Chapter 128: Arrival


    Adrian arrived at the outskirts of the manor estate where a small group awaited him—six handpicked escorts d in reinforcedbat gear, their weapons gleaming under the faint light of dawn.


    The escort team,prised of a variety of sses—two swordsmen, an archer, a healer, a mage, and a scout—stood ready and alert.


    Next to them was the mount Adrian had acquired during his time in the training with Seraphina. A towering beast of muscle and sinew, it stood nearly twelve feet at the shoulder, its hide covered in ovepping scales that shimmered like polished steel.


    The creature''s body was built for endurance and speed, with long, powerful legs ending in wed feet that dug into the ground.


    The beast''s elongated snout sported rows of jagged teeth, and its eyes glowed a faint crimson—radiating an aura of strength and ferocity.


    The creature, named <strong>Stormstride</strong>, was bred for traversing long distances swiftly. Its muscr frame wasplemented by two sets of back legs, which allowed it to sprint at incredible speeds, making it the perfectbination of speed and durability.


    Stormstride was known in the monster taming world for its endurance, able to travel for days without rest, and for its ability to shrug off attacks that would incapacitate lesser mounts.


    Its scales not only provided physical protection but also had minor resistance to various elemental attacks, making it a fearsome beast both inbat and travel.


    "Master Adrian," one of the escorts, a swordsman, greeted with a deep bow. The others followed suit. "We''re ready to depart at yourmand."


    Adrian nodded approvingly as he nced at the team. Each one had undergone a soul contract, ensuring their loyalty and discretion.


    Without further dy, he mounted Stormstride, settlingfortably onto the saddle specifically designed for long rides. With a wave of his hand, he signaled the group to move out.


    "Let''s not waste any time. We ride through the night," he ordered.


    The group formed a loose formation around Adrian—two swordsmen taking the lead, the mage and healer in the center, and the archer and scout nking the rear.


    Stormstride set a relentless pace, its powerful legs propelling it forward effortlessly. The escorts followed suit, their stamina bolstered by the rigorous training they''d undergone to keep up with such a beast.


    As the night deepened, the group encountered various obstacles—a band of opportunistic bandits who thought they could make a quick profit, and a few low-level monsters prowling the roads.


    The first confrontation came swiftly. The bandits leapt out from behind a thicket of trees, their weapons glinting under the moonlight.


    With a shrill cry, they charged forward, intent on overwhelming the travelers. But the escorts were far from ordinary.


    "Bandits," the scout hissed as he spotted them closing in from all sides. He unsheathed a pair of daggers and readied himself.


    Adrian barely had to nce at them. With a simple nod, the escorts sprang into action.


    The swordsmen surged forward with deadly efficiency, their des moving like a blur. Steel shed against steel, but the bandits were no match for the well-trained and coordinated efforts of Adrian''s guards.


    One of the swordsmen spun on his heel, parrying a clumsy strike before bringing his de down in a lethal arc, cutting the attacker down.


    The archer, standing back, loosed arrows with pinpoint uracy,as each of her shot found its mark with lethal precision. Bandits fell with arrows buried in their throats or chests before they even realized they were under attack.


    A monstrous creature resembling arge, wolf-like beast attempted to nk the group but was met with a barrage of fireballs from the mage, who chanted rapidly, his hands glowing with arcane power.


    The creature howled as mes enveloped it, leaving only charred remains.


    A few bandits managed to reach the healer at the center, only to be stopped dead in their tracks by the archer and scout working in perfect sync, dispatching them before they could pose any threat.


    Adrian observed the skirmish with a detached gaze, assessing his team''s performance. When thest of the banditsy crumpled on the ground, he gave a slight nod of approval.


    "Good work. Let''s keep moving."


    The escorts regrouped without a word, and the party continued their journey, Stormstride carrying Adrian effortlessly as it led the way.


    The night wore on, and a few more creatures of varying sizes attempted to ambush the group—a pack of shadow wolves, a pair of oversized manticores, and even a stray wyvern.


    But each time, the escorts handled them with practiced precision, cutting down the threats with minimal disruption to their pace.


    By the time the first light of dawn peeked over the horizon, the group finally approached the imposing silhouette of Mortimer''s castle.


    The castle, set against the backdrop of towering cliffs, looked as intimidating as ever, its spires wing at the sky.


    Adrian dismounted Stormstride and nced at his escorts. They were slightly winded but otherwise unharmed—a testament to their skill and resilience.


    "Stay alert. I''ll handle things from here," he said.


    The swordsman who had spoken earlier stepped forward and bowed. "Understood, Master Adrian. We''ll remain on standby until you give the signal."


    Adrian nodded once and turned his gaze towards the castle gates. His mind churned with the steps of the n he''d spent months perfecting inside the chamber.


    The castle''s formidable defenses seemed to defy entry, due to the recent chaos that he had caused. The situation around the castle was tense, with guards all around the castle.


    But he wasn''ting here as a mere trespasser or intruder—he was here to confront Mortimer and dismantle the entire foundation that had sought to affect his life and those around him.


    He even dared to have thoughts over his women. Today he would take care of the problem that had been hanging like a sword above his head when he had just awaken to this world.


    Adrian adjusted hisbat attire, his enchanted daggers glinting with a faint, ethereal glow—each one brimming with the mana he''d meticulously infused during his training.


    His long, ck coat fluttered in the morning breeze as he took his first steps towards the castle gates.