Chapter 568: The Silver Family's Invitation
Heloiviz quickly nodded in compliance, her voice soft as she replied, “Yes, The Hermit.”
The Hermit adjusted the collar of his robe, slightly rumpled from the recent battle. His tone was gentle. “No need to be so formal, Miss Heloiviz. I already said it—I would’ve taken care of those insects even if you hadn’t been here.”
Heloiviz looked up into The Hermit’s eyes, her gaze earnest. “The Hermit, for you, this may be a trivial matter. But without you, our caravan would have suffered complete annihilation.”
With that, she withdrew a finely carved Golden Quince Emblem from her sleeve and extended it with both hands.
“The Hermit, you may not know this, but my father, Duke Aiden, is a man who deeply values gratitude. Having done us such a great service, whether it’s gold, jewels, spell scrolls, or magical artifacts—whatever you desire, the Silver Family will do our utmost to provide.”
敏锐的观察力 told Heloiviz that, at the mention of “gold and jewels,” the man’s淡绿色 pupils had subtly widened—clearly intrigued. She said nothing, only listened quietly, mentally noting the detail.
The Hermit slipped the emblem into his sleeve, stroked his beard, and then gave a small, amused nod. “In that case, I shall accept with gratitude.”
Heloiviz tilted her head slightly, curiosity sparking. “Where are you headed, The Hermit?”
“Tal Port. Though it’s been a long time since I last returned, I still have old acquaintances there.”
With a flick of his bronze staff, The Hermit summoned a phantom map into the air, clearly marking the location of Tal Port.
But Heloiviz gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in surprise. “The Hermit, if I’m not mistaken… Tal Port sank into the sea over a hundred and thirty years ago, after a disaster that ravaged Silvermoon Bay. That city no longer exists—it only lives on in history books.”
The Hermit froze. His expression flickered with mild shock. After a long silence, he let out a wry chuckle. “Ah… it seems I’ve slept too long. Even the current state of the world has slipped from my memory. Forgive me for the laugh.”
Heloiviz sensed the loneliness radiating from the man before her, but she didn’t intrude. She stood silently, awaiting his next move.
The Hermit, accustomed to solitude, showed no outward emotion—only quiet contemplation.
After a moment, he turned to her. “And your destination? The so-called Victoria Harbor?”
“Yes, The Hermit,” she replied solemnly. “Our mission is to deliver these new weapons safely to Victoria Harbor. We never expected an ambush along the way.”
“Weapons?” The Hermit waved his sleeve, and a brand-new rifle appeared midair, floating into his hand. He examined it casually. “Is this what you mean? A curious trinket. But in just a moment, he’d mastered its mechanics—and fired it into the sky.
Boom!
“Not bad for power. I never thought that in just a century, the world would change so much.”
Heloiviz hesitated, then gently tucked a loose strand of golden hair behind her ear before steeling her resolve. Her voice trembled slightly as she extended her invitation.
“The Hermit, since you’ve only just awakened and are unfamiliar with the world’s changes, would you consider joining us to Victoria Harbor? The city is now the largest and most prosperous in Silvermoon Bay. My family can offer you lodging, intelligence, and every courtesy. What do you say?”
She bowed deeply, whispering, “And to travel alongside a spellcaster of your stature… it would be my honor.”
The Hermit didn’t hesitate long. After a brief pause, he nodded with a smile. “Sounds agreeable. I rather favor human port cities. Let me witness the charm of Victoria Harbor, Miss Heloiviz. Prepare your caravan. We’ll depart shortly.”
“Of course, The Hermit,” she replied instantly, her voice brightening with relief.
Not only was the safety of their journey no longer in doubt—but she had just forged an alliance with a mysterious and immensely powerful spellcaster. Such a figure’s connections were priceless wealth for the entire Silver Family.
“The Hermit, I’ll lead the way,” she said, extending her hand forward.
But before she could take a step, The Hermit tapped the ground lightly with his bronze staff.
“No need for that.”
Clang.
A crisp metallic sound echoed. The air before them seemed to tear open like a curtain—then the world shifted.
When Heloiviz blinked, they were already seated inside the luxurious wagon.
Even she was stunned. After a stunned silence, she breathed out in awe. “The Hermit, your mastery of magic is truly breathtaking.”
The Hermit chuckled. “Just well-practiced. Nothing extraordinary.”
At that moment, Captain Marvin of the Guard noticed the return of the lady and her mysterious guest. He recognized his failure and hurried forward, bowing deeply with a fawning smile.
“Milady, and… this distinguished guest. The caravan is nearly ready. The wounded soldiers and horses have been tended to. We are prepared for departure at your command.”
“Now,” Heloiviz said firmly. “Hurry to Victoria Harbor. Complete Father’s mission.”
She paused, then added, “Also, inform the entire clan caravan. This is The Hermit—our most honored guest. Treat him with the highest protocol. No disrespect.”
“Yes, milady,” Marvin replied, bowing again before rushing off to relay the orders.
Inside the wagon, the enigmatic Hermit and Heloiviz began a conversation that seemed strange to any outsider.
“Which nation is currently the most powerful—still the Fadalan Kingdom?”
“Possibly the Cassander Kingdom. Though in a way, it was formed from the remnants of the old Faldran Empire.”
“And the Silvermoon Bay alliance? Does it still exist?”
“Of course. Now it’s known as the Free Trade Confederation. Victoria Harbor is its most powerful city-state, inheriting parts of Tal Port’s legacy. It’s governed by four dukes, including my father.”
The Hermit, awakened from a deep slumber, asked questions about basic, common knowledge—yet each one revealed his unfamiliarity with the current world.
He inquired about the political structure of Victoria Harbor, the balance of power—but never touched on the Silver Family’s secrets. Heloiviz answered patiently.
In truth, Kai Xiusu was using the young noblewoman to learn the lay of the land in Feiansuo Continent. His memories of his past life were fading, and he couldn’t predict how his actions might ripple through time.
With The Hermit aboard, the journey became smooth and uneventful. Though they encountered ambushes by cultists along the way, the attackers never got close—before they could even approach, they were struck down by lightning from the sky.
Marvin and the caravan guards were utterly astonished. Their fear of the stranger vanished. They finally understood the true value of having a powerful spellcaster among them.
Before the sun had set, the caravan rolled along the wide stone road, nearing their destination.
The Hermit lifted the wagon’s curtain and gazed at the distant silhouette of the city. His eyes lingered on the towering spire of the city’s central tower.
“That’s Victoria Harbor?” he murmured. “Looks impressive. As good as the old Tal Port, perhaps even better.”
Heloiviz stared at the familiar city walls and the golden quill banner fluttering in the wind. Her voice brimmed with pride.
“Yes, The Hermit. That is Victoria Harbor—the jewel of the western coast, the heart of trade in Silvermoon Bay, the cradle of conspiracy, and… our family’s domain.”
Under the sunlight, the violet hue of her eyes shimmered with a soft, ethereal glow.
Victoria Harbor was divided into two districts: the Upper and Lower. This division had existed since Queen Victoria founded the city centuries ago—and now, the two worlds were as separate as night and day.
The Upper District housed nobles, clergy, and the elite. The Lower District, by contrast, was a chaotic mix of commoners, thieves, and gangsters—full of hidden shadows.
They were connected by the Talck Suspension Bridge, a constant stream of caravans and religious regiments passing through. At the bridge’s checkpoint, mercenaries from the Mithril Hand garrisoned the gates.
The Upper District, elevated and proud, consisted of the Honor District, the Temple District, and the Victoria Radiance District. Grand religious structures stood tall, alongside opulent noble residences.
The largest Wogin Church in the entire Feiansuo Continent—the Tower of Wealth—and the Wonder Hall of God Gond both stood in the Temple District.
In the northwestern corner of the Honor District rose a magnificent, awe-inspiring castle. Its metallic gates bore the intricate Golden Quince emblem. Hundreds of well-armed Mithril Hand mercenaries stood guard.
This was the famed Silver Family’s fortress—the Golden Quill Castle, the ancient Silver Keep, home to the family for over two centuries.
At the very top of the keep, in the Golden Quill Hall—the seat of clan power—Duke Aiden Silver sat upon the high throne.
He looked in his forties, dressed in fine noble attire, with a neatly trimmed mustache. His eyes, like Heloiviz’s, were the rare violet of the Silver bloodline.
Once, when the family were still fishermen, his unusual eyes had drawn mockery. Now, after centuries, that violet gaze was a symbol of noble lineage.
Before him stood his eldest daughter, Heloiviz, just returned from Gray Harbor.
Upon hearing her report, Duke Aiden rose from his seat and began pacing the room, visibly excited.
“Heloiviz… you’re telling me this Hermit—he really slept for centuries?”
She nodded. “Father, if his words are true, then yes. He didn’t even know of Victoria Harbor. In his memory, Tal Port still stood above the waves, and Fadalan was merely a kingdom.”
Aiden nodded thoughtfully. “A being who can sleep for centuries… even among the Feiansuo Continent, such long-lived creatures are rare.”
He turned back to her, eyes sharp. “Heloiviz, what do you suspect about his nature?”
“Dragon.”
“Why?”
“In our conversation, I noticed his unusual interest in gold and jewels. Combined with his centuries-long slumber, the only logical explanation is a dragon. And based on his actions—his kindness to humans, his sense of justice, his ability to control the weather—I believe he is a Metal Dragon.”
Clap. Clap.
Aiden clapped his hands. He looked at his daughter with pride, patting her shoulder.
“Well done! I thought the same. Ha! Heloiviz, my proud daughter—you may have just secured a dragon’s friendship for the Silver Family!”
He sat down on the central sofa and quietly instructed the steward, who hurried away.
Moments later, the steward returned with an ancient, leather-bound book. The cover bore gold-leafed letters: “Guide to Dragons of Feanso.”
Aiden placed the book on his lap, put on the spectacles the steward handed him, and began reading.
“Tell me more about The Hermit,” he said.
“Yes, Father.”
Heloiviz recounted every detail of their journey.
Aiden flipped through the pages, muttering to himself:
“Uses lightning to attack enemies. Loves gold and jewels. Controls weather. Wields a bronze staff. Wears a gray cloak. Pale green eyes. Friendly to humans. Curious. Strong sense of justice. Hates thieves and cultists. Prefers port cities…”
Finally, he found the page he sought.
He opened it wide before her.
There, depicted in vivid detail, was a massive metal dragon—its beak-like snout, sharp tongue, sinewy body, and smooth, emerald-green scales that gleamed like polished copper. It looked like a statue forged from ancient bronze.
Aiden adjusted his spectacles, his smile widening.
“Heloiviz, the man you met is almost certainly a Coastal Dragon—a Bronze Dragon. And based on his centuries-long slumber and weather manipulation, he is at least an Ancient Dragon in power!”
Heloiviz leaned in, stunned. Even with her suspicions, she couldn’t believe the truth.
The Hermit—the man she had spoken with, shared a journey with—was a creature of legend.
She sat beside her father, eyes wide. “Father… if he truly is a Bronze Dragon, what does that mean for us?”
Aiden laughed heartily, his eyes sparkling.
“My dear, beloved daughter—you’ve just done the Silver Family a favor that could change our fate forever.”
He pointed to a passage in the book, and Heloiviz followed his finger:
> "Bronze Dragons, once they make a promise, become the most steadfast allies. Their trust is sacred. They are often drawn to war and eager to join armies in the name of justice. I have seen a Bronze Dragon disguise as a human, serving in the military—and even rising to command on the battlefield. —Alsara Stein, Dragon Scholar"
(End of Chapter)
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