As the boy and the knight departed in the carriage, they passed through lush jungles with cascading waterfalls and glistening rivers. While the scenery was breathtaking, the journey itself wasn't without danger. Bandits and wild beasts frequently blocked their path, but with trained soldiers and a knight of Julius's caliber, none of them posed a true threat.
After three long days of traveling, the boy—still unfamiliar with the hardships of the road—was growing weary of sitting in the cramped carriage with nothing to do.
One evening, while resting near the roadside, the soldiers busied themselves setting up tents. The knight approached the boy and handed him a flask filled with a reddish liquid.
"Here, my lord. This tonic will ease your headache. It's made from ruby berries—known to soothe fatigue and relieve stress," he said.
The boy gratefully accepted the flask, looking up at the knight—so composed, powerful, and full of quiet wisdom. Taking the opportunity, he asked:
"Sir Knight, after we rest… will we continue with the same routine? And if so… how long will it go on like this?"
Julius smiled gently.
"Do not worry, young lord. We'll soon arrive at the Continent of Wisdom. I apologize for the boredom, but due to recent flooding, this is the only safe route available."
The boy let out a sigh and replied:
"Don't be sorry, Mr. Knight. I can handle a little boredom. But since we're on the topic, could you tell me more about this Continent of Wisdom you speak so highly of?"
The knight's expression softened. He closed his eyes briefly, then looked up at the endless, star-strewn sky before speaking.
"The Continent of Wisdom was founded over ninety-one thousand years ago. Back then, the land was cursed—infested with disease, famine, wild beasts, and endless suffering. But with the guidance of our beloved Goddess of Wisdom and Prosperity, Lady Freya, everything changed."
"How?" the boy asked, eyes wide with curiosity.
"She gave us mana," Julius continued. "With mana, we fought back the beasts. With her blessings, the barren soil turned fertile, and the dying land flourished. The place we now call the Holy Empire of Lydia was born from her grace."
"Wow… really? Tell me more!" the boy exclaimed, completely engrossed.
"Not only did the goddess empower the empire's founder, but she also granted strength to those who stood by him. Over time, her blessing became known as 'Holy Power'—a force that purifies and rejects anything rooted in evil, disease, or corruption. That power is why, even now, our empire remains untouched by corruption and thrives in peace and prosperity."
The boy sat in stunned silence, mesmerized by the grand tale of a kingdom born from divine intervention.
After some more conversation, the knight gently urged the boy to get some rest. But just as the boy turned to return to his tent, an unfamiliar voice echoed beside him.
"Hmm… very intriguing indeed. With just a bit of divine guidance, humanity came this far. No wonder Master is interested."
Startled, the boy snapped his head to the side—and froze. A raven sat perched on his shoulder.
"Aaaaah!" the boy shouted.
"Aaaaah!" the raven shouted back.
What followed was a series of panicked screams between bird and boy. Eventually, both calmed down, breathing heavily.
"Sorry for startling you," the raven said. "I am Hugin—your spirit animal, for now. I've been sent on behalf of our master, Theos. I'll explain everything, but let's go inside first."
The two entered the tent. The boy asked:
"Why didn't the soldiers or the knight wake up? We were pretty loud."
"Oh, that's because I put up a barrier around us. No one can hear us or sense us while we talk," Hugin replied, nonchalantly.
A chill ran down the boy's spine, but he dismissed it and focused on the more pressing question.
"So why are you here? And what do you mean you were sent by your master?"
The raven puffed up his chest and stood tall.
"I'm here to help you become strong and presentable as the proxy of the Lord of War. Not only is he powerful, but he's also elegant, composed, and extremely well-mannered. As such, I'm here to teach you combat, etiquette, and how to carry yourself like a true divine representative."
He then pointed his wing toward the boy's left hand.
"When you were thinking about legacy and glory, your seal activated and summoned me—born from your own desire and divine connection. That's how I came to be here."
The boy slowly nodded, finally beginning to understand the situation.
"So… you're my partner in crime now, huh? Alright then, let's do our best!" he said, extending his hand with a grin.
Hugin looked at his own limbs, then at the boy's hand. After a pause, he began pecking the boy's forehead.
"I DON'T HAVE A HAND, YOU IDIOT!"
"Ow! God damn it, bird! You can't even respect a heartfelt moment—stop pecking me! It's not funny!"