Near the border between the Kingdom of Dylan and the Kingdom of Camos lies a small city called Dolaizi, renowned for its spices. Though distant from the royal capital and bordering the semi-hostile Camos, the ever-scarce spice supply in Faerûn has driven prices high, ensuring that this modest spice-producing region remains prosperous through trade.
To the south of Dolaizi stretched a trade road winding through the lush forest, directly linking the city to Nikaili in the south. In its prime, when Nikaili flourished, caravans flowed ceaselessly along this path.
However, as relations between Dylan and Camos deteriorated over the past decade, Nikaili—once thriving on commerce with Camos—lost its primary economic support. Compounded by the incompetence of its ruling lord, the city's decline became inevitable. The once-bustling trade road fell into disrepair, eventually becoming a haven for bandits.
Now, even those bandits had dwindled in number—there were simply no merchants left to rob.
Yet today, a lavish carriage adorned with gold trim rolled down the abandoned trade route. Its body bore a silver emblem of a sword slashing diagonally, a mark of nobility. However, the convoy it led was pitifully small, guarded by only a few dozen weary soldiers. The sole notable escort was a trainee-level knight on horseback, the only one resembling a proper noble retinue.
Inside the carriage, thirteen-year-old Luo Taran, its owner, gazed listlessly out the window.
She was a strikingly beautiful girl with golden twin ponytails that shimmered under the light. Her skin, smooth and pale as thick cream, was flawless. Her long, delicate eyebrows framed a pair of charming eyes, and her small, slightly upturned nose added to her refined features. With rosy cheeks and lips like jade, her youthful innocence contrasted sharply with the weight of her burdens.
Luo Taran Minohorn—her full name—bore a legacy that once shone as brightly as the city of Nikaili itself. But with the city's decline came the fall of the Minohorn family. Now, with nothing left but a handful of loyal retainers and a bag of dwindling gold, she was making her way to Dolaizi, a city of opportunity, hoping to restore her family's honor.
Of course, the true burden of this endeavor fell not on her, but on her devoted butler.
As the young girl watched the trees blur past in silent contemplation, the maid sitting beside her tried to lift her spirits.
"Miss, don't worry. Dolaizi is a city of opportunity. With your intelligence, reviving the Minohorn family is only a matter of time!"
"Of course! I am Lord Minohorn!"
Though burdened by fate, Luo Taran was still a child. Puffing out her chest, she lifted her chin in an attempt at regal dignity, though her small frame made her look more like a proud little doll. Seeing this, the maid couldn't help but laugh.
"Oh? You dare laugh at me? Let's see how you like this!"
Blushing, Luo Taran pounced, pinning the maid down and tickling her mercilessly. The carriage filled with laughter, the maid writhing in protest until tears streamed from her eyes.
Outside, the old butler and the warrior escort exchanged glances, their tense expressions softening into quiet smiles at the sound of their young lady's mirth.
After a moment of playful wrestling, Luo Taran finally relented, settling back beside her maid, her cheeks still flushed.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she leaned in close and whispered:
"Say… what kind of boys do you like?"
"Miss! You're so mean!"
The maid's face turned crimson as she pushed her mischievous lady away, but Luo Taran refused to be denied.
"Come on, tell me! Otherwise, I'll tickle you again!"
"Alright, alright! I'll tell you!"
Terrified of another assault, the maid surrendered. Covering her blushing face with her hands, she muttered shyly:
"The boy I like… he has to be a great warrior! Someone who can defeat five… no! Ten bad guys with ease!"
"Hah! If it's me, I don't need a warrior at all! I can beat all the bad guys myself, so…"
At this point, even Luo Taran's pale face took on a soft pink hue.
"…So, as long as he's handsome and gentle, that's enough."
Her voice was so faint it was barely audible.
But just as her whisper faded into the air—
A deafening explosion erupted three hundred meters ahead.
The ground trembled.
A searing purple orb of energy collided with the road, sending chunks of stone flying in all directions. The impact split the earth open, carving a gaping pit that swallowed the road whole. Horses reared up in panic, their frantic cries piercing the air.
The shockwave alone sent tremors through the carriage, leaving soldiers trembling where they stood. If they weren't hardened elites, the sheer force of the blast would have paralyzed them with fear.
Inside the carriage, the maid was already sobbing, while Luo Taran collapsed to her knees, shivering like a frightened rabbit. The suffocating pressure of that devastating power left a dark stain on her dress—she hadn't even realized she had wet herself.
And then, just as suddenly as it came—
The oppressive force dissipated.
As the dust began to settle, those who had collapsed to the ground muttered prayers to the gods, seeking salvation from the unseen terror.
But Luo Taran, despite her trembling legs, forced herself to stand.
Her pride wouldn't allow her to cower any longer.
With gritted teeth, she bit her lip, suppressed her tears, and peered forward through the swirling dust.
And then she saw him.
Among the rubble and haze, a lone figure walked steadily forward, each step deliberate and unhurried.
A young man in a deep-blue robe, his hood pulled over his head, moved through the debris with an air of absolute control. Though dust billowed around him, not a speck clung to his pristine garments.
He was not particularly muscular—if anything, he appeared slightly lean—but his presence alone was suffocating.
Even without uttering a single word, the sheer force of his existence crushed all resistance.
This was not the pressure of an ordinary mage.
This was the absolute dominance of a higher soul over a lesser one.