Around noon, Duke and his family members set out toward the academy. They were supposed to reach a market near the north border of Side A before 6 PM, where Veronica's family would join them. From there, they would cross the border together.
Veronica wasn't married to Arthar yet; they were only engaged. Their marriage was scheduled for next year. For now, Veronica was living with her family. The Smith family had said that the marriage would be permitted only after the Alpha Vampire ceremony, as it would mark the official sliver count for the family.
Members of Duke's family, seeing the outside world for the first time, looked out of the carriage windows in awe. The road passed through dense forests. Along the way, they passed several family houses. They continued forward, crossing these areas. In several parts of the jungle, they saw Madira Houses (similar to bars), where people stood outside, watching them pass by. Darkness lingered between the trees, with faint sounds echoing, sending chills through their bodies. There was a poster on top of the carriage that read "Falcon Family," which helped them pass smoothly through B-side territory.
Around 7 PM, they reached the market of Side A, where Veronica was waiting on horseback along with a man. The Falcon family crossed the market and approached them.
Seeing them, the carriage stopped. Blake, who was sitting in front with the driver, stepped down respectfully and bowed.
Man (in a serious voice): "I thought Arthar would come to meet me."
Blake: "Sorry... Brother Arthar is busy with family matters. He gave me this for you."
He pulled out a letter from his pocket and handed it over. The man took the letter, glanced at Blake, and said:
Man: "Interesting... You've managed to awaken half of your third chakra... at this age... perhaps next year the Falcon family will have a third-level wizard."
Blake: "Sir, your perception is sharp." (He bows respectfully)
Man: "Hmm... I should take my leave now." (He puts the letter in his pocket)
A gust of wind blows, and he disappears with it, like dust being swept away by the breeze.
Everyone inside the carriage is shocked to see someone vanish like that. They whisper among themselves, "He must be a Level 4 or higher wizard... Did you see that? He vanished like dust in the wind."
Then Veronica joins them, and the group moves forward.
As they proceed, Duke steps out of the carriage, rubbing his eyes like he just woke up.
Duke: "Hey Blake bro... where are we now? How much longer?"
Blake (serious tone): "You drank Madira again... and passed out?"
Duke: "Come on, Madira is my sweetheart... I'm incomplete without her."
He sits beside Blake and starts looking around. Suddenly, he notices a beautiful girl with red hair riding a horse ahead. She has a sword and dagger with her, looking like a warrior princess heading to battle.
Duke: "Hey sister-in-law... when did you arrive? Blake bro, why didn't you wake me up to welcome her?"
Veronica (laughing): "You were sleeping... and I asked Blake where Duke was. He said you were asleep, so I didn't disturb you."
Duke: "And your family kids? I don't see them."
Veronica: "They used the Mirror Path."
Duke (mocking himself): "Ohh... I see... So how's your love life going with my brother? I heard you chased him hard to win his heart... Well, it's not surprising, given how Arthar is."
Veronica: "True... He runs from love... And how's your Queen doing?"
Duke (thinking): "Doing... I've only met her once, during the engagement... Even then, she looked like she wanted to kill me... Heard she's a bit unhinged."
Blake: "And you're any better?"
Veronica (laughing): "A mad pair indeed... A perfect killer combo."
Jerry: "Yeah sis-in-law... he's half mad... she's half mad... their kids will be completely mad."
Everyone in the carriage bursts into laughter, including Blake and Veronica.
Duke: "Yeah yeah, laugh all you want... You got your moment, make the most of it."
Laughing and joking, they move ahead. Soon they reach the border, entering the East side. The continent has no walls between regions, just thick forests. There's a checkpoint for official entry. They cross it and continue onward. Duke goes back inside to sleep.
Soon after entering the border, they approach a mountain range. These forest-covered mountains extend all the way to the South.
As their carriage moves between the mountains, a vampire appears ahead and stops them. He looks like the leader of the "Roadside Butchers" — a gang of organized murderers who rob and kill travelers in the jungles and mountain routes.
Soon, his companions surround the carriage. Children inside the carriage get scared.
Leader (3rd level alpha vampire): "Hey beautiful... looks like my night just got lucky... Want to have some fun with me?"
(He eyes Veronica lustfully)
His companions laugh loudly and say: "Looks like we hit the jackpot today... so many people in this carriage."
Veronica: "If you want to live, leave. I'll only say it once."
Leader: "Ah... what style... I like it."
A faint silver glow appears in Veronica's eyes. She vanishes from her spot, leaving behind only a silver shadow on her horse. In the blink of an eye, the leader's head is severed from his body. He doesn't even get a chance to react. The smirk freezes on his face.
Before anyone can understand what's happening, all his companions are dead too. Veronica is back at her original position, sitting on her horse as if nothing happened. All of it took barely a minute. The people in the carriage are confused and only saw a fading silver shadow near the dead bodies. Only Blake saw everything clearly.
Veronica turns to address them:
Veronica: "The outside world is very different from the safety of your homes. To survive here, you must be ready to kill. You'll find people like these everywhere. If you want to live, become powerful. Only you can protect yourself."
She looks ahead, pulls her horse's reins, and the carriage follows her.
Meanwhile, at Falcon House:
A contract paper burns and blows away in the wind.
Luke: "Arthar... Was this really necessary? Hiring them ourselves... Was that right?"
Arthar (with a slight smile): "They need to understand what the outside world is like... and the sooner they do, the better for them."
He walks away and enters his room.
Inside the carriage, Duke (thinking): "Now this... I like... bloodshed..."
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