The Dmond carriage advanced through the streets of Great Rock City as the sky took on increasingly deeper shades of orange and gold.

The sun, now nothing more than an incandescent line on the horizon, painted the clouds in layers of coral, purple, and amber, a spectacle Lukas never grew tired of admiring, so different from the skies of Earth.

Lukas watched everything through the window, his face pressed against the glass as if he wanted to absorb every detail of the urban landscape.

The number of people on the streets dwindled as they approached the base of the Great Rock. The merchants had already closed their stalls, and the travelers had retired to the inns. The few who still walked along the sidewalks were hurried servants or guards on patrol.

The simple buildings, wooden houses with thatched roofs, gave way to larger homes made of pale stone and carefully crafted dark wood. Their façades were ornate, with wrought-iron balconies and stained-glass windows. Well-maintained gardens appeared behind decorative fences, filled with rose bushes and shrubs sculpted into geometric shapes.

Marble fountains adorned small plazas, their crystal-clear waters reflecting the first stars appearing in the sky. Statues of ancient warriors and magical creatures stood atop stone pedestals.

Then they began to climb.

The road leading to the top wound around the slope of the gigantic rock formation, circling the elevation in gentle curves. On one side, the wall of white stone gleamed beneath the twilight. On the other, the city stretched below like a tapestry illuminated by the first lanterns of the night.

Lukas lightly pressed his hand against the glass. The view was breathtaking.

Great Rock City spread beneath them like a sea of rooftops illuminated by the first lanterns of the night. Tiny yellow and orange lights scattered in every direction, forming patterns that resembled urban constellations. The bustling streets looked like golden rivers cutting through the landscape, with carriages and people moving like luminous ants.

"Wow..." Judite murmured, also pressed against the window.

Even Aurora smiled at her daughter’s reaction.

"Beautiful, isn’t it?"

Lukas nodded silently.

As they climbed higher, the mansions became increasingly extravagant.

Some possessed elegant towers with banners fluttering at their peaks. Others displayed hanging gardens, with colorful flowers cascading over the walls.

There were estates surrounded by ornate walls and statues of magical creatures positioned before the gates, stone griffins, bronze wolves, marble eagles.

"Do all of these houses belong to nobles?" Lukas asked, his eyes roaming across the buildings.

"Not all of them." Clavor replied, his voice deep.

"Most belong to extremely wealthy merchants. Caravan owners. Master craftsmen. Bankers. Wealth also buys influence."

"But not titles." Aurora added.

Clavor nodded.

"Not titles. At least not in Rhyne."

Lukas absorbed the information.

Wealth and title are different things. One grants economic power. The other grants political power.

And the combination of both... is nearly invincible.

But there was one thing Rhyne valued above all else. And that was strength.

Finally, after several more minutes of climbing, Hark Castle appeared before them.

Lukas held his breath.

The fortress rose atop the Great Rock like an ancient guardian.

Its walls were made of tall and sturdy gray stone, adorned with dark blue banners dancing in the night wind. The Hark crest, a mountain crowned by an eagle with outstretched wings, was emblazoned upon every standard.

Towers rose from different sections of the structure, some square, others round, one especially tall in the center, with battlements patrolled by guards.

Golden lights shone through the windows, hundreds of them, like eyes glowing within the darkness of the stone.

The great entrance gate stood open.

Guards clad in polished silver armor with blue accents remained motionless on either side of the entrance, spears raised. Their helmets concealed their faces, but Lukas could feel the watchful eyes behind the narrow slits.

The Hark crest could be seen everywhere, on the gate, on the banners, on the guards’ armor, even engraved into the stones beneath their feet.

"They say the first Count Hark conquered this rock by himself during a war." Clavor commented, observing the walls with respect.

"Is that true?" Judite asked, her eyes wide.

Clavor smiled, that familiar crooked smile.

"Probably not. At least not by himself. But it was enough to elevate his title from Baron to Count."

The carriage passed through the gates.

Within the inner courtyard, other carriages were already parked.

It was a fleet of vehicles, some simple, others luxurious, all bearing their family crests painted upon the doors. Uniformed servants moved swiftly among them, carrying luggage, gifts, and escorting nobles toward the main entrance.

Broad staircases of polished stone led to the castle’s main entrance, flanked by torches burning with bluish flames.

Lukas stepped out of the carriage beside his family. His heart raced. Everything seemed enormous. Important.

A servant dressed in dark blue garments, the same color as the Hark banners, approached immediately. He wore white gloves and maintained a perfectly neutral expression.

"Baron Clavor Dmond and family." He said with an elegant bow.

"Welcome to Hark Castle."

"Thank you." Clavor replied.

The servant made a respectful gesture.

"Please, follow me."

They ascended the main staircase.

The steps were broad, made of polished gray stone, with a red carpet runner stretching along the center. Every five steps, a torch mounted upon the wall illuminated the path.

The enormous carved wooden doors, over four meters tall and covered in engravings depicting battles and hunts, slowly opened.

The castle’s interior was even more impressive.

Polished marble floors reflected the light of crystal chandeliers suspended from the lofty ceiling, enormous chandeliers bearing hundreds of candles that made the hall shine as brightly as day.

Tapestries portraying historic battles decorated the walls, scenes of knights confronting beasts, armies marching, castles under siege. The colors were vivid, the details meticulous.

Ceremonial suits of armor stood displayed within stone alcoves, some golden, others silver, all polished until they gleamed.

Lukas observed everything. Trying to absorb every detail.

The servant led them to the entrance of the grand hall, where a tall, slender man awaited.

Beside the double doors, even larger than those at the entrance and carved with scenes representing the history of House Hark, the man stood motionless. He wore formal garments adorned with golden threads and carried an ornate staff of dark wood, crowned with a blue gemstone.

Upon seeing them approach, he raised the staff. His voice echoed throughout the hall.