Let's Train Heroine

The Black Knight tossed Julia into the cave, her body landing with a heavy thud on the cold, damp ground. Without a word, he turned and moved the giant rock, sealing the entrance. The sound of stone scraping against stone echoed in the darkness, signaling Julia's entrapment.

The cave was now silent, save for the faint, unsettling drip of water from the ceiling. Julia lay unconscious, her body motionless. After what felt like an eternity, she stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. Her head throbbed with pain, and as she slowly sat up, disoriented, she realized something was terribly wrong.

Her breath hitched as she looked around, her vision adjusting to the dim light. Nearby, a woman's body lay twisted in an unnatural position, her head contorted at an angle that made it clear she was dead. Julia's stomach churned, bile rising in her throat.

She forced herself to stand, her legs shaky, and took a few tentative steps forward. A few feet away, she saw two more women, unconscious but alive, their bodies limp and lifeless against the cold stone. Their shallow breaths were the only sign they were still holding on.

A sense of dread filled Julia as she ventured deeper into the cave, drawn by a sickening smell. As she walked, her foot brushed against something soft. She looked down and gasped, her hands flying to her mouth to stifle a scream.

There, in a gruesome heap, lay a pile of women, their bodies stripped of clothing and dignity. Blood stained their skin, mixing with the dirt and dust of the cave. Their limbs were twisted and broken, some missing entirely. Hollow, empty eyes stared up at Julia, while white stains—somehow more horrifying in their familiarity—covered the bodies, mingling with the dried blood.

Julia's mind raced, panic setting in as the full horror of her situation became clear. She was trapped in this nightmare, surrounded by the remnants of the Black Knight's cruel, twisted desires.

---

Lucan was sitting at his desk, the morning light filtering through the windows of his study. He was sifting through the usual stack of letters. He opened the letter, his fingers froze, his eyes narrowing slightly as he scanned the contents. It was from Hima, and the words were brief but urgent: Rina is critically injured. She may not make it.

His grip tightened on the parchment, creasing the edges. Lucan's face remained calm.He took a deep breath, as he rose from his chair, the letter still in hand.

"Maris,"

Maris, who had been nearby, immediately sensed the shift in his mood. She looked up from her book, her light blue eyes meeting his with concern. "What's wrong, Lucan-sama?"

"We need to leave. Now." He didn't explain further.

Maris stood, her book forgotten. "Where are we going?"

Lucan's gaze was fixed ahead as he spoke, "Rina's been hurt. Badly. Hima sent word." He paused, "We're going to save her."

Without another word, he turned and headed for the door, his stride were urgent. Maris followed, her heart pounding as she matched his pace. She had never seen Lucan move with such intensity, and though his face remained composed, she could sense the urgency in every step he took.

As they mounted their horses, Lucan's actions were swift and efficient. Maris urged her horse to follow as Lucan took off at a speed that left little room for conversation.

Maris kept glancing at Lucan, noting the way his eyes were fixed straight ahead, unblinking, his posture stiff. He hadn't said much.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally arrived at the clearing where Hima and Olive were waiting, Rina lying pale and motionless between them. Lucan dismounted swiftly, his usual calm composure slipping slightly as he hurried to Rina's side.

Maris also followed and she knelt beside Rina, her hands already glowing with the soft light of her healing magic. She worked quickly, assessing the damage before focusing her power on stabilizing Rina. The wound was deep, the blood loss severe, but Maris's magic began to weave the torn flesh back together, closing the gaping wound where Rina's arm had been severed.

Lucan hovered nearby, his eyes fixed on Rina's face, watching every rise and fall of her chest. He didn't speak.

Finally, Maris leaned back, the glow of her magic fading as she wiped the sweat from her brow. "She's stable now. She won't die."

Lucan exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly, but his eyes remained on Rina.

Maris hesitated before speaking, "But… I can't regenerate her arm."

"I know. It's better that she is alive." Lucan nodded.

Lucan kneel beside Rina, his hand brushing a strand of hair away from her pale face.

"What happened? Who did this?" Lucan asked as he looked at Hima and Olive.

Hima and Olive exchanged uneasy glances before Hima stepped forward, her face pale, but her voice steady. " I don't know who it was, but he wore black armour and seemed knight." she began, her tone laced with bitterness. "He ambushed us in the dungeon. We didn't stand a chance. Rina fought bravely, but… he was too strong. He...

cut off her arm." Hima's voice wavered slightly, but she pressed on. "After that, he took Julia. We tried to stop him, but he was too powerful."

Olive, who had been silent, finally spoke, her voice low and filled with anger. "We managed to escape with Rina, but Julia… she's still with him." Her hands clenched into fists.

Lucan listened in silence, his face was normal. But his eyes darkened with each word. When they finished, he nodded once, the decision already made in his mind.

"I know him, he is Black Knight," Lucan said quietly, his voice filled with a cold resolve. "Julia is safe for few days."

Hima's eyes widened in surprise, but before she could ask how he knew, Lucan stood, his movements sharp and decisive. He gently placed Rina's hand back on the ground, brushing a thumb over her knuckles before letting go. Then, he turned to Maris.

"Take care of Rina," Lucan instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Maris was shut by Lucan's sharp eyes. She never saw him like and couldn't even speak up.

Lucan's gaze shifted to Hima and Olive, "Stay here with Rina. I'll go after Julia and the Black Knight. He won't get away with this."

Hima opened her mouth to protest, but Lucan's icy stare silenced her. "Your weak and injured, so stay here and don't came," Lucan back was facing Maris, "Maris... i want to do this alone, totally alone."

Then without another word, Lucan turned and strode back to his horse.

Maris watched as Lucan left. She took back the spirits that were on Lucan's body. She couldn't help but follow Lucan's words.

"Lucan-sama, please be safe."