Day 5 – Before the Wedding
Leo and his team gathered early in the morning, preparing for the next stage of their journey. The situation surrounding the possessed royalty weighed heavily on all of them. Every moment that passed brought the mysterious enemy closer to their goal.
Ethan, however, would not be joining them.
His responsibility was just as important.
Someone had to remain behind to protect the city.
Princess Katelyn and the citizens needed someone strong enough to defend them if the culprit decided to strike while the investigation was underway. After discussing it carefully, Ethan accepted the role without complaint.
Still, the decision left the group feeling incomplete.
"Don't look at me like that," Ethan said with a shrug when he noticed the others glancing his way. "Someone has to stay behind and make sure nothing happens here."
Leo nodded, understanding the necessity of it.
"You're the best one for the job," he said seriously. "If anything happens here, we know you'll handle it."
Ethan smirked slightly.
"Of course I will."
The team's mission would take them across the three major cities of Thaloun Grass—Dichondra City, Nimblewill City, and Fescue City. Each place held potential clues about the strange incidents surrounding the royal bloodlines.
Witnesses.
Rumors.
Magical disturbances.
Somewhere among those cities, the truth was waiting.
While Rein and Helmond prepared their equipment for the journey, Alice had already spread a large map across a nearby table.
Naturally, she took the lead.
Her knowledge of Thaloun Grass far surpassed the rest of them. She knew the terrain, the culture, and even the hidden paths that travelers rarely spoke about.
Alice traced several routes across the map with her finger.
"We'll need to stay focused," she said calmly. "Each city is different. The information we gather in one place might completely change what we think we know."
She looked up at the group.
"And we don't have the luxury of time."
Leo crossed his arms thoughtfully.
"The wedding is in five days," he said.
Alice nodded.
"Exactly."
Her finger stopped at one location on the map.
"Which means every hour matters if we want to find the culprit before then."
Once their preparations were finished, the team boarded a sturdy traveling carriage waiting near the city gates.
Instead of using Rein's cloud transportation, they had decided on a slower but safer method.
Rein crossed her arms and glanced at Leo.
"You know," she said, half teasing, "I could get us there much faster with my clouds."
Leo shook his head slightly.
"We can't afford to waste your energy," he explained calmly. "If we rely on magical transportation the entire journey, you'll be exhausted before we even reach the last city."
Rein puffed her cheeks in mild annoyance.
"Fine…"
But after a moment she sighed and nodded.
"I guess that makes sense."
Then she added playfully,
"But don't blame me if the horses are slower than my clouds."
Helmond chuckled quietly while checking the supplies packed into the back of the carriage.
Leo took one last look at his team.
Each of them carried the same determination in their eyes.
"We have to find the truth," Leo said firmly. "And we need to do it fast. Whoever is behind this isn't going to wait for us to be ready."
No one argued.
The carriage began to move.
The wheels rattled against the cobblestone roads as they left the city behind. The scenery gradually changed from stone streets to open roads surrounded by wide fields of grass that swayed gently in the wind.
For a while, no one spoke.
Each of them was lost in their own thoughts, thinking about the danger waiting ahead.
After some time, Rein finally broke the silence.
"I've been thinking about something," she said quietly.
Her voice was low enough that only the team inside the carriage could hear.
Leo looked up.
"What is it?"
Rein hesitated for a moment before continuing.
"The wedding…"
She paused.
"It might not actually be a celebration."
Helmond frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Rein's expression turned serious.
"What if it's a trap?"
Leo leaned forward slightly.
"A trap? How would that work?"
Rein folded her hands together, thinking carefully before explaining.
"All the royal families of this land will be gathered in one place during the wedding," she said slowly. "Every royal bloodline will be there."
Helmond's expression darkened as he began to understand.
Rein continued.
"What if the enemy planned that?"
The idea hung in the air like a shadow.
"What if the goal is to eliminate every other royal bloodline… and become the sole heir?"
The carriage fell silent.
Helmond rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"That… actually makes sense," he admitted.
He leaned back against the seat.
"If someone wanted to control this entire land, that would be the perfect moment to do it."
Alice, who had been guiding the carriage while studying the map, glanced back at them.
"It's just a theory," she said.
But even she sounded uneasy.
"Still… it's a very possible one."
She tapped a spot on the map thoughtfully.
"If the enemy truly has the ability to possess or manipulate royal blood… then gathering them all in one place would give him the perfect opportunity."
Her voice grew quieter.
"He could strike once… and wipe them all out."
Leo's jaw tightened.
"Then we can't waste any time."
He looked at the road ahead.
"Every city we visit might give us a clue… or reveal something we didn't expect."
Rein nodded slowly.
"And if we fail…"
Her voice dropped almost to a whisper.
"This won't just affect the royal family."
She looked out the window toward the endless fields.
"It could change the future of this entire land."
No one responded.
The weight of their mission felt heavier than ever.
The carriage continued forward.
In the distance, faint lights began to appear on the horizon.
Suddenly, the carriage lurched violently.
The horses neighed as the wheels struck something large and gelatinous on the road.
A Giant Slime.
Alice immediately recognized it.
"Careful!" she warned. "That creature multiplies when it's split. Every cut makes more of it until it can't divide anymore!"
Before anyone could react further, Leo jumped out of the carriage.
The Giant Slime quivered, then launched its massive body toward him, attempting to crush him under its enormous weight.
But before it could land—
Leo drew his sword.
A brilliant glow erupted from the blade as he enhanced it with his power.
"Ethereal Rapier."
The sword shone like a miniature sun.
Leo smirked.
"Multiply, you say?"
He dashed forward and began slashing rapidly. His glowing blade cut through the slime again and again, faster than the creature could properly split.
Each time the slime divided, Leo cut the pieces again immediately, reducing them further and further until the fragments became too small to split anymore.
In moments, the road was clear.
Leo lowered his sword, satisfied.
But just as he was about to celebrate—
Suddenly, several vine-like arms burst from the forest.
An Elemental Grass creature lunged forward, its vines wrapping tightly around Leo and pinning him against the side of the carriage.
"Hey—!"
Before the creature could tighten its grip, Helmond jumped out of the carriage.
With a swift motion, his claws sliced through the vines.
"Don't relax so early," Helmond said with a grin.
Freed, Leo immediately joined him.
With Leo's glowing blade and Helmond's razor claws working together, the Elemental Grass creature stood no chance.
Within seconds, it collapsed into lifeless vines.
Without wasting time, everyone quickly returned to the carriage and continued their journey.
Twenty minutes later…
The forest had grown quieter.
Too quiet.
High above the road, something moved silently among the trees.
A Dark Blood Snake, its crimson body nearly the size of a human, coiled around a branch. Its eyes locked onto the moving carriage.
With terrifying speed, it struck.
But before it could reach them—
Rein raised her hand.
A shimmering barrier formed around the carriage.
The snake slammed against the shield.
At the same moment, Rein unleashed her attack.
Wind swirled around her palm, merging with blazing fire.
The combined magic shot forward and struck the snake instantly, incinerating it in midair.
The creature fell lifelessly to the ground.
Unfortunately, the flames continued spreading, igniting several nearby trees.
"Ah—!"
Realizing what she had done, Rein immediately jumped out of the carriage.
She raised both hands and summoned a powerful splash of water, extinguishing the flames before the fire could spread further.
When she finished, she turned back to the group.
Everyone inside the carriage burst into laughter.
Rein sighed in embarrassment.
"Well… at least the snake is gone."
A moment later...
They continued their Journey...
Five hours later, the team finally reached their destination.
Fescue City.
The massive city gates slowly creaked open as the carriage approached.
Inside, the streets were alive with color and music.
Floating lanterns drifted through the air like glowing fireflies, casting soft light across the roads. The scent of freshly cooked food filled the air, mixing with the warm sounds of laughter and conversation.
Small magical creatures wandered freely alongside the townspeople, creating a peaceful balance between nature and city life.
Leo stepped down from the carriage first.
His eyes widened slightly as he looked around.
"It's… beautiful," he murmured.
Rein and Helmond followed, equally impressed by the vibrant atmosphere surrounding them.
Alice smiled faintly.
"Fescue City has always been known for its harmony between magic and everyday life."
Before they could explore further, a group of armored soldiers approached them.
Their armor gleamed under the lantern light.
"Welcome," one of them said respectfully.
"We have been expecting you."
The soldiers escorted the team through the lively streets and toward the royal palace, a towering structure decorated with elegant designs and glowing magical ornaments.
When they entered the palace courtyard, two figures were already waiting.
Queen Helena stepped forward gracefully.
Her smile was warm and welcoming.
"Welcome to Fescue," she said kindly.
"It is an honor to have you here."
Behind her stood King Harold, his presence strong and dignified.
"Your journey must have been long," he said respectfully.
"Please… allow us to offer you a place to stay."
He gestured toward the palace entrance.
"You deserve comfort after such a long travel."
The team exchanged brief glances before nodding.
Their mission had officially begun.
And somewhere within the cities of Thaloun Grass, the truth behind the possessed royalty was waiting to be uncovered.