The system screen faded slowly, the last line dissolving into nothing.

  Dae stared ahead, forcing his breathing to stay normal.

  Eliminate the threat.

  Sure. Easy. No problem.

  He barely had time to finish the thought before General Kael raised a hand. The riders slowed slightly, formation moving as they moved onto a wider stretch of road lined with tall stone markers.

  Kael's voice carried without needing to be loud.

  "We maintain current pace until dusk," he said. "Scout will rotate every two hours. No unnecessary stops."

  The riders answered with short acknowledgments.

  Then Kael continued, tone shifting just enough to signal an announcement.

  "We will reach Aurel in four days," he said. "This road is the Capital's Road. It remains secure, but stay alert."

  Dae glanced down at the stone beneath the horses' hooves. The path looked ancient but perfectly maintained, wide enough for several carriages to pass side by side. Silver markers lined the edges at regular intervals, etched with runes that faintly shimmered when the sunlight struck them.

  Capital's Road.

  Of course the main route had a name.

  Kael's voice continued.

  "Once we reach Aurel, Lord Bealor will provide teleportation to the border zone. That will reduce travel time significantly."

  A ripple moved through the riders. Not surprise. More like quiet approval.

  Teleportation.

  Dae's was immedatly drawn.

  He kept his face neutral, but inside he focused hard, letting the body memories rise.

  Lord Bealor.

  The name stirred something.

  Fragments slid into place.

  Lessons. Noble houses. Political maps.

  Bealor… Bealor…

  Ah.

  Images surfaced in his mind. A tall city built along layered cliffs. Silver towers shaped like blades pointing toward the sky.

  Aurel.

  And Bealor.

  Lord of Aurel. Head of one of the Six Great Noble Families beneath the Silver Crown.

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  The Bealor bloodline.

  Space manipulation.

  Teleportation.

  Not common magic.

  Inherited ability.

  Each of the six noble families held a unique bloodline power tied to the founding era of the kingdom. Some controlled flame. Some beasts. Some shadow or metal or storms.

  The Bealor line controlled distance itself.

  Teleportation gates. Spatial folding. Instant movement across vast regions — if properly anchored.

  Which explained why an elite military force would rely on them.

  And why this kingdom could function at such a massive scale.

  Dae blinked slowly.

  So this wasn't just a long horse ride.

  They would ride for a few days… then skip most of the distance entirely.

  Okay.

  That was slightly less terrible.

  He leaned back in the saddle, pretending casual interest.

  "So," he said lightly, loud enough for nearby riders to hear, "we ride four days, then Lord Bealor sends us the rest of the way?"

  Kael gave a brief nod.

  "If the gates remain stable."

  Dae raised an eyebrow.

  "If?"

  "Teleportation requires preparation," Kael replied. "And power. Lord Bealor does not open long-range paths lightly."

  Fair.

  Dae let out a quiet breath.

  Four days to reach a powerful noble with teleportation powers.

  Then straight to the border.

  Dae shifted slightly in the saddle and settled into the rhythm of the ride.

  Hours passed.

  The sun climbed higher, turning the stone road pale gold. Shadows shortened. Heat gathered slowly beneath armor and travel cloaks. The steady sound of hooves became almost hypnotic — a constant rhythm broken only by the occasional shout from scouts or the rumble of passing wagons.

  Traffic never stopped.

  Merchant caravans rolled by loaded with crates, cloth bundles, and barrels secured with thick rope. Pilgrims walked in groups, staffs tapping against stone. A noble carriage rushed past at one point, drawn by sleek horned beasts, curtains drawn tight despite the bright day.

  The Demon Riders barely slowed.

  Dae tried not to think too much. Every time his thoughts drifted back to the system window, he felt uneasy.

  He tried asking the system questions in his head, but it wouldn't answer. It remained silent no matter what he asked.

  So he gave up for now and decided to try again later when he was alone.

  The sun began to lower by the time Kael finally raised his hand again.

  The formation slowed.

  Ahead, the road curved gently around a small rise, and as they crested it, a large structure came into view.

  Dae blinked.

  That was not a small roadside stop.

  A massive inn spread along the edge of the Capital's Road like a miniature fortress. Stone walls wrapped around a wide courtyard filled with wagons, horses, and people moving in every direction. Lantern poles stood ready for nightfall, and banners hung above the main entrance, faded from years of travel dust.

  Noise carried even from a distance.

  Laughter.

  Shouting.

  The clatter of dishes.

  The deep rumble of carts rolling over packed dirt.

  Popular didn't begin to describe it.

  Travelers crowded the courtyard — merchants unloading goods, guards checking weapons, children running between wagons until a tired parent dragged them back. Stablehands rushed between animals, guiding mounts into long rows of covered stalls.

  The kind of place built for constant traffic.

  Which made sense.

  If this was the main artery between major cities, an inn like this would be less a rest stop and more a hub.

  General Kael guided his horse toward the entrance without hesitation.

  "Dismount in order," he called. "No wandering alone. Two-hour rest cycle."

  The riders moved with ease, splitting into groups even before they entered the courtyard.

  As the Demon Riders approached, conversations dipped slightly. People stepped aside instinctively, giving space to the armored column.

  Dae felt eyes turn toward him again.

  Silver hair....

  He kept his posture relaxed as they rode through the gates.

  The smells hit immediately — roasting meat, fresh bread, spiced drinks, dust, smoke from cooking fires.

  Life.

  Movement everywhere.

  A woman carrying a tray of mugs rushed past without slowing. Two merchants argued loudly near a wagon stacked with crates marked in bright paint. A group of adventurer-looking types sat near the wall, watching the riders with open curiosity.

  This place had seen everything.

  Dae swung down from his horse carefully, letting the body memories guide the motion so he didn't embarrass himself.

  His boots hit solid ground.

  For the first time since leaving the palace, the constant motion stopped.

  And suddenly, he realized just how long they had been riding.