Sanctuary: Safe Haven

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"My king, how did you know that I was here? We were already on our way to the capital," Kael asked.

Currently, they were in a carriage with Kael, the king, the grand mage, and other elites of the king.

"Word travels far. However, I believe you have a better story to tell me. Why is that man with you?" The king was curious as to how Kael even knew Canna. Was there a deeper meaning to all of it?

Kael racked his brain for an answer. He couldn't possibly say, "Oh, Canna just wanted to test his new powers and coincidentally there was a monster wave." After a few seconds, he sighed. "Well, it all started at the dungeon."

As Kael shared his long tale, hiding the important facts, the carriage Canna was in had a different mood altogether. Right now, Canna was riding in a carriage with a butler named Hamilton. The butler was assigned to Canna so that, in case Canna needed anything, Hamilton would immediately get it for him.

Hamilton looked like a professional butler; he had white hair, a sign that he was old, but Canna could still sense the vitality in the butler before him.

Meanwhile, Hamilton thought that the white-haired man both revered and feared by the people of his kingdom was a bloodthirsty individual with an incredible lust for power. However, after seeing Canna and even conversing with him, Hamilton couldn't reconcile this image with the man who had saved them from their kingdom's demise.

If one were to ignore his mud-filled clothes, tattered pants, and bare feet, Canna would look like a fine man.

During the journey, Canna asked Hamilton almost everything: what their kingdom was known for, whether they engaged in trade, and if he knew anyone with nature magic. Hamilton did his best to answer every inquiry Canna had, and from that, Canna learned that the Kingdom of Avaloria traded in wheat and grain.

The kingdom was surrounded by grasslands, and the first king had a vision to build many farmlands.

Hamilton went on to tell more of the story.

"The Kingdom of Avaloria was founded over five centuries ago by King Alistair, a visionary leader who saw the potential of the vast grasslands that surrounded our realm. These lands were fertile and rich, ideal for agriculture. Under his reign, the kingdom underwent a massive transformation.

He encouraged settlers to cultivate the land, introducing advanced farming techniques that were unheard of at the time. Alistair believed that the prosperity of a kingdom lay in its ability to sustain itself and its people.

"As a result, Avaloria became renowned for its bountiful harvests and high-quality grain, which soon became a valuable trade commodity. The kingdom established trade routes with neighboring realms, exchanging wheat and grain for goods and resources that were scarce in our lands, such as minerals and exotic spices.

This trade network not only boosted our economy but also fostered strong diplomatic relations with other kingdoms.

"Our current king, His Majesty, has upheld these traditions while also modernizing our infrastructure. We still have our farmlands but..." Hamilton paused, a flicker of pain crossing his face. He then continued, "The monsters... We've never dealt with such a huge monster wave before. It pretty much destroyed 80% of the farmlands."

Canna nodded. "Your kingdom's history is truly fascinating, Hamilton. I'm sorry about what happened. Losing your farmlands must be a big blow."

Hamilton wiped a single tear that was about to fall. "Not at all, Master Canna. Without you, the kingdom would have perished. Although you are right, losing our farmlands is a significant blow. That's why the king readily marched in when he heard about Kael's appearance. He thought there was a way to save the kingdom with Kael's guidance."

Canna whistled. He didn't know Kael was an esteemed figure in the kingdom. The one he always called an idiot was even called a national treasure.

Time passed while in the carriage. As Canna looked out the window, he noticed fewer and fewer trees as they moved forward. Soon they reached the clearing where Canna had defeated the monster wave. The destruction it brought to the land was evident. Canna stood up and opened the carriage's door, surprising Hamilton. The whole carriage train stopped, including the king's carriage.

Canna walked the lands, feeling the ground beneath his feet. These lands were almost the same as the lands in his domain—barren, lifeless.

The king exited the carriage with Kael and the grand mage, curious as to why the carriages had stopped.

"Canna, the castle is near already. What's wrong this time?" Kael asked after seeing Canna probing the ground.

"It's just like the domain's ground. Feel it, Kael," Canna replied.

Without another thought, Kael also checked the ground. Canna was right, making him even more confused. "I don't see the point here. What matters if it's the same?"

Canna finally looked at Kael. "You don't get it, do you?"

Canna took a deep breath and explained, "It means this part of the kingdom is already a lost cause. The only way I can think of is by hiring a nature specialist. Anyway, Kael, from now on I'd like to walk instead of riding the carriage." Without another word, Canna started walking.

Everyone was curious about what Canna was thinking. The king looked at Kael, seeking some explanation, but Kael only shook his head. If Canna said it, then he would probably do it. Kael hurriedly shouted, "WRONG DIRECTION!"

Canna looked at Kael like he was an idiot and shouted back, "I know, idiot! I was just testing you!"

Now that their esteemed guest was on foot, the king had no choice but to match their pace. The grand mage stayed in the carriage while the king and his other guards walked alongside Canna and Kael.

_______

Back in the Kingdom of Avaloria, a palpable tension gripped the city. The king's sudden departure had left his subjects uneasy, and whispers of his return with the mysterious Canna spread like wildfire. In the bustling streets, mercenary teams, drawn by tales of Canna's prowess, loitered with anticipation. They exchanged rumors and speculations, their faces marked by a mix of curiosity and anxiety.

The kingdom's elite soldiers stood vigilant at the gates, their eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of the royal carriage. The air was thick with expectation, each passing moment heightening the restless energy that permeated the capital.