The morning sun had barely begun to rise over Dermon City when Aiden and his companions prepared to set off on their journey to the capital. The day before their departure, the atmosphere in the Venti mansion had been a mix of excitement and sorrow. Greta, in particular, had been deeply saddened by the thought of parting ways with her young master. She had spent months serving Aiden, watching him grow, and had come to care for him deeply. As she stood near the carriage, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, Aiden patted her head gently.
"We'll be back in a year, Greta," he assured her with a warm smile.
His gesture made her blush slightly, but it also filled her with warmth. Knowing that he would return eventually made the separation a little easier for her to bear.
As the group prepared to leave, Fiona stood at the entrance of the mansion, watching over them with a worried expression.
"Be careful during your travels," she reminded them.
Chloe and Clara both nodded, promising their mother that they would stay safe. With that, they climbed into the carriage, and their journey began.
The convoy left Dermon City at the break of dawn, escorted by a contingent of knights tasked with ensuring their safety until they reached the next major city. The road ahead was long, but the mood within the carriage was lively. Chloe and Clara, eager to share their experiences, chattered excitedly about the capital.
"So, how are we getting to the capital?" Aiden asked, curious about their route.
Chloe smirked. "We're heading to the city of Gremlin first, the domain of Count Raven."
"Gremlin?" Aiden repeated.
Clara nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! It's famous for having the only dungeon in the city. Many adventurers and merchants gather there to farm monster cores. Most of the monsters inside are at the Initiate and Adept ranks."
Aiden was intrigued. "A dungeon so far from the capital? How did a count get the authority to manage it?"
"Well," Clara explained, "the dungeon itself isn't particularly valuable since it only produces low-rank mana cores. Besides, the count is required to hand over 50% of the haul to the kingdom. So, it's still under royal control, but he gets to profit from it as well."
Aiden nodded in understanding. "And how long will it take for us to get to the capital from there?"
Chloe and Clara exchanged mischievous smiles. "You'll find out when we get there," Chloe teased.
Aiden sighed, recognizing that they were deliberately keeping something from him.
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Meanwhile, in a distant, unknown location, a hooded figure approached an elderly man seated in a dimly lit chamber. The air was thick with the scent of burning incense, and the walls were lined with ancient scrolls and tomes. The figure knelt before the old man.
"Master, we have not received any reports from C-1 and his group. They were scheduled to report from Dermon City yesterday."
The old man, who had been meditating, slowly opened his eyes. A glint of cold calculation flashed within them.
"Send a B-1 to investigate," he ordered.
The hooded figure bowed. "Understood." With that, he turned and vanished into the shadows, leaving the old man to close his eyes once more in contemplation.
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Back on the road, Aiden and his companions reached the border of Count Raven's territory. The knights accompanying them brought the carriage to a halt. One of them stepped forward and addressed Chloe and Clara.
"Young miss, we have escorted you as far as we are permitted. Please grant us permission to return to Dermon City."
Chloe and Clara nodded, giving their consent. With a final salute, the knights turned their horses around and began their journey back. Now on their own, Aiden and the girls resumed their travels toward Gremlin City.
As they approached the city gates, they were met by a group of guards. The soldiers eyed them warily until they noticed the crest emblazoned on their carriage. Recognizing it, they immediately stepped aside, allowing them to pass through without any further hindrance.
Once inside, Aiden marveled at the stark difference between Gremlin City and Dermon City. In Dermon, most of the people he had seen were commoners engaged in daily trade and simple livelihoods. Here, however, nearly half of the population appeared to be at the Initiate rank. They moved through the streets with a purpose, their eyes filled with ambition.
Aiden turned to Chloe and Clara. "How do they maintain security with so many Initiates mingling among the commoners?"
"They're all here to make money from the dungeon," Clara explained. "If they cause trouble, they risk being banned from entering. No one wants to lose their livelihood."
Aiden nodded, realizing that the dungeon's lucrative nature acted as an unspoken deterrent against crime.
As their carriage continued onward, they soon arrived at the core district of the city. The carriage came to a stop outside a grand establishment, its entrance adorned with luxurious embellishments. Aiden gawked at the sight before him. The inn's name, "Glory Inn," was displayed in glowing red letters, eerily reminiscent of neon signs from his previous life.
Chloe smirked at his expression. "If you're this stunned by a simple inn, I can't wait to see your reaction when we reach the capital."
Feeling slightly embarrassed, Aiden rubbed the back of his neck. "I'll get used to it," he muttered.
Inside the inn, the reception area was lined with beautifully dressed young women, each one offering polite smiles as they greeted incoming guests. Aiden took a moment to admire the decor, noting the extravagant chandeliers and polished marble flooring.
As he took it all in, Chloe leaned in close and whispered, "Aiden, do you want to go dungeon diving tomorrow?"
Aiden raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't we be preparing for the trip to the capital? My entrance exam is in about four weeks."
Chloe grinned. "You'll understand tomorrow how we're getting to the capital."
Aiden could only sigh, knowing that he had little choice but to go along with whatever they had planned.