As Rain lost himself in thought, he felt a sudden pat on his shoulder.
Startled, he turned around to see two knights standing before him.
Their armor bore a striking resemblance to the regal, intricate designs he'd seen on the knights rushing through the streets yesterday.
"Excuse me, sir," the friendlier knight spoke, offering a warm smile. "May I ask who you are? We've been instructed to identify any new arrivals in the city."
The second knight, more stern in his demeanor, crossed his arms and stood tall. "We belong to the Order of the Elshire Knights," he said, revealing an emblem on his chest.
The symbol was intricate, a beautifully etched tree with silver leaves surrounding a central, glowing rune.
Rain observed them carefully, noting their professionalism. 'They seem polite enough. I wonder if this is the same order the Grand Mage who entered the fortress yesterday is part of?' he mused.
Their mannerisms reflected strict discipline, yet they didn't appear hostile.
"I'm Gandolf," Rain replied with a gentlemanly tone, bowing his head slightly. "Indeed, I arrived only yesterday. I've been familiarizing myself with the area since then."
The friendly knight nodded approvingly, but the stern one remained cautious. "We understand, Sir Gandolf. However, we are required to verify the identity of all new arrivals in the city. May we kindly ask you to show your status window?"
Rain considered the situation. 'Are the rules here the same as they are on Earth? These knights aren't police, they're military, aren't they?' He decided to ask. "I mean no disrespect, but would it be possible for me to politely decline?"
The stern knight immediately stiffened, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Every knight bearing the Elshire emblem," he tapped the crest on his chest, "has the right to ask for identification from anyone within our territory. It is not optional, sir."
The other knight quickly added, in a softer tone, "If you happen to possess an identity check pass, we won't bother you further."
Rain raised an eyebrow. "An identity check pass?"
"It's an emblem of sorts," the friendly knight explained, "issued to those who have been properly registered. It allows us to know where you're from without needing to see your status window."
The stern knight gave a small grunt. "Since you don't seem to know what that is, it's safe to assume you don't have one. So, we must ask you to display your status window now."
Rain sighed, realizing there wasn't much point in arguing. "Very well," he said calmly, "I don't have an identity check pass, so feel free to check my status."
The knights nodded, and the friendly one reached into his storage ring, producing a crystal ball similar to the one Princess Nara had used when he was masquerading as Doran.
The sphere shimmered with a faint light as it hovered before him, making a soft Swosh! sound as it activated.
Rain's status appeared in glowing letters:
**[ Gandolf "The Hermit"
Age: 351
Magic Circle: 8th (Arch Mage)
Mana Circles: 3
> No criminal record
Title: The Hermit ]**
The moment the crystal ball turned green, both knights looked at each other in surprise. Clearly, they hadn't expected him to be such a powerful figure.
Rain, noticing their reaction, couldn't resist playing along. "Since I'm not the 'Grand Mage' you seem to be looking for, I suppose I can be on my way now?" He smirked slightly. "After all, I'm just an Arch Mage, not a Grand Mage."
The knights exchanged a nervous glance, sweat beading on their foreheads. Despite their apparent discomfort, they remained courteous. "Sir Gandolf," the stern knight said, his tone more respectful now, "the Duke of Orwin extends his invitation to you. He welcomes you to the territory and would be honored to host you at the castle."
Rain nodded thoughtfully. 'This could be my opportunity to gain influence,' he considered. 'I can also use this chance to gather information—especially about the heroes summoned from other worlds.'
"I would be honored to accept the Duke's invitation," Rain replied, bowing slightly.
The knights seemed relieved, and they politely guided him through the city streets. As they walked, the two knights pointed out some of the morning's most picturesque views, from bustling markets to wide-open squares adorned with fountains.
Rain leisurely strolled alongside them, taking in the sights while enjoying their casual conversation. They even paused briefly at a street vendor to purchase some bread and fruit to snack on.
After about 20 minutes, a grand carriage arrived to escort Rain to the Duke's castle. The carriage was an ornate masterpiece of craftsmanship, large and gilded with silver engravings.
It was drawn by two powerful, sleek horses with dark manes. Alongside the carriage stood a butler and two maids, ready to serve.
Inside the carriage, Rain was offered tea and delicate pastries, which he accepted with grace.
One of the maids poured him a cup, her soft voice accompanying the clink of fine china. "Please, Sir Gandolf, enjoy this as we escort you to the castle."
As Rain took a sip, another figure inside the carriage shifted, their presence now making itself known. A middle-aged man with a sharp gaze and well-groomed attire sat across from him. "Sir Gandolf, I presume?" the man spoke. "I am Lord Victor, a close advisor to the Duke. I would like to discuss your intentions while you are within Elshire territory. We are always cautious when powerful mages arrive unannounced."
Rain placed his teacup down, his eyes calm. "I assure you, my intentions are peaceful. I seek only to learn more about your land and, if possible, to offer my services in exchange for knowledge. My journey is one of understanding, not conquest."
The man gave a slow nod, assessing Rain's words. "We are always interested in working with talented mages, especially those with your level of power."
As their conversation continued, one of the maids approached Rain with a curious device. It was as small as a suitcase, yet it had an almost futuristic design, blending magical elements with a scientific aesthetic. "Sir Gandolf," the maid began, "we will need to process your information into an identity pass."
She placed the device on the carriage floor, and with a few gentle taps on its glowing surface, it began to hum.
The device scanned the status window displayed earlier, and within moments, a small rectangular glass card emerged.
"This is your ID," the maid explained, handing it to him with a bow. "If you channel your magic through it, it will display the Crest of Elshire alongside your personal information. This will serve as your identity check pass within our lands."
Rain took the card and nodded his thanks, channeling a bit of mana into it as a demonstration.
The Crest of Elshire shimmered faintly within the glass, confirming its authenticity.
As they neared the noble district, the atmosphere around them changed. The streets became quieter, the houses larger, and the people more refined. "This is where many of the land's nobility reside," Lord Victor commented. "You'll find it much more peaceful here than in the bustling parts of the city."
Finally, they arrived at the gates of Duke Orwin's castle. The gates were massive, wrought with intricate designs of silver and gold.
As the carriage rolled forward, the gates swung open in unison, revealing a grand courtyard within.
Inside the castle gates, the surroundings were lush and meticulously maintained. Flower beds lined the pathways, and towering marble statues stood guard at various points.
The castle itself loomed ahead, a grand structure of stone and glass that reflected the midday sun.
The carriage came to a stop, and as Rain stepped out, a procession of servants and guards awaited him. At the forefront was Duke Orwin himself, a tall, regal figure with a warm, welcoming smile. "Sir Gandolf," the Duke said, extending his hand in greeting. "Welcome to my castle. It is an honor to host one of your esteemed reputation."