The Cross family finally arrived at noon to the gate of the southern border leading to Silver Ash Town after 4 days of travelling on the road. At the gate they were greeted with 2 familiar faces and 2 unfamiliar ladies. Adrian recognizes Count Patrick Shields and the youngest son, Scott Shields. He did not recognize the 2 ladies with them.
"Welcome, Malcom and family! Hohoho… Luckily, I had predicted you would arrive at this time. So, me and my family came over to greet you." Count Shields greet the Cross family and his other family members give them a light bow.
"Sigh… You don't need to wait in the cold to greet us. Let's just quickly get inside. It is winter right now. You don't be so courteous we are at the same noble rank." Malcom felt bad seeing his fellow count waiting.
"Hohoho… Why shouldn't I? I'm just excited that your whole family finally decide to take a vacation and you picked our county as your first spot. Usually, one always goes to the capital but it seems you want some relaxation. Don't worry Malcom, we are friends. See our sons is already hitting it off." Count Shields ignores Malcom's grief and point at Adrian is already walking towards Scott.
"Hey, Scott. Long time no see. Where is Kyle, and would you like to introduce me to the 2 ladies next to you?" Adrian who already jumped out the carriage first after his father goes out followed by Amanda and Marylyn.
"Hey, Adrian. Hehehe… It is indeed a long time we haven't meet. Eldest brother is busy with work. He already took most matters of the county so he is pretty busy. Ah… this is my mother, Helen and older sister, Katie." Scott greets Adrian back, telling the news of Kyle and introducing the 2 ladies.
"Nice to meet you, Countess and Miss. I'm Adrian, the eldest son of the Cross family. This is my little sister, Marylyn. She is 6 years old. This is my mother, Amanda." Adrian took initiative to introduce his mother and sister who is standing near him.
"Oh my! Such polite and well-mannered boy. The rumors said you are smart. Upon seeing it up close, it seems like the rumors are true. Oh Countess Cross, we met again." Countess Shields is amazed at Adrian intelligence and walks towards Amanda and start their lady's talk.
"Say Adrian, your sister is cute." Scott blushes and gives a compliment to Marylyn. Katie is also staring intently at Marylyn seeing how adorable she is. Marylyn felt this and hides behind Adrian.
"Yes, she is." Adrian agrees with Scott while patting Marylyn's head.
"Alright. Let's go to our estate first we can continue of chat there. I have asked the villa you will be staying at to prepare all of your necessities including the tamed beast and the servants needs. Follow me we can also take you for a tour around Silver Ash Town." Count Shields attracts everyone's attention and guide them around.
Count Shields take us around town showing the facilities such as library, mercenary guild and church. Light Edge Town don't have a church as no priest will be tending the building. Priest and Healers are both an important and rare occupation in Etterra.
Healers are one who dedicate themselves studying Light magic and the human anatomy to heal. Priest helps to supply coins and dedicate themselves to the words of the gods. A priest can be a healer but a healer is not exactly a priest. For example, the royal medic is a healer that had no relation to the church. The old man with long white hair who help to heal Adrian heal his eyes when he 'got blinded by the king'.
Count Shields also tours the business district. There is a blacksmith, carpenter, street stalls and many more. Suddenly, while whiffing the food from the stalls, Marylyn's stomach starts growling, making her red and very embarrassed. She quickly hides behind Adrian. The whole group also heard it.
"Ah! It's already noon. Its lunch time. How silly of me. Let's go back quickly. We actually ready a feast at the mansion." Count Shields starts to notice his mistakes and quickly guides them toward the estate.
[Notice. Dense amount of Fire and Smoke elemental particle gathering around the volcano 5 km away from Silver Ash town.]
Along the way, Aria's notification rang out. Adrian looked east of the of the town. Thick smoke comes out from the volcano, looking like it will erupt at any moment.
"Count Shields, that volcano over there, it looks like it will erupt at any moment." Adrian points at the mountain emitting thick smoke.
"Oh… that mountain? You don't need to worry about it. That mountain never erupts since we establish this town but we still take precaution if there is a possibility it erupts. Fun fact, this town got its name from that volcano. Every year at the start of winter, ashes from the volcano will blew towards this town making it look like an early silver snow. Thus, the name." Count Shields said while stroking his chin intrigue about the mystery of the never erupting volcano.
The all borders had the same arrangement. From the outside, the border fortress, then comes the counts estate and finally the town. Except for Silver Ash town, it is the only county that the count's estate is inside the town as added assurance to the people. The town seems to be built slanted away from the volcano and there is a huge man-made lake as a barrier, if there is ever lava flowing towards the town.
"That is an interesting event that leading toward the naming of the town." Adrian becomes curious about the mystery and immediately scout through 'Map'. There is nothing abnormal. What leads Aria to send a notification to him?
"Aria, the abnormality is the concentration of Fire and Smoke elements gathering around the volcano in the winter, so there should not be that much Fire and Smoke particles, right?" Adrian got the hint.
[Responding. Correct.]
"If it is like that, it means a monster is hibernating there or a phenomenon of an elemental is forming." Cassie's voice sounded between the two.
[…]
"…."
"What? Why the sudden silence? I'm also categorize as an elemental you know. Sea and Lake fairies are from different origins but all fairies are under the Light Fairy King and the Dark Fairy Queen." Cassie explains her origins.
"I know about that. The fairies are the servants of the Dragon Primordial, Ortus Celestial. I told you the story. We just unintentionally forgot you are with us. No offence. Both of us, usually discuss between ourselves. We are just not used to a third voice suddenly come popping out into this. Sorry." Adrian explains the reason for the silence.
"What do you mean you 'forgot'? I've been here the whole time… Humph." Cassie pouts, feeling unsatisfied by the response.
"You can also act cute when you are pouting. So, it's a possibility between an elemental or hibernating monster?" Adrian compliments Cassie spiritual visage in his mind and wonder the possibilities.
*Splash*
Water forms and splash on his left leg, making his pants and shoe wet. The sound of sudden water splashing makes the group turn their heads.
"What's wrong? Why is your leg wet?" Count Shield asked in a worried tone. The town should be clean and well maintained even in a rough winter. It can attract tourist to stay.
"No. It was my fault. Seeing the volcano about to erupt makes me nervous and I try to cast some Water spell but it failed. Hehehe…" Adrian lying through his teeth. He did not blame Cassie for her mischief.
"Oh. So that is why. No need to worry so much young Adrian. If that volcano erupts, I will be the one protecting this land. My name isn't Shields if I fail to protect it. Hohoho…" Count Shields puffs his chest and reassured everyone.
Although, the Shields family believed it, the Cross family knew it was a lie. Each of them had different thoughts while Adrian asked Ralph to dry the soaked pants, making it more believable to the Shields family.
"Young master sure knows how to dodge an arrow. But… the master and madam must be on high alert right now." Ralph thought while drying Adrian's pants.
"He lies so well. I need to be careful. I must have unlocked my fatherly instinct, right? I can tell if he is lying after 10 years of fatherhood." Malcom thought and smiles while turning his head to his wife. Malcom had not awakened his fatherly instinct after not having much interaction with his son.
"Hmm… Already have secrets? What is my boy hiding? I can pry on it, right? I am his mother." Amanda wanted to know how her son is progressing as a mage so fast while also turning her head to her husband, seeing him smiling. From that, she knew they were not thinking of the same thing and slaps her forehead.