Tildyen Rock was bustling from early morning. Today, Anya didn’t head to the training grounds as he had every dawn. Instead, he packed his belongings in his room. Rather than the silk tunics he’d worn from the Imperial Palace or the cloth shoes embroidered with elaborate designs, Anya put on sturdy leather armor and boots with soles dirtied by mud. Over that, he wrapped a thick woolen robe tightly around himself. Finally, Anya fastened the leather holder he’d carefully set aside on the nightstand around his waist and slipped Haebing into it.
“I’ve packed food and the tools you’ll need for camping.”
Gregos entered after knocking, carrying a leather backpack. When Anya slung it over his shoulder, it was so heavy his body tilted. He worried whether Mil could carry him and haul this as well.
“Th-thank you.”
Gregos remained businesslike as always. His gaunt frame and sharp eyes seemed to show just how meticulous and sensitive he was. Then again, Evernight appeared to have no interest in managing the castle’s affairs, and Anya also… knew nothing, so Gregos was the only one who actually had to run this place single-handedly. He had every right to be exhausted. Anya felt a belated sense of guilt.
*I should go see Gregos as soon as I return from Northmoust.* He’d heard that once the snowstorms began, Tildyen would have to endure a difficult period. He thought of the city square and Ban he’d visited a few days ago.
*Someday, the day will come when I can help them with magic.* Anya clenched his aching hand.
Fortunately, the snow winds that had been falling for a while had calmed. It wasn’t clear weather, but it wasn’t the worst either. Anya descended the spiral staircase that wound in circles and passed through the main hall. Haebing, which used to dangle and bump against his leg with every step, was now securely fastened, making his gait much lighter.
“Ah, there he comes.”
It seemed the party had already finished their preparations. Backpacks hung heavily from the saddles of four horses. Among the unfamiliar horses was Mil. Behind them, several infantry soldiers had loaded the cart with plenty of necessary supplies.
“H-hello.”
Anya cautiously greeted Evernight. Evernight’s gaze briefly lingered on Haebing.
“Your Imperial Highness. We’re about to depart immediately. Are you ready?”
Riario asked. Anya mounted Mil with a posture that had become quite familiar by now. Riario and Karen were staring at him intently. They cleared their throats with a “Hmm” and quickly turned their heads away.
“Safe travels.”
Gregos and the servants stood in a long line like shadows to see them off. Behind them, Sisou came walking over with a yawn. Sabelli was beside him. Sisou waved his hand.
“Your Imperial Highness! Have a safe journey! The rabbit meat at the inn there is exceptional!”
Anya smiled faintly and waved back at them. Though he quickly lowered his hand when he felt Evernight watching him from beside.
“I-I’ll be back.”
—
## Chapter 7. Northmoust
The journey toward the Wall was not easy. They left Tildyen Rock and passed through the Nameless Forest. Evernight and his war horse, as black as his hair, stood at the very front. Behind him was Riario, third was Anya, and last was Karen. It was a formation prepared for any potential monster attacks. Several infantry soldiers followed along with a supply cart. With the distinctive rattling sound of the cart wheels, they drove their horses into the light snow.
“Do you think this frozen lake will thaw this spring?”
After emerging from the forest, the familiar lake came into view. Spring was the most welcomed season in Tildyen. The time when the tedious winter is shattered and new life stirs. But for some reason, over the past few years, Tildyen’s lake hadn’t thawed even when spring came. That’s how much longer winter was becoming.
“Let’s hope so.”
Riario passed by the lakeside quickly, as if looking at something ominous.
*’Dragcals, Dragcals.’*
Anya called out to Dragcals internally, just in case, but as expected, there was no response. Sabelli had said that since the spirit had already told Anya its name, it was now Anya’s turn to call upon them. To do that, he needed to be able to gather his magic power as soon as possible. His grip on the reins tightened.
*’There should be a place to train even at the Wall.’*
The boy resolved to himself.
“Is the pace alright for you?”
Karen approached closely and asked. This was the first time Anya had conversed with the knight who wore a monocle. They had to go at maximum speed with the snowstorm in mind. Karen had worried until this very morning whether this half-wit prince could actually ride a horse at a gallop. Whether they should prepare a carriage even if it meant going slower…
“…Y-yes.”
Fortunately, the half-wit prince Anya rode quite well. His form still looked awkward, but if he could keep up with this pace, there wouldn’t be much to worry about. However, his still small frame didn’t look like it had great stamina.
*’Where should we make our campsite?’*
Karen Cassanel had participated in the Wall battle alongside Evernight, so he was familiar with the road to Northmoust. Back then, they were all the type who could sleep anywhere as long as it was flat ground where they could catch some shut-eye, so it didn’t matter. But Anya would probably need proper rest to arrive without difficulty.
“Sir Karen! Please mark the way with the magic tools!”
Riario, who was ahead, called out. To go from the lake toward the Beriela Mountain Range required some precautions. The Beriela Mountain Range was also connected to the world of monsters beyond the Wall. So occasionally, monsters would cross over and cause mischief. Moreover, since the Wall was currently being rebuilt, security had weakened.
“Yes, understood.”
Karen took out several throwing stars from his pocket and threw them onto trees along the path. The throwing stars flew lightly and embedded themselves one by one into the trunks of oak, evergreen, and other nameless trees.
“Ah. There are creatures that use illusions, so you can lose your way. Maybe for a lifetime.”
Karen explained to Anya, who was watching him with his mouth slightly agape.
“Your Imperial Highness, please watch ahead.”
Anya flinched and turned his gaze away from Karen to look forward. The forest beyond the lake was even denser and darker. Anya barely managed to leap over a massive fallen tree trunk. A forest untouched by human footsteps had no paths. Obstacles blocking their way lurked everywhere.
“There is actually a road to Northmoust, but we’d have to go around, so we have no choice but to take this shortcut. Since the snowstorm season is almost here.”
Anya’s body tensed at the obstacles that could spring out at any moment. Riding across rough mountain trails was completely different from simply galloping on flat ground.
“Let’s rest around here.”
After riding through the forest trails for a while, an open snowfield appeared. Once the dense primeval forest disappeared, the scenery had transformed into a desolate plain where nothing seemed to exist. Multiple horse hoofprints marked the untrodden ground.
Anya caught his breath. From his thighs to his waist, there wasn’t a spot that wasn’t sore. After hours of riding, Mil also looked exhausted. Since Mil was much younger than the other war horses, he looked even more pitiful. Just as Anya stroked Mil’s mane once and was about to dismount, his legs gave out and his body swayed in midair.
“…!”
He thought he’d inevitably crash to the ground and be humiliated, but a strong arm came under his waist and supported him. Anya blinked his eyes in shock. A shadow fell over his face.
“You’d better stay alert. Now that you’ve come this far, there’s no one who will take you back to the castle.”
It was Evernight. His blue eyes were cold. As expected, Evernight still regarded him as nothing but baggage. Anya immediately became dejected. His words made perfect sense, but he couldn’t help feeling hurt nonetheless.
“Hey. Take these horses and give them feed.”
Evernight gave orders to several infantry soldiers while still holding Anya in his arms. The soldiers ran over, took Mil’s reins, and led him away.
“You rest quietly too. We have to ride for several more days.”
Evernight set Anya down on the ground. Riario and Karen stood at a distance, watching them both.
*’Fweet.’* Riario whistled softly. Anya felt as though he’d become a child. The embarrassment hit him belatedly.
Anya carefully sat down on a nearby rock and opened the backpack Gregos had prepared for him. It contained neatly cut jerky, bread already hardened from the cold, cheese wrapped in paper, and dried plums. Looking around, he saw everyone was sitting and either hydrating or chewing on jerky. Anya cautiously put a piece of jerky in his mouth.
“Ugh…”
Despite its appetizing color, the texture was terrible. Anya opened his water flask and slowly poured water into his mouth, trying to soften the jerky as much as possible.
In the distance, he could see Evernight, Riario, and Karen discussing something seriously. Anya kept glancing at them while kicking at the snow with his foot.
