The Weight of a Green Knight

Cutter cleared his throat, his tone respectful as he addressed the Princess. "I apologize, Your Highness. Perhaps you have mistaken us for someone else. We are not of these lands; we've traveled from very far away. We are here as representatives of our nations to establish contact with the local leadership."

The Princess merely smiled as she glided closer. "No, I know precisely who you are. The prophecy foretold that a company of soldiers clad in green would come to Aethel from a world beyond the stars. These knights would wear strange armor and wield staves of fire. They would be the ones to banish the great Devil and restore peace to this continent." She paused directly before us, her appreciative smile unwavering. "I know that you are those knights. Thank you for coming."

We were at a loss for words, able only to stare back at her. The mission briefing had contained nothing about ‘banishing a Devil and restoring peace.’ Our objective was to recover our lost personnel and equipment, then extract as quickly as possible.

Still kneeling beside Elara, Brielle began, "Your Highness..."

"There is no need for explanations, my dear Brielle," the Princess interjected, smiling warmly at them both. Her gaze then returned to us, still standing rigidly at attention. "You are both dismissed. I wish to speak with these men in private for the moment. Thank you, however, for escorting them and ensuring their safe passage."

"Y-Yes, Your Highness. Pardon us," Brielle stammered. She and Elara rose, bowed, and departed, leaving the three of us alone—or as alone as one could be—with the radiant princess and her guards.

She turned her full attention to us. Bard and I studied her joyful expression, wondering if it was born of naivete or a genuine belief in this prophecy. Cutter seemed to be composing his thoughts, his gaze momentarily fixed on his boots. "Err, Y-Your Highness, we are—"

"Please, call me Aurelia, Sir Knight," she interrupted softly. She then turned and exited the throne room, two of her escorts following in her wake. With a simple gesture, she beckoned for us to follow, and we complied.

She led us to the royal courtyard, a breathtaking space filled with an endless array of vibrant plants and flowers. We were seated at a round table beneath a sprawling tree—I was next to Cutter and Bard, who sat across from Princess Aurelia. She took a graceful sip from a delicate teacup. Cups had been served to us as well, but they remained untouched, our minds still reeling from the revelation.

She set her cup back on its saucer, her gaze sweeping over us. "Please, be at ease. Goodness, we have much to discuss."

"Please, just call me Cutter, Princess," he replied.

A light laugh escaped the Princess, and her personal escorts, standing watch nearby, chuckled as well, just as Brielle and Elara had upon learning our codenames. She placed a gloved palm over her mouth, trying to suppress a giggle. "My apologies..."

Cutter offered her a gentle smile. "Don't worry, Princess. My real name is classified; I am only permitted to share my codename. The same applies to my subordinates. I hope that is acceptable."

"Of course, Lord Cutter," she said with a smile, before turning to Bard and me. "And may I know your names?"

"P-P-Princess Aurelia, m-my name is Bard," Bard stammered. I couldn't tell if it was from anxiety or the presence of the stunningly beautiful woman before him. It was most likely both. "I-it's a pleasure to meet you!"

She gave a small, dismissive wave, smiling at his earnestness. "There is no need to be nervous, Lord Bard. Please, drink your tea. I hope it will help calm you." She indicated his cup.

Breathing heavily, Bard snatched it and drained the tea in a single gulp, clattering the cup back onto the table.

"Are you calmer now?" the Princess asked gently.

"Yes!" he exclaimed. "Thank you."

Her gaze then shifted to me. "And what is your name?"

"My name is Arc. It is a pleasure to meet you, Princess."

"So, gentlemen, may I ask where you come from?"

Cutter took the lead. "Certainly, Princess. We are part of a global organization called the Global Allied Intervention Agency, or GAIA. I am the leader of this squad." He gestured to himself. "I am from a nation called the United Kingdom and a member of the Royal Army's Special Projects Group."

It was a safe bet she wouldn't recognize the organization's name, so there was little risk in revealing it. He then placed a hand on Bard's shoulder. "This is Bard, our demolitions specialist and third-in-command. He's from the Orion States of America and serves with OSN Sea Dragons Unit Six." Next, he turned toward me. "And this is Arc, our sniper and second-in-command. He is from the State of Yamato and is part of the Yamato Defense Force's Special Operations Group." The Captain faced the Princess again. "We are on a mission to locate a lost flying vessel we call the 'Great Dragon.' Does that name mean anything to you?"

Princess Aurelia nodded slowly. "Yes, I am familiar with this dragon. It passes over our lands from time to time, though it has never seemed to mean us any harm." A curious expression crossed her features. "You are searching for it? Is there something special about it?"

Cutter looked at me, a silent question in his eyes. I nodded, understanding his intent, and answered for the Princess.

"That 'dragon' is a vessel for a malevolent power, a destructive spirit called 'Nuclear'," I explained, framing the scientific concept in the ethereal terms befitting my codename. "That power poses a grave danger. It can turn an entire city to dust and leave behind a toxic, poisoned cloud that kills for generations."

As expected, a startled gasp escaped the Princess.

"That is why the nations of our world search for it so desperately. And we are not the only ones who seek it. We were sent here to retrieve it." I pictured the ghostly ruins of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. "We do not wish to see another city annihilated by the dragon's evil spirit."

The Princess nodded again, her expression somber. "And do you have other missions, aside from finding this dragon?"

Cutter inclined his head slightly. "You must understand, we are soldiers. To disclose classified information to anyone without the proper clearance would be an act of treason against our nations. I apologize, Your Highness."

Silence settled over the table for a long moment before the Princess spoke again. "Does it... have something to do with the prophecy?" Hope flared in her eyes. Cutter's gaze met mine, a silent debate passing between us. She mistook our hesitation for refusal and looked down. "It's alright if you cannot tell me."

"No, we don't know anything about a prophecy," Cutter clarified, meeting her gaze directly. "But our mission is to establish contact with local authorities. We are also authorized to propose an alliance with the Kingdom of Valoria." He offered her a reassuring smile. "As allies, if your kingdom is in danger, we could offer military assistance. However, it will take at least a year for our official envoys and additional forces to arrive. Until then, we will be here to assist you and continue our search for the dragon."

He sounded less like a special operator and more like a diplomat. Beside him, Bard smiled at the Princess as well.

"And if we can, we could help protect this continent, just like the knights in that—"

Cutter stomped hard on Bard's foot under the table, his own smile becoming sharp, almost sinister at the edges. Bard swallowed hard.

"W-well," he stammered, wincing in pain, "e-even if we don't have the authority for it right now, I-I know we can p-protect this continent." He hissed softly at Cutter, "Can you get your foot off me?!"

"Oh, sorry," Cutter said, shifting his boot with an innocent, toothy grin. "It must have slipped."

Bard glared at him, muttering, "Goddamn Brit," under his breath.

It was then that we heard a faint whimper and saw that Princess Aurelia was crying. "T-thank you... I don't know who you truly are, but thank you," she said, a tearful smile breaking through.

Cutter’s own smile softened. "Don't worry, Princess. We're in the business of saving lives. If fighting this Devil of yours accomplishes that, then we will."

The Princess wiped her tears away with her fingertips, her face hardening with new resolve. "I will show you to your rooms," she declared, rising to her feet. "Tomorrow, we will sign our pact of alliance."

"With all due respect, ma'am," Cutter said politely, "would it not be more appropriate for a servant or maid to show us to our rooms? I'm certain you have more important matters to attend to."

She smiled. "Believe it or not, the prophecy dictates that you are to be treated as royalty here."

"Fair enough," Cutter remarked, standing as well. He glanced at us. "Let's go, lads."

Bard and I nodded and got to our feet. It was only then I realized I had barely spoken throughout the entire conversation. My tea remained untouched. I preferred to live by a simple creed: talk less, do more. But that was just my way.