Even after days had passed, they still hadn't reached halfway.
Aisha looked at Prince Haruto, worry clear in her eyes. "Your Highness… I know we have to reach there quickly, but if you keep riding without resting, your health won't be good. We should rest for a few minutes—drink some water and eat a little. Our food is almost finished too."
Prince Haruto kept his eyes forward, his grip firm on the reins. "Don't worry. I can handle this. We have to reach there before they do. We don't have time to rest."
Aisha lowered her gaze, guilt filling her voice. "I'm so sorry, Your Highness… I'm a burden to you. If I knew how to ride a horse, it would be easier for you. You could rest behind me. But I don't know how… that's why you're riding without stopping."
The wind blew softly through the trees as the horse continued forward, carrying both of them toward their uncertain fate.
A few minutes later, the mountains finally came into view.
There were two massive mountains standing side by side, their peaks piercing the sky. Between them was a narrow path—the only passage that connected to the other side.
Prince Haruto narrowed his eyes. "Look, Aisha… we've reached that point. If we pass through there, we'll reach our domain much faster."
Aisha nodded as they guided the horse closer.
But when they approached the narrow pass, their movements slowed.
A line of royal knights stood blocking the path.
Their silver armor gleamed under the sunlight. Spears and swords reflected a cold light. They were waiting.
Aisha's voice dropped. "Why are they here…?"
Prince Haruto's expression hardened. "I know. This is the Emperor's plan. He doesn't want us to reach my domain before they do. They're here to stop us… to kill us."
Aisha carefully counted under her breath. "I think there are around twenty knights. If we fight them, it will waste time. Can we go from another way?"
Haruto shook his head slightly. "No, we can't. If we climb the mountain, it will take more time to reach the other side. We can't take the horse that way—we'll get stuck.
And if we go back and take another road, it will take double the days to reach there."
His eyes turned sharp, filled with determination.
"We have to fight them. We don't have a choice."
The wind howled between the two mountains as the royal knights slowly drew their weapons.
The narrow path became a battlefield.
Prince Haruto narrowed his eyes as he observed the royal knights from a distance.
"They haven't noticed us yet," he said quietly. "If we attack directly, it will take more time. But if we plan carefully and strike from behind, our work will become easier."
Aisha's eyes lit up. "I have an idea, Your Highness."
Haruto glanced at her. "Tell me. What is your plan?"
Aisha took a deep breath. "I can use my water magic, and you can use fire and wind. First, from the left side, you climb the trees and attack them with a powerful fireball from above. When they try to block it with their shields, you use wind magic to make the fire stronger."
Her voice grew steadier as she explained.
"After they become weak, I will use my water bullets to finish them. I'll control the fire with my water magic so it won't spread further. It can work. They don't have magicians—only knights. But they have shields. That's why your wind and fire must be powerful enough to melt their shields. That is my plan."
Haruto looked at her for a moment, then nodded.
He quickly tied the horse behind a thick tree. "We can't take him there. They'll notice."
He turned back to her. "Alright. I think this plan will work. I'll go up the trees. Once I start, you attack. Understood?"
Aisha nodded firmly. "Yes, Your Highness."
She hid behind a large tree, steadying her breathing. Meanwhile, Prince Haruto climbed swiftly up the branches, moving silently among the leaves.
From above, he extended his hand.
"Burn."
A blazing fireball formed and shot downward.
The knights panicked as flames exploded around them. Quickly, they raised their shields and formed a defensive formation.
"Hold your ground!" one knight shouted.
Haruto's eyes sharpened. "Wind… enhance."
A powerful gust of wind surged forward, feeding the flames. The fire roared louder, growing fiercer under the wind's force.
But the knights stood firm. Their shields glowed faintly under the heat, refusing to melt.
Behind the tree, Aisha's heart tightened.
Our plan isn't working… what should I do?
Her fingers trembled slightly.
"I don't have a choice… I have to use my full power water bullet. I've only used it once during training. It's now or never."
She stepped forward, gathering all her magic.
Water condensed around her hand, swirling violently, forming a compressed sphere of overwhelming pressure.
"Water Bullet — Full Release!"
The projectile shot forward like a piercing comet.
It tore through the air, shattered the knights' shields as if they were glass, and pierced through their armor.
One after another, the royal knights collapsed.
Silence filled the mountain pass.
After a few moments, everything was still.
Prince Haruto climbed down from the tree, his expression serious but impressed.
"Aisha… thank you. For a second, I thought our plan wouldn't work. But your power bullet… it defeated them all."
The wind passed quietly between the two mountains.
The path to their domain was finally open.