The group emerged from the dense expanse of Feyheaven Forest, pausing at its edge to take in the sight of the seemingly endless canopy that now lay behind them in tranquil stillness.
"We finally exited this smelly forest," Spark remarked, leaning back in his carriage with a satisfied smirk.
As the group resumed their journey, the endless plains stretched before them, a stark contrast to the dense, magical forest they had left behind. The sky above was a clear blue, unmarred by clouds, and the sun cast a warm glow over the landscape.
The previous night's events played on the minds of all who had witnessed the miraculous power of the old elf's wood. Every now and then, someone would glance back at the forest, recalling the figure of the old elf and the unexpected magic they had encountered.
The soldiers, invigorated by the restorative effects of the enchanted firewood, moved with renewed energy, their usual fatigue absent after the night's peculiar rejuvenation.
The soldiers chatted among themselves speculating about the old elf and his extraordinary wood. Some even wondered if they would encounter him again on their travels.
On the way, they took a brief rest at a creek nestled between sparse woodlands. The soldiers fed their horses and allowed them to drink from the clear, flowing water.
Spark lounged comfortably, observing the activity around him with detached amusement. Finally returning home after a three-month-long exile, he appeared genuinely happy.
Princess Ling watched from the side, still contemplating the events from the previous night. Before leaving the forest, she had considered asking the old elf where he had obtained the mystical wood, but Spark had convinced her otherwise. He warned that the old elf, upon waking and realizing his loss, would demand an exorbitant price for the burned wood. It was better to leave without confrontation.
Resigned to his advice, Princess Ling sighed and continued to observe the creek, her thoughts mingling with the gentle flow of the water.
***
After a few hours of travel, the group arrived in the sparsely populated city of Fero. The city was marked on their map, a significant landmark indicating the point where their paths would diverge.
The capital lay to the south, while Spark's destination, Dwight State, was to the west.
"We'll stay here for the day," Princess Ling announced. She turned to Spark, her expression curious. "What about you, Lord Spark?"
"We won't be staying."
"I guess, we'll be parting ways here." Princess Ling smiled warmly. "Then, I hope we meet again, Lord Spark."
Spark nodded. "We'll be on our way then."
Spark's carriage left the city without halting, heading west towards Dwight State. Princess Ling watched the carriage disappear into the horizon, a thoughtful expression on her face. She then stepped inside her carriage and directed it towards a nearby inn.
Once inside the carriage, Princess Ling's always calm and gentle face turned cold.
"Did you notice anything odd about the Holy Scion?" she asked the masked man sitting opposite her.
"Odd thing?"
"Does he seem like the strongest man to you?" Princess Ling asked again.
The masked man shook his head. "No."
"Then, tell me, how do you see him?"
After contemplating for a moment, the masked man replied, "A spoiled young master."
"Exactly. There's nothing special about him," she remarked disdainfully. "Why are the five emperors wary of someone like him?"
Traveling beside the man of rumors himself, she had observed his nature. From every point, he appeared to her as nothing more than a spoiled young master. She had suspected this before, but now she was even more convinced that the rumors were spread only to instill fear among everyone. She was more inclined to believe the rumors were false.
"The strongest man on the continent? What a joke."
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End of the first volume
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Author's Note: This is the end of the first volume. I wanted to end it with 50 chapters but oh well I didn't want to bore you all. BTW feel free to leave a review in my review section on how was it so far and what could be improved. I would appreciate it. Keep Supporting!