NOVEL WEB Chapter 314: Weak as Paper Tigers
The Tigerkin guards had already quickly and efficiently prepared the kidnappers' carriages, harnessing horses retrieved from the bandits' makeshift stable.
The fourteen children were safely loaded into the carriages, their initial terror gradually replaced with quiet relief and cautious hope.
Seris and her sister, Lira, immediately approached Orion, their amber eyes reflecting deep gratitude as they gracefully bowed their heads in deep respect.
"Young Master Orion," Seris spoke softly, her voice trembling slightly with heartfelt emotion, "we owe you our deepest gratitude. Without your intervention, our rescue attempt would have certainly ended in tragedy. Thank you, from the depths of our hearts."
Orion lightly smiled, gently shaking his head. His voice remained modest and reassuring. "It was nothing much. I'm glad we arrived in time to help."
Lira hesitated briefly, exchanging a glance with Seris, before carefully voicing a hopeful invitation. "Young Master Orion, would you consider traveling with us to Valoria, the capital of our Felian Kingdom? It's the least we can offer as thanks, and perhaps you'll find something of interest there."
Orion nodded readily, knowing inwardly that this was exactly the opportunity he'd intended to seize from the start. "Of course. We'd be happy to accompany you."
Curiosity stirred within Orion as he glanced between the two noblewomen, prompting him to ask thoughtfully, "By the way, may I ask your exact positions within your kingdom? Why was it only the two of you and a few guards who came to rescue these children? Had we not appeared, the kidnappers would have easily killed you."
Seris's gentle face darkened slightly with sadness as she heaved a soft sigh. "We belong to one of the lowest-ranking noble houses in the Felian Kingdom. Our family's lands are small and located on the outskirts of the capital, and resources are scarce, especially now."
"The kingdom is already strained fighting the Lionkin armies, so no official help could be spared for these bandit threats. We gathered every guard willing to help and did what we could."
Orion fell silent, his heart heavy as he contemplated the grim circumstances these nobles, and by extension, the common people, endured daily. His voice was filled with genuine empathy when he finally responded, "I'm sorry you have to go through such difficult times."
Seris's eyes widened slightly in surprise at his sincere sympathy, and she hastily shook her head, softly reassuring him. "Oh no, please don't apologize. If anything, today you've lifted some of the burdens we carry. Without your help, we most certainly would have perished along with the children."
Orion paused quietly, acknowledging her candid honesty. He understood clearly that her words were truth rather than exaggeration. Without his group's intervention, a tragic outcome had indeed been inevitable.
Noticing the shadows lengthening and the fading sunlight, Seris gently motioned toward the waiting carriages. "Let's depart now, the sun will set soon. We shouldn't waste any more time here."
Orion nodded quietly in agreement, gesturing gently for his companions to follow.
Everyone quickly boarded the carriages. And soon the carriages slowly began moving back along the road they'd traveled earlier, Orion leaned back comfortably in his seat.
He gazed thoughtfully at the passing scenery, his mind quietly processing everything he had learned about this world's harsh realities.
'This is a harsh world, huh.' He inwardly said.
[A lot of worlds are like this, Master. Conflict and wars happen in almost all worlds one way or another.]
Orion slowly nodded at Lumi's words, his eyes distant and reflective as he turned his gaze toward the gently passing scenery.
Through the small carriage window, he watched as vibrant autumn-colored trees passed swiftly, their orange and crimson leaves swaying gently in the early evening breeze.
The fading sunlight cast a gentle, golden hue across the landscape, painting a calm picture that sharply contrasted the harsh reality he had just witnessed within this lower world.
As the carriage wheels rattled over uneven cobblestone paths, Orion's thoughts wandered deeper.
His expression softened, reflecting a quiet empathy. He recognized clearly that worlds like these were not rare; hardship, conflict, and war seemed almost universal among the lower realms.
Eventually, the peaceful silence within the carriage was broken as Arya shifted slightly beside him, her violet eyes carefully observing Orion's contemplative expression.
"Brother Orion," she softly began, her voice filled with gentle curiosity, "are you alright? You look quite troubled."
Orion glanced toward Arya, his expression softening slightly into a smile. "I'm alright, Arya. It's just… seeing the struggles of these people, their desperation and vulnerability, makes me realize how privileged we've been in our Kingdom."
Arya nodded slowly, her gaze empathetic and understanding. "I feel the same. We've taken many things for granted, our strength, our security, our resources."
Emilia, seated elegantly opposite them, interjected gently, her voice thoughtful and soothing, "Indeed. Witnessing such disparity firsthand truly opens one's eyes to the harsh realities outside our home."
Kale, his typically reserved eyes focused thoughtfully on the distant horizon through the window, spoke up quietly, his voice serious yet contemplative. "Our Kingdom isn't so peaceful as well. There are regular wars happening with Demons all the time. But perhaps this experience will help us prepare for what is to come eventually during the next test."
Sylvia, seated next to Kale, calmly nodded in silent agreement, her serene expression tinged with quiet thoughtfulness. Nyss also inwardly agreed.
Felira glanced around the carriage, her eyes carrying a subtle sadness as she quietly added, "I just hope our presence here can somehow make a difference, even if it's minor."
Orion nodded his head but inwardly thought, 'A group of prodigies with strength at nearly the limit of this world making a minor difference?' Shaking his head, he returned his gaze outside, watching as the distant silhouette of a large city slowly came into view.
He inwardly sighed, resolving to carefully observe and understand this unfamiliar land, knowing they had much more to learn.
As the carriage gradually approached the gates of the Felian Kingdom's capital city, Valoria, Orion and his companions attentively took in the scene.
Seris, the only remaining Tigerkin noblewoman escorting them, quietly observed their reactions, her amber eyes carefully assessing their expressions. Lira and the rest of the guards had left with the children to go back to their own settlement.
Valoria's grandeur was modest at best. Compared to Thunderpeak Kingdom's majestic and imposing capital city, Valoria appeared quaint, small, and humble.
Its city walls were worn and aged, clearly weathered by years of continuous conflict and inadequate maintenance. The stonework, though sturdy, bore visible signs of past repairs and makeshift reinforcements.
As their carriage rolled closer, Kale softly muttered to himself, his voice barely audible but clearly tinged with genuine surprise and slight disbelief, "Even a Viscount House from our Kingdom could easily dominate both the Tigerkin and Lionkin here…"
The others shared quiet, knowing glances, inwardly agreeing but refraining from openly voicing such thoughts to avoid disrespecting their hosts.
Orion's expression remained calm and neutral, though he too silently acknowledged Kale's assessment, clearly noticing the massive disparity between their kingdom's power and this struggling realm.
Eventually, the carriage reached the city gates. A small contingent of Tigerkin guards stood watch, their armor visibly worn yet meticulously maintained. Their initial alertness quickly turned to surprise and unease as they noticed Orion and his companions stepping from the carriage.
The guards exchanged wary glances, their tiger-like tails swishing anxiously. Evidently, they'd encountered several groups of humans recently, none of which had left a pleasant impression.
Realizing this, the captain hurriedly stepped forward, nervously clearing his throat and motioning for his men to swiftly step aside and clear a path.