Regaleon: The Forgotten Knight

Far away from the perils of the Nether Lands, the moment continued in another land...

The golden sun shone brilliantly across the endless heavens, its warm radiance spilling over the land in a sea of dazzling light.

Wisps of white clouds drifted lazily through the azure sky, while a gentle breeze swept across the vast plains, causing the endless stretches of emerald grass to ripple like waves upon a tranquil ocean.

It was a peaceful afternoon, one that seemed almost untouched by the turmoil hidden beyond the borders of civilization.

Sunlight poured over the broad stone-paved highway that stretched across the plains in an unbroken line toward the distant horizon. Constructed centuries ago by the Kingdom of Valoria, the ancient road was wide enough for several carriages to travel abreast.

Massive slabs of weathered obsidian stone fitted together with astonishing precision beneath the countless wheels that passed over them, while rows of towering shade trees stood proudly along both sides of the highway.

Every few hundred meters, intricately carved milestones emerged beside the road, each bearing the remaining distance to the kingdom’s capital.

Travellers filled the highway.

Merchants guided caravans laden with goods from distant provinces. Adventurers clad in rugged leather armour rode in small parties, their weapons swaying rhythmically with every stride of their mounts.

Farmers led herds of livestock toward bustling marketplaces, while, every so often, lavish noble carriages thundered past under the protection of mounted knights whose polished armour glittered beneath the afternoon sun.

Among those carriages was one that immediately drew attention, its polished exterior proudly bearing the crest of House Valehart.

The luxurious carriage was pulled by four majestic Frostmane steeds, each exhaling faint streams of icy mist despite the warmth of the day and surrounding it were twelve mounted knights.

These are the reinforcements received after the ambush of the Shadow Shard operatives...

Commander Dren led the procession at the front.

The older man’s posture remained as straight as a spear, his stern gaze constantly sweeping across the road ahead. Around him, the knights maintained unwavering vigilance. Though they were now nearing their destination, not a single one allowed his guard to drop.

Inside the carriage, Maverick quietly gazed through the window, his golden eyes fixed upon the distant horizon.

After an entire week of travelling, the silhouette he had long been waiting to see had finally appeared.

Or perhaps... Waiting wasn’t the right word. After all, it had been nearly a decade since he had last laid eyes upon it...

Far ahead, towering over the surrounding landscape, stood the colossal walls of Valor.

Even from several kilometres away, the capital radiated an overwhelming majesty capable of stealing the breath of even an ordinary Etheryean.

Its immense fortifications rose like colossal cliffs carved from pale stone, stretching so far across the horizon that they almost seemed to merge seamlessly with the earth itself. Massive watchtowers punctuated the walls at regular intervals, each proudly flying banners embroidered with the crests of Valoria’s Great Houses.

It was an awe-inspiring sight, one capable of humbling anyone fortunate enough to witness it.

Seeing such a magnificent spectacle, Maverick unconsciously released a quiet sigh.

”I’d honestly give anything to be back at the inn right now.” He stated suddenly.

Seated opposite him, Goldric followed his son’s gaze through the carriage window.

His expression remained calm, though beneath those steady eyes lingered countless tumultuous emotions.

After silently admiring the distant city for a few moments, he turned toward Maverick with an amused smile.

”Why? So you can spend more time accompanying that girl from House Frostborne?”

Though his tone remained composed, there was an unmistakable teasing undertone beneath it.

”Father...” Maverick nearly groaned.

His expression became one of embarrassed exasperation. ”You know perfectly well that’s not what I meant.”

Goldric let out a soft chuckle and his smile widened into one of quiet amusement.

”I know. I’m only teasing you.”

Truthfully, throughout the remainder of their stay at the inn, Maverick and Eirlys had spent almost every waking moment together.

Though their companionship remained entirely innocent, it still didn’t change the fact that the pair wandered throughout the inn with a familiarity that made them resemble newlyweds enjoying their honeymoon.

In fact, before their departure, Goldric had genuinely expected Eirlys to accompany them back to Valor. After all, over the past several days, the Frostborne girl and Maverick had become practically inseparable.

Unfortunately, she had politely declined because according to Eirlys, there were still matters requiring her attention at the Frozen North before she could return to the capital...

Maverick shifted his gaze back toward the approaching city and continued.

”You know, it’s strange. When was the last time I even saw Valor?”

He stared quietly through the window.

”And yet, now that I’m looking at it again... I can’t even describe what I’m feeling.”

Goldric gave a faint nod.

”That’s nostalgia. The feeling one experiences upon seeing a place that once belonged to them.”

He looked toward the towering city walls.

”Maverick, whether you wish to admit it or not, Valor is just as much your home as the Frozen North.”

He smiled gently before adding.

”In fact, perhaps even more so. This is where you first opened your eyes to the world. And this is where your earliest memories were made. So no matter how much time passes... That truth cannot be changed.”

Maverick glanced sideways at his father before looking away again. ”I wouldn’t go as far as calling it home.”

His voice grew noticeably colder.

”A place that cast me aside because of circumstances beyond my control isn’t a home. It’s a prison. Also had it not been for your plans, I never would’ve returned.”

”And yet, here you are.” Goldric replied softly.

He looked directly at his son.

”Maverick, ehether you believe me or not, I didn’t bring you here for House Valehart. I brought you here for your future.”

His voice became unusually solemn.

”I won’t pretend that I hold any affection for House Valehart. You know it as a fact that I don’t; but I still have a duty and that is a duty as your father. You are my first child... My only child. And there is nothing I desire more than your happiness.”

He paused momentarily.

”So believe me when I tell you this. Everything I’ve done and every decision I’ve made has never been for my own sake. Instead, it has always been to ensure that you live the life you deserve... The life your mother would’ve wanted for you.”

When he spoke those final words, his voice carried an unmistakable melancholy.

Maverick remained silent as he knew there was little point arguing further.

Nothing he said would change his father’s resolve and as it is, he didn’t wish to reopen wounds that had never truly healed.

So eventually, he simply sighed and turned back toward the window...

Outside, the towering walls of Valor continued growing larger. And the closer they drew to the capital, the heavier the traffic became as...

Merchant caravans stretched for hundreds of metres...

Pilgrims travelled in groups...

While craftsmen, scholars, wandering cultivators, nobles, merchants, and commoners all converged upon the same destination...

Valor truly was the heart of the Great Kingdom of Valoria. Indeed, it was the beating heart of the entire continent itself.

Eventually, the colossal city gates stood before them.

Two enormous gates fashioned from reinforced blacksteel stood wide open, each large enough for several wagons to pass through side by side.

Above them hung the majestic crest of the Great Kingdom of Valoria. And rows of heavily armoured Royal Knights stood guard on either side, carefully inspecting every traveller entering the capital.

Although the queue waiting for inspection stretched far down the road, it scarcely delayed House Valehart’s carriage.

The moment the gate guards noticed the crest emblazoned upon its sides, their expressions changed instantly.

One of the mounted captains immediately rode forward before offering a respectful bow.

From inside the carriage, Maverick watched Commander Dren exchange a few brief words with the man.

Then moments later, the captain stepped aside and raised his hand.

Without another moment’s delay, the carriage bearing the crest of House Valehart rolled unhindered beneath the towering gates of Valor...