The knights flanked us, cutting off our path.
It was no use. We couldn't outrun them; at this rate, a collision was inevitable. Moreover, the color of their armor suggested a Knight Commander was among them. There would be no catching them off guard.
If we took them head-on, we would undoubtedly be... defeated.
"Gald-san!"
"............"
I turned to Gald-san. His expression was grim as he watched the enemy knights pace us. He gave a sharp nod, then placed a heavy hand on my shoulder.
"First, my thanks, Lord Sora."
"Eh?"
"Thanks to you, we were able to grip our swords once more instead of dying in bitter regret. Even if you are truly a mere commoner and not a nobleman... that proud sword you wield belongs to a true aristocrat."
"Gald-san..."
"Heh, you are far too kind for a nobleman, Lord Sora. I do not know your circumstances... however, I found myself wishing that I could swing my sword under your command. That is what I felt."
In the next moment, he pressed the reins he was holding into my hands.
"The Emblem Horse will keep running. It will vanish once it gets a certain distance away from me, but Gracefeel is right under our noses. You will be fine on your own, Lord Sora."
As he handed me the reins, the weight of the gesture sank in. I understood it all too well. The surrounding knights steeled their resolve, looking at me with gentle, determined eyes.
"Why... why would you do this?"
"A vassal protects their master with their life. You are not the kind of person who should die here. Besides, my reason is the same as yours."
He offered a small smile, and then, as one, they all drew their swords.
"—Because our families live in this country as well."
The next instant, Gald-san and his men wheeled their horses around.
Taken by surprise, the Dragonia soldiers tumbled as their formation was thrown into chaos.
"Buy as much time as you can! Don't let a single soul through!"
"Ooooooh!"
In that opening, I spurred Gald-san’s Emblem Horse forward. I gripped the reins until my knuckles turned white and raced onward. I bit my lip so hard I tasted copper.
"Gald-san! Endure as long as you can! I'll come back for you!" I screamed.
At the very least, I had to say that. Then, I forced myself not to look back. If I wavered now, their sacrifice would be in vain.
"Good luck in battle, Lord Sora... I leave this country to you."
Hurry. I have to hurry. I had to get help from that city.
It took less than ten minutes. The Emblem Horse suddenly flickered and vanished just before the massive castle walls that ringed the city. I hit the ground in a rolling landing and immediately broke into a sprint.
The gates were right in front of me, guarded by sentries.
"Hm? You... that Emblem Horse just now... Wait, stop! Halt right there!"
I accelerated, slipping through a gap between the guards before they could react. The flustered men gave chase, but I didn't have a second to spare. A loud whistle echoed through the air, signaling my intrusion to the entire garrison.
There was no time for formalities or proper procedures.
Beyond the gate lay a marketplace. It was a prosperous city, teeming with residents going about their day. I tore through the crowds at maximum speed, never once slowing down.
"Whoa!"
"What was that? A cat?"
"Did something just blur past us?"
I ignored the voices. I ran in a dead straight line toward the center of the city, where a notably large mansion stood. A river flowed around the estate like a protective moat. Two knights stood on the bridge spanning the water, chatting idly.
"Hm?"
"I need to see Gaia-san! Where is he!?" I gasped, reaching them out of breath.
"Huh? Never seen your face before, kid. You know him?"
"Nope, never seen him."
"I'm in a hurry! Dragonia is attacking! We have to move!"
"Hahaha! Hey now, kid. Playing knight is all well and good, but that’s a bad joke even in jest."
The gatekeepers burst into laughter at my frantic state. It was no use; they took me for an eight-year-old babbling nonsense. If I explained myself politely, they might eventually listen, but Gald didn't have "eventually."
"You stubborn fools!"
I had no time for this. I ducked past the guards and sprinted across the bridge.
"—!? W-Wait! ...What? What's with that speed?"
"Is he an Emblem Holder? At that age? Hey, after him!"
I crossed the bridge and vaulted into the estate. Inside was a magnificent garden with sprawling flowerbeds and meticulously manicured trees—the artistic mansion looked like something out of medieval Europe. Fountains bubbled, maids bustled about, and men who looked like knights patrolled the grounds.
I have to find Gaia-san.
I didn't expect anyone to just tell me where he was, and I had no idea what he looked like. I only knew one thing: he was strong.
"...I'll apologize for this later."
I drew my sword from the emblem on my left hand and began a frantic circuit of the mansion.
"Hm? Who are you?"
"Haaaaaa!"
"Hieee!?"
"Not you!"
I knew how reckless I was being, but a man of his legendary caliber wouldn't be frightened by a strike from someone like me. I pulled my swings at the last second, testing every man I found. They were all either terrified or barely managed to block my blade.
Damn it! If I stopped to talk, they would demand details. It could take an hour before word even reached Gaia. It had already been ten minutes since I left Gald-san. If they were even still alive, their situation was desperate.
I searched every inch of the main house. Was he not here? I could hear the voices of the knights closing in on me. It was only a matter of time before I was caught. If I was detained now, I would never make it.
Damn it!
"Huff... huff..."
I reached the rear of the estate—a place that looked like a detached palace. A field of flowers as red as dancing flames spread out before me, and intricate stone waterways reflected the sunlight. In the center, sitting beneath a gazebo with a golden roof and pure white pillars, was a lone man.
He was reading a book, sipping tea.
Even from behind, he radiated the unmistakable aura of the overwhelmingly powerful.
I lunged, swinging my sword with everything I had. This is the one. It has to be him!
"Please, help us!"
"...You say something quite interesting after such a sudden assault."
Without spilling a single drop of tea from the cup in his hand, he caught my blade with the hand holding his book, effortlessly parrying the strike.
The man turned to glare at me. He had a well-trimmed beard and a physique honed to perfection. His elegant white shirt spoke of high status, but his eyes were those of a hawk—the eyes of a warrior in his mid-thirties.