Barrier

The two reached the edge of the forest; the coachman was already ready to depart.

<Go, go, go!>

The coachman shook the reins and the horses sped off toward the kingdom.
Asia was a little shocked.

<What's happening?!>

Issei sighed; he didn't know what was happening either. So he didn't answer; he twiddled his thumbs as if he were about to speak, but couldn't find the right words.

The journey was noisy; the deafening footsteps of the horses and the rumble of the wheels created a sense of fear. Without realizing it, Issei was holding the little prince in his arms as if he were his own son.

The servant watched the scene with a smile; she had seen their bond grow. From being unable to stand each other to becoming inseparable.

The carriage sped along the gravel path, the wind howling. Issei kept a constant watch for any approaching enemies.
Strangely, the knight didn't see or hear any demons. Everything was completely desolate and silent.

Where are the demons erecting the barrier?

Issei couldn't explain what was happening. Then the carriage reached the edge of the barrier.
There were no demons.

The kingdom's magicians exerted all their strength to quell the barrier's growth, but it was all in vain. The barrier continued to rise without slowing.

<Where are the demons?!>

The wolf girl moved her ears in search of demons, but found nothing.
Issei looked carefully at the purple barrier. He didn't understand how a barrier could form out of nowhere. It was emitting a strange greenish smoke into the kingdom.

<Poison...>

Issei looked at the barrier with concern, touching it with his hand. There was still a little while left before the kingdom would be completely submerged by the barrier.

<Poison?!>

Asia was worried, as was the prince. The coachman, however, ignored it and brushed his horses.

Issei was familiar with that type of barrier; it wasn't the kind that protected; rather, it trapped prey and then suffocated it with poison. It could also have been a distant spell.

Issei checked the barrier carefully; there was a seal engraved on every part of it; it must have been brought back somewhere else where mana flowed to activate it.

The same luminous seal that was on the barrier appeared on Issei's body.
Then, knights inside the kingdom, and therefore the barrier, approached the edge. They were on horseback, their figures blurred in the green mist.
They were the royal knights.
They too had a luminous seal on their arms.
There was also a carriage with them, perhaps the king's.

<How is my son?!>

The king rushed out of the carriage to see his son. He placed his hands against the barrier as if to caress little Prince Josuke, his blood son.

Issei continued to look closely at the barrier. He had seen that seal somewhere before.
Besides being a long-lasting barrier to trap and poison prey, it was also one of those that could be activated remotely. The barrier's twin design could be found anywhere.
The knight then remembered where he had seen that seal. At the Demon King's castle.

Furthermore, all the knights who had been to the Demon King's castle had the same seal that lit up on their bodies. Then Issei understood what magic it was, the strongest known: a curse.

The knight intervened and explained the situation.

<This barrier will kill everyone inside. We must go to the Demon King's castle and remove the seal. I have no idea how to do it, but I will find a way.>

Issei spoke bluntly; everyone stared at him, open-mouthed. The situation was delicate, and Issei didn't mince his words.

The prince began to cry. He didn't want to abandon his father, but he had no options. Issei, on the other hand, had no one. Nothing to lose except the kingdom where he was born.

<Are you telling the truth?! Will everyone in the kingdom die?!>

The king couldn't believe the knight's words. Issei sighed. He didn't want to be in that situation; he had to return to the place where he had abandoned his companions. The place where he had completely abandoned his dream of becoming a royal knight.

<This barrier is a curse cast by the demon king. It was probably his last secret weapon, which would have allowed him to win even if he were dead. There are no other options, we must leave as soon as possible.>

The king looked around, searching for the right words.

<Issei, I trust you. I am helpless in here. I entrust my son to you. The survival of the kingdom is in your hands!>

Issei puffed out his chest, stood up straight, legs crossed, and formed a diamond shape with his hands. It was the military salute of the Wohlstand Kingdom.

The knight turned and stroked the little prince's back with one hand. The two looked into each other's eyes, a fire burning within them.
They climbed into the carriage.

Asia looked at them in shock, looked at a knight and saluted him, and then they set off.
The coachman started the carriage, but not quickly; the journey would be long and he couldn't tire the horses too much.

Direction: the nearest village, for supplies.

Issei gave Josuke a fake smile, trying to reassure him. He wasn't sure if they would save the kingdom or if they would make it to the demon king's castle alive, but he didn't want to give up even a shred of hope.

Asia continued to stare back at the kingdom, Issei stared straight ahead. The coachman remained serious, his withering, expert gaze unfazed by the situation they found themselves in.

<We will save the kingdom!>

Issei proclaimed, trying to calm the air, but it didn't change a bit. Everyone was worried, the prince most of all.

Their long journey to the demon king's castle began that sunny spring day.