As I rode swiftly eastward across the Golden River kingdom, a flicker of doubt crept into my mind. Holding the reins firmly, I allowed my thoughts to wander for a moment.

Had I truly prepared everything I needed for this long journey? After Dean Eleazar's revelation about the existence of the four realms and the looming threat of Xanatos, I had rushed to set out without really pausing to think about the equipment or supplies I might need.

I frowned, sifting through my memories. Sure, I had made sure to saddle a strong horse and check that my sword was sharp. But what about the rest? Did I have enough provisions? And money—did I have enough of that?

A small sigh escaped me as I thought back to my virtual wallet. Since joining the Academy, the Council had ensured it remained stocked with gold coins to cover my needs.

Curious, I opened my interface to check the exact balance. My eyes widened slightly at the sum displayed.

[Virtual Wallet: 15,000 Gold Coins]

A satisfied smile crossed my lips. With that much gold, I’d have no trouble managing this long journey. After all, the road to the abandoned castle in the eastern part of the kingdom was far from an easy stroll.

According to Dean Eleazar, the journey would take about a month on horseback, or three months on foot. I grimaced at the thought. A month of nonstop riding wasn’t going to be easy, but I had no choice. Time was against me, and I needed to reach the castle as quickly as possible to recover the fabled Demon Vein.

My gaze shifted toward the horizon as I scanned the landscape ahead. Though I had never left the borders of Golden River before, I knew this journey would be fraught with danger. I would have to traverse wild landscapes, shadowy forests, and perhaps even treacherous mountains.

And who knew what creatures or threats I might encounter along the way? Eleazar had warned me clearly—this castle would likely be riddled with traps and crawling with demonic entities. I would need to stay vigilant every step of the way.

A slight movement from my horse pulled me out of my thoughts. Refocusing on the path ahead, I noticed a small town appearing on the horizon. A wave of relief washed over me. Perhaps I could stop there to stock up on provisions and additional gear before continuing on my journey.

Gripping the reins tightly, I urged my horse to pick up the pace. The sooner I reached that town, the better. There was no time to waste.

A few minutes later, I entered what seemed to be the heart of the small settlement. At first glance, it was nothing remarkable—a handful of modest houses, a tavern, and a farm on the edge of the road. But it would likely have everything I needed.

I dismounted and tied my horse securely to a post in front of the tavern, then pushed open the door. The interior was relatively quiet, with only a few regulars seated at tables, sipping their drinks.

The tavern keeper, a jovial-looking man with a round belly, glanced up at my entrance. A wide grin spread across his face as he sized me up.

"Well, well! A traveler passing through our humble town!" he exclaimed in a booming voice. "What can I do for you, young man?"

I approached the counter, trying to project confidence. "Good day, sir. I’m looking for provisions and equipment for a long journey. Would you have what I need?"

The tavern keeper nodded enthusiastically, his eyes twinkling. "Of course, of course! We’ve got everything you need right here. Let me show you!"

He disappeared behind the counter for a moment, then reappeared with a sturdy canvas bag, which he placed before me.

"Here you go—everything you’ll need for a journey lasting several weeks! Rations, water, blankets, all the essentials!" he declared proudly.

I inspected the contents of the bag carefully, a satisfied smile forming as I realized it was exactly what I needed.

"This is perfect. How much do I owe you?" I asked, reaching for my virtual wallet.

The tavern keeper raised a placating hand. "Oh, not much, my boy! Let’s say… 50 gold coins?"

I nodded and summoned the coins into my hand. The tavern keeper let out an impressed whistle at the sight of the shiny currency.

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"Well, you’ve got enough here to buy yourself a few nights of well-earned rest!" he said with a knowing wink.

I chuckled softly. "Thank you, but I don’t really have the luxury of staying long. I need to head east as quickly as possible."

The tavern keeper’s smile faltered slightly. "Ah, I see. Well, in that case, let me give you some advice for the road. This isn’t a journey to take lightly, especially on your own."

I nodded gravely. "I expected as much. This is a mission of great importance."

He studied me for a moment, as if assessing my resolve, before nodding slowly.

"Very well. In that case, listen carefully. The road east is long and full of dangers. You should make regular stops, if only to let your horse rest."

He gestured toward the door behind him. "Just outside, there’s a farm. The folks there can probably offer you a place to stay for the night and fresh provisions."

I inclined my head in thanks. "Noted. I’ll pay them a visit."

The tavern keeper offered a small smile. "Take care out there, young man. And don’t hesitate to stop back here if you need anything else!"

"You have my thanks," I replied sincerely.

With that, I left the tavern, my bag of provisions in hand. As the tavern keeper had mentioned, a small farm stood not far from the road, its wooden buildings nestled under the shade of trees.

I made my way toward it, hopeful for a warm reception. A few days of rest would be welcome before venturing into the wild lands to the east.

As I approached the farm, I saw a woman busy with chores around the property. She looked up as I neared, her eyes widening slightly at the sight of me.

"Good day, ma’am," I greeted politely. "I’m sorry to bother you, but the tavern keeper said you might be able to offer me a place to stay for the night?"

The woman smiled warmly. "Of course, young man! We’d be happy to host you here. Come in, I’ll show you where you can settle."

Wiping her hands on her apron, she motioned for me to follow. As I entered the farmyard, I couldn’t help but admire the peaceful surroundings. It was a stark contrast to the bustling chaos of the capital.

"This is the barn—you’ll find it plenty comfortable to rest in," she said, gesturing toward a wooden structure slightly set apart.

I thanked her with a nod and headed inside. The faint scent of hay and wood greeted me as I pushed open the door, drawing a sigh of contentment from my lips.

Setting down my bag of provisions, I settled onto the fresh hay, savoring the comforting silence of the place. Closing my eyes for a moment, I let my mind wander, replaying the events of the past few days.

Who would have thought that what began as a simple reconnaissance mission would transform into such a monumental quest? Four interconnected realms, and a demon hungry for power, poised to destroy them all…

A chill ran through me. I wasn’t ready to face such a threat again—not yet. But I had no choice. The fate of our entire world rested on my shoulders.

I couldn’t afford to fail. I had to recover the Demon Vein, no matter the cost. For Kenzo, for Liam, and for everyone I cared about.

The sound of soft footsteps pulled me from my turbulent thoughts. Looking up, I saw the farm woman standing in the doorway, her expression kind.

"You look troubled, young man," she said gently. "Is something weighing on your mind?"

I hesitated for a moment, then sat up slightly. "Yes, ma’am. I’ve been tasked with a mission of great importance for our kingdom, and I’m afraid I might not be up to the challenge."

She stepped closer, resting a reassuring hand on my arm. "Is your mission truly so dangerous?"

I nodded gravely. "Yes. I have to travel to an abandoned castle in the east to retrieve an artifact capable of stopping a terrible threat to our world."

Her eyes widened in shock. "My poor child… What a heavy burden you carry."

I lowered my gaze, my throat tightening. "I know. And I nearly failed in my last encounter with this enemy. I can’t afford to make the same mistakes again."

The farm woman studied me for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "You know, young man, sometimes it’s not physical strength that matters most—it’s determination and belief in oneself."

I looked up, meeting her wise gaze. "What do you mean?"

She smiled kindly. "Surely you realize you’re not the first to face such a daunting challenge. And yet, those who succeeded did so not because of sheer power, but because of their unshakable conviction."

Her grip on my arm tightened slightly. “Believe in yourself, young man. Your friends believe in you, and so do I. You have the strength within you to see this through.”

Her words were simple, but they carried a weight that resonated deeply. For a moment, I sat in silence, letting them sink in. Was she right? Was I so focused on my failures that I was overlooking my own potential?

A faint smile tugged at my lips. “Thank you, ma’am. Your words bring me comfort and clarity.”

She nodded, her expression warm. “It’s what you need most on a journey like yours—clarity and faith in yourself. Now, get some rest. Tomorrow, you’ll need your strength for the road ahead.”

With that, she gave my arm a gentle pat and stepped out of the barn, leaving me alone with my thoughts.