Zeke then went to the other three's parts of the palace and asked them out. When their parents learned about it, they thought it was a very good idea to familiarize themselves with the city as well as a chance to bond with each other. They allowed it since Zeke's family's butler will be going too, and they also assigned some guards to secretly guard them. They didn't want the guards to appear publicly as it would make them stick like a sore thumb. Right now, although the public knew the royal families had sons and daughters, they didn't know their location and appearances. Even the residents of Dragonsoar City themselves aren't aware that all four of the families live there.
After dressing up, Zeke went out and saw Esteban wearing a hat and shades. He sported a slightly worn-out shirt and pants, looking like an ordinary citizen. Add to that his shades and a round hat, people wouldn't mistake him as the prestigious butler of the Flamehaven royal family.
"Are we good to go, Young Master?"
"Yes, sir Esteban. Please guard us throughout our trip." Zeke smiled and said politely.
"No need to call me 'sir', Young Master. It's my pleasure to serve your family."
Esteban was surprised by his young master's tone of speech. Most nobles are arrogant, especially the young ones, to the point where they wouldn't respect other people even if the other party is older than them. Yet his young master isn't like that and even speaks to him politely. It could be said to be Esteban's luck for having such a young and mature young master to serve.
Soon enough, Gaia and her family's butler came to Zeke, followed by Aura and Rosaline.
"Greetings, Young Master of the Flamehaven's. I'm pleased to meet the future successor for Sir Charles." Gaia's family's butler, an old but graceful man stood before Zeke and bowed.
"Greetings, sir. May I know what to call you?" Zeke humbly replied.
The butler was surprised and couldn't help but smile to this friend of her young mistress.
"I'm honored to be known by Young Master. My name is Holmes, the Terraforma Family's butler for a decade now, and I'm happy to be of your acquaintance."
"I see. Mr. Holmes, are you going to join us today?"
"Yes, Young Master. I'll just get something to hide my face first. I'll be right back, Young Mistress."
Holmes bowed to Gaia and left.
"By the way, where are your butlers, Aura? Rosaline?"
"The geezer's with my father right now. They said your butler's coming so the geezer was better left with my father."
"Mine's running an errand!"
Rosaline's cold voice and Aura's cheerful voice were heard.
"I see. Well, should we go now, Esteban?"
"Yes, Young Master! There's no one to wait except Holmes. I believe he's waiting at the entrance now."
"Then let's set off."
Four kids and a 'disguised' adult walked to the gate of the palace. Just outside the gate, they saw Holmes, or at least that's who they think this hunchback old man holding on to a cane is.
"Amazing! Your disguise is very perfect, Holmes!"
Esteban marveled at the sight of Holmes. He looked nothing like his normal butler appearance. He looked just like a normal old man walking down the streets of the city.
"Of course, it's what I specialize after all."
Zeke became intrigued by Holmes' ability of high-level disguise. Indeed, when they'll be with Holmes, they'll just look like a common family household.
'System, can you check his stats? I want to know where he specializes.'
*Yes, Zeke.*
After a second, the system replied.
*Holmes' overall combat power is not that high compared to your parents. He only has 3300 overall combat power and he specializes in speed, having a thousand more than his strength. Would you like to hear my hypothesis?*
Zeke was shocked by the system's proposal but he nevertheless nodded inwardly.
*Holmes' specialty laid in espionage and assassination, hence his focus on improving his overall speed. Although his combat power is not that high, that's because his skills aren't necessarily combat-oriented. However, if I were to compare him and your father, Holmes is likely to be more dangerous and lethal. Charles' way of fighting is straightforward hence his high combat power, but Holmes' is silent but lethal, not going for frontal assault but rather dealing damage in an unexpected and swift manner.*
Zeke now understood the combat power more. It merely meant the ability of an individual to fight, but it didn't count how the individual would approach. He swore not to judge people based on C.P. alone in the future.
He was then impressed by how the system analyzed things. It seems it's better for him to ask the system about his opponents sometimes.
'By the way, can you check Esteban's stats too? What can you tell about him?'
*Yes, Zeke.*
*Esteban's combat prowess is high, just slightly lower than your Father. His C.P is 4200 with his focus on Strength and Endurance. I assume he's just like your Father, someone who likes a frontal and endurance battle.*
'I didn't expect him to be this strong. So that's how it is.'
Zeke realized why they were allowed to go out with only Esteban near them. It was because they trusted Esteban's ability to defend all four children. Although there were guards nearby, there needs to be someone who can respond to immediate trouble, and Esteban alone assured them. It was also much better since Holmes joined them.
As they were walking around, Holmes introduced them to some of the buildings. According to him, Dragonsoar City has all sorts of businesses and it, in turn, makes the City worthy to be called the City second only to the Royal Capital.
"This is the Adventurers' Union. Adventurers go here to accept and turn in quests, while Clients go here to issue quests."
Zeke looked at the building Holmes is pointing on. It was a three-story building that has a huge open wooden door. Its appearance is considered average at best, but it didn't matter to people as Adventurers didn't care much about the building's appearance as long as the services inside are the same as ever.
Near the Adventurer's Union, there were a lot of open shops selling different kinds of items. Most of those said items all have certain benefits for Adventurers, like the Azure Flower that gives light at night or Mana Potions that restore people's mana over time.
As Zeke and company continued to stroll, they strolled upon a luxurious looking shop with sleek walls and a red-colored door made of high-quality wood. There was a sign above the door that has the word 'Magnifique' written in cursive form.
"That building is a clothing shop specifically aimed for nobles. Their apparel consists of clothes with intricate and flashy designs for both male and female. Would you like to go in, Young Master, Young Mistresses?"
"I wanna go!"
Aura shouted.
"... Can I go check the other shops?"
Zeke asked. Although he wanted to go in and look for some clothes, he was more interested in the weapon shop nearby. He didn't want to go there with the three girls as he felt they're too young for that.
"Don't you want to shop for some clothes, Young Master?"
Esteban asked.
"I already have many clothes back at home. I don't need more!"
"Is that so? Then I'll accompany you, Young Master. Mr. Holmes, can you take care of them for a while?"
"Sure. Should we meet here again after half an hour?"
"That seems good."
".. can I go with you, Ezekiel?"
"What? Don't you want to get some pretty clothes?"
"I-I'm the same as you. I don't need new clothes."
Zeke was surprised about Gaia's sudden request. He didn't expect the girl to reject the clothes.
"Are you sure, Young Mistress?"
"Yes, Holmes. Can you go with for a while? Esteban's with me so I'm safe."
"... as you wish, Young Mistress."
Holmes couldn't disobey his Young Mistress' orders. Besides, he felt confident because Zeke's butler was with them.
Rosaline, who also didn't want to go, seemed to want to say something but she didn't in the end. She just went with Holmes and Aura inside silently.
"Where do you want to go, Ezekiel?"
"I actually want to go inside that shop." Zeke pointed to the weapon shop.
"Also, just call me Zeke, Gaia. You don't need to be formal with me."
"O-okay, Zeke."
"What a fine nickname! As expected of my Young Master!"
Esteban said. The second sentence seemed to have two meanings, as he saw Gaia redden after hearing his Young Master's words.
"You too, Mr. Esteban, just call me that. You don't want others to hear you call me that, right?"
"Right... I forgot, Young Ma- Ehem, Zeke."
Zeke smiled.
"Let's go. Do you really want to go with us, Gaia? You could join Mr. Holmes there, you know?"
"No, Zeke. I also am curious about weapons. I once saw my father holding a rectangular shield as tall as him, and I can't help but be curious about what those kinds of things are."
"I see. Well then, let's go!"
The three went inside the weapon shop. The weapon shop didn't have a signboard outside, and Zeke only knew it as one because of the row of weapons displayed from the glass window.