Random Adventurer’s POV


    "Hey, everyone! Did you see that stream?!" shouted one of the adventurers, practically crashing through the front doors of the guild hall. His voice echoed, instantly grabbing everyone’s attention.


    "Yeah, you’rete, dumbass," one of mypanions replied, already d head to toe in battle-worn gear that looked built for war. His armor glinted under the dim lights, each dent and scratch telling its own story. "We’re all here, gearing up for the fight."


    "Wait, everyone’s already ready?"


    n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Right as I saw the Princess bow to us, I couldn’t sit still," he said, his voice heavy. "I grabbed my sword in the dead of night and came straight here. Didn’t expect to find so many old-timers suited up, either. But here we are." He gestured around the room, where seasoned adventurers in well-worn armor tightened straps, checked des, and shared grim nods.


    "Didn’t think this many would show," the guy who’d just walked in muttered, his eyes wide as he took in the crowd.


    "Look, we may not be this Kingdom’s model citizens. Hell, this ce is a mess—nobles treating us like shit with no punishment, corruption everywhere." Another adventurer adjusted his gear, the metal tes nking softly. "But this is still our home. My family’s here, and if I don’t fight, they’re the ones in danger." His voice grew fierce, that spark of loyalty stronger than any resentment.


    "Yeah, we’re all patriots, in our own fucked-up way. Even if the officials are assholes, thisnd’s ours," I added, my heart pounding. "I’m from Milham, after all. When I saw the Princess bow her head and ask us to take back the capital… hell, I couldn’t just sit back. My blood was boiling."


    The image of her bowing, vulnerable and asking us, hit deeper than I’d expected. It felt like her words ran through my veins, an unshakable fire that had everyone on edge.


    "I’ll be honest," anotherpanion said in a low voice, ncing around. "I’d support the Princess if she tried to im the throne. She’s the only one who deserves it."


    "Careful with talk like that; you’re gonna get yourself beheaded," I said, giving him a wry grin. "But… I’m with you on that one."


    The Princess had proven her worth over and over. She’d shown us she cared more about this kingdom and its people than anyone else. And if that bow had been an act, well, then she was a damn good actress—but I didn’t think it was. She was what the Kingdom needed.


    "Alright," I said, my voice firm, looking at the determined faces around me. "Are we all ready for this? No pay and a real chance of dying out there. So if anyone wants out, now’s the time."


    Backing out would’ve been understandable; most of us had families. I had a son and a daughter waiting at home, after all. For any of us to walk away now would bepletely fair—putting our lives on the line wasn’t something to take lightly.


    A few of the men nced at each other, but there wasn’t a single move toward the door.


    "Look, man, it’s not that ck and white," one of mypanions said, his voice rough yet full of pride. "Thisnd’s where we were born. If I have to die somewhere, I’d want it to be right here. Sure, the officials and nobles are scum—plenty of them got exposed for their filthy secrets and are finally facing justice. But that doesn’t mean I hate this country. This is ournd, passed down by ancestors who kept it safe through endless battles. We’ve been unconquerable for centuries. As their sessors, I’ll dly risk my life to protect it."


    "He’s damn right," anotherpanion said, gripping his weapon tightly. "We’re not fighting out of obligation; this is responsibility. If this ce falls, so do our families. I can’t let that happen. That’s why I’m here—to fight."


    Their conviction burned, and mine red up just as intensely. Thisnd, our homnd, pulsed in our veins. We were the living force of Milham, carrying our ancestors’ fierce legacy. We’d give everything—for country, brotherhood, and family.


    "Alright! Let’s take back the capital!" I shouted, hoisting my shield high.


    Weapons rose in unison, and our fierce shout echoed through the guild hall, igniting a powerful surge of unity. Our morale? Unbreakable.


    ***


    The streets stretched before us, eerily silent, the area deserted after the civilians had been evacuated to safety. The stillness had a weight to it, like something lurking, waiting.


    As we crossed into enemy territory, a dark wall of figures appeared ahead—people, but not quite themselves, blocking the path.


    "Shit. They really look like cultists," one of mypanions whispered, his grip tightening on his weapon as he eyed the silent crowd. "Stumbling into this out of nowhere would scare you shitless. Look at them... just standing there, quiet as the dead. It’s fucking eerie."


    "The Princess said they’re just brainwashed, right? They don’t really know what they’re doing, just mind-controlled puppets," I reminded them. "She told us to avoid using force if we can."


    "Think that’s realistic, though? It seems like if we don’t kill some of them, we won’t break through."


    It was a painful bind—innocent lives in our way, yet they were our only barrier to the za. This was going to get bloody, and it didn’t sit right. But we had to make a choice.


    "We’re getting through to the za, no matter what," I said, steeling myself. "The question is how."


    I mulled over any possible approach, but nothing seemed viable. So, I stepped forward, taking a chance on words.


    "We’re local adventurers! We have business in the za, so if you could just step aside, we’d appreciate it!" I called out, feeling a faint hope that maybe, just maybe, they’d listen.


    They didn’t. No reaction at all. Not a blink, not a twitch. They stood there, a wall of flesh and nk eyes—a wall that wasn’t going to budge.


    With a heavy sigh, I raised my sword. If they weren’t going to move, force might be the only path forward.