Chapter 13: Six in a Carriage

Alice spoke up first. "Actually, we'd like to bring Eric back to his home," she said, giving the wolf boy a gentle smile. "He remembers where his village is, and he's been eager to return."

Arlon nodded, recalling the disturbing events he'd read about in the original novel. He had assumed the Pry members kidnapped wolf children for a dark ritual, using their blood to empower the Moon Mage. But seeing the reality, with the mage outright killing the children, left Arlon wondering if there was more to the story than he understood.

Why was the Moon Mage only killing them? Was he fulfilling a direct order rather than following some ritualistic purpose?

Shaking off his unease, Arlon met Alice's gaze. "It's strange," he admitted. "I thought their intentions were to sacrifice blood to strengthen their power. But if he was just... slaughtering them, that's a different kind of evil." He shook his head. "Well, I'll help you however I can. We'll travel together back to the Grand Duchy, and from there, you can take Eric home."

Hearing this, Eric's ears perked up, and his golden eyes gleamed with hope. "Really? I get to go home?".His voice trembled with excitement, and he bowed deeply to Arlon. "Thank you, Master Arlon. I'll never forget this!."

While the trio chatted with Eric, Arlon turned to Lawrence, and the two of them began discussing the village's reconstruction efforts.

Lawrence's gratitude was clear. "I'm in your debt for what you've done. The village and everyone in it owes you."

As the conversation continued, Lawrence suddenly leaned forward, his voice warm with gratitude.

"Master Arlon," Lawrence said suddenly, his voice earnest. 'I can't thank you enough for everything you've done.'

Arlon nearly choked on his tea, coughing as he set the cup down. Master Arlon? Since when does he call me that? His eyes flicked to Lawrence, half-expecting a smirk, but all he saw was sincerity. What's next—bowing and calling me 'Your Grace'?"

Where did that come from? Arlon thought, caught off guard. Did he hear Alice or Eric calling me that? Or was he just trying to be polite?.

He had noticed that Lawrence is acting weird when he found out who Arlon is, could be that he was still struggling on how to address me.

He felt a strange rush of both amusement and discomfort at the title. Master Arlon... I could get used to that, I suppose, he mused, though the thought was quickly followed by an inward chuckle. I mean, as long as Lawrence isn't planning to start bowing and calling me 'my lord'...

Quickly, he shrugged it off and returned Lawrence's gratitude with a slight nod, trying to maintain his usual poise.

"There's no need to thank me, Lawrence. I should be thanking you for your trust, even though I haven't been completely honest about who I am."

Lawrence's understanding gaze softened. "You don't have to explain. Trust is earned through actions, and you've proven yourself time and time again."

Taking a deep breath, Lawrence continued, "If you're willing, though, I could use your help with something bigger. I need to understand the Pry members and their organization, the Celestia Clan. They're dangerous, and I can't fight them alone."

Arlon considered his request. He had intended to lay low, avoiding the path of conflict and intrigue. But he knew well enough that the Celestia Clan's influence ran deep and far. If left unchecked, their pursuit of dark power would threaten everything and everyone.

The only way to secure peace is to confront them head-on, he realized. If I don't cut the head off this organization, they'll only keep spreading, like a plague across the land.

He looked at Lawrence and gave a determined nod. "You have my word. If I uncover any information about the Celestia Clan, I'll let you know."

Inwardly, Arlon felt an odd frustration. In the novel, the Celestia Clan was portrayed as a shadowy organization bent on reviving their god to unleash ruin upon the world. But beyond that, he knew little. If I knew more, I could truly end this, he thought, clenching his fist. I could bring peace and live quietly.

Lost in his musings, a thought surfaced. The 'narrator' — the mysterious force that had offered him glimpses into others' inner thoughts — had been strangely silent recently. Usually, it would present insights at pivotal moments or display the thoughts of key characters. But now, it was as if it had vanished entirely.

"Where's the narrator now?". Arlon frowned, a mix of relief and irritation bubbling inside him. It had been so useful before, revealing others' thoughts when he needed them most.

But now, it was like a broken tool—silent at the worst time.Glancing around, he focused on Alice, Anthony, and Eric, hoping to prompt the 'narrator' back into action.

Sure enough, a faint screen appeared in his mind's eye:

Flutter—

["Alice suggested to Eric to eat and rest more to fully recover."]

["Eric was overjoyed at the thought of reuniting with his family, recalling Alice's comforting words."I can't wait to see my family again—especially after everything that's happened. I'm sure they'll be happy to see I'm doing better"]

["Anthony pondered ways they might repay Arlon for his kindness."Master Arlon has been so kind to us. I've been thinking… how can we repay him for everything he's done? We owe him so much for his generosity."]

Good, at least it still works on some of them, Arlon thought, slightly relieved. Then, he looked toward Lawrence, hoping to catch a glimpse of his inner thoughts as well. But no screen appeared. He focused harder, silently willing the narrator to reveal something about Lawrence.

"..."

Noticing Arlon's intense stare, Lawrence tilted his head with a curious smile. "Do you need something,master Arlon? You've been looking at me for quite a while."

Startled, Arlon looked away quickly, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Ah, no. Just... thinking about where the villagers might stay while their homes are rebuilt."

Lawrence's eyes lit up in understanding. "If you're suggesting they stay here at the villa, that would be incredibly helpful. Thank you for the offer," he replied, his gratitude evident.

Arlon forced a small smile, nodding as if he had planned it all along. So, the narrator can't access Lawrence's thoughts, he mused, silently frustrated. Why only him?

As they continued talking, Arlon's mind was already spinning, preparing for the journey and for the coming challenges at the Grand Duchy. The thought of the nobles waiting for him didn't make him nervous — it made him eager. This time, he was ready. This time, he would show them who he truly was.

———

Arlon sat alone in his room, fresh from his meeting with Lawrence and the trio, trying to piece together the strange puzzle of his situation. As he unbuttoned his shirt and prepared for a bath, his mind returned to a recurring mystery: the narrator.

'Despite all its appearances and helpful, almost automated commentary, it seemed to avoid offering any insights into Lawrence's thoughts.'

It was a strange limitation, and Arlon couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the narrator than mere tracking. If it could track his every move and note every thought, why was it suddenly so selective?

Lost in thought, Arlon slipped into the bath, relaxing in the warm water as his mind continued to probe the edges of this mystery. "It's like it's watching me… not just narrating… like it's hiding something, panicking whenever I come across something unknown," he mused. "Could it be possible to manipulate it? What if I kept digging, uncovering untold knowledge in this world?"

He thought back to stories he'd read about other characters who transmigrated, tales of individuals who managed to find a way back to their original world—though the odds were never in their favor.

Most of them had either stayed or failed because they became tied to their new life or purpose here. If anything, Arlon decided, he was going to use every piece of knowledge from his world and this one to find out whether going home was even possible.

"One percent chance… it might be slim, but it's enough."

After his bath, Arlon slipped into his nightwear and sat down to write a few notes.This record wasn't for anyone else; it was his way of keeping track of anything that might point toward his way home.His quiet routine was interrupted as Ace, sprawled lazily across his bed, lifted his head with a curious look.

"Writing a plan or something?" Ace asked, scratching his head.

Arlon gave him a sly smile. "Maybe. Let's see where it goes."

Ace raised a brow, looking mildly baffled by Arlon's response.

But before he could question further, Arlon pulled out a book of ancient language he'd found in the study room. He turned to Ace, holding it open. "Can you tell me what you see in this book again?"

Ace glanced at the book and blinked. "It's got some of those ancient scribbles… the kind only an ancient being could read. Ancient mages, elves, or maybe a Dragon could handle this sort of thing. They've been around long enough to know it all."

Arlon chuckled. "You're a dragon, aren't you?"

For a moment, Ace's usual energy seemed to drain away. "I was the first Sky Soul Guardian. They… kept me away from the others, unsure of what to do with me. I was the very first dragon in my kin to receive it."

Arlon's eyes softened as he considered this revelation. Ace had been set apart, isolated because of his unique power, growing up without his kin guidance. Curious, Arlon activated the narrator to see Ace's thoughts.

[—"He'd been alone as long as he could remember, uncertain if his family even survived, regretting thoughts of them—]

[—"They were the reason he was alone for so long. He doesn't care if they live or die, as long as he has his freedom now."]

Arlon studied Ace thoughtfully before turning back to the book. "It says here that some ancient dragons still live, hiding in remote places," he said aloud. "Maybe there's still a chance—"

Ace's eyes lit up. "Are you sure? That might just be a legend."

"Perhaps," Arlon shrugged. "But sometimes, legends carry a hint of truth. Someone believed in it enough to write it down, after all. And sometimes records like these… they just need someone willing to find the proof."

Ace's gaze brightened at this encouragement, and Arlon continued to read, his eyes drifting across the ancient text. "This part here mentions a god who was once human… someone who left marks across the world to show control over the sky and beyond."

"A human who became a god?" Arlon's curiosity grew. If the power existed to transcend humanity, could it also work in reverse? What if he could find some path back to his original life?

Before he could delve further, Dimitri knocked on the door, his tone impatient. "My lord, you should be resting for the journey tomorrow."

Arlon exhaled, reluctantly closing the book. "Fine, Dimitri, I'll sleep."

As he lay in bed, his thoughts wandered back to the mystery of the god mentioned in the book—a god beyond the novel's familiar lore. Could this be another hint, something pointing to the possibility of breaking out of this world? He'd never been so certain that the narrator was hiding something… or that he was so close to discovering a path he wasn't supposed to see.

The next day arrived brightly afternoon, and the group prepared to leave the villa. The carriage waited, its dark wood and polished brass trim gleaming in the morning sun.

Dimitri gave the carriage a skeptical glance as he approached Arlon, who was overseeing the preparations.

"My Lord," Dimitri began, raising a brow. "Are you certain you want all six of us to travel in this carriage? It was originally meant for just the two of us."

Arlon waved off Dimitri's concerns with a slight smile. "It'll be fine, Dimitri. The carriage is large enough. Besides, it's better if we all stick together."

Dimitri looked back at the carriage, then at the group, his expression dubious. "As you wish, my Lord. But don't blame me if there's barely room to stretch your legs."

Ace, currently in his cat form, leapt up onto Arlon's shoulder, curling his tail around Arlon's neck with a purr. "Don't worry, Dimitri! We'll fit just fine," he said with a playful flick of his tail. "And with me on Arlon's shoulder, I'm barely taking up any space at all."

Alice laughed as she gathered her belongings. "Well, Ace certainly has a point. Plus, Eric's already claimed the window seat," she added, nodding toward the young gray wolf, who was practically bouncing with excitement.

Eric looked up eagerly, his bright eyes sparkling. "I want to see everything on the road! Please, can I sit by the window?"

Arlon smiled warmly. "Of course, Eric. You can have the window seat."

Lawrence stepped forward with a polite smile. "Don't worry, Sir Dimitri, we'll be careful not to crowd."

Dimitri shot him a look, raising an eyebrow but then sighing in resignation. "Fine," he said, relenting with a slight nod, "but I reserve the right to take the corner seat."

With everyone settled, they climbed aboard. Arlon took his seat with Ace comfortably perched on his lap, his small paws kneading into Arlon's knee as he purred contentedly. Eric took his spot by the window, while Alice and Anthony sat opposite Arlon, and Lawrence lounged on the other side, next to Dimitri.

As the carriage began to roll forward, Ace stretched, glancing around the group. "Alright, so, who's up for some storytelling to pass the time?" he asked, his feline voice full of excitement.

Arlon chuckled, giving Ace a fond scratch behind the ears. "Only if you promise to keep the stories under five minutes, Ace. We don't want you running out of energy before we even reach our destination."

Ace feigned offense, his whiskers twitching. "I would never! My stories are concise and captivating, thank you very much."

Eric, still glued to the window, turned his head briefly. "Can I tell a story too?" he asked, his voice muffled against the glass.

Alice reached over and tousled Eric's hair. "Of course, Eric. You can be our storyteller too."

The carriage buzzed with laughter and warmth as each member took turns sharing stories. Ace, true to form, spun wildly exaggerated tales of his supposed heroics, drawing groans and chuckles alike. Eric, nervous at first, shared a tender story about saving an injured bird, his words growing steadier with encouragement from Alice. Even Lawrence, who usually kept to himself, surprised everyone with a humorous tale of a merchant's 'magic potion' gone wrong

Then, it was Lawrence's turn. He had been quiet up until now, leaning back in his seat, but at the mention of stories, his interest piqued. "Alright, I suppose I can share one," he said with a grin, looking around at the others with a playful glint in his eyes.

The story was filled with humor and slight absurdity, and as he told it, the entire carriage erupted into laughter.Ace, as animated as ever, leaned back into Arlon's lap, clearly basking in the attention his tale had earned. Even Lawrence, who usually remained stoic, allowed himself a rare chuckle.

Arlon's gaze, however, drifted back to the window, the laughter in the carriage fading into background noise as he took in the view. The warm wind swept through the open window, carrying the faint scents of wildflowers and freshly tilled soil. The carriage was traveling along the side of a mountain path, offering an unobstructed view of the vast expanse of the Throndsen Duchy's lands below.

It was breathtaking.

The Throndsen estate had no walls or boundaries around Falcon, the state city. Without the confines of walls, every side of the city stretched out seamlessly into sprawling fields, bustling markets, and residential areas. The lack of barriers gave the land an open, free-flowing beauty, and its sheer scale was immense.

Arlon leaned closer to the window, his purple eyes under the mask scanning the horizon.

No wonder they called this land a kingdom once, Arlon mused. Even now, the Throndsen Duchy felt like royalty disguised as nobility. The sprawling fields, bustling markets, and golden farmland blended seamlessly into the horizon, as if the land itself breathed with life and purpose.

He remembered reading in the original story that the family's position had shifted when Ciel Throndsen, the previous head of the family, had become a close ally to the other kingdoms. To maintain balance and peace, Ciel had willingly lowered the family's status from royalty to nobility, transforming the Throndsen Kingdom into the Throndsen Duchy.

"It's still like a kingdom, though," Arlon muttered under his breath, his gaze moving from the distant market stalls to the golden fields beyond and then to the bustling port. The lands were alive with activity, people moving like tiny ants in the distance, each contributing to the Duchy's vibrance.

His eyes finally landed on the Throndsen castle, perched near Falcon city like a silent guardian overlooking the land. The castle was massive, its towers reaching skyward and casting long shadows over the nearby city. It's just like something out of those fantasy books, he thought, a mix of awe and anxiety stirring in his chest.

For a moment, excitement bubbled up inside him. This was an entirely different world from the one he had come from, and yet here he was, part of it—living it. But then, that excitement twisted into a knot of nervousness. The weight of being Arlon Throndsen settled heavily on his shoulders again.

Suddenly, Ace's voice broke through his thoughts. "Hey, noble Arlon, you're not ignoring me, are you?" The cat's tone was teasing, but his golden eyes narrowed slightly.

"Just... thinking," Arlon replied, his voice calm as he leaned back in his seat.

"Thinking about what?" Lawrence asked from across the carriage, his emerald eyes catching Arlon's.

"About how ridiculous this place is," Arlon said lightly, though there was a trace of honesty in his tone. "A 'duchy' that looks and feels like a kingdom. It's as if father wanted the best of all kingdoms."

Lawrence tilted his head, intrigued. "It does seem excessive, doesn't it? I wonder why he made that choice."

"To keep the peace," Dimitri interjected from his corner, his voice smooth and even. "Ciel Throndsen was a visionary. He understood that power, if unchecked, breeds unrest. By lowering the family's status, he ensured stability and alliances. It was a calculated move."

Ace scoffed, flicking his tail. "Sounds dull. If I had that kind of power, I'd let everyone know it. Towers of gold, lightning storms on command—the works. Holding back is for cowards."

Arlon gave him a sideways glance. "And that's why you're sitting on my lap and not running a kingdom, Ace."

The carriage erupted into laughter again, the tension lifting for a moment.

But as Arlon leaned back against the cushioned seat, his eyes drifting back to the castle on the horizon, the knot of nervousness in his chest didn't go away.

Soon, I'll have to step into that castle, into the world of nobles and politics—and into the role of someone I'm still figuring out how to be.

He took a deep breath, letting the warm wind calm his racing thoughts. One step at a time, Shin. You've got this.