The sound of wheels turning echoed clearly from the horse-drawn carriage. The rough, jolting road made the shabby carriage look as though it might fall apart at any moment. Yet no one would have guessed that this very carriage was worth as much as a national treasure displayed in the imperial museum.
Rainhard, Gamma, and Charlotte were the owners of that carriage. With Charlotte capable of handling the reins and Rainhard possessing extraordinary combat abilities, Gamma was free to relax and do absolutely nothing.
"As planned, mr. Richard will try to mislead any nobles who attempt to meet a member of the Hall family. But are you sure we can trust him?" Charlotte asked from the front seat.
"I told you to trust me. You may not trust him, but trust me who trusts him. He's a long-serving aide who has supported our family for many years," Rainhard replied, seated across from Gamma.
Meanwhile, Gamma leaned back against the carriage wall, staring at the scenery behind them as it continued to change.
"Oh, by the way, how long will it take to get there? You even prepared a 'void bag' just to store that much food," Charlotte said curiously.
"If we don't count the territory cursed by the former Elf Queen, it will take about a month," Rainhard answered firmly.
"If we don't count it… then what if we do?"
"…Honestly, I don't want to think about it, even though I know. So far, no human has ever returned alive except for our family's ancestors."
"Well, I don't really care. But we're bringing Lord Gamma along. I think you should've warned him."
Rainhard turned his gaze toward Gamma, while Charlotte tried to keep her eyes on the road, though she couldn't help but glance back.
Gamma, however, remained silent, his eyes fixed on the passing surroundings.
Sensing something off, Rainhard spoke. "Gamma, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, I'm fine," Gamma replied without even looking at him.
"I'm serious, Gamma."
"I said I'm fine."
Rainhard suddenly stood up and grabbed Gamma by the collar, lifting him forcefully until Gamma was suspended in the air, struggling to breathe. The carriage shook violently from Rainhard's action.
"Hey! You two! Quiet back there! Don't cause a trouble for me!" Charlotte shouted, irritated.
Rainhard ignored her completely. He stared at Gamma with sharp eyes, showing no mercy as Gamma gasped desperately for air.
"We're about to pass through a border city. We need to stay unnoticed. If anyone finds out about our plan, it'll be trouble."
"Let me go!"
"After passing the border city, we'll infiltrate the international trade route as merchants, then quietly take a detour south into the Zelheim Kingdom without the nobles noticing."
"I get it! I get it! So let go of me! Ngh—!"
"After that, we'll abandon the carriage once we reach the cursed forest surrounded by four twin mountains, and continue south on foot until we reach the snowlands, after a grueling journey of about a month."
"I said I understand! Let go! Agh—!"
Rainhard released him without warning and said, "Do you really understand? This journey is full of danger. It's not that I can't protect you, but if you keep acting like this, I'll leave you here right now."
Clutching his aching neck, Gamma replied, "I know… I won't cause any trouble."
Rainhard sighed as he watched Gamma, who still seemed oddly distant. He sat back down and asked, "Why are you joining this journey, Gamma?"
At that, Gamma immediately turned his face away, avoiding eye contact. Seeing that reaction, Rainhard muttered, "I knew something was going on. What happened?"
Gamma steadied himself, slowly regulating his breathing after having been unable to breathe for several seconds.
"I'm fine now. Thank you."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I'm sure," Gamma said firmly, his expression serious.
That's right. I need to focus for now. I have to put those thoughts aside. All I need to do is succeed, return safely, and talk to Violette again. I don't know whether it was a mother's instinct or something more than that, but I need to hear the answer from her own mouth.
According to their plan, they headed toward the western border city, a journey that took three days by carriage. The city served as the empire's western frontline. As such, it focused heavily on military strength and was governed by only a single noble. There was no mayor, because the most honored position in the city belonged to the general, a noble chosen to command it.
Going around the city would have taken far longer than necessary. That was why they concealed their identities from the beginning. At this stage, things were relatively easy. Rainhard's name alone was famous, but people were too afraid to look at him closely. Only a handful of prominent nobles actually knew his face. Moreover, the city's general was far too busy to bother with minor matters like inspecting merchants entering or leaving the city.
Using a few connections and money, the three of them blended in among merchants preparing to trade outside the empire. They departed after staying one night in the city.
Rainhard and Gamma decided to learn carriage driving from Charlotte so they could take turns controlling it. Although Charlotte initially refused, she eventually agreed on the condition that they would only replace her when she was utterly exhausted.
Halfway through the journey, just as promised, after traveling together for five days, the three parted ways with the merchants due to differing destinations. The merchants continued toward the Zelheim Kingdom, while the trio took a detour southward.
Their journey was surprisingly smooth, despite being attacked by bandits several times. Rainhard easily dealt with them using nothing but illusion magic and his fists.
Fortunately, both Rainhard and Gamma managed to grasp the basics of driving the carriage. Their travel became far more efficient, they only stopped at night to sleep and to eat together. Thanks to that, they reached the outskirts of the southern border of the Zelheim Kingdom in just twenty days.
However, they were suddenly forced to delay their journey and enter the southern border city of Zelheim. It wasn't because they were tired or seeking rest after the long journey. From the beginning, the three of them had no intention of stopping at all. But fate had other plans. Rainhard collapsed without warning.