Arthur sat in silence beside the unknown man, the only sound produced was the creaking of the carriage wheels. He was accustomed to silence, having endured countless hours of it in the dungeon where he was imprisoned and tortured. His crazy uncle's occasional visits were the only break from it.
As the carriage approached the mountainous region, Arthur's curiosity piqued. He had studied the empire's geography extensively as a crowned prince, since knowing the geography of the empire was necessary for ruling the empire successfully one day, and he knew that the route they were taking was one unknown to a vast majority of people, him being one of them despite his countless study of the geography. The path they were taking should be impossible to navigate, leading to only dead end but yet the unknown man appeared undaunted, driving the carriage toward a mountain with a seemingly impassable path.Arthur wondered if the unknown man had lost his senses and couldn't help but ask, "Excuse me, are you okay?" he asked, trying to keep his tone neutral. "Forward is a dead end." The unknown man ignored him, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. Arthur cursed inwardly, a habit he had developed during his time in the dungeon. Despite his reservations and skepticism, he chose to trust his instincts, that told him that the unknown man knew what he was doing and where they were going.
Kragnir, a formidable mountain range notorious for its treacherous terrain and steep paths, was a place few dared to venture. The rocky landscape made it extremely challenging to navigate with horses, rendering carriage travel nearly impossible. Even pilgrims of the Earth God, explorers, and thrill-seekers rarely set foot in this unforgiving region.
Yet, the unknown man seemed undaunted, expertly guiding the carriage through the rugged terrain. Arthur's initial concern gave way to curiosity as he realized the unknown man had taken a hidden route, unknown to many except a select few. The journey, which should have been arduous, was surprisingly smooth.
As they approached a mountain wall, Arthur's apprehension returned. The unknown man drove the carriage toward the wall of a mountain with alarming speed, and Arthur instinctively braced himself for impact, but instead of crashing into the wall, they passed through the wall as if it were an illusion.
As they emerged from the mountain wall, Arthur's gaze was drawn to the breathtaking valley before them. Lush grasses swayed in the breeze, birds sang sweet melodies, and the atmosphere was alive with an otherworldly energy. But their tranquility was short-lived, as they were soon surrounded by armed men clad in military attire, their weapons and wands at the ready.
Arthur's misfortunes seemed to be never-ending, and he cursed his luck inwardly. A young man with an unsettlingly youthful appearance stepped forward, his black eyes gleaming with intensity. "Identify yourself," he commanded, his voice firm but laced with a hint of curiosity.
Arthur remained silent, expecting the unknown man to intervene. But instead, the unknown man seemed to savor the moment, his eyes glinting with a knowing spark. Slowly, he raised his hands to his hood, his movements deliberate and calculated.
The air seemed to thicken with anticipation as the unknown man pulled back his hood, revealing his face. The armed men's eyes widened in unison, their faces frozen in shock. The young man's eyes locked onto the unknown man's, his expression a mix of awe and reverence.
"Commander...Daniel?" the young man whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. The unknown man's eyes flashed with a hint of warmth, and he nodded, a small, enigmatic smile playing on his lips.
The armed men erupted into a chorus of "Welcome back, Commander Daniel!" their voices echoing through the valley. Arthur's eyes widened as he stared at the unknown man, his mind reeling with questions. Who was this man, and why did he co
mmand such reverence?