Journey to the North
Blade Lunaria and his carriage were carried northward beneath the midday sun, arriving near Pearl Bay, a bustling harbor city that glittered with life.
The river before him was vast and unbroken, its deep waters shimmering like glass. On the far shore lay the fertile lands of the Silverwood Kingdom.
Blade reined in his horse and stared at the endless current.
"Hm… take a ship?" he muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with thought.
"Too many people. Too noisy. Isn't taking a ship just boring anyway?"
He tapped the side of his carriage and smiled mischievously.
"No… let's make this more fun."
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Pearl Bay City
The harbor was overflowing with activity. Dockworkers hauled crates of spices and ore, sailors shouted as they repaired ships, and merchants loudly bargained for space on the next vessel heading to Silverwood.
Blade rolled into the city atop his carriage, his red attire drawing many curious glances. Some guards watched him closely, but upon noticing the Rank-C Adventurer badge pinned to his chest, they merely nodded and allowed him through without questioning.
"Adventurers, huh… always strange," one guard chuckled to another.
Blade dismounted near the docks and tied his brown horse to a post. He measured the distance across the river, his eyes narrowing.
"Yeah… this is the moment for improvisation."
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The Unseen Bridge
Blade extended his hand.
Mana surged around him like a raging storm, and the air began to glow as he poured magical energy directly into the river.
Cries erupted from the townspeople.
"Look! Look at that!"
"He's… he's forming a barrier across the river?!"
"That's impossible! A spell like that would drain a dozen royal mages of mana in minutes!"
A blazing path of crimson magical barriers stretched across the water, directly linking Pearl Bay to Silverwood's harbor. Each rune shimmered like sculpted light, stabilizing itself into a bridge made purely of condensed energy.
Heat radiated outward, beads of sweat forming on the brows of those merely watching.
Blade returned to his carriage, guided it onto the glowing barrier, and let out a cheerful whistle.
"Come on, boy. Let's show them how traveling should be done."
The carriage rolled forward, hooves clopping against the radiant path as horse and wheels crossed the river atop the shimmering bridge.
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Silverwood Harbor
In the distance, Silverwood guards sprinted toward the docks. Their captain pointed at the spectacle, eyes wide.
"By the gods… someone built a magical bridge across the river?!"
A young soldier laughed nervously.
"That's… not something an adventurer is supposed to do."
"Report this to Queen Bellatrix Silverwood immediately," the captain ordered.
"If someone can create a bridge between nations, Her Majesty must know. How much mana would that even require…?"
The guards stood alert, spears in hand, tense yet fascinated. As the carriage drew closer, they finally saw a smiling young man holding the reins.
Blade gave a casual wave.
"Good evening, gentlemen. Nice weather for crossing, isn't it?"
One guard laughed.
"Hey kid, didn't have money for a ship, so you decided to build your own road?"
Blade scratched his cheek sheepishly, his smile never fading.
"Something like that. Though I don't think it was that tiring."
The guards exchanged glances, shook their heads in disbelief, and lowered their spears.
"Well… whatever you are, you've got guts. Welcome to Silverwood. Just try not to cause too much trouble."
"Don't worry," Blade replied, tipping an imaginary hat politely.
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Shadows at Sunset
Behind him, the magical bridge collapsed into the river, waves rolling as the light dissolved. Blade guided his carriage into Silverwood's harbor city as the sun dipped low, painting the sky crimson and gold.
"Sun's setting," Blade muttered.
"Best find a place to rest before heading inland."
Nearby, atop a rooftop, a cloaked figure crouched silently, watching his every move. Their eyes gleamed with recognition.
"So… that's the boy who walked across the flames," the watcher whispered.
"Just an adventurer… or something far more?"
Blade led his horse toward a local inn, greeting townsfolk with a warm smile. Meanwhile, the shadow slipped deeper into the growing darkness—soon to carry news far more dangerous than anyone realized.
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✨ End of Chapter 11 ✨