Lucian guided his horse through the capital's streets, illuminated only by the faint glow of magical lamps hanging from lampposts and the walls of tall buildings. The pre-dawn city was eerily silent. The morning chill bit at his skin, but he sat erect in the saddle, his face hidden beneath the shadow of his cloak's hood.
Each soft thud of his horse's hooves echoed between the stone alleys, creating a monotonous rhythm accompanying his journey to his destination: Queen Evelynine's palace.
Few patrolled at this hour, a fortunate circumstance. He chose quiet routes, recalling them from the city map he remembered from the game and the one he'd seen previously.
He paused at a large intersection before guiding his horse towards a more opulent and heavily guarded area: the Imperial Palace grounds. But Lucian didn't approach the main gate. Instead, he circled to the side, following a hidden path leading to the Queen's private entrance.
