The Female Knight of Doom - TFKOD 68: At the Border

The vast expanse to the east of the continent neither belonged to the nation nor was it an autonomous duchy, nor was it governed by any noble authority. When references are made to it, people tend to speak vaguely of “the East” or “the region under the God of Darkness’ domain.”

While such terminology has become commonplace, it is important to recognize that the gods themselves do not wield direct rule over territories as human nobles do.

Consequently, this eastern region has long endured a state of chaos and turmoil. To outsiders, it is often difficult to discern whether its condition is more dire than that of the southern lands, which are perpetually embroiled in conflict.

For residents who choose to dwell in the eastern region, disorder can be viewed not as a flaw but as an opportunity. Freed from the confines of strict law, many challenges that are normally arduous become remarkably straightforward. For numerous mages and necromancers accustomed to operating on the fringes of legality, adhering to strict regulations and moral boundaries often proved an insurmountable task.

In this landscape devoid of legal and moral constraints, they find a sense of ease and autonomy. However, such freedom demands a certain strength of character; without it, one risks falling prey to others seeking similar liberties, and ultimately, facing peril.

Nevertheless, not everyone dwelling in the eastern lands possesses extraordinary strength.

Although formal laws are absent, a set of customary guidelines has emerged through mutual agreement. For instance, it is generally understood that one should refrain from provoking the enigmatic crow cloaked in black robes and masks, and from resorting to violence within taverns or brothels.

These unwritten rules facilitate the coexistence of the followers of the three divine patrons of the God of Darkness, honoring their reverence while also ensuring a degree of peace and comfort for the mages residing here.

Moreover, those lacking individual might often seek refuge within larger organizations. Members of these groups bear distinctive marks and instinctively unite to support one another in times of peril, even if strangers.

Just as ants follow their own survival instincts, individuals within these factions understand that, as long as they live cautiously and avoid provoking dangerous foes, surviving in the east remains a manageable endeavor.

While the followers of the God of Darkness and his divine kin are present throughout the land, it is predominantly in the eastern regions that aspiring mages and necromancers choose to dwell. They often remark that “the kingdom under the reign of the God of Light is too luminous,” and thus they find themselves more at home amidst shadows and darkness.

For those who find this way of life incompatible, they are free to depart at any moment, as access to and from the east remains entirely unrestricted.

Nonetheless, the honorable and law-abiding citizens residing within the royal capital harbored a steadfast desire to prevent demons and monsters from the eastern lands from freely traversing their borders. Here, a sovereign and a set of laws reigned supreme; the unchecked “freedom and laxity” of the east had no place within these walls.

Fortuitously, a mighty river served as a natural boundary, effectively separating the two regions. Spanning this river was a solitary bridge, vigilantly guarded by the king’s forces. Only those who adhered to the law—residents who bore no criminal record and carried no illicit items—were permitted to cross into the royal capital.

Conversely, individuals wishing to depart from the realm and venture eastward were granted full liberty to do so; the king’s guards would neither hinder their passage nor concern themselves with inspecting for wanted persons within their ranks.

Each day, a steady flow of individuals traverses the divide between the two realms. They don black cloaks, their hoods drawn low to obscure their faces, attempting to conceal their true identities. A single pin affixed to their chests signifies their affiliation with a clandestine organization, a silent emblem of unity amidst the anonymity.

While many of those passing through appear somewhat shifty, the actual number of wanted criminals among them remains relatively small; most are ordinary merchants engaged in vital trade. They resell everyday necessities to the east and exchange select magical artifacts crafted by skilled enchanters from that region. The profits from such endeavors are substantial, making the risks well justified.

On this particular day, a traveler approached the border gate. A young knight, riding a tall, sleek black horse, sat upright with a slender, disciplined posture. He attempted to blend in, cloaked in black like the others, yet he bore no pin on his chest. Despite his efforts to imitate the common travelers heading east, there was an unmistakable difference in his presence—an aura that set him apart from the crowd.

Whenever a new figure such as this emerges on the street, passersby cannot help but cast a second glance, pondering the identity of the passenger within. Some perceive him as a formidable threat, advising caution and distance; others see him as a vulnerable, easily overpowered presence.

In truth, these perceptions are not entirely unfounded—such roles can effortlessly shift depending on his temperament and the cunning of the observer.

Today’s visitor, of course, is Alice, whose arrival continues to evoke such intriguing and contrasting impressions.

She had the king’s letter and the duchess’ crown, donned her chainmail, and filled her saddlebags with gold coins before embarking on a five-day journey from the royal capital to the eastern border gate.

Prior to her departure, her knowledge of the East was limited to what Rom had shared with her. She had prepared diligently, bringing along everything she believed might be necessary. To mitigate unforeseen circumstances along the way, she left Grumpy in the duchess’ stable within the city.

Persuading Cecilion to resume his horse form and accompany her was an easy task; despite his frequent complaints about the discomfort of being a horse, He always willingly transformed when she called upon him.

Thus, He became her steadfast and dependable steed, “Ceci,” and her unwavering protector through every perilous turn of her journey.

Alice thought she’d prepared well for the journey, but upon arriving here, she realized her preparation hadn’t been enough.

She bought a black cloak from a street vendor and threw it on, barely matching the color to the others, but other than that… she couldn’t find anything.

She rode up to the bridge and stopped, feeling everyone’s eyes on her. This made her a little nervous, but she didn’t have time to linger here any longer. She decided to ride quickly and enter the east side first.

The bridge wasn’t very wide, but there were many people crossing it.

Alice led her horse forward, and a man, also leading a horse, squeezed past her, looking like a peddler, “First time in the east?”

She regarded the man with a hint of concern, a desire to refuse lingering on her lips. Yet, she was unable to conceal her feelings.

“Ah… yes,” she replied hesitantly.

“That’s impossible. Without a guide, you’re sure to be cheated,” the peddler said kindly. “Anyone who comes to the East for the first time is cheated three times over. With a professional guide, it’s a different story. No matter where you want to go, for half a gold coin, I guarantee you a pleasant journey and accommodations in the most comfortable hotel. If you’re satisfied with me as your guide, you can give me another half a gold coin when you leave. That’s enough.”

Alice glanced at him again, “I thought you were a peddler.”

“Of course I am a peddler, but who isn’t a peddler in this world? I’m just using the information I know to make a little extra money. Anyway, wherever you go, I can sell my goods along the way, so neither of us will be delayed… What do you think?”

This guy was a good talker, and although he was a bit smooth-talking, he wasn’t too annoying. Meeting him under such circumstances, she even felt a little relieved.

The money he asked for wasn’t much, the so-called half a gold coin was actually just five silver coins, so Alice didn’t have to think too much about it.

Moreover, the service he provided was exactly what she really needed. Until now, she still didn’t know which direction to go to Flamel’s Tower.

“Well,” Alice said, “maybe I need a guide.”

“You are such a straightforward person!” The guide who looked like a peddler exclaimed loudly, “It’s an honor to deal with someone like you… From the looks of you, you came to the east to enchant your weapon, right?”

It was not surprising that people made such a guess, as Alice was carrying a huge, unenchanted greatsword on her back.

She simply went along with it, nodding, “Yes, that’s right.”

“That is proof that you are a true master,” he said, giving a thumbs-up. “All those selling enchanted weapons in this country are frauds. Mages… apart from a few decent mages around kings and lords, the rest are just magical apprentices. No decent magician ever leaves the East, ever. It’s a bit of a hassle, but if you come to the East and have your weapons enchanted, you can definitely save money. The finished product is incomparable to what you can get from the apprentice shops in this country.”

The man was eloquent and had a very interesting manner. It was easy to imagine that traveling with him would not be boring.

“Do you have any recommendations?”

“I see you’re testing me,” he chuckled. “If I had said something ridiculous, you would have immediately known I was a fraud. Of course, if you want to enchant a weapon, you have to go to a specialized mage tower. There are many mage towers in the East, the most famous of which is the Flamel Mage Tower. Everyone knows that this tower is the Temple of Mage Hearts. In addition, there’s the Violet Mage Tower and the Louie Mage Tower.

The founders of these two places are all grandmasters who broke away from the Flame Mage Tower, and the mage towers themselves have a history of hundreds of years. The magic skills in these places are superb, but their prices are so high that only great nobles like kings, princes, dukes, and marquises can afford them.”

“What about other places?”

“You’ve come to the right person. When it comes to the mage towers in the east, no one knows them better than I do,” he declared confidently, patting his chest. “There are several mage towers near the national border. While they may not rival the three renowned ones above, they have been established for over a century. Their enchantments are superb, the prices reasonable, and I guarantee you’ll be thoroughly satisfied.”

By then, they had crossed the bridge, and the crowd was dispersing in all directions. Yet, Alice continued to follow the man.

As midday arrived with warm weather, she removed her hood and ran her fingers through her hair. Her striking red hair caught the sunlight, catching the man’s attention—his face draining of color as he realized who she was.

“Oh… I wasn’t aware you were from the Flamel family! I apologize for the intrusion,” he stammered.

Without hesitation, he prepared to flee, but Alice swiftly grasped his collar, holding him firm.

“Don’t go,” she smiled, but not really. “I really need someone to guide me to Flamel Mage Tower. I ran into you, so you lead the way. Don’t worry. I’ll pay the half-gold coin I promised.”