Valerian, The Legendary

149 Set Off.

He was using dragon tongue to communicate, and heard Fortuna reply, “She doubts the majesty of my noble self. Humph, I would have barbequed her if not for your sake.”

Valerian chuckled and said, “Fine, come here, eat this.”

He placed down the fish for her, and walked over to Priscilla, he found the girl was biting her lips so as to not let out a painful groan and he sighed as he cast a healing spell on her face. He said, “Now do you realize that this is not a dream but a reality?”

Priscilla looked at him with a face saying, ‘I have been wronged, daddy.’

Too bad, Valerian was not very perceptive and ignored this as he asked, “What have you decided then?”

The maid thought for a bit and asked, “Will you take all the responsibility for the scolding and beatings I will receive from her highness or her excellency?”

Valerian nodded and said, “I will. The trip will be short. Quick in and out.”

Priscilla asked in confusion, “What do you mean? It will take us a month to reach the borders of Valkyria and any other empire. This is your quick and short?”

Valerian shook his head and said, “You forget that I am now a prince, right? I have my ways.”

.....

Priscilla rolled her eyes at him and asked, “Do you think I do not know that? However, what contacts?”

Valerian patted her head and said, “Let me take care of that. Just follow me obediently.”

Priscilla nodded and they discussed a few rules before they left in the morning. Mathiyus came back with a deer hung in his mouth. Valerian cleaned it and then he cooked the meat properly for Priscilla and himself.

Fortuna also took a share in it. Mathiyus was thinking how smart he was to eat prey to meet his needs before coming back. The night darkened and Valerian extinguished the fire as they took shelter in the crowns of the trees. Fortuna lay on Valerian’s chest and asked, “Why must you bring her along?”

Valerian said, “I am sure to enter Valkyria on my own, but on the way, she is needed to communicate and prevent interventions from another party. You might not know but the Empress will definitely not rest easy. She must have sent more than one person to keep up with me.”

Fortuna nodded and said, “Well, I can also feel that someone has been keeping an eye on us. However, how do you plan on fooling that person?”

Valerian said, “Do not worry, we will do that when we reach the border of the Stella Empire.”

Fortuna thought for a bit and said, “The magic gateway is located to the further border of the Valkyria empire. We cannot cross that place on our feet? We will need a higher-grade flying beast to carry us.”

Valerian shook his head and said, “A bigger and stronger beast will be noticed by everyone, we have to avoid the eyes of the people. So, I have a small plan up my sleeve let us see how it goes.”

Fortuna nodded and then she went to sleep. She did not tell him that her requirement was fourteen days. It was because if she did not arrive at that place, she will lose her wings. This was a major disability and dragons would rather not live than live without their wings.

The next morning, three creatures were awake and moving through the woods even before the sun had come up. The speed was fast enough for them to be called wind. They traveled through the forest to arrive in the vicinity of Tenax City. Valerian had been here once and this place had left a deep impression on him. The last time he was here, he shed blood without holding back.

Now the city seemed to have recovered from the attack, and the lights from inside were almost brimming out of the city wall. As if a chalice of light. They moved closer to the city gate mounted on their wraiths. Mathiyus was asked to follow behind in case his appearance triggered the guards.

As they drew closer to the gates, a guard stepped forward and said, “Halt. Who goes there?”

It was night and the gates were closed, usually, none of the travelers would arrive at such an hour and even if they did, they will not be just a couple of people. Thus, the oddity struck the guard and he came forward. Priscilla replied in a calm manner, “His highness the fourth prince is here to visit the Duke.”

The guard stopped in his tracks and Valerian cast the illumination spell, “Luminare.”

His appearance was etched in the hearts of the soldiers and the city guards. This guy was one of the reasons their city was at peace and their families were safe. He recognized Valerian and bowed his head properly and said, “Greetings, Your Highness. Forgive my insolence and not recognizing you.”

Valerian shook his head and said, “You are doing a good job, keep it up. Following the rules of your duty is not something you should apologize for.”

The guard was gratified and led the two of them to the gates. Priscilla stated her identity and mentioned Mathiyus as her Magical beast companion. She saw the flickers of envy in the eyes of the guards and her lips curled up slightly. Valerian said, “Calm down and come back to earth. Have you not seen my companion yet?”

Priscilla recalled about the dragon and her temper entered sulk mode. Valerian held in his urge to chuckle as he pranked her. He has not yet formed a magical bond with Fortuna. He just did not want her to get smug.

The two people walked through the sparsely crowded streets and reached the Duke’s household. The staff welcomed them very warmly, and suddenly Valerian jumped high in the air and said, “Ferrum Ventus.”

A snort sounded and the two people landed on the ground. Valerian found a burly man standing in front of him. He said, “Old man give up.”

The person was a duke, who retired, “Come, let’s see how much you have grown.”

Valerian sighed and vanished from his spot, however, unlike before the duke was not careless. He was on his guard and they traded blows with no hesitation, it was as if they might only stop when one of them was killed.

...

After two hours the explosions stopped and the two-man stood facing each other, panting heavily for breath. They seemed to be very tired, Valerian did not use any magical spell during this spar and suddenly he said, “Terra Liga.”

The duke froze and Valerian rushed forward to the man and punched him square in the face. The duke landed directly on his butt. He looked up at Valerian and said, “Boy, you are very cunning.”

Valerian shook his head and said, “I am not cunning, it is just you are very dumb. Why do you forget that I am a battlemage.”

...

After a few minutes, the two people sat in the living room and they were drinking tea. Vulcan shook his head and said, “What brings you here?”

Valerian said, “I am planning to take a vacation in the Stellan Empire.”

Vulcan spurted out the tea in his mouth. Valerian simply flashed away from his seat. The fountain landed on the spot Valerian sat. He asked in a loud voice, “Brat, have you lost it? Libra let you go out?”

Valerian shrugged his shoulders and said, “I was allowed to go out and explore the world.”

Vulcan looked at the boy with disbelief and said, “I am really surprised, but why do you want to go to the Stellan Empire?”

Valerian said, “Last time the intervention from Valkyria cost us a big time. I do not wish to be caught unprepared the next time. Valkyria will act again, the peace we have is just temporary, I wish to prolong this peace and at the same time, grow stronger. The mages and warriors in the Lumen Empire are either bound to the military and the royal house, or they are too hard to find. I cannot find a good enough challenge.”

Vulcan nodded, he understood this need, after all, he also went out to travel the continent in his youth. He nodded and said, “You can go, but I will not help you. Since you want to grow stronger, then do it yourself.”

Valerian nodded and said, “While I am gone, stay vigilant. Not only from the Stellan side but the other two as well. Even in Sapientia is an allied force now, they might still have some plow planned under the covers.”

Vulcan nodded and asked, “I have exchanged messages with His Excellency these few days, your worries are on point. The steps to narrow down the risk have been taken. Do not worry.”

The next day, Valerian and Priscilla spent some time in the market and gathered enough supplies before they left the place. They did not intend to waste any more time here.