Benjin remained calm upon hearing her words. In fact, judging by the faint smile on his face, it seemed as though he had expected something like this.
"It is nothing unusual," he said. "Pirates have always been around these waters. This is a vast sea, and our kingdom is wealthy. Naturally, ships like theirs are often seen nearby."
He casually gestured for everyone to begin walking.
"Come. We can discuss the rest on the way."
Shivali and the others followed as the group began leaving the harbor. The people nearby watched them go, their curiosity lingering even after the group had turned away.
As they walked, Benjin glanced at Shivali.
"By the way, has the thing I sent you a message about arrived?"
Shivali looked toward him and nodded.
"Yes."
A small smile appeared on her face.
"And if you continue maintaining friendly relations with the Government, we may be able to assist your kingdom in other ways as well."
Benjin smiled politely.
"Of course. We would appreciate that."
Aerstrone, walking beside his uncle, couldn't understand what the two of them were talking about. Whatever arrangement they had discussed seemed to be something neither of them intended to explain openly.
So, he simply remained silent and listened.
After a moment, Shivali asked,
"By the way, how long will it take us to reach our destination?"
Benjin raised his eyes toward the sun, briefly judging its position in the sky.
"If we leave now, we should arrive by evening."
Shivali removed the hat from her head and held it loosely in one hand.
"Sounds like quite a long journey."
Their attention then shifted forward.
Four beautifully decorated carriages were waiting for them.
Benjin gestured toward them, signaling everyone to board.
One by one, the groups entered their respective carriages.
Benjin, Aerstrone, Shivali, Zaya, and Mira occupied the first carriage. The scientists entered the second, the remaining Government personnel took the third, while the kingdom's knights occupied the fourth.
Soon, all four carriages began moving away from the harbor.
Inside the first carriage, Zaya, Shivali, and Mira sat on one side, while Aerstrone and Benjin sat opposite them.
As the carriage smoothly traveled along the road, Shivali glanced through the window at the surroundings.
"I must say," she remarked, "the roads in your kingdom are quite impressive. And judging by the number of ships we saw at the harbor, trade here appears to be flourishing as well."
Benjin laughed softly.
"A kingdom with good roads makes trade much easier. Besides, under King Aureline's rule, no one is treated differently because of who they are. That is why the people place so much trust in him."
Shivali smiled faintly at his answer.
"I've heard that Mr. Kimera has also made some kind of pact with your kingdom."
Benjin's expression shifted slightly. He seemed genuinely confused.
"We have only signed a few treaties with him. I'm not aware of any pact you're referring to."
Instead of immediately answering, Shivali briefly glanced toward Zaya and Mira, who were still paying far more attention to Aerstrone than the conversation itself.
She then turned back to Benjin.
"The Government has decided to offer Mr. Kimera a position in the Tower of Lords."
Benjin's expression became noticeably more serious.
Aerstrone had been listening quietly, though he still didn't fully understand the significance behind their conversation.
Benjin remained calm as he replied.
"That is wonderful news for him. But you're sharing such important information with us, which means you must want something in return."
Shivali gave him a knowing smile.
"What I want is already here. And in exchange, I can give you what you asked for."
For a moment, Benjin simply looked at her.
Then he laughed.
"It seems the rest of this conversation would be better held at the hotel."
---
By afternoon, Shakky sat quietly inside her carriage.
She stared through the window, seemingly lost in her thoughts.
Seeing her unusually silent, Ameria couldn't help but become curious.
"What happened, Princess? Usually, you would be reading a book or asking strange questions about something. But today, you've been unusually quiet. Is there a reason?"
Shakky slowly turned toward her.
Her expression carried a faint sadness.
"Nothing. I just don't feel like doing anything."
Ameria looked slightly surprised by her answer.
Shakky turned back toward the window.
"The cold is getting worse."
"Yes," Ameria replied. "We are in the North, after all. Although you don't really feel the cold, you'll still need to wear a sweater."
Shakky looked toward her and simply nodded.
The scenery outside had gradually changed.
The greenery that had surrounded them earlier was slowly disappearing, replaced by patches of snow. Tall trees capable of surviving the harsh northern climate stood scattered across the landscape.
Some time passed.
Then, without warning, the carriage came to a stop.
Both Shakky and Ameria immediately turned toward the window.
Shakky was now wearing a sweater made from wolf fur, while Ameria had changed into a warm purple sweater.
A moment later, the carriage door opened.
Derland approached them on horseback.
"Princess," he said, "some of Lord Lancer's soldiers have arrived. They are requesting that you accompany them and rest at their territory for the day."
Shakky narrowed her eyes slightly.
"And would you care to explain why you're sending us with them?"
Derland nodded.
"There is only one reason, Princess. Undead."
Shakky was about to respond, but Derland continued before she could.
"I know you're not afraid, Princess. I know you are capable of protecting yourself. But if we are suddenly attacked, no one can predict what might happen."
His expression became more serious.
"So please listen to me. Travel with Lord Lancer's knights for now and return to us tomorrow morning."
Shakky remained silent for a moment, considering his words.
Then she nodded.
"Very well. We'll follow your advice."
Derland's expression immediately brightened.
"Thank you, Princess."
Ameria, however, clearly wasn't pleased.
"I don't know why everyone seems to think we can't remain safe without them."
Hearing this, Derland smiled.
He brought his horse closer to the carriage and lowered his voice.
"Because I don't want to lose the people precious to me."
Ameria's face immediately turned slightly red.
"Idiot!"
Derland simply smiled.
At that moment, two men approached on horseback.
Both wore thick sweaters suited for the northern weather, with swords hanging from their waists.
One of them dismounted and approached Shakky's carriage. He respectfully bowed.
"Welcome to the North, Princess. I am a knight serving under Lord Lancer. I was sent to escort you safely from here to his territory."
He raised his head.
"My name is Joharam, and this is my brother, Hariyam."
Derland looked toward Shakky.
"Princess, you may travel with them. They will safely escort you to Lord Lancer."
The knight waited patiently beside the carriage.
Shakky looked at him for a moment before speaking, her voice slightly louder than necessary.
"Shall we leave? We're wasting time standing here."
The knight immediately lowered his head.
"My apologies, Princess. We will depart immediately."
He returned to his horse.
Derland also rode ahead.
Ameria closed the carriage door, and soon, Shakky's carriage began moving once again.
Not long afterward, the road split into two separate paths.
Derland and his group, along with the supply carriages, continued along the first route.
Meanwhile, Shakky's carriage followed Joharam and Hariyam along the second.
As they descended along the mountain path, they encountered several more knights who had been waiting for their arrival. The knights quickly positioned themselves behind the carriage, accompanying it as an additional layer of protection.
Inside the carriage, Ameria appeared increasingly frustrated.
"Princess, why did you agree to go to the Lancers' territory?"
Shakky smiled slightly.
"Why? Are you afraid they'll betray us just like the Barmithion family did?"
Ameria frowned, bringing her eyebrows together.
"Yes. And you know what your Uncle Benjin did. He cut off their heads and presented them to His Majesty."
Her expression became more serious.
"You also know how close the Lancers were to the Barmithions."
Shakky didn't appear particularly bothered by the reminder.
"Yes, I know. But that was the past. Now, they are extremely loyal to the Polard Kingdom."
She glanced out the window.
"And the reason I'm going there is simple. I intend to gather as much information as possible about the changing behavior of the monsters."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"That is the reason I came to the North in the first place."
Ameria released a deep sigh and puffed out her cheeks slightly before turning toward the window.
Some time passed.
They had been traveling along the same mountain road for quite a while, sometimes climbing upward and sometimes descending between the slopes.
Eventually, Ameria looked out the window again.
"It looks like we've arrived."
She turned toward Shakky.
"Limister, Lord Lancer's city."
Shakky immediately looked outside as well.
In the distance stood a large stone wall surrounding the city and protecting everything within it.
Beyond the walls were numerous houses. They weren't particularly luxurious or stylish, but rather simple and practical.
At the center of the city stood a massive stone fortress.
Some time later, Shakky's carriage stopped outside the city.
The knights accompanying her signaled toward the guards stationed above the walls.
After recognizing them, the guards opened the enormous gates.
The group entered the city.
Shakky continued watching through the window as the citizens stepped aside, observing the royal carriage as it passed through the streets.
Eventually, the carriage approached the large stone fortress at the center of the city.
A massive gate stood at its entrance—the only visible route leading in or out of the fortress.
Upon seeing Shakky's carriage approaching, the gates slowly opened.
The carriage passed through them and entered the fortress.
Inside, the Lancer family was already waiting for the princess's arrival.