The next afternoon, on the outskirts.
After driving through the night, Lisa and Will switched positions. Lisa was now steering the carriage, speeding through an endless forest, while Will rested in the carriage's interior.
Arus, located at the northernmost edge of the circular continent of Roland, was nestled deep within the mountains. These peaks, perpetually cloaked in snow, stood as silent sentinels. However, neither Will nor Lisa had ever been to Arus, and thus, they had to rely on General Lei to guide them.
"I have a younger brother, about your age," General Lei, who had remained silent beside Will, suddenly spoke.
"Really?" Will responded, his tone somewhat indifferent.
"However, two years ago, he suddenly left Arus, and no one knows where he went."
"Why did he leave?" Will asked instinctively.
"He left only a single sentence behind: he found life in Arus unbearably dull and decided to seek adventure elsewhere," General Lei continued.
"Your brother and I seem quite similar, then. I too left without a word, leaving a letter behind, when I fled Paralar," Will remarked.
"No, you're not alike," General Lei suddenly burst into laughter.
"He's nothing like you. Though he had some strength, he was entirely carefree, unburdened by responsibility. I wonder how he's faring now. I hope he hasn't been caught up in the war, for with his abilities, he wouldn't last long." General Lei's tone shifted to one of grim seriousness.
"By the way, General Lei, have you figured out how to expel the mages controlling your country?" Will inquired.
"We haven't come up with specific methods yet, but we can start by establishing a resistance force," General Lei replied.
"A resistance force?"
"Yes, the United Nations controls all the ministers and nobles of Arus, aiming to dominate its influence. But they've overlooked one thing: the gangs and thugs in Arus city," General Lei said, his voice low and firm.
"Can we really rely on them?" Will asked, surprised.
"Of course, gangs are a significant force in their own right," General Lei answered.
"No... I mean, will they truly help us?" Will pressed.
"That's something we'll need to negotiate with them. I believe they won't want Arus to be overrun by outsiders," General Lei said.
"Hmm. Well, the negotiations will be up to you, then."
"Understood." General Lei nodded.
"But we must hurry. Today is already the second day. In five days, Arus will send troops to attack Paralar, and we must resolve this matter within that time frame," Will stated.
Just then, the carriage gradually slowed to a stop. Lisa stepped down from the front of the carriage and opened the door to the carriage's interior.
"Put on your cloaks. I can see the snow-capped mountains now," Lisa said, retrieving their prepared cloaks from beside Will's seat and donning one herself.
"Snow mountains? But weren't we just in the forest?" Will asked, somewhat incredulously. He leaned forward to peer outside, and Lisa was right. After passing through the forest, they had emerged into a vast expanse dominated by a towering snow mountain, and a narrow path leading into it lay not far from them.
"General Lei, this cloak is for you. Please wear it," Lisa said, handing him the cloak.
"You've got it wrong, young lady. I don't need this. I was raised on this land, and my body is well accustomed to its climate," General Lei chuckled.
"Please, General. Just wear it, and don the hood. We're entering Arus secretly. You wouldn't want to be recognized by the people of Arus, would you? That would undo all our efforts," Lisa insisted, forcing the cloak into his hands. After considering her words, General Lei reluctantly accepted it and put it on.
"All right, Lisa. I've rested enough. Let me take over driving from here," Will said as he jumped from the carriage and moved toward the front.
"Are you sure? We're heading straight for the snow mountains," Lisa asked.
"Ah, how will I know unless I try?" Will replied, without looking back.
With a commanding "Giddy up!" from Will, the carriage began moving once again, heading toward the massive snow peak.
...
That night, deep within the snow mountains.
After a long day's journey, Will and his companions finally reached the heart of the snow-capped mountains. As night fell, the warmth of the sun was gone, and the cold became biting. Silence settled over the area, broken only by the sound of hooves crunching in the snow and the wheels creaking along the snow-covered road. After a while, weary and fatigued, Will spotted a flicker of hope—he saw torches burning in the distance. This must be the gates of Arus, he thought, and urged the horses to move faster, despite his exhaustion.
"Stop!" A guard stepped out and blocked their path as they neared the city gates.
"Why are you entering the city so late?" the guard asked.
"Yes, we just returned from our hometown. After a long day's journey, we've finally arrived," Will replied, his voice tinged with feigned exhaustion as he lowered his hood.
"Is it just you?" The guard eyed him suspiciously and slowly drew his sword, advancing toward the carriage.
"Ah, no, I have my wife and father with me. We're all traveling together from our hometown," Will said, his words slipping out in a panic. The guard opened the carriage door and saw Lisa and General Lei sitting quietly in their seats, motionless. To avoid being recognized, General Lei had pulled his hood low over his face. Satisfied with Will's explanation, the guard sheathed his sword, closed the door, and returned to his post.
"You may proceed," the guard said, signaling to the sentries on the city wall. The city gates slowly creaked open. Will quickly urged the horses forward, pushing them into the city.
"Your guards let us in so easily? I was prepared to use magic to control him," Lisa teased General Lei.
"It's not that they let you in so easily. It's just that not everyone has the stamina to make it here. Most of those who do are locals—aside from those damn mages, of course," General Lei responded, his voice laced with frustration.
"Where should we go now? We need a place to rest," Lisa asked.
"Find an inn in the slums. It's usually more chaotic there," General Lei suggested.
"The slums? You actually have a class system here?" Lisa asked, incredulously.
"I know it's not right, but it's a tradition in Arus, and I can't change it," General Lei replied softly.
Just then, the carriage slowed again. Will hurried to the door and opened it.
"I think we have a problem."
"What's wrong?" General Lei asked, his voice tense.
"Follow me," Will said, rushing toward a nearby signpost.
"What is it...?" Lisa's words faltered as she froze in surprise. Following Will's pointing finger, she saw two wanted posters on a sign by the roadside. The posters depicted both Will and Lisa.
"Have we been exposed?" Will muttered, stunned.