Another long month on the road.
The horses' hooves struck the dry, firm earth.
They kicked up clouds of dust with a steady clatter.
They had passed through the Dragon King Kingdom's "breadbasket"-the prosperous, peaceful Shanakia Kingdom.
Then through another country, the Zika Kingdom, known for its mines and mountains.
At last, Cui Ciyou and his companions arrived in the Shirone Kingdom.
Unlike the relatively easygoing atmosphere of the previous two countries,
this kingdom felt grim and tense.
Watchtowers lined the roads in noticeably greater numbers.
Sharp-eyed sentries stood atop them, warily scrutinizing every passing traveler.
Patrols were more frequent than in the previous two countries combined.
The soldiers all wore gleaming armor and stern expressions.
Their hands would unconsciously stray to the weapons at their waists.
It was an instinct honed over years, ready to draw steel and fight at any moment.
This was a country that slept with its weapons at hand.
On the map of the Central Continent, the Shirone Kingdom was merely an unremarkable little country.
Yet it was a resilient little country with over two hundred years of history.
Of all the Dragon King Kingdom's vassal states, it was the oldest.
After entering a town in Shirone,
Cui Ciyou signaled for the caravan to stop in the square near the gates.
Then he swung down from his horse.
"All right, everyone."
Cui Ciyou pointed at the solid ground beneath his feet.
"From this moment on, we're officially in Shirone Kingdom territory."
Keith took over, explaining to the others:
"The Shirone Kingdom occupies a very unusual position."
He gestured with his eyes toward the rolling mountains to the east, shrouded in mist.
"It borders the Conflict Zone."
"Beyond those mountains lies the most chaotic and dangerous region on the Central Continent-the Conflict Zone."
"The Conflict Zone?"