Ascension Of The Throne Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Read chapter 5 of Ascension Of The Throne by YLost on NovelPedia.

The outskirts of town stretched before Edric like a threshold to another world. He hadn’t taken the time to explore this new land, and now, as the cobbled streets of the marketplace faded into a winding dirt path, he felt a strange mix of anticipation and unease. The path wasn’t ordinary; it was unnervingly flat and well-kept, as if tended by unseen hands. Edric rode a rickshaw, its wheels creaking over the uneven ground. He’d planned to walk, but Garrick stopped him at the last moment. “You’re not going out there with nothing but that pistol,” Garrick had grumbled, shoving a satchel into his hands. Inside were coins, a loaf of bread, and a waterskin. “And take the rickshaw. You’ll need your strength.” Edric protested, but Garrick’s glare silenced him. Now, as the rickshaw rattled along the path, Edric couldn’t help but feel a flicker of gratitude. Why does he always give me stuff? Edric thought, taking a swig from the waterskin . What’s his deal? The System flickered in his vision. [Destination Approaching.] “Disembark here.” Edric hopped off the rickshaw, nodding to the driver, who turned and headed back toward town. The forest loomed ahead—a dense, unfamiliar stretch of woodland. At first glance, it seemed ordinary: towering oaks with twisted roots, their branches clawing at the sky. But as Edric ventured deeper, the air grew thick with something foreign, something ancient. Despite the nighttime, the forest was alive with light. Moonbeams filtered through the canopy, casting the leaves in shimmering hues of gold, crimson, and colors Edric couldn’t name. Flowers bloomed in impossible shades, their petals soft as fur and glowing faintly. The air smelled sweet, like lavender and honey, yet carried an undercurrent of decay. Why do I feel so… comfortable here? Edric thought; his steps slowed. The forest hummed—a low, resonant drone that vibrated in his bones. It felt unnatural, yet strangely familiar, like a half-remembered dream. He followed the System’s waypoint, the golden thread guiding him deeper into the woods. Strange insects flitted past—beetles with iridescent shells, moths with wings like stained glass. The fragrance shifted from earthy to floral, then to something sharp and metallic. [System Alert: Residual Magic Detected.] Magic. Of course. Edric glanced at the glowing flowers. Makes sense with all this weirdness. The path narrowed, the trees pressed closer. His chest tightened with every step, his heart pounding in a rhythm he couldn’t control. Why won’t my heart calm down? He thought, gripping the strap of his satchel. What’s wrong with this place? Then the path ended. Before him stood a wall of flowers—a seamless tapestry of blossoms woven together, their petals glowing faintly. The air around it shimmered, as if the wall were alive. At its center was a symbol: a wolf’s head encircled by thorns. The crest from the parchment. Edric unfolded the paper, his hands trembling. The symbols on the back glowed faintly, matching the crest on the wall. [Translation Available.] “Speak to unlock.” Edric hesitated. His mouth moved on its own before he could think. “Verh’tai.” The word hung in the air, heavy and resonant. The flowers rippled like disturbed water, their petals parting to reveal a hidden path. A low hum reverberated through the ground, and the air grew colder. Edric’s heart pounded. His instincts screamed to turn back, but his feet carried him forward. This place knows me, he thought, stepping through the wall. Edric makes his way through a paved path, definitely man-made. As he went through, he couldn’t shake this feeling. “Have I been here before? It feels like home,” Edric muttered. “But my memory has no recollection of this place.” Edric reached the end of the paved road- in front of him was a wooden house. Exquisite design, made of crimson wood, a potted plant, and also… the entire house has been overgrown by vines. It didn’t look abandoned, more like someone had left and never returned. Edric toured the exte