Chapitre 2: The Grand Duke Goes on a Trip
My trip to the capital is a done deal. Something I could not postpone even if I wanted to.
I am a VVIP but I am not so unfeeling as to delay the festivities just because I deem it important to be fashionably late.
Being punctual also has its advantages.
Besides, the old butler will tattle on to the honorable Lady Konstantin. I dread the things she will do if I go against her teachings.
With my father, the former Grand Duke Konstantin, being her enabler, I most certainly will not escape her clutches even if I wanted to.
Especially if it happens to disturb their 14th or was it 15th honeymoon.
And so, with the Sonomi Knights and the old butler whom I can never escape in tow, we have departed on towards the capital.
The journey is quite tedious. Another reason why I try to procrastinate as much as possible.
There exist transfer portals that make the journey easier and quicker. But special circumstances made it so that the transfer portals could only operate when it is farthest from the Lorillis Desert.
Mana is negated in the desert. Since technically, Sonomi is situated within Lorillis Desert it is a circumstance unique to the territory.
Though the same can't be said when one is in the city. It works just fine. Though that wouldn't matter if you died without reaching the city gates first.
This is why most magicians avoid Sonomi at all costs. Since the journey could prove to be troublesome with a faulty mana utility. There are plenty of aura users though. Since the pressure from the desert is quite helpful when training.
The citizens themselves are also quite sturdy compared to those from other parts of the empire. It could be contributed to the harsh environment.
I must emphasize that it is merely the environment that is difficult. Not their lives. My ancestors would be furious if they are accused of mistreating the Sonomi citizens. I personally also dislike such unfounded slander.
That aside, most transportation in the empire makes use of magic devices. But you can't cross the Lorillis Desert with those. Merchants and trade caravans employ desert beasts to get to and around Sonomi. While extravagant people would utilize tamed aura beasts.
My carriage, by the way, is currently pulled by griffins, flying aura beasts native to the Lorillis Desert. One of the territory's trademarks.
The flight to the transfer portal at Siro town would take about 12 hours excluding the overnight stop at Enver village.
That is if we don't encounter any turbulence.
When I say turbulence, I don't mean that chaotic eddies of air pockets that planes usually find difficult. Turbulence in this world is a whole different class.
At times they can be random tornadoes set off by wild flying aura beasts. But most of the time they are devastating sandstorms courtesy of Lorillis Desert.
Yes, our sandstorms even reach the skies. As I said, they are a higher class.
Thankfully, aura beasts like the griffin create a field around them that keeps everything within a mile radius safe from the devastation. Still, tossing and turning are unavoidable.
If your stomach isn't sturdy enough, you would be vomiting in the first five minutes.
For someone with slight motion sickness like me, it's a surprise that I even got used to such rough travel.
A stomach of steel is a requirement to survive in this place.
"I hope it would be a peaceful journey," I murmured absently.
"Certainly, your excellency. We will make sure of that." The old butler of our house assured me with a genial smile.
I can't trust that smile though. I may be used to turbulent travels but that doesn't take away the fact that I have motion sickness.
Of course, even if I wanted to be snarky my damn face won't allow me.
A thankful smile automatically appeared. Damn it.
"Thank you, William. I will trouble you all then."
And I mean it. If I feel so much as a slight discomfort, I will… I will sleep it off.
What can I do? I can't possibly order old Will to cut his head off. It would be my head that will be served on a platter.
After all, William was my swordsmanship instructor.
We still fight to a draw these days, truth be told.
A good villain knows how to back out from a useless fight. I will not be like those stupid ones who don't know when to back down and just die off uselessly.
Suddenly, the carriage stopped.
Knock! Knock!
I shifted my attention to the raps on my window. When I opened it, the serious face of the Sonomi Knight-Captain Arthur greeted me.
"What is it, Captain?" I asked.
Please don't tell me it's turbulence. Please don't tell me it's turbulence. Please don't tell me it's turbulence.
Important things need to be said thrice.
"It seems that we will be facing some turbulence, Your Excellency. The scouts saw signs of a sandstorm five miles up ahead."
Damn it.
So, I'll be suffering in a few minutes. Is that it?
See William, this is why I can't believe you. You just told me not to worry a few seconds ago.
"I see. Please make sure of our people's safety first, Captain."
Sir Arthur nodded sternly.
"There is a small oasis just below us, Your Excellency. I feel that it would be safer to let the sandstorm pass rather than rely on the safety field of the griffins. It seems to be a rather severe one," He continued.
I was internally cheering the moment I heard his words. It looks like I am saved from the embarrassment of barfing my guts out.
No matter how attractive I am, such situations remain unsightly. I refuse to show such an unbecoming expression.
"Is that so? Then do as you see fit. We aren't in a rush."
I gave my approval for our landing. Moments later, I felt the carriage touch ground.
It took about six hours before the sandstorm subsided. By that time it was close to dusk already.
I felt that it was better to just spend the night at the oasis rather than risk traveling at night. Especially since the weather was erratic.
Yes, I am also procrastinating again. At the very least, my reasoning is valid.
The knights along with my old butler William prepared to set up camp whilst I took the leisure to roam around.
I never noticed that there was an oasis around this area. Though I am glad, for the more oasis there are, the better for my people.
I may be a villain but I am still a territory lord. Villain Lords do not mistreat their people.
"This seems to be a newly-formed one, Your Excellency," Knight-Captain Arthur stated as he followed me from behind.
Honestly, it seems redundant to have an escort around. I was a full-fledged swordmaster myself. If a dire situation does come around, it might be me protecting Sir Arthur.
Then again, I can't possibly tell off someone who is merely doing their job. Even if I desperately wanted some alone time.
"Is that so? No wonder I didn't know about it. Do put it in the records and update our maps. Places like these are the treasures of our territory."
Sir Arthur responded positively as we continued to walk around.
I was admiring the setting sun when Sir Arthur suddenly rushed to my front and stood protectively.
Thankfully, I was tall enough to see what was ahead that alarmed him so.
Lying ahead of us were ruined remains of a caravan along with the bloodied corpses of people.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone