1.
The once tranquil and peaceful forest path was now filled with the intermittent sounds of hooves and the crushing of wheels.
The stone-paved path on the ground had long since become dilapidated due to the ravages of time.
Along the way, intact pieces of bluestone were nowhere to be found.
The bluestones that were broken into several pieces and deeply buried in the soil were considered the most complete.
More scattered pieces of stones were mixed in with the mud.
The wise and valiant King Francois V had long become a legendary figure from hundreds of years ago.
The long road that he built during his time, stretching through the entire Batsen Forest, had become dilapidated under the merciless erosion of time. This broken and lengthy road indeed protected the southern cities from the plunder of the noble families.
Since the passing of King Francois V, no monarch had been willing to rebuild this road.
It was precisely because of the ruggedness of the road that the southern region remained inaccessible to the noble families.
However, for the residents of Southport, Lai'er, and Pidun who wished to travel to Setherburg, it had become a rather difficult task.
The vast and endless Batsen Forest stretched as far as the eye could see.
Although the distance from Pidun to Setherburg was less than two hundred kilometers, the rough road made it impossible to traverse the vast forest within a few days.
At this moment, two carriages were slowly moving forward on the road built deep in the dense forest.
The first carriage, elegantly decorated, was the luxurious carriage that Ivan had once ridden to attend Baron Longna's ball.
Now, seated in the carriage was Mr. Hyde, with the cold-blooded killer Herbert by his side.
Herbert never liked sitting down except when traveling, as only then could he ensure his freedom of movement.
For a killer, it was too dangerous to sit inside a carriage when going out alone.
However, he had to ensure the safety of his leader at all times; it was his responsibility.
In the second carriage, there was only Audrey.
Originally, this carriage was meant for Ivan and Audrey to ride together, but according to Mr. Hyde's orders, Ivan rode alone on his purebred horse.
Audrey understood the leader's intention, as the real Ivan Baindite was a child who loved horseback riding, a hobby inherited from his mother's family lineage.
Count Old Medin was a renowned horse enthusiast in Francois, owning the only four purebred Southern bloodline horses of Francois. It was once the pride of the Medin family and also provided an opportunity for those who sought to harm him.
The three children of the old Count Medin also inherited this hobby. Miss Lisa's elegant presence on horseback once captivated numerous young nobles in Setherburg.
This passion was passed down to the true Ivan Baindite as well.
The timid steward had mentioned several times that the young master never liked to ride in carriages when traveling. He preferred the freedom of riding his horse alone, galloping ahead and behind the carriage.
This was why Mr. Hyde insisted that Ivan spend the entire day on horseback.
If Ivan displayed even the slightest difference in character from the real Master Baindite, it could risk exposing him as an impostor, a risk that could not be taken.
As the saying goes, old habits die hard. While they could ensure Ivan remembered every detail related to the real Master Baindite, any discrepancies in character would raise suspicions. Personality traits are deeply ingrained over time and not easily changed, making them vulnerable points for scrutiny.
Moreover, differences in character often give the impression of deception or imposture.
On the contrary, discrepancies and flaws discovered through questioning could be attributed to a combination of young age and the passage of time, allowing them to be overlooked.
Audrey had always been particularly attentive to this aspect in all their plans.
For Audrey, having Ivan ride alongside her had another advantage.
He could comfortably recline in the seat, enjoying the journey.
After a long day spent perfecting their plans, working until the early hours of the morning, sufficient sleep was now crucial for him.
The bumpy road was actually soothing for a sleeping person, almost reminiscent of being cradled in a crib.
Ivan's exhilarating solo ride on the spirited horse was something he thoroughly enjoyed, just as Mr. Hyde had arranged.
With the horse galloping at full speed, Ivan felt a sense of freedom and exhilaration, unburdened by any weight on his back. The purebred horse ran swiftly, a speed that surpassed imagination. Ivan's equestrian skills would likely impress even Audrey and Herbert, who had taught him everything.
The steed raced across the land like a silver-gray shooting star, leaving everything behind in a blur of speed. The thrill and enjoyment were beyond imagination.
Although Ivan and Mr. Hyde set out on the journey together, Mr. Hyde had given Ivan the freedom to act as he pleased.
Ivan was well aware of Mr. Hyde's implied message; he indeed needed to visit Professor Lavash's laboratory in the forest.
It had been a whole week since he last visited, unsure if the professor had left any messages for him.
There were many things Ivan needed to discuss with Professor Lavash.
As Ivan rode his horse like a bolt of lightning, speeding along the highway from Southport to Setherburg, he didn't notice a group of people watching him from the roadside.
A plain-looking carriage was slowly moving in the same direction on the road.
The carriage was no different from the ordinary ones often seen on this highway, with a narrow, low roof topped by a large iron frame for luggage, leaving ample space for additional goods.
There were tiny windows on either side of the carriage; glass was considered a luxury for the merchants, with simple shutters being sufficient.
To ensure durability, the carriage's wheels were much smaller than those of noble carriages, and the axles were sturdier.
Hinges and delicate pulleys, prone to damage, were absent from these basic long-distance carriages. Two sturdy wooden support rods were the most reliable and practical choice.
Like all merchant carriages, four or five guards were indispensable on the journey.
They served as both guards and drivers, with three people squeezed into the front seat of the carriage, while three horses were tethered at the back, slowly pulling the carriage forward.
The horses were nothing out of the ordinary, easily found in the market, the most common type.
From all appearances, these individuals seemed like ordinary merchants returning home after completing a transaction in Southport.
The two bolts of silk draped across the top of the carriage seemed to confirm the owner's identity.
Ivan paid no attention to this ordinary merchant carriage, maintaining his speed without slowing down, swiftly passing by like a whirlwind.
Unbeknownst to Ivan, as he approached the carriage, the three guards on the carriage instinctively reached behind their backs.
The vigilant and composed gazes in their eyes were far from what one would expect from regular guards.
"Do not be overly tense; it will only expose our identities," a girl's voice came from inside the carriage.
"Sister, the reactions of those three were not inappropriate; I was a bit nervous myself just now," a young man in his twenties said as he opened the carriage door and stepped out.
"Master, why have you come out? It's not safe here," the older guard sitting on the right side of the carriage spoke up.
"Sometimes, I need to come out and relax a bit," the young man said, climbing onto the top of the carriage.
Standing tall on the roof of the carriage, he gazed in the direction Ivan had disappeared.
"Brother, what do you see?" the girl also jumped out of the carriage.
This girl was indeed somewhat unique; despite being a girl, she wore riding pants that accentuated her charming figure. Her long, slender eyes slightly upturned at the corners gave her a mischievous look. With a high forehead, full cheeks, and a lovely small mouth, she was truly a rare beauty.
However, her thick, arched eyebrows and sharp nose, if on a man, would be considered handsome and dashing. Unfortunately...
Just as the girl's first impression suggested.
She effortlessly climbed onto the carriage roof, tiptoeing to get a better view.
Unfortunately, she arrived too late, and Ivan's horse ran too fast.
As she stood on the rooftop, all she could see was a distant cloud of dust rising.
"Sis, what did you see after all?" the girl asked.
"A good horse and a good rider," the young man replied with a smile.
"A good horse? A good rider? Is that horse better than my 'Lightning' and can that rider outmatch you?" the girl inquired.
Upon hearing the girl's question, the three bodyguards in the front of the carriage chuckled inwardly. They knew their young mistress very well. She had a high opinion of herself. In reality, she was actually asking if the rider could possibly surpass her, the skilled equestrian heiress.
The three bodyguards, as subordinates, dared not mock their young mistress, but the one who called himself the brother had fewer reservations. He chuckled and said, "You, my dear, are you talking about yourself? Honestly, that horse we just saw is definitely not inferior to your 'Lightning.' It is also a purebred horse, an exceptionally outstanding one. As for that rider, I may not be better than him, and it's hard to say without a direct comparison."
"A purebred horse? Are there purebred horses here? Brother, could they be spies sent by those people?" the girl asked.
"It's unlikely. Sending spies on purebred horses would be too conspicuous. Foster, you should have a clearer view. What do you think?" the young man asked.
"Master, the rider is a young boy, about the same age as the young lady, maybe even younger. He looks like a nobleman, perhaps a squire. His riding skills are quite remarkable," the older bodyguard remarked.
Upon hearing herself being referred to as a young boy, the young lady was quite displeased. However, although the older bodyguard was nominally a servant, in reality, the father always regarded him as his best friend.
This time, he came out with the brother, and the father instructed him to follow Foster's command in case of any major events. Therefore, he was the actual leader.
"A squire? Does the Kingdom of Francia have squires with such exceptional riding skills?" the young lord muttered to himself.
"Young master, you should return to the carriage. It's not safe here after all," Foster advised.
"Don't worry, I assure you there is no one around," an old man's voice came from the carriage. "Sekos and Suryde are rushing back; it seems they have detected something unusual. If my intuition is correct, there may be some unrest tonight. Let the young master move around; it might be beneficial."
Upon hearing the old man's words, everyone fell silent. Although he was not in charge, everyone listened to him. If he said there would be danger at night, there would undoubtedly be a battle waiting for them ahead.
"Shall we change the itinerary and stay overnight in Paiton tonight?" Foster asked.
"No need, I think it's better to arrive at Sether Castle as soon as possible," the old man said again.
Everyone listened to the old man's words without question. The carriage continued on, noticeably picking up speed.
Riding the spirited horse, Ivan arrived at Professor Lavash's laboratory in the forest two hours later.
The laboratory was as it had always been, with only the mirror clearly reflecting dark green text.
Professor Lavash had indeed contacted him.
Ivan walked up to the mirror and read carefully.
"My dear student, by reading these words, you must have successfully extracted the hallucinogenic powder, and the ointment I gave you has also taken effect. The hallucinogenic powder is dangerous but useful, only absorbable through the skin. I am giving you a magic wand that can cast three types of wind-based minor spells. Skillful use of the wand is better than studying magic for ten years. Manipulating magic is more effective than having powerful magic. May the goddess of luck bless you." The text gradually faded and disappeared.
The new knowledge excited Ivan.
"Wow!" he cheered, jumping up and down. The laboratory was filled with joy.