Azrean and Sumi leaned out the window, frozen in place. Their eyes stayed wide, mouths slightly open, like their minds hadn't caught up yet.
Azrean swallowed, throat dry. "I knew they were strong… but this is…"
"This is crazy," Sumi finished, her voice small, almost breathless.
From behind them, Invanne's voice slipped in—quiet and steady as ever.
"Lord Azrean. Lady Sumi. You shouldn't set your standards based on this. Inside our domain, strength like this is normal. Outside… most people aren't like them."
They both turned their heads just enough to look back at her, then slowly nodded. The carriage door opened. Azrea and Memei stepped inside like nothing had happened. Their dresses barely showed a wrinkle, their expressions calm, soft smiles resting on their faces. Only the faint smell of smoke clung to them, lingering in the air.
Invanne rose at once and bowed.
"Good work, Lady Azrea. Lady Memei."
Sumi leaned forward immediately, hands gripping the edge of the seat, eyes shining.
"You two were so cool and so strong! That was amazing!"
Azrean blinked, still trying to process everything, then finally spoke.
"What… what kind of magic was that?"
Azrea sat across from them, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Mine is Stage 2.3 flame magic. Once you pass Stage 2, it becomes pure destruction. I just keep it under control."
Memei settled beside her, crossing her legs neatly, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Mine is original magic—Spiritual String. Those threads aren't just physical. They connect directly to a person's mana flow and once they attach to it I can manipulate it."
Sumi's lips parted in a quiet "oh." Azrean just stared, the words sinking in slowly. Azrea glanced toward the front.
"Driver. Move."
The driver jolted, still pale, hands trembling as he snapped the reins. The horses pulled forward, wheels creaking before smoothing out as the carriage picked up speed, leaving behind the scorched road and silence.
Inside, the steady rumble of the wheels filled the space. Azrean turned his head toward Invanne, watching her carefully.
"Invanne… what about your magic?"
Sumi leaned forward right away, eyes bright again.
"Yeah, I want to know too."
Invanne shifted her gaze from the window to them. For a moment, she said nothing. Then she raised her right hand. Raised her palm up and a rose bloomed into existence.
Deep crimson petals unfolded slowly, layer by layer, perfect and sharp. The stem grew between her fingers, lined with thin, vicious thorns.
"Original magic: Cursed Rose," she said, voice even. "I can create roses using mana. Each one is sharp as a blade, It carries poison and can explode if I will it."
The flower rested in her hand, still and beautiful, hiding something dangerous beneath it. Memei smiled from across the carriage, folding her arms.
"And she even has her own pocket dimension."
Azrean and Sumi snapped their heads toward her at the same time.
"Pocket dimension!?" Azrean echoed, eyes widening further.
Sumi leaned in, voice hushed with awe. "That's amazing… I heard it's really hard to learn."
Invanne lowered her hand. The rose vanished in a faint shimmer, leaving behind only a soft trace of its scent.
"It works similarly," she said. "I draw my opponent into a garden filled with these roses. Inside when I control everything."
She paused slightly.
"But it requires a large amount of mana to activate and maintain."
Silence settled again. Azrean stared at her, breath caught somewhere in his chest. Sumi didn't look away either, her eyes locked onto Invanne. Neither of them spoke. The carriage rocked gently as it moved forward.
Invanne met their gaze without hesitation, her expression calm and unreadable.
The carriage slowed, then came to a steady halt before a massive gate forged from dark iron and pale stone. It rose high above them, heavy bars etched with faint glowing lines that pulsed like breathing.
Knights stood on both sides in perfect rows. Polished silver armor covered them from head to toe, each plate carved with delicate runes. Long spears rested upright in their hands, their faces hidden behind closed helms.
The driver leaned forward, reaching into a pouch at his side. He pulled out a folded flag and raised it high.
The banner snapped open in the wind. It was crimson. A jagged black crack split it down the center, dividing it in two. Pale blue ice crawled along the break, freezing both halves in place. A broken heart frozen solid.
The reaction was instant. Sharp breaths echoed along the line. One by one, the knights dropped to their knees. Spears struck the stone in unison, heads bowing low.
A single figure stepped forward from the front. Tall. Broad-shouldered and a crimson cape flowed behind him, matching the flag. He reached the carriage, opened the door with one armored hand, then snapped his fist to his chest in a clean salute.
"Welcome to Kuobon City, Your Graces."
Azrea lifted her hand slightly, calm and composed.
"We'll be heading straight to the church. Our children are here for their first visit."
The commander gave a short nod. "Understood."
He turned sharply and screamed.
"Parade formation! Raise the banners!"
The knights moved all at once. Flags unfurled down the line—identical crimson banners, each bearing that same frozen, broken heart. They formed two perfect columns along the road, spears angled outward in salute.
The carriage began moving again. Now, it rolled forward between rows of armored guards marching in step.
The gates opened wide. And the moment they passed through the city came in view. People flooded the streets. Doors swung open, figures spilling out from every direction. The wide cobblestone road filled with faces, voices rising together until it became a single, roaring wave.
"The Duke Lumonging and Hana are here!"
Without a word, Invanne reached out and pushed open both carriage windows. Sunlight rushed in. Azrean and Sumi leaned forward, suddenly exposed to the crowd.
The noise doubled. Cheers echoed off the tall buildings. Children jumped and pointed, adults waved cloths and hats, voices calling out blessings and names. From above, flower petals drifted down in soft showers, catching in the horses' manes and scattering across the road.
Azrean looked out over the crowd, a small smile forming.
"Looks like we're pretty famous."
Sumi beamed, lifting both hands and waving excitedly. Her white hair fluttered in the wind.
"This feels amazing… like we're celebrities!"
The city stretched around them, unfolding piece by piece.
Tall buildings of pale marble lined both sides, their surfaces carved with flowing patterns—vines twisting around faint glowing runes that pulsed gently even under daylight. Balconies overflowed with hanging flowers in deep purples and golds, vines spilling down like curtains.
The streets were spotless. Freshly swept cobblestones shone faintly, bordered by wide walkways packed with merchants and townspeople.
Men wore long tunics dyed in deep greens and blues, fabric rich and smooth. Women passed in flowing dresses, embroidered with fine silver thread forming stars and thorn-like patterns. Children ran between them in simpler clothes, laughing, barefoot or in soft sandals.
Vendors called out from their stalls. Fresh bread stacked high, steam still rising. Skewers of spiced meat crackled over small fires. Bundles of dried herbs hung in neat rows, filling the air with sharp, earthy scents. Crystals glimmered on display, catching sunlight in bright flashes.
A blacksmith's hammer rang out nearby, steady and rhythmic—sparks bursting against a dark stone wall. Not far from him, a merchant unfurled silk that shimmered between rose and silver as it caught the light. A bookseller arranged thick leather tomes beneath a shaded awning, gold-lettered titles gleaming faintly.
The air carried everything at once—warm bread, sweet flowers, faint smoke from the forge.
Azrean's eyes moved slowly across it all, taking in every detail. "This place is…"
"Beautiful," Sumi finished for him, still waving, her cheeks flushed with excitement.