The rhythmic clopping of hooves echoed faintly beneath the forest canopy as Lucien and Sir Rex continued their journey down the meandering trail. After what felt like nearly an hour, the endless sea of crystalline-barked trees finally began to thin. Sunlight poured more freely through the gaps, and the scent of pine and honeygrass shifted to something subtler—smoke, spices, and the distant echo of human activity.
Lucien straightened up slightly in the saddle, ears twitching to catch every unfamiliar sound.
Then, breaking through the thinning trees and rising in full grandeur before them, was another wall—taller and more fortified than the previous. It was lined with intricate spell-scribed runes that glowed faintly under the daylight. Metal beams wrapped in blue-gold alloy ran vertically along the structure, pulsing softly like living veins.
It was another gate.
Lucien's eyebrows twitched. "You've got to be kidding me."
Rex let out a hearty laugh from behind. "That, young master, is the final wall of the Velebrandt inner territory."
Lucien groaned audibly and flailed his arms. "How many walls do we have? I just want to see the damn town already!"
Rex nudged the horse forward with a smirk. "Patience. Behind this one… lies the place you've been dreaming of."
The horse slowed as they approached the massive gate, which was manned by nearly two dozen knights clad in silver half-plate enchanted with low-tier warding runes. Each guard stood tall and alert, spears glowing faintly at the tip, their posture more formal than any Lucien had seen thus far.
One of the knights stepped forward and lowered his spear respectfully upon seeing Rex. "Sir General."
Rex dismounted with practiced ease, still holding Lucien gently before placing him on the ground. Lucien stretched his legs, a bit wobbly from the long ride, as Rex pulled out a silver parchment from his chest plate—sealed with the crimson phoenix of Archduchess Seraphina.
"Order of the Archduchess. Open the gates."
The knight saluted and nodded. "Acknowledged."
He stepped back and gave a signal to two mages flanking the gate's arc. They moved to either side and activated the Arcane Lever—a majestic construct of floating rings and crystal shards, glowing in synchronized pulses. With a heavy rumble, the gate's center began to shimmer, glowing lines racing across its body like lightning veins. Then—whooom—a powerful gust of air erupted outward as the massive twin doors slid apart horizontally with magical precision, revealing a glowing, sun-kissed world beyond.
Lucien shielded his eyes for a moment.
Then he saw it.
Beyond the wall stood a city—vibrant, sprawling, alive.
The wide main avenue leading from the gate was paved in creamstone bricks, flanked by merchant stalls with colorful canopies fluttering in the wind. Hundreds of people bustled about—commoners, adventurers, merchants, foreign emissaries—each adorned in wildly diverse attire. The air smelled of roasted nuts, grilled meats, sugared fruits, and exotic perfumes. Chimneys from hundreds of buildings released thin wisps of smoke, blending with the golden haze of late morning sun.
Lucien stood frozen in awe.
He saw children racing through alleyways with wooden swords, teens shouting about magic scrolls, street performers juggling elemental orbs, and even a trio of beastkin haggling over silk rugs. In the distance, nestled between tall spires and banner-strung buildings, Lucien spotted a towering marble hall glowing faintly—likely a branch guild hall or an advanced school.
His heart raced. "This is… our estate?"
Rex stepped beside him and nodded, arms crossed proudly. "The capital city of the Velebrandt Duchy. Home to over six million souls. Merchants, guilds, academies, nobles, and even foreign dignitaries do business here under the Velebrandt banner."
Lucien was speechless.
Back on Earth, cities this massive were the result of decades—centuries—of development. Yet here stood a metropolis humming with magic, mystery, and majesty. And all of it... was his family's domain.
He looked up at the fluttering crimson and silver flags bearing the winged lion crest of House Velebrandt, swaying high above the tallest gate spire. A strange pride bubbled in his chest—an odd mixture of wonder, responsibility, and excitement.
"Let's not keep the city waiting," Rex said, walking toward the horse again. "There's still much to see."
Lucien followed, barely able to contain his grin.
The real adventure was just beginning.
__________________________________________
The warm rays of the twin suns filtered gently between crimson-and-gold banners that hung from the rooftops, fluttering with each soft breeze that rolled through the majestic city. Lucien's heart thumped with excitement as the rhythmic trot of their horse echoed against cobbled streets paved with smooth, polished stones. He leaned gently back against Sir Rex, eyes darting to every corner like a curious child in a new world—which, in many ways, he was.
The capital city of the Velebrandt estate.
Everywhere Lucien looked, life unfolded in vibrant color and sound.
Children around his age dashed between buildings, waving wooden swords as they reenacted imaginary duels between heroes and monsters. Their laughter rang clear, pure, and untamed. At the street corners, lively merchants stood atop small wooden stalls, voices loud and musical as they hawked their goods.
"Fresh sun-plucked cherries! Sweet enough to make you forget your debts!"
"Silver-forged longswords! One swing and even goblins will flee!"
"Mana-restoring elixirs, brewed from elderroot and nightshade lily—discounted today only!"
Lucien's eyes sparkled.
The smell of grilled meats hung thick in the air, mingled with the buttery scent of roasted corn and sweet cinnamon pastries. He could hear the distinct clanging of hammers from a blacksmith's forge as a muscular dwarf hammered at molten steel, sweat glistening off his brow. There were shops stacked with glistening armor sets displayed on dummies, others showcasing delicate embroidered robes that shimmered with mana-inscribed fabric.
Beastkin roamed freely—fox-eared women bartering spices, tigerfolk merchants shouting deals in deep, growling voices, and even small mouse-eared children sneaking pieces of fruit from unattended carts. Adventurers strolled with confidence, some armored head to toe, others wearing enchanted cloaks or carrying wands carved from moonwood. Lucien spotted a towering lizardkin with a halberd strapped to his back and an elegant elven woman in scholar's robes exiting a nearby bookstore.
A small parade of carriages passed, pulled by stallions with glimmering reins, carrying crates of grain and barrels marked with magical sigils—most likely bound for the mansion's stockpiles or the local trade guilds.
Guards clad in deep-blue plate patrolled the streets in coordinated rhythm, their helmets polished to a mirror sheen, their halberds glowing faintly at the blade's edge. They paused and gave a sharp salute as they recognized Sir Rex and Lucien's presence, making passersby turn their heads and whisper.
Lucien, dressed in his noble attire—a crimson silk doublet trimmed with silver, obsidian boots with the Velebrandt crest, and a polished emblem of his house pinned at the collar—stood out like a prince among peasants. Sir Rex, with his towering frame and aura of authority, wore his standard knight uniform, unmistakably etched with the winged lion of House Velebrandt.
The murmurs began.
"Isn't that… one of the Grand Duke's knights?"
"That boy… the heir?"
"Look at his hair. And that crest… That's House Velebrandt!"
"Goodness me!? , what's he doing here in the open?!"
Even as Lucien marveled at the scenery, he began to notice the growing attention—eyes following their every step, whispers chasing them like shadows. He shifted nervously, his childish face struggling to appear dignified.
Sir Rex chuckled and leaned forward, his voice low but amused. "You're drawing too many eyes, young master."
Lucien blinked. "Huh?"
"You look like you stepped out of a royal portrait. We'll be drawing unwanted attention if we continue like this."
Lucien looked down at his clothing. "Ah… right."
He was practically radiating nobility. Even though they rode a single horse instead of a grand carriage, his clothes alone screamed wealth and status. He suddenly felt like a jewel placed on a merchant's table in a sea of copper coins.
"We'll stop at a tailor's," Rex added. "It's best we blend in. At least until we're done exploring."
Lucien's eyes lit up. "We're going into a store?!"
Rex smirked. "Not just any store. One of the finest clothing shops in this sector."
The young boy's excitement was impossible to contain. He sat up straighter in the saddle, gripping the reins tightly. The idea of entering a real fantasy-world store—one with enchanted fabrics and mysterious cloaks—was more thrilling than anything he'd done back on Earth. And if he was going to explore this city properly, he'd rather do it in something more subtle than royal crimson.
As they turned onto a broader street, lined with stores stacked two or three stories high, Lucien could barely keep up with all the sights. Magical lanterns floated above doorways, changing color with passing time. A bookstore with a levitating sign that flipped pages in midair. An alchemy shop with glowing bubbles rising from the chimney. A tavern where bards played animated instruments that danced above their heads.
It was magical. Living. Breathing.
And it all belonged to the Velebrandt estate.
Lucien leaned his head back slightly to gaze at the soaring skyline of towers, trade halls, and distant airship docks floating above anchor-spires in the clouds. His smile stretched from ear to ear.
This was just the beginning.