The knight's destiny

Episode 2

Standing tall at 180 cm, Luragorn carried a deer that was ready to be skinned and cooked. The messy black hair and his rather dirty clothes became proof that he fought hard to get a game animal. The long-sleeved white tunic Luragorn wore became tangled in the wrist, as well as some ground stains on his chest.

Even with a longsword on his back, Luragorn seemed to be no different from ordinary citizens. The face with the chin is not too wide, looks quite in harmony with the muscles of his body that are shaped.

His leather boots stepped into an old hut that had been abandoned for a long time. There was hardly any sound at the moment when Luragorn set foot on Lithia.

The six-square-meter hut contains a broken mattress and some other home furnishings that look quite dusty. In each corner of the house can be seen several spider webs twisted and scattered.

Luragorn walked into the kitchen to meet Lithia who was preparing dinner. A savory aroma wafted as this man approached the kitchen door. A hot cauldron contained a rather thick potato and carrot soup with a small cut rabbit meat stew.

In front of the cauldron, stood a red-haired woman who was holding a soup spoon. His white face was flushed red due to the hot temperature of the burning cauldron, making sweat come out of the pores and slightly wetting the brown kirtle collar he was wearing.

Lithia which is 165 cm tall can be said to be quite short if it is next to Luragorn. His slightly thin lips blew the fireplace to raise the fire under the cauldron. The delicate hand rubbed a slightly sweaty face, revealing just how hot the temperature of the fireplace was when Lithia cooked.

Luragorn stepped into the kitchen and started talking about his catch today.

“Princess Lithia, where should I put this meat? Are we going to burn it as usual? Because I saw you put rabbit meat in dinner soup.”

Luragorn asked without pause with a flat face while holding a deer in his right hand. Lithia heard the familiar voice, turned around and smiled widely with a radiant face.

“Welcome, you've–,” Lithia's face instantly changed at the sight of Luragorn's feet.

Luragorn followed Lithia's gaze and was silent for a moment thinking about her actions.

“Lura! Why don't you take off your shoes?!” snapped Lithia while brandishing the soup spoon towards Luragorn's face.

“Ah .. yes ... hmn .. after all no one lives and also maybe tomorrow we will move again, so ...”

“Lease! Off! Off! Release!” lithia snapped while lashing her soup spoon into Luragorn's chest.

“Alright, all right, I'm off. Anyway where should I put this deer?”

“Put it there,” point Lithia towards the big wooden bucket at the corner of the kitchen.

Luragorn put the venison to the designated spot and immediately took off his shoes. With a slight sigh, Luragorn took a chair and sat down near Lithia.

The black-colored round eyes of the white-tuned man began to close slowly. Fatigue from the previous hunt, made his body ask for a break. Drowsiness pulled him into the dreamland and made Luragorn fall asleep in a sitting position.

Lithia who was temporarily cooking was instantly speechless after seeing Luragorn's sleeping face. A thin smile streaked as he looked at the man who was always beside him. Lithia then continued her cooking process with a feeling of joy.

***

After some time, the soup Lithia cooked was finally finished followed by the venison that had been skewered and made into roast meat. The fragrant aroma tickling her nose made Lithia impatient to eat it, but it was a pity that there was one thing she had to do.

This red-haired woman immediately picked up a small wooden bucket filled with warm water. He stood in front of Luragorn who was asleep in the chair earlier.

“PRINCESS!” luragorn's eyes opened quickly and the sword was pulled from its sheath.

Luragorn was silent for a moment as his sword-eye pointed towards Lithia who was lifting a bucket of water. The almond-shaped and ruby-red eyes hypnotized Luragorn, stopping his movements instantly with a stunned feeling at Lithia's gaze leading to him. The two of them just stared at each other for a few moments without making any movement.

Not long after that Luragorn instantly regained his senses, then retreated and distanced his sword while bowing apologetically. The dream he had just had made this man reflexively do what he had to do without realizing that he was attacking the person he was supposed to protect.

“I'm sorry princess, I didn't mean.”

“What do I do? Attacking princess Lithia?”inner Luragorn

“No, it's okay. I was wrong, hehe ..”

“What was that? Too soon. My body didn't have time to react, Lithia's inner”.

Luragorn was showered with regret at the thought of what he had just tried to do. After which he looked towards Lithia who was still lifting the bucket of water in her hand.

“For what bucket, Princess?” ask Luragorn

“Ember water?”

“Oh this ... used water cooking, I want to throw this water.”

“Fuck again,” Inner Lithia

“Already, eat first. See what I made today.”

Lithia picked up the plate while Luragorn was glued staring at the food presented in front of her. The somewhat sweet spicy aroma of the thick soup and the piercing aroma of the roasted venison, made Luragorn swallow the saliva.

Lithia gave Luragorn a bowl of soup and a plate of venison, but the man did not move at all. Lithia was somewhat astonished to see Luragorn who was just silently staring at her food while holding back the rumbling of a fairly loud stomach.

“Please, Princess Lithia who should eat first,” said Luragorn with a serious look.

“Pfthh ..., hahaha, don't be too stiff. You can't be joked.”

Lithia immediately scooped up her soup and aimed at Luragorn's mouth.

“Say a~,” says Lithia.

“It is not a good etiquette, Princess Lithia already bothered cooking, Princess who has to taste first.”

“But you're looking for the deer, which means you should try first.”

“Can't, Princess is priority.”

“This order.”

Luragorn could not reply to those words. Given his current position as a subordinate, Luragorn had no choice but to take orders from Lithia. He also received the bribe with a bit of a heavy feeling because he was the first to taste the food.

“Well, now satisfied? Continue to eat, free if you cook and do not eat,” said Lithia with a satisfied smile.

Luragorn looked like he was looking at that smile. Lithia ate her soup and calmed down while Luragorn still stared at the woman in front of her. This man could not explain the feelings that were plaguing him right now. He was only a guard and guard, but a feeling of happiness arose after seeing the smile from Lithia. He did not know what it was, but one thing that was certain was what was in front of him at this moment.

“Why not continue? The food will be cold,” said Lithia.

“I want to stay by your side and keep you smiling, Princess Lithia,” Luragorn said with a serious look.

“Haha, of course. You're my only knight. If you disappear, you can be serious,” reply Lithia with a laugh.

Lithia could not help but laugh when she heard such an unnecessary sentence. Luragorn is the only knight this red-haired princess has. After the day that he lost his family, Luragorn was the one who accompanied him until now.

Although it was an undisputed fact, but this princess was unable to look at the man who looked at her so seriously. Lithia simply lowered her head and continued eating it with a slight smile on her face.

“Of course ...,” Lithia mutters slowly.

Occasionally he glanced at Luragorn with a slight blush. When Luragorn returned her gaze, the woman immediately turned her gaze towards the bowl of soup in front of her right now.

“Of course ... You should be next to me,” continued Lithia muttering as she ate her soup while glancing slightly at the man who was eating voraciously.

“Thank you,” muttered Lithia.

The two ate voraciously and the day passed once again in peace as usual.

***

A bright full night illuminated everything below. There were only a few thin clouds walking slowly through the dark horizon.

An old hut was clearly visible when the moonlight hit it. Inside the hut were two people who were resting peacefully.

It was so quiet, even too quiet that not a single voice could be heard. Suddenly Luragorn opened his eyes and held the handle of his sword. From the beginning, Luragorn did not fall asleep because he knew that he was with someone whose life was always threatened.

“It seems not just a rumor, that the damned princess has a great bodyguard.”

The mysterious voice made Luragorn wary and pay attention to the surroundings. There was not a single one in sight, but he could feel the killing intent piercing his back.

“Cursed princess? What is he talking about?” inner Luragorn.

“It looks like it will be a tough job,” the mysterious voice is heard back.

Something thrown at Lithia made Luragorn jump and block the object that was pointing at Lithia. In the darkness of the night, only the moonlight became the light for Luragorn. A blade shot towards Lithia's head which made this man reflexively aim his sword to fend off the blade.

Just as Luragorn was ready to withstand the oncoming attack, the blade was suddenly drawn backwards. Although only a glance, Luragorn could see a thin thread tied in the handle of the knife earlier.

His shock disappeared instantly when he realized three small knives stuck in his right rib and three more in the thigh. Luragorn knelt with his right knee touching the floor. The pain is felt from the point of the wound that continues to bleed little by little.

A person from the darkness shot towards Luragorn, Luragorn raised his sword and charged forward towards the person.

The moonlight showed that figure. An orange furry fox beastman with a brown tunic and a small knife that surrounded his body.

The human body of a fox with human clothes. A fox-shaped head with a somewhat long orange fur enveloped, becoming the figure Luragorn will be fighting this time around.

Without needing to think any further, Luragorn directly swung his sword towards the beastman.

The beastman swerved in the air avoiding the incoming slash, then threw several small blades towards Lithia. Once again Luragorn reacted, but it was just another thread trap. The small blade was attracted at the moment when Luragorn's sword was in front of Lithia, letting Luragorn stand defenseless.

The beastman unsheathed a knife into Luragorn's face, unfortunately in the final seconds, this short black-haired man saw the attack coming and then dodged the blade. The attack of the fox beastman only scratched Luragorn's cheek and made the beastman surprised at the reflexes of the man he was fighting.

Luragorn did not waste the opportunity and clenched his hands. A powerful punch went straight towards the beastman's stomach.

The beastman immediately gasped then felt a tightness and his gaze became blurred. A powerful attack threw the fox beastman away. The beastman who was still conscious just instantly fixed his position in the air and landed perfectly without a sound. The beastman felt bleeding inside his body until occasionally he coughed small with blood coming out.

“Who is this guy? Ability terrifying. His reflexes were fast and his strength was great,” inner fox beastman.

Luragorn wiped the blood on his face and put on a defensive position. Knives on his ribs and thighs were immediately removed so as not to interfere with movement, allowing blood to pour out rather quickly from his wound.

“It would be impossible to kill that princess if there was her. He is the biggest obstacle. I have to kill him first,” the inner beastman.

“This time beastman? Maybe they were tired of sending royal soldiers and decided to hire a real killer. But ...,” Inner Luragorn who then solidifies the position and focuses his gaze, “Beastman is dangerous.”

Luragorn stretched his body slightly and spread his horses.

*SUTE!

A knife was suddenly in front of Luragorn's face. This time it was not a thread trick, but a direct attack. Luragorn swiftly dodged and his eyes reflexively followed the direction of the blade.

The knife shot past Luragorn and into the wall. By the time Luragorn's eyes returned to his position, the beastman had floated before him and prepared to slash with his knife.

Luragorn dodged once again though a little late and finally the knife stuck in his left shoulder. Luragorn drew his sword towards the beastman's head, but this time it was faster than before that the beastman could not dodge completely.

The beastman's ear was scratched by the sword's thrust which apparently did not stop the next attack. Although somewhat surprised but the beastman kept moving because he was waiting for an opportunity where Luragorn's defense was open. He pulled out a jagged dagger of his and tried to stab Luragorn in the head. From such a close distance, it was impossible to dodge any longer, even by Luragorn who had quick reflexes.

Luragorn took off his sword which floated in the air and swiftly grasped the beastman's body using his left hand. The beastman was surprised then realized that a fist was pointing at him.

The beastman aimed his dagger at Luragorn's punch. The dagger pierced through Luragorn's fist and stopped the blow. Blood spurted profusely, but Luragorn did not run out of ideas, Luragorn pulled the beastman down and pointed his knees towards the beastman.

Knee attacks made the beastman vomit blood and make it fall sprawled on the floor. Luragorn did not stop there and took his sword that was about to fall on the floor. The big-switched man instantly slashed towards the beastman with all his might.

Luragorn slashed through the black smoke which then scattered all over the view. This big-switched man headed straight towards Lithia and made a pose ready for attack.

Luragorn kept watching around waiting for the impending attack. The black smoke slowly faded and he no longer felt the beastman's existence.

***

“That guy is really dangerous. Slowly for a second, I must be dead,” said the beastman who stared at the hut where Lithia was.

At a distance of 500 meters, a beastman grimaced in pain from the internal organ wounds he received. He sat on a tree branch trying to breathe normally.

“The question ... how should I report this?” the coughed beastman muttered out blood.

***

The smoke had gone and Lithia remained asleep in her sleep. Luragorn covered the wounds with a clean cloth that he had washed before. After he finished giving first aid to his wound, Luragorn went straight to Lithia's place and tried to wake her up.

“Princess Lithia ...,” says Luragorn.

“Not~ Ah~ Don't be there~” Lithia delirious while sighing loudly.

Luragorn immediately panicked and thought that in the dream, Lithia was being molested by someone. As her protector, it was only natural for Luragorn to help Lithia out of the matter.

“Princess Lithia! Wake up! It was just a dream!” luragorn shouted to wake Lithia from the nightmare.

“Ah~ Lura~” Lithia sigh getting louder

“Princess Lithia. Wake up. It was just a dream,” said Luragorn with a flat face and a blank look and a slightly limp tone.

Not long after, Lithia immediately woke up staring at Luragorn and was shocked.

“KYA! Isn't that enough?! As a bodyguard, you are not very polite!” lithia shouted while pulling her blanket trying to cover her chest.

Lithia suddenly realized that it was a dream and she had just shouted like that to Luragorn. His face flushed with embarrassment and he immediately covered himself.

“What is enough? What have I done?” inner Luragorn with his flat expression.

“Princess Lithia, there's something I want to talk about.”

“No! Don't ask!”

“Not that, it's about the one that just happened.”

“It was just a dream! I don't know what happened!”

“Tonight, now.”

“No! Don't!”

“We have to move.”

Suddenly silence enshrouded after the sentence was uttered by Luragorn. The two of them only paused for a moment and did not say any words for a moment.

“Lura. Can you wait 20 minutes outside?” asked Lithia in a flat tone.

“Alright, Princess Lithia.”

Luragorn walked out of the hut while holding his longsword, keeping watch for a possible follow-up attack. Standing gazing at the starry clear sky, Luragorn exhaled a bit long then sheathed back his sword.