Chapter 439: Prologue – Journey to Lichen
The “King’s Avenue” spread across the land, and the road from the southern border of the Kingdom to the Royal Capital, Lichen, had always been unobstructed. This fact would not change due to the slightest shadow cast by the great figures at the pinnacle of feudalism. gone.
The summer fire’s Flame Moon had already passed, and the autumn wind, which had become considerably cooler, blew at the corners of the young man’s clothes. His open eyes saw a clear azure blue.
Gazing at the avenue where the carriage had crushed its way through, and the clear creaking sound of the metal wheels turning, meant that they were one step closer to the “Iris City.” A smile gently emerged on the black-haired young man’s face, which was not handsome, but sufficiently delicate.
The passengers in the magic carriage were naturally Ig and Verafia, who were traveling from Lorincall to the Royal Capital of Peka… Of course, their reason this time was not casual travel, but to participate in the assessment for Aris Academy’s enrollment throughout the continent in the Royal City of Lichen.
Therefore, not only them, but many young men and women throughout the kingdom and even the entire continent, of noble birth and qualified with a Saint Rank recommendation, might be heading to that ancient pure white city, accompanied by their elders and guardians.
Ig slightly recalled the events in Lorincall during the Flame Moon of midsummer, and couldn’t help but shake his head slightly, a hint of a smile touching his slightly upturned lips.
The carriage that Elishia had gifted, bearing the emblem of Grand Duke Lansiat’s Golden Lion, was left behind in Lorincall. However, the carriage bearing the mark of the Landislofen family of Mies Territory also possessed considerable deterrent power, and thus, during the nearly month-long journey, not many ill-advised lords had disturbed them.
Although, before their departure, Marquis Mays seemed to consider equipping them with knightly guards, Ig shook his head and refused, considering that the several young girls by his side did not wish to be disturbed. He even replaced the carriage with a magical vehicle that did not require a coachman or horses.
As for Shiel, although she had expressed her desire to go to Lichen with her brother several times, because the girl’s vacation did not last long, and the injuries Fran had suffered under Douglas’s sword had only barely healed by the end of summer, Shiel could only return to the academy alone through a teleportation array.
So… with a teleportation array, why use a carriage?
Ig pondered. The conclusion he finally reached was likely that the Young Lady, who hated boredom and had been clamoring for a good trip.
“But… it’s also a very good thing to be able to travel with this little phoenix.”
Ig thought to himself. At least, for more than a month, he had left behind quite memorable memories with Miss Verafia… As he recalled, a smile curved the young man’s lips.
“If I could always be by her side…”
Ig thought of the words he had spoken to the girl. En… at least, this little phoenix hadn’t really ignored him and left him alone. What was there to worry about?
In short, on the journey to Lichen, besides Miss Verafia, Ophi, and Fran, whose injuries had just healed, were naturally by his side… As for the so-called Aris Academy, the two young girls, one was the Little Princess of the Dragon, and the other was a True Ancestor of the Blood Race, so they were naturally not very interested.
This Miss Verafia… Ig guessed that it was probably just a momentary whim of Miss Phoenix, and her interest might wane and become dull any day.
As for the recommendation slots, Verafia obtained hers through Marquis Mays, while Ig himself was recommended by the chief Court Archmage, Vicena.
Speaking of which, after the incident in Lorincall, Vicena remained in Mies Territory for more than a month before leaving with Dofiraia. Moreover, from Vicena’s attitude towards him, even the dullest Ig could guess that it was because of Lothel.
“Lord Lothel…”
Ig uttered. His gaze fell upon the End in his arms… Although it retained its original appearance, this sword that had once been wielded by a legendary powerhouse had taken on a completely different image after being reshaped by Verafia’s flames and infused with Ophi’s frost-blue ice.
Ig estimated that, judging solely by its strength, the power of End would not be inferior to any Platinum Rank or even Crystal Rank weapon, let alone the touch of the Abyss…
The young man placed his palm on his chest. He thought of the pure white girl in that purely black space… Undoubtedly, she, like Lothel, was also a part of the past.
“It’s a pity… I couldn’t find out anything about Lord Lothel from anywhere.”
Although Ig was extremely resistant to what the girl had said about Verafia, to the point of not wanting to think about it, the young man still seemed somewhat regretful.
Lothel’s past… Verafia had promised him. After the incident in Lorincall, Ig had tried to ask her about it, but Miss Phoenix still wore an uncommunicative expression.
“But, whether it’s from that little phoenix or from anyone else, Lothel’s affairs seem to be ultimately related to Peka’s King, Lancaster. Then, Lichen…”
Ig stood up and gazed into the distance at the pure white iris city behind the sky… Peka’s monarch wielded the Sacred Sword, high upon his throne, and the rumored Lothel also rose from the capital of this kingdom.
Ig had a premonition that everything he wanted to know would be revealed in such a city.
“Lichen…?”
Ig adjusted his long clothes, shook his head slightly, and walked into the carriage behind him, facing the slightly cool autumn breeze.
…
The thin sunlight was mixed with the gentle breeze, slightly blowing a corner of a pure white skirt.
The beautiful girl’s porcelain-white, exquisite little face, like a doll’s, was slightly raised. Under her slender and beautiful eyelashes, her bright red, vibrant, and crystal-clear eyes, like clear crystal, seemed to reflect the luster of the ruby pendant on her slender chest.
At this moment, the girl was not wearing her usual luxurious attire, but it did not diminish any of her charm… The serene and exceptionally tranquil atmosphere even made one wonder if her form truly existed in this world.
The palm covered by the holy silver gauntlet gently pushed open the door, and the young knight walked up to her side, gently covering her slender shoulders with a thin blanket.
“Your Highness, Peka’s autumn is not like your homeland… Please take good care of your body.”
“I just want to see what the city of the Sacred Sword King looks like…”
The girl’s voice sounded. Unlike the quiet atmosphere, her voice, not yet devoid of childishness, was very pleasant, melodious, and light. The girl’s slender fingertips touched the thin blanket on her body, but she did not lift it. Her raised big eyes looked at the knight accompanying her.
“Andes, are we almost at that ‘Iris City’?”
The young knight looked at the beautiful girl standing so close, who seemed to dim the colors of the entire world, and nodded gently, “Yes… However, Your Highness, there is a caravan heading to Lichen stopping in the town ahead. Let’s enter the city with them.”
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I don’t know how to start writing…
