A heavy silence clung to the carriage like a shroud, broken only by the rhythmic clop of the horses' hooves.
The recent events – the battle with Thalnos the dark magician and the unsettling encounter with the church warriors – all weighed heavily on their minds.
William was sitting quietly while Jasmin was drinking tea elegantly .
On the other hand Vedik fidgeted with his torn clothes, while lost in thoughts.
A flicker of frustration crossed his face – how could he explain his newfound abilities without revealing his secret?
He knew that his parents wanted to ask him about how he defeated such a strong skeleton monster.
They were waiting for him to answer rather than forcing him but he couldn't reveal the Godhood system .
Vedik felt guilty but he couldn't tell his parents about this . So he was trying to make a plan about what he should tell to his parents.
Entering Kasi
A carriage entered the city , the guards didn't stop it as the carriage looked simple yet elegant, they knew that some nobles were visiting the city.
After entering the city, the carriage lurched to a halt. Jasmin poked her head out, her eyes sparkling with a hint of excitement. "We've arrived at Kasi, Vedik! Let's get some food and new clothes for you. You can't walk around looking like a scarecrow any longer," she teased.
Despite the tension, a flicker of a smile played on Vedik's lips. "Alright, Mom," he conceded, "but food first, please."
Edgar parked the carriage and the four of them started walking towards a tavern recommended by Edgar.
As they walked through the bustling city, a stark contrast met their eyes. Towering buildings cast long shadows over cobbled streets, while a cacophony of sounds filled the air – the rhythmic clanging of metal from a forge, the raucous laughter spilling from a tavern, the mournful cry of a street vendor.
The air itself seemed to thrum with a frenetic energy. The pungent aroma of spices evaded Vedik's nose.
Vedik was suprised to see the big city. He has grown up in a backward village and then was taken to a forest by William so he was very excited. Seeing his enthusiasm Jasmin , William and Edgar smiled.
Soon they crossed a narrow bridge leading to a different part of the city, the joyous atmosphere took a chilling turn.
Small under-constructed buildings huddled together, their peeling paint and broken windows a testament to neglect. Gaunt figures, their faces etched with despair, wandered the streets, some begging for scraps.
Malnourished children huddled together, their eyes dull with hunger.
Vedik felt a pang of guilt pierce his heart. Though life at the orphanage had been harsh, he had at least been fed.
Here, the raw desperation was palpable. Seeing his distress, Jasmin knelt beside him, her touch warm and reassuring. "This isn't fair, Vedik," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
William placed a hand on his shoulder. "There's much wrong in this world, son. But we can't let it overwhelm us.
We must focus on getting you to safety, then we'll think about what we can do to help others."
Taking a deep breath, Vedik nodded. He knew they were right. Dwelling on misery wouldn't solve anything.
Soon , as they keep walking a tavern surfaced before their eyes. Edgar said
"Although this tavern doesn't look luxurious they serve good food".
They were about to enter a bustling tavern when a commotion erupted from just outside the tavern that attracted their attention.
Shouting and the unmistakable sound of blows being struck filled the air. Vedik's hand instinctively went to the hilt of the dagger strapped to his thigh, but a firm grip on his arm stopped him.
"Let me handle this, young master," Edgar said, his voice surprisingly firm. "There's no point for you to get involved."
Slowly, Vedik let go of his dagger . Then he saw the commotion . In a dimly lit corner, three burly men were roughing up a scrawny boy while laughing , accusing him of stealing.
Vedik seeing the condition of the boy almost lost control , he gripped the dagger and was thinking of running towards the three man and take care of them.
Edgar seeing this , rather than being angry he was proud . This showed that the character of Vedik was good which was absent from most people.
Then in a flash, Edgar suddenly appeared between the three men and the little boy and asked " are you okay little boy?"
Before the little boy could reply , the three burly man shouted "are you tired of living old man , don't interfere in other people business".
But these fools didn't notice that how could a old man within second could appear between them .
Suddenly Edgar cheerful face changed into a horrific face which send the chills down the people watching.
A low, guttural sound could be heard. Edgar, his face contorted in a mask of fury, unleashed a wave of qi energy on the three men.
The three thugs felt like they would be crushed, and started coughing violently. The people around gasped in shock, a wave of fear rippling through the commotion.
Edgar, no longer the picture of a kindly old man, seemed to radiate an aura of power.
"Consider yourselves lucky, that I am letting you live" Edgar growled, his voice laced with barely contained rage.
With a swift movement, he delivered a single punch to each of the men, the sickening crack of bone echoing through the city.
Patrol guards arrived, alerted by the commotion. The scene before them was a tableau of fear and confusion – the groaning thugs sprawled on the floor, the frightened child huddled in a corner, and Edgar, his calmness replaced by a cold fury.
Seeing the guards, Edgar took out a gold plate inscribed with three words – "The Verna Family." A collective gasp rose from the guards. The Verna family, one of the most powerful noble houses, it was a name whispered with both respect and fear.
A bead of sweat trickled down the leader of the guard's forehead. He stammered " What happened here,sir ".
Edgar, his anger slowly abating, pocketed the plate. "Just passing through," he replied curtly. "See to it that these men receive the treatment they deserve.
And," he added, his gaze hardening once more, "keep this incident a secret. Do you understand?"
The guard leader bowed low, his voice barely a whisper. "Yes, Lord . We will handle everything discreetly."
With a final glare at the whimpering thugs, Edgar turned towards Vedik, Jasmin, and William. "Let's go," he said, his voice regaining its usual gruffness. "No point in lingering any longer."
The guards cleared the commotion. Vedik couldn't believe what happened in front of them . In a second Edgar appeared in front of the thugs and he couldn't see how Edgar punched the three thugs . It was too fast for the naked eyes to see.
William commented seeing Vedik's astonished face " Uncle Edgar is the strongest warrior in Verna family after the previous patriarch , this is nowhere his full strength."
Vedik gasped and then saw the little child who was very skinny lying on the ground. He stared at Jasmin .
Jasmin smiled and said " you want to feed him , what a lovely child you are , ok you can bring him ."
Listening to this Vedik smiled and then walked towards the little boy and said
"don't pretend that you have fainted, come with me to the tavern".
The boy stood up slowly and started walking behind Vedik .