A lone boy finds himself seated under the sprawling branches of an overgrown cedar tree at the edge of a majestic mountain. There, he tenderly caresses the soft white fur of a small fox, who blissfully closes its eyes, relishing the boy's affectionate touch. The breathtaking view of distant mountain peaks captivates the senses, yet is intermittently obscured by passing clouds, concealing the secrets hidden beneath.
A sudden gust of wind gently sways the boy's chestnut hair, which delicately grazes his shoulder line. His eyes, a mesmerizing blend of distant blue with a touch of gold, exude an aura of tranquility and composure, seemingly revealing little emotion.
"Prince Felix, please return to villa. The sun will set soon," declares the man in his 60s, his hair entirely silver, but his posture unwaveringly straight and his sharp black eyes contrasting against his green attire. He is the personal butler of the prince, devoted to his service and well-being.
"Tomorrow, you are to return to the capital as His Highness has summoned," stated the butler. "The journey back must be undertaken with utmost secrecy, and we can expect it to take approximately two months."
Prince Felix received the news calmly, displaying the maturity he had acquired over the years since their departure from the kingdom. Initially, the young prince had been deeply affected by their exile, shedding tears and struggling with the decision. However, with the passage of time, he had come to accept his fate and embraced the path they were now on.
During their time in exile, Prince Felix had been dedicated to his personal growth and development. Diligently, he honed his skills in both combat and knowledge, despite combat not being his natural forte. Nevertheless, he persevered and became capable of defending himself effectively.
The butler couldn't help but dwell on the puzzling mystery surrounding the special white fox and the reason behind the king's decision to keep both the prince and the fox hidden for all these years. As he pondered this enigma, he knew that time would eventually uncover the hidden truths.
The prince turned to the butler, and asked calmly, without showing any emotion, "Uncle Kerby, Have you been able to uncover the reason behind the sudden summon after all these years?"
Butler Kerby met the prince's gaze with a reassuring smile, knowing that the young man had grown into a composed and collected individual. "I'm afraid that I haven't yet unraveled the full reason behind the sudden summon," he replied honestly. "The king has kept his intentions well-guarded, and I can only speculate as to what awaits us in the capital."
For years, the prince had lived in seclusion, his presence unknown to the world outside the watchful eyes of the king and his loyal retainers. In the remote mountain range of Tresey, nestled within the Helshilia County of the Grand Duchy of Birwickia, Prince Felix had sought refuge.
The Grand Duchy of Birwickia was strategically situated, bordering both the Kirden Empire to the north, which happened to be the prince's homeland, and Newleighia to the south. These three neighboring kingdoms were separated from the Divine Kingdom of Sal by the formidable and impenetrable Ridge of Divinity. The Ridge of Divinity stood tall and impassable, forming a natural barrier that shielded the trio kingdoms from the Divine Kingdom of Sal beyond.
Prince Felix stood up from his peaceful spot beneath the mountain's trees and began walking towards a modest villa located on the other side of the mountain. The villa was shrouded by the surrounding trees, giving it a secluded and tranquil atmosphere. The white fox, affectionately called Navi, lazily trailed behind him.
Unlike the opulent palaces of royalty, this villa was remarkably simple, devoid of any extravagant touches. Inside, two maids and four guards, who had been with the prince since he left the Kirden empire, tended to his needs and provided him with companionship during his exile.
Adjacent to the villa, a seasoned expert in his forties resided at the mountain's base. He faithfully ascended daily to bestow upon Prince Felix combat lessons, fortifying the young prince's skills and preparing him for the unknown challenges that lay ahead.
Present at the villa on this significant day, the expert, known as Commander Rudolf of House of Hansen, personified a rugged charisma. His rectangular face featured a sharp jawline, while slight marks on his left cheek served as testimony to his past battles. Muscular arms adorned with more substantial scars attested to his valor. The well-groomed beard added to his authoritative presence, and his hair, fashioned in buns, complemented his appearance.
Once renowned as the Saber of the Kirden Empire, Commander Rudolf had been a formidable leader at the helm of the King's grand army. Now, in accordance with the king's decree, he embraced a different role, acting as both a devoted bodyguard and a skilled mentor to Prince Felix.
"My prince, tomorrow we embark on an arduous journey. I hope you are mentally prepared," Commander Rudolf earnestly conveyed. "We may encounter various challenges on our way back, so it is vital that you prepare yourself accordingly."
Prince Felix nodded and went to him room.
As the sun rose over the horizon, the night had indeed been uneventful, allowing the companions to rest and gather their strength for the journey ahead. With dawn's light, Prince Felix and his team set forth on their momentous expedition.
Commander Rudolf rode confidently on horseback while Prince Felix opted for a merchant carriage, flanked by two trusted maids and his loyal butler, Kerby. The two guards positioned themselves on the carriage's driving seat, steering the path ahead. Behind the carriage, two more guards rode on horseback, discreetly blending in with the landscape.
To maintain a low profile and avoid arousing suspicion, they decided to transport merchandise on the carriage. The ruse created the appearance of a simple merchant convoy, diverting attention from the true significance of their journey. Concealing their identities allowed them to move inconspicuously through unfamiliar territories.
As the carriage made its way through the dense forest near the Ridge of Divinity, the journey became a challenging one. The path was bumpy and narrow, barely accommodating the carriage's wheels. The muddy terrain made progress slow and arduous, causing the wheels to sink in and leaving traces of the team's passage behind.
The forest enveloped them with its lush greenery, casting dappled sunlight on their path. The silence was occasionally interrupted by the sounds of rustling leaves and distant wildlife.
Their destination, Amerstowen, was a small and modest border town. The lack of development in the area was evident, as the rough and unsteady road suggested limited resources and attention from the authorities. The simplicity of the surroundings added to the air of secrecy and discretion they sought to maintain.
The carriage continued its bumpy journey through the forest, with Navi, the white fox, nestled peacefully at the back. Suddenly, as if stirred by an unseen force, Navi's golden eyes snapped open, and it fixed its gaze on a point in the distance.
Prince Felix, who had been trying to catch some rest despite the rough road, was instantly alert. He followed Navi's gaze, searching for any signs of what had captured the fox's attention.
Commander Rudolf, sensing the shift in atmosphere, reined in his horse and motioned for the guards to halt. Everyone held their breath, attuned to the forest's sounds and the subtle movements around them.
As the eerie silence was broken by the unsettling sound of arrows whizzing through the air, the atmosphere turned tense and charged with danger. Swiftly and without warning, the hidden assailants in the trees unleashed their attack upon Prince Felix and his companions.
Commander Rudolf's instincts kicked in, and he swiftly drew his weapon, shielding the prince and the others with his imposing presence. The guards on horseback quickly dismounted, forming a protective circle around the carriage, ready to defend against the unseen threat.
"Take cover!" Commander Rudolf commanded, his voice steady and commanding. The team huddled behind the carriage, using it as a makeshift barricade against the sudden onslaught of arrows.
Commander Rudolf's voice boomed with confidence and determination as he retorted, "You think mere arrows can do anything to me? Hiding behind trees is not enough to stop us!" His words echoed through the forest.
With his large Saber clutched firmly in both hands, he stood like a pillar of strength, drawing upon the depths of his power to deliver a mighty strike.
The deliberate motion of his swing created a whirlwind of energy around him, gathering momentum and force with each passing second. The air crackled with anticipation as he prepared to unleash the full might of his attack.
As the Saber was arched behind his back, a surge of energy rippled through him, creating an aura of power that seemed to emanate from his very being. The forest around him seemed to hold its breath, anticipating the impending spectacle.
With a fierce battle cry, Commander Rudolf released the Saber, and it sliced through the air like a bolt of lightning. The blade seemed to leave a trail of brilliance in its wake, a testament to the speed and precision of the strike.
Upon impact, a burst of aura erupted from the Saber, colliding with the tree in front. The force was so tremendous that shockwaves rippled through the forest, shaking the very ground beneath them.
Leaves rustled and branches swayed in response to the powerful strike, as if nature itself bore witness to the Commander's raw strength. The tree before him trembled under the onslaught, its sturdy trunk momentarily challenged by the sheer force of the blow.