By Zephyria 
He resembled radiance. No, it felt as if the word ‘radiance’ had been coined specifically to describe him; they seemed one and the same.
Along the edges of his helmet, a halo like that of an angel and thorns extending in nine directions intersected behind his head. The decorations, the pinnacle of extravagance, became a backlight that illuminated him—like the sun of the heavens manifested upon this earth.
The scent of a midday heatwave and scorched earth wafted through the air. The smell of greenery burning dry. They say it is scent that evokes true nostalgia. The aromas invading his nostrils were faint and distant, like the soil of his homeland he had stepped upon on some sweltering day.
Leonardo could not put a precise name to his feelings. It was heavier than welcome, and more unfamiliar than longing….
Kieeeek—!
As if cutting through his thoughts, a grotesque sound began to echo through the forest. It was the terror-stricken death rattle of a creature falling before the spears of warriors. Consequently, Leonardo’s shoulders flinched.
Turning around immediately, he saw the leaves of the dense thicket shaking violently. It looked as if the forest itself were eating the monsters alive. It was a pleasant sight, suggesting the miserable end of the demons, but it seemed to be too much for the owner of this frail body.
Thump—
“Hmm?”
Despite the effort to stand him up, his legs suddenly gave way. He knelt, fell flat on his face, and prostrated himself, slamming his head into the ground.
Suddenly finding his nose buried in rotten fallen leaves, Leonardo was quite bewildered by the body’s actions.
“Th-thank you for saving me.”
The two arms barely supporting his upper body trembled violently, and his voice came out shaking. It seemed he wanted to express his gratitude, but did he really have to do it so dramatically?
Perhaps thinking the same thing, a breath laced with curiosity drifted down from above.
“You can speak our language.”
The gaze and voice flowing down the back of his neck were overwhelmingly burdensome. It was because he felt like a being that should not exist in the same space. Just then, the red cloak that had been fluttering vigorously descended to his feet in a graceful arc.
As he felt it become slightly easier to breathe, the Magic Power that had been surging all around was gradually being withdrawn.
“There is no need to humble yourself excessively. Raise your head.”
Leonardo focused all his attention on the Magic Power remaining in the air like a lingering scent. It was certainly strange, yet familiar. However, he couldn’t tell if this was because he had visited places related to the Sun King twice, or because of another suspicion that had been covertly ignited. Either way, he wouldn’t be able to confirm it while staying in this position.
Contrary to his complex inner thoughts, he slowly raised his head following the irresistible command. Just then, the leisurely sound of hoofbeats echoed from the now-quiet forest path behind them. Only one presence was approaching. The horse stopped in front of Leonardo, and the rider who dismounted glanced at the body before delivering the report.
“Your Highness, the messenger pigeon sent to Olga has returned.”
Your Highness? At that one word, the prostrate body flinched.
“All entrances leading to the nest have been closed, and we are currently searching for remaining eggs and larvae. They have reported that they will join us within four days.”
“Hmm.”
“However, the Perman region is surrounded by mountains and canyons, so there are an overwhelming number of hidden entities. Thus, the Borgen side has sent an opinion that it would be better to burn the forests and demon beasts entirely to exterminate them quickly.”
“That is out of the question.”
Theodore’s firm voice followed immediately. Though they hadn’t exchanged many words, he sounded like a completely different person than he had moments ago.
“If we do that, there’s a risk of suffocation for either side. And it would be difficult to find wounded soldiers. It is fine if it takes more time; prioritize the rescue of survivors.”
“As you command.”
“You shall come with me.”
He assumed the following words were directed at the knight who had approached his side.
That is, until a hand was thrust out in front of him once more.
Leonardo’s eyes widened.
“…Excuse me?”
Have you ever ridden upon a King’s horse and commanded the world?
Leonardo felt that if he were asked such a question in the distant future, he could answer ‘yes.’
Theodore, who had scooped the body up with one arm and placed him upon his own saddle, swept his cloak back and gripped the reins in one motion. Since Leonardo had always been the one carrying others, being treated like a piece of luggage for the first time felt somewhat humiliating.
However, such trivial thoughts quickly vanished in the face of Theodore’s bravery as he charged toward the chaos.
While barely holding on to avoid falling, Theodore tore through the center of the enemy lines where demon beasts swarmed. Every time he swung his arm, a dozen necks flew spinning through the air, and bodies larger than horses collapsed with thuds, forming a graveyard in an instant.
Unextinguishable embers clung to the corpses, erasing even the bone fragments. Leonardo could not take his eyes off the sight. Even now, if one stepped into the border dispute region with Turandot, such phenomena could often be witnessed. Eternal flames that did not die down whether it rained or snowed. They were the flames he himself had created.
Whenever a savage snap of jaws approached his face and he unconsciously grew tense, the maw of the demon beast would be pierced by the Flame Sword in the blink of an eye. Turning his head along the familiar shape of the blade, the Gold Eyes inside the helmet curved softly. He looked as if he were enjoying himself.
He resembled him so much.
“Would you like to try holding the reins?”
“What?”
“Try steering skillfully to avoid obstacles. My horse is a peerless steed that reads the heart of the one holding the reins. Of course, if you let go, it’s over.”
Theodore, giving the instruction irresponsibly, forced the reins into the body’s hands.
“Uh, uuh—!”
Suddenly burdened with the lives of two people, Leonardo pressed his back tightly against Theodore’s chest in extreme tension. Is he crazy? What is he trusting about this body? If the King were to fall from the horse….
‘…He won’t leave me alone.‘
In this moment, he likely shared the same thought as the owner of this body. With a pale face, Leonardo looked back at Laina’s soldiers traversing the forest. Formed in ranks, they were more than just an organization; they were like a single organic organism working in tandem. Though scattered, they acted as the King’s hands and feet, swiftly executing the monsters. It was a moment where he could feel their nerves constantly connected to the Monarch, without the need for him to raise his voice.
Borrowing the eyes, ears, and five senses of this body, Leonardo could vividly encounter not only the ancient cavalry tactics of Laina but also the spirit of the Sun King, of which there had been countless rumors. Where they passed, corpses piled up like mountains, white ash scattered, and demon beasts fled in helplessness.
When golden flames covered the earth, the air seethed and thunder roared as if the heavens were enraged. If there were a descent of a god upon this land, it would surely be referring to them.
Just as Leonardo was scanning the surroundings where the tide of battle had turned, as if possessed.
“Duck—.”
As a whisper landed in his ear, a gloved hand pressed firmly on the nape of his neck.
Without time to resist, his face was shoved down onto the horse’s mane. Forced flat by the rather rough touch, Leonardo barely grasped the situation with a sidelong glance. Three creatures hiding atop a high rock were leaping down with their maws wide open, intending to swallow Theodore.
Sometimes the body moves before the brain. The two arms of this body were such. In the moment of crisis that felt like slow motion, the hands yanked the reins to the opposite side.
A nervous neigh erupted from the horse, but fortunately, the creature veered in the desired direction. Thanks to that, they escaped the reach of the demon beasts, and just as the creatures’ claws gripped the ground, ‘he’ gifted them hell with a single gesture.
Kieeeaaa—
In the jungle where golden light surged, black figures were once again cleanly erased.
Chilling screams spread in all directions, but the atmosphere wasn’t that grim. It was because of the hearty laughter that echoed widely through the primeval forest.
“Hahaha, you’re good! Have you ridden a horse before?”
Perhaps because he had Theodore’s halo at his back, the black forest that had seemed hopeless until a moment ago brightened along the path the great horse ran. Following that, his hand straightened the body’s shoulder, and he straightened his back and gripped the reins again.
“I could appoint you as my knight.”
The low voice reaching his ear was incredibly ticklish. If any man other than Agrizendro had done that, he would have shaken him off in disgust, but for some reason, he didn’t feel that way about this man.
Cutting through the fierce wind, his hair and collar fluttered frantically. This place, filled with the thick scent of blood and stench, was certainly a suffocating battlefield.
And yet, Leonardo realized that the body was faintly smiling while holding the reins. As the corners of his mouth rose, a sense of exhilaration welled up unconsciously. Strength filled the limbs that had been trembling.
He felt that as long as he was with the man behind him, he could win against any enemy.