After Belder left, Velin returned to his private vault once more. He opened an exquisite treasure chest, inside which lay eight Seven-Colored Life Flowers.
Keeping one as a reward, Velin took out the remaining seven Seven-Colored Life Flowers and packed them into a small wooden box.
"The thing that indicates what I treasure most is only this. I hope it won't disappoint me."
Velin carefully put away the wooden box, closed the vault door, and headed straight outside.
At that moment, Kyle stood at the castle gate, waiting quietly.
"My lord."
"Let's go. Time is pressing; we'll travel through the night."
"Yes."
Soon afterward, the two rode Red Phosphorus Horses westward without stopping.
Across the wilderness, they raced onward without the slightest pause.
The direct distance was three hundred kilometers, but the actual journey would likely be nearly a thousand. They could not afford to waste time.
Along the way, Kyle silently followed his lord. He did not ask what they were doing or where they were going, merely staying close behind Velin.
"My lord, there's a light moving toward us."
Velin tightened the reins and brought his Red Phosphorus Horse to a halt. Looking in the direction Kyle indicated, he saw numerous figures shifting in the distance.
Once he saw their targets clearly, Velin realized they were Minotaurs and hurriedly said, "Quick, head north."
"My lord, we can't move. The horses' legs are stuck in the ground."
Hearing Kyle's flustered voice, Velin realized that at some point, nearly all four legs of their Red Phosphorus Horses had sunk into the earth.
Velin immediately drew the Knight Longsword from his horse's back and touched the Command Token at his chest. It seemed he might have to use this treasure again.
"Damn it, my luck is terrible today."
Just as Velin