Protection

He was dreaming.

This time, he knew it clearly.

He felt a hollow appear in the void beneath his feet.

A hollow that grew larger and larger.

Until he fell into it.

Unable to free himself.

He instinctively raised his leg, trying to escape that terrifying hollow, but a voice called out to him.

"Your Highness."

Tales jolted awake.

Only then did he realize that he was lying across the seat, his right leg firmly braced against the carriage.

And there was no hollow beneath his feet.

Much less was he falling.

All he could hear was the rumble of hooves, the slow roll of the wheels, the low murmur of voices, and...

"Sorry for disturbing your sleep."

In the swaying carriage, Gilbert's gentle voice slowly soothed his alarm:

"Did you sleep poorly last night?"

Tales sat upright, drew a deep breath, and rubbed his face.

"No, I just..."

It's just been a long time since I've slept so soundly.

Tales buried his face in his hands and thought silently.

A second later, the Prince lifted his head from his hands, wearing a kindly smile:

"...just took a short nap."

Gilbert studied him intently for a long while before finally smiling:

"Your Highness."

"Everstar City is just ahead."

Everstar City.

In an instant, those words seemed to possess some extraordinary magic, sweeping away Tales's fatigue and drowsiness.

"What?"

Tales turned in surprise.

"So soon?"

The young man dragged his numb body over to the side of the carriage and pushed open the window.

"We've only been in the Central Territory for how many days..."

Tales's words abruptly stopped.

As the carriage climbed a slope and passed the shadowy cavalry outside the window, he saw it.

Under the bright sunlight, the wilderness stretched far and wide, the road was smooth, and