A few days after the events of the tournament. At dusk, birds chirp, and butterflies fly among the flowers. There seemed to be a cat sitting as well as Ryan who was lying on the expanse of the field. Helcia approached and sat beside him without knowing of her presence. It seemed Ryan was sleeping. Helcia looked at him closely and inwardly said, "He's a sweet guy." Just before she touched his face, Ryan woke up and slowly opened his eyes. He saw Helcia was beside him and then she greeted him, "Do you think this place is wonderful?"

"Yes. Help me touch the peace." Ryan replied.

Then Ryan asked, "Hey, do you think I'm a loser?"

"Why? Why do you think like that, Ryan? Are you still thinking about the result?"

"Yes. But I do not regret it. At least, I could give a lesson to your ex-lover, the arrogant aristocratic. I was happy as could be useful even in failure. He-he ..." I also cheered.

Helcia firmly said, "."

Ryan also gets enlightened.

Helcia continued, "And even if other people don't support you, I will support you."

Ryan smiled and said, "Thank you. You have awakened me. . We have to keep going because..."

Helcia continued, "."

They both smiled and laughed together. "Hahaha."

After that, with hesitation, Ryan said, "Helcia, I will leave. There is no reason for me to stay here."

"But why? Don't you like this place? Where are you going?" The successive gush of questions that out of her lips showed that she didn't want to part with Ryan.

"I will adventure again."

"Don't you have a job? Where will you live later?"

"Hmmm... then I don't know either. He-he."

"So why don't you just stay here?"

"I don't want to burden you."

"I don't mind you staying here. My door will always be open for you." Helcia said. And in her mind, "So is the same of my heart, Ryan..."

"B-But..." I saw her teary eyes. I don't intend to continue this conversation.

In the mid of their conversation, there was a maid who approached them, "Sorry lady, Mister called you."

They both returned to the inn.

********

In the palace hall.

"Your Majesty, there are reports from the people that their fields were destroyed with large footprints. There is a giant creature. It seems that he deliberately signaled for us to make sacrifices." Sir Dion explained.

"Your Majesty, that is not acceptable. No one wants to be sacrificed. If we give him, one day he will demand it back." Claes objected.

"So, what's your solution, prince?" asked the king.

"We're going to invade his territory."

"Are you sure you can win this, prince?" said elite Dion.

"If we don't try, we won't know. A knight must protect the kingdom, the people, and life."

"Then prepare an army. This will be your first expedition." The king's orders.

"Very well, Your Majesty."

Then the king said to Dion, "Will the prince be all right?"

"Just trust him, Your Majesty. It will be a good achievement for him if he succeeds." A sinister smile shone on Dion's face.

*****

The prince walks together with Taddeus, his faithful confidant, down the corridor outside the palace.

"Taddeus, we will hunt the giants. Prepare an army and announce it to them. One week we will depart. And during that time, find out where the creature is and investigate its place. We will explore the woods to get rid of the giant."

"Well, prince," said Taddeus.

They continue walked and arrived at a beautiful royal garden. The garden is neatly arranged with beautiful flowers. They walked through the garden and came to a lotus pond. There was a pavilion on the other side, and they crossed the pond via a small bridge to get there. There seemed some maids on duty who served them tea and sweet cakes.

Claes also said, "During the selection yesterday, he reminded me of someone."

"Is that person Ryan?"

"Yes. When I was little, I was lost in the forest and was helped by a girl."

Taddeus was interested to hear the story. Then the prince told his story...

"There's a cry," said a little girl. She looked for the source of the sound. Even though she was scared, she ventured.

"Who-who's crying?" asked the girl.

Then this girl found a child who was younger than her. The appearance of this crying child is cute with short bangs like a girl. Then this older girl stroked the child's head while saying, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, I'm here with you."

At that time, I saw her smiling face at me with her long hair. My heart is relieved. Then she took me to her tree house. She lives alone. The conditions of the house are simple. Even so, I feel comfortable and happy living with her.

Once, we were playing together in the river, and she stumbled. Therefore, I was pushed, and she fell on top of me. At that time her face was so close to mine. I looked at her and immediately turned my gaze to the right side in embarrassment, flashing in my mind, "She seems to think that I am a girl."

Claes continued his conversation, "Life was fun at that time and I forgot about the scary events before that. Before encountering her, I was kidnapped by a horned beast with fiery red eyes ready to pounce on anyone.

At that time, it was my turn to be sacrificed for his meal. Hereditary in this land to a king who has been crowned. If the queen gave birth to the first son, the poor child would be sacrificed. If the request is not fulfilled, the beast will destroy this land. When I was born, my father and mother were thrilled with my birth into this world, but sadness soon filled their hearts. It was like a thunderbolt in my parent's minds that he did not agree that I would be sacrificed.

Because for a long time, he hadn't eaten from the royal lineage, the beast attacked and forcibly took me when the royal family was having dinner together. I cried so hard till unconscious. When I woke up, my little hands and feet were already tied by the roots of a large tree trunk. In the darkness and the eerie atmosphere, I was frightened and cried. . The horror is inevitable. I thought I would die. Then I screamed hysterically. After that, I was unconscious. The next morning, I woke up and realized the roots were untied. I don't know what has happened. I'm safe. Then I walked in fear until I finally stopped after a long walk and was found by the little girl.

About a week, people from the kingdom found me. When they intended to take me to the kingdom, I didn't want to. In my mind at that time, I still wanted to stay and play with that girl. But the royals didn't agree. I also tried to talk to them so that she was also brought to the palace. But they don't listen to me. As I grew older, I understood that they purposely didn't want me involved with that girl.

I know the social status system where they discriminate against people based on their status.

Finally, I parted with my little friend. They forced me to return. They are like the giant who kidnapped me!

"I'm telling you this because you are my childhood friend. I think the appearance of this giant is the same giant who kidnapped me 15 years ago."

"Prince...." Taddeus felt empathy.

"During the selection process for new warriors, I hope that Ryan can join our troops. I want to abolish this system of social differences. That's why through this important task, I intend to place Ryan as an auxiliary warrior. If we succeed, then I can make the reason so that he can become part of the kingdom. What do you think?"

Taddeus thought for a moment and said, "When the prince is convinced, I just have to do it."

"Thank you, Taddeus. You have always supported me."

"With all my respect, prince."

"But prince. Something's stuck in my mind."

"What's wrong, Tad?"

"Prince earlier said your childhood friend is like Ryan. But their gender is different. What makes the prince think they look alike?"

"From the look in his eyes that represent cheerful and full of optimism."

**********

"Oh... You've arrived." Greet Helcia's father.

"What's the matter, dad?"

"There is a special guest who wants to meet Ryan. He is waiting in the main room."

Ryan and Helcia also looked at each other.

"Special guest? Who is dad? And what does he want?"

"I don't know either. He said... from the kingdom."

"They were both shocked at the same time, "Hah?"

Ryan finally met the guest.

"Hi. Long time no see," greet Taddeus.

"Ah... yes. He-he."

"How are you? All right?"

"Yes. As you can see. He-he..." Even though it was hard at first, but it has been cured." Ryan thought.

"Okay. Straight to the point."

Then Taddeus also told what really happened. The prince's wish from the beginning wanted Ryan to join. Ryan also listened carefully with a touching feeling.

"So how? Are you going to accept this offer again? This mission is dangerous and there are no guarantees of success. But if we succeed, you can be a part of us. This is your chance."

After delivering the message from the prince, Taddeus went home. Helcia also asked what happened, as well as her father wanted to know.

When he found out about the offer, Helcia didn't accept it and said, "No! It's just a trick from the kingdom to get you out of the way. They're taking advantage of you."

"Helcia...." Ryan said, slightly surprised.

"Calm down Helcia," said her father.

"So, what's your answer?"

"Honestly I'm confused. I also don't have the confidence to do it. I don't believe in my abilities since the failure I experienced. I want to live a quiet life and no longer relate with royals. But there is another side of me that is moved to try it because I want to be a useful person and can make more people happy. That's why I'm worried. I can't even decide. I'm afraid that my decision will be right or wrong."

Here, Ryan is in confusion. He was afraid of failing again. Helcia and her father also understood Ryan's feelings. Then the father said, "If it's useful, then do it. When you wake up in the morning and think of something you want, if your passion is useful and good for you and others, perhaps that is your way. But remember in the middle of your journey, maybe you face an uneven road, winding, dangerous, and face a dead end. Life is like that. ."

"Thank you, uncle," I said with a relieved smile.

"I'm sorry, Ryan. Maybe I was selfish. Actually, I was worried about you."

"It's fine, Helcia."

"Whatever you decide, we will support you," Helcia said.

"I appreciate it!" I hug them with gratitude.