Villain's Will: Redemption

..෴✿۝CHAPTER 28۝✿෴..

5 of 8
Enjoy reading :3
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For the remaining week, Willow breezed through without a hitch. The students were drafted to help during the preparation of the ceremony so there was no class for the past week.

She woke up extra early and dressed in full armor. To avoid being inconspicuous, she wore a black robe atop of the heavy metals.

As soon as the sun loomed on the horizon, she used her magic and silently glazed outside the academy.

To her surprise, a black steed and a carriage having the Duke's emblem greeted her view.

Willow walked the remaining distance and called over while knocking on the door.

"Bronwyn?"

The curtain was lifted and there she saw Bronwyn and the duke tucked in their seats.

"Why in the world are you here? It's so early in the morning." She queried, looking at their frigid complexion.

"Good morning, milady" Bronwyn greeted after going down the carriage while the duke remain seated.

"Good morning, to you too." She greeted back then looked at the duke. "Pleasant day father, what brought you here?" But Agus remained stubborn, they fought the last time they met so he doesn't want to face his daughter.

"But of course, to bring the steed of my lady. Today's your special day but all we managed was a humble greeting." Bronwyn answered in his steed.

"You don't need to do that, how long did you wait?"

"We also just arrived, miss"

Willow knew he was lying, but she didn't push any longer. Seeing that his father doesn't plan on talking to her, she excused herself.

That stubborn old man, why did you even came if you don't plan to face me?

"If that's so, thank you for bringing Alekid" she stroked the mane of the horse and he neighed in response.

"I am humbled by your words" Bronwyn gave another bow.

"I'll be on my way then" she spoke and mounted Alekid. Without looking back, she trotted off to the distance.

Any longer and the crowd will surely halt her moves.

.

.

.

.

.

"Gave way, gave way" the guards pushed the gathering crowd loitering the streets who wish to see the expeditionary forces.

Thankfully, Willow managed to get out of the capital before the gates closed.

"Excuse me, only authorized person can stay here." The guard warned her. She was stationed not far from the gates and a guard came after seeing her suspicious figure standing by.

Before she could even argue, Willow felt the land thundered and the loud hooves made the soil reverberates. She looked pass the mountains and saw the army slowly getting out of a big portal.

To keep the excitementv at bay, they were teleported a mile away from the gate. To Willow's estimation, it will take an enormous mana to sustain that big of a portal.

Too much for extravagance.

"Ah, yes. I'll be gone after I saw the brave soldiers" she reasoned.

Due to the appearance of the army, it suddenly went busy. With nothing much he can do, he clicked his tongue and let her off the hook.

"Be sure not to stand in the way!" He turned heels and returned to his post.

Without much ado, the army marched towards the capital. From a far, Willow saw the extravagant Commander Geordoff dawned on a golden armor. At his rigid appearance atop his horse, she can't help but to laugh.

He's definitely uncomfortable!

Behind him are the Knights of Golden Saber and not far from the important figures are the Black Warriors. Dawned in black armors from head to toe, one could easily discern them from the others.

Why did they let the mercenaries be on the front rows? I'm expecting us to be stationed on the back.

She excitedly took off as soon as Sir Geordoff passed within the wall.

"Halt! Haaaalt!" The guards shouted when they saw her galloping towards the next platoon.

The soldiers turned in attention but soon smiled at the familiar appearance heading towards them.

"Captain!"

"Master!"

"Leader!"

The black warriors called in excitement, pumping their chest twice then holding their fist towards Willow. She returned the gesture and admired her troops. They are all saddled on their horses, gallantly dressed with a soldier's robe.

"Buckle up men, we're next in line" she shouted with a smile.

They didn't move an inch and remained on their ranks.

Willow moved beside Damien. "How is it Damien?"

"That's a dull entrance, you should've rode alongside the commander!" He preached the first thing he observed upon her arrival.

"Yeah, yeah. I want to be with the troops, let the old man bask in all the glory. He deserved that after years of battle" she brushed, uninterested of people's attention. "So how is it?"

He sighed in defeat and followed the march.

"Nothing much, it's the same prosaic drill. Men make trouble everywhere and it is I who fixed it." His brows furrowed while remembering the endless cycle.

"That'll be bad. Now that we're on the empire's capital, we have a reputation to uphold. After all, we don't wanna be labeled as damned brutes" she chuckled.

"Well, that's not far from happening. They always live to our worst expectations. I can already smell it, the ruin of our non-existent reputation. Oh man, it'll be a long road ahead"

She agreed with a laugh and observed her surroundings. Colorful papers, petals, and grain of wheats showered the entourage. People cheered in happiness and didn't even noticed how they stood out like a sore thumb.

Willow paid them no mind and looked back only to see relief floods her comrade's faces. Drawn to the joyous occasion, they soon enjoyed the celebration and merrily waved to the crowd.

"Brother! Here"

"Father! Father!"

"Buhoooo, Joseph!". Cries for their family, friends and lover rang across the street.

"Ahhh, I wanna go home" Willow sighed upon arriving at the palace.

"What's with that? We just arrived" Damien deadpan with lack of interest.

"That's the point" she answered with the same impassiveness.

When they finally reached the palace gates, more crowd greeted the view. This is where the welcoming ceremony is held so the citizens flocked at the rare opportunity to enter the castle's ground.

As they neared the center of ceremony -- scorns, indifference, silent treatment, and ignorant cheers was the only feedbacks received by the Black Warriors. The cause of this? It was none other than the nobles dressed in their best garments. They exudes aura of practiced elegance but contrary to their beautiful clothing, ugliness painted their faces. In belief that they are so much entitled, they openly scorned at the sight of foreigners riding alongside their war heroes.

The black warriors are not numb not to notice the sudden drop of atmosphere, they caught up with the inner battle and their rigid stances came in a flash.

Relief was clearly written on the people's face when the foreigners rode pass them. They are happy to have them on their side but they are not welcome among their midst.

The black warriors were excited for this day but they felt disappointed at the treatment given to them. Their mood was slowly dampened at the unfair stigma.
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