[Music Recommendation: Bulgasal ~ Nam Hye Seung & Jeon Junghoon]

Adric had his back relaxed against the wood he was chained to. Every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was Oriana’s face smiling at him. A few days had passed since he left the palace, but to him, it felt like years.

"Are you sure the Crown Prince will agree to end the war without taking anything?" Rowan asked, breaking the silence.

Adric hummed, "He won’t have any choice but to accept it. I’m not losing any more of my men for a baseless war."

In their middle of their conversation, the Crown Prince returned, this time with a smug look on his face.

"Are you ready to surrender now?" the young man asked. "If you keep delaying, my demands will only increase."

Adric sucked his teeth, taking his time before he replied. "I only said I wanted this war to end without a bloodbath, but it seems like you’re hard of hearing. Don’t blame me for what you’re about to witness."

"And what-" Before the Crown Prince could complete his words, an arrow swooshed through the air and struck deep into the chest of the man standing beside him. The soldier of Eridor fell lifeless to the ground.

"We’ve been attacked! It’s an ambush!" another soldier screamed, and soon Malcolm and the other soldiers of Avon charged into the camp.

The Crown Prince of Eridor, with a confused look, tried to regain his balance.

"H-how... what is going on?" he muttered, looking around as he watched his soldiers get killed.

Adric and Rowan pulled at the chains that held them at the same time with force, and because they weren’t strong enough, they snapped.

"Y-you!" The Crown Prince’s eyes widened with shock when he saw Adric release himself effortlessly.

Adric shrugged. "Told you, you wouldn’t be ready when I am." He picked up a sword, cutting down a soldier of Eridor who was trying to attack him.

"Your Majesty," Malcolm bowed, throwing a sword to Adric, "I hope we weren’t too late."

Adric caught the sword and smiled. "Just in time," he replied, turning to slay another soldier who was running from the other side.

"Rowan! I see you’ve had enough rest without us," Malcolm joked, winking at Rowan.

Rowan stood up properly, shifting his weight to the side until the bone in his waist made a cracking sound. He nodded in approval.

"I was bored without you all," he replied to Malcolm, spinning the chains in both hands and using them to throw down four soldiers of Eridor at the same time.

Malcolm charged towards the soldiers, thrusting a dagger into their throats so that blood covered his face. "We should do this more often," he quipped.

"I agree!" Rowan shouted amidst the agonizing screams and shouts of the opposing kingdom’s soldiers.

Adric shook his head, a smile forming on his lips. He cut down every soldier of Eridor, his steps taking him straight to the Crown Prince, who was now backing away in fear.

Seeing Adric, the Crown Prince raised his dagger to attack, but Adric was faster. With one quick slash, he pushed the knife away and brought his blade to the man’s throat.

"It shouldn’t have come to this..." Adric muttered, looking around at the soldiers covered in their own blood.

"There’s still time if you don’t want your soldiers to die for nothing."

The Crown Prince blinked, looking around him. It was obvious that his own men were dying. Their camp was now on fire, with the flag of Eridor burning with it.

"I-I surrender..." he bowed his head, his shoulders sagging in defeat.

"Tell your men to lay down their arms," Adric encouraged. "If not, those men are ready to fight until daybreak," he said, pointing at Rowan and Malcolm, who seemed to be enjoying the fight.

The Crown Prince closed his eyes tightly, the shame of losing on his own territory weighing heavily on him, but he knew it was the end.

"Fall back, men of Eridor! Fall back!" his loud voice echoed.

Some of the soldiers who heard their leader’s voice dropped their daggers and weapons, getting down on their knees.

Adric nodded with a smile that quickly changed to a frown when he saw Rowan trying to finish off a helpless soldier.

"Rowan! They’ve surrendered!" Adric spoke through his teeth, calling the attention of his personal guard.

Rowan let out a sigh of disappointment. "He was almost seeing the white light!" he cursed, dropping the man, who now gasped for breath.

Adric almost palmed his face before he turned to the Crown Prince.

"Do you agree to end this war? I am tired of more bloodshed, but as you can see, I can’t say the same for my men."

The Crown Prince shifted his gaze to Rowan, who now had a bloodied rag between his teeth as he searched around for nothing in particular.

"I want to end the war too, but I can’t take the throne if I don’t win against Avon. You insulted my father, the King," the young man sighed, looking down at the ground covered with black soil now mixed with blood.

Adric lowered his hand, dropping his blade. "That’s the problem. I have never mentioned Eridor, not even during my merchant days. This war was instigated by someone else, and right now I need to return to my kingdom and make things right."

"By that, you mean... you never mocked my father or his throne?" the Crown Prince asked.

Adric nodded. "I don’t even know your father. Avon has nothing against Eridor. We should all go back to the comfort of our homes and live in peace."

The Crown Prince thought for a while, then smiled. "I agree. I never intended to go to war. I just wanted to be acknowledged by my father so he would know I’m capable of taking over."

Adric stretched his hand forward, helping the Crown Prince stand up.

"Let’s meet in a better place, not somewhere covered in blood. I hope you gain your father’s trust someday," he smiled at the young man, "Also, the lands you conquered in Valonia; send your men back with a written statement never to attack Avon or the smaller kingdoms under it."

The Crown Prince nodded, fixing his shirt. He looked around at his camp, now covered in blood.

"Great! Rowan! Malcolm! Get ready; we’re leaving for Avon," Adric waved his hand as his soldiers shouted in jubilation.

The Crown Prince ran after Adric. "Let me ask you one thing: Why? Why did you risk your life to save a common soldier? His life doesn’t even matter."

"Him?" Adric pointed at Rowan, who was celebrating with the other soldiers. "He is family, and family always comes first," the King of Avon smiled before he continued, 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Also, a piece of advice: Take care of your soldiers. They’re not just tools of war. . .they’re humans too, with emotions. Their lives do matter. If they can risk their lives to stay out here in the cold, away from their beloved families, then they deserve your protection."

The Crown Prince stared at Adric, feeling a sense of respect for him.

"I see why you’re King despite being so young. I admire you, King of Avon."

"I’m sorry I have to cut your admiration short, but I have my beloved wife waiting for me at home, and I miss her so much; my sweet Ana," Adric’s voice softened. Without saying another word, he mounted his horse.

"All roads lead to Avon!" Rowan shouted. With newfound energy and the uplifted spirit of victory, the men of Avon set out for their kingdom.