Chapter 8
The rhythmic clopping of hooves echoed faintly beneath the forest canopy as Lucien and Sir Rex continued their journey down the meandering trail. After what felt like nearly an hour, the endless sea of crystalline-barked trees finally began to thin. Sunlight poured more freely through the gaps, and the scent of pine and honeygrass shifted to something subtler—smoke, spices, and the distant echo of human activity.
Lucien straightened up slightly in the saddle, ears twitching to catch every unfamiliar sound.
Then, breaking through the thinning trees and rising in full grandeur before them, was another wall—taller and more fortified than the previous. It was lined with intricate spell-scribed runes that glowed faintly under the daylight. Metal beams wrapped in blue-gold alloy ran vertically along the structure, pulsing softly like living veins.
It was another gate.
Lucien's eyebrows twitched. "You've got to be kidding me."
Rex let out a hearty laugh from behind. "That, young master, is the final wall of the Velebrandt inner territory."
Lucien groaned audibly and flailed his arms. "How many walls do we have? I just want to see the damn town already!"
Rex nudged the horse forward with a smirk. "Patience. Behind this one... lies the place you've been dreaming of."
The horse slowed as they approached the massive gate, which was manned by nearly two dozen knights clad in silver half-plate enchanted with low-tier warding runes. Each guard stood tall and alert, spears glowing faintly at the tip, their posture more formal than any Lucien had seen thus far.
One of the knights stepped forward and lowered his spear respectfully upon seeing Rex. "Sir General."
Rex dismounted with practiced ease, still holding Lucien gently before placing him on the ground. Lucien stretched his legs, a bit wobbly from the long ride, as Rex pulled out a silver parchment from his chest plate—sealed with the crimson phoenix of Archduchess Seraphina.