Setting Sail (Part One)

Before long, all the affairs of the territory had been settled. Now Romon had to turn to something that could have a major impact on him: a trip to the Royal Capital.

Why would it matter so much?

The reason was simple. Though Romon was a Viscount and a powerful figure in his region, this would be his first visit to the Royal Capital, his first meeting with the king, and his first step into its upper circles. A poor impression could directly affect his family's future.

A lord with a strong local power base did not need to fear the Royal House too much, but the king was still the king. Romon lacked deep-rooted family ties and connections, so he had no reason to offend the Royal House or leave the nobility as a whole with a bad impression of him.

"Are the carriages ready?" Romon's first thought was to travel to the Royal Capital by carriage. The overland journey would take about ten days; the kingdom was not that large.

It would be slower than traveling by sea, but safer and less troublesome.

One main road led to the Royal Capital. All they had to do was follow it, and the roads in their kingdom were not as dangerous as those in other kingdoms. Traveling overland seemed a good choice.

Then a piece of news put an end to that plan.

"The carriages are ready, my lord, but..." The official responsible for gathering information hesitated, unsure whether to say that Demons had seized the road to the Royal Capital.

"You can go." Nick and Fafier happened to enter just then. Nick dismissed the civil official under him and answered in his place. "Demons have seized the road to the Royal Capital. The local troops are fighting them right