"Alright, little warriors, that will be all for today," the commander said, lowering his wooden blade with a gentle smile. "We shall resume our training another day—so be ready."
One of the boys stepped forward, gripping his practice sword with determination. "Then next time, if I defeat you… you must grant me a ride upon your steed!"
A young girl chimed in, her eyes shining with admiration. "Thank you, Commander, for training us. When I grow older, I wish to become just like you… to stand strong and protect our people."
Keifer let out a warm laugh, then placed his hand softly upon her head. "Well done," he said kindly. "Always remain loyal to your people… and never forget your friends. That is the true strength of a warrior."
He straightened and gestured toward the path. "Now off you go—head home safely."
With cheerful laughter, the children scattered, waving as they ran.
"Byeee, Commander!"
"Hey—careful now!" he called after them, a hint of concern in his voice. "Don't run too fast—you'll trip!"
Keifer walked over and sat beside Sumin, brushing a bit of dust from his gloves.
"You know," he said casually, a faint smirk playing on his lips, "while you were practicing… I noticed you kept looking at me rather fondly. Hmm… care to explain?"
Sumin raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Oh? So that means you weren't paying attention to your practice either—your eyes were on me, weren't they? Go on, admit it."
Keifer shot him a sideways glance. "You really are strange sometimes."
Sumin chuckled lightly. "Alright, forget that… I don't see Haru anywhere. Where is he?"
Keifer leaned back slightly. "The prince assigned him a task—he asked Haru to write a book."
Sumin frowned a little. "Shikuza? But… he never reads anything Haru writes."
Keifer shook his head. "This time, it's different. He wants Haru to document the history of our kingdom… and also record the present."
Sumin nodded slowly, a thoughtful hum escaping him. "Hmm… so that's how it is…"
Sumin rose to his feet, stretching lightly. "Alright then… I'll be on my way."
Without another word, he turned and began walking toward the stables where the horses were kept.
"Hey—Sumin! Where are you going now?" Keifer called after him.
"Just… something I need to take care of," Sumin replied over his shoulder.
Keifer frowned slightly. "At least tell me—what kind of 'something' is it?"
Sumin paused, then glanced back at him with a faint, teasing smile. "Fine… come along if you must. We can go together."
Keifer crossed his arms. "Or you could simply tell me where we're going."
"You'll see when we get there, Commander," Sumin said, his tone light but mysterious, as he continued toward the stables.
"Come on then… let's ride."
The two of them spurred their horses forward, galloping away from the forest toward a place few ever dared to approach. It lay not far, yet it felt like another world entirely—a place they had both heard of, but never once set foot in.
The wind rushed past them as they urged their steeds faster, the silence of the land growing heavier with every step.
"This place feels… eerily deserted," Sumin said, his voice quieter now.
Keifer remained atop his horse, scanning the surroundings uneasily. "Sumin… why are we here? You do know this place is forbidden, don't you?"
Sumin nodded calmly. "Of course I know. But we're not children anymore… There's no need to fear so much. Come on—let's go further."
"Sumiinnn…" Keifer warned, hesitation clear in his tone.
Sumin smirked, a teasing glint in his eyes. "What's this? My brave commander, scared already?"
Keifer straightened at once. "I'm not afraid of anything. Let whoever or whatever comes—I'll deal with it."
Sumin only smiled faintly. "Then let's move."
They pressed on, pushing through dense bushes and shadowed trees, until at last they reached the heart of the place.
Sumin suddenly stopped. "That's as far as we can go."
Keifer frowned. "Why?"
"If you think you can go further… then try," Sumin replied quietly.
Keifer stepped forward.The moment his foot crossed the unseen boundary, it felt as though he had collided with an invisible wall. A sudden force shoved him back, sending him stumbling.
"What—?!" Keifer gasped, eyes wide with shock as he turned to Sumin. "What was that?"
"I don't know everything myself," Sumin said quietly, his gaze fixed ahead, "but my father once told me… no one has ever crossed beyond this point. No one—except our king. And it was he who sealed this place, on that very day."
He raised his hand and pointed toward the barren expanse before them.
"Do you see that?"
Keifer followed his gaze.
An empty field stretched out before them, lifeless and scarred. It looked as though the very earth had been burned to ashes—charred, broken, and utterly ruined. Not a trace of life remained. The soil had turned dry and barren, as if it had long since given up hope of ever breathing again.
"That land…" Sumin continued, his voice heavy, "it was once a part of our village. But during the war… it destroyed everything."
Keifer's eyes widened slightly, the weight of those words sinking in.
"You mean… that dragon was that powerful?"
In the whispered legends, it is said that the King of Ghosts, Shino Yamikage, was the one who once manipulated this dragon… and in doing so, brought ruin upon everything. Sumin told him in a mysterious tone.
Keifer spoke in a shocking tone.
"So… this dragon must never be set free."
"Yes," came the reply. "Because the moment it is released, it will fall under the will of whoever frees it. Everything depends on whether that person's heart is pure… or corrupt."
Keifer's gaze darkened.
"But… why can't we see the dragon?"
Sumin struck him lightly on the head.
"Commander without a brain…" he muttered.
"It's sealed away," sumin said . "That's why it remains hidden from our sight. We cannot see what lies within the seal."
"Then who will unseal it… and how?" Keifer asked.
"I do not know," Sumin replied quietly. "But perhaps… there exists something capable of breaking the seal… and surely, there is someone out there destined to release it."
"I want to see this dragon one day… but in its purest, most noble form," Keifer said.
"Yes… anyone would wish for the same," Sumin replied. "But the truth is… no one has ever discovered where the key to unlocking this treasure truly lies."
Keifer mounted his horse once more, his gaze steady with quiet resolve.
"Let's see how long it can keep hiding from us… Come on, we move."
Sumin nodded. "Yes… let's go."
With that, the two of them urged their horses forward, setting off along the winding path as they made their way back toward their village.