Anomaly of Fate
Chapter 72: Tempting Fate, One Word at a Time

Chapter 72: Tempting Fate, One Word at a Time

A familiar sight that Velren had missed. A sea of towering trees with thick trunks and sprawling canopies that filtered the afternoon sunlight into scattered beams. The air was rich with the scent of damp earth and pine, mingled with the faint sweetness of blooming wildflowers hidden among the underbrush. Unlike the well-trodden roads near the kingdom, this part of the woodland felt untouched, its dense foliage casting deep shadows that shifted with every rustling branch.

Velren sat in silence, his gaze moving across the endless expanse of green. Despite never having traveled to this part of the forest before, there was an odd sense of comfort in it. Maybe it was the quiet, the absence of the city’s constant hum, or perhaps the way the forest seemed to breathe around them—alive, yet unintrusive. Every so often, the distant cry of a bird or the rustling of unseen creatures echoed between the trees, but none of it felt hostile.

"Not much of a talker, are you?"

Velren glanced at him before returning his gaze to the forest.

"Not when there’s nothing to talk about."

Nico chuckled, shaking the reins lightly as the horses continued their steady pace.

"Fair enough. Most of the escorts I’ve hired in the past liked to fill the silence with their voices. Either bragging about their past jobs or complaining about the trip ahead."

"Complaining doesn’t change anything," Velren replied simply.

Nico smirked at that but said nothing more.

The path ahead gradually began to widen, the dense treeline thinning as sunlight spilled more freely through the gaps. The smell of fresh pine started to mix with something crisper—colder. And then, as they crossed the last stretch of forest, the world before them opened up.

Velren exhaled, his gaze lifting.

Before them stood the mountain pass.

It was nothing short of breathtaking. Jagged peaks of gray and white loomed in the distance, their snow-capped summits piercing through the drifting clouds. The path ahead wove through towering cliffs, carved over time by both nature and man, forming a winding road that clung to the side of the mountain. The sheer rock faces bore deep cracks, while small waterfalls cascaded down from unseen heights, their waters glistening in the fading sunlight.

Far below, a valley stretched into the horizon, its rolling hills and winding rivers looking impossibly small from this height. The air was sharper here, carrying a crisp chill that hinted at the altitude.

Velren leaned forward slightly, taking it all in.

"...Wow."

Even he had to admit—it was a sight to behold.

Nico glanced at Velren, noticing the way his eyes lingered on the mountain pass ahead. He smirked.

"First time taking this route?"

Velren gave a slight nod, his gaze still fixed on the towering cliffs and the winding road that stretched before them.

"Hah, figures," Nico said, adjusting his grip on the reins.

"Most folks who grow up in the heart of the kingdom never have a reason to come this far out. This road ain’t exactly traveled by common folk."

Velren shifted his attention to him.

"What about the kingdom we’re heading to? Caelestoria, was it?"

Nico let out a thoughtful hum.

"Yeah, Caelestoria. It’s a kingdom past this mountain range, sitting right along the western frontier. Not as big as ours, but it holds its own. The land’s rough—rocky hills, cold winds, and not much in the way of fertile soil. But what they lack in farmland, they make up for in minerals and craftsmanship. Some of the best smiths in the continent come from there. Their steelwork? Damn near legendary."

Velren absorbed the information. It made sense now why Harven had business with them. A kingdom that specialized in metalwork would naturally be a key player in the weapon trade.

Nico continued, flicking the reins gently as the horses guided the carriage onto the stone path leading up the pass.

" Caelestoria’s people are tough. They have to be, living in a place like that. Not the friendliest bunch, but they’re honorable. You don’t get much nonsense with them—if they make a deal, they keep it."

Velren arched a brow.

"And their relationship with our kingdom?"

Nico let out a dry chuckle.

"Complicated."

Velren didn’t press, waiting for him to elaborate.

"Depends on who you ask," Nico said after a pause.

"Trade’s steady, and there’s no open hostility, but history between the two kingdoms ain’t exactly clean. There were border skirmishes in the past, disputes over land and resources. Old grudges don’t just vanish overnight. Still, as long as the credit flows, things stay civil."

Velren listened in silence as Nico explained the political state between the two kingdoms. It made sense—borders rarely stayed peaceful forever, especially between neighbors with long histories. But at the moment, none of that tension was visible.

He drifted his gaze toward the horizon once more, where the mountain pass stretched endlessly beneath the sky. The only sounds were the steady creak of the carriage wheels and the rhythmic clopping of the horses’ hooves against the dirt path. Even the wind barely stirred.

"...It’s so quiet."

The words had barely left his mouth when, without warning, Nico yanked the reins. The horses neighed in protest, their hooves digging into the ground as the carriage lurched to an abrupt stop.

Velren jolted, instinctively gripping the side of his seat as he snapped his head toward Nico.

"What the hell—?"

But Nico wasn’t looking at him. His expression had darkened, and his brows furrowed as he turned sharply in Velren’s direction, eyes filled with disbelief.

"Did you just say the forbidden word?"

Velren blinked.

"The... what?"

Nico exhaled sharply through his nose, rubbing a hand down his face as if trying to compose himself.

"Damn kids... I keep forgetting they don’t teach this anymore."

He turned to Velren, his voice was lower and urgent this time.

"You never say the Q-word while traveling, got it?"

Velren tilted his head slightly, confused. "...Q-word?"

Nico gave him a look, as if waiting for him to figure it out himself. It took a second, but then—

"...Wait. You mean quiet?"

"Don’t say it again!" Nico hissed, glancing around nervously, as if the very mention would summon something from the shadows.

Velren couldn’t help but stare. Was this guy serious?

"And why, exactly, is that a problem?"

Nico let out a long, exaggerated sigh, shaking his head.

"Because it’s like tempting fate! The moment you say that word, something always happens. Could be bandits, could be beasts, could be a rockslide outta nowhere—hell, I’ve even seen entire storms brew out of the blue because some dumbass decided to say it!"

Velren folded his arms, unimpressed.

"That... sounds kind of stupid."

The words had barely settled when the sky split open with a thunderous roar.

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