Novel Journey

Chapter 1

Transmigration

Lord Maxwell, took a deep breath in, as he looked up at the clear, pleasant sky. His servants quickly shuffled forward to open the parasols over him and his distinguished guest. He then moved over to a small patio on a hilltop to view a dungeon as hardened workers came in and out of it. In a particular rhythm, they efficiently mined mana crystals into steel crates.

Lord Maxwell, stood at six feet three inches. A thirty-year-old man of athletic built, he wore his long, blue hair in a ponytail. His sun-kissed complexion, glistened in the daylight. A cut decorated his left eye, which he proudly displayed as it was evidence of his hard-fought battles in the war against demons. His eyes were ocean blue and his lips thin, yet luring. Next to him stood his guest. A single look and one could determine that the man was proud. Slightly shorter than Lord Maxwell, but boasting a heavier build, the dark-skinned, bald guest adjusted his monocle and admired the workers below

"Jabez, because of your help --- the deal with House Endorsa got approved pretty quickly", Lord Maxwell appreciated

Unlike House Maxwell which was known for its money and art, House Endorsa was known for its impeccable swordsmanship and its long history of heroes.

"House Endorsa is the Emperor's favorite, so every dealer's background is thoroughly checked. It wasn't deemed necessary at the Council of Finance this time around just because it was you -- Abel", the distinguished guest replied, slightly nodding.

"Well, of course, it's his favorite. Without their support, the oldie wouldn't be sitting on the throne today", Lord Maxwell complained with a smile. When his joke got no response, he angrily responded, "stop staring at my workers with such lustful gaze, or your husband might just slit your throat"

"He knows that I'll only ever love him, so that threat is meaningless, buddy", Jabez laughed, "Also, the Emperor hates it when you call him that --- yet you do it all the time"

Remembering something important, Jabez continued, "I saw Lady Isabella of House Endorsa. She is quite dignified and rumor dictates, she's destined to become a sword master. Isn't she as old as Ajax?", rubbing his stubble, he carefully observed Lord Maxwell's reaction.

"My son looks exactly like his mother and my dear Ella. He's going to grow up to be quite the heartbreaker", the Lord chuckled.

It was well known in the noble social circle that Duchess Eleanor was an extremely beautiful woman, yet no one dared to ogle her for Lord Maxwell was her husband.

"How's Ajax doing?", Jabez asked

"You know him. He's always up to no good", the Lord complained, "today's his Divinity Ceremony. Wish I could accompany him but Ella wanted to be there with him instead"

Jabez glanced down to check his gold pocket watch and then up to see the sun, "few hours till the sun goes down", he noted

"What of it?", Lord Maxwell's curiosity grew

"Lately the Council's been getting complains that many precious carriages have been getting robbed and their knights bloodily fought with", Jabez frowned

Pointing at the floating island miles away, "They're going to the Temple of Life and Nazuna is with them", Lord Maxwell explained, "I'm sure only a suicidal man would attack a carriage with House Maxwell's emblem"

---Elsewhere---

The rocks crumbled as the battle waged on. Twelve knights, three already beheaded, fought twenty-eight bandits. Nazuna, an A-rank warrior slashed his sword upwards, slicing the very air it moved through. His huge back protecting the carriage behind him.

In the carriage, a gorgeous woman panicked, holding her twelve-year-old son tight while the boy quickly released himself from her hold and proceeded to strap a bag

The woman was perfectly proportioned, five feet ten inches tall, and had long, wheat-colored hair. Her golden, cat-like eyes teared up, while her full, cherry red lips quivered. The pale woman was scared, not for her own death but her sweet little boy's. The boy stood five feet eight inches, taller than most kids his age, and was blessed with the same complexion, eyes, hair, and lips as his mother. He had fashioned his hair in a small ponytail, just like his father, and wore an extremely expensive, silver lined robe. His hands trembled in fear, but he focused on escaping the situation they were caught in

Throwing a black bag towards his mother, he commanded, "Mom, quickly wear the bag. We're leaving"

"Wai----", before she could utter a word the boy kicked the door open. Thud! The door fell off its hinges.

Pulling his mom out of the carriage and running towards a black horse, he quickly jumped on it and then helped her up. He whipped the reins and they galloped into the forest.

A few of the bandits saw their escape and chased them. Jumping from tree to tree, they expanded their mana over their bodies to keep up with the racing horse. They were at the very least C-rankers.

As the distance between them closed, the boy screamed, "MOM, OPEN THE BAG, ACTIVATE THE BOMB AND THROW IT BEHIND YOU"

Bewildered, yet aware of the situation she quickly did as instructed, three seconds after the throw, it blew up. The trees caught fire, a crater formed and many of the bandits got caught in the explosion. The bomb injured a few, while the rest slowed down considerably by the panic created.

Taking a sharp left towards an overflowing cascade, the horse stopped and the mother and son jumped off. The boy took off the horse's headgear and slapped its ass, watching it run free.

The mother experienced all this with her mouth ajar and once again before she could properly form words the boy spoke, "Mom, there's a cave behind the cascade, we'll hide there. Quickly before the bandits return"

Inside the cave, the pair got comfortable before the boy pulled out towels from his bag and then food, water, blankets, and a pillow.

"AJ honey, why did you pack a bomb with you on the way to a temple?", Ella questioned worryingly

"I'd heard rumors about attacks on carriages and packed it, in case of an emergency", he lied with confidence

Two weeks ago, Ajax had transmigrated into his favorite novel --- 'The City of Ascension'. Now in the body of a minor villain who had the same name as his, he decided to change his fate with knowledge of what's to come.

He knew of this attack and the fact that his mother was supposed to die during the ensuing clash of swords. Though she was his mother just for the past 14 days, Ajax had all the memories of his body's previous owner and loved her the same way he did.

That night they slept in the cave and when the morning rose Lord Maxwell himself had joined the search, eradicating every single bandit camp, only stopping when he found both his loved ones smiling and safe.