Chapter 40: The Road to the Capital

The morning after the Imperial Summons...

Blackwood Manor rose before dawn.

Unlike the excitement that had filled the estate only a day earlier...

Today, a heavy silence lingered over the grounds.

Every servant moved with purpose.

Every guard remained alert.

Everyone understood one thing.

Their lord was walking into a den of wolves.

The stable yard bustled with activity.

Black horses stamped their hooves impatiently.

Supply wagons were loaded with food, spare weapons, medical supplies, and tents.

Blacksmiths made final adjustments to armor.

Tailors carefully folded Kael's ceremonial cloak.

Not because he cared about appearances...

But because appearances mattered in the imperial court.

Walter watched the preparations before shaking his head.

"I hate politics."

Edwin adjusted his glasses.

"Everyone does."

Walter laughed.

"No."

"I hate politicians."

Bram approached, carrying Kael's new sword.

Unlike the simple training blade Kael had carried for weeks...

This one was worthy of a prince.

Its black scabbard was engraved with silver dragons.

The crossguard resembled spread wings.

The blade itself shimmered faintly beneath the morning light.

Not because it was magical.

Because it had been forged exceptionally well.

Hugo Stone scratched his beard proudly.

"I stayed awake three nights finishing it."

He carefully presented it to Kael.

"My Lord..."

"It isn't legendary."

"It isn't enchanted."

"But..."

He smiled.

"It'll never fail you."

Kael accepted the sword with both hands.

He slowly drew the blade.

SHING.

The edge reflected the rising sun.

Perfect balance.

Perfect weight.

He swung it once.

The movement felt effortless.

Kael looked toward Hugo.

"Thank you."

The blacksmith grinned from ear to ear.

The Black Dragon Armor

Nearby...

The fifty Black Dragons stood assembled in formation.

For the first time...

They wore matching armor.

Matte black steel.

No unnecessary decorations.

Practical.

Strong.

Each breastplate bore the silver dragon emblem over the heart.

Each soldier wore a black cloak trimmed with silver thread.

When they stood together...

They looked like shadows given form.

Villagers quietly gathered outside the manor simply to watch them.

Children stared with shining eyes.

"They look amazing..."

Walter couldn't stop smiling.

"We're finally starting to look like an army."

Darius walked slowly down the line.

Inspecting every soldier.

Every strap.

Every sword.

Every shield.

When he reached Leon...

He stopped.

"Tighten your shoulder strap."

Leon looked down.

"...I thought it was fine."

Darius pulled it loose with one finger.

"If it comes undone in battle..."

"You die."

Leon immediately fixed it.

The old general continued.

"When you wear this armor..."

"You represent Blackwood."

"Carry yourselves accordingly."

Fifty voices answered as one.

"Yes, General."

The Escort

Kael walked toward the assembled soldiers.

He looked across the formation.

"I won't be taking all of you."

A few looked disappointed.

"This is a political journey."

"Not a military campaign."

He unfolded a parchment.

"I'll take ten."

He began reading names.

"Leon Ashford."

"Damien Ravenmoor."

"Iris Hollow."

"Hugo Stone."

"Elias Thorn."

"Captain Roland."

"Lily."

"Edwin."

"Walter."

He paused.

"And..."

Everyone already knew the last name.

"Grom Ironfang."

A ripple spread through the formation.

Some of the newer recruits exchanged uneasy glances.

Taking Grom...

To the Capital?

That was practically inviting trouble.

Grom himself frowned.

"My Lord..."

"This is unnecessary."

Kael looked at him.

"No."

"It's necessary."

"If I leave you behind..."

"The Court wins before the debate even begins."

Darius smiled slightly.

"Good."

"Stand by your decisions."

Farewell.

The villagers gathered outside the gates.

Many bowed.

Others waved.

Some simply watched silently.

Old Martha stepped forward carrying a small basket.

She handed it to Kael.

"Fresh bread."

"You'll forget to eat."

Kael chuckled.

"I probably will."

A little girl ran toward Grom before anyone could stop her.

The soldiers instinctively reached for their weapons.

Instead...

She held up a tiny wooden carving.

It was poorly made.

One ear was too big.

The spear was crooked.

But it was unmistakably...

A goblin.

"I made it..."

She said shyly.

"For you."

The old goblin froze.

His rough hands trembled slightly as he accepted the carving.

"...Thank you."

The little girl smiled brightly.

"My daddy says heroes come in all shapes."

For a long moment...

Grom couldn't speak.

No one noticed the moisture gathering in the old goblin's eyes.

Except Kael.

A New Notification

Just as the gates opened...

The system appeared.

"New Main Quest"

Journey to the Capital

Distance:

472 Kilometers

Estimated Travel Time:

7 Days

Objectives:

✔ Arrive safely.

✔ Protect all companions.

✔ Gather intelligence.

Hidden Events Detected Along Route.

Another notification appeared.

Warning

Hostile forces have become aware of your movements.

Probability of ambush:

38%

Recommendation:

Remain vigilant.

Kael's expression became serious.

He quietly closed the window.

Someone already knew he was coming.

Unknown Eyes

High atop a rocky cliff overlooking the road...

Three cloaked riders watched the Blackwood convoy depart.

One lowered a spyglass.

"So..."

"The prince finally leaves."

Another smiled beneath his hood.

"We attack?"

The leader shook his head.

"No."

"Our orders are observations."

"For now."

He pulled a crimson crystal from his cloak.

"The serpent is awake."

The crystal glowed briefly before the message vanished.

The Beginning of a Journey

The gates of Blackwood slowly opened.

The convoy rolled forward.

Ten Black Dragons surrounded Kael.

Villagers lined the road, cheering.

Some shouted blessings.

Others simply whispered prayers.

No one knew what awaited their young lord in the Imperial Capital.

But everyone believed one thing.

When Prince Kael returned...

He would not return the same man.

Kael looked back one final time.

Blackwood...

Only weeks ago, it had been a forgotten territory on the edge of the Empire.

Now...

It had a future worth fighting for.

He turned his horse toward the eastern road.

Toward Aurelia.

Toward the Imperial Court.

Toward a confrontation that could change the course of the empire.

The journey had begun.