Chapter 1158 - 617: 23 Affairs of Lentax Giant City [5K]

He turned and pointed at the Vieille hanging by the side of his horse, speaking politely.

The tournament’s convening is also a rare grand event for the Giant City.

Under normal circumstances, it might not be held for several years.

Thus, in the past few months, many talented young individuals have rushed here from various places.

There are even young people arriving from other giant cities and kingdoms.

Winning the tournament grants not only the right to participate in the noble banquet hosted by Marquis Henry Lancaster.

But also a substantial cash prize.

Of course, these two incentives have minimal attraction for the offspring of nobles.

They are more concerned with dominating the tournament and achieving a high rank, as the prestige gained from each tournament is immense, especially for those who perform well.

For the pampered noble children who never want for food or clothing, reputation is what they care about more.

A good reputation greatly benefits their future development within the noble circle.

Besides the noble offspring, youths from all over are also eagerly trying their hand.

Preparing to prove themselves in the tournament.

Thus recently many young people from various areas have come to the Giant City to participate in the tournament.

Especially when Ingram still appeared travel-worn.

Upon hearing his words, the guarding warrior from the Guard Corps simply nodded expressionlessly.

Raising the magic disc in his hand, he emitted a dim white light that swept across Ingram’s face.

Under the sweep of this light, his face didn’t change at all.

Only then did the guarding warrior nod, putting away his longsword, and slightly turning his head to indicate that he could enter the Giant City.

Ingram nodded calmly, turned back to lead the lame white horse’s reins.

Though he had some doubts in his heart, since the checkpoint guard wouldn’t speak much, he didn’t want to stir any trouble. Based on Ingram’s past experience, unless there was a battle near the Giant City, the entry wouldn’t normally be so strictly enforced.

Suppressing his inner confusion, Ingram mounted the white horse again and headed toward the outer city district of Lentax Giant City, planning to find a tavern to gather some news over a few drinks.

As a minstrel, he would often visit taverns in every location to strike up a chat.

Taverns are places filled with endless possibilities.

Here, you might encounter horse bandits who have entered the city under hidden identities, nobles out for training, fallen traveling merchants, and bartenders perpetually in a tipsy state.

Moreover, taverns are gathering places for the Black Street mice.

These Black Street mice are active in the slums, forming an underground network hidden within the city.

They often know all kinds of minor rumors.

Able to keenly detect any commotion in the Giant City.

Their martial abilities aren’t high, but they prevail in numbers and are adept at stirring things up.

It’s said that even the Avalon Kingdom’s intelligence agency, the "Shadow Dragon," has in some giant cities cultivated Black Street forces to probe for secrets within the city.

Ingram is very aware of this, after all, minstrels themselves count as special information transmitters.

Passing through the checkpoint, on either side of the Giant City’s main road, you can occasionally see troops of fully armored cavalry passing by, these cavalrymen looking majestic and attracting the attention of civilians and farmers on the road.

"If it were just for the tournament and Marquis Lancaster’s banquet."

"The Giant City shouldn’t be under such strict vigilance."

He silently speculated, his traveler’s intuition telling him something must be happening in Lentax Giant City!

The priority is to immediately find an inn to settle down and then have a drink or two, and by then he should be able to figure out what’s going on.

Ingram gently shook his head, discarding all stray thoughts, while observing the surroundings, he headed along the main road toward Lentax’s outer city district.

From a distance, the entire Lentax Giant City looks like a gray giant beast lying on the earth.

It possesses the unique "soul" belonging to a city itself.

...

Meanwhile, in the Third Circle of Lentax Giant City.

This is the third circle among the city’s four major circles, considered a zone where the middle class gathers within the city.

Numerous stone roads cut the third circle into different areas.

Here you can find mansions of minor nobles and merchants, as well as houses of small workshop masters and farm owners.

The overall neatness is much better than the fourth circle.

On the northern side of the third circle in a large commercial street.

The Greenfield Dew Tavern’s door was tightly shut.

The tavern’s sign is engraved with green leaves and vines.

Outside on the fence, vine plants are planted, blooming adorable little white flowers.

The gate outside the tavern has a [Closed] sign hanging on it, adding a touch of desolation to the tavern.

Behind that closed door, in the tavern hall, every table and chair is wiped clean.

Backed small wooden chairs are overturned on the tabletop.

Glasses are inverted on the bar.

Due to the doors and windows being shut, the hall appears very dark.

On the side, a wooden staircase leads to the second floor.

Judging by the layout here, there’s not much difference from typical taverns.

But beneath the staircase, a hidden passage lurks.

This passage is entirely made of bluestone, shining with a cold light in the dim environment.

The passage is quite long, its walls even showing signs of patina.

Conveying a sense of antiquity.