Chapter 12
The First Day on the Mountain Path
The Kingdom of Atrana is a small inland nation located in the middle of the continent.
Surrounded by three medium and large countries, it is rich in mountains and grasslands, and considered a sacred realm where dragons dwell.
The royal family of this kingdom has maintained a strong connection with dragons since ancient times.
They worship dragons that govern the elements—earth, water, fire, and wind—and have many temples dedicated to them.
Pilgrims regularly visit these temples, and the villages and towns thrive by welcoming them. Both the citizens and the royal family live in prosperity.
The king of this land is a Dragon Master.
Long ago, a powerful witch wreaked havoc on Atrana with her overwhelming magic, causing many to lose their lives.
At that time, the king of Atrana gathered the elemental kings—the dragons—and borrowed their power to defeat the witch.
He succeeded and became a legendary hero.
Since then, each successive king of Atrana has become a Dragon Master, and the dragons remain the kingdom’s guardian deities.
The King of Atrana is both monarch and master of the dragons—ruling not only his people but commanding even the mightiest spirits.
It is a symbol of power, a source of national pride—
And for someone like Prince Kian… a heavy burden to bear.
Whooooosh…
Chilly air mixed with occasional warm breezes rustled through the trees and grasses with a soft rustling sound.
This world also had seasons, and according to Lilith, it was spring—just like back home.
As twin worlds, time flowed similarly in both.
The days were warm, but once the sun set, the chill crept in. The weather was pleasant, and under the bright, expansive sun, the vast grasslands stretched endlessly into the distance.
Beyond them, the mountains shimmered in vivid green.
Lilith walked effortlessly, chatting about the country as they made their way.
It seemed they were headed toward the Water Dragon, Sealuun.
They had been walking toward the mountains for a while now—how long had it been?
They’d arrived in this world just before 2 PM, and the exit from their world had landed them in a deep forest.
The old man (Jii) had thoughtfully opened the portal somewhat near the Water Dragon’s location—but even so, it was still far.
Since then, guided by Lilith, they had emerged from the forest, crossed the grasslands, and were now making for the mountains.
According to Yoshii, this world’s sun moved just like theirs. It was probably around 5 PM now.
How far did they plan to go today?
Zarel, the tall silent man, continued walking steadily.
Lilith, though delicate in appearance, was incredibly tough—surprisingly so.
Clang, clang…
In the distance, animals that looked like sheep grazed on the grass.
Even the stubbornly marching Ai and her friends were now showing clear signs of fatigue.
“Hey, how much longer? I’m exhausted!”
“I’m totally at my limit! You said it wasn’t far—liar!
And why are we heading for a mountain just to get to a river?!”
“My feet hurt! Sooo much!”
They stopped in their tracks like tantrum-throwing kids.
Lilith pointed to the towering mountain before them.
“I sincerely apologize. The river’s upper stream lies in a valley on the far side of that mountain.
Since we’re in a hurry to see Miss Kawahara, I thought we might enter the mountain today.
Perhaps it was too ambitious a plan? I seem to have forgotten to account for the pace of young ladies…”
Whaaat?!
A river in a valley beyond that mountain?! How far is that?!
Perhaps feeling responsible for Kawahara’s kidnapping, Lilith had convinced the prince to visit the Water Dragon first, then head to the Ragnberg estate.
Her decision was also based on geography.
She was clearly well-traveled and more knowledgeable about Atrana’s terrain than the prince himself.
She was more princely than the prince—and extremely reliable—though her toughness made her hard to keep up with.
“We’re seriously going to camp out?! No way!”
While Ai and the others were drained and miserable, Lilith and Zarel looked perfectly composed.
It was as if they were just strolling through their own backyard.
“I mean, I expected to walk on the first day, sure…
But we come from a world of cars! This is brutal!
Sorry, but can we just stop at the base of the mountain for today?”
“Same here. Ugh, if I knew this was coming, I would’ve taken sports club more seriously.”
“My feet are covered in blisters…
Yoko, help meee!”
“Like I have any energy to spare for you!”
“Ugh, meaaaan…”
The three of them were nearly at their breaking point.
Seeing their state, Lilith smiled gently, like an angel, and turned to the prince.
She was quick to adjust plans—another sign of her practicality.
“My apologies, Your Highness.
It seems my schedule was too harsh.
Shall we stop at the base of the mountain for today? Will that be acceptable?”
But the prince, in his tracksuit…
Huff… puff… wheeze! Huff! Wheeze! Huff!
He was more exhausted than anyone.
He slumped onto a nearby rock, tossed the backpack Jii had made him carry down onto the ground with a thud.
“I—I can’t carry… huff huff… this… huff… any longer!
I’m a prince, you know! Damn it, Lilith! Why does your bag look so light?!”
Lilith, still calm and blank-faced, carried a modest hemp sack on her back.
Ai thought it looked pretty heavy, but apparently to the prince, everyone else’s bags looked feather-light.
“Lilith! You carry my bag too!
Making me carry luggage is outrageous! I’m a prince!”
Everyone was dumbfounded at his childish tantrum.
“He keeps saying ‘prince’ like it’s a get-out-of-responsibility card…”
“Seriously, we shouldn’t even listen to him anymore… Huh? Lilith?”
“As you wish. I shall carry your bag, Your Highness.
Forgive my lack of foresight.”
And just like that, Lilith bowed respectfully and picked up the prince’s bag without a single complaint.
“WHY?!”
Compared side by side, Lilith was clearly smaller and thinner than the prince.
Having someone even smaller than you carry your stuff? Unbelievable.
“Hey you! Everyone here carries their own stuff! You keep bragging about being a prince, but how about acting like one?!
If you stay this spoiled, your life’s headed straight downhill!
Everyone’s putting up with you, so at least try leading from the front!”
Unable to take it anymore, Yoko finally exploded.
The prince jumped up, glaring, about to yell back.
“What?! You got a problem with the truth?!”
“You don’t understand…!”
Plop.
“…Huh?”
Tears began to spill from the prince’s eyes.
“You don’t understand anything! I’m still a kid, okay?!
Even though I’m a prince… Why do I have to go on this stupid journey… with such an unreliable retainer…?”
He didn’t even wipe away the tears. He just started sobbing like a child.
What a brat!
They were all the same age—and they’d only just started walking!
“Shall we find a village to stay in?”
Zarel silently took the prince’s bag from Lilith.
“Zarel, I’m sorry, but please go ahead and secure lodging.
I’ll bring the prince along.”
Zarel nodded and began walking up the mountain trail.
Lilith took out a handkerchief, gently wiped the prince’s tears, and held his hand.
