The air was filled with a sense of oppression and unease. People whispered to each other, speculating about the true identity of the legendary Wizard, who warranted such a grand welcome ceremony.
A tailor quietly said to the neighbor beside him:
"I’ve heard that the Wizard comes from the Black Mist Jungle, where it’s said many monsters and sorcerers reside..."
"Yes, my cousin’s neighbor’s son once did business there and said even the air is poisonous, a single breath will drive you mad."
The neighbor responded, his voice filled with a conflicted mix of fear and curiosity.
An old woman with a face full of wrinkles wobbled towards them:
"Keep your voice down, don’t let the guards hear! Remember old Tom? He disappeared the day after he said a few bad things about the Wizard."
Countless rumors quietly spread among the crowd, further intensifying people’s uneasiness and fear.
But under heavy repression, these emotions could only be buried deep in their hearts, unable to be expressed.
Thomas, the blacksmith, was positioned not far from the city gate. His knees ached from kneeling for so long, but he didn’t dare to complain.
The rage inside him starkly contrasted with the compliance on his face, causing him to almost be unable to breathe.
An elderly neighbor approached him, speaking quietly:
"They say this Wizard can see right into your heart, knowing your innermost thoughts."
Thomas’s face turned pale, beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
He couldn’t believe such tales, but couldn’t help feeling afraid.
He looked around at the kneeling crowd, each person’s face displayed the same expression.
Beneath their surface reverence lay deep-seated fear and anxiety.
Just then, a commotion arose at the city gate.
The captain of the guards announced loudly:
"The city gate is about to open, everyone remain silent, bow your heads and kneel in greeting! Offenders shall be executed immediately!"
Amidst a rumbling sound, the massive city gate slowly opened, revealing the scene outside.
A murmur of suppressed whispers spread through the crowd, everyone nervously awaited the appearance of the fabled Wizard.
Meanwhile, in the shadows of the city gate, the Second Prince, Alek, and several of his confidants anxiously awaited this rare opportunity.
Alek was a handsome young man, but a life on the run had left visible marks on his face.
"Your Highness, the gate is open, now is our only chance."
A guard dressed plainly whispered, his eyes filled with nervous light:
"As long as we rush through the gate amid the chaos, we can escape those damned guards. There’s already someone waiting outside to help us. Once we’re out, there’s hope."
The Second Prince, Alek, nodded stiffly, his fingers constantly rubbing the hilt of his sword.
Since Andre came to power, he had been under house arrest in the Royal Palace, always fearing execution.
Every night, he was awakened by nightmares, André’s golden vertical pupils staring at him like the eyes of death with cold menace.
To survive, he had no choice but to plan this daring escape.
"Wait until the gate is fully open, as soon as there’s chaos in welcoming, we act immediately."
Alek whispered commands, his voice trembling slightly with tension:
"Remember, once we’re out of the city, scatter immediately and regroup in the northern woods before nightfall."
Several confidants nodded in understanding, their hands already on their weapons, ready to act at any moment.
Each face was marked with an expression of determined death; they knew if they failed, they would face unimaginable torture of life worse than death.
Meanwhile, outside the city gate, a murmur of surprise began to spread among the guards.
Thomas reluctantly raised his head for a glance, the sight before him nearly stopped his heart.
A four-wheeled carriage, drawn by some kind of creature, was slowly approaching the city gate.
The creature pulling the carriage seemed humanoid at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it sent shivers down the spine.
Its skin was covered with strange scales, gleaming with a metallic coldness under the sunlight.
Even more unsettling were its eyes, a pair of emerald compound eyes like ancient reptiles, emitting an eerie glow.
The entire scene was like a nightmare painting come to life—a sinister creature pulling a carriage, its body engraved with complex runes, telling an ominous prophecy.
"Oh, gods above..."
Thomas couldn’t help but pray quietly, cold sweat rolling down his forehead like rain.
He had once scoffed at the so-called "Wizard."
But now, confronted with this nightmarish existence, his disbelief had vanished, replaced by sheer terror.
As the carriage slowly approached the city gate, Alek and his confidants suddenly dashed from the shadows, trying to escape amid the chaos.
"Stop them!" the gate guards shouted loudly, but it was already too late.
Alek and his team had reached near the city gate, on the verge of colliding with the carriage.
Thomas could see the complex expression on the Second Prince’s face, a mix of fear and hope, the final struggle of someone on the brink of despair.
He held his breath, watching as the Second Prince and his followers were about to pass the carriage.
However, just as Alek seemed about to succeed in his escape, a subtle energy fluctuation emanated from inside the carriage.
There was no sound, no movement, no visible traces of magic.
Even Thomas, the closest onlooker, did not see the Wizard inside the carriage make any casting actions.