No one complained about the nonstop trek back towards Trane, everyone knew what they had to do. Exhaustion, mud, and relentless travel were factors that were never brought up. Discarding the stops taken for the mules, we didn’t waste a second.

There was a noticeable increase in demonic energy within the woods. We were fortunate enough to not run into any trouble, but there were instances where that would have been questionable if I weren’t there.

They were smart enough to stay away. Not even on demonic-level terms, as my standing in the Morningstar bloodline wasn’t where it used to be. But my authority as a dragon was a granted superiority card.

The lower-level demons were agitated and that could be felt in their energy. Someone was getting closer, besides myself.

My first brother had surely started his march towards Leton. It was only a matter of time before they were in a full-fledged war.

I would guess that it would be within the month. It depended on what type of conquest my father desired. If he wanted to set an example, he would have them eliminated within an hour.

But if my father wanted to bask in that feeling of power over a nation, he’d wait it out for ages. I had performed both tasks in my peak time serving my family.

Still, things could have changed. It was too uncertain that I couldn’t formulate a concrete answer to the way this would go down.

The only priority right now for the sake of Trane and Leton was arriving back to the kingdom.

We continued day-and-night, till the gates of Trane were present over the hills. Serlon raised his hand, signaling Trent to pull the mules to a halt.

He looked up at the sun balanced in the middle of the sky, cursing under his breath, “I was hoping we’d arrive at nightfall, but we don’t have time to sit here either. As far as the townspeople are concerned, the crown prince never left the estate.”

It was to stop the panic. After all, for a high figure in royalty to be gone for an extended period. – unless on an announced diplomatic trip. But that wouldn’t explain the reason that we had left in secret.

“If anyone tries to talk to you, don’t say anything. If you must answer, the Crown Prince sent his personal knights to fetch a close trading partner from across land barriers.” Serlon explained, earning nods from the knight party.

He waved again, signaling Trent to move the carriage forward. The mules brayed, moving with the weight of the carriage behind them.

I fell back to the side next to Gunnar, who surveyed the passing greenery of the woods. Below his eyes were dark circles that matched his muddied attire.

Right now, we looked like peasant knights that didn’t fit the royal knight image. The covers given by Leon had dirtied and mud caked our legs to our knees. Excluding myself, everyone looked like they were on the verge of passing out, if not for their poker face.

I mean - I was fine. I always was.

The carriage creaked as it strolled down the hill. The damage from the trek in the woods becomes more noticeable with every crack of wood and squeaking of wheels. They were sounds that weren’t present before.

A guard from the gates yelled over to our approaching silhouette, “Halt! State your business.”

Only to be shut up by the badge Serlon pulled from his belt.

“Open the gates!” The one yelled over to the others, saluting the head knight, “Sir Serlon! Welcome back, Sir!”

The gates opened, the rumbling of the metal bars announcing our presence.

Serlon stepped forward, face stoic to the guard, who greeted him.

“What are the updates on the gate policy?” He questioned; stern-faced.

“Closed gate policy. We have received orders to limit the influx of people coming inside unless they have citizenship or permission from authorities.” The guard answered.

So, it seemed like Lars and Daniel were able to perform their duties. Policies were already going into effect.

“Noted.” Serlon waved us forward, “Leave our entrance into the kingdom out of the logs. If they’re already written, burn them.”

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Yes, Sir!” The guard acknowledged.

I wasn’t sure about the amount of information that the lower guard rank had about our absence. However, there was no mistaking the surprised looks in a few of their expressions.

Unfortunately for me, I could hear their whispers.

“I wonder where they went.”

“That explains why they weren’t at the meeting…”

“Did the Crown Prince send them away?”

“This is my first time seeing their troop in person.”

So that explained some of it. Chances are that they still thought the Crown Prince was in the kingdom. This whole interaction was being kept at a security buffer.

The interest of the public extended inside the kingdom too. Because we arrived at high noon, it was peak time in the markets and shops. People flooded the roads, bundles of bags, fabric, and food in their hands.

Some whispered, children pointing to the tattered carriage, and others stopping to stare. Their eyes landed on Serlon, who was a known figure in the kingdom for his public appearances. However, the situation was too precarious for him to afford to step inside. He needed to guide us to the estate to finish off the job.

If the kingdom were to want to cover the curiosity that this would attract from the civilians, they’d secretly bring in a trader, and brandish him publicly to lodge at the estate. But that’s only if they care enough to do so.

People talked regardless of what you tried to do. There was no helping it. Rumors were a powerful weapon.

It didn’t take long before we reached the gate of the estate, guards letting us in quickly to avoid the crowd that had conjugated around us.

Behind us, they stepped in front of the gates; seemingly to block the curious eyes of the civilians. The carriage swung around the courtyard, halting at the stairs of the entrance. Lars and Daniel scurried down from the estate, greeting Serlon.

“Updates?” He wasted no time inquiring.

Lars was the one who ended up answering him, “The imperial castle is working on preparing potions, rations, and supplies for the situation. The mage tower agreed to the terms to help transport help over.”

“Any news about physical reinforcements?” Serlon pressed, already unloading the carriage storage while talking.

“The King has requested an in-person council to discuss that with Crown Prince Edwin,” Daniel informed with a solemn tone to his voice.

So, the King had conditions. Fair.

“Just great…” Serlon sighed, shaking his head, “Your Highness, we are here.” He knocked on the carriage door, grabbing the handle to open it.

Edwin hopped down, a hood pulled over his head, “Lars. Daniel. Thank you for handling some of the matters beforehand.”

They bowed slightly, “Of course, your Highness.”

“The King has requested an audience with you,” Serlon revealed.

“How soon?” Edwin added.

“As soon as you return,” Lars answered.

The prince sighed, running a hand through his hair, “I’ll run inside to get into better garments. Serlon, accompany me and we’ll leave in the main carriage immediately after.

“I’ll take this one back to the barn and prepare the official one.” Trent chimed in from the driver’s seat.

Everyone nodded, before Serlon turned to Gunnar and me, “Take the rest of the day to rest. Starting tomorrow, we’ll be busy.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice!” Gunnar yawned, stretching his arms above his head.

“And Asta?” Serlon added.

I peered over, “Yes?”

“Stay inside the castle walls,” Serlon said casually, but he was serious. And you could tell.

“Chaining me like a dog, huh?” I raised my brow.

“Enough. Do you understand?” Serlon exhaled.

“Fine.”

I could tell he wanted to say more, but he didn’t have time to. Instead, his eyes lingered for a second more, before rushing Edwin up the stairs towards the estate.

“I’ll be taking the carriage back now.” Trent waved, leaving Gunnar and me.

“Little man, how are you planning on using this free time?” Gunnar chuckled, guiding us to the side entrance instead.

“Never call me that again.”

“Right…” He paused, before regrouping, “I’ll be hitting the bath before hitting the hay for the night!” Gunnar let out a hearty laugh.

I rolled my eyes, sighing, “I’ll be around.”

I stepped back, pointing towards the side exit, “I have someone I need to check on.” I lied.

“A lady friend?” The burly man cooed.

“No.”

“Well, you may want to change out of your outfit before you see her,” Gunnar pointed to the mud, caking my uniform up to my knees.

“Doesn’t my face make up for that fact?” I scoffed, jokingly.

“The fact that you look like you want to kill everyone at all times of the day cancels that out.” He gave a shit-eating grin.

“Do you want to die?” I narrowed my eyes.

“Maybe I’m hoping on that.” He smiled, waving me off, “Don’t go outside the castle walls, kid. Wait though.” He reached inside, grabbed a longer cloak, and threw it at me.

“I don’t know where you’re going. But if you don’t want to be hounded by nosey civilians, throw this on at least.”

I nodded, throwing the cloak on, and tossing the muddy one off.

Gunnar yawned, giving me one final wave off, before shutting the side entrance of the estate.

Now then. Where was I to go? Of course, it was obvious.

Outside the castle walls.

I hurried to the outskirts of the estate walls. It was easier to head out to the streets through the same exit that we used for wall patrol. If I were to head out in the swarm of curious onlookers, I’d have a harder time escaping this hellhole.

The last thing that I needed was to waste time at Edwin’s estate, when I didn’t know when the last time, I’d have free time was.

The guards at the side walls didn’t pay much attention to my presence. At this point, no one questioned the prince’s personal guard unit.

They simply nodded, wishing me well in whatever I was doing. Though, what I was doing was against orders.

Crossing the estate property and slipping into the backways of the main streets, I headed towards the lower sections of Trane.

I didn’t give two shits about the side glances that I got from the groups of people lingering in these backways. They were all scuff-looking, eyeing the dirty swords that hung on my sides.

Steal it, I dare you is what I was thinking. Since it was technically royal property, they’d have wanted posters out as soon as the sun rose tomorrow.

Regardless, I continued past the thugs, till I was closer to the lower sections of Trane.

It was a financial superpower that I gained from being sent to fetch documents occasionally. In Hellion, it was different. But even in a well-developed kingdom, you could spot the difference between the rich and the poorer areas. As much as Trane tried to disguise these, it was impossible no matter how ‘wealthy’ an area was.

You could have mountains of gold and never be able to escape the realities of society. Humans were just like that.

The polished brick from the inner sections faded into a shabbier finish, vines growing from corners of chimneyed houses.

Ladies wore dresses made from cotton instead of the heavy satin and silk ones. Men walked around in working clothes, without the fancy buttons, and collared shirts.

The further I got within the lower section, the less I noticed stares from others at my muddied appearance. No one batted an eye here. No one cared.

People sat on the sides of the street, calling out to others who passed by. Not one care in the world. No sympathy.

Others rushed by each other, not bothering to even make eye contact. Even the guard presence in the area was lackluster.

I wasn’t complaining about it though. When people didn’t care it meant you could get away with a lot of things. Stealing, the beatings in the alleys, killing, and jumping over the kingdom walls.

Okay. The last one was niche, but it would be a reality in a few minutes. I turned into an alleyway, between some closed shops, and walked back towards the walls.

I would have been fine just to jump over. Truth is -if anyone were watching me, I would have felt their glance from miles away.

But that wasn’t the case. And if I were caught, I’d be fucked over in lectures that would be more annoying to hear. Because I wasn’t on the top of Serlon’s most liked people, it would be a long-ass lecture.

I cast a small invisibility spell, my figure disappearing into the air. And with a leap, the kingdom grew smaller under my feet.

The green plains from the underside of the wall cushioned my descent, as I landed on the other side of the walls.

With a flip of my favorite finger, I approached the woods.

Because I wasn’t a fucking dog.