Arnark jumped onto a tree branch as he stared at the horse-like Magic Beast that was drinking water from a pond. Appearance-wise, it resembled a horse, sporting a coffee-brown skin colour. The only oddity was its golden mane and tail that emanated a mana fluctuation.
'This horse will be pretty useful.' Thinking as such, Arnark condensed a metal net that he threw with all his strength.
The horse reacted as it leaped forth, intending to escape when Arnark snapped his finger.
Suddenly, a metallic creature emerged from the metal net, controlling it as the net flew in the air and chased after the horse, constricting it in the end.
Arnark looked around, heaving a sigh in relief to see that his actions weren't noticed. He then looked at the metallic creature, whispering, "Why did you come out?"
"Hmph, it was suffocating to be like that." The metallic creature snorted, glaring at him in response, "You're an Elementalist. I hate seeing you act like a Mage. It's disgusting."
"I'm a human now." Arnark said, "That's the only way I can survive as such."
After snorting once again, the metallic creature melted into the metal net and vanished, placing his focus on the horse that had been captured.
Snort!
The horse glared at him, struggling to move but failing to do so as it was sprawled on the ground now.
Arnark observed his surroundings once more as mana rushed into his throat. He then made eye contact with the horse, opening his mouth to utter solemnly, "Obey, and be my steed!"
Neigh!
The horse struggled for a couple of minutes before its wild nature subsided, turning tame as the metal net constricting it vanished, allowing it to get up.
Arnark created a set of reins that he harnessed on it before climbing onto its back, motioning for it to move, surprised when it burst into a sprint immediately, 'It's way faster than a horse.'
It then leapt in the air, making an arc over the trees before landing near the carriage, startling the father and daughter pair huddled within.
"Master, I brought us a Magic Beast Horse," Arnark announced jovially.
"Thank goodness," Baord sighed in relief, watching Arnark connect the horse's harness to the carriage. He was relieved that they could begin moving once again, but was also surprised at the fact that Arnark managed to tame a Magic Beast Horse within a few minutes, 'As expected, this child is a talent.'
He was the lord of a region that had fallen under the attacks of the Demons. He managed to protect as many of his people as possible, sending them to the safety of another Lord in a nearby territory.
At present, he was heading to the capital of the Hemish Empire, Eonk City. He was acting as a diplomat to request aid from this powerful Empire.
After all, Hemish Empire was one of the strongest human forces, one that spearheaded the resistance against the Demons.
After his Kingdom fell, Baord didn't have much authority left. As for the wealth that he had saved up, he used most of it to seek refuge for his people under a lord that was part of the Hemish Empire. This way, their safety was guaranteed.
The Hemish Empire would do everything in its power to protect its territory.
But, Baord wasn't satisfied with that alone. After all, he only managed to save his daughter in his family. Rest had become tragic victims of slaughter.
Moreover, as one of the sparse few people that survived a Demon invasion, he had valuable intel that allowed him an audience with the Hemish Emperor.
During this audience, he wished to plead for help in reclaiming his kingdom. Though, he had no idea how that might play out, not having much confidence. But still, he had to at least try it first.
When his people escaped, Baord came across a collapsed home and chanced upon an injured Arnark that was in a half-dead state. He used a valuable potion to heal the other party and took him under his wing.
As his life saviour, Arnark vowed to help them, acting as their bodyguard from then on.
Moreover, ever since their Kingdom—Mukar Kingdom—fell to ruin, droves of people constantly aimed at his daughter, alarming Baord. It made him realise that the Demons treated Zaira to be one of their greatest threats.
'Though, considering her power, it makes sense. If there's anyone that is able to kill the Saint of Calamity in the future, it's her.' He nodded in understanding, one of the reasons he had been nervous all along.
After all, the Demons already obtained intel regarding her power or at least were knowledgeable about the danger she posed. So, attacks like the one from before had become common.
But this also made him appreciate Arnark, for the boy showed great talent. And during their journey in the past few months, he upgraded from a Master Mage to become a Grandmaster Mage.
"Master, I'll take care of the horse," Arnark said as he took the coachman seat, motioning for the horse to begin running, smiling as he noticed it being able to pull the carriage easily.
"Be careful against an ambush." Baord couldn't help but warn him, "Why don't you control the horse from within the carriage like before? That's safer."
"We're almost at the edge of the forest, Master." Arnark smiled in confidence, "The chances of us being ambushed now is nil. We're just an hour from the nearest city, so there should be patrols nearby already."
And just as he said, a few minutes of journey later, they came across a tower where a team of soldiers had been stationed, keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings.
Arnark glanced at the people in the tower, turning nervous the moment he noticed a robed individual among them wearing a monocle while carrying a book, 'A Cartographer? Shit!'
The Cartographer stared at the approaching carriage, not expressing anything as he continued to stare at his book.
Thump! Thump!
Until the carriage moved past the tower, Arnark's heart thumped in tension. Finally, only after they neared the city did he relax, 'Thankfully, he was only a Novice Cartographer. He couldn't see through my disguise.'
Following that, they entered the city to rest for a day before making their way towards Eonk City which was only a day's journey from here.
