Chapter 6: Stonewall Bastion

Never in my life I would have imagined having the Fourth Prince accompanying me in my journey for revenge. It has its perks, I’ll admit. I no longer have to worry about money—Bastien insists on paying all the fares since we left Calverenthia. I don’t know how deep his royal pockets are, but I’m definitely not complaining.

After making sure His Royal Sneakiness wouldn’t be missed, we slip out of the capital. I thought the palace would put up more of a fuss over him leaving—maybe demand an escort or chain him to a desk or something—but Bastien just tells me, “This is part of my training.”

What kind of training requires trekking into monster territory, I have no clue. But hey, more money for snacks. I’m not going to question it.

We cross through Calverenthia’s barrier, and the sensation of magical protection vanishes from my skin like a blanket being pulled away. The air feels raw and untamed beyond the shield. The wilderness welcomes us with its unpredictable energy.

Azry finally crawls out of my pocket, stretching like a lazy queen. She climbs up to my shoulder and soaks in the sun, tail flicking, her scales catching the light like tiny crystals. She acts like she owns the place. Honestly, she’s like a cat—but scaly, moodier, and more judgmental. Still, she’s my soft spot. I can’t resist her.

We head toward Stonewall Bastion, a heavily fortified checkpoint between Calverenthia and the outer provinces. It’s the safest route past the border—better than wandering through gods-know-what in the deep forest, where every bush could be hiding a death trap.

But the moment we step through the gates, I feel something is off.

There are too many soldiers. The air is tense. Dozens of people sit or mill around the area. Some look exhausted, others are arguing with the guards at the barricades.

“What is going on?” I murmur, gently coaxing Azry back into my pocket. She lets out a sharp screech of protest.

“It seems they’ve blocked the exit,” Bastien says, voice low and cautious.

“What?! Why? We won’t be able to pass through?” I spin, trying to find the source of the blockade, eyes darting between the guards and the crowd.

Bastien places a hand gently on my shoulder. “Go take a rest somewhere nearby. I’ll talk to the guards.”

Relieved, I nod and find a shaded patch beneath a tree. I lean back with a sigh and stretch my legs, letting the travel weariness melt into the dirt beneath me.

Azry peeks her head out again and stares up at me with those judgmental reptilian eyes.

“Don’t tell me you’re hungry. You already ate two whole blocks of cheese—”

“Monsters.”

My heart skips. It’s been hours since I last heard Azry’s voice. Even after all this time, it still surprises me when she speaks. And her word?

Monsters?

“What do you mean? There’s no mon—”

A sudden, bone-shaking roar cuts through the air like a blade. Everyone freezes. Conversations die. The sound echoes across the stone walls of the bastion before fading into an eerie, heavy silence.

I spring to my feet and scan for Bastien. I spot him among the guards, just as startled as I am. He catches my gaze and quickly walks back to me.

“W-What was that?” I ask, trying—and failing—to keep the tremble out of my voice.

“It seems there are dangerous animals outside the walls,” Bastien says grimly. “That’s why they won’t let anyone through until the situation is handled.”

“But that’s ridiculous!” I frown, stepping closer. “The barriers are supposed to keep them out, right?”

Bastien meets my eyes, and there’s something in his expression that unsettles me even more than the roar.

“The barriers were shut down.”

The words hit me like a slap to the face.

Again. It’s happening again. That Punchable Mug didn’t stop at destroying Olfea. Now he’s trying to bring down the whole kingdom!

“B-But how?! And when?!”

“A few hours ago. The news must have already reached Calverenthia. It must’ve happened around the time we left.”

That explains it. If we’d stayed even a little longer, we would’ve heard it ourselves.

I dust off my clothes and steel myself. “You think it’s our culprit?”

Bastien nods, his eyes on the soldiers. “It sounds like it. They have reports of a man with the same description. He knocked out the guards and disabled the barrier.”

His crime list just keeps growing…

“So what do we do now?” I mutter, glancing at the closed gates. “We need to cross. Now more than ever. If he’s still nearby—”

Suddenly, loud voices rise near the entrance. A heated argument breaks out.

“If you won’t do anything, I’ll go out there and kill those monsters myself!”

My eyebrow arches. Bastien and I exchange a glance before moving toward the commotion.

We push through the crowd and I’m not surprised to see tents have already popped up around the bastion. Travelers are stranded, clearly losing patience.

At the center of it all, a tall man in dark clothing is facing off with one of the guards.

“Sir, it’s for your safety. We can’t allow—”

“I don’t care about my safety!” the man snaps. “I care about these people. They want to go home. They want to see their families. I want to give them that chance.”

“The guard shifts awkwardly, glancing at the people around him.

Then Bastien steps forward.

“If the man wants to solve the situation, allow him to try,” he says. His voice is calm, but there’s an undeniable weight behind it.

“Y-Your Highness… It’s dangerous. We can’t risk it,” the guard stammers, caught between his duty and Bastien’s authority.

I squint at him. Let’s be real—they don’t want the paperwork if this guy dies.

Bastien and the stranger lock eyes. Neither looks away. The man doesn’t flinch or bow. He stares back like he understands exactly what Bastien is saying without needing more words.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Bastien asks him directly.

The man pauses, then nods. “Yes.”

I step in to get a better look at him.

He’s older than us, probably early thirties. His build is lean but strong—his stance, the way he holds himself, it all screams trained. A spy? Assassin? Mercenary? I’ve seen enough movies and read enough books to know that look.

His long, dark brown hair is tied in a low ponytail. A jagged scar runs across his left cheek. His gray eyes land on mine as I observe him, and for a fleeting moment, they soften—just a little—before returning to their cold intensity as he looks back at Bastien.

“If you want to do it, I will allow it,” Bastien says.

“Hold on!” I grab Bastien’s arm. “Are you seriously letting this happen? What if he dies out there?”

I glance at the man and offer a half-hearted smile. “Not that I don’t think you can do it. You do look like you could slice all of us in half in a second…”

The man shifts, visibly uncomfortable.

I look back at Bastien. “You’re really okay with this?”

“Would you rather stay here and let the culprit escape?” Bastien asks.

“No, obviously not!” I sigh, flustered. “But did you hear that roar? What kind of creature is that?”

“Bone-Crest Howlers,” the man answers, his voice calm. “It’s been a long time since I’ve faced one, but I know their weaknesses.”

He gazes toward the gates, as if seeing the monsters already. “By the sound of it, there’s an alpha. If I take it down, the rest will scatter.”

Bastien nods thoughtfully. And I—against my better judgment—start to believe this man can actually do it.

“Your Highness, I must insist again—” the guard tries.

Bastien cuts him off with just a look. The man shuts his mouth instantly.

“Tell everyone to keep away from the gates,” Bastien orders. “Position all guards in case an evacuation is needed.”

The guards obey immediately, rushing to their stations.

The man bows. “You have my sincerest thanks, Your Highness.”

Bastien shakes his head with a small smile. “No need for formalities. Call me Bastien. May I ask your name?”

“Kael Thorne.”

Bastien nods, then gestures at me. “This is Celeste. My friend.”

My heart stutters.

Friend?

I expected “acquaintance”. Maybe “that annoying girl from Olfea.” But friend?

I blink at him, unsure what to say. Then I grin at Kael. “Nice to meet you! And hey—if you need backup kicking monster ass, you call me.”

Kael gives a faint, sad smile. “I wouldn’t let a young lady get herself in danger. Please, stay here.”

I gasp in mock offense. “Excuse you—I’m very capable!”

Bastien steps in. “I know. But you don’t use a sword, right?”

I puff my chest. “No. But I can make an excellent distraction!”

Kael chuckles softly as he heads for the gate.

“Hey! You’re going to regret not having my help!” I yell after him.

Bastien follows.

“Wait! You too?!” I yelp.

He places a hand on the hilt of his sword and glances back. “I’ll intervene if it becomes necessary. You stay behind, Celeste. Please.”

There’s something in his voice. A quiet worry that makes it feel more like a plea than a command.

Still, I’m not about to let them handle this alone.

Azry pokes her head from my pocket.

“Can you believe them?” I mutter. “Men.”

The gates open, and I watch Kael step outside with slow, purposeful strides. He draws two curved daggers, one in each hand, and the way he holds them makes the air around him feel sharp.

I slip through the crowd, stopping just behind the line of guards with other curious onlookers. I catch my first real glimpse of the Bone-Crest Howlers beyond the walls.

They’re worse than I imagined.

They resemble wolves, but their fur is thicker, spikier, and gleams like it’s soaked in oil. A bony ridge runs from the center of their foreheads down to the tips of their tails, jagged and hard as armor. Their eyes that glow into the darkness—unnatural hues of red and green—are the epitome of you are fucked.

The books Nero made me read flash in my head. I remember the descriptions. Bone-Crest Howlers are pack hunters, always led by an alpha. They scatter only when the alpha falls.

And from where I’m standing, I can see it—the alpha.

It’s massive. Kael is basically bite-size for that canine.

“Ugh, I can’t see enough from down here,” I mutter.

My eyes drift up the bastion wall. There’s a high balcony where the watchmen and guards are positioned.

Perfect.

I take off toward the stairs, ignoring the guard who barks at me to stay down.

“Young lady! It’s dangerous up here!”

“I just want to watch,” I say with a dismissive wave.

At the top, I get a better view of the scene below. Kael stands in the middle of the clearing, still as stone, as the smaller Howlers snarl and snap. The alpha lingers in the back, tail slowly swaying. It’s tense, calculating.

Odd. It should be agitated. Instead, it’s just watching.

Then, without warning, the alpha lunges.

I let out a startled yelp and duck instinctively, crouching behind the ledge. But I can’t resist—I pop my head back up.

Kael is already moving.

He weaves between the Howlers like wind through trees, each dodge so fluid it feels choreographed. His blades flash in the light. He doesn’t strike the alpha yet, just deflects, tests.

The alpha’s patience runs thin. Its tail lashes. It growls louder. It knows this is a losing fight, and so do the others.

The whole pack is getting agitated.

My stomach twists.

“Ah, crap…” I whisper.

The alpha suddenly snaps its head toward the gates. It sees something.

No.

Bastien.

He charges through the open gate, sword drawn, flanked by several soldiers.

“That fool!” I groan. “He’s going to get himself killed!”

I spin around, frantically searching for anything—anything—I can use.

I feel like a headless chicken, running back and forth up here. There’s nothing. No extra weapons. No vantage point. No spell scrolls.

“Smell.”

Azry’s voice again.

She pokes her head out of my pocket and leaps onto the stone border, peering down.

“Don’t you dare jump!” I lunge, catching her in my hands.

She bites my finger.

“Ow! Hey! What was that for?!”

She stares up at me with an expression so human it startles me.

“Smell, fool.”

Smell…?

And then it hits me.

Of course!

I scramble through my bag, tossing aside clothes and dried herbs until I find it—one small vial of thick green liquid. It looks like pond sludge and smells ten times worse.

“I’ve got this!” I shout, sprinting down the stairs.

I nearly trip twice, but I keep going, dodging guards trying to grab me as I barrel through the open gate.

I ran with determination as I clench the vial in my hand.

“RAN AWAY, GO BACK INSIDE!” I scream erratically as I approach the scuffle.

“Celeste?!” Bastien shouts, eyes wide as he parries a Howler.

I see Kael to my side staring at me like I grew another head.

Kael glances my way like I’ve grown a second head.

The alpha growls and turns toward me.

Perfect.

“Eat this!” I shout and hurl the vial with all my strength.

The glass smashes against the alpha’s bony skull. The liquid splashes across its face, and the effect is instant.

The monster staggers, snarling, then releases a wheezing cough-like whine. Its tail drops low. The others pause.

The stench is unholy.

“Cover your nose!” I yell, grabbing Bastien’s hand and pulling him with me as I run.

I hear armor clatter behind us, followed by the high-pitched yelps of the Howlers. Chaos erupts as the whole pack turns and bolts, tripping over each other as they flee into the wilderness.

Inside the bastion, silence falls.

Dust settles. The scent… does not.

“What the hell did you do?” Bastien coughs, pinching his nose.

“Monster repellent,” I say proudly. “One of the best things an alchemist can sell you. Smells like death, scares everything off.”

Kael walks up to us slowly, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement.

“That was reckless. And brave.”

“Reckless,” Bastien mutters, though I catch the relief in his voice.

I flash him a smug grin. “As I told you, Your Highness—have more faith in your subjects.”

“That’s not what I—”

I turn back to Kael, eyes gleaming. “That was impressive, mister. And see? You did need my help.”

He chuckles softly. “It seems I was a fool not to trust you.”

“Rightfully so,” I say with a grin.

Bastien walks off to speak to the guards, probably to confirm that the area’s clear and figure out what to do next. Kael follows him with his eyes, thoughtful.

“Deep down, he’s a softie,” I mutter.

Kael gives a small nod. “He didn’t hesitate to act. I believe he’s a fascinating young man.”

I roll my eyes. “And he calls me reckless. What if he’d died out there? The royal family would’ve had my head for dragging him on this journey.”

Kael looks at me, his tone quieter now. “May I ask what your journey is about?”

I glance back toward the gate, the remnants of the Howlers already out of sight.

“I want to capture the bastard who did this. The one who destroyed my home. I want revenge.”

Kael’s gaze darkens slightly, then softens. “What a coincidence. I’m also on a journey of revenge.”

“Huh.” I smile wryly. “Seems like everyone wants revenge these days.”

There’s something in his expression—an echo of pain, maybe loss. But he doesn’t speak more on it, and I don’t push.

He’s strong, skilled, and quiet. He could be a valuable ally. And maybe we could help him, too.

“So where are you going next?” I ask.

“Kareth Mor province,” he says, his voice firm. “I’ve found a clue.”

Before I can say anything, Bastien rejoins us.

“Our culprit headed west,” he reports.

I blink. “Well, what are the chances! Kael here is headed west too!”

I grin, then grab Kael by the arm and tug him forward. “How about we team up? Even if we don’t have the same goal, we’re headed in the same direction. And we could use an extra pair of blades.”

Bastien looks thoughtful. “I would like your opinion, Mister Thorne.”

“Kael is fine,” he replies with a smile. “And Celeste makes a good point. I wouldn’t mind the company.”

“Yes!” I pump my fist. “Then it’s settled!”

Bastien smiles slightly and offers Kael his hand. “Then I’ll trust you on this journey.”

Kael takes it. “Likewise.”

And just like that, our trio becomes a team of three—headed toward Kareth Mor, a province soaked in history, battle, and blood.

I don’t know what waits for us there.

But at least I won’t be facing it alone.