"Thank God, I think we just passed through Deem Gate. I heard the journey to reach the Kingdom of Lako might take over a week."
Refta lifted his head, gazing toward one of the eight gathered people. she was a young woman, around twenty-three with a mask, speaking to another lady with long black hear, wearing a peculiar hat.
"Have you heard about the Whispering Beasts?"
Cloud's loud voice cut through the murmur. He was staring directly at the mask girl who had just spoken. The expressions of the eight people shifted into something darker, more painful than anything it was as if a person who had tasted true suffering might know.
'Of course they've heard of the Whispering Beasts, everybody had heard. But since we're in the lands governed by Lako, I doubt we need to fear them. It's the raids from the Rebka dragons that worry me the most. I wonder what's going through Cloud's mind that let him going to hell with us. Those dragons are on an evolved level—no spell, no matter how strong magical shields, can stand against their flames.'
Refta clenched the ID in his pocket as he imagined an aerial assault. It didn't matter if he died trying—he would have his revenge even if his soul should keep damn those Lako men.
"They're just beasts that only awaken at night, used by the soldiers of Lako to wipe out enemy forces," said Eliza with a sly tone.
"Enemy forces?" one of the eight snapped back it was the lady with her strange hat. "They target unarmed civilians! Ordinary people with no magic! They're criminals—cursed monsters!"
It was the woman with the mask on. The one beside her pinched her arm in warning.
"Stop it, Kee. Now they'll know we're from Wilkar."
As soon as she mentioned that name, everyone turned toward them in shock.
"Wait a minute," someone said. "You mean Wilkar—the province under Rebka that's still being crushed by Lako's forces?"
This time it was Black who spoke. One of the ladies from the group of eight smacked her forehead in disbelief at her sister's recklessness.
"Yes... we're from one of the border villages near Wilkar," the eldest woman among them said calmly. She was the one with high-level protective magic.
The tension in the air was palpable. Refta noticed how no one wanted to reveal their identity. Things hadn't always been this way.
"Hey, don't ignore me. I just wanted to tell you all more about the Whispering Beasts. Whatever—worst thing that could happen to us now is getting robbed."
Everyone on the truck had something of value—bags, personal items, a few crates of merchandise belonging to the driver, Sultan.
Speaking of Sultan, he was a daring young man who risked his life transporting goods between the three kingdoms.
'After assessing everyone here, the group of eight at the eastern corner are clearly the strongest. I need to gather useful intel from them,' Refta thought as he eyed them closely.
The road was extremely rough, the truck rocking constantly.
"Here,"
A boy from the group of eight handed Refta a dish with some dates and lots of raisins. Refta's stomach had been growling, so he didn't refuse. He needed energy—and a crystal to unleash his full ability.
"My name's Michael. You have an amazing magical aura,"
Michael's eyes were wide with admiration, clearly fascinated by Refta like he was witnessing a rare phenomenon.
"You can sense a person's magical aura too?" Refta asked with a small smile. Finally, someone who shared his rare skill.
"I can't see it exactly, but I can feel it… imagine it. Are you from a noble family? Or royal bloodline?"
Refta adjusted his seat before replying, still chewing the sweet date.
"I used to live in a royal palace… until Lako's men stormed in and destroyed everything."
His voice was sincere—he never wanted to hide his identity. Being born a Clanson was a badge of honor.
"I'm not noble, but my mother worked for one of the minor noble houses under the Kingdom of Dribex. That's where we're headed once we pass safely through Lako."
His words intrigued Refta. He'd heard of Dribex—it was a kingdom that had proven its worth over the past two decades, especially in helping victims of the wars over Shwatha crystals.
"I used to be a student at the Royal Magic Academy in Wilkar," Michael continued. "But I had to quit after a Lako attack."
Silence fell between them. Wilkar wasn't just a province—it was a symbol of resistance, standing against Lako's tyranny without ever falling.
"I heard getting into Dribex is harder than crossing Lako. Do you have contacts there?" Refta finally asked, reevaluating his plan to destroy Lako on his own.
"Yes, my grandfather lives there. He's a Duke with a high position in Dribex. He'll take care of my sister's treatment… and us, once we get there."
Michael stared at a piece of fabric with tiny holes where the light seeped through, casting a glow into their weary, uncertain eyes.
"Do you want to come with us?"
The question came at the perfect moment. Yes, Refta needed to find a crystal strong enough to hold his power. He wouldn't hesitate, wouldn't retreat. He'd search the world if he had to.
"We're nearing the first checkpoint. Stay alert."
The old man's voice rang out as everyone fell silent, returning to their seats. They were still casting spells to suppress their magical levels by half.
Everything seemed in place—but the fear that their dream could die before it even began still lingered.
Getting caught meant the end.
Michael's mother began enhancing their protective barriers, increasing the power of their shielding spells. Her aura radiated strength and protection.
"But… will that be enough against Lako's advanced devices and crystals?"
That thought haunted Refta.
He wasn't scared. He didn't mind a fight here and now. He actually craved it—to make them feel pain.
But he didn't want to just win one battle.
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