The Capital [NOEL]

The time of departure had finally arrived.

A grandiose carriage bearing the Redlaw family crest stood ready at the estate’s entrance.

Noel stood near the carriage along with her uncle. Despite the early hour, the household staff had gathered to see them off, their hushed murmurs filling the air with anticipation.

With everything prepared, they departed.

The estate faded into the distance. They passed through bustling villages, where farmers tended to their crops, merchants bartered in open markets, and children chased each other down dusty roads. Life moved on, undisturbed by the affairs of nobles.

Noel sat by the window, observing it all.

Her uncle, however, had different priorities.

"Since we have the time, let's talk about spear combat."

Noel turned her attention to him.

He smirked. "It’s a good opportunity. You still lack the experience to deal with polearm users effectively. If you're serious about countering them, you’ll need more than theory."

And so, their lessons began.

Throughout the journey, her uncle taught her about the strengths and weaknesses of spears. The long reach of a pike, the deadly thrust of a halberd, the spinning momentum of a glaive, all had their own intricacies.

Noel listened carefully, absorbing every word.

Days passed.

They crossed hills, forests, and bridges arching over rushing rivers. The journey was not without danger.

At night, monsters lurked beyond the campfires, their glowing eyes peering from the darkness. On occasion, creatures would test their defenses, but the knights were well-trained and dispatched them with efficiency. Neither Noel nor her uncle had to step in.

Every night, she traveled once more to the other world.

Leon awaited her in that other world, as he always did. Their days were spent together in leisure and at night, she clashed with the Red Eyed Shadow. The events repeated.

Until the third day of the journey, when reality demanded her full attention.

The Ambush in the Forest

From the trees, arrows rained down.

"AMBUSH!"

The knights reacted instantly, forming a defensive perimeter around the carriage. Horses neighed in alarm as figures emerged…bandits.

Their ragged clothes and rusted weapons marked them as common highwaymen, but their numbers made them a threat. At least a dozen surrounded them, grinning with cruel anticipation.

One of the smaller bandits, a scrawny man with missing teeth, sneered at his leader.

"Boss, looks like we hit the jackpot! Nobles, well-armed guards, this one's a big catch!"

At the center of the group stood a hulking man, easily twice the size of an average fighter. His thick arms bore the scars of countless battles, and unlike his men, he wielded a pike. His red bandana fluttered slightly as he took a step forward.

One of the knights moved closer to the carriage.

"Lord, there's no need for you to engage," he said firmly. "We will handle this."

Her uncle might have agreed, until he saw the leader's weapon. His expression changed ever so slightly.

"Noel. Handle him."

Without hesitation, she descended from the carriage.

The bandit leader barked out a laugh.

"You're sending a little girl against me?" He twirled his pike. "Does she not know what fear is?"

Noel met his gaze, utterly unfazed.

The leader's smirk twitched.

"You're going to regret that, girl."

The Battle Begins

The knights clashed with the bandits while Noel has a duel with the leader.

Bandit Leader lunged first, using the pike’s range to force Noel into defense. The long weapon was perfect for keeping enemies at a distance, and his strikes were relentless. Thrust after thrust, quick and precise.

Noel dodged, weaving between his attacks like a dancer in a storm.

The pike's reach was his strength…but if she could get past it…

She dashed in.

Too soon.

With a sharp spin, he redirected his attack, swinging the pike’s shaft toward her ribs. She barely twisted away in time.

The knights were beginning to overwhelm the bandits. Clashes of steel filled the air as blades met, the knights methodically cutting down their foes. Though outnumbered, they fought with precision and strategy, while the bandits relied on brute force and chaotic movements.

Amidst the chaos, one bandit who was hidden within the thickets, nocked an arrow onto his bowstring. His target was none other than Noel’s uncle.

From his concealed position, he could see the nobleman standing idly by. A perfect target.

The bandit's lips curled into a smirk.

"This bastard thinks he's above the fight… Let’s see if he’s still so composed with an arrow in his back."

Without hesitation, he fired.

The arrow cut through the air, a blur of motion streaking toward its mark.

But just before it could reach…

Something impossible happened.

The Uncle caught it.

Not with a glance. Not with a turn.

Without even looking.

His hand shot out with inhuman precision, snatching the arrow mid-flight, as if it were a mere passing leaf in the wind.

The bandit's smirk vanished.

His breath hitched. His body stiffened.

"What…?"

Terror flashed in his eyes.

The nobleman, still not sparing him a glance, flicked the arrow back in a single, casual motion.

It was almost lazy. Effortless.

Yet the arrow found its mark instantly, piercing the bandit’s throat before he could even react.

His body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

The entire act had taken but a moment, so swift that most of the combatants hadn't even noticed.

This was instinct refined to the absolute limit, the effortless dominance of a predator.

The battle continued, until Noel finally saw an opening.

She feinted left, forcing him to react then dashed right instead.

His expression turned to shock.

Before he could recover, her rapier found his throat.

A single, clean strike.

His red bandana fluttered to the ground along with his body following a moment later.

The remaining bandits staggered back, stunned by their leader’s swift demise. The knights used that moment of hesitation to finish the rest, and soon, the battle was over.

Noel stepped away from the lifeless corpse, exhaling slowly.

Her uncle, still by the carriage, watched with mild amusement.

"Not very fruitful against a mere bandit, I suppose," he mused.

They resumed their journey.

The capital awaited.

After four long days on the road, they finally arrived.

The capital of the kingdom unfolded before them, a sprawling city of unparalleled grandeur, stretching beyond what the eye could perceive. Stone-paved streets teemed with life, echoing with the voices of countless souls. Merchants called out their wares, their vibrant stalls overflowing with exotic goods from every corner of the kingdom. Adventurers, clad in worn leather and polished steel, strode through the bustling thoroughfares.

And then, standing at the heart of it all was the Royal Palace.

The mere sight of it was breathtaking. Its towering walls of pristine white stone rose higher than any fortress. The palace gates alone were a marvel, forged from enchanted silver.

Uncle turned to Noel. "I have matters to attend to. I will visit the castle later, once my business is complete."

She did not question his actions.

Without another word, they parted ways.

The Palace, A World of Majesty

Noel stepped through the palace gates.

The palace itself was not merely grand, it was a world of its own.

Its territory was so vast that an entire town could be built within its walls. Hundreds of workers moved around, each performing their duty with quiet precision.

And the inside?

Even grander.

The ceiling stretched high. Golden chandeliers, encrusted with gemstones, illuminated the hall in a warm, ethereal glow.

Noel was led gracefully to the guest chambers, where she awaited her summons.

The Royal Audience

The time had come.

After formalities were completed, Noel was finally granted an audience with the rulers of the kingdom.

She stepped forward.

The royal court was vast, and along the sidelines stood the ministers, adorned in their ceremonial robes, watching the proceedings in silence.

At the far end of the hall, raised upon an elevated dais, were the thrones.

Two of them.

The grand one belonged to the King. A throne of gold and deep crimson, adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and celestial beasts. Beside it, slightly smaller but no less regal, was the Queen’s throne.

To either side, two lesser thrones sat empty, likely meant for the prince and princess, who were absent from today’s court.

And there, upon his seat of dominion, sat the King.

Noel approached.

She moved with grace and when she reached the base of the dais, she lowered herself into a deep bow, her voice unwavering.

"Noel von Redlaw of the Redlaw family greets His Majesty, the King, and Her Majesty, the Queen."

A silence followed.

Then…

"Face upwards."

The voice that spoke was commanding, rich with authority, a voice that could halt armies and bend men to its will.

She lifted her gaze.

And at last, she saw him.