insolent brat! How dare you address the Princess so casually! Guards, detain him! He may be involved in the kidnapping!"
Feodia immediately stepped in front of Anwan, her voice firm and commanding.
"Stand down, Captain! Anwan saved my life from a goblin horde! He is my savior and a guest of the royal house!"
The captain hesitated, then quickly bowed his head, sheathing his sword.
"Forgive me, Your Highness."
A short time later, Anwan found himself standing inside the grand throne room of the Fontaniska Palace. The towering ceiling was adorned with stained glass, and on the throne sat King Fontanis himself, surrounded by high-ranking nobles and royal mages.
The King looked down at Anwan, inspecting his small size and simple clothes.
"Young man, you have protected my daughter, the pearl of our kingdom. The Crown owes you a debt of gratitude. Name your reward. Gold, land, or a knightly title—it shall be yours."
The nobles whispered among themselves, expecting the boy to ask for a fortune in gold or a noble title.
Anwan stood straight, his expression completely calm. He thought about his empty stomach and the long journey ahead.
"Your Majesty... can I have ten kilograms of roasted chicken instead?"
Silence fell over the entire throne room.
The King blinked. The nobles gasped. Feodia covered her mouth, trying desperately to suppress a laugh.
"Did... did you say chicken?" the King asked, stunned.
"Yes. High-quality roasted meat. Ten kilograms," Anwan replied earnestly. "It holds far more value to me right now than a box of heavy metal."
King Fontanis stared at the boy for a long moment before bursting into roaring laughter.
"Hahaha! Splendid! Honest and pragmatic! Guards! Bring this young hero twenty kilograms of the finest roasted meats in the realm, along with a full pouch of gold coins!"
Anwan's eyes lit up as he bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. You are very generous."
Later that evening, after enjoying his feast in the palace courtyard, Anwan prepared to leave for the Adventurers Guild.
Feodia walked out to the balcony, watching him strap his sword back onto his shoulder.
"Are you truly leaving so soon, Anwan?"
Anwan turned to look at her.
"Yes. I came to the capital to become a knight and an adventurer. I need to take on missions."
Feodia smiled warmly, stepping closer to him.
"Then I wish you good fortune, Anwan. But promise me you will visit the palace whenever you return to the capital."
Anwan nodded gently.
"I promise."
Deep within the dark territory of the southern badlands, inside a cavernous stone fortress, a man sat before a massive tactical map of the five kingdoms.
He wore dark noble attire, and his face was strikingly handsome—except for a pair of black, jagged horns protruding from his forehead.
His name was Araw Candias. A half-human, half-demon hybrid who had survived the purges of the Great War.
Though his horns had been severed years ago, they had regenerated, marking him forever as a demon. Hated by humans and abandoned by his own kind, Araw had spent decades building an underground network.
Standing behind him were four shadowy figures—members of the ancient Eos Demon Clan, capable of perfect shapeshifting magic.
"Lord Araw," one of the Eos assassins spoke in a low voice. "The supply lines to the Kingdom of Costas have been disrupted as planned. Our beast-luring incense has increased monster spawn rates near their borders by three hundred percent."
Araw smiled faintly, his sharp eyes reflecting the candlelight.
"Excellent. The humans believe monster surges are merely natural magic fluctuations. They have no idea that every monster birth is governed by atmospheric mana balance."
He stood up, resting his hand on the wooden map.
"The Four Dragons sleep. The Five Kingdoms are complacent behind their beam cannons. Slowly, silently, we will replace their leaders, collapse their economies, and reclaim this world."
Araw looked toward the direction of the Fontaniska Kingdom.
"Begin Phase Two. Target the outer lords of Fontaniska."
GOOD