The silence was abruptly shattered as Emma voiced her concerns with a hint of bitterness, “Don’t tell me they've assigned a first-year to this mission…” Her eyes sought confirmation, staring anxiously towards Liliana.
She replied calmly, "If the elders have made their decision, we must follow it. We are leaving now." Without further discussion, she shot into the air and landed gracefully on the back of a Stormwing Eagle.
Watching Liliana’s unfazed demeanor, Emma sighed heavily, “Great, now we're definitely going to lose against Prince Lex…” Resigned to her fate, she took a deep breath, gathered her energy, and leapt gracefully onto the back of the second Stormwing Eagle.
Theo, meanwhile, gave a last glance at Alex, who stood frozen in place, his gaze locked on Liliana with mesmerized eyes. Shaking his head slightly, Theo too launched into the air and settled on his designated Stormwing Eagle.
As they all readied themselves, the Stormwing Eagles began to ascend, stirring up clouds of dust as they rose into the sky.
Alex, covering his face to shield it from the dust, watched with envious eyes as the Stormwing Eagles vanished into the clouds.
Flying through the clouds, the Stormwing Eagles seemed to instinctively know their path as they journeyed toward the Territory of Feralon. Theo reveled in the exhilaration of flight, a feeling he dearly missed from his solo skydiving adventures back on Earth.
However, not everyone shared his enthusiasm. Emma, with a grave expression, clung tightly to her Stormwing Eagle’s neck, clearly uncomfortable with the height.
In comparison, Liliana appeared utterly unaffected by the turbulent winds, a golden halo surrounding her that calmed the air currents around her.
Catching sight of Liliana, Theo noticed a familiar purple diary, similar to the one he had found in the cave. This sight confirmed his suspicion that the diary he possessed indeed belonged to her.
Theo pondered the complexities of their relationship, ‘If she discovers that I am the person she has been waiting for all this time, how will she react? Will she try to hide me again? She didn’t even tell me she knew me before we met… It seems karma is catching up to her now, when she least expects it…’
As the Eagles soared higher and the landscape below became a distant blur, Theo's thoughts drifted between the past and the challenges that awaited them.
After a two-hour journey, the sight of majestic trees and dense foliage began to fill their line of sight. The flying mountains diminished their pace, revealing a clearing where four people stood waiting for their arrival.
As the Stormwing Eagles descended, Theo was the first to dismount, his feet touching the ground with a soft thud. The rest of the welcoming party knelt on the ground and bowed their heads in a gesture of respect.
Theo’s eyes darted to the person for whom these four were bowing their heads.
As Liliana and the other young lady dismounted, the Stormwing Eagles took flight again, their task complete.
“We welcome Princess Liliana and her friends to the Northern Woods,” the four people said in unison, their voices resonating through the forest.
Liliana gestured for them to rise, but her expression remained cold and detached, as if the formality and the people before her held no importance.
Theo watched her, puzzled. Was she the same person from his past? It seemed as if she maintained a chilling exterior to all around her.
A woman with long black hair, appearing to be in her thirties and dressed in a flowing blue coat that reached below her knees, stepped forward. “I’m Agnes Worthington, Your Highness. Sir Fundin has assigned me to oversee all the arrangements.” She then gave a silent signal to the tall and burly figure beside her.
“I’m Gildor Frostleaf,” he said flatly, his sharp teeth just visible in what passed for a respectful expression. His ears tapered to points and his eyes held a depth of intelligence. His facial fur, white and thicker than that of the typical Canorian, was well-groomed and longer than usual.
A young human boy, about the same age as Theo, bowed his head respectfully. “I’m Linwe, Princess. We are honored to have you here.”
A black-haired elf stood proudly at the end of the procession, his age difficult to guess given the handsome features typical of his elven lineage. A broad sword rested in a scabbard on his back. "Arwen Gladesworn, elite guardian. My duty is to safeguard Princess Liliana," he announced.
Theo, having been briefed on this mission, had assumed it would be an assembly of Canorians. The presence of elves and humans among them was a surprising twist. His eyes briefly swept over the gathered individuals, activating his [Leywin’s Gaze] to assess their strengths.
<<<<
[Human: Circle Rank 52]
[Canorian: Circle Rank 73]
[Elf: Circle Rank 57]
[Human: Circle Rank 24]
>>>>
The Canorian man caught his attention, his strength outmatching the others. Theo's thoughts narrowed, 'That old man is the only one out of my league… Time to gauge the prowess of my new teammates.' Redirecting his gaze, he scanned the others, who he hadn't yet inspected.
<<<<
[???: Circle Rank 66]
[Human: Circle Rank 54]
>>>>
‘Same as my half-unknown race marked with ‘???’. Perhaps, neither of us belongs to the Varidian continent…’ He pondered, staring at the information that appeared when he inspected Liliana.
"Princess, we have prepared your accommodation nearby. Please, allow me to lead you there," Agnes said, bowing slightly.
As Theo and his group trailed behind Agnes through the towering northern woods, the dense forest gradually opened up into a vast clearing. A bustling town, cradled among the towering trees, came into view. The murmur of daily life filled the air, dominated by Canorians engaged in various tasks, interspersed with a few individuals from other races.
Gildor, following behind Agnes, took the opportunity to explain the significance of their surroundings to his guests as they made their way through the town. "Princess, this settlement serves as our frontline shield against the Demon Race and the toxic mists of the nearby Thornwood Forest. We strategically positioned it here, at the juncture of the northern woods and the western desert. Though the Demons rarely breach through Thornwood, they frequently attempt incursions from the desert side." he explained.
Their path took them past homes uniquely crafted from the dark, shimmering timbers of ironwood trees.
Gildor gestured towards them, his tone warming with pride. "These structures, Princess, are forged from ironwood, valued for its strength which surpasses even that of ordinary iron."
Emma's fingers brushed against the smooth, dark wood as they walked, marveling at its texture and strength. "Incredible," she murmured in awe.
A serene lake soon came into view, its surface a perfect mirror to the vast sky above. Nearby, a large tract of land was diligently cultivated with bamboo and sugarcane.
Gildor's voice turned somber as he continued, "The northern woods have long been the chief suppliers of bamboo and sugarcane to the Territory of Feralon and its neighbors. However, in recent years, as other regions have started cultivating these crops, we’ve faced intensified competition, impacting our local economy."
Liliana nodded thoughtfully, her gaze sweeping over the cultivated fields.
Their journey through the town led them to a formidable three-story building, its vast foundation declaring it the tallest and most imposing structure around. The entire edifice was crafted from ironwood. Two Canorian men, standing guard by the doorway, acknowledged Agnes with a respectful nod as she ushered the group inside.
As Theo followed Agnes into the building, the interior revealed itself to be modest yet functional. The main hall was spacious, with several rooms branching off to the sides and a long, spiraling staircase leading to the upper floors.
Once everyone was inside, Agnes addressed them with a courteous gesture. "Welcome to the Embassy Enclave, Princess. This facility oversees our foreign affairs and will provide a comfortable place for you and your companions during your stay." Her expression softened as she added, "I imagine the journey here was quite taxing. Please, take this opportunity to rest and recuperate."
She then turned to a human lady with neck-length black hair, dressed in a maid's attire, who was standing near the staircase. "Ella, please show the Princess and her friends to their rooms," Agnes instructed.
“Yes, Madame Agnes,” Ella replied, her voice slightly quivering. Despite her professional demeanor, the cold sweat on her forehead unmasked her nervousness at serving royalty.
Ella led Princess Liliana and Emma up the staircase, taking careful steps to accommodate the weary travelers.
Theo was shown to his own room shortly after, which, while not lavish, was well-appointed with a comfortable bed and an attached bathroom—a welcome sight after their long journey.
Ella also brought their meals directly to their rooms, allowing them all some much-needed solitude before they rested.
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