Disclaimer: Shokugeki no Soma is owned by Tsukuda Yuuto. I do not own any of the characters mentioned here.
It's really cold outside today. I'm fully aware of it, of course, the frostbite crawling its way through my arms and is giving me the 'chills'. I know that walking in the middle of a snowstorm is not a good idea but if you are in need of money, you'll tread high and low, far and near just to grab one. What's more, I'm travelling inside the Kilian Forest; a place that is known for its stupid ghost stories. My breath is ragging as I try to warm both of my gloved hands. I can literally see my breath as I did so. I really need to move fast if I don't want to get buried '6 feet under the snow'.
After a few hours of endless walking, I saw the soft and warming light of my destination. You can say that this is the welcoming place where travelers and warriors such as me could stay. It filled my cold soul with glistening warmth. Wading through the pile of snow, my consciousness is starting to give up. Nevertheless, my senses are screaming that I must continue or else, I'll be a freezing corpse.
A powerful gust of the wind and herald burst through as I arrived at the door. I gave a few stomps to remove the snow in my clothes. There are others like me in the area, mercenaries or thugs as one might call. They only stare at me with cautious eyes but when I took off my hood, they all continue to their usual rants as if not giving a care to the world.
"The last customer has finally arrived." I glanced at my left side and was greeted by the owner of the inn. You could say that we know each other and we have shared many warm drinks whenever I'm staying here for winter.
"It's always nice to see you, Rossi."
"You too, young man. I was afraid that you'll never make it this year." he only smiled to me as I removed the rest of my gear.
"Money does not grow on the ground. If I want to live and survived, I'm going to need money." I patted away the snow on my chest plate, I gingerly put my sword on the floor.
"You think that you're going to win this year, eh?" I only grinned at him and eyed my sword.
"I'm going to do my best." Rossi only nodded at me as he served the hot cocoa in front of me. "Is my room ready for tonight?"
"Aye... Room 303 is especially reserved for you. These mercenaries and thugs must not start any kind of ruckus. I had enough cleaning blood stains on my floor."
I only smiled at him and prayed that wouldn't happen. Rossi might be a nice person but if anyone messes in his family or inn, you can see him in his ugliest form. I picked up my discarded equipment, grab the silver key, and galloped in the stairs to the room itself.
The room is dark and cold... something that I'm accustomed to. I only threw my things on the floor and search for my satchel. The fireplace is cold, I struck the two flint stones that I found, and the sparks caught the firewood. I blew a few shallow breaths of air on to the embers and the dancing flames started. I only stare at the fire and hold out my almost numbed hands on the fireplace.
The noises downstairs broke my reverie as Rossi's booming voice echoed throughout the inn. The rowdy thugs might have started another fight and the owner of the inn is now ready to give them a lecture that they will never forget. My eyes are starting to get heavy as I clean my armor. The annual sword fighting competition that is held every year in the kingdom of Kilian, this is a big event throughout the continent. The Queen herself might be a judge this year too.
I lay my head on the pillow. I don't know why I'm still doing this actually. I think my life is already a mess, a human that has no purpose or whatnot and has been scarred since he was a kid. I've seen people killing each other as if it's their lives were nothing. The rules are simple: The weak and meek has no place around here. Such stupidity, not all humans are created equal. Some are born rich, beautiful and had good looks. I only scoffed at the thought of it.
Before I knew it, my ears are now ringing. The chirping of the birds outside, it's already morning but the snow is still thick. I sluggishly move my aching body and my muscles are screaming to lie still on the bed. The capital is still far off so I need to be up this early. I put on my gear and strap my sword on my belt. Come to think of it, is my sword retains its sharpness after all of that climbing and hacking its tip on the branches. That's it, my first order of business on the capital is to find a blacksmith.
Rossi was not in the counter. I only put out what's left in my pockets and put the satchel behind the counter. Good old, Rossi will surely notice it once he wakes up. I immediately put on my gloves and put my hood on as I trek outside.
The sound of my boots on the fallen snow is all that I could hear. At least, there are no accompanying winds through it. To whatever deity that is controlling this weather, stop this winter for goodness sake. I mean, winter is one of my most hated seasons in the year with summer next to it. I released the breath that I've been holding back and trudge to the snow.
Within a few hours, I could finally see my destination. The Kingdom of Kilian in the horizon, a bustling trade post where all of the traders and merchants meet. The castle is also looming on it, man... if only I could stay in one of those rooms. It will be a dream come true! Unfortunately, the Queen will not approve of it.
"Protect the Queen at all costs!"
What's that noise? Without even noticing it, I jumped from my location and hide myself in the bushes. A pack of six menacing looking men surrounds what seems to be a royal carriage. A group of guards sporting the uniforms of the Kilian Royal Guards. The situation is bad on whatever angle you look at. I live in my own code and that is: never get myself involved in anything that is dangerous.
The carriage doors burst open and a red figure stumbled on the ground.
"Man, to think that we are going to hit big-time with this."
"Heh, not so tough now aren't you, Your Highness!?"
The two removed the hood and I saw it, long honey blonde hair that reaches down her waist and a face that many men would adore. There is no mistaking it, that's Lady Erina, Queen of the Kilian Kingdom. I have two options now: just let those suckers do whatever they want to the Queen and be on my way or...
Ahhh... who am I kidding! The right thing to do now is to help the Queen obviously. Nevertheless, six against one? That's unfair and there is a risk that they might do something to her. All right, time to apply what my teacher taught me.
"Trace, on!"
Reinforcement is a spell that allows me to push something that is basic to its utmost limit. By pouring some of my od on an object, in this case, my sword, I could make this more durable and enhance its sharpness. Wasting no time, I immediately leaped and my sword founds its way on the kidnapper's back. The blood sprayed the entirety of my coat. I clicked my tongue in annoyance. Another bandit is closing up on me and with swift movements, sliced his neck.
"Shit! Who the hell are you!?"
I didn't answer him as the remaining four bandits city circled around me. This is going to be harder than I thought. Well... if you live by the sword, you're going to die like one.
It was only a few minutes when the four of them is now lying dead on the ground. I kicked each one of them just to ensure that they are all dead corpses now. The last thing that I want is to get stabbed in the back because of my carelessness. After making sure that they will stay in that way, I wiped my sword clean before returning it to my sheath.
"Are you alright, Your Highness?" Man, the Queen is truly in front of me! In all of her glory! Her beauty is breathtaking and I found myself staring at her amethyst eyes.
"I am thank you, Sir Knight." She gave me a small smile. Her skin that is so white and soft. Her hair that looks like it's been tended all her life and her symbol...
The Crown!
There was no doubt that this woman is the ruler of Kilian.