NOIRS
Farewell

The sunlight is clearly visible at the end there. The Noir and Princess Lurina finally reached the end of the forest.

"Go to that place" said Sang Noir, pointing to a village surrounded by green pastures.

Princess Lurina was astonished to see the beauty of the village from a distance. He found out that there was a small village behind the easternmost forest of his kingdom.

He narrowed his eyes to make sure that it was indeed a village that was still inhabited.

"I just found out there's a village behind this forest. Is the village still alive?"

"There's no way I'd suggest you stay in a dead village" Sang Noir replied in a flat tone.

Princess Lurina turned towards Sang Noir. He smiled knowing the ridiculous question.

"Then, how long will I stay there?"

"I can't guarantee you'll be back as soon as possible to the palace."

Princess Lurina was a little disappointed to hear Sang Noir's reply. He was convinced that something was going on in his palace.

"You need not be sad, at any time I will invite you to see the condition of your family in the palace" comforted Sang Noir.

"Then I'll see you."

Just as the Noir was about to leave, Princess Lurina again asked a question. "Who are you really?"

"Who I am is not the most important thing you should know. The most important thing right now is that you have to grow. I'm sure you know your family's in danger, not just you."

The Noir turned towards Princess Lurina. "Therefore, you must grow to be strong. That's why I suggested you go to that village. That's where you can grow up as a strong girl."

The princess fell silent and was amazed to hear the words of the Noir. He did not expect that the figure whom all people had feared had a noble and wise heart. His fear and doubt seemed to disappear just by hearing his words.

"Would we meet again?" Princess Lurina bowed down embarrassed by her own question.

The Noir handed over a black dagger to Princess Lurina. "Get it."

Princess Lurina was stunned to see the blackness of the dagger.

"If you go back to this forest, just bring this dagger. I'll definitely see you."

Despite not knowing the real identity of the Noir, Princess Lurina felt that Sang Noir was the place to put her trust at this time, as long as she was away from her family.

"Thank you for protecting-"

Uncompleted Princess Lurina expressed her gratitude, The Noir has disappeared from before her.

Princess Lurina turned her head in all directions, but there was not the slightest shadow of the Noir. The princess finally carried the dagger on her way to the village indicated by the Noir.

...-----...

"Is there any news from Commander Hans?"

"Sorry prime minister, Commander Hans and his troops have not heard at all."

Prime Minister Nikolaus and his accomplices have still not heard from Commander Hans and his forces. It should have been easier to finish off the princess than to overthrow the palace government.

However, only the forces of Commander Hans who until this afternoon have not brought news to Nikolaus and Prince Roderick as the leader of the coup.

"We'll just go back to the meeting room waiting for word from Hans."

Before long, a warrior captain ran over to Nikolaus and Roderick.

"Prime Minister!!! Prince!!!"

They also looked back.

"Sorry Prime Minister, Prince, Commander Hans and his troops were found dead in the eastern forest. The surveillance forces have confirmed they're killed."

Nikolaus was shocked to hear the news. "How could he have died? Did they lose to Baxter and his army?".

Prince Roderick did not react to the news.

"No sir. Surveillance forces confirmed Commander Baxter's forces had been killed. Their bodies were found very far from where Commander Hans and his men were killed."

"Where is Princess Lurina?"

"I don't think that stupid Hans can't afford to finish off a girl" Nikolaus said arrogantly.

"It looks like he's meddling in our plans" Prince Roderick said.

Nikolaus turned to Prince Roderick to hear his words. "Who?"

"You don't remember? Lurina went to the eastern forest, where the creature was."

"You mean Noir?" ask Nikolaus.

"There is no one else but him" replied Prince Roderick.

Prince Rod ordered the captain to continue searching for Princess Lurina in the forest.

"Command the scout force to continue searching for Princess Lurina. If necessary send in reinforcements to speed up the search."

The captain was a little frightened at the order, as they had to continue in the forest before finding Princess Lurina. "But prince..."

Prince Roderick confirmed his orders. "Defying means dying!"

The captain accepted the order half-heartedly. "Good prince!"

Nikolaus was a little surprised to see Prince Roderick who was so serious about finding Princess Lurina. "Why are you so afraid of that weak girl."

"I've never been afraid of anyone, let alone a girl. But, at times he can be a thorn to us."

Prince Roderick left Nikolaus, still astonished by his orders. He considers Prince Roderick's orders too excessive to just look for the whereabouts of Princess Lurina.

...-----...

"Are you sure he's alive?" ask an old woman who was putting firewood in her legs.

"I checked it out. His pulse was still there, he just fainted, " replied a girl who was washing dishes next to the old woman.

The woman gave the girl a bowl of soup and a glass of water. "Then bring this soup and water for him so that his energy can recover quickly after waking up later."

"Okay grandma" the girl brought soup and a glass of water to someone in the room next to their kitchen.

Before long, the girl shouted to the grandmother. "GRANNY HE'S CONSCIOUS!"

The old grandmother was shocked to hear the cry of her grandson. He moved from his front of his feet to visit his grandson.

"BASIC BAD BOY! CAN'T YOU NOT SCREAM HUH?"

The grandmother came to the room where the granddaughter called her.

"Look, Grandma, she's conscious!" said the girl with a faint smile.

The grandmother was happy to see the girl lying on the bed awake. He also approached her.

"You finally realize it too."

"What's going on?" princess Lurina asked with such a weak face.

"Me and my entourage found you lying on the side of the driveway to the village. I thought you were dead, you just fainted" replied the girl.

"I... Being in your village?"

"Yes, you're in our village now."

"Let's lay him down, let's give him some time to finish the soup" said the grandmother.

Princess Lurina was restrained by the girl. They warmly welcomed the princess into their home. Princess Lurina felt like she was in a palace.

After finishing the soup, the grandmother questioned Princess Lurina.

"You look so limp when you come here. Where do you really feel young people from?"

"I am from the Kingdom of Urkhy. I'm Princess Lurina."

...------...