The group slowly but steadily approached the gates of the port city. Except for Cassius, who remained at the reins of the carriage, everyone else was seated inside. Towering spires of the port loomed over the horizon like mighty sentinels, warning of the city's significance and power.
Located on the southern border of the Alaz continent, Stormdale was renowned for its exquisite ships and magical goods sourced from all corners of the world. Merchants, warriors, mages, and travelers flocked here to stock up on rare treasures and hear the latest news. Representatives of a wide variety of races could be seen everywhere. Elves, barbarians, beastkin, dwarves, humans, and even orcs mingled together in a strange harmony, driven solely by mutual interests.
Before the group could get within a kilometer of the city, they were stopped. Ahead of the road stood a group of armed men. Katerina instantly tensed. This was a major city, which undoubtedly had powerholders of her caliber—probably more than one. Cassius wasted no time, stepping into a defensive stance and calling out loudly:
"Who are you, and what do you want?"
"Standard inspection," replied one of the men, clearly the leader. "We're looking for fugitives. Given the potential danger, all those entering the city are subject to strict checks."
"Do you recognize this?" came a confident voice from inside the carriage. Chris tossed the guard a badge, shaped like a small shield.
The guard caught the object and, seeing the blond man inside the carriage surrounded by two beautiful beastkin women, began to suspect something. He examined the badge closely and, upon noticing the name Benningham, his suspicions were confirmed. His demeanor immediately changed.
"My apologies for the delay, sir. We weren't expecting a visit from your excellency, from the noble House of Benningham."
"Can we proceed?" came an impatient voice from the carriage.
"Yes, sir. But why aren't there any insignia on your carriage?"
"Why do you care why my carriage lacks insignia? But if you're so curious, I'll tell you. We were in a hurry and had to cut through the Deep Forest. We were ambushed. The carriage was destroyed. I was robbed. Want to join the cleanup crew?" Chris snapped back with feigned indignation.
"I'm sorry, sir! You may proceed. Open the gate!" the guard ordered hastily, slightly unnerved by Chris's tone.
"The badge! The pass! Have you learned nothing here?"
"Yes, yes—right away."
Chris gave a lazy nod as the group passed, leaving the now-tense guard behind. Once they were out of sight, both the guard and Chris—and even Katerina—let out sighs of relief, each for reasons known only to themselves.
"Damn these spoiled tenth-generation young masters and their arrogance. May it all burn in blue flames," the guard grumbled under his breath, praying no one heard him.
I'll need to be even more cautious while operating in this city, Katerina thought grimly.
"Ahahaha, that was refreshing," Chris laughed carelessly, earning a sharp slap from Aika.
Stormdale, like any other city in the Magical Empire, was divided into four quarters with a tall magical tower at its center. Its defining characteristic was its unceasing rhythm—a city that never slept.
The streets were always crowded with representatives of various races and cultures. True to its name, storms frequently lashed the city. They didn't hinder trade, but they lent the city a vibrant, unpredictable energy.
Buildings displayed a blend of styles: elegant elven tree-houses with graceful arches stood beside the stout stone homes of dwarves, rustic barbarian huts neighbored sophisticated human mansions. A strange city indeed, but one alive with constant activity.
As they traveled through the streets, the group saw residents haggling over wheat supply contracts and the hiring of work crews. Mages performed displays of their abilities to potential employers. A group of slaves, shackled and priced, stood in a corner, while in an alleyway, a young nobleman pestered a reluctant elven girl.
As they approached the central square, a crowd had gathered. The herald's voice boomed over the masses, announcing recent events. The carriage slowed due to the throng, and Katerina decided to listen.
"On the eastern borders of the Empire, clashes with barbarian tribes continue. King Orion has dispatched additional troops. General Lewis de Clair leads the expedition and promises swift victory.
"Recently, cases of deception by witches from the continent of Velnora have increased. Be cautious when making magical contracts and read all terms carefully. Avoid dealings with demons and witches. They cannot be trusted!
"The Angels have assumed governance over the Neutral Continent. For the next ten years, the region promises peace under their rule. The departing vampire delegation from Nightingale has approved legislation permitting blood feuds, now endorsed by the Demons and effective immediately.
"ATTENTION! Reports from the Roman Empire indicate the awakening of the 'Child of Darkness,' destined to destroy humanity. The god Apollo has taken decisive action but could only partially strip it of its power. Be vigilant and report any suspicious individuals. Posters depicting the 'Harbinger of Night' and his allies will soon appear in public places. If you encounter them, notify the authorities immediately!"
The herald's speech ended, sparking animated discussions throughout the crowd.
Grey, who had been curiously looking around, buried his face in his mother's chest and covered his ears. His mood, once cheerful, sank to the depths.
Nearby, Kaguya lowered her head, deep in thought. She didn't notice the growing tension within the carriage.
"We must hurry. Tonight, we stay at an inn. Cassius, hire a ship with a shady reputation. Don't haggle over the price. Act like we're wealthy fools begging to be swindled. We need to leave this city as soon as possible," Katerina instructed firmly.
The three companions had never seen her so serious. She seemed like an entirely different person.
"So, it's time to say goodbye, isn't it?" Chris said reluctantly. He hadn't grown as close to the family as Kaguya or Aika had, but he'd bonded with his traveling companions after their shared life-and-death struggles. He also noticed how deeply Kaguya had grown attached to them.
His innocent question stirred Kaguya from her reverie.
"Chris, Aika, we need to have a serious talk once we reach the inn," Kaguya said with a determined tone that sent shivers down both their spines.
"YES!" they replied in perfect unison, their synchronization reaching near-twin levels. They both knew that when Kaguya spoke like that, she would accept nothing but agreement.
Upon arriving at the inn—which was still relatively empty as it was daytime—they quickly presented their documents and booked two rooms. One for Chris, Aika, and Kaguya. The other for the small family of three.
Once settled, they gathered privately.
"I want to follow Cassius and his family to Nightingale," Kaguya declared, getting straight to the point.
"Sister!/Kaguya!" Chris and Aika shot to their feet in shock.
"I've realized that I love him. I love Cassius and the children. I know we planned to move to the Neutral Continent, and that the Angels taking control makes it safe for the next ten years. But please, let me be selfish this once. Just this once. I can't bear to part with them. I can't. When I saw the city, my first thought was that I wanted to turn around and go back to the Deep Forest forever. The thought of leaving them makes me sick. Will you support me?" Her voice trembled, and by the end, her eyes glistened with tears.
"We had no idea it had come to this. Have you spoken to Cassius or Luvia yet?" Aika asked gently, already deciding to follow her sister wherever she went.
"Not yet. I wanted to hear your opinion first."
"What are you waiting for, you silly big sister? Go tell Cassius how you feel! We'll support you," Aika urged.
Meanwhile, in the other room, the children were already asleep in bed. Whether they were exhausted from travel or intuitively sensed that the upcoming conversation wasn't meant for young ears, they had quickly drifted off.
Katerina smiled softly.
These two will surely grow into wonderful people. 'Mama, I always want to stay with you and protect you! Even if I remain mortal forever, I will never become the monster people speak of.' Such touching words… They both speak so well. Fufu. We'll see what the future holds. But for now...
Her expression suddenly hardened. She snapped her fingers, and someone materialized nearby. Their gender was impossible to determine, as the figure wore a mask and was clad entirely in black.
"You called?"
"Charlie. Report."
"Here it is, my lady."
"Good. Go tell Crespo to return—I have a task for her. You will take her place," Katerina ordered.
"Understood." Charlie vanished without another word.
Cassius emerged from the shadows behind her.
"Ma'am, can we trust these agents? They're human. They might believe in the prophecy. They know our every movement and have been tracking us for months. It's possible they've already contacted the authorities."
"Fufu. Even if they believe in the prophecy, they wouldn't dare betray me," Katerina said confidently.
"If you say so."
"To think they would dare to touch what is most precious to me… To hunt my children… These Imperial dogs must truly have a death wish," Katerina growled, a dangerous glint in her beautiful eyes. She closed them briefly, planning her next move.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, followed by Kaguya's hesitant voice:
"Cassius, may we speak?"
The maid disguised as a man shot her mistress a pleading look, silently begging for help.
"Go. Resolve this matter once and for all. You should have done it long ago. The longer you delay, the more it hurts her. She's a good girl, but unfortunately, she cannot follow us any further. It would only ruin her life. However—you are not permitted to reveal your disguise."