After weeks on the road, the towering gates of the city finally appeared before them.
Massive stone walls rose high against the sky, banners fluttering in the wind above the guard towers. Merchants, travelers, nobles, and soldiers moved constantly through the open gates.
The destination of their long escort.
The city belonging to Eldoria Kingdom's neighboring realm.
Daren let out a long whistle.
"Finally."
Tomas stretched his back dramatically.
"I thought the road would never end."
Mikel rubbed his shoulders.
"My legs forgot what a real city looks like."
Con stood quietly beside them, listening to the hum of life around the gates.
Hundreds of footsteps.
Cart wheels.
Vendors shouting.
Animals moving.
The city sounded alive.
Inside the carriage, Lady Elara Valenwood peeked through the curtains with a relieved smile.
"We've arrived."
Jorin, who had ridden beside her nearly the entire last stretch of the journey, nodded softly.
"Yes."
No one commented on how close the two of them had grown during the trip.
At least—
Not directly.
But the night before…
The boys had accidentally discovered something.
Or rather—
Daren had.
He had gone looking for water near the wagons.
And returned five minutes later with the expression of a man who had seen something deeply shocking.
"Jorin is kissing the noble lady."
Tomas had blinked.
"…what?"
Mikel had frowned.
"You're lying."
Daren shook his head violently.
"Not just kissing!"
"Desperately kissing!"
Naturally, the other two idiots had immediately gone to look.
And yes.
The quiet, stoic Jorin had indeed been kissing Elara like a man about to leave for war.
No one had mentioned it since.
But now—
When Jorin calmly announced his decision—
"Well," he said quietly as the caravan stopped, "Lady Elara will remain here for a week."
The boys looked at him.
"I will stay to ensure her safety."
Daren crossed his arms.
"Of course you will."
Tomas nodded solemnly.
"A very responsible decision."
Mikel smirked.
"For safety."
Jorin didn't react.
But the faint red creeping up his neck betrayed him.
Elara quickly looked away, pretending to admire the city walls.
Con smiled faintly but said nothing.
Once Lady Elara was safely received by the local noble household she had come to visit, the caravan finally dissolved.
Servants took over her care.
Guards were assigned.
And just like that—
Their long mission was complete.
But before everyone separated—
Mr. Ednis Frogbert approached the boys one last time.
His crooked smile looked strangely sincere.
"Well," he said warmly, "this is where our paths part."
Daren folded his arms.
"…probably for the best."
Tomas elbowed him hard.
Frogbert chuckled anyway.
"I've enjoyed traveling with you all."
His gaze eventually settled on Con.
Something thoughtful passed through his strange eyes.
"I must admit," he said slowly, "I have always wondered how it would feel to finally talk to you."
Con tilted his head slightly.
"…to talk to me?"
Frogbert nodded.
"Yes."
His smile widened a little.
"And I must say…"
"…it has been delightful."
The words sounded oddly sincere.
Almost nostalgic.
Con bowed politely.
"I'm glad to hear that, Mr. Frogbert."
Frogbert laughed softly.
"Well then!"
He clapped his hands together.
"I suppose we'll meet again someday."
Daren muttered under his breath,
"…hopefully not."
But Frogbert simply waved cheerfully as he climbed into his carriage.
"Safe travels, boys!"
The wheels began rolling.
Within moments, the strange man and his caravan disappeared into the bustling city streets.
Leaving the boys alone.
Tomas exhaled.
"…that guy was weird."
Mikel nodded.
"Very weird."
Daren shrugged.
"At least he was nice."
Con listened to the fading sound of the carriage.
Something about Frogbert's final words lingered in his mind.
I have always wondered how it would feel to finally talk to you.
It was a strange sentence.
But before he could think more about it—
Tomas clapped his hands loudly.
"Well!"
"Now what?"
Daren grinned.
"We have a whole city."
Mikel nodded.
"And an entire week."
Tomas threw an arm around Con's shoulders.
"Which means…"
Daren finished dramatically.
"Exploration."
The city buzzed with festivals, markets, performers, and endless noise.
For the first time in weeks—
They had no responsibilities.
No escort duties.
No roads to follow.
Just seven days.
Seven days to explore.
Seven days of freedom.
And Con, standing in the middle of the bustling city, smiled faintly.