Will of a Prince

Chapter 184: The Traveler

Jacob put a hand on Enki’s shoulder.

"I’m sorry Enki. Let’s just keep moving forward."

Enki remained silent and slowly turned east.

"I’m the one who is sorry. I had a feeling it wouldn’t be there when I came back. I just needed to see for myself what happened."

Everyone left the top of the hill except for Slimo. He looked at the broken kingdom with squinted eyes. There was something about the kingdom that gave him a bad feeling. Perhaps, it was because he was witnessing the cruelty of the Monlo Empire for the first time. He knew that they had battled kingdoms but destroying them completely was unique even to people like them.

"You coming, Slimo?"

Slimo looked at the view for a few more moments.

"Yes. Sorry."

Jacob and Lidia began to lead the group east.

"Slimo, because we are going to the main kingdom, I’m not sure if you would prefer to sit this adventure out because of your past. You and Lidia can go somewhere else if you want."

Slimo appeared to hesitate before answering.

"It’s okay. I can have Enki make me another illusion charm so I can stay with you all."

Lidia seemed to be holding something back. Slimo noticed and purposely dragged behind the group to walk with her personally.

"Is everything okay?"

Lidia jumped hearing him question her.

"Yes... well, kind of? Do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Certainly. Ask me anything."

"Well, it’s about your brother. What was he like?"

Slimo sighed quietly and looked forward.

"He was the best brother anyone could ask for. When we were young, he would always make time to play with me between our grueling training. He was older than me, but he never left me out of anything he did. He always wanted to make sure I knew he had my back. There were times I got in trouble with my father, and he would take the blame to save me from the punishment. By all means, he was a perfect sibling, and an even greater man. He showed kindness to everyone, including those who weren’t nobles. He wanted to bring peace to these lands so badly. In a weird way, Jacob almost reminds me of him... almost."

Lidia nodded her head.

"I see. He sounds really amazing. I’m sorry again about what happened."

"It’s okay. Talking about it with you makes me feel a little better, but there is nothing in this world that can fill the hole in my heart his death brought me. I’ve truly changed since what happened, whether I wanted to or not."

"Same with my daughter. We weren’t even blood related, but I can still the empty spot she left in my soul with her passing."

Slimo smiled and looked at Lidia.

"Look at us. Aren’t we just so joyous?"

Lidia chuckled lightly.

"Talking about these things with someone who can truly sympathize with your situation is a blessing. Thank you, Slimo."

"No, thank you."

Jacob called back to Slimo from the front of the group.

"How far away is this kingdom of yours, Slimo?"

Slimo scratched the back of his head embarrassingly.

"Well, it’s going to take us close to a month of travelling on foot."

"A month?!"

"I’m sorry! We had to leave our carts in the kingdom! Unless you all want to build some new ones, this will be a long journey."

"But then we would have to build some for everyone here. I’m not sure we have enough people to pull them. Speaking of, where are you guys going to go?"

The group of students and teachers looked at Jacob. Jenna was the one who spoke up.

"We just want to make it safely to the next kingdom... a real kingdom preferably."

"We can take you there. Anyone know of any kingdoms nearby?"

Slimo spoke up.

"Keep moving eastward. We’ll see one in a few days."

Zoey stretched her arms and groaned.

"How long are these condiments?! This is madness!"

"Continents, Zoey..."

"Whatever. By the way, who’s that armored guy resting by the tree?"

Everyone stopped and looked ahead. Sitting against the trunk of a tree was a heavily armored person. Their helmets had small knicks and scratches. A large broadsword was resting in front of them, sunken into the ground. Blue and black streaks painted the front of their helmet and around their limbs. Their visor was closed, but Jacob could feel their menacing glare. Jacob put his hands up as he approached.

"We come in peace. You aren’t a guardian, are you?"

The armored figure slowly stood up. He towered over Jacob... and Slimo... and even some of the small bushes around them. This was one of the largest people Jacob had ever seen before. With their armor, they easily had to weigh over five hundred pounds. It was as if Jacob was staring at a giant.

The figure pulled out his broadsword from the ground. The sword itself was larger than Jacob and incredibly thick. It looked more like a long piece of steel rather than a sword.

’Can it still be a sword if it isn’t sharp?’

They rested the sword on their shoulder while silently glaring at everyone.

"Uh... not much of a talker, are you? Well, if you don’t mind, we will be passing now."

As Jacob tried to walk past him, the large sword swung down in front of him, hardly missing his face. The figure glared down at Jacob. A low voice escaped his helmet.

"Give me your finest warrior to fight. Only then, you may pass."

Jacob looked at the broadsword, then back up at the figure.

"Are you sure you want to piss off a group of Zalo users? Let us pass... please."

The man walked up to Jacob, puffing his chest proudly towards him while staring down.

"I said... give me your finest warrior. I can already tell it’s not you, pipsqueak."

"Who the hell even are you?"

"I am a traveler. I wander these lands in search of a fight that will ultimately bring me to my grave. I have fought all manner of man and beast alike, yet here I stand with hardly a scratch on my visor. Will one of you Zalo users grant me the death I’ve been searching for my whole life?"

"Are you saying that all we need to do is beat you up and then you will let us pass?"

"Not beat me up. You must kill me. It is my life goal to find someone worthy enough to strike me down."

"Why don’t you just do it yourself if you’re so eager for death?"

"Death has to earn me before it can have me. So, who is it going to be?"

The Traveler looked at Maria.

"I hope it will be that woman. I can already sense the strength flowing through her veins, ready to down me."

Slimo walked towards the front of the group. Even though the Traveler towered over him, he met his gaze with an equally vicious one.

"Ahh... the one who doesn’t possess a Zalo? You all must be underestimating me."

Slimo unsheathed his own magnificent sword from his waist.

"I will grant you your request. You will die by my hand, Traveler."

The man under the visor appeared to be anxiously awaiting.

"Everyone else may want to step back if we’re going to do this. I know you don’t have a Zalo, but my senses are screaming at me to not underestimate you! And say, do I know you from somewhere?"

Slimo hesitated.

"I’m a popular guy... especially with the law."

"I see. Well, no matter. Let’s do this!"

Slimo and the Traveler both took a stance dozens of feet from each other. Everyone else hid inside the thick brush of the forest. Zoey popped up from her hiding spot.

"Kick his ass, Slimo!"

The Traveler nodded his helmet.

"Are you ready?"

"Ready."

"Alright. Begin!"

Slimo dashed toward the armored person. His sword hissed through the air and bit deeply into their shoulder. They didn’t care. The massive sword came hurdling down, aiming to decapitate Slimo. At the last moment, Slimo ducked under the strike.

Suddenly, the trees hundreds of feet away from Slimo were all chopped clean through their trunks. Slimo watched the scene in horror. Even though they had missed, the sword had managed to cut through dozens of trees with nothing but the wind created from the strike.

"Shit."

While Slimo was on the ground, he swept his leg under the feet of the mountainous man. However, his kick was stopped instantly by their large legs. It felt like he was trying to kick a mountain on its side. The Traveler sent his sword downward. Slimo was hardly able to dodge again. As the sword hit the ground, a massive ravine was created in its wake. Using the chance, Slimo threw his sword as hard as he could into the visor of the man.

The sword pierced the visor like butter and impaled the Traveler through his head, causing him to go limp. Slimo began panting seeing the man slumped on his sword.

’Was it really that easy? Who the hell was that?’

Zoey started cheering.

"Nice one, Slimo! I knew you could do it!"

"Very well indeed. That was a good strike, warrior."

Slimo’s heart dropped. The Traveler, who was currently impaled on his sword, was speaking to him as if he was perfectly fine. A massive broadsword came hurdling upward towards him. Slimo had no time to react. However, Lidia managed to tackle him out of the way before the sword collided.

"Aw man. Who is interfering? The battle just started getting good!"

The Traveler slowly took the sword out of his face and threw it back at Slimo.

"Are you giving up already? Come on! I’m starting to get fired up!"