I'm Trapped Inside a Prince as the Most Powerful Entity-Chapter 80: Journey to the Mountain Empire

The morning was cool in the Estorian capital. King Noor IV stood strong outside the main palace gates. He felt the weight of his kingdom and his son’s unsure fate heavy on his shoulders.

Eric and Alina were already with him. They looked a mix of nervous. The Queen, Isadora, stood on the other side of the King. Her eyes showed she hadn’t slept well.

"I still don’t understand your decision to have me stay here, Noor," the Queen said, her voice low, with a hint of worry. "My place is by your side, by Eric’s side, especially now."

The King managed a small, reassuring smile as he looked at his wife. "Isadora, my dear," he said gently, "the situation in our kingdom is not stable enough for both of us to leave. There are unresolved matters. You need to manage everything in my absence. Your strength, your wisdom, will be vital here."

Beside the Queen stood her oldest son, First Prince Revan. He seemed subdued, and worry was clear on his face. Revan’s eyes kept flicking towards Eric. He looked both worried like a brother and like he was starting to respect him.

Worried, Revan turned to the King. "Father," he said, his voice serious, "don’t you think, given these new external pressures, we should perhaps pause this extensive investigation at this time? Focus all our resources on the immediate threat from the Empire?"

The King took a deep breath. His gaze was firm as he met his oldest son’s eyes. "Raven, you need to understand that this investigation is not for the royal family. It is for our kingdom. And remember, this trouble from the Emperor is upon the royal family. If we push the royal family’s trouble onto the kingdom, it will be my biggest failure as a king."

Revan listened to his father’s words. The weight of their truth sank in. He understood why the King’s decision was necessary. He nodded, then stepped forward and went to Eric. He pulled his younger brother into a firm hug.

"I am proud of you, little brother," Revan said, his voice thick with emotion. "No matter what trap the Roland Kingdom has set for you, no matter what accusations they hurl, I know you would never intentionally do anything that would bring harm to our kingdom, to Father. Hold strong."

Hearing Revan’s words, Eric felt regret and guilt. He knew he hadn’t done anything important during those critical moments.

The power, the wins, the decisions – it had all been the work of the [System Interface], the "System Window" that acted through him. He just nodded, unable to look Revan in his eyes.

Just then, Charles, the Commander of the Royal Guard, who had been standing behind the Queen, spoke up. His voice was rough with concern.

"My Lord," Charles said, his gaze sweeping over the small group, "I still do not understand why you are taking such minimal security, so few men with you. This journey to the Empire...." As he spoke, Charles gestured towards the three carriages standing behind the King and the small group of Royal Guards. The number was much smaller than usual.

Normally, a far larger force of Royal Guards would be there when taking the King or any member of the royal family to another place, especially on a journey so politically important to a power like the Empire.

The King paid little attention to Charles’s worries about security. His decision was made. He looked at his Commander, his expression serious.

"Charles," the King said, his voice firm, "this kingdom needs your strength, your loyalty in the capital. With Revan and Leonard managing the investigation, you will be the bedrock of order and security within these walls."

The King then took a lion-crested symbol of his royal authority. He handed it to Charles.

"Together with my two elder sons," the King declared, "you must dispense justice throughout this kingdom. You must maintain order. You hold my authority in my absence."

Charles, sad about the King’s departure and the dangerous situation, took the symbol. His hand trembled. He knelt on one knee before his king, his head bowed.

"My Lord," he said, his voice thick with emotion but firm, "I will give my life if I fail to carry out your words. Estoria will be secure."

A rare, appreciative smile touched the King’s lips. He looked at everyone present – his Queen, his son Revan, Commander Charles,

the guards and attendants – one last time. His gaze lingered on each face.

"I will bring Eric back soon," he said, his voice carrying a belief he perhaps didn’t fully feel. "Until then, all of you must take care of this motherland, our Estoria."

Saying this, King Noor IV adjusted his travel clothes, turned, and got into the lead carriage.

Eric looked at his family one last time, then turned and followed his father into the carriage.

Alina had been standing behind with her family. She gave them a final, reassuring look before she also turned and entered the King’s carriage, taking a seat opposite Eric and the King.

With a lurch, the King’s carriage began to move, followed by the other two and their small group of Royal Guards. They passed through the city gates, leaving the capital behind.

The journey continued for several days and nights. After a week of travel, the group reached the border of the Empire of the Mountains.

As the carriage got close to the border, Eric and Alina looked out. They felt a mix of awe and nervousness. What they saw was staggering. Massive walls of white stone stretched as far as they could see.

They followed the shapes of the mountains. These were not just defensive walls; they were a statement of power, a declaration of Imperial rule. Eric was surprised. He struggled to understand how huge it was.

"They have so many resources," he thought, "so much manpower, that they can build a continuous wall along their vast border. What kind of power is this?"

Eric also noticed that at points along the wall, there were large, fortified buildings, official entry or exit points into the Empire.

They were heavily guarded and busy. He could see lines of people – merchants, travelers, messengers – all waiting to pass through the Imperial checkpoints.

The King’s carriage did not join these lines. As it approached an entry point, it turned left towards a separate, large, and fancier gate structure.

There wasn’t much of a crowd there, only a few stern-faced Imperial guards. Eric looked at his father, who was calmly reading, seemingly not bothered by their arrival or the walls.

Sensing his son’s look, King Noor IV, without looking up, said, "This is the Gate of Sovereigns, Eric. It is reserved for royalty and official Imperial envoys."

Eric now understood why their carriage was heading in this different direction. He had been surprised by how many people were trying to enter the Empire.

The King’s carriage approached the Gate of Sovereigns. Imperial soldiers, dressed in blue uniforms different from the Captain’s golden armor, stood guard.

Each soldier carried a longsword, and Eric noticed that a red crystal was set in the handle of each sword, glowing faintly.

One of the guards, a large man with a scarred face who was head of the gate guard team, held up a hand.

He signaled the King’s carriage to stop before the massive, iron-banded gates. He stepped beside the King’s carriage window.

The King, with a sigh, put down his documents and opened his window. As the Imperial guard saw the King’s face, his stern expression softened. He bowed his head in respect.

"King Noor IV of Estoria," the guard said, his voice a low rumble, "welcome to the Empire of the Mountains." Saying this, he stepped back, saluted, and gestured for them to enter. With a groaning of gears, the massive gates began to swing inward. The King’s group began to move inside.

As the Estorian guard saw the King’s convoy entering, he moved to the front of the King’s carriage. With a command to his men, he began to lead the way. Behind the Estorian convoy, a group of the blue-uniformed Empire guards also followed, forming an honor guard.

This, Eric realized, was an established procedure, a formal reception by the Empire for visiting rulers. Since King Noor IV was an important figure, the Empire treated them with the outward respect due to his position.

The job of these Imperial guards was to take the King’s convoy to the Imperial Palace, a complex deep within the Empire where other kings and high-ranking people were staying for the council.

As they passed through the gates, Eric and Alina looked out upon a vast grassy plain that stretched before them. A forest was visible in the distance.

The untamed size of the landscape was breathtaking. They were surprised; it was unlike anything in their homeland.

Clearing up their confusion, the King explained, gesturing towards the view, "Actually, the Empire is quite large, and between its cities, there are many forests and empty plains. The Empire is still considering whether to build something here or leave this area as it is."

Hearing his father’s words, Eric was surprised, almost shocked. He had never heard of any kingdom that dared to go deep into such wild forests, let alone think about building there.

These forests, according to stories, were home to unknown and dangerous magical creatures – beasts so powerful it was said a single one could wipe out an entire army.

The Empire’s casual thought of developing such lands said a lot about their confidence and power.freewēbnoveℓ.com