In the Dunemaria

Eidrin and Romero travelled across lands and nations, mounting their horses and pressing forward. After a long journey that lasted almost two weeks, they finally reached Dunemaria.

Dunemaria was a desert country. Most of the land was isolated, with vast empty stretches where no one lived. But despite its emptiness, it was infamous for being filled with thieves and criminals who preyed on travelers.

Romero: This place is far duller than I expected.

Eidrin: What did you expect in a desert anyway?

Romero: When I heard this place was full of gambling dens, I thought it would be fun. But this… this is not that much fun.

Eidrin: Romero, I sense something. Some people are hiding there, I think.

Romero: I can sense it too.

Suddenly, five men emerged from behind a giant boulder. They were armed, but Eidrin and Romero showed no fear.

Bandit 1: Hand over all your wealth and surrender. Otherwise, we can’t guarantee your lives.

Eidrin: Really? If you think you’re such a big deal, then prove it in a fight.

Bandit 2: So you want to fight, do you? Then let us show you what happens when you challenge the bandits of Dunemaria!

One of the men rushed at Eidrin with a sword. But before he could blink, Eidrin had appeared behind him. Shocked, the man couldn’t react before Eidrin knocked him out in a single strike.

Two more men charged, but Romero blocked them and held his ground. The last two tried to strike Eidrin together, but they were no match. Eidrin defeated them with little effort, while Romero handled his opponents with ease.

The bandits quickly realized they were facing no ordinary travelers.

Eidrin: Do you know this land well?

Bandit 1 (shaking in fear): Y-Yes… we were born here, live here, and know everything about this place.

Eidrin: Then you must know Saber Zen.

Bandit 3: What!? Saber Zen!?

He gasped, his face pale with fear.

Eidrin: It seems you do know him. Tell me everything you know.

The bandit hesitated, trembling too much to answer. Another bandit finally spoke up.

Bandit 4: Saber Zen is a ruthless bandit leader and weapons dealer. He’s not feared for his strength but for his brutality and his enormous collection of weapons. He kills anyone who goes against him—slowly and cruelly—with a saber. That’s why people call him Saber Zen.

Eidrin: Where can we find him?

Bandit 4: Find him!? Seeking him is like walking straight into death!

Romero: Whoa… interesting. If you think he’s death itself, then consider us the gods of death. Now tell us where to find him.

Bandit 5: He’s a regular at the largest gambling den in the west. If you go there in the evening, you’ll find him.

Eidrin: Good. Thank you for the information. I’ll spare your lives for helping us.

The bandits began to leave, relieved.

Romero: Wait! Who told you that you could go? You’ll lead us to the gambling den. We’re new here—we don’t know the way.

Bandit 1: What!? You’re going straight after Saber Zen!?

Eidrin: Romero, do we really need to drag them along?

Romero: Yeah, they’ll be useful. You lot—coming or not?

Bandit 3 (hesitant): Y-Yes… we’re coming.

And so, with the bandits leading them, they headed west. By evening, they finally arrived at the gambling den.

It was a huge place, crowded with both commoners and criminals in equal measure. Some were absorbed in gambling games, others drowned themselves in wine and beer. Countless dancers swayed to music, while singers filled the air with their songs. It was a dark paradise of sin and chaos.

Eidrin: So this is the place.

Romero: Yeah. Exactly what I imagined.

Eidrin: So what now? Do we catch Zen?

Romero: Wait. We’ve traveled for weeks. What’s the harm in having a drink, playing a few games, and enjoying this place before the fight? Who knows if we’ll ever return here.

Eidrin: What are you saying? I told you—we didn’t come for a trip. This is a mission.

Romero: Please, Eidrin. You’re my dear friend, aren’t you? Why not grant me this one wish?

Eidrin (sighing): Fine. Do what you like. But don’t forget the mission. You watch that side, I’ll cover this side.

Romero (to the bandits): You lot—go over there. If you see Zen, inform us immediately.

They split up to cover different parts of the den.

Romero (to himself): By the way… how does this Zen fellow even look? How can I tell Eidrin I’ve found him if I can’t recognize him?

Eidrin (to himself): That Romero is always the same—never putting the mission first. I may need to rely on these bandits if I’m to track Zen down.

Romero, meanwhile, enjoyed himself—drinking, playing, laughing—almost forgetting his mission. Then he suddenly noticed a young woman. She looked about twenty, her black hair flowing softly with the wind. Romero stared as though he were looking at a painting. Her clothes seemed plain, like a commoner’s, yet something about her posture and grace betrayed her disguise.

The girl sensed his gaze and turned. Their eyes met, her dark pupils locking with his. Romero couldn’t look away. Slowly, he walked toward her.

Romero: May I ask… what is a princess doing in a place like this?

The girl stiffened in shock.

Girl: How did you know I’m a princess?

Romero: I’ve seen many princesses and many commoners in my life. I can tell when a princess is trying to pretend otherwise.

Girl (smiling faintly): Oh… you’re very clever. I am Merina, Princess of Groacia.

Romero: I’m Romero, from Francia. But what brings you to such a dangerous place, Princess?

Merina: I wanted to see what a gambling den looks like. At first, my brother refused, but in the end, he allowed me. I wanted to know the kind of people I’d find here.

Romero: Interesting… but dangerous indeed.

Merina: Yes. But I believe no one will harm me as long as my trusted soldiers are with me.

Romero: Soldiers?

Suddenly, a towering man approached. He was one of the princess’s soldiers, disguised as a commoner.

Soldier 1: Princess, you shouldn’t waste your time with common people like this.

Merina: Very well. See you around, Romero.

Romero: See you later.

After she left, Romero chuckled.

Romero (to himself): That dumb soldier. What does he think he is? Calling me a commoner… ha! I know my own greatness, whether he recognizes it or not.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the den, the bandits muttered nervously as they searched.

Bandit 1: Do we really have to help them? If Zen finds out we led them here, he’ll kill us.

Bandit 2: And if we don’t help, they’ll probably kill us themselves. So it’s simple—die by Zen’s hand, or die by theirs.

Eidrin was still combing through every corner of the den.

Eidrin: I’ve searched nearly every nook and corner. Is Zen truly here?

Bandit 3: He should be. He always comes here at this time. We just need to keep looking.

Eidrin: Very well.

Unbeknownst to him, Zen was indeed present. Watching from the shadows, he narrowed his eyes.

Zen (to himself): That’s Eidrin of Francia. No doubt he’s here for me. If he finds me, he’ll imprison me for sure. I must strike first. I’ll kill him before he gets the chance.

At the same time, in another corner of the den, two thieves whispered together.

Thief 1: Hey, look over there. Do you see her?

Thief 2: What?

Thief 1: That’s the Princess of Groacia. She thinks her disguise fools us, but I recognized her. What do you say we capture her?

Thief 2: Capturing a princess sounds fun. But what about her soldiers? They must be here too.

Thief 1: That won’t be a problem. We’ll need more men for this job. Let’s call the others.

Thief 2: Good idea.