Marie beamed, her light-gold eyes sparkling with excitement as she clapped her hands together once. "Then let's get going! The carriage should be waiting outside."

Reinhard adjusted the bag over his shoulder, feeling the weight settle comfortably. His gloved right hand flexed once while the Herald Mark necklace rested cool against his collarbone beneath his jacket.

Brunhilde moved to walk beside him as the group began heading toward the exit. Her heeled boots clicked against the marble floor with each step, the sound echoing off the columns.

The torn panels of her skirt fluttered with her movement, revealing glimpses of black silk stockings. She glanced at him, light blue eyes warm.

"You've been preparing." Brunhilde says softly..

"I reached 812 souls just last night." Reinhard replied quietly with a faint smile. "Mimir thinks I can push to 900 if I'm careful."

Brunhilde's expression showed approval. "Good. Eastern Hesod isn't forgiving to the unprepared." Her gaze shifted forward, something darker entering her features. "Even I need to be cautious there."

That statement made Reinhard's steps falter slightly. "Is it because of strength or-"

"It's because of the environment itself. There is nothing there, combat-wise threatening, but trying to find the way out, and dealing with the hazards is a threat to even First Class Beast Masters." Brunhilde.

Reinhard nodded slowly, leading Brunhilde to smile and gently squeeze his hands in reassurance. They passed through the academy's massive metal doors, carved, and felt the morning sunlight shining down on them.

The cobblestone courtyard stretched before them, and true to Marie's word, a carriage waited. It was larger than a standard one, as it could accommodate five passengers comfortably plus luggage. Dark wood reinforced with iron bands, wheels that looked sturdy enough to handle rough terrain. A gray orb at the front with its swirling clouds inside of it, and awaiting the command to go.

Janus moved toward the carriage first, his black-blue coat swaying with his movements. His orange eyes surveyed the vehicle with obvious familiarity before pausing.

"The road to Eastern Hesod takes about six hours." Janus said, turning back to address the group, his nervousness from earlier had slightly faded. "We'll pass through multiple checkpoints before reaching the entrance of the forest. But on the way, the terrain will change significantly."

Joseph nodded as his green eyes narrowed. "What kind of changes?"

Janus's expression grew more serious. "The trees grow denser while visibility around the area will drop. It isn't as bad compared to when we are in the forest, but everything will look like we are in a Monser Zone." He gestured vaguely eastward. "And there is a possibility of Phantasm Beasts moving through the area, but it's extremely unlikely they will appear."

Marie's platinum hair swayed as she tilted her head. "Have there ever been an attack before, though?"

"Professor Rosaria told me two months ago a merchant caravan reported being attacked by Shadow Stalkers," Janus said, his tan skin seeming to pale slightly at the memory. "They lost two guards before the Mori Momento security guards noticed and took care of them."

"We'll be fine," Brunhilde said softly. "Shadow Stalkers won't approach me if they sense me."

"That's true… Anyway, we should get going, we can't waste any time when it comes to Eastern Hesod." Janus says, leading everyone to nod.

Marie was the first to climb into the carriage, accepting the driver's offered hand with a graceful smile. She settled onto one of the cushioned benches inside, adjusting her black-white jacket.

Joseph followed, then Janus. Reinhard moved to enter, climbing into the carriage and sitting beside Joseph.

Then Brunhilde entered, where he sat down next to Reinhard after closing the door. Then Reinhard sighed at the soft benches while glancing to see small windows on either side with curtains that could be drawn. Their bags were secured in a compartment beneath the seats.

After seeing that everyone was seated and ready, Brunhilde said. "Carridge, move. Pathway to Eastern Hesod entrance."

The carriage trembled before the vehicle began moving. Wheels crunched over cobblestones as they left the academy grounds.

Reinhard watched through the window as Memento Mori Academy grew smaller behind them. The grand building with its tall windows, the students visible in the courtyards, beginning their day.

It felt strange, leaving.

"Nervous?" Joseph asked, noticing his gaze.

Reinhard turned from the window. "Nah, just enjoying the sight."

Marie leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on her knees. "Janus, tell us more about Naraku. What's it like?"

Janus's orange eyes brightened at the question. His earlier nervousness returned slightly, but it was mixed with clear affection for his home. "It's small and maybe only has around three hundred people. We're surrounded by the forest on three sides, with a river forming the fourth boundary." He gestured as he spoke, hands painting the picture. "Most families have lived there for generations. My grandmother was born there, and her grandmother before that."

"What do people do?" Joseph asked.

"Survive is all we can do, and do a bit of trading between towns. We each have roles in the town, but other than that, we try to make do." Janus's expression grew fond. "But this does lead the people interacting with each other and the community to become pretty close. Oh, we also have a Seeker outpost with just four people, but they're good at what they do."

"And your family?" Marie's voice held genuine interest.

"My mother is gone… But I stayed with my dad, who is the mayor of the town and its leader." Janus smiled. "He owns the only Inn in the town, which is mostly empty since only a few people visit the Eastern Hesod throughout the year."

"So it's just empty usually?" Reinhard asked in surprise.

"Not really, as we used it for celebrations, events, and places for the adults to relax after they finished their work for the day. My dad thought about destroying it once to use it for something better, but all the townspeople rioted. They spoke about it having a lot of memories and it being a gift from grandpa…" Janus trailed off before a smile appeared. "But the true reason is they didn't want him to stop making his famous stew with forest herbs."

"Haha, is the stew really that good?" Joseph asked with a smile.

Absolutely, I hope you guys can try it when we reach. It will make you want seconds, thirds, and even fourths." Janus said with a grin.

"Then we will hold you to that. It has been a long time since I have had stew." Brunhilde said with a faint smile.

"I wonder if it's better than the academy's own?" Marie questioned as she tapped her chin.

Janus blushed before glancing away and saying. "It's better."

"Hahaha, Janue!" Marie laughed while Janus turned even more.

The carriage hit a bump, jostling them slightly. Outside, the cobblestone streets of the academy district had given way to packed dirt roads.

Reinhard noticed Janus's gaze staring out the window, his expression turning more contemplative. The nervous energy had faded entirely, replaced by something quieter, either anticipation or concern.

"How long has it been since you visited?" Reinhard asked.

"A year ago." Janus's fingers drummed against his knee. "I usually go back between semesters, but I became busy with a project with my team and professor and couldn't go back for the summer. And the Information Institution rejected my application for December because the forest had gotten even more dangerous, so they didn't want me to take the chance… I don't blame them, as it does make me happy they are worried about me, but…"

"You're worried about your father and the townspeople?" Brunhilde asked as her expression softened.

"Yeah… I haven't gotten a letter from them in a year… I just hope they're doing fine."

"Don't worry, Janus! We will arrive in Naraku town in no time, and then you can check on everybody."

Janus smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I can't wait to see them again."

The carriage rolled on, eating up the distance between them and Eastern Hesod. Through the windows, Reinhard watched the landscape gradually change.

The maintained fields gave way to wilder growth.

Trees appeared more frequently, their branches reaching toward each other across the road. The sunlight filtering through became dappled, creating patterns of light and shadow.

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