The Paladin's Mission; Devastating Silence

With utmost haste, they raced towards the grand palace, their steps quick and purposeful. As they sprinted towards their destination, Irio glanced at Akihiko, his eyes filled with uncertainty, before speaking up.

"Do you believe we should trust the words of those children?" he asked, his voice tinged with doubt.

Akihiko shook his head, his resolve unwavering. "I don't place my trust in them. But as knights, our duty is to protect the king. To accomplish that, we must remain in the palace and ensure his safety until the elite soldiers' assault is over. Once the threat has subsided, we can consider what to do about the children."

Approaching the palace, their presence caught the attention of the soldiers attacking the castle. More than half of the troops diverted their attention towards them, rushing forward to mount a counterattack.

Yet, they couldn't afford to halt their progress.

Swiftly unsheathing his sword, Akihiko led the charge, his feet carrying him with utmost speed towards the oncoming soldiers. Brienne, her bow at the ready, and Irio, wielding his sledgehammer and shield, joined him in defending against the enemy forces.

Together, they fought valiantly, their determination unyielding, as they aimed to breach the castle's defenses and secure their entry.

Within the chaos of battle, Brienne's voice rang out, filled with a sense of urgency.

"They're nearly overwhelming us! We won't be able to hold out much longer at this rate!"

"Stay calm!" Akihiko exclaimed, injecting his words with reassurance. "Support from the People of the Sea must have been called upon. They will arrive swiftly in such dire times. Our task is to buy enough time until they arrive!"

Brienne surveyed the surroundings, her brows furrowed in concern, and posed a crucial question.

"But how will we find the king amidst this vast palace?"

Akihiko pondered for a moment, considering the best approach. "The palace is extensive. It would be wise if we divide our efforts. I'll search the grand hall, while you explore the refectory and throne room. Should you come across the king and the prince, you know what needs to be done."

"Understood, whoever finds them should proceed to the secret room and signal their discovery," Irio added, his voice blending with the sounds of combat.

"And there's one more thing," Akihiko added, his gaze meeting his comrades'. "Under no circumstances should either of you engage in battle with the elite soldiers. You two aren't strong enough to face them. At least we don't know how many people are coming, and I can't let you put yourselves in danger."

With a shared understanding, they wasted no time and swiftly departed, each venturing into different sections of the palace to fulfill their mission.

As Akihiko ventured into the palace, a disturbing sight unfolded before his eyes. The corridors, once adorned with grandeur, now bore the haunting marks of tragedy. Blood coated the walls, and the lifeless bodies of fallen warriors lay strewn about, a sorrowful testament to the brutal battle that had taken place. Among the casualties, a grim realization settled in—Akihiko had lost many of his comrades, intermingled with the fallen adversaries.

Doubt weighed heavily upon his thoughts, casting a shadow of uncertainty over any hope that remained. Was his revered king still alive amidst this gruesome tableau? The question lingered, threatening to erode his resolve in the face of such devastation.

Yet, as he pressed forward, an unsettling symphony of sounds reached his ears. Echoing through the palace, the reverberating cacophony seemed to emanate from the depths, reminiscent of a mighty creature's roar or the primal call of a wild beast. The deafening resonance filled the air, drowning out the grim scenes that had unfolded before him.

Driven by an insatiable curiosity and armed with a lone clue, Akihiko quickened his pace, following the source of the thunderous clamor. Each step brought him closer, the crescendo of noise intensifying with his progress. It fueled his determination, drowning out the doubts that had plagued him mere moments ago.

Emerging from the dimly lit corridor, he beheld a spectacle of awe-inspiring proportions. A group of soldiers encircled a colossal figure, moving deliberately as they closed in on their target—Akihiko's king. Against the wall, the king stood defiant, a beacon of unwavering strength in the face of impending danger.

Without hesitation, Akihiko spun on his heels, summoning every ounce of strength and skill. His sword arced through the air with precision, finding its mark in the giant's head. A resounding thud followed, as the towering creature collapsed, vanquished.

In that pivotal moment, the soldiers' attention turned to the audacious knight. Their gazes shifted, expressing a mixture of surprise, awe, and fury. Adrenaline surged through Akihiko's veins as the soldiers lunged forward, united in their purpose to protect their king.

Undeterred, Akihiko met the onslaught head-on, his movements swift and calculated. Fists and feet became instruments of defiance, repelling the advancing soldiers with skill and unwavering resolve. In an act of desperate improvisation, he deflected an incoming sword strike with the resilient armor adorning his wrist, rending the weapon asunder. Capitalizing on the opening, he swiftly impaled the soldier with the broken blade, turning his own weapon against him.

Using the fallen adversary as a shield, Akihiko protected himself from further harm, exploiting the precious seconds it afforded. Seizing the opportunity, he delivered a forceful kick, incapacitating the soldier in front and causing those behind to stumble, their assault momentarily halted.

After a grueling battle, Akihiko emerged victorious, the last remnants of his adversaries lying defeated at his feet. Gasping for breath, he took a moment to compose himself, his weary body yearning for respite. Gradually, he approached the fallen giant, withdrawing his sword with a deliberate motion before turning his attention to the king.

"My King, are you all right?" Akihiko inquired, his voice laced with concern as he gently lifted the monarch to his feet.

The king, taking a deep breath, responded, "I'm quite worn out, but I shall be fine. I am truly grateful for what you have done, dear knight."

Akihiko's gaze softened, his resolve unwavering. "It is my duty, Sir. However, we mustn't dwell on gratitude or allow ourselves to be consumed by hatred. Our priority now is to ensure your safety and swiftly depart from this place."

The king's expression shifted, a mixture of anxiety and determination crossing his face. "I cannot disregard my son. I need to find him, I must..."

Akihiko interrupted gently, his voice steady yet unwavering, "Worry not about your son, My Liege. I and my comrades shall search diligently and bring him back to you as swiftly as possible."

The king's eyes bore into Akihiko's, a flicker of disbelief evident in his gaze. However, before he could voice his objections, Akihiko continued, resolute in his stance.

"The duty of a knight encompasses the protection of not only the king and the prince but all whom they hold dear. Should I falter in fulfilling my duty during such dire circumstances, I would forfeit the right to call myself a knight. Therefore, I implore you to trust in me and allow me to safely guide you back to your chambers, Your Majesty."

The king, after a moment of contemplation, drew in another deep breath and replied, "Very well. So be it. I place my trust in you, Akihiko."

"Thank you, Sir!" Akihiko acknowledged with gratitude, his heart swelling with a renewed sense of purpose.

Accompanying the king to the secret chamber, Akihiko wasted no time in assuming his position and discreetly signaling the remaining members of their party. However, time was of the essence, and he couldn't wait for their arrival. Staying true to his promise, Akihiko set forth on his mission to locate the king's son, for as long as the others safeguarded the king, Akihiko would bear the sole responsibility for finding the young prince.

After an arduous journey, Akihiko finally arrived at the treasure room. However, what awaited him within its confines was a new challenge, more daunting than any he had encountered thus far. The room lay in ruins, reduced to a chaotic heap of broken debris, leaving no discernible path forward.

Disheartened but determined, Akihiko turned to leave, his mind racing with thoughts of alternative routes. Yet, as he made his way toward the exit, a faint sound echoed from behind the rubble—a rhythmic knocking, persistent and deliberate. It defied reason that a dangerous adversary, such as an elite soldier or a marauding intruder, could be present here. Moreover, the idea of someone wasting time amidst the wreckage to pilfer treasures seemed inconceivable.

The absence of bloodshed or signs of a struggle further puzzled Akihiko. The room bore no marks of a previous altercation, and it appeared untouched, as if left undisturbed. Perhaps, he surmised, the sound he heard could be attributed to shifting stones, an innocent consequence of the room's disarray.

However, as his gaze swept across the disheveled chamber, something caught his attention—a silhouette amidst the chaos. A figure emerged from the shadows, revealing itself to be none other than Princess Mila.

Surprise washed over Akihiko as he beheld the princess, his eyes widening with astonishment.