A moment later, the bandits swung the gates open for five riders entering the castle courtyard. Livia, Hugo, and Valen went down to meet them, while Cyrill—who already knew exactly who the riders were—muttered grumpily as he watched them approach. A bald man with a body like a giant leaped down from his horse. He marched straight toward Livia and "brugh," he dropped to one knee in a deep bow.
"Greetings, my noble Queen. My name is Dustin. It is an honor to finally meet you," Dustin declared.
Seeing Dustin kneel, Esme and Noah, who were helping Casey off her horse, turned their gaze toward Livia. But Casey's eyes were locked on Valen, who was standing right behind Livia.
"Big sister!" Casey cried out.
Valen turned, her eyes widening and her jaw dropping as she saw Casey climb down. She rushed forward, lifted the girl up, and pulled her into a crushing hug. Both of them immediately burst into heavy sobs. Seeing that Valen was safe, Noah and Esme looked incredibly relieved; they smiled through their tears and instinctively embraced one another.
Hugo, watching Dustin and Casey, smiled because he recognized both of them from his visions. Then, he looked toward a middle-aged man clad in shimmering gold armor, with blonde hair and a neatly trimmed beard.
"Rise," Livia said to Dustin.
Dustin stood up immediately. Hugo had to crane his neck just to look at him because the man was so massive. Dustin stared straight ahead, his eyes a haunting, solid white.
"You... you're the one from my dreams," Hugo said.
Hearing this, Cyrill glanced at Hugo. "Ho, so you get visions too, it seems," Cyrill remarked.
"Yeah, and I saw you too on the terrace of a great palace... either the capital or the monastery," Hugo replied.
"Good to hear," Cyrill said.
"And you? Introduce yourself," Livia said, turning her attention to the middle-aged man still on his horse.
The man dismounted and walked toward Livia. He stood still before her, meeting her gaze as she looked back at him with absolute authority. The man smiled and dropped to one knee, his armor clanking as he bowed his head.
"Greetings, Queen. My name is Malcolm Laython. I am the Lord of the Mirriad region. It is an honor to meet you," Malcolm said.
"Stand up," Livia replied.
Malcolm rose and stood beside Dustin. A moment later, Valen approached with Casey riding on her back. Livia turned to look at the girl, and Casey flinched the moment their eyes met.
"Is she your sister, Valen?" Livia asked.
"Yes, Livia. This is Cassandra Rochele—just call her Casey," Valen answered, her eyes still wet with tears.
"Gr... greetings, Queen... I... I've had visions about you," Casey whispered, looking down.
"Ah, I see. It's a pleasure to meet you, Casey," Livia said with a smile.
Livia glanced at Casey's legs dangling from Valen's back, then noted Esme and Noah standing nearby. Suddenly, Livia's vision blurred. She took a sharp step back, pressing a hand to her forehead.
"Livia... are you okay?" Valen asked.
"Yeah, don't push yourself," Hugo added.
"I'm fine. We're moving out now to attack Farport. We have to help Leon. Malcolm, how many men did you bring from Mirriad?" Livia asked.
"Right now, I have 5,000 men: 3,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry," Malcolm replied.
"Good. That's enough," Livia said.
But suddenly, Livia swayed, losing her balance. Cyrill moved fast—he happened to be close—and caught her by the shoulders.
"Hey... are you alright?" Cyrill asked.
Livia looked back at Cyrill and smiled, her hand drifting to his cheek. Then she looked back at the others, who were all standing there in a daze, watching her. Only Dustin remained calm, wearing a small smile. He looked at Livia.
"Your Majesty, you should rest first. Let me lead the forces for the assault on Farport," Dustin said firmly.
"He's right, Your Majesty. I'm certain my soldiers have already pushed them back toward Farport by now," Malcolm added. He then turned to a rider behind him who looked like a general. "Direct our forces to Farport and don't stop. You're in command for now. Move out, quickly!"
"Yes, my Lord," the general replied with a bow. Without wasting a second, the general mounted his horse and galloped out of the fortress.
"Thank you, Lord Malcolm," Livia said.
"It is my pleasure to serve you, Your Majesty," Malcolm replied, bowing.
Livia looked at Dustin, then gave a small huff and glanced at Hugo and Valen.
"Fine. I'll leave it to you, Dustin, and you, Lord Malcolm. Hugo, Valen and Casey—you three should get some rest as well. We'll catch up with them once we've slept. And Cyrill... send your men to help them. You stay here with me."
"Huh? You... you knew I had men with me?" Cyrill asked, stunned.
"There are twenty of them hiding in the shadows. Send them ahead; they can move fast and stay hidden," Livia answered.
"Fair enough," Cyrill muttered. He let out a sharp whistle. About twenty shadows flickered out from the gates and vanished. Hugo, Valen, Casey, Esme, and Noah watched in awe.
"Alright, I'm heading in... Cyrill, please carry me inside," Livia said.
"Um... alright," Cyrill replied. He scooped Livia up in a princess carry. Cyrill glanced at Dustin, who nodded. Cyrill offered a small smirk in return, even though he knew Dustin couldn't see it. The two walked into the castle.
Suddenly, Casey looked at Dustin. "Dustin, let me go to Farport. My gut tells me I need to be there," Casey said.
"Very well," Dustin replied with a smile.
"Hey... Casey, what are you talking about? You're staying right here with me," Valen countered.
"No, sister. I have to go. Trust me on this," Casey insisted.
"I trust you, Casey, because I'm going too," Hugo said, reaching out his hand. "I feel refreshed. You were in my vision, and I'm sure I was in yours."
"Yes, that's right, Hugo," Casey replied, shaking his hand.
"Hey! Don't just decide things on your own!" Valen shouted turning to Hugo.
"I promise I'll protect her. You stay here, look after our Queen, and get some rest," Hugo replied.
"Huh? What do you think you're..."
Before Valen could finish, Hugo's lips were on hers. Valen went silent instantly. Casey covered her face while Dustin smiled. Malcolm just shook his head and smiling at the display of young love. After letting Valen go, Hugo turned to Dustin—the giant from his dreams. He smiled and reached out a hand. Surprisingly, Dustin shook it, though his gaze remained fixed forward.
"You've seen me in your visions too, haven't you?" Hugo asked.
"Indeed. It's a pleasure to meet you, Wolf," Dustin replied.
"Hey... the name's Hugo. Let's get moving. What do you think, Lord Malcolm?" Hugo asked.
"Hmm... I've been watching you. Are you Jasper Quintrel's boy?" Malcolm asked.
Hugo paused, staring at Malcolm. Then he smiled and reached out to shake Malcolm's hand.
"That's right. But I've never considered him my father," Hugo replied boldly.
"Fair enough. I understand. Let's move out," Malcolm said.
Hugo, Dustin, and Malcolm mounted their horses. Casey was helped up by Esme and Noah. "You two stay here, okay? Please look after sister Valen," Casey said.
"But Lady Cassandra," Esme protested.
Noah put a hand on Esme's shoulder and shook his head with a smile. "We understand, Lady Cassandra. Go and follow your destiny," Noah said.
"I will," Casey replied with a smile.
"Be careful, Casey! Hugo, you better protect her!" Valen shouted.
"Leave it to me," Hugo said with a wink.
"Fine... I'm trusting you with my sister. Once I've rested, I'm coming for you. Don't you dare die before I get there," Valen called out.
"Hahaha... of course. I'll be waiting," Hugo yelled back.
"Alright, let's go," Dustin said.
"Right behind you!" Casey added.
Without further delay, Malcolm, Dustin, Hugo, and Casey galloped out of the fortress toward Farport. Valen, Noah, and Esme watched until the gates closed.
"You better keep that promise... you damn wolf," Valen thought to herself with a smile.