Lucas was saved thanks to the Cleric's blessing, but his body had still not fully recovered. While he focused on his recovery in the quiet of the palace treatment room, his heart was heavy with the fact that he could not fight alongside his companions. At first, he couldn't bear the longing for the battles he had shared with them, but gradually, he began to collect his body and mind, reflecting on that time.
Lying in bed, Lucas recalled the moment he had thrown himself in front of Ria to protect her. He had moved instinctively, but he realized that in that moment, his sense of responsibility as a prince and the bond he felt with his companions had guided him. It held a meaning that went beyond simply fighting.
A few days later, when Lucas's condition had improved slightly, Rian, Ria, and Brunok came to visit him. Lucas wanted to say one last goodbye to his companions before they left. Rian greeted him with a bright face.
Rian: "Lucas, you're looking a bit better. Think you'll be able to join us again soon?"
Lucas smiled and shook his head at Rian.
Lucas: "Not yet. It looks like I'll have to recover here while you're all on the road."
Ria saw Lucas's condition, approached, and took his hand.
Ria: "Don't push yourself too hard. Rest well until your body is fully healed. We'll be even stronger by the time we get back."
Brunok grinned, patting Lucas's shoulder and speaking playfully.
Brunok: "Guess I'll have to pick up the slack while you're gone. But get well soon and join us again."
Lucas felt grateful for his companions' warm encouragement and bowed his head deeply.
Lucas: "Thank you, everyone. Stay safe while I'm recovering here, and please come back. The day we fight together for Altechna and Elysium will come soon."
Rian gripped Lucas's hand tightly and made a promise.
Rian: "Of course. We'll all be waiting for you. So take care of yourself, and we'll definitely meet again."
After sharing their promises, Lucas quietly watched his companions leave Altechna. He believed his decision was the right one and resolved to prepare for the day he would fight again.
After Rian's party had left, Lucas returned to his room and sat quietly on his bed. Just then, the door opened silently and King Alexander entered the room. Alexander was Lucas's half-brother and the current king of Altechna. He usually ruled the kingdom with a strict and cool demeanor, but now, he looked at Lucas with a much softer gaze.
Alexander: "Lucas, how are you feeling? I heard the news and came because I was worried."
Lucas was a little surprised by Alexander's visit, but he felt a bit reassured by his warm attitude.
Lucas: "I'm okay, brother. I'm much better. Thank you for being concerned."
Alexander sat next to Lucas and gently patted his shoulder. The subtle emotional rift between the brothers came to mind, but after this incident, Alexander genuinely wanted to comfort Lucas.
Alexander: "I heard the story that you threw yourself in front of Ria on the battlefield to protect her. That was an act of great courage, but as for me, I would have preferred you not get hurt."
Lucas bowed his head and gave a bitter smile.
Lucas: "To be honest, I was scared too. In that moment, I don't know why I did it. But brother, what I felt then was... that there was something I had to do as a prince. I wanted to show that I could protect Altechna and my companions, too."
Alexander was silent for a moment, mulling over Lucas's words. In the past, there had been rivalry and jealousy between them, but now, he felt that those emotions were slowly changing.
Alexander: "Honestly, I've felt jealous of you before, too. You always had something that set you apart from others, and at times, that was a burden to me. But through this, I've seen you in a new light. I've realized how much you've grown, and how important you are."
Surprised by his brother's sincere words, Lucas looked up.
Lucas: "Brother... In the past, all I could think about was competing with you. I think the desire to be better than you was strong. But now I realize there's no need for that. I know that we both have to work together to protect Altechna."
Alexander stood up and patted Lucas's shoulder once more.
Alexander: "While you are here, the affairs of the kingdom will be handled by myself and others, so you focus on your recovery. And if your help is ever needed, don't hesitate to say so. Your courage is the pride of this kingdom."
Lucas took his brother's words to heart and bowed his head.
Lucas: "Thank you, brother. I'll build up my strength so I can help you, too."
Alexander smiled and left the room. Lucas thought of Rian's party, now distant beyond his window. He prayed for them to complete their mission safely and resolved to wait for the day he could fight again. Lucas thought that his situation might be the will of the divine, and he renewed his vow to become stronger through this experience.
After Alexander left, Lucas felt the task left to him clearly. He solidified his resolve that he couldn't just wait for his body to heal; he had to prepare to stand on the battlefield again. He decided to slowly make his way to the training grounds. Though his body was not fully recovered, he intended to start with what little he could do.
The training grounds were quiet, but in a space specially prepared for him, Lucas began to move his body carefully. At first, he started with simple stretches and light weapon swings. Whenever his injured areas began to ache again, he would stop, catch his breath, and calmly try again.
Lucas: "Slowly for now... let's not rush it."
Day by day, his condition improved little by little, and Lucas gradually increased the intensity of his training. He swung his sword, recalling the moments he had experienced on the battlefield that day. The memory of throwing himself to protect Ria made his resolve even stronger. Each time his body ached, he felt the need to become stronger and continued the fight against himself.
Lucas also focused on his magic training. To improve his abilities as a Battle Mage, he practiced harmonizing the use of magic and weapons, filling in what he lacked. He endlessly repeated his practice to increase the precision of his magic and develop its application in combat.
Lucas: "This isn't enough... More, more perfectly."
One day, he repeatedly practiced rapidly freezing a target with magic and then immediately melting it with flame. He worked tirelessly to perfect the harmony between ice and fire. Feeling his energy rise with his sweat, Lucas realized he was gradually recovering. His wound was not just healing; it was a process of gaining new strength.
Every night after finishing his training, Lucas would touch his scar and think.
Lucas: "This scar is not because I was weak. It is a badge of honor I earned protecting someone. And I will become stronger with this badge of honor."
He called the scar a badge of honor, reaffirming that it was not just an injury but was intertwined with his reason to fight. And he looked forward to the day he would once again stand shoulder-to-shoulder with his companions and fight.
While focusing on his recovery, Lucas also prayed that Rian, Ria, and Brunok could carry out their mission safely. Holding on to the regret of not being able to be with his companions, he went to see the Cleric who had saved him. He asked the Cleric to help Rian's party, hoping she would be a great source of strength for them.
Lucas: "I'm alive because of you. And my companions were also able to overcome a great crisis. So I have a favor to ask."
The Cleric hesitated for a moment, seeing Lucas's earnest expression.
Cleric: "I am merely following the divine will. I do not know if my strength will be of help to them."
Lucas looked at her with a serious gaze.
Lucas: "I survived thanks to your blessing. If they are to continue fighting, they need someone like you. This might be the divine will."
After some thought, the Cleric went to see her bishop and confessed her uncertainty. The bishop listened to Lucas's situation and the words he had conveyed, then closed his eyes for a moment in thought. Soon, he smiled gently and said.
Bishop: "If this is the divine will, then you must follow your path. You who have received the blessing, it may now be your turn to protect them."
The Cleric, empowered by the bishop's words, made her decision.
Cleric: "I understand. If they need my strength, I will help them."
Lucas was relieved and bowed his head in thanks.
Lucas: "Thank you so much. You will be a great help to them."
The next morning, Rian, Ria, and Brunok were preparing to leave Altechna. A sense of unease about leaving without Lucas crossed their faces, but their own promises and resolve set them upright again.
Ria: "Lucas will be back soon. Let's wait for him to return, having become stronger ourselves."
Rian nodded at Ria's words.
Rian: "Right. Let's trust him and fight even harder."
Just as the party was about to depart, a woman approached from behind them. When Rian turned his head, he saw it was the Cleric who had healed Lucas.
Rian: "You're... the Cleric who healed Lucas, right? What are you doing here...?"
The Cleric smiled and replied.
Cleric: "Lucas asked me to. To help you all. The bishop also said this was the divine will, so I intend to join you."
Ria smiled brightly and took the Cleric's hand.
Ria: "That's wonderful! I feel so much more confident with you joining us."
Brunok also nodded and welcomed her.
Brunok: "Alright, so we've got one more companion. Welcome aboard."
Rian was grateful for the Cleric's decision and welcomed her.
Rian: "It seems Lucas has sent us a good companion. Now let's all fight together."
Rian's party, now with the Cleric, left Altechna and steeled their resolve anew. Lucas, though he could not be with his companions, felt he had done everything he could for them, and in his heart, he was already fighting alongside them.
Lucas watched the party disappear beyond the window from his room and waited for the day he would fight again. His resolve went beyond simply healing a physical wound; it was a process of recovering from the wounds of the heart and being reborn as a stronger person. His relationship with Alexander also began to improve, and they now acknowledged and supported each other as true brothers.
Lucas had now moved beyond the simple title of a prince and had begun to walk the path of a true hero. His resolve still burned brightly, even though he could not be with Rian's party. His journey for Altechna and Elysium was now heading in a new direction.
****
Episode : The Divine Shield and the Warrior's Vow
Rian, Ria, Brunok, and the newly joined Cleric, Marielle, continued their journey after leaving Altechna. Marielle seemed to possess abilities that went beyond the simple role of a healer, but her true power was still veiled in mystery. As the team members' harmony was not yet perfect, they were working to learn each other's abilities and strengthen their cooperation.
The party arrived in a quiet forest and decided to take a short rest. In the serene woods, the chirping of birds and the sunlight filtering through the leaves created a sense of peace. However, Ria sensed an unsettling energy and scanned her surroundings.
Ria: "Be careful. Something feels off."
At that moment, dark specters emerged from the woods. These spirits, wielding powerful curses and dark magic, began to surround and threaten the party. Rian flashed his greatsword and immediately assumed a battle stance.
Rian: "They're trying to surround us! Everyone, prepare for battle!"
Brunok quickly fell back, aiming his gun to provide covering fire. Ria waved her hands, using light and ice magic to keep the specters at bay, but the pressure from their curse continued to threaten the party.
Ria: "My magic isn't enough to stop them. The curse is too strong!"
Rian swung his greatsword, defeating a few specters, but they kept appearing, pressing the party. Just then, Marielle stepped forward and drew the morning star she held in her hand. Her weapon was adorned with sacred symbols and radiated a powerful light.
Marielle: "In the name of the divine, I will show you the power to vanquish this darkness."
Marielle raised her morning star high and chanted a divine spell. A brilliant shield of light formed around her, surrounding the party and blocking the specters' attacks. But Marielle didn't stop at defense. She swung her morning star fiercely and charged toward the specters.
Marielle: "By the power of holiness, I purify this evil!"
Each time she swung her morning star, a powerful wave of light simultaneously protected the party and annihilated the specters. Marielle's attack was more than a mere physical impact; it purified the dark curse, felling the specters one by one.
Marielle's holy magic didn't just affect the party; it also amplified Ria's magic. Sensing this, Ria enhanced her own spells and was able to subdue the specters even more quickly.
Ria: "Marielle, thanks to your holy magic, my spells have gotten stronger! Keep up the attack!"
Brunok, too, while protected by Marielle's shield, took down the specters with precise shots.
Brunok: "This shield makes things a lot easier. Time for some target practice!"
From within Marielle's shield, Rian swung his greatsword to push back the enemies and shouted loudly.
Rian: "Everyone, focus! Don't waste the opportunity Marielle has given us!"
Thanks to Marielle's defense and support, the team was able to exert even greater combat power. Rian, Ria, and Brunok utilized their abilities to the fullest, cooperating with Marielle's holy magic. The battle tilted unilaterally in the party's favor, and with Marielle's final blow, the specters were completely vanquished.
Once the battle was over, Marielle felt the strain of her power and briefly fell to one knee. The fatigue of battle was evident on her face, but Rian approached, offering his hand to encourage her.
Rian: "You did great, Marielle. You're the reason we were able to win."
Marielle took Rian's hand and stood up, smiling.
Marielle: "Under the grace of the divine, I can fight alongside you all. If you ever need the power of the divine in the future, please just ask."
Ria also came over and patted Marielle's shoulder.
Ria: "It's so reassuring to have you with us. Thanks to you, we became so much stronger today."
Brunok gave Marielle a thumbs-up.
Brunok: "I thought you were just good at defense, but you're this strong in a fight too. Looking forward to working with you."
Marielle, empowered by her companions' encouragement, nodded.
Marielle: "I will use all the power I have to protect us all. Let's fight on together."
Marielle had established herself as more than just a defensive and healing support; she was now a powerful combat support member as well. Her holy magic and morning star became potent weapons against the enemies of darkness, bringing great strength to the party. Her combat abilities made the party's strategies more diverse and gave them the confidence that she could protect them from the dangers to come.
On their journey ahead, Rian's party would face even stronger enemies, but Marielle's divine combat skills gave them great courage and hope. Rian, Ria, and Brunok were ready to face any challenge that came their way, together with Marielle. They would now take another step forward to drive out the darkness and reclaim the light.
Marielle's divine shield and morning star, going beyond simple healing and defense, would undoubtedly be a great asset in their fight. Now, as a true team, they continued their journey to reclaim the light.