Chương 105: Lancelot

The weeks passed slowly as the group continued traveling farther and farther north. By now, they had firmly entered the coldest regions of the continent. During the day, the temperature barely rose above two degrees, while at night it easily dropped below freezing. Agnes walked with her cloak wrapped tightly around herself, her teeth chattering without pause. Ethan watched her for a few moments before letting out a sigh.

"Don't you dare hit me, but I have to ask. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Y-Yes…" she replied, shivering.

"Do you want my cloak?" Agnes shook her head and kept walking, as stubborn as ever. Felicity stepped closer to Ethan.

"She's stubborn…but she has a strong spirit".

"Yeah…the problem is that she doesn't realize she's still just a little girl. She wants to act like an adult".

"Well, that's normal at her age. You feel older than you really are because you want to prove something".

"I know, but her stubbornness goes beyond that of an ordinary child".

"I-I can h-hear y-you…" Agnes muttered without stopping. Leah rubbed her arms.

"How much farther until Nevorak?" Ethan paused for a moment, looking at the exhausted horses and the group, all of them worn down by the cold.

"A few more weeks". Xia crossed her arms.

"Maybe it's time to use the portals. I promised I'd avoid them, but this is an emergency. We can't risk getting sick. Do you all agree?" Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Leah nodded immediately.

"Yes, please. I was just waiting for you to suggest it". The others agreed as well. Xia opened a purple portal in front of them, and the group stepped through one after another. An instant later, they arrived in Nevorak. The freezing cold hit them with brutal force. It was even harsher than the cold they had left behind, but the air felt different, drier, more hostile. Ethan looked around.

"Good. Now we have to find that castle".

"That won't be necessary, old comrade". The voice came from behind them. They spun around. A man with short black hair and brown eyes was calmly watching them. He was tall and lean, and despite his silence, his very presence exerted an oppressive pressure. Felicity immediately placed her hands on the hilts of her swords.

"Lancelot…" Ethan murmured.

"How did you know we were here?"

"My blade reacts to anomalous powers", he replied.

"It darkens whenever something unnatural draws near". Xia looked at him.

"So you stopped time to reach us and catch us by surprise?" Lancelot gave a faint smile.

"They know about my sword's powers, Ethan. I thought that was a secret between us".

"I'm sorry, my friend, but they need the Legendary Swords. They've already taken mine".

"So you joined them to take mine as well?" Ethan remained silent. Lancelot looked over the group with curiosity.

"Tell me, Ethan…how did a commander of the Golden Knights like you end up surrounded by all these women and a little girl? Don't tell me you've built yourself a personal harem". Felicity tightened her grip on her sword hilts.

"I don't care if he's your friend. One more word and I'll slit his throat". Lancelot raised his hands with a smile.

"Easy, swordswoman. I was joking". The expression on his face turned serious again.

"Do you really want my sword?"

"Yes", Ethan answered without hesitation.

"Please. Hand it over and there'll be no need to fight". Lancelot lowered his gaze to his blade.

"You're asking too much, my friend. This sword is everything to me. Without it, I would have died countless times on the battlefield. You know that…I told you those things because I thought we were friends".

"We are. And that's exactly why I don't want to see you get hurt. Give us the sword and don't force us to fight". Lancelot let out a sigh and slowly drew his blade.

"I'm afraid there's no other choice". Xia cast a quick glance at Leah.

"Give me your blue bracelet".

"Why?" Leah asked, confused.

"Just do it. Please". Leah slipped it off and handed it to her. Xia put it on, then leaped high into the air, soaring dozens of meters upward. Numerous spheres of purple energy formed in her hands, and without hesitation, she hurled them at Lancelot. The explosion was devastating. Lancelot sighed, then slowly drew his blade.

"I'm afraid there's no other choice". Xia lowered her gaze to her wrist, and her blood ran cold. The blue bracelet was gone.

"His sword…" she thought, her heart beginning to race.

"It doesn't just stop time…it can also rewind it". With a quick spell, she traced the number 1 near her wrist.