The Last Monarch : Unlimited Regeneration
Chapter 52: Road to the Capital

Chapter 52: Road to the Capital

The wooden carriage moved slowly along the rocky path heading east—towards the capital, Valanthria. The old wheels creaked each time they rolled over a large stone, yet the horse pulling it kept walking without much pause. The air was fresh, though the sky was overcast. Still, it was better than scorching heat.

Inside the carriage, Alvaric sat leaning back, eyes closed. He was trying to sleep. Across from him, Tamae sat with her hands behind her head, her gaze focused on the sky through the half-open carriage window.

"I just realized," Tamae finally broke the silence, "this is the first time I’ve traveled to the capital without an escort. It’s... kinda nice. Don’t you think?" she added, trying to make small talk.

But Alvaric didn’t respond. He only opened one eye, then closed it again.

"And it’s also the first time I’ve traveled with a man who’s not interested in small talk," Tamae continued with a slight laugh. "You know, most people would say ’thank you’ for me coming along. I’m a star at the magic academy, you know. Plenty of men would love to go on a date with me. You should be grateful."

"If you want to turn back, now’s your chance," Alvaric replied curtly.

Tamae stared at him for a while, raising an eyebrow. His words sounded like he was kicking her out. That stung a little.

"Hey, bro! You’re the one who asked me to come, and now you want to kick me out? That’s just mean," Tamae protested.

"You talk too much. It’s annoying."

"A terrible reply for someone who’ll be your travel companion for the next few weeks. You better control your temper, or you’ll die from my constant chatter!" Tamae grumbled, crossing her arms.

She turned away, wanting to show Alvaric that she was upset. But Alvaric simply opened his eyes, looked at her, shook his head, and closed them again.

"I don’t need someone to talk to. I just need someone who knows the way."

Silence fell. A breeze blew in, carrying the scent of grass and the sound of wild birds. A while ago, it had rained—the smell of mud and water still lingered. Tamae loved the scent of rain; it felt meaningful to her, though she never really understood why.

She lowered her arms from her chest. "Alright, Mister Cold. Then I’ll be your silent guide. I won’t say a word for the rest of the journey. Don’t even think of speaking to me," she declared firmly.

She reached into her small backpack and pulled out two round loaves of bread, tossing one toward Alvaric.

"Take it. You need the energy."

The bread almost hit the floor, but Alvaric caught it with one hand. He tried handing it back to Tamae.

"I’m not hungry."

"Just eat it. I don’t want you fainting halfway and making me drag your body to the capital. You’re heavy, you know."

Alvaric didn’t understand how she could jump to that conclusion. He could easily go two days without food under normal conditions—unless he was in the desert. Two days there was as good as death. The desert heat was unbearable. Alvaric looked outside. Trees, grass, and leaves looked beautiful.

It had been a long time since he traveled through such a green place. He felt nostalgic. He remembered when he and Marie played in the woods behind their school after classes. The only forest in their city. A forbidden place—but they snuck in anyway.

Alvaric let out a long sigh. "I wonder if she’s doing alright."

"Hey, Mr. Cold! Eat your bread before it hardens," Tamae snapped.

Alvaric finally took a bite—silently. As he chewed, a small smile appeared. The bread was plain, with a hint of bitterness. He couldn’t remember the last time he ate bread. He truly couldn’t.

Tamae gave a faint smile seeing him like that. "Now that’s teamwork."

"You said you wouldn’t talk anymore, didn’t you?" Alvaric teased.

Tamae narrowed her eyes and clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Seems like Mister Cold really wants this servant to be silent. Very well. This servant shall remain silent."

And Tamae did fall silent—for a few minutes.

***

By late afternoon, they arrived at a small rest stop—an abandoned trading post. Around it were only a few withered trees and an old well still holding murky water. The post was in poor condition, some of its pillars already leaning. No one had taken care of it in years.

Tamae asked the driver to park the carriage under one of the trees. Then she began gathering branches, arranging them neatly before starting a small campfire. Meanwhile, Alvaric sat on a stone, gazing at the darkening sky.

"I heard..." Tamae said while lighting the fire, "...the capital has a protective barrier. No one can enter unless they’re nobility or have an official permit from the royal family."

"I know. You’ve told me that five times today."

"Do you have a plan?"

Alvaric didn’t respond. He just kept watching the fading sky.

Tamae sighed. "You know, I’ve never met anyone as stubborn as you. But... I’ve also never seen someone as sad as you. You look like a dead fish."

Alvaric lowered his gaze. "I don’t need your sympathy."

"I know," Tamae replied flatly. "But I’ll still care. Someone has to, before you truly become a monster. I don’t want you killing more demi-humans. Many of them are innocent."

Alvaric looked up at the sky again. He wanted to refute her words, but for some reason, he didn’t. He chose to stay silent.

***

They sat quietly for a while. Only the crackling of the fire and the rustling wind filled the air. Occasionally, the sound of nocturnal insects echoed. The sun was almost completely gone. Night would be very dark. And there were only three of them here.

"We should stay alert. Some criminals roam around at night," said Tamae.

Alvaric only glanced at her. He had heard this seven times already today. Tamae’s promise to stay silent was a joke. She had only lasted ten minutes before returning to her usual self.

Suddenly, the sound of rustling leaves came from the distance. Tamae immediately reached for her sword. Alvaric stood slowly, eyes narrowing in the direction of the sound.

"Be careful!" Tamae warned.

The bushes kept moving—and something appeared. From behind the foliage, a creature emerged, shaped like a deer with short horns, its body covered in mana-infused bumps. Its eyes glowed a pale blue. Alvaric had never seen anything like it.

"Mana Fracture," Tamae muttered.

It was the condition of a beast that had failed to absorb mana. Their bodies would mutate, and their minds collapse into madness. The most terrifying part was their saliva. A single touch of it could cause an incurable disease.

The victim’s body would swell, blister, and eventually be covered entirely in festering boils. Tamae shuddered at the thought.

"Be careful! Avoid its saliva at all costs," Tamae warned sharply.

But Alvaric didn’t hear her. He moved forward and began the fight. Tamae was caught off guard—she wasn’t fully ready yet. But once she was, she realized something even more alarming.

She could sense other beasts suffering from Mana Fracture.

Looking around, she realized—they were surrounded by crazed beasts.

"Damn it. This is bad."