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. Being punctual also has its advantages.
Besides, the old butler would definitely 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, being her enabler, I most certainly will not escape her clutches even if I wanted to. Especially if my disobedience happened to disturb their fourteenth, no, was it their fifteenth honeymoon? I had no plans to incur their combine wrath over something so trivial.
Thus, our journey to the capital commenced uneventfully.
The journey is quite tedious. Another reason why I try to procrastinate as much as possible when it came to travel.
Transfer portals existed to make trips easier and more efficient. However, special circumstances rendered them useless whenever they were in proximity to the Lorillis Desert.
There exist transfer portals that make the journey easier and quicker. But special circumstances made it so that the transfer portals could only operate when it is farthest from the Lorillis Desert.
Mana is negated in the desert. Since technically, Sonomi is situated within Lorillis Desert it is a circumstance unique to the territory.
Though the same can't be said when one is in the city. It works just fine. Though that wouldn't matter if you died without reaching the city gates first.
This is why most magicians avoid Sonomi at all costs. Since the journey could prove to be troublesome with a faulty mana utility. Aura users, however, were a different story though. Since the pressure from the desert is quite helpful when training.
The citizens themselves are also quite sturdy compared to those from other parts of the empire. It could be contributed to the harsh environment. Yet, I will 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 mainly depended 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.
Aura beasts are powerful, semi-sentient creatures that evolved through prolonged exposure to concentrated aura. They are primarily physical types, though elemental, and primal types also exist but these kinds of aura beasts are difficult to tame. Some are even fully sentient making them more elusive, taming them is almost impossible.
The Konstantins divided them into three classes.
Feral Class, these are small to medium aura beasts with minimal intellect that often go around in packs.
Noble Class aura beasts are semi-intelligent but highly territorial. The advantage with them is that they are capable of forming bonds. Once tamed, they are highly loyal.
My carriage, by the way, is currently pulled by griffins which belong to this class.
The third and last is the Elder Class aura beasts. These are ancient, fully sentient creatures capable of speech or telepathy. They are highly dangerous, albeit near legendary.
My father did tell me that they exist, nonetheless. He once told me about an encounter he had with a sphinx once. He even gave me a tip in dealing with them, in case I might need it.
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 say turbulence, I'm not referring to the chaotic air eddies that plagued planes like those on Earth. 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 manifests as devastating sandstorms that Lorillis Desert was infamous for.
Yes, our sandstorms even reach the skies. Like I said, 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 the devastation of sandstorms. Still, tossing and turning was unavoidable.
If your stomach isn't sturdy enough, you would be vomiting within the first five minutes.
For someone like me, who suffered from slight motion sickness, it was a miracle in itself that 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 can't trust that smile though. I may be used to the turbulent travels but that doesn't take away the fact that I have motion sickness.
Of course, even if I wanted to be derisive my damn face won't allow me.
A thankful smile automatically appeared.
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? I can't possibly order old Will to cut his head off. It would be my head that will be served on a platter, instead.
After all, William was my swordsmanship instructor.
We still fight to a draw these days, truth be told.
A good villain knows how to back out from a useless fight. I will not be like those stupid ones who don't know when to back down and just die off uselessly.
Suddenly, the carriage stopped.
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 need to be said thrice.
"It seems that we will be facing some turbulence, Your Excellency. The scouts saw signs of a sandstorm five miles up ahead."
Damn it.
So, I'll be suffering in a few minutes. Is that it?
See William, this is why I can't believe you. You just told me not to worry a few seconds ago.
"I see. Please make sure of our people's safety first, Captain."
Sir Arthur nodded sternly.
"There is a small oasis just below us, Your Excellency. I believe that it would be safer to let the sandstorm pass rather than rely on the safety field of the griffins. It seems to be a rather severe one," He continued.
I cheered internally.
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 aren't in a rush."
I gave my approval for our landing. Moments later, I felt the carriage touch ground.
It took about six hours before the sandstorm subsided. By that time, it was close to dusk already.
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 am still a territory lord. Villain Lords do not mistreat their people.
"This seems to be a newly formed one, 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. Even I desperately wanted some alone time.
"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 ruined remains of a caravan along with the bloodied corpses of people.
The sunset cast an eerie glow on to the scene. While the wind carried along the stench of heat and dust along with something metallic. Blood.
Twisted steel and splintered wood lay in wreckage on the sand. Fabric stained with dried blood flapped dully in the breeze.