Without further ado, Christopher climbed aboard, followed by Alexander who had decided to repress his misgivings for the time being. Luckily, the carriage accommodated his formidable frame, although barely.
"Where are we heading?"
Lloyd's simple question created a smile on the guard's face.
"I was told that the Empire of Gruzia wishes to extend an apology for the recent incident. For the duration of your stay, your transportation and accommodation needs have been arranged, free of charge."
Alejandro's candid delivery suggested he anticipated an enthusiastic response. After all, such honors were a rarity. However, his words were met with a hint of confusion on Christopher's face.
"While I appreciate the Empire's gesture, I must point out that the fault lies with us. My subordinate had no right to challenge your guards, much less one of your commanders. I can't accept this in good conscience."
"Merchant Lloyd, you're overthinking this. We were also in the wrong. This is only a small gesture that, we hope, settles this unfortunate event. We want you to come back in the future, so please accept it."
Lloyd could tell that Alejandro was being sincere, but it didn't change the implications this gift carried. It was clear that this was a directive coming from the higher ups who had been briefed about the spar, meaning they were after one, and only one thing: Alexander. The General, sharp as ever, had immediately caught on as well. He had to admit that their audacity was commendable, especially after the trashing he had dealt one of their own. Nevertheless, he couldn't find it in him to blame them, as he would have done the same. The recruitment and retention of talented individuals was simply too important, regardless of circumstances.
As for Lloyd, he was in an impasse. If they were really after Alexander, it signified that their lodgings would be under strict surveillance. This meant that they would have to be excessively careful, which could heavily hinder their trip's objective. But declining this apology also carried a lot of risks, as they'd look more suspicious and dangerous, especially with the former King being a wildcard and a force that even one of their commanders couldn't handle. In such a scenario, eliminating him would become a more appealing option, a possibility that made him deeply sigh. After all, he was weak and could barely control him, making this a decision he couldn't unilaterally make. If he wished to ensure their safety, the only voice that held any weight here was Alexander's. But before he could even ask him, he saw him positively nod, signaling that they were indeed on the same page.
"Very well. Thank you for the hospitality."
It wasn't like they had much choice in the matter anyway, since both territories were going to be neighbors for the foreseeable future. Accepting this offer might also pave the way for new and unique opportunities, which was another benefit. This reversal greatly pleased Alejandro, who felt an immense weight off of his shoulders. His prior conversation with the butler had been brief, but heavy with implications, as he had been repeatedly urged to convince them. He had found it peculiar at first, considering that both parties were at fault, but he wasn't one to question such directives. He was simply relieved to have successfully fulfilled his role. The rest of the ride proceeded mostly in silence, with Lloyd finding himself enraptured by the ever-evolving scenery and the breathtaking display of Gruzia's architectural prowess. He again couldn't believe how good their craftsmanship was.
Every edifice they passed seemed meticulously constructed with reason and care, with stones of the highest quality fitting together like the pieces of an intricate puzzle. The diversity in design was also astounding, as each building boasted unique flair, a testament to the thriving architectural creativity within the empire. As for the main roads, they were immaculate and well-maintained, their construction reminiscent of those built during the Roman Empire. However, these had no odd humps and were all leveled, exactly like the dirt road they had taken to get here. He just couldn't help but marvel at the smoothness of their ride, a comfort unparalleled by any modern vehicle he had ever taken… if not for the chaotic and hellish traffic. The streets were just a cacophony of noise and motion, a battlefield where drivers jostled for space and priority. The butler, initially a picture of composure and reason, had now turned into a seething cauldron of frustration, yelling obscenities at the other carriages and, at times, narrowly avoiding collisions. But through everything, Alejandro hadn't been fazed at all, instead telling him that it was a daily occurrence that wasn't worth fussing over. Still, it didn't make him feel any better, as his anxiety constantly spiked whenever they reached an intersection.
During this ride, the engineer also noticed the darker side of the Megapolis, with one of its faces being the state of its back alleys. Most had morphed into slums, now homes to various groups struggling to survive. The sight of their poor health, with some even teetering on the brink of death, was a stark contrast to the vibrant cityscape. This situation naturally resulted in poor hygiene, with foul-smells wafting into their carriage from time to time. This led him to believe that no sewer system had been implemented yet, further exasperating the issue. When Alejandro noticed Lloyd's disturbed expression, he offered an explanation.
"Most of these people were injured while working in the mines. The empire obviously provided them with severance, hoping they'd find work elsewhere, but when they didn't and lost their homes, it instead 'allowed' them to exist in this state."
The scientist nodded, sadly aware that this was also too common back on Earth. It was the cruel reality of a capitalistic society, where the value of an individual was tied to its productivity.
As they continued their ascent along the mountain's flank, he noticed that the buildings were changing, with some becoming taller and more luxurious as precious metals and stones were making way into their structures. The slums, which had been a common sight so far, were also no more. He was certain they had now entered Gruzia's affluent district. After a few more narrowly avoided collisions and skipped heartbeats, they finally ground to a halt.
"We've arrived."
He quickly looked to his right and saw that they were next to a magnificent building standing five stories high. It possessed four smooth marble pillars that supported an angular roof and had a façade that was covered in large windows, presumably to let in ample natural light. The entrance, meanwhile, was composed of two gray polished steel doors that looked absolutely immovable. Its lead architect had clearly aimed for a design that encapsulated modern elegance and unabashed opulence, a vision Christopher thought was realized with resounding success.
The butler, after securing the reins, then hurriedly rushed from his seat before opening their door. As it swung open, Christopher found himself staring at a red carpet — a grand gesture he had not anticipated in these foreign lands. The General, too, appeared taken aback, his brows furrowing in confusion. This sort of treatment was typically reserved for high-ranking diplomats and nobles, so why were they being treated the same? Alejandro joined their confusion as well, his eyes darting between the grandeur of the inn and the perplexed expressions of his companions. He hadn't yet been informed of their arrangements, but he quickly realized they were extraordinary since they were in the higher parts of the city. Still, this level of extravagance was beyond what he had imagined for a relatively unknown merchant. The butler noticed their shared confusion and finally decided to introduce the site.
"Welcome to the United Inn."
At the mention of the name, the gatekeeper choked, a reaction that surprised both Christopher and Alexander.
"What's up? Is it good?"
"Good? Calling it 'good' would be an insult. It's an inn where only the high nobility can reside. It's even used by foreign emissaries who are directly sent by Arcadia's many Emperors. A single night is rumored to cost up to 1 palladium coin."
Christopher's soul nearly left his body. One night, and his bag of coins would be gone… This was not just outrageous, it was borderline absurd. Who had they drawn the attention of to warrant such hospitality? Alexander, however, remained unfazed by the revelation. Having already been a King, this level of luxury didn't particularly impress him. His interest instead laid in the facilities, as he surmised that they were top-notch considering their reputation. With his curiosity now piqued, he immediately proceeded towards the entrance without fanfare, much to the scientist's dismay. Lloyd initially wanted to stop him, only to restrain himself and follow suit. They had already committed to stay here, meaning that futile attempts at modesty were pointless.
"Merchant Lloyd, when would you like me to come by tomorrow?"
Alejandro had stayed back in the carriage, well aware that his status as a soldier didn't grant him the privilege of staying at the United. However, his question, as simple as it was, completely eluded Christopher. After all, he had absolutely no idea about how much time represented a day in Arcadia.
"In the morning, preferably."
The answer was as vague as possible, his hope being that it'd be enough time to have a good night of sleep.
"Very well."
The butler then closed the door and, as he had probably done thousands of times, took his seat before whipping the horse into gear, causing the carriage to leave as swiftly as it had arrived.