BELLUM PRAESINTIA

I could feel how they looked at me with great cynicism, but there were also those who looked at me with hope, or rather something deeper than that. My gaze tried to survey the surroundings.In the left corner stood a woman with an innocent face, her eyes fixed deeply on me. I quickly averted my gaze, as if everything was just a hallucination."Garlan!" Alfred exclaimed firmly.My head suddenly lifted involuntarily, and the old man's eyes filled with hopeful anticipation were directed towards me."Yes?""As a token of gratitude for what you have done, I will grant your request," he replied with sincerity, devoid of any deceit.My face lowered again, but I had to make a decision. The growing aura was making it difficult for me to control my breathing.Finally, I found my words, "Alright, I will ask for the agreed-upon reward. Here, I request 1000 gold coins!"Some people showed different expressions, their eyes glanced at each other as they whispered softly. I tried to ignore it all; th

As planned, a beautiful morning led them toward Garvaran's region. It was an unexplored territory, but bits of information had already spread here and there, reaching their ears.The two men were also discussing what awaited them in Garvaran. With his characteristic tone, Gobil exclaimed, "I can't believe we'll be going to the enchanting land of Garvaran! I've also heard the women there are very beautiful!"Their companions couldn't contain their lustful excitement, their faces filled with great anticipation that echoed in their ears."These guys are fools!" muttered Gean from a distance, but his eyes were fixed on Garlan up ahead.To his left stood a horse pulling the cart that accommodated the two men from the previous night. They were grateful not to be surrounded by the faces of warriors thirsty for anger.Garlan's eyes appeared flat, gazing silently at the green earth trampled by the horses' hooves. The flowers along the road seemed to welcome their presence, swaying in the gentl

Garlan's POV:The silhouette I see before my eyes seems to lead me toward a path often referred to as the realm of the afterlife. The gaze it carries is just like most, filled with a sarcastic air laced with a vengeance."Your Majesty!" The man in front of me kneels, his back showing utmost sincerity as he dares not lift it. "I have returned!""Oh... Prime Minister Gizor, I've been waiting for you!" Castelo said, his gaze filled with delight.He instantly looked at me with hope, and I couldn't understand why everyone who saw me would display this."Who is behind you?" Castelo asked curiously.Gizor stood tall, stretching his hand towards me and said, "Your Majesty, allow me to introduce him. He is the leader of the Black Dragon, Lord Garlan!"A name that terrifies some people. I could hear them whispering various things, strange incantations weaving foreign words. I tried to maintain a calm expression, ignoring what was happening here."Mister, are you truly Garlan, the leader of the

The soldiers always stood watch on top of the fortress, keeping an eye on everything around them. Even the movement of a wild horse would be considered suspicious."What is that?" asked a soldier, squinting his eyes and blocking the sunlight with his fingers held above his head.Indeed, a single horse would be seen as ordinary, but what if the number of horses coming was more than a hundred?And that's what made those soldiers' feelings fill with astonishment. One by one, they shouted to alert that the enemy was approaching.Clang! Clang! Clang!Even the bells rang to support this declaration, and everyone who heard the sound became aware that something was happening. One minute later, panic ensued. The residents couldn't enjoy the sunlight anymore; fear was the only thing that drove them to hide."What's going on?" asked a large man, sitting and enjoying his wine. His face looked annoyed when a soldier approached in distress."The enemy forces have attacked the fortress!" He exclaime

In an instant, the winds of change swept through everyone present on the battlefield, one by one falling to the opposing side and kneeling in submission.Pedro and his troops still struggled to catch their breath, their hearts pumping rapidly. His eyes scanned from west to east, observing the rows of kneeling soldiers. Each one stared at the ground, lips curved and wrinkles deepening.Accompanied by Felius, Pedro advanced step by step toward Garlan. His heart trembled with each passing moment, rejecting the unfolding scene.Garlan's gaze slowly turned towards him for less than a second before returning to the front."I never expected you to do this so easily, even before the reinforcements arrived!" Pedro swallowed his saliva, resulting in a pause for a few moments.The passing wind echoed in their ears, and those two men's eyes remained fixed on the motionless Garlan. Slowly, eyebrows narrowed, and jaw clenched, ready to shout."Now, this is just the beginning!" Garlan replied curtly