Chapter 7 – The Capital’s Trouble & The Forest Shortcut

After a few days in the city, Vaelrik finally made up his mind.

The road ahead was long, but the destination was set: the Elf Kingdom.

Three hours into the journey, the rented carriage rocked gently along the dirt road. Vaelrik leaned back with a quiet sigh.

"Finally... on the move again," he muttered.

He still had around fifteen thousand gold left—enough for now. The carriage wasn't extravagant, but it saved him from walking. And after everything that happened, that was luxury enough.

Outside, the world buzzed with life. Traders passed, chatter filled the air, and distant birds called through the trees.

"Excuse me, sir," the coachman said from the front. "We've reached the capital."

Vaelrik blinked and glanced out the window. "Ah... yeah. Thanks."

The coachman gave him a brief nod but couldn't help the awkward glance that followed.

Weirdo, he thought silently.

Vaelrik didn't care. His first goal was simple: buy some clothes. He hadn't packed a single extra set when he left the last city. Not exactly noble behavior—especially for someone being mistaken for one.

Hours passed as he wandered through the capital, his white hair and emerald eyes drawing stares and whispers from every direction.

"Did you see that guy?" someone whispered.

"He looks like a noble... white hair, green eyes—probably from some house."

Vaelrik ignored it. But something inside him stirred—a strange chill. His hands trembled slightly.

What's going on...? he thought. I don't feel right. I need rest.

By evening, he found an inn near the plaza. Warm lights glowed from within. He stepped inside.

"Hello," greeted the innkeeper behind the counter.

"I need a room," Vaelrik said, rubbing his eyes.

"Commoner rooms are twenty bronze. Noble class—one gold."

"Noble class."

Before the innkeeper could respond, a voice interrupted from behind.

"Wait. Who said you could give him the noble class?"

Vaelrik turned. A young man stood with an arrogant posture, dressed richly and flanked by two servants. His eyes gleamed with entitlement.

"I'll pay ten gold for that room," the boy smirked.

"100 gold," Vaelrik said flatly.

The boy frowned. "Why don't you find another inn?"

"Every other one is fully booked," Vaelrik replied flatly.

"Oh, I see... then one hundred fifty gold."

"One thousand."

Another voice, sharper and younger, chimed in from the crowd behind the boy.

"Just yapping now? You ever even seen that much gold in your life?" the boy beside him sneered.

Without a word, Vaelrik reached into his bag and dropped a full pouch on the counter. The weight hit with a heavy clink.

The room fell silent.

"Room sold," the innkeeper muttered, sweeping the gold toward him.

He leaned in. "You should be careful. That boy is the Baron's son."

Vaelrik shrugged. "We'll see about that later."

The Next Morning

A noise echoed from downstairs. Voices. Tension.

Vaelrik opened his eyes slowly.

Sounds like trouble.

He stretched, walked to the door, and made his way down the steps.

Outside, five knights stood ready. At their center was the same boy from last night—his name now clear from the crowd.

Demy. The Baron's son.

"I had to sleep outside all night because of you!" Demy shouted.

Vaelrik stepped out into the sun, hair swaying in the morning breeze.

"What's all the mess?" he asked, yawning. "Ah... right. I forgot. Camping's tough when you've never lifted a finger in your life."

Demy's face burned red. "You lowly commoner—kill him!"

The five knights charged.

A blink.

Then silence.

The knights lay on the ground, unconscious.

Demy staggered backward. "L-let's talk! You don't know who my father is! If you touch me—"

Vaelrik walked forward slowly, placing a hand on Demy's trembling head. Aura surged gently from his palm.

Demy whimpered. "P-please... don't make me bald..."

Later that morning, sunlight glinted through the city streets.

"Who's flashing light in my eyes?" someone grumbled.

"Shhh... didn't you hear?"

"Hear what?"

"About the guy who knocked out the Baron's knights."

"No way."

"For real?"

"Well... he did kinda deserve it."

Vaelrik stood near the edge of the plaza, examining a map.

If I take the carriage, it'll take five days to reach the Elf Kingdom...

But if I go through the forest—two days. Risky, but faster.

If I push myself and use aura... I might reach it in one.

He folded the map and walked off the main road, into the trees.

Seven Hours Later – Within the Deep Forest

"Big sis... where are we?" a small voice whispered.

"I don't know," the girl said softly. "Mom and Dad said not to leave the castle... and now we're lost."

The boy sniffled. "I wanna go home..."

Woosh.

A breeze swept through the woods.

Vaelrik stepped forward, cloak shifting with his stride.

"Elves," he muttered. "You two... who are you?"

The girl turned, startled but composed. "I'm Yuna, Princess of the Elf Kingdom. This is my little brother, Benny. We got lost in the forest…"

Vaelrik nodded. "Name's Vaelrik. Just passing through on my way to your kingdom."

Her eyes lit up with relief. "Then... we can go together?"

Five Hours Later

Stone walls rose tall and proud ahead, laced with ancient markings and guarded by watchtowers nestled among high archways. The Elf Kingdom wasn't hidden in the trees—it stood strong behind carved white stone and fortified gates, blending beauty with precision.

Yuna smiled as they approached. "We're finally home."

Vaelrik narrowed his eyes at the sight. "Tsk... so they use walls too, not just trees."