章 32: Changing viewpoints

In a small campsite just after the fight was an unconscious Key resting on the ground near a smokeless fire. He also wasn't the only occupant by the giant burning leaves. A young woman and old man sat across from each other on steel looking cushions.

The old man looked at the young woman while trying to collect how he would bring up his question. "Go ahead and speak. Your always nagging and questioning my decisions anyway." Listening to the command, the old man nodded.

"Your Highness, are you sure this is wise? His Majesty, will not approve." It was best to remind her before she did something unredeemable. "Hah! What would you know? Your eyes are terrible. This new slave will be better than the rest in a few years." She was undeterred by the reminder.

Although he was weak, the young woman could see the potential for greatness. "Your Highness, while the feat was indeed impressive, the potential and ability to become titled are not easy for f-" The old man was quickly cut off by the young woman.

"Creaz! You better hold your tongue! None of my slaves are to be called filth. Even if he is a savage from Green Grass Field, I am still his master. My royal family does not possess filth." Seeing the sharp glare coming his way, Creaz immediately bowed his head.

"I apologize your Highness! I will not speak such words regarding this savage again." The glare did not lessen. "The savage cannot be made an official slave here your Highness. The materials for the proper procedure is left in the palace under his Majesty's care."

Before the two could continue, Key made a sound to show that he was waking up. "The medicine your Highness." Creaz panicked. "Oh shut up! I know already!"

...

Lake Calm Leaves. A place with giant leaves covering the surface of a still body of water. It's size, as big as an ocean. Occasionally, the leaves from a tree preparing for cold temperatures could be seen landing on the top.

Sitting on one of the giant leaves, was a group of three people as one of them rowed the leaf boat with a steel rod. Two days. With a view facing the sky, Key had been travel with the pair for two days. This left him feeling two things on his mind right now. Peaceful and strange.

The peaceful came because the season suddenly changed from summer to a gentle breeze of autumn while he could see the full sky without grass to block parts of his view.

Then was the strangeness of his situation. He had learned that the young woman beside him was called Ethia. A fair-skinned lady that brought to mind 'bombshell.' Whether it was her choice of clothes, features, or personality, it left the impression of hot and smoking.

Just the clothes worn by Ethia and the old man showed that the area their group of students chanced upon, was probably the most uncivilized place to live. That was not the end of the strangeness.

At first, when he had come to, he had thought that he miss heard the young woman proclaiming her love to him. But after experiencing the sweet way she would talk when addressing him compare to the old man, he now knew better. The girl was head over heels in love and hard.

After all, why else would she keep flirting with him?

Naturally, he wasn't thrilled by her clinginess. He called it this but, she never physically touched him. Instead, no matter where he stood, she would always stand close.

Annoying!

"Key! We have discussed many things, but you keep putting off your reply to my proposal. Do you wish to spend your life with me? I will never mistreat you! I am even known for my great care. You may ask anyone." He did not glance at her.

"That's not it. I am just worried about my people. I need to visit the great tribe Tiger Fang as quickly as possible." How many times did he have to keep telling her this?

Truthfully, he wanted to tell her off since he didn't have time to waste babysitting a spoiled princess. However, the Queen was already enough, of a potent threat. If he ended up offending another kingdom because a princess couldn't take being rejected, his village would truly be finished.

There were a few times where he thought about trying to win her over or agreeing since that would be the simplest way to solve his crisis, but decided against it because he didn't like the whole playing around with a young girl's feelings.

Next, was her identity. His biggest hope was for her to be a princess in name but lacked the real status that came of it like being the daughter of a great tribe. Sadly, despite her being in close distance of the Tiger Fang great tribe, his intuition said otherwise.

And with the experiencing of his death battle, it let him see that going with complete reasoning while ignoring his instincts, was suicidal. She was definitely a princess from the ruling kingdom.

Even more of a problem, the pair was stronger than him and by a long shot. The old man named Creaz could create steel from thin air and manipulate it any way he wanted.

Just the bloody areas that would rise a small distance from the leaf boat showed the item in his hand was more than a boat roller. He was finally able to see more of the world and the impression of his own view.

Naive!

His eyes were farther opened to how naive he had been so far. The dangers of the land, the distance of crossing over the border, and the Queen's true strength.

"We are here." Creaz informed them. Looking in the direction that was signaled, there was an island surrounded by floating leaves. Not a single shred of grass could be seen.

Key stood up as he made his way off the boat. His goal was no longer to make an alliance. The Queen was too strong for that. Instead, he would learn the secrets to establishing an unbreakable defense.

The scholars in his village believed the great tribe was stationed near the border because it was too weak compared to the others to live and travel closer inside the kingdom. This was not so.

The reason for his change of goal and why the great tribe lived in such a place was the same. They had gained control of an absolute defense that could deter a kingdom.

A Divine Door.