In a dense forest, animals and monsters ran and hid at the sound of the wind tearing above their heads.
Passing over the treetops with a muffled roar, an immense red dragon cut through the air at extremely high speed, its enormous wings carving trails of turbulence in the sky.
It was an unusual sight in Milis — red dragons, by nature and territory, lived exclusively on the Central Continent. That, however, had changed recently.
Soldiers and commanders of the Sacred Country had learned to dread this vision in their territory. Not only because of the creature's destructive power, but because they knew who rode it: Eris Adoldia, the Red Lioness.
A Dragon Knight, a Sword King, and, moreover, one of the wives of the current Sixth World Power — Rygar Adoldia.
As usual, she rode Ezkalor with mastery, her body slightly inclined, knees firm in the metal-and-leather saddle positioned on the dragon, her gaze as sharp as a blade slicing through the landscape below.
Her vibrant red hair was tied in a high ponytail, whipping furiously in the wind.
Her eyes, the same blazing crimson hue, scanned the green expanse of the forest below, always alert, always calculating.
The armor she wore was black and gleaming, made of a lightweight, resilient alloy forged especially for her.
It was snug, yet did not restrict her movements — a requirement of the Sword God Style, which valued mobility and speed above all else. Across her shoulders she still bore the traditional cloak of the Sword Sanctuary, fluttering in the wind.
Her blades, hanging at her waist, remained silent — for now — like predators lying in wait, anticipating the next battle.
The aura surrounding the swordswoman was intense and dangerous, like the heat of a bonfire about to become an explosion.
To stand before her was to face a magnificent, proud beast, a creature shaped by battle.
She had been joining this war for some time now. It was her first, but any minimally observant onlooker would know that Eris had adapted quickly and alarmingly.
Flying on Ezkalor, she crossed Milis, destroying armies, pursuing and annihilating platoons with efficiency and ferocity.
Some enemies had distinguished themselves — powerful mages, titled swordsmen, strategists ambushing the routes she passed through. But none had managed to defeat her.
On one occasion, she needed to use a magic circle that Rygar had left with her, containing a Barrier of Saint level.
She remembered vividly how the mana was drained from her body in an instant, to the point of dizziness and weakness — almost like in her first magic training sessions with Rygar.
But the barrier served its purpose: it prevented her from being surrounded by the ambush.
She survived. She withdrew, recovered, and returned like a storm, annihilating all who had dared to attack her.
She spent time with the Iron Legion's Fourth Division at one point, commanded by Demon King Gretta. The opposition had been fierce — especially because of one man: the Silver Heart Knight.
The General of Milis who proved especially dangerous, skillful, and hard to kill.
Still, the combined strength of Gretta and Eris pushed the stationed army in that region back, capturing position after position, undermining the enemy's morale, even without being able to eliminate the General.
Eris had fought countless other battles since then. Skirmishes on the borders of villages, defenses of conquered fortresses, attacks on fortified camps.
It was the perfect opportunity to put into practice everything she had learned throughout her life: from Ghislaine, her master; from Rygar, her companion and eternal challenge; from Auber, the treacherous North Emperor; and from Gall Farion, whose name still echoed as a legend in his style.
She was happy. Satisfied. Fulfilling her role with an infinite sense of freedom and glory.
If there was a single complaint, it was that she had not yet reunited with him. Since she had departed with Ezkalor for this campaign, she had not seen Rygar.
She knew he was in Milis; she knew he was winning his own brutal battles, but they always seemed to miss each other. She had arrived in the Third Division and he had already left there.
She rejoined the Fourth Division and he was with the Second. It was frustrating, but also… exhilarating.
Both were playing the same role in this war, though on slightly different scales. But she knew that the moment they would meet would eventually come.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she spotted ahead a large clearing opening between the forest's green mass; from it she could see a road winding through the woods.
She narrowed her eyes, banishing all mental distractions. Today, she had a special mission.
Eris's mission was something Rygar had emphasized before the war. It concerned House Latreia — more specifically, Zenith and Norn Latreia, or Greyrat.
Eris did not know exactly what the difference between the two surnames was, but she did not care much. Or did she? After all, she still liked to be called Adoldia… so perhaps the names did matter. Probably?
Reflecting briefly on this, she shook off again the random thoughts and focused on the present. She ordered Ezkalor to wait there.
The dragon did not even respond; it simply lay down beneath a large stone and began to sleep almost immediately.
Lazy as ever.
Eris was now relatively close to Milis. The information she had came from a Legion spy, infiltrated in the last enemy troop she had massacred.
There was a password to verify this kind of identity, and although the paper on which she had written the password was crumpled and almost illegible, she managed to confirm that the man was indeed an ally.
The spy was trembling and nearly fainting before Eris's intimidating presence, praying she could read the password correctly.
Still, he revealed something important: Zenith Latreia, along with her daughter Norn, were leaving Milis.
Accompanied by a group of seven people, including some knights, they had narrowly avoided the Legion's front lines, precisely because they were few in number.
Their plan was to reach West Port and embark for the Dragon King's Realm, traversing hostile territory.
It was a rather dangerous idea — and Eris knew it.
Rygar had made it clear: Zenith and Norn must be kept alive, at all costs. Lilia would already be upset to learn of Paul's death, but would be even more devastated if something happened to them as well.
The order extended to all the Legion's principal leaders.
Indeed, Ghislaine had also requested that they take care of Zenith if they encountered her — although, in theory, that should only happen once they reached Milishion.
After all, House Latreia resided in Milishion's noble district.
But now that she had left the capital, the situation was different. And since Eris was very close to their current location, she decided to pursue them immediately to 'rescue them.'
Alert to her surroundings, Eris advanced through the forest with quick steps, keen eyes, hand on the sword's hilt.
Rygar used to say she was somewhat intense, prone to falling into traps by acting without thinking.
And he taught her something simple yet effective: if you are ambushed, run first — understand who you're dealing with, and only then decide whether to fight or continue fleeing.
That dogma had proven useful throughout the war, and now guided each of Eris's steps in that hunt.
She followed the carriage's tracks nimbly, her footsteps muffled by the forest leaves. Until she finally found it.
At a distance, through the gap between the trees, she spotted a carriage. Driven by a knight and guarded by four more riders, it moved slowly along the road.
---
Unaware of what was stalking them, the small detachment of House Latreia traveled on in peace.
Ahead, leading the group with a serious expression, rode Edgar Latreia, the firstborn of the house.
An Advanced-level warrior in Water God Style and Sword God Style, Edgar was also a platoon leader in the Order of the Temple.
He rode with impeccable posture, eyes attentive but not paranoid — perhaps he should have been.
Beside him rode Therese Latreia, his middle sister, her face tense yet determined. Two common soldiers completed the escort.
Inside the carriage were Zenith and her youngest daughter, Norn.
Zenith kept her gaze fixed on the girl, with veiled sadness and resentment; meanwhile Norn huffed with arms crossed, peering out the window and puffing up her cheeks like a sulky child.
The mission, contrary to what everyone believed, was not just to escort mother and daughter. It was also a plan by Carlyte Latreia, patriarch of the house, to protect his combatant daughters from the possible fall of Milis.
Therese was a capable warrior and a high-ranking Commander, so obviously she would also fight against the Beast God's eventual invasion of the Sacred City.
The younger daughters — Saula and Anise — stayed behind. After all, even remaining in Milishion, they would be spared by the Legion, both for not fighting and because they were children.
Claire Latreia, the matriarch, disapproved but lacked the power to change the decision.
Carlyte did not want to seem overly pessimistic about Milis's chances; sending his entire family away would be like announcing that he was abandoning ship.
Suddenly, a metallic clang cut through the air. A dry, metallic sound. Before anyone could react, two knights were already on the ground.
The figure that attacked them moved with panther-like agility: hair of flaming red, fierce eyes, and a penetrating aura. Eris had arrived.
Fighting only with her fists — which were protected by tight, gleaming black steel gauntlets — she knocked out two of the knights in the blink of an eye.
A punch to the stomach, another to the chin, and they were out of combat, thrown from their horses.
Edgar drew his sword, leapt from his horse, moving with impressive speed, and using the Longsword of Silence, but Eris barely dodged, used his momentum to land a punch on his trachea, cutting off his breath.
Edgar staggered back only to be struck by a spinning kick to the helmet, which sent him crashing into a tree.
The coachman raised his hands, trembling like a green twig, eyes wide open. He said not a word. The horses were restless.
Therese positioned herself in front of the carriage, trying to hide her fear behind a façade of bravery. Eris smiled with bared teeth — a ferocious, excited smile — and the young Latreia stepped back, sweating profusely.
Eris sighed. She looked at the unconscious Edgar and murmured:
"Divine power is rich and nourishing. It offers the strength to rise again to those who have lost their strength. Healing."
A faint magical glow enveloped Edgar's neck, and his trachea, previously half-broken, returned to normal — although he remained unconscious. Eris then turned to the carriage and shouted:
"Zenith Greyrat…! Or Latreia! I am Eris, wife of Rygar Adoldia! Come out and tell me who your family here is, or I will simply kill you all!"
After a pause, the carriage door slowly opened. Therese tried to intervene, but Zenith silenced her with a gesture. Poised with noble bearing, she stepped out of the carriage and bowed respectfully:
"Eris Adoldia… it is an honor to meet you."
She raised her eyes, tense and cautious:
"If I may ask, why did you block our path? And why did you not kill us immediately…? You're not planning to use me as a hostage to lure my son, are you?"
Therese stood agape. The hypothesis, however terrible, made sense. Rudeus was an enemy of the Iron Legion and was currently on the other side of the world. Why else would the Red Lioness of the Iron Legion spare them?
Eris frowned, confused:
"What? Son…? Ah! The Glass Cannon! Don't worry, I don't need any hostage to kill your son!"
She shook her head as if the idea were absurd:
"I am rescuing you because of your… ah — friend? It's because of Lilia! And also because of Ghislaine! Rygar ended up killing your husband Paul by mistake, so he wants to keep you alive, at least!"
Zenith was shocked. Therese was shocked. The coachman seemed to be witnessing the best drama of his life. Zenith finally stammered:
"You… knew Lilia…? You knew Aisha…?"
Eris raised her chin proudly:
"Of course! Aisha is Rygar's disciple! Didn't you know?"
More looks of astonishment.
Eris then asked who among them was part of Zenith's family. Upon hearing that Edgar and Therese were her siblings, she shrugged, walked over to the two remaining soldiers — and killed them without ceremony.
She took Edgar's body to his horse and placed it carelessly, as if it were a particularly valuable sack of potatoes.
She completely ignored the poor coachman, who was seriously considering a career change.
When Edgar woke and realized he had been kidnapped, he was furious.
"This is an outrage! I want to return! I'd rather die defending my home! I am a warrior!"
Eris raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious, and replied:
"So you want to die fighting the Legion? I can kill you right now if that's what you want…"
She reached for her sword's hilt.
Edgar turned pale instantly. His mouth opened, but no words came out. Zenith disguised her brother's embarrassment with a weary sigh.
And so, simply and directly, the three eldest children of House Latreia — and the daughter of one of them — were kidnapped by the Red Lioness of the Iron Legion.
Without significant resistance. No additional drama. Just another day of war for Eris Adoldia.
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