Chapter 211: The Redania Empire (11) Arrived At The Capital
The journey to the capital of the Redania Empire stretched across vast landscapes, a trek filled with challenges and strategic decisions. Aware of the Duke’s potential tactics to track him city by city, Lyan opted for a bold move. Rather than following the well-trodden path, he led his companions through the untamed wilderness, bypassing cities and steering directly toward the heart of the Redania Empire.
To further confound any pursuers, Lyan devised a clever ruse. In the initial city, he left behind an ingenious decoy—an illusion spell cast upon his skeletal companions, enhanced with polymorph magic. They mimicked Lyan and his group’s appearance, becoming unwitting actors in a charade that led the Duke’s men on a wild chase from city to city. Unbeknownst to the pursuers, they danced unwittingly to Lyan’s strategic orchestration.
Navigating through the harsh winter terrain filled with menacing ice mana beasts, Lyan relied on a combination of his mapping knowledge and the information gleaned from Aisha. Each step was calculated, every path chosen with precision. Even when opting for slightly riskier routes to expedite their journey, the seamless cooperation between Lyan’s skeletons and the winter wolves ensured that obstacles were swiftly overcome.
The ferocious speed of the winter wolves, complemented by the black horse Shadow’s agility, enabled them to cover vast distances. In just five days of relentless traveling, they breached the outskirts of the capital.
"Wow... So this is the capital of the Redania Empire..." Lyan murmured in awe, his gaze fixed upon the sprawling cityscape that unfolded before him. Towers touched the sky, and the city sprawled with an air of grandeur.
The city’s colossal gates loomed ahead, a majestic entrance that seemed to welcome both travelers and intrigue. Lyan, aware of the potential scrutiny they might face, swiftly acted to conceal the otherworldly nature of his companions. With a subtle wave of his hand, a cascade of magic enveloped the winter wolves. Their massive forms diminished, transforming into ordinary-looking dogs with thick fur.
Similarly, the skeletal guardians donned cloaks, their bony features hidden beneath the illusion of human guise. The once eerie entourage now resembled a group of ordinary travelers, the skeletal sentinels appearing as nondescript men with cloaked figures ambling alongside. Lyan, with his black cloak concealing his identity, led the group through
the gates, seamlessly merging with the bustling crowd.
The capital unfurled before them like a vast tapestry of life and ambition. Towering structures adorned with intricate designs soared into the heavens, and the labyrinthine streets below buzzed with the energy of a thriving metropolis. Merchants peddled their wares, children played in the alleys, and the aroma of various cuisines wafted through the air. It was a city that breathed with a pulse of its own.