Time, about five minutes ago.
On a spacious boulevard in Caludi, a carriage, escorted by numerous knights, slowly made its way towards the city gates.
Pedestrians, initially drawn by the significant entourage, cast their gazes toward the carriage. Only once they recognized the crest on the carriage did they hastily split, like parting before some fearsome thing, making way for the knight-escorted vehicle to pass majestically by.
Inside the carriage sat four individuals.
One of them was dressed in splendid noble garb, appearing to be in his twenties. He was rather handsome, barely fitting the description of a beautiful man, but his complexion was somewhat pale, giving off a feeble impression.
This young noble was smiling broadly, striking up conversation with the person seated opposite him.
"Master Nipede, I am very grateful for your agreement to accompany me on this trip," he said.
The person the young noble addressed was a senior in his sixties with white hair.
The elder was draped in a magician’s robe, holding a gem-encrusted staff, his hands adorned with rings and bracelets. At his waist hung a belt, into which were slotted various crystals and potions, emitting a faint herbal scent.
"There’s no need for such formality," responded the elder, known as Master Nipede, with a slow nod. His tone was respectful but his demeanor quite indifferent.
"It is I who should thank you. After all, it is my first visit to the territory of the Border Guardian Sword Saint, and without someone to guide me, I wouldn’t even know how to proceed to the Meipros family," Master Nipede said calmly. "It is indeed a bother for Lord Hadi to arrange this, even sending out his firstborn heir to guide me."
"Just call me Ophelit, Master Nipede." The young nobleman, self-identified thus, seemed keen on fostering a closer relationship with Nipede and spoke warmly, "You are a famed master in the Kingdom of Ginas, and in your presence, I am but a junior. Please dispense with mention of my household and call me by my name directly."
Hearing this, Nipede gave Ophelit a glance, nodded, and said, "Then, I shall address you as Young Master Ophelit."
The term "Young Master" revealed an attempted distance on Nipede’s part.
However, Ophelit seemed oblivious to this subtlety and continued his eager conversation.
"The Meipros family resides on the southern border of Meipros Territory, where the city of Besseray is situated. It’s the closest city to the Neutral Zone in the entire Kingdom of Ginas," Ophelit said with a smile. "The lord’s household is settled in Besseray. It is also Meipros Territory’s most critical military base, and if Master Nipede wishes to visit the Meipros family, it would take us nearly a day to reach Besseray."
"A day, you say?" Master Nipede mused. "That doesn’t seem too long."
"Indeed," Ophelit maintained his enthusiastic smile but now with a hint of braggadocio, "The carriage we’re traveling in is not an ordinary one, but the most technologically advanced riding conveyance in Caludi."
"This carriage compartment is custom-built, lightened and reinforced by Construction Mages. Even with several tons of cargo, a single ordinary draft horse can pull it, reaching top speed with ease."
"The wheels of the carriage are also specially made, containing magic items to maximize shock absorption and weight reduction, and are equipped with spells that generate buoyancy in certain terrains. This allows for easy traversal over rugged mountains, and those inside the compartment won’t feel the slightest jolt, assuring the best riding experience."
"Moreover, the horses pulling our carriage are not ordinary steeds but are metal horses shaped identical to regular ones, created using high-grade Alchemy Magic. It is said that if they were to sprint in earnest, discounting the delays caused by obstacles, they could traverse the entire Kingdom of Ginas in just a few days!"
Such a carriage, undoubtedly, was the result of immense expenditure to create.
In Caludi, such a carriage is one of a kind, which speaks volumes of its rarity and luxury.
"Ah, I see," Master Nipede seemed genuinely interested, "So, this carriage is not often put to use, is it?"
Master Nipede’s question was not due to the carriage’s value but a simple consideration of energy. Considering that the carriage was almost entirely comprised of magic and magical items, and even the horses were products of Alchemy Magic, it must drain a significant amount of magical power when fully operational.
At least, that was what Master Nipede thought. If the metal horse were allowed to run at a speed that could cover the Kingdom of Ginas in days, then within that time, several high-quality magic crystals would surely be depleted.
It was this line of thought that prompted Master Nipede’s remark.
"Of course," Ophelit may or may not have picked up on the implication, his boastful tone intensifying as he said, "This is a ride that the Hadi family spared no expense in creating, using considerable manpower and connections. My father hardly uses it, only bringing it out once a year for the lord’s assembly, to travel to Besseray. This time, it is due to your presence, Master, that my father was willing to bring out this treasure."