"River, don't you think this is a bit... much?"
Noctis's voice carried a hint of disbelief.
River raised one eyebrow, his tone calm but firm.
"No, it's not. The other guests will be joining us soon."
They sat at an enormous table, covered from end to end with dishes Noctis couldn't even name.
That morning, he had been quietly observing the kingdom from his room's window when River arrived and brought him to the dining hall.
When Noctis first entered, he had stopped in awe.
A long wooden table stretched across the room, and countless plates gleamed under the morning light. It was immediately obvious that this feast was far too much for just two people.
Noctis glanced at River, suspicion still flickering behind his steady gaze.
He had learned not to trust easily.
"Are you expecting... your family?"
River took a sip of the clear water before him, then spoke casually.
"No. My family's away on business in another kingdom. The ones joining us are the Crimson Commander Vireya, the High Knight Lucan, and my mentor, Vaelor. They're coming to meet you. Normally, I'd eat here alone."
Noctis kept his expression blank, but unease twisted in his chest.
'A commander? Isn't that a bit excessive?'
He stared at the food in front of him—each dish looking more exquisite than the last—but appetite escaped him. Just then, the pleasant creak of a door filled the hall.
The first to enter was Lucan.
This time, he wore no armor.
Tall and broad-shouldered, his features carried a rugged sort of dignity—handsome, but not intimidating.
A second figure followed.
His skin was the color of polished obsidian, reflecting none of the sunlight that poured in from the tall windows.
His eyes, equally dark, gave him the composed presence of a scholar.
The last to step inside was impossible to ignore.
She wore turquoise armor that shimmered with faint reflections of blue light.
Her hair burned with a fiery crimson hue, and her eyes shone with the clear blue of the open sky.
Her pale skin contrasted beautifully with the metallic tones of her armor.
Noctis gave them all brief, cautious glances before focusing back on the food as if nothing else mattered.
River let out a soft laugh and stood from his seat.
When he spoke, his tone carried an unusual resonance—different from what Noctis had heard before, almost as if his voice itself demanded attention.
"This is Lord Noctis... Someone I've been in contact with for a long time. Whatever was done to him was done to me as well."
A chill seemed to pass through the room. Heads bowed slightly. River signaled with his hand, and they began to eat.
Minutes passed and Noctis had cleared half his plate. He ate without lifting his head. On impulse he looked up and stole a glance at the Crimson Commander. Noctis was struck by her beauty.
She returned his gaze with composed calm—and the stillness of it made him shiver.
A melodic, warm voice broke the cold silence a few moments later.
"My prince... In yesterday's battle we slew the Black Wolf Commander. They will either accept our terms quietly, or they will strike again soon. We seek your counsel."
All eyes, including Noctis's, turned to River. He swallowed and took a sip of water; his expression remained steady and calm.
"I understand... That man lacked honor, but he was matched to you. They may seek vengeance... Increase the number of troops around the perimeter."
River went on for several minutes, discussing things Noctis could not fully grasp.
When River finished his plate and drank, he addressed them with a serious tone.
"A more urgent problem has arisen... the Shadow Garden has stirred."
The three listened without expression. At the mention of that place Noctis felt a chill run up his spine. River continued quietly.
"Send the Holy Light mages to the borders. Commander, remain here. Knight Lucan, take your most capable men and go to the frontier. We must hold this place until my father returns."
Both men nodded and rose from the table. As the crimson-armored woman stood, she cast Noctis a blank look. The moment they stepped toward the door, River sighed.
"Being a prince is truly taxing... Vaelor, we spoke last night—why didn't you warn Vireya? She would have killed Noctis at the slightest provocation."
The food lodged in Noctis's throat and he began to cough. Both men looked at him. The middle-aged man, Vaelor, smiled gently.
"River told me you're a wanderer, Noctis.
You must have come a long way. Tell me—why did you come here? Is there anything we can help you with?"
Noctis was struck by the man's manner and voice.
Since meeting River his instincts had been uneasy, but Vaelor's warm smile didn't trigger any sense of danger.
'No odd vibes from him… What should I tell them?'
After a few seconds Noctis wore a strange expression. His voice trembled, but there was steel in it as well.
"I want revenge... I want to kill the shadows that killed my family. But I don't know how..."
Vaelor set his spoon down slowly. His smile faded. When he looked at Noctis, Noctis could see a hollow ring in his eyes. River's smile had disappeared, too. Noctis felt something odd from him but didn't show it.
Noctis kept his head slightly bowed, staring at the empty plates. Minutes passed before a pleasant voice spoke.
"I understand you, Noctis... I am the king-to-be.
But my brother should have been king... The shadows took him from me. I will help you as much as I can."
A strange feeling stirred in Noctis. Being an exile had taught him how to lie well—he didn't feel bad about bending the truth. He was willing to do whatever it took to survive the trial.
Vaelor's expression shifted.
"I understand you, young man, but killing shadows is extremely difficult. Without holy magic or sacred weapons, you can't defeat them..."
River cut him off.
"But we have dozens of sacred weapons, Vaelor.
Because sinners are rare, most of them go unused. Noctis is an early one—he can wield them. Let's give him one."
Noctis tensed up. In his world, people never gave anything without expecting something in return. There were rare exceptions, but most people were like that.
"What do you want in return?"
River smiled sadly.
"Just stay in my kingdom for a while. I've been looking for someone to spend time with. People here don't talk to me much... They fear me because I'm a prince."
Noctis grew suspicious inside but didn't show it.
'So basically... he just wants a friend.'
He thought for a moment. He had no intention of becoming River's friend. Something about him always felt strange—unnerving—and Noctis preferred to stay away unless he had to.
'I don't get it... He already has everything.
Whatever. Not my concern. If it helps me, I'll play along.'
He stayed silent for a few seconds, then gave a faint smile.
"Alright... but I'll be leaving eventually."
River smiled lightly, and Vaelor's lips curved as well.
"Thank you... Then let's go to the armory."
They rose from the table and began walking down the long corridors. Passing through wooden doors reinforced with metal, they eventually reached another door. Along the way, Noctis felt the soldiers' curious stares following him.
Finally, they arrived at a large gate guarded by four heavily built soldiers. Their eyes locked onto Noctis. He exhaled quietly without showing it.
River said something to them, and the guards slowly opened the gate.
They stepped inside. Noctis's eyes widened. The entire room was white—bright, almost blinding.
Weapons, armors, and other things he couldn't even name floated slightly above the ground, lined up in perfect order.
As they walked deeper into the chamber, passing dozens of weapons, they finally stopped in front of one. All three of them stared at it—a sword that was both beautiful and menacing.
It was straight, double-edged, about a meter long. The steel shone like silver, its hilt wrapped in white leather, and at the base of the handle glimmered a bright white gem.
The blade shimmered faintly, as if promising a brilliant future. Noctis looked at it, feeling both admiration... and disgust.
River gave a sorrowful smile, his voice tinged with pain.
"This sword belonged to my older brother. When he was dying, he passed it to my father in his final moments. My father placed it here—his last memory—and said that one day I should be the one to wield it. But I don't know if I'm worthy of it... Anyway, I'm not even sure why I'm telling you this."
He sighed softly.
"I have a sword for you, though... Since you haven't received a blessing, you can't bind it to your soul. It's not sacred—but somehow, it can cut through shadows."
They walked further between rows of weapons and stopped beside another one.
If the previous sword had seemed to promise a shining future, this one looked as if it existed only to destroy it.
It was straight and double-edged. Its steel was blacker than any shadow, swallowing light instead of reflecting it. The hilt was wrapped in black leather, and from its tip down to the guard, thick black chains coiled tightly around it.
Noctis felt a strange mix of fear... and longing.
River gazed at the sword with a conflicted expression and spoke quietly.
"This sword has no story. It's always been here—older than my grandfather himself.
It has no enchantments, almost like a normal weapon... yet it can cut shadows.
It's only been used a handful of times. And those who did, never wanted to use it again.
Honestly, I didn't want to give you this one... but I can't give you the others.
So—do you want it?"
Vaelor shot River a fleeting, suspicious look.
Noctis stared at the sword for a few seconds. Something within his chest trembled.
He nodded slowly.
"I do... but there's a problem."
River raised a brow. "What problem?"
Noctis met his eyes and said plainly,
"I don't know how to use a sword."
River and Vaelor exchanged stunned looks.
"You don't know how to use a sword, yet you want this one... Fine. Can you use a bow or a spear, then?"
Noctis shook his head.
River glanced at Vaelor, holding his gaze for a few seconds.
"Should I teach him, or will you?"
Vaelor paused, then gave a small shrug.
"If I teach him, it'll take too long. If you do, he won't grasp the full technique...
He needs to learn the basics quickly."
They looked at each other for a brief moment before River smiled faintly.
"Vireya... She can teach him plenty in a short time."
Noctis didn't really care who would be teaching him.
'River teaching me would've been simpler...
but having a beautiful woman as a teacher isn't bad either.'
After a few more minutes of discussion, River told him to take the sword. Noctis reached out with wide eyes and wrapped his hand around the hilt. The moment he did, his core shuddered. Slowly, he pulled the sword toward himself.
He gave it a gentle swing—it was lighter than it looked. He touched the chains and tugged slightly, but they made no sound.
It was impossible to tell where the chains began or ended. The longer he looked at them, the heavier his head felt.
The three left the chamber and began looking for Vireya. After asking a soldier for her whereabouts, they made their way there.
Along the road, Vaelor parted ways with them, leaving Noctis and River to continue alone.
They approached the training grounds and stepped inside. It was open-roofed and mostly empty, though a few soldiers were sparring across the field.
Among them, everyone's gaze eventually drifted toward a woman training alone—her crimson hair glowing in the sunlight.
Her armor was turquoise, sleek, and elegant.
A bow was strapped across her back, and she wielded a spear in her hands.
She moved with deadly grace, her strikes both precise and powerful.
Those watching her felt equal parts fear and admiration.
Noctis and River walked closer.
She had noticed them but didn't react—until River cleared his throat softly. Then, with a sharp stomp of her boot, she stopped and turned. Her gaze found River's, and she gave him a short, respectful bow.
"My prince, my lord... How may I assist you?" Her voice was pleasant but edged with steel.
River returned her smile lightly. Noctis noticed River's unease around the Crimson Commander.
"Commander Vireya, I want you to teach Lord Noctis swordsmanship... for a short time."
Vireya fixed Noctis with a piercing gaze. He felt the tension rise but kept it hidden, forcing himself to appear calm. The crimson woman replied coolly.
"Fine."
Noctis glanced at the sword in his hand but said nothing. The spear in Vireya's grip shimmered and vanished as she walked over to the rack of ordinary swords, picked one at random, and approached Noctis. She stared at him with no expression, then raised the blade. Noctis mirrored her, lifting his own sword.
Vireya deliberately held back her strength and advanced at him at a normal, human pace. Noctis flinched and extended his sword toward her. As she struck the blade once, it slipped from his hands.
"You don't even know how to stand properly... Put power into your legs and your hands."
Noctis picked the sword up and raised it again.
"Spread your feet a little. Plant them like the ground will never move, and like you'll be moving at any second."
He tried to follow her instructions, but the result was awkward and clumsy. Vireya didn't react; she attacked again. The sword slid from Noctis's hands once more.
"Hold the sword firmly. If it falls from your hands in real combat, you die."
For hours, the training went on.
Eventually, the crimson-haired woman turned to River and said she needed to focus on the soldiers.
River nodded silently and stepped back.
Vireya then walked toward Noctis, who was lying flat on the ground, gasping for breath. Her melodic yet commanding voice reached him.
"Come here early tomorrow. You need to learn proper stances and the basics."
Noctis looked up at her, breathing heavily. Under the sunlight, the woman looked almost divine.
For a moment, he forgot his exhaustion and simply stared, lost in her beauty.
When Vireya finally left, he slowly pushed himself up from the ground.
'She looks beautiful, but she's a complete sadist...
Who treats a beginner like this?'
River chuckled as he helped him stand. Together, they walked back inside.
Noctis said nothing—he just wanted to sleep.