Chapter 18: Calvin Dalton
Viridian City – Earl's Manor
Early in the morning, Earl Dalton could been seen sitting behind a desk in his study, staring at the report in front of him. He was well put together older gentleman of about 50 with a well built physique. His hair which had started to grey was cut short, a thick mustache and beard could be seen on his face. He wore simple yet elegant clothes and wisdom could be seen in his pale blue eyes.
Four days ago he received a message from the capital, The King had wanted him to search for and observe a young man who had recently entered the city. When the Earl first read the report he was shocked by it's contents and immediately sent his guards to search for the young man. However, after four days of searching that hadn't found a trace of him. He was starting to believe that the report was inaccurate.
As he was pondering on what to do one of his guards had walked into the study, behind him a garrison soldier in Green armor trimmed in silver and black chain mail.
"He is?", The Earl asked while looking at his guard.
"Reporting Sir! His name is Blake Wolf, a captain of the southern gate garrison."
"Why have you brought him?"
"We believe he may have seen the young man we've been searching for", the guard reported.
"Oh? Speak, what did you see", Earl Dalton said while looking at Blake. This was the first piece of news he had gotten pertaining to the young man.
"Reporting to the Earl! Four days ago a young man came into town. He wore very expensive looking silk robes and a strange robe made of golden feathers over top, I figured him to be a Noble and had personally went over to greet him."
The Earls ears perked up when he heard Blake speak, his description matched the one they had, especially the golden feather robe.
Blake continued not noticing the Earls reaction.
"Yesterday, I heard that your personal guards had been searching for a young man with a similar attire. His clothes were very unique so I couldn't forget them and knew that he was the one you were searching for."
"This information is helpful however, although this confirms he had indeed entered the city it doesn't mean he's still here. We've searched for 4 days and haven't found him, he's probably left the city.", The Earl said while leaning back in his chair.
"Although I can't say for certain if he he's still in the city he wasn't traveling alone. There were four others with him that appeared to be Adventurers. After hearing you were searching for him I wanted to get more information which is why my report was delayed. I found out from a man named Marvin that the group the young man was with was know as 'The Red Bands'.Getting their information from The Adventurers Guild I saw they were only D ranked however....", Blake stopped at this point.
"What's wrong?", asked The Earl
"One of the member's had the last name Evergreen. Not wanting to offend the Earl I cut my inquiry short. However, I was able to find out that they left for the capital 2 days ago."
"This is good information, Earl Evergreen is a friend of mine, that member of there's should be his daughter, Jasmine. Guard!"
"Sir!"
"Go make report to Earl Evergreen that his daughter may already be acquainted with the young man. Considering they left two days ago it should take them another day to make it to the capital."
"Right Away!"
"Wait before you go give this solider here 20 gold" , the Earl said while staring at Blake. He was quite pleased with his detailed report.
"Thank you for your generosity Earl Dalton!", Blake was ecstatic as he bowed, this was almost 4 months salary!
Just before Blake and the guard could leave, a handsome young man entered the study, he was about 16. He had fair skin, straight black hair that was tied back, pale blue eyes ,and along the ridge of his left ear three small golden hoop earrings could be seen. Wearing fine sky blue silk robes and gold rings and bracelets ,one could tell at a glance that he was a young master.
He was Earl Dalton's youngest son, Calvin Dalton.
"Calvin? What do you need?", The Earl asked
"Father, I was just coming to inform you that I plan on heading to the western forest to train.", Calvin responded respectfully.
"Agh~", The Earl sighed, he knew exactly why his son was going.
"Princess Miara huh? ", he asked his son with a smile.
Calvin couldn't hide the spark in his eyes at the mention of The Princess but he tried to control his excitement in front of his father.
"Of course not, I had heard that a peak Core Formation Qi beast had appeared in the western villages and planned to take some guards over to slaughter it. Also....when Her Highness had passed through the city to head over to the forest I had been away and unable to properly greet her.", Calvin replied mumbling the last part.
"Calvin, I'm not against this however remember appearing to eager doesn't look well"
"Thank you for the advice father.", Calvin said said casually
"Agh~", The Earl sighed seeing that his son hadn't heeded his advice, just as he was about to speak another guard suddenly ran into his office.
'This is the third time. Is someone directing to come here?' , The Earl wondered.
"Reporting to Earl Dalton, The garrison has spotted a few carriages coming from the west.."
"You're here to report that carriages can be seen approaching the city? Are you intentionally trying to waste my fathers time", Calvin interjected before the guard could finish
"Let him finish.", Earl Dalton spoke up.
"The thing that stood out was that there are seven knights guarding these carriages, they appeared to be wearing the armor of The Royal Guard."
"What kind of carriages are they?", The Earl asked while pondering.
"Just standard carriages merchants would use to transport good sir."
'Is it the Princess? Something must have happened, Her Highness had taken her personal carriage to the forest.", thought The Earl
"Father! Allow me to take some guards and go meet these knights to confirm their identity's.", Calvin suddenly spoke.
He had reached the same conclusion as his father and believed that it was The Princes. He had indeed used the excuse of training just to be able to see her. Calvin had first seen The Princess a year ago when he was at the Royal Capital attending a banquet. It was love at first sight, he had never seen a woman more beautiful, he became obsessed. He would constantly try and arrange meetings as he believed that he had high enough status but The Princess would always be unable to meet him. Now he saw an opportunity to make an impression.
Earl Dalton easily saw through his sons plans. He hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Fine, but remember you manners, take 10 guards with you and go."
'I should try and help him a little', The Earl sighed in his heart after agreeing.
"Thank you father!", Calvin was ecstatic and immediately left to prepare.
One mile west of Viridian City
Aaron was stunned as he view the panel in front of him.
[Status]
Name: Miara Emerald
Age: 15
Level: 7 (Late Core Formation)
Qi: 750
Bloodline: Heart of the Forest - Peak Grade Platinum
'To think her Qi level would be over two twice as much as Marvin even though they're at the same level. It's only a little less than Doug who's a level higher'
Miara's status had shocked him, he couldn't believe there would be such a difference between people of the same realms. Remembering what the system had told him he knew that Miara must be practicing a Peak Grade Cultivation skill. He was shocked by the disparity between cultivators and their cultivation skills. However, what surprised him more was that she and jasmine had the same bloodline but he could tell that Miara's was pure.
'Is Jasmine a part of the Royal Family', he thought quietly to himself.
They had been traveling for a few hours now and were approaching the city. The strange thing was that the entire way over Miara had starting becoming more open with him. He even found himself sitting next to her after her Maid Ella insisted, saying it would be easier to serve both of them this way. For some reason he had a feeling that he was being pulled by the nose yet he couldn't be sure. They had asked him about where he was from and why he was here but he evaded the questions tactfully and they hadn't asked again.
"Is there something on my face?", a melodic voice called
Aaron who had been looking at Miara's status hadn't noticed that he had been staring at her for about fifteen seconds. Miara was blushing but continued to look back at him with a smile, she had become slightly more comfortable speaking with him during these past few hours.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't look away. Your eyes are like jewels, they're so beautiful that I ended getting lost in them", said with a smile.
Miara's face became red but she gently brushed her hair back behind her ear. She started at Aaron's golden eyes for a moment before speaking.
"Do you want to get a better look?"
'Good job Your Highness!' , Ella who was watching the scene unfold and couldn't be happier. Miara's actions and countenance were so graceful and lovely that she didn't believe Aaron could resist.
She was right.
Aaron looked at this young woman in front of him and couldn't peel his eyes away . She was wearing the cloak he gifted her, the sun coming through the window landing on her body appeared to make her glow. She had a tinge of red on her face as she stared at him with those emerald green eyes. Just as he was about to respond the cart suddenly came to a halt.
"Eh? We still haven't reached the city why have we stopped", Ella suddenly said.
Just before they could ask, a knock came from the door. Ella opened the door to find Doug standing there.
"What is it Doug?", she asked
"Earl Dalton's son and guards from Viridian City are demanding that we tell them who's in the carriage. Saying they couldn't simply take our word when we told them we we're Her Highness's Royal Guard for this expedition.", he replied with a look of dissatisfaction.
"How insolent! Do they not see the armor you're wearing?", Ella fumed as she asked.
"They say we could have stolen it, can you believe that? I thought it would be best to seek Her Highness's advice on how to handle the matter."
Miara who had heard the whole thing, took out a round medallion with her Family's crest and was about to instruct Doug to show it to the guards when Aaron stopped her.
"Why don't we go take a look?" he suddenly asked.
Miara simply couldn't say no after seeing his eyes staring at her. Her heart was already beginning to fall into his hands.
"If you want, I don't mind.", she said with a bright smile.
They both began to step out of the carriage.