Chapter 232: Montrelle City

’But why?’

Regis sat quietly, leaning against the carriage window as he looked outside.

It was already the next day, and he was riding with Pandora, Killian, Aurelia, and Aurum.

Despite having partied well into the night during the city-wide banquet, they had set off a few hours before dawn.

At present, only Regis and Aurum remained awake.

The rest were fast asleep— victims of dwarven persistence.

Even as children, the dwarves had no trouble convincing them to drink, though Killian in particular didn’t need much convincing.

Pandora and Aurelia, along with Vanessa and the others, had tried the liquor out of curiosity.

Unfortunately for them, the banquet drinks were brewed far stronger than usual, meant to suit dwarves and beastkin, while the elves had wisely stuck to wine.

Aurum, being experienced, only drank what he could handle. Regis, on the other hand, did not get drunk at all— or more like, he could not.

Although he could control his Perfect Adaptation, the worries in his heart did not allow him to relax.

Pandora now slept with her head resting on Regis’s shoulder, while Killian leaned against the carriage wall, disheveled and entirely unaware of his surroundings.

The three of them sat on one side, facing Aurum and Aurelia, who wore mixed expressions of excitement and nervousness.

Still, the thought of the City Lord lingered in Regis’s mind.

He had not seen her at the banquet last night, so he was not able to confirm his suspicions.

’He... or rather, she, is definitely suspicious.’

He glanced at Aurum, who held his sleeping daughter’s hand as he gazed out the window.

’Should I just ask him?’

Regis hesitated, then shook his head.

’No... I’m almost certain Uncle isn’t aware.’

From the moment Regis noticed something strange about the City Lord, he had watched everyone closely and came to a troubling conclusion:

No one else, not even the key officials, seemed aware that the City Lord was using magic.

’Or... they’re all in on it.’

Another possibility.

And yet—

’But why...?’

He sighed internally, realizing he was back where he started.

’If I could, I would’ve followed the City Lord after the speech...’

But the beastkin named Renoir had released an aura so dangerous that Regis dared not try.

’Strangely enough... Renoir felt even stronger than Duchess Grava.’

Suspicions continued to mount, but no matter how he turned it over in his mind, he couldn’t reach a solid conclusion.

"Is something on your mind?"

Aurum’s voice broke through his thoughts.

It was clear he had noticed the furrowed look on Regis’s face.

"It’s nothing, Uncle..."

"Come on, you’re about to do me the greatest favor. So, how could I possibly ignore it when something’s clearly on your mind?"

Regis chuckled, "You already did so much for me— for us. I can’t possibly ask for more."

However, Aurum merely looked at him with a tilted head, his eyebrows raised, like a dependable uncle who always knew when something was wrong, yet never pushed unless it mattered.

"Haaa... Okay, Uncle."

Regis sighed as he ultimately gave in, making Aurum smile.

"I just have a simple question, so please don’t take it weirdly."

"Ask away."

"What do you know about the City Lord? And how is he as a person?"

"Hmmm..."

Aurum thought for a moment before answering.

"He’s... fine, I guess? He’s normal..."

"What...?" Regis uttered with a confused expression.

"Well, I don’t really know what to say."

Aurum scratched his right cheek with his right finger with an embarrassed smile.

"He’s a pretty good person, I guess? He’s amiable and kind... A good person overall."

Regis nodded without a word, "How about Renoir? Have you interacted with him?"

"Oh, the beastkin? Yes, he’s a good person. Whenever I needed documents reviewed by the City Lord, Renoir was always the one who handled it—he’d take them himself and return them to me the next day."

"He’s pretty capable overall, but there’s something strange about him..."

At his words, interest shone one Regis’s blood red eyes.

"What’s strange about him?"

"Hmmm, I’m not sure how to say this but..."

"But?"

"He really likes milk. I mean like he really does. I find it quite funny, to be honest. Even last night, all he wanted was milk. "

Hearing his words, Regis’s interest disappeared as he leaned and looked out the window again.

"Thanks... I guess."

Aurum tilted his head and smiled, "I might not have been much help this time, but don’t worry— if I ever notice anything strange about the City Lord or his right-hand man, I’ll let you know right away."

"Thanks." Regis responded with a smile as well.

As the carriage rolled steadily along the rugged path, Regis remained leaning against the window, his gaze drifting across the horizon.

It was then that a faint column of smoke caught his attention, rising steadily in the distance.

He narrowed his eyes, "Smoke...?"

A moment later, his eyes widened, "Wait, that’s a village."

Pandora stirred but remained still, while Killian, who had just woken up with hair slightly disheveled and a groggy look in his eyes, peeked out the window.

"Huh? What’s going on...?" He muttered.

"Bandits."

Regis replied calmly., "Looks like they’re raiding a village."

Killian blinked, then stretched lazily with a loud yawn, "Perfect. I needed something to clear my head anyway."

Before anyone could say anything else, Killian had already jumped out of the moving carriage with practiced ease, landing steadily on the grassy roadside.

A moment later, the coachman tapped on the small window connecting the driver’s seat to the interior.

"Excuse me, Young Master Killian just jumped off. Should we stop?"

Regis smiled as he glanced out the window and saw Killian sprinting toward a nearby village.

He leaned back and replied calmly, "It’s fine. Keep going, he’ll catch up soon."

Aurum looked on through the window, unbothered, "Will he be alright?"

He knew fully well the capabilities of his daughter’s friends. After all, he had also known them for three years already.

Therefore, his question was more rhetorical than an inquisitive one.

"He’ll be fine."

Regis replied, already used to Killian’s recklessness, "He’s been looking for an excuse to swing his sword since the banquet."

A few moments passed before the faint sounds of battle reached them—shouts, steel clashing, then silence.

With the carriage doors closed, the noise was muffled, barely more than a distant echo.

Not long after, Killian returned with his clothes tidy and a satisfied smirk on his face, showing no signs of the brief battle he had just finished.

If one did not know better, they would have thought that he merely stood outside a bit to fix his clothes.

"Done."

He said casually as he climbed back into the moving carriage, "Taught those guys a lesson. The villagers even gave me goat cheese as thanks—look."

Killian held up a round block wrapped in cheesecloth with a proud grin before keeping it in his storage pouch.

"By the way."

He spoke after a moment, closing the door behind him and settling beside Pandora, who was still asleep against Regis’s shoulder, "This carriage is really fast. I almost didn’t make it back."

"Your hangover’s cured, then?" Regis asked with a smirk.

"Completely." Killian said with a grin as he settled into his seat, arms crossed behind his head.

Aurum spoke with a gentle tone as he caressed the sleeping Aurelia’s head, "It’ll take us a few weeks to reach Montrelle City, so make sure to have plenty of rest."

And just like that, their journey continued.

The group was currently en route to Montrelle City, the hometown of both Aurum and Aurelia.

It was also the place where Aurelia’s awakening had occurred.

Normally, the journey would take up to a year if they followed the established routes.

However, thanks to Aurum’s connections, they had secured an armored carriage pulled by top-bred horses; beasts of such quality that they could traverse rough terrain no ordinary horse would dare tread.

The carriage was reinforced with enchantments— not only to enhance its durability, but also to render it undetectable to most monsters and beasts, while significantly increasing its speed.

Along with its top-quality suspension that absorbed every bump and dip in the road, the ride was so smooth it hardly felt like they were moving.

Thanks to this, the group was able to relax throughout the long journey.

***

Before long, the silhouette of towering city walls appeared on the horizon, imposing even from a distance.

As they drew closer, the gates of Montrelle City came into full view.

Its grand emblem, proudly displayed above the arching gates, depicted a golden balance scale resting atop a caravan wheel, flanked by a quill and coin, symbolizing justice, commerce, and knowledge—all cornerstones of Montrelle’s merchant legacy.

The insignia was embroidered with golden thread on a maroon banner that fluttered majestically in the wind, giving off a sense of prestige and prosperity.

Aurelia leaned slightly forward against the window, her gaze fixed on the familiar sight.

"It hasn’t changed one bit." She murmured softly, a smile playing on her lips as she gripped her father’s hand tightly.

Aurum also nodded as he looked on. "It’s been a while... but yes, Montrelle always had that sense of timelessness."

Regis tilted his head at the sight and smiled, "So this is Montrelle, huh? Looks impressive."

The carriage rolled on toward the gates, the atmosphere inside now buzzing with a mixture of nostalgia and excitement for what lay ahead.