“If the legend that golden eyes bring misfortune is true, then the legend that they bring luck after the age of twenty must also be true.”

“But there hasn’t been any story of having luck by keeping golden eyes by your side.”

“Then let me be the first.”

Ariana smiled like sunshine and said, “I will break her curse and gain luck. Grandfather, will you help me?”

As the pitiful and lovely granddaughter asked for help with a beautiful smile, Theodore’s expression crumbled in an instant. He smiled as if he couldn’t even remember such a thing, saying, “I don’t even remember anything like cursed golden eyes.”
“Ah, ah. As long as I’m here, there’s nothing to worry about the curse. Ariana, you don’t have to worry. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Caradine shot her husband, who quickly changed his attitude, a bewildered look, but Theodore nodded continuously and stroked Ariana’s head.

To Ariana, every moment felt like a dazzling dream.

+++

As Cyrus passed through the narrow gorge, his eyes suddenly became cold.

“Isaac.”

At the soft call, Isaac stopped talking.

Kwaaaah! [Dash]!

Large boulders rolled down the ridge of the gorge. Not just one or two.

“There was an ambush.”

Cyrus raised both hands. As if white frost was forming at the tip of his long fingers, a thick cold air spewed out like mist.

The boulders rolling down were frozen white as the cold air touched them. As the cold air emanating from Cyrus’s hands intensified, beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

Eventually, the boulders that had frozen all the way inside began to shatter on their own due to the force of hitting the ground. Only then did Cyrus stop the magic, drew his sword, and ran forward.

Isaac followed behind.

Cyrus’s sword effortlessly plunged into the remaining boulders that hadn’t completely shattered. The sword moved gracefully, like a dance, reflecting the sunlight with a dazzling gleam.

Crunch! [Dash]!

The shattered rocks collided with the following rocks, shattering into pieces.

Large and small chunks of rocks poured down like rain. Cyrus and Isaac, even though hit by the falling stones, did not slow down their pace.

An arrow flew through the swirling rocks and pierced Cyrus’s horse’s thigh.

“Hiiiiing!”

The horse screamed and collapsed.

“Cyrus!”

Isaac shouted as if in a scream, reaching out his hand. Cyrus grabbed that hand, leaped, and landed on the horse Isaac was riding. Cyrus, sitting behind Isaac, said.

“Bow down.”

As Isaac bent his upper body forward, Cyrus reached out his left hand.

Cold air gathered on Cyrus’s palm, creating dozens of sharp ice fragments. Arrow-sized ice fragments shot out in the direction where the arrow had just flown.

“Eeek!”

A small scream echoed.

Again, several arrows flew simultaneously. Kicking the horse, Cyrus raised his left hand above his head. A round ice shield formed in his palm, covering their heads.

Tuk [Dash] Tooduduk [Dash]

Arrows poured down hastily onto the hastily made ice shield. Some of them left dents on the transparent shield. Cracks appeared and spread in the once transparent shield.

Meanwhile, Isaac and Cyrus, riding the horse, were swiftly moving forward.

Cyrus attempted to create the ice shield again but suddenly turned his upper body backward, swiftly reaching out his hand. In an instant, a hastily created ice knife flew toward the back.
The ice knife that soared through the air had already descended along the ridge, piercing the chest of the enemy who had secretly followed them.

“Cough!”

The enemy who had been riding a horse stumbled backward.

At that moment, another volley of arrows rained down.

This time, although an ice shield was created, it was a bit too late. Before the arrow could pierce Cyrus’s shoulder, Isaac’s forearm, reaching out swiftly, intercepted the arrow.

“Ouch!”

Isaac exclaimed in pain, asking, “What should I do?”

“Keep running. We have to get out of the gorge.”

The exit of the gorge was getting closer. After enduring two more arrow volleys, when they finally reached the end of the gorge, more than thirty enemies were waiting there.

Those with brown skin didn’t even try to hide their faces.

‘Pagannus.’

Cyrus’s pupils turned red.

The enemies, each holding a sword or spear, stared at Cyrus with sinister eyes. In front of them, Cyrus stopped the horse.

Cyrus focused on the rear despite facing forward. The sound of those who had been ambushing, riding down the mountain, and rushing toward them reached his ears.

‘Arrows.’

Cyrus turned his hand backward and created an ice shield in the rear.

Ssaeaeak [Dash]!

Several arrows that flew toward them hit the ice shield and fell.

“Abandon the horse, Isaac.”

Cyrus whispered softly. Without hesitation, Isaac dismounted from the horse, and Cyrus did the same. As soon as they dismounted, each took their stance.

When Cyrus extended both arms forward, a storm of cold air swept through. While those who were ambushing from behind were entangled and frozen, it wasn’t enough.

Due to repeatedly using magic, the lack of strength was the reason.

‘Now I can’t use magic.’

But the enemies didn’t know that fact. Feeling fear at the sight of their frozen comrades like pieces of ice, they slowed down. The enemies who had been waiting in front couldn’t easily approach and only exhaled threatening air.

Observing the enemies silently, Isaac said, “Cyrus, hold your breath.”

Due to using magic without a break, their breathing became difficult, but Cyrus did as Isaac said. Without a break, Cyrus used magic again. This time, he turned his hand backward to create an ice shield.

Ssaeaeak [Dash]!

Several arrows hit the hastily made ice shield and fell.

“Let’s go!”