Her Resolve

“…Where am I?”

Galiene found herself surrounded by pitch-black space. She couldn’t see anything except for her right hand, glowing faintly blue.

“W–Why is this happening?” Her hand had never glowed without her consciously controlling it. For it to shine on its own left her confused. She rubbed at it, trying to snuff out the light, but it was useless.

Slowly, the blue glow on her hand grew brighter, spreading to illuminate more of the surroundings. Gradually, Galiene realized she wasn’t in some dark void, but in a place she knew all too well.

Her own resting chamber from when she had been a gladiator.
The wooden table, the small chair, the mirror, the bed, and the gray-painted walls—all exactly as she last remembered them. When she stepped toward the table, she noticed her left hand felt heavy—because she was carrying a suitcase.

“This… this is the last time I left the arena.”

Knock knock knock

Soon after, the Old Man, the arena’s master, appeared at her door and knocked.

“Galiene, the one who bought you won’t wait all day for you to get ready.”

“Yes, just a moment.”

She didn’t know why those were the first words out of her mouth, but she ignored it and walked out of her chamber.

Following the narrow corridor lined with wooden doors on both sides, she trailed behind the old man. Soon, the brick wall before them began to shift, revealing a hidden passage, collapsing into the shape of a doorway.

“Go on, meet your new master.”

As she stepped through into the brightly lit room, she was met by someone she had once known, back during her days as a Silver Order Knight.

“Good to see you again, Galiene.” Captain Lawrence, with three of his subordinates, stood before her.

“W–What is this?!” Instinctively, Galiene reached for her hip, where she would normally keep her sword, but she was still in her unarmed condition.

“What’s the matter, Galiene?” Lawrence asked with a wicked grin.

Galiene dropped into a fighting stance, trying to manifest her magic blade in her right hand. But she couldn’t. Not even the faintest blue light appeared.

“Looking for this?” Lawrence gestured to the royal crown, held by one of his men. The crown was intact, the blue gem still embedded within it.

“That’s impossible… I already—” She stopped as someone tapped her on the left shoulder. She spun around.

“No, Galiene. It wasn’t you who did it… it was mere coincidence.”
Her childhood friend stood there, body soaked in blood, his lifeless eyes staring straight at her. Shocked, Galiene stumbled back, only to bump into another figure.

This time it was Lord Ulfi, the high sorcerer, his body covered in black thorns, his skin charred, and his eyes pitch black.

“Why… why didn’t you save me… why didn’t you fulfill your duty as the king’s right hand…”

“I entrusted everything to my knights with all my soul. Why did you disappoint me like this, Lady Galiene?” The King himself appeared behind the sorcerer.

“Galiene, why did the Captain betray us? Why did you abandon us?” One after another, Castar and Silver Order knights materialized behind Lawrence and his subordinates, their armor broken, their faces stained with blood.

“Why… why…?” Galiene spun around in horror. Those she knew were blaming her—even though she knew deep down it hadn’t been her fault.

“You’re guilty, Galiene…”

No.

“You’re a coward, Galiene…”

I am not a coward.

“You’re nothing but a hollow silver shell…”

I worked myself to the bone to earn the right to wear it!

“Do you hear all of this?” Lawrence’s shadow spoke to her. “I’m not wrong, am I? Admit it, you’re nothing but a disgraceful knight. Your silver armor only feeds your ego. You are not a true Knight of the Silver Order.”

No! I served the Kingdom for years. I endured the trials that were hell itself. I sacrificed my life willingly on the frontlines! I deserve to be a knight! I truly do!

Then why… why do you all think otherwise…?

Galiene collapsed weakly to the ground, her face pale with shock. Each word hurled at her pierced her chest. Even though she knew she was worthy of being a knight, the truth was undeniable, on that day, everything were happened as they said.

She had failed to save her friend.

The sorcerer.

The King.

Even her fellow knights.

With so many failures marking the final days of Castar Kingdom, Galiene felt perhaps she truly did deserve every accusation, every curse.

Just as her pride was about to shatter to pieces—

“NO!”

A figure of light in human form burst forth, Grabbing Galiene both shoulders, shouting into her face.

“You are not a failure! You have every right to be proud of what you’ve achieved!”

“If you truly feel like a sinner for leaving behind those who trusted you, then move forward! Atone for it! Keep living, uphold the knightly code, and make those who’ve left you proud, by striving to right what went wrong in the past!”

The instant the figure finished speaking, the shadows haunting Galiene dissolved like smoke, leaving only the radiant figure with her.

Tears of relief streamed down her face. Strength returned to her limbs. She gazed at the figure of light with a warm, grateful smile, as though welcoming it with open arms.

The figure extended its hand toward her, offering to help her up. With a trembling smile, Galiene gladly reached for it. And the moment their fingers touched—

“Adam!?”

The figure of light transformed into Adam, hand outstretched toward her. Then he pulled her in, and at once Galiene’s vision was consumed by blinding light.

-

Galiene woke up peacefully in her bed. This time, she had slept very soundly, unlike the usual days when she always woke up startled and tense, her face drenched in cold sweat. She was overjoyed to finally wake up calmly this time.
She rose from the bed and stretched her body, then walked out of her bedroom to meet Adam.

“….Eh?”

Just before she reached for the doorknob, she realized, why did she want to see Adam so soon? It wasn’t like her.

“…..Maybe there’s something I forgot yesterday…..”

Galiene opened the bedroom door and stepped outside, not finding Adam there, as he was usually always within sight the moment she left her room.

“Ada—”

She looked around only to find Adam asleep on the sofa in the living room. Galiene let out a sigh and began walking toward him.

“Hey, Adam, why are you sleeping on the sofa?”
Galiene shook his body, which was covered by the coat he usually wore, trying to wake him.

“Uhmm… Galiene? That’s rare, you’re already awake at this hour.”

“I guess our sleep schedules have switched.” Galiene replied with a smile on her face.

“Anyway, why are you sleeping on the living room sofa? That’s not like you…”

“Well, seeing you still drunk yesterday, I thought it’d be better to leave you alone in there.”

The word “drunk” reminded Galiene of last night, when they had embraced each other warmly. Unlike before when she panicked, this time she tried to remain calm. But the pounding of her heart and the blush spreading across her cheeks betrayed her feelings. She quickly turned her gaze away from Adam on the sofa and looked toward the kitchen.

“H-how about we start preparing breakfast?” Galiene hurried into the kitchen, while Adam just sat there, still drowsy and confused about her behavior.

-

With plates filled with omelets, sausages, and salad, the two of them enjoyed breakfast together accompanied by warm tea. Neither said a word—they focused solely on finishing their meals.

“Uh… Galiene…” Adam finally spoke.

“What is it?” she replied, still chewing on a sausage.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

“You remember when I met the old man, the Arena’s owner, at the restaurant yesterday?”

“Yes, what about that old man?”

“He gave me a lot of information about what’s happening in the city of Dramur.”

“…And why would he tell you all of that?”

Adam paused for a moment, wondering if this was the right time to say it.

“Galiene, what I’m about to say concerns you. Are you ready to hear it?”

Galiene put her utensils down on her plate and looked at Adam seriously.

“Adam? What do you want to talk to me about?”

“……..The convoy we escorted back then was carrying something vital to the civil conflict happening there. And… the Former Knights of the Silver Order—or more precisely, your former captain, Lawrence, along with what I assume are his subordinates—are the driving force behind this conflict.”

“What!?” Galiene leaned closer, shocked by Adam’s words.

“As your partner, it’s my duty to tell you, because this relates to your past.”

“You also said you wanted to investigate Blaeath, so digging into where they first appeared is the right first step.”

“Especially Lawrence. As someone of high rank, he might have information about why Blaeath emerged in the Castar Kingdom.” Galiene listened with a serious expression.

“But… this won’t be as easy as what we’ve been through before. With your captain and his men as our main targets, we’ll also have to deal with everyone else involved in the civil conflict.”

“Which side triggered the conflict in Dramud? If we can narrow it down, we can side with the ones in the right, and maybe avoid the faction Lawrence is with.” Galiene asked.

“That’s the tricky part. According to the old man, this isn’t a conflict between two sides, but three. And on top of that, the Knights aren’t loyal to just one side. They had their allegiance on each faction, and they each have their own goals, meaning the Knights are present in every faction.”

“A three-sided conflict… and the Knights involved in all of them. What is Lawrence planning?”

“I don’t know. But for him to be bold enough to connect with all three factions, and one of them being the nobles, whatever he’s planning must be highly ambitious. Its scale? Possibly enormous.”

“This could be the toughest challenge we’ve ever faced. No one can be trusted completely, and every move we make will be limited by the sheer number of factions that could turn into enemies.”

“Exactly…”

“So, what do you say, Galiene?”

“Eh?”

“I’m only giving you the information and a picture of what we’ll face if we go there. But I won’t decide for you. The decision is yours.”

“I have no ties to any of them, and I won’t risk myself for a city that has nothing to do with me, unless I have a clear reason to go.”

“But you do have a reason. You have the right to confront your captain. Still, you must understand the risks, you’re just one person among a thousands people, and your only status is that of an adventurer, not a knight or a soldier. If you get trapped there, officially, no one will come to save you.”

“Of course, if you go, then I’ll have a reason to go too. But I must remind you, think about the risks. Because we’ll likely face countless enemies on all sides.”

“And remember, you have free will. You’re no longer a soldier or gladiator who must take orders. You can go there, or stay here, live your new life, and simply wait for this pact spell to fade, after that, you’ll be completely free. You have no obligation to go.”

“I…” Galiene grew anxious, her brows furrowed and her expression tense. Adam’s words were true, this journey could be extremely dangerous. They could vanish before ever reaching the traitorous Silver Order Knights members.

“Take your time, there’s no need to rush…” Adam stood up from the table, carrying his plate and cup into the kitchen.

The only sound was the water running from the tap as he rinsed his dishes. Adam just continued cleaning, having already said what needed to be said. It was up to Galiene to decide what she would do with the information he’d given her.

“Adam!”

Adam stopped what he was doing and turned toward the dining table.

“I know… I have free will. I could leave my past behind and live freely.”

“But I also know, if I don’t pursue my captain and bring him to justice, my past will haunt me again. The King, the Sorcerer, my friend, and my comrades will be disappointed in me from above, and I don’t want that to happen.”

“Galiene, the fact that you’re alive is enough for them. They’d appreciate that the lives they gave allowed you to live. As long as you honor that, I’m sure they’d be happy.”

“No! I don’t want that. Back when I was still a knight, I was taught to always push past my limits, to do my best, and to honor every ounce of strength I had in service to the people.”

“Yes, they would be glad if I lived, but I want to do my best for those who died in the Blaeath calamity, and for those who tried to stop it from spreading further. Because if Lawrence played a role in that plague’s creation, then I must bring him to justice. But before that, I need to know everything they know, before I deliver justice to him.”

“But you’ve seen it yourself, I’m weak and vulnerable. I can’t do this alone, that’s why…”

Galiene looked at Adam with unwavering determination in her eyes. A burning spirit to face the remaining Knights was clear in her gaze.

“Please, come with me. As my comrade… and my right hand.”

Adam fell silent, seeing how serious Galiene was. Looking at her like this, Adam knew she would never waver again.

“Heh, I figured you’d choose that option…” Adam said with a warm smile.

“All right! As your right hand, let’s go!”

Adam’s answer made Galiene so happy she nearly cried. Her face radiated joy knowing Adam would join her on this journey.

“Yes!” Galiene replied with absolute conviction.