Time passed slowly since the convoy left the city. Every second felt like an eternity, but no one was in the mood for conversation. Words felt meaningless now.
The carriages rattled onward, as the time passed they left the main road and entering a narrow path that cut through a forest. Arthur frowned as he noticed the change and turned to Oscar with concern.
" Do we really have to take this way? Wouldn't the main road be safer. Passing through a forest now is just asking for troubles. "
Oscar's calm voice carried no hesitation. "You're right, it is more dangerous. But if we go around the forest, we'll lose an entire day. That's a risk we can't afford especially now. Through here, it's only a two hours walk to cross and two more to reach safety we won't even have to stop in the middle which will save us more time"
Arthur nodded, but unease grew more and more at his chest. He leaned against the window, watching the blur of trees as the convoy moved deeper into the woods.
An hour passed. Arthur finally began to calm, reaching out to close the window. But just then, his eyes caught a flicker of light. Something glowing streaked toward him at terrifying speed.
Instinct screamed. He jerked his head back.
A searing pain burned across his forehead—blood dripping down to his eyebrow.
"STOP! We're under attack!" Oscar's voice roared like thunder.
The convoy quickly came to a halt. In the same breath, Oscar's hand went to his waist. Steel flashed. His entire presence shifted, the air of a butler dissapeared and was replaced with the one of an experienced knight who had killed countless enemies.
"Stay here, young master. I'll return. There some bandages under my seat"
He leapt from the carriage, blade already in hand. The door swung open, and the sound of battle escaped to the inside. Metal clashed, men screamed, the forest filled with the roar of knights.
Arthur's fists clenched hearing the sound of his knights dying. He wasn't going to hide like a coward while others died for him. He will fight for his own life himself.
And he was not weak. His father had trained him harshly since childhood, with many resources and endless missions. At fifteen, he had already reached the rank of high knight, only one step away from forming a life seed and reaching the rank of great knights.
He quickly wraped a bandage around his wound and drew his sword while bursting out of the carriage.
The sight that met him was chaos.
The result of the two forces clashing turned the once lively forest to a treeless area . His family's knights, led by Captain Mark, fought desperately against a group of masked men. Many knights from the both sides have already died and the ground was painted with blood.
In the distance, Oscar's figure stood out, locked in combat with three great knights at once, his blade dancing in a storm of slashes. Alone, but without taking one step back.
Arthur froze only for a heartbeat. Then he scanned the battlefield and locked onto a target: a tired masked knight retreating from the front line.
A plan formed in his mind quickly and he didn't waste amy time as he dashed forward and his sword flashed. The man dropped, lifeless, before he even realized what had happened.
Shouts rang out as both sides noticed him. His knights cheered with relief but the masked men annoyance was visible even with their masks on.
Arthur withdrew quickly to Mark's side, blade ready. His eyes flicked again to Oscar's battle he was alone stopping three great knights. If Oscar fell, they were doomed.
"Young master, go back!" Mark barked between swings of his sword. "If something happens to you, I won't be able to face the family head!"
Arthur's reply was cold and firm. "Don't waste your breath. I didn't train all these years to hide in a carriage. Focus on killing them as fast as possible. If we can't support Oscar soon, all of us are dead meat."
Mark hesitated only a moment, then nodded grimly. There was no more time for argument.
The battle continued. With Arthur's presence, his side gained momentum, cutting down enemies faster than before. Their formation steadied, and for a while, it looked as though victory might be within reach.
But then—
A scream tore through the battlefield.
Arthur's head turned toward the sound. His heart dropped.
Oscar staggered back, blood spraying from his side. Two more great knights had appeared from the shadows, joining the battle making it five against one.
Arthur's eyes widened in horror as a blade flashed and Oscar's arm was severed. The loyal butler's scream echoed through the forest.
And the tide of battle began to shift.