The road widened long before the capital came into view.
What had once been a simple dirt path slowly transformed into a structured roadway of compact stone, worn by years—no, centuries—of constant travel. Wagon tracks were carved deep into its surface, and the flow of people steadily increased the closer Kael and his group approached.
Merchants.
Travelers.
Adventurers.
Soldiers.
The world felt… alive.
Kael walked at the center of the group, his gaze shifting constantly.
Taking everything in.
"…So this is the road to the capital," he murmured.
Nyx stretched her arms lazily as she walked ahead.
"Of course it is. Did you think the king lived in the middle of a forest?"
"…Fair."
Lyra walked quietly beside him.
But unlike before—
Her hand occasionally brushed against his.
Not by accident.
Not anymore.
Fufuin, in his small form, trotted slightly ahead, his four eyes scanning everything.
"…There are too many people," he muttered. "If something happens here, response time will be immediate."
Nyx glanced back.
"That's exactly why it's safe."
He snorted.
"…Or exactly why it is dangerous."
Kael smiled faintly.
"…Let's just try not to start a war on our first day."
Nyx smirked.
"No promises."
And then—
They saw it.
The Capital.
Massive walls stretched across the horizon, built from pale stone that reflected the sunlight like a silent declaration of power. Towers rose at regular intervals, each one guarded, each one watching.
Flags danced in the wind.
Deep crimson.
Marked with the royal crest.
Lyra slowed.
"…It's bigger than I imagined…"
Her voice carried both awe and unease.
Kael stared.
"…Yeah…"
Nyx crossed her arms.
"…Try not to look like country idiots when we go in."
They approached the gate.
A long line had already formed.
Guards in polished armor stood at attention, stopping each person, verifying identities, questioning intentions.
No one passed without inspection.
"…Great," Nyx muttered. "This is going to be annoying."
Kael tilted his head.
"…Do we even have identities?"
Silence.
Nyx blinked.
Lyra froze.
"…Right," Nyx said slowly. "…that's a problem."
Fufuin sighed.
"…Incompetent."
"Hey, I just got here a few days ago!"
Their turn came.
A guard stepped forward.
Tall. Rigid. His gaze sharp.
"State your names and purpose."
Nyx stepped forward immediately.
Confident.
Controlled.
"My name is Nyx Aeloria. Independent mage. Traveling for research and supply."
The guard nodded.
"Identification?"
She produced a small emblem from her pouch.
A metallic insignia.
The guard examined it.
Then stepped aside slightly.
"Valid."
Nyx smirked slightly.
"Of course it is."
His gaze shifted.
"To the others."
Lyra stepped forward next.
"…Lyra Valemir. Priestess of a rural church. Traveling under divine duty."
The guard studied her.
Then his posture subtly changed.
Respect.
"…Understood. You may pass."
And then—
Kael.
The guard's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…You."
Kael scratched the back of his head.
"…Kael. Just… Kael."
"…No surname?"
"…Nope."
The guard's expression hardened.
"…Purpose?"
Kael paused.
Then—
"…Traveling."
Nyx facepalmed.
The guard took a step closer.
"…You expect me to believe that?"
Tension rose.
Slight.
But real.
Then—
Lyra's hand gently touched Kael's arm.
"…He is under my care," she said softly.
The guard looked between them.
Something about her voice.
Her presence.
He hesitated.
Then stepped back.
"…Very well. But remain within the lower districts. Any suspicious behavior will be dealt with immediately."
Kael exhaled.
"…That was close."
Nyx leaned in.
"…You're terrible at lying."
They passed through the gates.
And the world changed.
The Capital was overwhelming.
Stone streets stretched endlessly, lined with buildings of all shapes and sizes. Markets buzzed with life. Vendors shouted over one another. The scent of cooked meat, spices, and fresh bread filled the air.
Magic tools.
Weapons.
Armor.
Accessories.
Everything was here.
Lyra's eyes sparkled.
"…It's beautiful…"
Nyx smirked.
"…Welcome to civilization."
Kael looked around like a kid seeing the world for the first time.
"…This is insane…"
They walked through the streets slowly.
Taking it in.
At one point—
They stopped at a clothing stall.
Nyx picked up a dark outfit, holding it against Kael.
"…You should upgrade again. You look too clean."
Lyra tilted her head.
"…I think he looks nice…"
Nyx raised a brow.
"Oh? You like how he looks?"
Lyra froze.
"…I-I didn't mean it like that—!"
Kael chuckled.
"…I'll take both opinions into consideration."
They continued.
Then—
They heard it.
"…The sword still hasn't moved."
"…Of course it hasn't."
"…Seven hundred years…"
"…Not a single person…"
Kael slowed.
"…What are they talking about?"
Nyx crossed her arms.
"…Ah."
Lyra looked curious.
"…You know?"
Nyx nodded slightly.
"…There's a legend here."
She pointed forward.
Beyond the buildings.
Toward the heart of the capital.
"…In front of the royal castle…"
Her voice lowered slightly.
"…There's a sword."
Kael's eyes sharpened.
"…The Hero's Sword."
They moved.
Through streets.
Through crowds.
Until—
They saw it.
The Royal Castle stood tall beyond massive gates.
Guards everywhere.
Elite.
Unmoving.
And before it—
A massive stone.
And within it—
Fragments of a colossal sword.
Cracked.
Yet radiating something ancient.
Something heavy.
Kael stopped.
His chest pulsed.
Once.
Twice.
"…So that's it…" he whispered.
Lyra stepped closer to him.
"…That's the sword that saved the world…"
Nyx crossed her arms.
"…And the sword no one can draw."
Silence.
Kael stared at it.
And for a brief moment—
Something inside him reacted.
Not violently.
But… familiarly.
"…Yeah…" he murmured.
"…We'll be back for that."
Nyx looked at him like he was insane.
"…You say that way too casually."
The sun began to set.
The capital lights slowly came alive.
Lanterns glowing.
Shops closing.
Taverns opening.
Nyx stretched.
"…Alright. Enough hero sightseeing. I need food and a bed."
Lyra nodded softly.
"…Me too…"
Kael chuckled.
"…Same."
They found a tavern.
Warm.
Loud.
Alive.
After some negotiation—
They secured a room.
"…One room?" Kael asked.
Nyx shrugged.
"…Cheaper."
Lyra hesitated.
Then nodded.
"…I don't mind…"
Later—
The room was quiet.
A single bed.
Large enough.
Barely.
Kael laid down first.
"…This is going to be awkward."
Nyx climbed in.
Without hesitation.
"…Move."
Lyra followed.
Slower.
More careful.
And then—
They settled.
Close.
Too close.
Nyx pressed lightly against one side.
Lyra on the other.
Kael stared at the ceiling.
"…Yeah. This is definitely dangerous."
Lyra hid her face slightly.
"…G-Good night…"
Nyx smirked.
"…Try not to do anything weird."
"…I wasn't planning to!"
Fufuin, curled near the bed, sighed.
"…I regret this contract."
Outside—
The capital slept.
But within its walls—
The sword waited.
The king watched.
And fate…
Was closing in.