When the driver saw Michael’s “guards,” a more respectful look appeared on his face, reflected not only in his expression but also in his gestures and the way he addressed Michael.
If he had any doubts about Michael’s noble status before, they were completely gone now.
The armor worn by the guards was far superior to that of the kingdom’s knights.
Not that the knights’ armor was bad—far from it.
But the fact that most of the kingdom knights wore the same standardized design meant it was a mass-produced model, albeit a high-quality one.
However, what Michael’s guards wore was different.
Their armor had an undeniable air of prestige. The craftsmanship, the detailing—it was something only powerful nobles could afford.
Even among the nobility, wealth varied.
There were poor nobles who could barely equip their personal guards, and then there were those whose retainers rivaled the elite warriors of the kingdom.
And from what the driver could see, Michael belonged to the latter.
Ace and Lia thought the same.
They had already suspected Michael wasn’t an ordinary person, but seeing the reactions of the people around them only reinforced that belief.
Ace glanced at Lia, who gave him a subtle nod. Neither of them spoke, but the same unspoken thought passed between them.
Who exactly had they gotten involved with?
The only thought only filled them with fear but they tried their best not to show it.
Michael, noticing their expressions, turned to them.
“How’s the food situation?” he asked.
Ace snapped out of his thoughts and quickly responded, “We got enough for two days, like you said. Bread, dried meat, some fruits, and a bit of cheese. Should last us if we ration properly.”
Lia added, “We also got some water and a few extra supplies, just in case.”
Michael nodded in approval. “Good. Load everything into the carriage. We’ll be moving soon.”
Ace and Lia wasted no time, hurrying to secure their purchases. Meanwhile, Michael turned back to the driver.
“Everything is set. We can leave now.”
The driver, now fully convinced of Michael’s status, gave a respectful bow before climbing onto the driver’s seat.
“Understood, my lord. We’ll depart immediately.”
With that, the journey began.
The carriage rolled forward, its wheels creaking slightly as they left the marketplace behind and headed toward the city gates.
Michael sat inside, arms crossed, while Ace and Lia kept quiet, their earlier thoughts lingering. Outside, his “guards” marched beside the carriage, their heavy footsteps steady and measured. Though they did not speak, their mere presence was enough to draw attention.
As they made their way through the outer city, people couldn’t help but take notice. Whispers spread among the crowd, eyes darting toward the carriage and its escorts.
“Who could that be?” a merchant murmured, pausing mid-sale.
“Those guards… look at that armor,” another person whispered.
“Must be some noble from the inner city.”
Even the knights stationed at the city gate found themselves watching. Unlike common folk, they were trained to assess threats, and Michael’s guards gave off a clear impression—these were not men to be trifled with.
The lead knight, an older man with a grizzled beard, narrowed his eyes as he observed them.
Stronger than the standard city guards, the knight silently admitted.
Yet despite the curiosity, no one stopped them. The city gates weren’t particularly strict when it came to nobles, and Michael’s carriage, combined with the intimidating presence of his “guards,” was more than enough to deter unnecessary questioning.
What was only weird was why the carriage was quite ordinary.
With a final glance at the armored figures, the gate knights waved them through.
Unlike Michael’s secret concern that the knights might sense the oddity of his undead—specifically, their lack of breath—all they could perceive was their hidden strength.
In truth, the knights didn’t bother observing the “guards” deeply enough to notice subtle details like breathing. No one would suspect undead roaming freely in the capital to begin with. The very idea was absurd.
As far as they were concerned, Michael’s retainers were simply well-trained warriors—silent, disciplined, and undeniably powerful.
The carriage passed beneath the towering stone archway, leaving the city behind as they entered the open road.
The moment they left the city, the atmosphere shifted. The bustling noise of the capital faded behind them, replaced by the rhythmic clatter of hooves and the soft creaking of the carriage.
The road ahead stretched far, flanked by rolling fields and patches of dense woodland.
Michael remained silent, gazing out the window as the carriage moved steadily forward. His mind was occupied—not just with the journey ahead, but with the unknown situations he might face.
Ace and Lia, seated across from him, were equally quiet. They were still processing everything that had happened since meeting Michael.
Their first impression of him had been of someone important, but now, it was clear he was far beyond what they had initially assumed.
The journey continued without issue for the next few hours, but as the sun began to set, the driver slowed the horses.
“My lord,” he called out. “It’ll be dark soon. Should we set up camp for the night?”
Michael considered the suggestion.
While his undead didn’t need rest, he knew Ace and Lia weren’t like him. They needed sleep.
Besides, traveling at night, especially on an unfamiliar road, was an unnecessary risk.
At least for the average person.
“We’ll stop here,” he decided.
The carriage rolled to a halt at the side of the road, near a clearing sheltered by trees. Michael stepped out first, scanning their surroundings.
It was quiet, the only sounds being the rustling of leaves and distant chirps of night insects.
“Start a fire,” he instructed. “We’ll take turns keeping watch.”
Ace and Lia nodded, setting to work.
As they gathered wood and prepared their modest meal, Michael remained standing, his gaze locked on the darkening horizon.This was the longest he had ever stayed in the Land of Origin, Michael realized.
And for some reason—perhaps because of the sense of freedom this world gave him—he was loving every second of it, despite some unpleasant moments.
However, as real as this world felt, Michael knew he had to return to his own.