Alden, his hair whipping in the cool morning air, emerged from the castle's shadow. Sunlight, warm and unfiltered, bathed him in a new feeling. Unlike the enclosed carriages he'd seen in old picture books, an open carriage awaited them, offering a panoramic view of their departure from Baron Silverfield's manor.

A single, powerful horse, its coat the colour of polished wood, stood patiently harnessed to the carriage. A knight in shining armour held the reins with a practised ease, his other hand steadying a leash connected to a second, identical horse.

"My lord, everything is ready," the knight announced, his deep voice echoing across the vast courtyard. He bowed respectfully toward Frederick, who nodded in acknowledgment. 'Well done, Rodrik," Frederick said firmly, gesturing for everyone to board the carriage.

With Mary's assistance, Alden climbed onto the plush carriage seat. The smooth leather felt soft against his skin. Once everyone was settled, Frederick gave a command to the driver. The horses, sensing their cue, moved forward in perfect unison, smoothly pulling the carriage out of the castle grounds.

Rodrik, mounted on his own magnificent horse, took position behind them, forming a protective entourage alongside the carriage.

The first thing that struck Alden as they left the castle grounds was the vastness of the estate. Broad roads, paved with an unfamiliar material, stretched before them, flanked by lush green fields that seemed to extend endlessly.

"Augustus," Frederick began, his voice filled with pride, "our castle is at the southern tip of the estate. It's one of the safest places, thanks to the mountains that border us to the south."

Augustus leaned forward, his eyes wide with wonder. 'But Father, what about the other parts?" he asked.

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A smile tugged at Frederick's lips. "Good question, son. Each part of our barony plays a vital role. To the east, we raise livestock and grow crops to feed everyone," he said, pointing toward a distant cluster of fields shimmering in the morning haze. "The west is home to our citizens, while the central part of our estate is the heart of our community, where all the economic activity occurs."

"And what about the north, Father?" Augustus asked.

Frederick's smile softened. "The north," he started, his voice growing more serious, "is where the Order of Hunters resides. Our garrison is also stationed there, ensuring the safety of our lands."

Alden, who had been quietly listening, couldn't help but blurt out, "Order?" His small, hesitant voice drew everyone's attention. He flushed, realising his mistake. "Ordell… Ordello… Ordel…" he stammered, trying to cover his mistake with a giggle.

Frederick chuckled. "There are three main Orders: the Mages, the Hunters, and the Knights. The Mage Order oversees all mages, and the Knight Order oversees all knights. The Hunter Order is unique because it includes both mages and knights. These Orders provide resources, techniques, and treasures to their members. Additionally, we have various guilds, such as the Alchemists, Blacksmiths, and Runesmiths, who contribute their skills to the barony's prosperity."

"But Father," Augustus interrupted, "you said only a small branch of the Hunter's Order and a few guilds are present here in our barony."

Frederick nodded. "Yes. The larger Orders and Guilds are in big cities, far from here. But their influence reaches even the most remote corners of the land."

Alden, who had spent two years believing this world mirrored his past life, felt a wave of confusion wash over him. Orders, Guilds, Mages – these were fantastical concepts straight out of storybooks. His initial dream of a carefree life with his family seemed quaint, almost naive, in the face of this new complexity.

As the carriage continued toward its destination, Alden's mind raced. This world was filled with the unknown, and he disliked uncertainties. In his previous life, he had been murdered due to a lack of information. He didn't want to lose what he had in this life: a loving family. Determined to protect them and understand this world, Alden resolved to learn everything he could about these orders and guilds.

Lost in thought, Alden barely noticed as the landscape around them began to change, the fields giving way to dense trees and the road becoming narrower.