My trip to the capital was a done deal, something I could not postpone even if I wanted to.
As a VVIP, I held the privilege of arriving fashionably late, yet I was not so unfeeling as to delay the festivities simply for my own convenience. Punctuality had its own advantages, after all.
Besides, the old butler would undoubtedly tattle to the honorable Lady Konstantin, and I dreaded to think of the consequences should I go against her teachings.
With my father, the former Grand Duke Konstantin, as her ever-loyal enabler, escaping her grasp was a futile endeavor. Especially if my disobedience happened to disturb their fourteenth—no, was it their fifteenth? —honeymoon. I had no desire to incur their combined wrath over something so trivial.
Thus, with the Sonomi Knights and the ever-watchful old butler in tow, our journey to the capital commenced.
The journey itself was tedious—another reason I often found myself procrastinating when it came to travel.
Transfer portals existed to make such trips easier and more efficient. However, special circumstances rendered them useless whenever they were in proximity to the Lorillis Desert.
Mana was negated in the desert, and since Sonomi was technically situated within its bounds, the territory faced a unique predicament. The city itself functioned without issue, but traversing the surrounding desert without reaching the city gates first was a death sentence. This was precisely why most magicians avoided Sonomi altogether—the journey was simply too troublesome with unreliable mana utilities.
Aura users, however, were a different story. The desert's pressure proved beneficial to their training, drawing in many who sought to hone their abilities.
The citizens of Sonomi were also remarkably sturdy, hardened by the harsh environment. Yet, I must emphasize that while the environment was challenging, their lives were not. My ancestors would be livid should anyone dare accuse them of mistreating the people of Sonomi. Personally, I found such unfounded slander distasteful.
Transportation in the empire primarily relied on magic devices, but those were useless within the Lorillis Desert. Merchants and trade caravans employed desert beasts for travel, while the more extravagant individuals utilized tamed aura beasts.
My own carriage was pulled by griffins—flying aura beasts native to the Lorillis Desert and one of the territory's most renowned trademarks.
The flight to the transfer portal at Siro Town would take approximately twelve hours, excluding the overnight stop at Enver Village. That was, of course, assuming we did not encounter any turbulence.
When I said turbulence, I was not referring to the chaotic air eddies that plagued planes in another world. No, turbulence in this world was an entirely different class.
At times, it came in the form of random tornadoes caused by wild flying aura beasts. More frequently, however, it manifested as the devastating sandstorms that Lorillis Desert was infamous for.
Yes, our sandstorms even reached the skies. As I mentioned, they were on an entirely different level.
Fortunately, aura beasts like griffins generated a protective field that kept everything within a mile radius safe from such devastation. Still, tossing and turning was unavoidable.
If one's stomach was not sturdy enough, they would be vomiting within the first five minutes.
For someone like me, who suffered from slight motion sickness, it was a miracle I had grown accustomed to such rough travel. In Sonomi, possessing a stomach of steel was a necessity for survival.
"I hope it will be a peaceful journey," I murmured absently.
"Certainly, Your Excellency. We will ensure that it is," the old butler assured me with a genial smile.
I could not trust that smile.
I may have grown used to turbulent travels, but that did not change the fact that I suffered from motion sickness. And yet, despite my inner complaints, my face betrayed me once more, curving into an automatic, polite smile.
Damn it.
"Thank you, William. I shall trouble you all then."
And I meant it. If I so much as felt a twinge of discomfort, I would… I would sleep it off.
What else could I do? Ordering old Will to cut off his own head was not an option—not unless I wished for my own head to be served on a silver platter.
After all, William had been my swordsmanship instructor. Even now, our spars still ended in a draw.
A good villain knew when to back away from a futile fight. I refused to be one of those idiotic antagonists who met their demise due to sheer stubbornness.
Suddenly, the carriage came to an abrupt halt.
Knock! Knock!
I turned my attention to the rapping at my window. When I opened it, the serious face of Sonomi Knight-Captain Arthur greeted me.
"What is it, Captain?" I asked.
Please don't tell me it's turbulence. Please don't tell me it's turbulence. Please don't tell me it's turbulence.
Important things needed to be repeated thrice.
"It seems we will be facing some turbulence, Your Excellency. The scouts spotted signs of a sandstorm five miles ahead."
Damn it.
So, I was about to suffer in a few minutes.
See, William, this was exactly why I could not believe you. You had just reassured me mere seconds ago.
"I see. Please prioritize the safety of our people first, Captain."
Sir Arthur nodded firmly.
"There is a small oasis just below us, Your Excellency. Given the severity of the storm, I believe it would be safer to wait it out rather than rely on the griffins' protective field."
Internally, I cheered.
I was saved from the disgrace of emptying my stomach in front of my subordinates.
No matter how attractive I was, such an unsightly display would remain… unsightly. I refused to let anyone witness such a thing.
"Is that so? Then do as you see fit. We are not in a rush."
I granted my approval, and moments later, the carriage descended.
It took six hours before the sandstorm subsided. By then, dusk had settled upon us.
Rather than risk traveling at night, I decided it was best to camp at the oasis until morning. Yes, I was also procrastinating again. But at the very least, my reasoning was valid.
As the knights and old William set up camp, I took the opportunity to explore the area.
I had never noticed an oasis in this region before, but its presence was a welcome one. The more oases we had, the better for my people.
I may be a villain, but I was still a territory lord. A true villain lord did not mistreat his people.
"This appears to be a newly formed oasis, Your Excellency," Knight-Captain Arthur stated as he followed closely behind me.
Honestly, having an escort seemed redundant. I was a full-fledged swordmaster. If danger arose, I might very well be the one protecting Sir Arthur instead.
But I could not bring myself to dismiss someone who was merely fulfilling his duty.
"Is that so? No wonder I was unaware of it. Make sure it is documented and that our maps are updated. Locations like this are treasures of our territory."
Sir Arthur gave a firm nod as we continued our stroll.
I was admiring the setting sun when, suddenly, Sir Arthur rushed in front of me, his stance tense and protective.
Thankfully, I was tall enough to see over his shoulder.
Lying ahead of us were the ruined remains of a caravan—and the bloodied corpses of its travelers.