Chapter 310

Late that night,

Vorbuk could not wait to leave for Drethia any longer. Ashley had quickly got back up on his feet. There was little chance he was going to allow his master to leave him behind. Whether he was pretending to be completely find or actually was it did not matter.

Vorbuk, Prince Leo, Ashley, and even Sebastian had arrived at the carriage outside the main palace. They were prepared to leave with pirate Captain Cory.

Princess Isis and Prince Chase had come to see Vorbuk off as they left. Time was short so conversations were kept short. If they lingered too long things could become more complicated. The nobles did not know about the entire plan and servants were the worst when it came to gossip. They had to make it to Drethia quickly.

Riding in the carriage for several hours had begun to take its toll on the wolf's exhausted body. Vorbuk glanced up at Prince Leo from where he lay across from him, the wolf asked, "Will a merchant cart really blend in?"

"The merchants often move from one kingdom to another. It is less noticeable compared to a nobleman's carriage." Prince Leo explained quietly to the beast.

The cart they were riding in was one used by merchants. It could carry large loads of supplies. Captain Cory had chosen the carriage because it could blend in as they moved. A few smaller merchant carts followed behind them. Outwardly they appeared as a traveling group of merchants.

In actuality they were carrying dangerous items and were a group of pirates. The men in the group of pirates could be dangerous. Many illegal things were done by the group. Vorbuk knew he had to be cautious when working with them. It was only the trade he had Seon make with them that bought their captain's loyalty for the time being.

Captain Cory and Ashley sat beside the wolf on his side of the merchant cart. Across from Vorbuk was Prince Leo and Sebastian. Ashley had insisted on remaining close by Vorbuk. He was determined to protect his master against any unexpected events. None of them trusted the pirates. In fact there were several traveling with them that worked for Captain Cory.

The wolf felt a heavy gaze on him. Glancing across from him he realized that Sebastian was keeping a close eye on him. When he realized the wolf caught him Sebastian quickly looked somewhere else. He began to watch the scenery outside the cart as they traveled. There was something about his gaze that seemed empty.

Sebastian would never be able to explain what he felt when looking at the world. Every view he had seen before. There was nothing left in the world that could surprise and awe him. Everything he saw felt dull and boring. That did not mean he hated the world. He was actually just tired from living so long.

He agreed so quickly to come along with us... What is his angle? Ashley thought to himself when he saw the awkwardness between Sebastian with his master. He was quick to realize that something was going on. Though he was unsure what problem Sebastian held over his master.

"Captain Cory," Prince Leo called out of curiosity, "How long do you think it will take to reach Drethia?"

"Well," Captain Cory thought seriously on the question before answering, "That depends."

Prince Leo did not understand, "Depends on what?"

Captain Cory laughed and said, "How difficult it is for us to go through the Witches Garden."

"You've gone through it before?" Prince Leo thought as a pirate that Captain Cory had probably gone through the witches garden many times. That was not a wrong assumption.

Captain Cory nodded but could not give them hope for something he could not guarantee, "It is dangerous every single time. The only thing that you can count on is the fact the danger is different every time you go through it. That is the terrain where the witches sirens roam and many other threats. You can not move rashly because the sirens may even cause you hallucinations before you realize you were caught by one."

"Can we not go around their territory?" The wolf asked Prince Leo when he heard about the witches garden.

Prince Leo shook his head, "It is impossible to go around the witches garden."

The witches garden is large and encircles the Drethia Kingdom itself. It could even be considered the outer layer of Drethia. Dangerous creatures lurked in that boundary. Known as a land of death as skeletons covered the land. Many bones were from enormous beasts.

The land itself had random storms that would kill any creatures caught up in it with poison. Few things survived storms in the witches garden unless they had a poison tolerance that could endure them. Poison was something that could not harm vampires. It gave them the perfect place to hide away their kingdom from outsiders. The vampires were not fond of outsiders.

"Specifically," Captain Cory interrupted their thoughts to add, "One of Drethia's guardians wander the witches garden."

"Why would someone remain out there?" Vorbuk was confused but Prince Leo could only shrug. There was no answer he could give to why someone would intentionally remain in such a location.

[ The Guardian of Drethia who wanders among the Witches Garden is known as a Dullahan. A headless horseman. ]

The wolf was startled at the sudden response to his question from the system. That god's voice was speaking to him again. Looking around it did not seem anyone had noticed his reaction to the sudden message.

[ The approach of the Dullahan may be noticeable from the sound of hooves or the cracking of a whip. ]

Sebastian peaked over in the wolf's direction. He could see that Vorbuk was deep in his own thoughts over the plans he was putting together for the future. There was a lot of information to consider when going after the Drethia King. It was still too early for Vorbuk to personally confront the king. They were going to need more growth to be on par with the king of Drethia.

I need to think of something... Sebastian thought to himself as he considered ways to intervene without being noticed. He felt that the wolf needed to grow more before they reached Drethia.

VVvvvrrrrrrr....

Sebastian released a bit of mana from the palm of his hand. Hiding his hand out of view from the others. The mana flowed out of his palm and out of the carriage. Nobody was aware of his action as he kept careful not to be caught.

COUGH! COUGH!! COUGH!!

Sebastian coughed deeply. His breathing going rough as the mana he had just used had affected him. The hand that covered his mouth had fresh blood on it. It was impossible to hide the blood from those in the cart with him.

"Apologies," Smiling slightly, Sebastian raised his hand up to say, "Do you mind if we find a place to clean up soon?"

"Are you coughing up blood?" Prince Leo's face paled slightly at the sight of the blood.

Captain Cory responded, "We will be stopping soon. You must be cautious where you stop on the way. We are trying to blend in as merchants."

Sebastian said nothing further as his intent had been successful. He could see the worry on their faces. It was uncertain if Ashley or Cory felt anything at all. Though the wolf and prince seemed startled. They would be stopping soon and he could find a way to help the wolf grow in the future.

I must be careful not to break the chains I set on my mana... Sebastian thought carefully as he tried to consider simple methods. At least... Simple enough to not give anything away.