Chapter 85
Though a faint dusk-like glow still lingered, the rising sun brightly illuminated the estate that resembled an ancient fortress.
Servants moved briskly about.
They were confirming that every item required for the journey to the capital, Denimarad, had been prepared and that nothing was amiss.
The scale was entirely different from when he had departed for Portplum.
That farewell had seed grand enough at the ti, yet today the number of attendants was even greater.
Aquila had co out early and hidden a small bag inside the carriage, tucked beneath the seat.
Inside were items prepared in case he needed to head to the East.
Two small vials containing the unfinished poison, a box of Mithril arrowheads, a Spirit Tree Branch, spare money, and a short sword…
Belmaian’s Red Claw had been properly prepared as well; the root was cut and placed neatly into his coat’s inner pocket. In addition, he had packed Erzet’s handmade stamina potions and motion sickness dicine.
After withdrawing his gaze from the bustling servants, Aquila briefly surveyed the vast Grand Garden.
It was May.
He could not predict what unforeseen events lay ahead.
Still, he had prepared nearly every useful item. From here on, it depended on him.
“I have never been to the capital before. I feel strangely nervous. Do you not feel the sa, Young Master?”
Having finished his own preparations, Shen approached and whispered.
He seed tense.
After all, the farthest he had traveled with Aquila before had been Portplum.
Denimarad was far more distant.
They would first reach Portplum and then traverse a great stretch of the continent by Wyvern.
Even flying with rest stops, it would take roughly a day and a half.
Since Denimarad had no landing grounds for Wyverns within the city itself, they would disembark so distance away and travel another full day by carriage.
Even so, in the days before Wyvern transport, the journey had taken well over ten days. By comparison, this was a great improvent.
“Will you be all right with the motion sickness? Make sure you take your dicine, Shen.”
“…I brought what Lord Erzet prepared. This ti, I will not yield to a headache. I will remain at your side.”
He clearly still rembered how he had grown ill during the flight to Portplum.
“I will help as well. …Though I cannot help with motion sickness!”
Yujelia, her hair tightly tied up as always, nodded with determination.
Having lived at the Reschenhardt Estate for so ti, she had often worn comfortable attire. Today, however, she was dressed in a pure white robe.
Shen and Yujelia exchanged glances and clenched their fists in resolve.
Aquila rely shrugged.
“Young Master, Lord Lexenbert is calling for you.”
Cahena approached the three of them as they spoke.
Today, she wore an impressive suit of armor bearing the crest of House Reschenhardt.
It was tailored to suit her combat style—neither too heavy nor too light, allowing for fluid movent.
Moreover, perhaps due to her relentless training, there was a sharper dignity to her expression than before.
Aquila studied the scarred lines of her face before nodding.
The long scabbard at her waist remained unchanged.
He followed behind her.
“Aquila. Is your body well? Nothing hurts?”
Lexenbert Fad Reschenhardt turned toward Aquila as he approached.
Beside him stood not only Erzet but also the twins, Ershan and i.
“Yes. I have not coughed blood recently. I feel fine.”
With the blessing of the Sun God ever upon him, Aquila’s condition had improved to the point where grave concern was no longer necessary.
Color had returned to his once pale complexion, and he was beginning to feel the faintest benefit of his continued stamina training.
Truly, only the faintest.
Yet he appeared well enough that Lexenbert, after examining him, nodded.
“There is sothing I wish to give you.”
He revealed a necklace he had been holding—a piece set with a red gemstone at its center.
The gold fra encasing the jewel bore intricate engravings, clearly crafted long ago.
“It is one of the heirlooms of House Reschenhardt. It is called ‘Igdrein’s Eye.’ If you wear it, it will shield you from most attacks and magic.”
Lexenbert personally fastened the necklace around Aquila’s neck.
Judging by the na alone—and the effect it promised—it would be considered a top-tier rarity even across the entire Delvion continent.
“…Is it truly acceptable to give sothing this precious to ? Without even knowing who resides within your son.”
Truly, there were advantages to being born into a powerful house.
Such treasures were handed over without hesitation.
“Be cautious. All here will strive to protect you, but it is a place unfamiliar to you…”
Lexenbert’s strong eyes settled upon Aquila’s face.
Within them lingered worry, concern, and unmistakable affection.
It was still an expression Aquila could not grow accustod to.
“I respect your decision. But do not trust those of the imperial family too easily. The sa applies to the nobles. Show weakness, and they will bite and use you.”
As he spoke, Lexenbert gripped one of Aquila’s shoulders firmly before releasing it.
“And rember this as well. You are the proud blood of House Reschenhardt.”
“…Yes, Father.”
Their identical eyes t.
It was Lexenbert who turned away first.
He added that Aquila had received a Communication Bracelet, and that he must make contact imdiately should anything occur.
“To think that I would one day know Lexenbert’s personal Communication Bracelet number. Longevity does have its rits.”
Feeling the cool silver band at his left wrist, Aquila silently nodded.
Once Lexenbert finished speaking, Erzet stepped forward and pulled Aquila into a tight embrace.
“My brother! Be careful. The capital is magnificent, but I have an uneasy feeling this ti…”
He patted Aquila’s back several tis before releasing him gently.
Behind his lenses, his sharp gaze had grown more solemn.
“May the wings of the great dragon always guard you. And keep your promise.”
He was still uneasy about the poison ant for the Demonic Dragon.
Aquila nodded, assuring him there would be no such incident.
Lastly ca the twins.
Ershan and i imitated Erzet, wrapping their arms around Aquila’s waist before stepping back.
“Have a safe journey, Brother. I wish I could go to the capital too, but… I will wait for you!”
“Be careful, Brother. When you return, I will show you the flowers in bloom.”
Among the twins, Ershan had especially longed to visit Denimarad, but this summons had been for Aquila alone.
Still, Ershan spoke bravely, and i nodded with determination.
Aquila finally laughed softly and patted their heads.
He was rely leaving Igrail for the capital, yet everyone worried excessively.
Considering his previous physical state, their concern was not entirely unreasonable.
“The preparations are complete, Young Master. Please board the carriage.”
The head maid, Mashant, bowed deeply.
At last, it was ti to depart.
Once he left for the capital, he would not return to Igrail for so ti.
Perhaps even longer than planned.
Aquila lifted his head quietly.
Whenever he departed for sowhere, he did so with the resolve that he might never return.
If he died, he would awaken elsewhere under a new na. It was simply a habit that remained.
“I will contact you upon arrival.”
“…Very well. Travel safely.”
After hearing Lexenbert’s reply, Aquila lingered in his gaze upon the estate before finally boarding the carriage.
***
[Have you arrived in Portplum?]
“Not yet. We are nearly there.”
A golden formula flickered faintly around Aquila’s wrist.
Portplum lay just ahead.
The road had grown smooth and well-paved; the carriage no longer shook as violently.
[I had a feeling you would arrive around now. I am glad I made preparations.]
After the journey to Denimarad had been decided, Aquila had contacted Ianpel through the Communication Bracelet.
He had promised to inform him if anything occurred—and sothing had.
“I was about to contact you first,” Ianpel had said, assuring him that he could explain everything clearly.
In short, this was the situation:
After finishing his duties in Saintroia, Ianpel intended to return directly to Portplum.
His foremost objective was to uproot the Guild of Darkness from this world entirely.
However, upon hearing that the Holy Son had arrived in Saintroia, House Friadel proposed that he stop by Denimarad on his way back to Portplum.
They wished to et the Holy Son in person and hear his account.
Furthermore, rumors had spread that he had ford a close relationship with Aquila Reschenhardt, and they inquired whether Aquila might be present as well.
“A close relationship? That is not sothing I can simply overlook. Can that not be corrected?”
[We were seen together so often in Portplum that it must have appeared that way. It is not sothing I can help, is it?]
Ianpel’s voice carried a hint of laughter.
anwhile, after the report from the Frost Forest subjugation reached the Delvion imperial family, discussions regarding House Reschenhardt had begun.
One faction—led by the Second Prince—proposed inviting a blood mber of House Reschenhardt, who had remained in Igrail, to Denimarad.
Though they offered plausible justifications, their true intent was clear.
If they could secure House Reschenhardt, the strongest among the four great houses, they would gain the upper hand in the succession struggle.
Such discussions inevitably reached House Friadel.
Though they had withdrawn their support from the First Prince, they still retained ties to the imperial family.
They chose to use this opportunity.
If the imperial family, House Friadel, and the Temple of the Sun jointly summoned House Reschenhardt, refusal would be impossible.
Thus, an unplanned event arose—Aquila would be summoned to Denimarad for a three-way eting alongside House Friadel.
When Aquila explained what had transpired in the Frost Forest, Ianpel remarked that it was fortunate he had not refused, though his tone grew more serious.
In any case, Ianpel instructed him to make contact upon arriving in Portplum.
Aquila was now doing precisely that.
“If you intend to bring Heinen with you, why leave him there in the first place?”
[If assistance from Portplum were required, I left him there for your sake. If you are coming here, there is no reason to keep him there, is there?]
“I have little need for an informant.”
[Oh dear. He is rely a loyal observer.]
Ianpel sounded thoroughly amused.
[Since I now know you are coming, we shall et next in Denimarad. Ah, and I have prepared a gift for you. I look forward to seeing you soon.]
“A gift?”
[Yes. I suspect you will not like it… but since it contains my sincerity, let us call it a gift.]
“If the recipient dislikes it, what is the point?”
[Surprise gifts are ant to be that way. Co with anticipation.]
Despite Aquila’s attempts to press further, Ianpel remained evasive before abruptly ending the communication.
Clearly, so lingering grievance remained from before.
“…Beirets Hurbel resides in the capital. Surely it is not sothing absurd like ‘becoming friends with a top-tier mage.’”
Though the thought was frivolous, it was oddly plausible enough that Aquila shook his head to dispel it.
The carriage slowed as it entered Portplum.
Ordinarily, this would have been the final destination.
But a long road still lay ahead.
The carriage bearing the crest of House Reschenhardt continued onward toward the Wyvern airfield.
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