Grandmaster Tristan's departure left a trail of fear that crept into my mind and spread through my entire body. That dread mingled with the shadow of a grim future that might await me if I failed. Yet, I had no choice but to move forward.

  Duke Airan's Point of View

  ——

  I sat comfortably in my study, gazing at the blue sky through the large window.

  "The test subject has departed," I smiled, thinking about how smoothly our plan was proceeding.

  Although it seemed there was a data leak—someone had apparently divulged our plans to certain parties.

  But it appeared His Highness the Crown Prince had already handled it.

  "Your Grace the Duke, you have a guest," the head butler's heavy voice interrupted my reverie.

  "Who is it?"

  "It is His Highness the Crown Prince, my Lord."

  "Quickly, let him in."

  Shortly after, the door opened. A tall, dignified young man stepped inside. His stride was full of confidence.

  This was the Crown Prince, my future son-in-law.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  "Duke, I've dealt with that information leak!! But it seems the Nargar family has already obtained the information?"

  "I've also prevented Tristan from entering the capital."

  "Good, and it appears someone from the Second Prince's faction leaked this information."

  "But rest assured, Duke, I've handled it."

  "Excellent."

  Aister's Point of View

  ———

  Fear still haunted me, but it wouldn't stop my footsteps.

  The dust kicked up by his departure had settled, but my vigilance had sharpened considerably.

  I began mapping the forest near the capital as a first step.

  This forest was relatively safe.

  The paths were quite clear, frequently used by medicinal herb gatherers and hunters all the way to the forest's deeper sections.

  Finally, I completed a full map of the forest near the capital.

  As expected, there were no significant threats here. The most dangerous creatures we encountered were merely a group of goblins nesting in a small cave. Besides that, I discovered a lake with a spring so clear it was like glass.

  That afternoon, I took out the magical artifact given by the cathedral. It looked like a small tube.

  I inserted the rolled-up forest map into it. In an instant, the scroll vanished, sent somewhere in the Capital. I assumed it would reach the cathedral's hands, though I had no idea who actually received that information.

  The journey continued until we finally arrived at our next destination: Lahyana, the city of builders in the Kingdom of Altares.

  My first impression was one of grandeur. The entrance gate towered high and sturdy, heavily guarded by several squads of city soldiers. Initially, our carriage was stopped, but after I showed the cathedral's emblem and they saw my slaves, their attitude shifted to respect and we were immediately allowed passage without complicated inspections.

  Life within Lahyana's walls was vastly different from the wild forest.

  The citizens were orderly, the streets clean, and the architecture was extraordinary. The buildings here had intricate yet beautiful structures, as if every stone had been placed with precise mathematical calculation.

  During my week here, I began growing accustomed to the presence of the slaves. They proved incredibly useful. They cooked, washed, hunted, and I also had them serve as sparring partners to improve my skills.

  One thing nagged at my thoughts about Lahyana: Why was this city built with such high and thick walls? As far as I knew, there were no major external threats requiring such strong defenses.

  After several days in Lahyana, an invitation arrived.

  The ruler of this city invited me for dinner at his castle.

  Not a celebratory feast, but a private invitation.

  I departed escorted by one slave, leaving the others at the inn. The ruler's castle was as magnificent as the front gate, standing proudly in the city center.

  An experienced butler greeted me at the main door and guided me through corridors adorned with expensive tapestries.

  At the end of the great hall, a middle-aged man already waited. He possessed an elegant yet powerfully charismatic aura, as if his very authority was a fortress.

  This was Otsman Barqowi, the leader of this fortress city.