UNLIMITED SPEED

Noah regained awareness in front of the castle's entrance. His eyes fell on the shiny surface of the knight's armors. Their sudden arrival had stunned the officials of the royal palace.

"That was quicker than I expected," Noah managed to mutter. Nevertheless, he preferred things that way, at least they didn't make him go through anything annoying.

Noah got off the stairs with the others. The knights had been in a conversation when they returned. They had stopped now.

The imperial knight escorted them out of the castle, before bidding them farewell and making the entire structure disappear.

The group moved on with their lives at that point. The caretakers informed the emissary of the guild council, and according to Miranda, they would be departing the evening of the next day.

Excitement was in the air again. Their first destination would be the very borders of the nation. Apparently, they would explain things to them as they traveled.

The knights escorted them to their rooms and things pretty much returned to how they were.

A knock arrived on the door at some point. Food.

However, it wasn't Loria this time, making Noah wonder what had really happened to the young lady.

The meal had been delicious and satisfying. After which Miranda enjoined him in a certain enjoyable exercise.

They lasted hours and only stopped until it was daybreak.

Another knock reached their door when it was morning. It was Loria this time around and she looked back to normal.

She noticed the woman in his room during that period, but being a mere maid, she could only keep her peace.

Breakfast was served, and Noah enjoyed it. The meals there were unsurprisingly top-tier.

There was nothing much to do. Or at least there wouldn't be much to do. The events of the other day made them realize how bad things could occur.

With their departure so close, even Noah wanted to remain on the safe side. Reckless actions were inadvisable.

Sweeping his gaze on the court beside him, Noah walked down a hallway. Beside him was Miranda and she kept her silence.

Taking in the stale but beautiful view, Noah had light thoughts.

He wondered about his future. His ambition.

Honestly, all he had as a plan was to survive whatever those higher beings would throw at him when the bracelet crumbled. He had never thought past it since he figured he would only have the chance to struggle for his life after that point.

He believed it would most likely be a monotonous series of events. Nothing much to it. Would he ever be able to kill them and end all that strife, he wondered.

Would he find out the truth about Speedlings? All those things were uncertainties. Uncertainties he didn't like but had nothing he could do about them.

He wished he had similar goals to the people of that nation or world. Something as simple as being a knight or maybe just a member of a guild. Or a merchant.

His life wouldn't be that easy. Above all, he wanted to stay alive. Only power could allow him that.

Noah regained focus on his surroundings when a shiny object reflected its light into his eyes.

His formerly blank gaze fell on two knights and he immediately stopped to perform a head bow. They did the same and walked past them.

The insides of the royal castle walls were safe. There honestly wasn't any need for knights to patrol them, but Noah believed it was only for show.

The afternoon of that day quickly passed. Only about 21 days remained before he could finally advance. About two weeks later and the bracelet would crumble.

Soon it was evening, and all six individuals, the three caretakers, and the three winners gathered.

They were led by knights to the place the emissary had dropped them off.

Noah arrived before the wide path and laid eyes on the large group of flying magical beasts. They were tall. It was magnificent how big a beast of that level could be.

It looked like proper buildings were moving about. Which was why there was need for a ladder.

"I hope you have had a good time during your stay," Sir Dere jumped off one of the many beasts to approach them.

His gaze locked with the caretakers for a moment, and they nodded. Things were already at play.

"Yes," Bon was the first to reply, the other simply nodded in response.

"There will be a bit of waiting required. We will be having some special individuals embark on this long journey with us," Dere explained.

"That will be your new mount. She features a bigger carriage to allow room for the new people," Dere gestured at a bright orange beast. A feathered one.

It looked like the average bird only larger and featuring a strangely downward-curved and thin beak. Its beak was white and so were the edges of its wings and tail.

Its two feet were silvery, and they glistened in the silver light of the moon. In short, the mount was beautiful.

On its back was a carriage no more different than the others, only more significant in size.

The beast was silent and loomed over the rest actually, it was the second tallest beast there. But the height difference wasn't too much. But the size of the carriage was.

Noah nodded unconsciously when his gaze fell on the said beast. He also began to wonder who would those people that would join them would be.

"Please wait inside them. Your caretakers will be behind you throughout the journey, the formation allows that." Dere further explained, gently ushering them toward the beast.

"Who are these new people that will join us? Is there anything we'll need to know about them? Just to keep in mind," Noah felt forced to ask when the others didn't.

Dere smiled a bit.

"Great question sir Aiden. As a matter of fact, they are the descendants of some of the more powerful and influential noble families who have long since sworn loyalty to the royal family.

"But there are two to be exact, and they are the children of one of the five royal families. Which makes them royalty." Dere revealed and the trio went strangely silent.

Noah felt a wave of anger suddenly burst within him, he threatened to allow his passive elemental skill to slip out. But he didn't.

He would be riding with royals, but unlike Riveta he felt certain they would be piles of arrogance and contempt. Disgusting.