The magic-infused vehicle continued smoothly along the broad avenue leading to the Obsidian Palace.
The light from the Magic Crystal Street Lamps streamed past the windows.
The seat beside him was empty, bearing no trace that anyone had ever sat there. It seemed there had only ever been two people in the vehicle: a trusted attendant at the wheel and an imperial duke who held great power.
Ferdinand's expression darkened. His Mental Power spread outward, yet he sensed no lingering Magic Fluctuation nearby, not even the remnants of a living presence. He then looked at the attendant in the front seat. The man had no idea what had just happened, but he seemed to sense his master's gaze from behind and asked, "My lord, did something happen?"
"...No, nothing." Duke Ferdinand said in a low voice, reaching out to touch the seat beside him—the leather was ice-cold, without even the lingering warmth of a human body.
The old duke's face immediately grew even gloomier, his eyes thoughtful. Then, outside the window, flickering neon lights and faint music suddenly appeared, briefly drawing Ferdinand's attention.
Out of the corner of his eye, he took in the scene outside. Several tall buildings stood beyond the left window, with the spire of St. Yolem God of War Church peeking above them. To the right was Van Leon Salon—the magic-infused vehicle had just passed its entrance, and the clamor drifted through the windows into his ears.
"We just passed through Van Leon District?" Ferdinand's pupils contracted slightly as he immediately looked up and asked the trusted attendant driving ahead.
"Yes, my lord," the attendant replied at once. "We just passed Van Leon Salon—it will still take some time to reach the Obsidian Palace. Would you like to rest?"
"..." Ferdinand fell silent for two seconds