From Blade To Spell

Aaron stepped into the wooden tub and immediately felt his body relax. He had never experienced such comfort before. The water was cool and refreshing, soothing his tired muscles. He carefully scrubbed himself, washing away the dirt and grime from the journey.

A few minutes later, the tub was filled with filth. He stepped out, wrapped a bath towel around himself, and called out,

"Hey, change the water."

The attendant outside quickly got to work. It took about ten minutes, during which Aaron debated whether to skip the second bath. But the lingering comfort made him wait.

Soon, the man returned and said,

"Sir, your bathtub has been refilled."

Aaron nodded and walked back into the bathroom. The water was clean and inviting. As he leaned over the tub, he caught a faint reflection of his face in the surface.

He had wheat-colored skin, black hair, and black eyes—a face that felt unfamiliar. Aaron stared at it for a moment, remembering that he had transmigrated into this world. Though it had only been a day, it felt like a lifetime.

He shook off the thought and sank back into the bath, letting the cool, cold water wash over him once more.

A few minutes later, he stepped out, dried off, and dressed in his new clothes. As he exited the bathroom, he passed by a mirror and paused.

He looked at his reflection.

Not bad.

He looked good, at least better than he expected.

When Aaron returned to the room, he found Maria already dressed and waiting for him.

He paused, stunned.

She looked truly beautiful, wearing a simple yet elegant white dress that complemented her fair skin, black eyes, and the unmistakable air of nobility she carried effortlessly. Even without jewelry or fanfare, her presence was striking.

Maria looked at Aaron with a bright smile and said,

"Aaron, how about we leave this place? I can't wait to see my parents again."

Aaron nodded and pulled out two pieces of white cloth. Handing one to Maria, he said,

"Wrap it around your face."

He demonstrated how to wear it, and Maria followed his lead, tying the cloth with ease. As Aaron looked at her, she blushed beneath the mask, though it was hidden, the warmth in her eyes gave it away.

Aaron smiled faintly and said,

"Well, now no one will recognize you. Let's head to Raven Shore next."

Just as Aaron and Maria left Tulip Town, a group of armed guards bearing the flag of the moon rode in through the gates.

Their presence was commanding, and the townsfolk quickly took notice.

The captain of the guard raised his voice and declared,

"No one is allowed to leave the town until we find the person we're looking for."

Murmurs of protest rippled through the crowd. Some shouted in frustration, others demanded answers.

Seeing the unrest, the captain added coldly,

"This is an order from the Duke himself. If any of you wish to challenge it, feel free. But only if you're not afraid of dying."

On the other hand, Aaron studied the map and found no signs of pursuit behind them. A quiet sense of relief settled in his heart.

Unlike the muddy trails he had traveled before, the road to Raven Shore was well-built, paved with smooth stones. It made the journey far easier, and the rhythmic clatter of hooves on stone was almost soothing.

Two hours later.

The masked group arrived at Tulip Town, only to find the gates sealed shut. The town was under lockdown, and Duke Augustine's guards were actively searching for someone.

Upon hearing the news, the masked captain's expression darkened. Without hesitation, he gave the order,

"The operation has failed. Everyone, retreat immediately."

At the same time, Aaron looked ahead at the road and noticed numerous carriages traveling along the way. It wasn't exactly crowded, but every 100 to 200 meters, they passed one, merchants, travelers, and locals alike.

It was a quiet but clear sign of Raven Shore's prosperity.

Unlike his previous journeys, where the roads were desolate and filled with danger, especially bandits, this path felt safer, more civilized. The steady rhythm of passing carriages and the occasional nod from fellow travelers gave the road a sense of life.

An hour later.

Aaron gazed at the massive gate ahead, surrounded by towering stone walls at least eight meters tall. The sheer scale of it left him awestruck. He couldn't help but wonder how many people, and how many days, it must have taken to build such a fortress-like entrance.

Beside him, Maria smiled and said warmly,

"Aaron, now that we've reached Raven Shore, I'll lead the way. You just have to follow me."

Her voice carried a quiet confidence, and for the first time, she seemed truly at ease.

As she spoke, Maria removed the mask from her face, revealing her identity.

Aaron followed behind her quietly.

At the gate, the guards caught sight of Maria's face, and were instantly stunned, then ecstatic.

One of them hurriedly opened the gate and exclaimed,

"Miss Maria, are you okay? Please return to the castle, Lord Duke is deeply worried about you!"

Maria replied in a soft, composed tone,

"Okay. Also, he will be coming with me. You don't need to check him."

With that, she urged her horse forward, and Aaron followed close behind.

The guards watched them pass, their expressions a mix of confusion and curiosity. One of them couldn't help but murmur under his breath,

"Could it be… Miss Maria is in love with that boy?"

Before the thought could linger, another guard slapped the back of his head and warned,

"Don't comment. Or you might not even know how you died."

After giving the order, the guard continued inspecting the people and carriages lining up outside the gate.

Meanwhile, Aaron looked around at the bustling city. The streets were lively, the houses well-built, and fragrant flowers bloomed along the roadside. Yet, despite all that, the stench of waste lingered in the air, stubborn and unpleasant.

He wrinkled his nose and urged Maria,

"Let's ride faster."

As they moved through the streets, Aaron couldn't help but think to himself

If I ever get my own territory… I'll make sure it's truly civilized.