Honor Knights

“Hey,” the old beastkin whispered, nudging his companion. He then slammed his fist heavily against his chest armor, letting out a metallic clang to show his utmost respect to the newcomers.

They had no choice but to be respectful. These three were Honor Knights, personally knighted by Her Grace for their outstanding contributions during the war.

Their status even subtly surpassed that of the regular Imperial Guards.

The other gate guard turned around at the sound. He froze for a moment when he saw the three approaching figures, but quickly snapped to attention, standing straight as an arrow to salute them.

When the three reached them, the tallest leader, who was holding a white wreath, gave the two guards a slight nod.

Then, the three Honor Knights walked through the city gates one after another, heading toward the obelisk standing amidst the blowing yellow sand.

Once they were out of earshot, the gate area erupted into a flurry of excited whispers once more.

“I'm so jealous. I wish I could be that glorious one day.”

“Hey! Stop dreaming, kid! They earned that by putting their lives on the line.”

“I can put my life on the line too! You didn't see me during the battle, but I was always charging at the very front!”

“What's the use of just risking your life? You need luck too.”

“See that big guy leading them with the wreath? When Her Grace found him, he had only a single breath left. He was practically cooked through!”

“But guess what? He survived the dragonborn transformation ritual and lived!”

...

“Hehe, did you hear that? They're talking about us.” In the midst of the swirling sand, the Honor Knight walking at the very back quickened his pace to catch up with his teammates. “I really didn't expect the three of us to make it this far. Tsk tsk, if my ancestors knew, they'd probably be so excited they'd turn into undead!”

“Shut up, One-Horn. How do you have the face to say that?” Muge turned her head, giving him a thumbs-up before rotating her wrist to point it straight down. “You were knocked out and playing dead the entire time, completely useless. If Iron Bull hadn't spoken up for you, do you think you'd have your current status?”

“Muge, that's not fair!” the sheepkin One-Horn retorted. “If I hadn't carried Iron Bull on my back to find Her Grace and beg her to save his life, would he even be standing here today?”

“What does that have to do with you? That was because of Iron Bull's strong will. Even without you, he would have survived just fine,” the gnoll Muge grumbled beneath her helmet.

“I really hate that attitude of yours.” One-Horn craned his neck and called out to the Honor Knight leading the way. “Iron Bull, help me out here. Didn't Her Grace say back then that if we had been even a little later, you would have been served as a medium-well steak?”

However, Iron Bull didn't seem to hear him. He kept walking forward, gripping the white wreath in his hands tightly.

“Hey, Iron Bull...” One-Horn wanted to call out again, but Muge placed a hand on his shoulder and nodded toward the small figure at the base of the nearby obelisk. “They're having a husband-and-wife reunion. Why are you interrupting?”

...

At the cold base of the obelisk, Anna had already wept herself hoarse.

Looking at the names carved all over the obelisk, she wanted to search for her husband's name, yet she was terrified to find it. In the end, she could only slump onto the ground, pressing her forehead against the cold stone.

She closed her eyes, tears streaming down.

Nothing but endless sorrow remained in her heart.

Amidst the whistling of the wind and sand, a soft rustle of footsteps approached.

Anna ignored it.

Until the footsteps stopped right beside her.

Shrouded in a dark shadow, Anna slowly opened her eyes. Standing against the glaring sunlight was a towering figure clad in pitch-black armor.

He knelt on one knee, placing a white wreath at the base of the obelisk, seemingly there to pay his respects as well.

Anna stared at the figure, dazed.

For a fleeting moment, she almost thought this man was her husband.

But she quickly dismissed the thought and lowered her head.

She assumed she was simply too grief-stricken and missed her husband so much that everyone started to look like him.

“Anna, it's me... Iron Bull.”

The familiar voice drifted into her ears.

Anna snapped her head up, staring at the towering figure before her in utter disbelief.

The figure was looking down at her at the same time.

However, with his helmet on, his face and expression were hidden from view.

Anna reached out, wanting to touch him, but she was terrified that this was all a dream and hesitantly began to pull her hand back.

But Iron Bull was faster. He took off his helmet with one hand, revealing a face that was clearly dragonized, and with his other hand, he caught Anna's small palm and pressed it against his cheek.

Feeling the warmth radiating from his skin, Anna could no longer hold back. Like a startled fawn, she threw herself into Iron Bull's embrace.

She wept, her tears falling like rain.

“It's okay, it's okay,” Iron Bull comforted her softly.

The empty void in his heart was completely filled.

But this tender moment didn't last long. Anna struggled slightly to pull back from his chest, wiped the tears from her eyes, and tried her best to look angry. Sobbing, she gave Iron Bull a hard swat. “Why didn't you come back? I thought... I thought...”

Iron Bull scratched his head awkwardly. “Well... you see...”

But Anna cut him off, throwing herself back into his broad chest. She held him tightly, terrified of losing him again. When she spoke, her voice was laced with an undeniable exhaustion.

“As long as you're alive... as long as you're alive... Even if this is a dream, please don't let me wake up just yet...”

Hearing this, Iron Bull felt a sudden pang of sorrow in his heart. His large eyes drifted to the two infants still fast asleep on Anna's back, and a wave of guilt washed over him.

“Sigh...” Watching from afar, One-Horn let out a sigh and muttered to himself rather wistfully, “I'm so jealous.”

Muge, standing beside him, glanced at One-Horn, shrugged, and tilted her head. “Jealous of what?”

“Jealous that Iron Bull has such a wonderful wife.” Taking one last look at Iron Bull and Anna holding each other, One-Horn turned around. “Let's go. They're having their sweet moment, we're just third wheels here.”

Seeing that Muge had no intention of leaving, One-Horn nudged her with his elbow. “Come on, let's go back and get some food.”

With that, he rested his hands behind his head and strolled back toward the city gates.

Muge's gaze remained fixed on Iron Bull and Anna, a trace of longing flickering within her cold eyes beneath her helmet.

“Wait,” Muge suddenly called out to the retreating One-Horn.

“What's up?”

One-Horn turned around, flipped up his helmet visor, and frowned.

“I was thinking...”

Muge clenched her fists and said with a slight stutter, “Why don't... we give it a shot?”

“(⊙_⊙)?” One-Horn froze. The words “give what a shot?” were right on the tip of his tongue, but his eyes were suddenly drawn to Iron Bull and Anna, who were now passionately kissing. Instinctively, he blurted out, “Could it be...”

Muge's eyes brightened behind her helmet, and she was just about to agree when One-Horn's next words choked her.

“You want to be gay with me!”

Saying this, One-Horn couldn't help but shudder. He crossed his arms and took a half-step back, staring warily at Muge standing nearby.

“Whoa! I didn't know you were that kind of person! I treated you like a brother, and you actually...”

Muge, the gnoll, kicked off the ground with explosive force. Unleashing a circular shockwave, she lunged right in front of One-Horn and punched him square in the face.

Amidst flying blood and broken teeth, Muge landed gracefully. She dusted off her hands and casually walked toward the city gates.

With a thud, One-Horn crashed to the ground. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, but before he could spit out a single curse, Muge's voice echoed from afar.

“Only an undead would want to be gay with you! You've been hanging out with me for so long and didn't even realize I'm a girl? No wonder you're single!”

At that moment, One-Horn's brain completely short-circuited.

He stared blankly at her retreating figure, blinking in confusion.

After a long while, his brain finally processed what had happened. Spitting out a mouthful of bloody saliva, he scrambled up from the ground and roared, “So what if you're a girl! Girls shouldn't just hit people whenever they want!”