Fallen Radiance

Natalie stood at the edge of the bustling market, glancing over the overhung noticeboard, which read in bold lettering

"Imperial enlistment Order: The Fourth Prince Reynold Ophelia himself leads, inviting warriors to join the fight against the beast threat."

Beneath the placard was a bustling recruiting area where mercenaries, adventurers and frustrated soldiers swarmed, each trying to prove his worth to the recruiting officer. It all looks like a normal mercenary recruitment, but Natalie knows there's more to it than meets the eye.

She stood in the shadows, her eyes narrowing slightly. Renault, a name she both knew and hated, came into her mind again.

"Join him..." Natalie whispered, with a sneer on her lips, "Maybe this is a chance to directly observe his actions."

She lowered the brim of her cloak and mingled with the crowd.

The square was full of people, and the imperial conscription was in full swing. Natalie mingled in the crowd, calmly waiting for her chance. She knew that today's performance had to be flawless, but at the same time, it could also be the beginning of her head-to-head confrontation with Renault.

On the high stage, Renaud Ophelia was dressed in military uniform, his eyes cold and piercing. He stood before the crowd, commanding and commanding, giving orders to the mercenaries and adventurers gathered around him. His voice was deep, with an unmistakable force: "Everyone who joins must prove their worth." Loyalty and strength are the only criteria on which you will be selected."

Natalie raised her head slightly and looked at Leno on the raised stage. Though her face had been disguised, the familiar face still made her heart tingle. She quickly lowered her head, suppressed her emotions, and continued to pretend to be an ordinary mercenary.

When it was Natalie's turn, all eyes were on her. She walked slowly toward the center of the field, her short sword in hand, her eyes calm. The middle-aged officer motioned for her to demonstrate her skills, and she nodded slightly, took a deep breath, and quickly threw herself into combat mode.

Natalie's figure is like a lightning bolt, shuttling flexibly in the venue, the blade of the sword across the key of each target, the action is too dizzying. Her fighting style is sharp and precise, showing a sophistication honed by numerous battles.

When she finished the final stroke, breaking the stake in half, a murmur of wonder went up in the square. Natalie put her sword back in its sheath and stood in the center of the field with a calm expression, as if none of this was surprising.

"Your Highness, it is finished." Natalie nodded slightly, her tone calm.

Her voice was not high, but it seemed to awaken some sleeping memory in Renaud's heart. His eyes suddenly became sharp, staring at Natalie's back, eyes with incredible shock.

"That sentence..." Renaud murmured, then his eyes grew more complex. "That's..."

Natalie was unaware of her mistake. Her voice, movement, and that casual word awakened a sweet memory buried deep in Renault's heart.

On a sunny afternoon, Raynor and Elena used to practice their swords in the palace gardens. Elena has always excelled at smart and quick moves, while Renaud prefers a strong frontal attack.

"Your Highness," Elena's voice said with a hint of defiance and joke, "your sword skills are good, but they seem to lack dexterity."

Renaud raised his eyebrows with a smile in his eyes. "Really? Why don't you teach me, General Elena?"

Elena clenched the sword and walked briskly around him, smiling and saying, "In the battle, footsteps are the key, don't always think of one sword to control the enemy." Your Highness, you need to be more patient."

Renaud was amused by her words and shook his head in mock frustration. "It seems that I will always be a student before you."

Elena sheathed her sword and looked up at him with a hint of playfulness in her voice. "Your Highness, it's done."

At that time, their laughter echoed in the garden, the sun shone on them, as if the whole world was filled with warmth and hope.

'Stop it! Renaud sprang to his feet, his voice cutting through the noise of the square like a sharp sword.

Natalie paused and turned to look at Renaud with a little doubt in her eyes: "Your Highness, what's the problem?"

Renault walked slowly down the platform, and everyone held their breath. His eyes were firmly fixed on Natalie, and there was a faint chill in his voice. "What you just said... And your movements... Who are you?"

Natalie's heart suddenly tightened, but she quickly calmed down and bowed her head in salute: "Your Highness, I am only an ordinary mercenary." I'm sorry if my behavior offended you."

Reno's eyes grew more dangerous as he raised his hand and motioned for the soldiers to surround Natalie: "You look like someone I once knew." If you're really her, you can't hide it easily."

This remark caused whispers in the room, and the atmosphere became increasingly tense.

Leno made no secret of his intentions, coldly saying: "Take her to the verification room, I want to confirm her identity."

Natalie frowned slightly, but she knew that refusing now would only make herself more suspicious. She replied quietly, "Of course, Your Highness."

In the verification room, Natalie's identification badge is placed into a machine to detect spirit marks and records. After running the instrument for a few moments, it finally shows the result.

"Your Highness," the verification officer said in a respectful but slightly nervous tone, "her identity is a perfect match and there is nothing unusual."

Reynaud's face became extremely complicated as he stared at the results of the instrument. He slowly turned around and looked at Natalie again, his eyes were a little cold and lost.

"I guess I'm being paranoid." 'he whispered, but his voice was still tinged with suspicion.

In the square, Renaud stood in front of the crowd, took a deep breath, looked around, and finally landed on Natalie.

"Natalie Irwin," his voice was cold and low, "I apologize for my rudeness. I hope this won't deter you from joining my army."

Natalie saluted slightly and said calmly, "Your Highness, you are a cautious leader, and I understand your prudence."

Renault nodded, but said nothing more. There was still a hint of complexity in his gaze, as if he were chasing some unreachable phantom.

When Natalie left, Renaud stood there, watching her back as she faded away. His fists were slightly clenched, and there was deep confusion in his eyes.

"That feeling..." He murmured, with pain and struggle in his voice, "It can't be her... But why are they so similar?"

Natalie walked at the edge of the camp, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, a cold twinkle in her eyes.

"Renault, you're right to be suspicious. But this time, I won't let you recognize me easily."