Matthew leaned over the map, his gloved finger tapping a marked route. "Here," he said, tracing the line that curved downward. "We're heading south—towards the Lizardman Empire."
He shifted his hand slightly, pointing to a glowing symbol etched into the parchment. "But first, we pass through the capital's market square. That's where the teleportation gate is—also known as Wilson Capital."
The air around them thrummed with a quiet intensity as Aidan followed the path Matthew traced across the map. His brows drew together slightly.
"Where are we now?" he asked, lifting his gaze. Aidan had noticed something odd—how the air inside the carriage felt still, almost serene, yet the world outside told a different story. Trees zipped past in a green blur, their shapes melting together like brushstrokes on a wet canvas. Aidan's eyes widened slightly as he leaned toward the window.
They were moving fast—much faster than any carriage had a right to. And yet, there wasn't a single jolt. No shaking wheels, no sound of hooves pounding the ground. It was smooth, like gliding on air.
"Are we flying?" he muttered under his breath, half-joking. It didn't feel like he was in a carriage at all. More like he was seated in a stationary room while the land itself raced beneath him.
"Flying? Not quite," Matthew said, finally turning his gaze to Aidan. "But what you're sitting in isn't a regular carriage either. Crafted from rare woods, carved with wind-channeling runes—it's meant to feel like a quiet room, no matter the speed."
"And it's not just your carriage," Matthew added, his eyes following the shifting landscape. "All of them on this trip are crafted the same way—swift, reinforced, rune-bound."
He glanced at Aidan, a faint edge of dry humor in his voice. "Though yours, of course, is a step above. More runes, better cushioning, extra enchantments. Wouldn't want the heir of House Wilson to feel a bump he doesn't have to."
Aidan gave a loose shrug, sinking back slightly into the plush seat. "I was expecting to be jolted around for half the trip," he muttered, eyes flicking to the runes carved subtly into the wood. "But if it's going to be like this… I'm not complaining." He gestured toward the trees flashing past the window, blurring into streaks of green and gold.
"And that speed?" Matthew let a faint smirk rise. "Credit goes to the Zephyron. You remember those beasts you called horses?"
Aidan blinked. "Ah... those horse-like monsters? Yeah, I remember." The Zephyron did resemble horses a bit too closely for comfort—at least to Aidan. The first time he'd seen them, the word had slipped from his mouth out of habit.
Matthew had paused, confused. "Horse? What's that?" Aidan had recovered quickly, feigning a mutter. "Nothing. Just talking to myself."
Matthew had stared at him a beat longer than necessary, clearly unconvinced. But Aidan had held his ground, wearing the thick skin of someone used to bluffing through awkward moments.
Matthew nodded. "Those are second-rank wind beasts. Born to run with the wind—quite literally. Zephyrons glide across land like spirits, and they're surprisingly docile. Easy to raise, easy to command. That's what makes them ideal for long-distance travel."
He leaned back, folding his arms as his gaze drifted forward. "Teleportation gates and Zephyrons—that's how merchants and nobles move across the empire. But commoners?"
He let out a short breath. "Most of them live and die without ever seeing beyond their villages. Some don't even step outside their province. The human empire is just too vast."
"I see," Aidan replied, his gaze drifting to the window, the landscape blurring past. After a moment, he turned back to Matthew.
"Well, anyway, we got off-topic. Apologies for that," he said, shaking his head slightly at how easily he'd gone off on a tangent.
Matthew paused, then gave a small nod. "Ah, right. The answer to your question—we'll be reaching the capital center in just a few moments."
"I see," Aidan answered.
Matthew nodded as he returned to the map. "After entering the capital square, we'll use the teleportation gate. That'll take us to the edge of the border. That's where Viscount John's territory starts—"
"Wait, are we going through Viscount John's lands?" Aidan asked, raising an eyebrow, curiosity piqued.
Matthew gave a small, thoughtful nod, his expression calm. "Do you know him?" he asked, a touch of surprise in his voice. "You look like you're familiar with him."
Aidan's gaze shifted, recalling the brief encounter. "Well, I met him once. He visited Mother's office for some business. That was a while ago."
Matthew raised an eyebrow. "If you want, I can notify the Viscount of your visit."
Aidan waved a hand dismissively. "No need."
Matthew exhaled sharply through his nose. "So," he said, voice clipped with restrained irritation, "now that you're done interrupting every other sentence with questions, can I actually finish explaining the route?"
Aidan scratched his cheek, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. "Sorry," he muttered, trying not to laugh. "Go on. I'm all ears now."
Matthew gave him a long, withering look, exhaled slowly through his nose, and then tapped the edge of the map laid out before them. "Good. Now, as I was saying…"
"After we pass through Viscount John's territory, we'll cross the border of the human empire and enter the unclaimed lands," Matthew said, his tone growing more serious. "First comes the grasslands—vast stretches of open fields, dotted with dry trees and prowled by wild beasts. Nothing we can't handle."
He tapped a path along the map, his finger tracing the route. "But beyond that… the real problems begin. We'll face hordes of aggressive creatures. Then comes the river. We'll follow its flow along a narrow side path—it's the only safe passage through that region."
Matthew paused, glancing at Aidan. "And finally, we reach the Dark Forest. That's our destination—and also where we'll part ways with the escort. Any farther, and we have to turn back the long way around."
"As for the Dark Forest," Matthew continued, "it's divided into regions of its own."
Aidan's gaze sharpened as he nodded. "I know," he said quietly, his fingers curling slightly on the map's edge. "I know how it's split."
He exhaled slowly, his gaze drifting to the window again, realizing it wouldn't be long before he'd be standing at the edge of the Dark Forest.