The journey to the home of the Dwarven Empire was far from pleasant, especially to the motion-sick Naell. With its treacherous heights and steep paths, even the most skilled climber would fear the mere idea of hiking Nonau's alps.
"Besides that, without their blessing of passage, anyone who'd try would surely die." Enitma said indifferently.
While the prince was idly chatting inside the carriage, Owly was listening with pure interest as he had never been in that region, far up the mountain.
For some reason, his mother Athena had never taken him. They had ventured far and wide, but never into Nonau, and the so-called centre of Mundo.
As for Naell, he was neither interested in the first place nor was he listening. His thoughts were elsewhere.
He was more confused as to how on Mundo a prince was freely traveling without his knight or mage so carelessly. The thought baffled him greatly.
Although it was true that nobles in the Republic had less significance towards other kingdoms and may perhaps not be a target from their lack of influence. Still, Enitma was no average noble, he was a prince.
Upon pondering, it seemed to Naell that even Enitma's travels long ago in Taglagas were far more reasonable.
Frankly, it was already weird back then that he didn't bring even one of his trusted aides; Sanbu or Arawa would have sufficed for the role as both are capable of protecting Enitma and befitting their titles as martial artist and mage respectively.
'I mean at that time, knights were escorting him... with the other envoys.' Naell thought as he gazed towards the carefree prince and Owly.
Naell even remembered bringing it up with Enitma and his aides, the prince only smiled and laxly replied saying, "It was not needed."
As for Sanbu and Arawa, they could only smile wryly. Both said that they were used to it by now. Hence why presently, they were traveling light with only a coachman and the trio inside the carriage.
Naell could only sigh and look outside as he further mused, 'If anything happens to the prince, what would happen to us...'
He wanted to mull it over even more but the motion sickness finally got the best of him. Seeing him look over, Enitma only had a puzzled face in response.
Before long, they had arrived within the gates of Nonau. It was placed at the centre of what seemed to be two big hovering boulders.
It looked to be a natural occurrence made by the environment itself, yet what lies beyond it were artificial walls that matched the mountain in size. It was then the coachman stopped the carriage near the gate.
He then proceeded to open the carriage's door as he said, "We've arrived Sire."
Quickly the trio departed from their vehicle, and was immediately greeted by the towering gates of Nonau. A structure so great that one would surely doubt its creation.
Naell could only gawk at the impressive structure. For such small races, the dwarves had expertly crafted the largest gate one would ever see.
And barely a glance was needed for the duo to confirm the integrity of the materials used to create such defense. They immediately thought that it perhaps already beaten every kingdom in sheer size yet also in sturdiness.
Especially when they got closer to the immense wall, both Naell and Owly could sense how dense it was.
''Mana and aura would have a hard time just even denting this many layers.'' Said Naell as he touched the rough wall.
''Even the mixture of materials are so deliberate. Its surface is insulating against surrounding mana, working as a defensive measure from various attacks, HOOT!'' Added Owly who was totally not geeking out.
Naell and Enitma were surprised as Owly who was often short with praise was oggling at the wall. Nevertheless, his judging HOOTS were joyfully heard from the mountain and within the gate's crevices.
After some time, the coachman then excused himself as he said, "Safe return sires."
Enitma nodded, and as soon as the carriage took off, he comfortingly said to the duo, "Rest assured, we will be escorted back."
Naell could only smile as it seemed the prince caught his troubled expression. It goes without saying that without the carriage, the climb they did just to arrive at the gate was impossible to do on foot.
If it weren't for the highland-ready carriage and the rigorously trained beast, surely it would have not been possible to travel within a normal vehicle.
That alone was impressive to Naell who was starting to see just how far ahead both the Republic and Nonau's technology was from the other kingdoms.
Little did Enitma know, Naell was thinking of an entirely different scenario, one where they would possibly not return together.
Only Owly was able to surmise Naell's feeling, yet he could not blame Enitma because the prince had already seen how lazy the duo could be.
As they reached the gate, one of its doors opened. Soon, a muscular and long-bearded armored being came to greet them.
With his gruff voice the dwarf spoke, "Welcome to Nonau prince Enitma—''
Upon seeing that Enitma was with company he then asked neither polite nor imposing, ''And who might they be?"
The Dwarven Guard's gaze was cold however he showed some friendlessness and respect towards the prince of Summer.
In response, Enitma bowed with Naell and Owly doing the exact same thing.