It didn't take long for us to reach the city gates. Entering was a breeze, as the banner of the Kraus household was prominently displayed on the side of our luxurious carriage.
The guards, recognizing the insignia and the opulence of our carriage, didn't even bother to question us.
After all, who were they to interrogate someone of Kraus lineage? The rulers of this land.
Just by probably seeing the extremely beautiful carriage alone they would grant us passage immediately
As we made our way through the bustling streets of the city, the vibrant scene unfolded before us.
Towering two to three-story buildings lined the thoroughfares, bustling with activity as people went about their daily lives.
The sight of carriages rumbling by and pedestrians hurrying along the sidewalks was a spectacle to behold.
It was remarkable to witness how the city seemed to pause and show deference as our carriage passed by.
Even the busiest of streets quieted down, and people subtly bowed their heads in acknowledgment.
It was a testament to the authority and respect commanded by someone of high rank.
Experiencing such a display of reverence was surreal for me. It felt as though I was riding on the coattails of another, basking in the adoration reserved for the young miss. After all, she was beloved by the people of this city, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of privilege to be in her company.
"Ugh… I really don't like this," remarked the young miss, her expression a mixture of discomfort and resignation as she glanced out the carriage window. The throng of people outside surged with excitement, their voices blending into a chorus of adulation as they shouted her name with reverence.
It was clear that they recognized the presence of the young miss within, their fervent cheers echoing off the walls of the carriage. As it was her second time returning to the academy, and the attention bestowed upon the Kraus ducal family remained unwavering.
"Haha, I believe you'll have to get used to such a sight, young miss," I replied with a gentle smile, attempting to lighten the mood. "Once you ascend to the throne as empress, a scene like this may become a regular occurrence. You might find yourself longing for the simplicity of these moments."
The young miss offered a wry smile in return, acknowledging the truth in my words.
Despite her reservations, she understood the weight of her destiny and the expectations that accompanied her noble lineage.
"But Th-this is normal?" The young miss stuttered, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she surveyed the scene unfolding outside the carriage window.
A wave of frustration washed over her, evident in the way she clenched her fists in her lap.
"Ugh!!! I wonder how Hansel can handle this much pressure so easily. I don't want them to look at me that way."
As her attendant, I couldn't help but sympathize with her plight.
The weight of her future burden, as the fiancée of the crown prince and the designated future empress of the empire, loomed heavily over her.
Standing atop a crossroads that spanned millions of people, it was only natural for her to feel nervous about the path that lay ahead.
Yet, amidst her grumbling, I knew that it was essential for her to mentally prepare herself for the challenges that awaited.
As the young miss continued to voice her concerns, she made a hesitant gesture towards the carriage window, drawing back the curtain to catch a glimpse of the throng of people outside.
"Oh, my it's the young lady!"
"Princess!!!"
"Lady Stella!!!"
"Please look this way"
"My lady!!"
The voices of the crowd erupted into a fervent chorus of admiration and excitement, their cheers echoing through the streets like a tidal wave.
Instantly, the young miss recoiled, her expression pained as she swiftly closed the carriage window.
"Please, go faster," she urged the coachman, her voice tinged with embarrassment.
It seemed she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of attention, yearning for a respite from the relentless scrutiny of the public eye.
I couldn't help but chuckle softly at the scene unfolding before me.
Despite her protests, it was clear that my young miss was dearly beloved by the people—a fact that brought both comfort and consternation in equal measure.
From outside the carriage, I could hear the disappointed murmurs of the crowd, yearning for another glimpse of their beloved princess.
….
As we arrived at the gate, I couldn't help but widen my eyes in astonishment at its sheer size. Towering before us, it loomed like a colossal sentinel, its imposing presence commanding respect and awe. Did it really need to be that large? I couldn't help but wonder, my mind struggling to comprehend the necessity of such grandeur.
"It's really that surreal, Taylor?" came the voice of the young miss, breaking through my reverie.
"Yes," I replied, my response belated as I continued to stare in wonder at the magnificent structure before us. It was a marvel of engineering and magic, a testament to the ingenuity and power of those who had crafted it.
The young miss chuckled at my reaction, her amusement evident in the playful glint in her eyes. Though I had visited Krasius city on several occasions before, my attention had never been drawn to the gate in such detail. Most of my visits had been brief, spent on errands or missions assigned by the duke. My time was typically occupied back at the mansion, tending to the needs of my young miss and the other servants.
The gate itself was a feat of magical engineering, a powerful teleportation device capable of opening portals to distant locations. It stood as a testament to the advanced knowledge and skill of its creators. The intricacies of its workings fascinated me, as I marveled at the sheer magnitude of its capabilities.
This was no ordinary teleportation spell; it was a monumental achievement, capable of covering vast distances with ease. Even mages who specialized in the most arcane and esoteric forms of magic would struggle to replicate its effects.
They say the era of mages heralded the dawn of a new age, a transformative period that forever altered the course of history.
As I gazed upon the colossal gate, a structure undoubtedly crafted by the ancient mages of yore, I found myself inclined to agree with such sentiments.
It was a tangible testament to the profound impact that magic had on the world—a legacy that endured through the ages.
I couldn't help but wonder: without the guidance and mastery of mages, would the world have progressed to the heights it had reached today?
Situated at the very heart of the empire, alongside the grandeur of the capital itself, the academy held a position of unparalleled significance.
It was a bastion of knowledge and learning, a place where the brightest minds of the realm converged to unlock the mysteries of the arcane. And just as the academy stood as a beacon of enlightenment, so too did the gate that now loomed before us, a marvel of magical engineering that defied comprehension.
With its shimmering blue hue reminiscent of starlight, the gate beckoned us forward, promising passage to distant realms with but a thought.
This time, its destination was the academy, its connection forged with another gate located nearest to our destination.
As we prepared to embark on this journey, I couldn't help but marvel at the intricacies of its design, the culmination of centuries of study and innovation.
Though other carriages had preceded us, their presence faded into insignificance at the sight of the Kraus banner unfurled proudly upon our carriage.
The mark of our noble lineage commanded respect and deference, clearing a path for us amidst the throng of onlookers.
"We're about to enter," the young miss remarked, her voice tinged with a note of anticipation.
"Taylor, you might want to close your eyes. It may make what's to come more bearable."
Hmm? I didn't even have time to ponder what the young miss had said before a brilliant blue light enveloped everything in my sight, momentarily disorienting me.
Blinking in confusion, I found myself squinting against the sudden brightness before the world around me gradually shifted back into focus.
As I peered outside the carriage, I was greeted by a completely different landscape. Gone were the familiar surroundings of the city we had just left behind.
In their place stood a vast expanse of unfamiliar terrain, dotted with rolling hills and lush greenery.
And in the distance, looming like a mirage on the horizon, was a sprawling circular city encased within grand walls, with a towering structure at its center—a tower that appeared to defy gravity, suspended high above the ground.
"We're here," the young miss announced, her voice tinged with a hint of queasiness. She looked pale, as if on the verge of being ill.
"Young miss?" I inquired, concern evident in my tone.
"I-I'm fine," she assured me hastily, though her words rang hollow. "My body just struggles to adjust to special and celestial magic, that's all."
Her explanation sounded more like an excuse than a genuine reassurance, but before I could press further, she stopped me with a raised hand.
"Look, Taylor," she said, her voice wavering slightly as she pointed towards the distant city. "That's Abel Royal Academy."
So, that was Abel Royal Academy. It was even more breathtaking than I had imagined.
Despite the distance separating us, I could sense the grandeur and beauty of the city, its walls gleaming in the sunlight like polished ivory, its central tower reaching towards the heavens with an air of majesty and grandeur.
"But why are we so far away? I thought the gate was connected to the city itself?" I questioned, my brow furrowing in confusion as I glanced out the carriage window at the sprawling landscape stretching before us.
"Ah, yes, in normal circumstances, it would've been placed within the city limits," the young miss explained, her voice tinged with a note of understanding.
"But considering this academy's proximity to the capital and its importance as a hub of knowledge and power, precautions were deemed necessary, The gates can be utilized for more than just transportation afterall, and in the wrong hands, they pose a significant risk. That's why it was decided to place the gate connected to the academy around 10 kilometers away from its actual location. There were terrorist attempts by extremist groups in the past, targeting noble and royal blood, resulting in tragic loss."
As her words sank in, I couldn't help but feel a chill run down my spine.
The thought of such violence and bloodshed being perpetrated against innocent students and nobility was a sobering reminder of the harsh realities of the world we lived in.
I recalled reading about such incidents in the history books—a terrorist attack that had sparked a great war between the empire and neighboring kingdoms.
It was a conflict that had left scars on the land and its people, scars that still lingered to this day.
The empire emerged victorious from the war, as expected, but the stain of failure lingered in the minds of many.
To be labeled as unable to protect its own citizens, especially the students of its esteemed academy, was a burden that the empire carried with a heavy heart.
As the carriage pressed onward toward the academy, a sense of unease settled over me like a heavy cloak.
My gaze drifted toward the dense forest that skirted the edges of the academy grounds, and a shiver ran down my spine.
It was there, amidst the shadowed depths of the trees, that my nightmares had taken root.
My heart quickened with apprehension as I recalled the vivid images that had haunted my sleep—the twisted branches, the dead corpses lying everywhere, the suffocating sense of dread as watched what happened to the young miss.
At first, I had dismissed them as mere figments of my imagination, the byproduct of an overactive mind.
But now, as I beheld the forest with my own eyes, I couldn't deny the unsettling familiarity of the scene before me. It was the exact same forest that had tormented me in my dreams.
Rationality told me that it was nothing more than a coincidence, a trick of the mind brought on by stress or exhaustion.
But deep down, a gnawing sense of doubt lingered, whispering of hidden dangers lurking in the shadows.
Clutching the hilt of my sword tightly, I turned to the young miss, determination burning in my eyes.
'I will protect you, no matter what' I vowed to myself and the heavenly god above.
Despite the uncertainty that clouded my thoughts, one thing remained steadfast—I would do whatever it took to keep her safe from harm.