Chapter 68: Free Harbor, Vitri City

Chapter 68: Free Harbor, Vitri City

Thunder Spear's morals were questionable, but it was undeniable that he was a promising Great Knight with legendary potential.

Rising from a commoner to his current status was a legend in itself.

Even official mages were expected to show a certain level of respect toward 'Legendary Knights'.

"No wonder!"

Sebel was deep in thought, "If the front line is lost, Signo City might be affected by the war, and the value of houses will plummet. That's why Robert dared to haggle so fiercely."

"Yes."

Karl nodded and added, "But don't worry too much, Master Sebel. After all, Signo City is not directly on the front line, and the chances of it being affected are slim."

"The price is negotiable."

This was a consensus among many people; otherwise, the nobles of Signo City would have already started relocating to the rear.

Pursuing benefits and avoiding harm was instinctual for the nobility.

Haggling was just a common tactic among merchants.

"Hmm." Sebel nodded in agreement, "Cologne and Gandor have been at war for over a century, and Signo City has never fallen."

"Now, with Baron Balor of the Vick family coming to defend the city..."

"Robert is like a greedy echidna, refusing to pay an extra penny despite his wealth!"

Her good impression of Robert had completely vanished.

"Sigh!"

Sebel sighed and continued, "It seems like it will take some time to deal with the mentor's estate. I'll have to send a batch of goods for now, and I'll write a letter to the mentor about the situation here."

"Karl."

"You still owe twenty-seven gold coins. Can you pay it back before you leave?"

"Twenty-seven?" Karl was taken aback, "Is it that much?"

He remembered settling his debts once, and his expenses on sorcery hadn't been excessive during this period.

"Of course."

Sebel shrugged and took out a thick ledger from beside her, flipping to a page and saying, "You bought three sets of materials needed for sorcery traps and a Zero-Circle Spell Memorization..."

"I must say, you've surprised me."

She looked up, slightly taken aback, "In the past six months, you've spent hundreds of gold coins on sorcery knowledge. That's not a small sum for an ordinary family."

"Er..." Karl forced a dry laugh, "Master Sebel, you know I'm a noble. Inheriting some ancestral property is only natural."

"I'm not interested in where you got the money." Sebel waved it off, not wanting to pry further, "As long as you pay, that's all that matters."

"Yes." Karl thought for a moment and asked, "Do you have any sorcery traps that can provide early warnings?"

"Of course." Sebel spread her hands, "Every qualified sorcery apprentice sets up Detect Evil and Danger Alert spells in their residence."

"But..."

"These sorcery traps aren't cheap, and they require a lot of materials. Are you sure you want to learn them now?"

Once they finished dealing with the mentor's estate, they would be heading to the Black Swamp, and any traps set up now would be a waste.

From a cost-saving perspective, it wasn't worth it.

"I'll learn them."

Karl nodded, "I'll figure out a way to get the money."

"Alright."

Sebel had no objections, "Before you leave, go to the manor, and I'll give you the necessary books and materials for one set."

"Hmm..."

"The guest of honor has arrived."

The sounds outside prompted her to stand up and signal for Karl to exit the living room.

"Welcome!"

"Welcome Baron Balor from the Royal City and the brilliant Princess Dunna from the Sachs Kingdom!"

Amidst the cheers, a man and a woman walked along the flower-covered carpet, escorted by Baron Lexington.

The man had a robust and muscular build, and his soft armor exuded a sense of valor, even at a banquet, he still wore his precious sword.

All of this emphasized his identity as a military commander.

Among the nobility of the Gandor Kingdom, those willing to take up arms against the enemy were few and far between.

The woman was dressed in luxurious attire, and her accessories sparkled under the lights, enhancing her exotic features.

She shouldn't have been here in the first place.

The unexpected guest caused surprise among the attendees, and they whispered to each other in bewilderment.

"Princess Dunna?"

"The thirteenth daughter of the King of Sachs, why is she here?"

"I heard that we've formed an alliance with the Sachs Kingdom to resist the Cologne army, and it seems to be true."

"Our border with the Sachs Kingdom is also unstable, with frequent wars. The fact that we've reached an agreement is proof that there are no eternal enemies or friends, only eternal interests."

"..."

Karl didn't stand with his master.

Sebel was a more 'traditional' sorcery apprentice who lacked faith and looked down on commoners.

Her attire was often casual, and even when attending noble gatherings, she would simply wear a black sorcerer's robe.

In fact, if it weren't for the need to sell the mentor's estate, she wouldn't have bothered attending at all.

This made her stand out among the elegantly dressed crowd.

Eccentric and arrogant woman!

That's how others referred to Sebel.

She was used to the strange looks from others, but Karl didn't want to endure this invisible pressure.

"Karl."

Before he could find a suitable spot, a familiar figure appeared, carried by the fragrant breeze, and pulled him to her side, "You're here too."

Karl was taken aback by Dana's enthusiasm.

The commander was not only beautiful but also had an outstanding figure, yet she usually kept a cold demeanor and rarely showed her feminine side.

However, Karl quickly realized the reason for her sudden warmth.

"Yes."

Karl took a step back, indicating that their relationship wasn't close, and bowed to the newcomer, "The commander is here too. Who is this?"

The sudden warmth from Dana was due to the handsome young man beside her.

Hmm...

He didn't look young, but he was well-preserved.

"Will."

The man smiled and nodded, "Dana's cousin."

"Karl." Karl realized, he had heard this name before. Dana's family had arranged a marriage for her, but it was clear that Dana wasn't satisfied. However, this was none of his business, so he introduced himself, "Karl Bergman, a regular patrol officer."

"You still remember your position." Dana's attempt to use Karl as a shield failed, and her face turned cold, "I heard you're about to leave Signo City, but at least for now, you're still a patrol officer.

"There shouldn't be any shortage of staff on duty."

"Yes, sir," Karl nodded. "You're right, sir."

He had indeed overdone it, as he hadn't been to work for a long time due to the incident in Black City.

"You, come here!"

Dana pulled him aside and whispered, "What's going on with Kerry recently?"

"Kerry?" Karl asked, as Kerry was his only friend in Signo City.

"What's wrong with him?"

"He's been borrowing money from everyone," Dana said softly.

"He borrowed from me, and many of our colleagues. Didn't he ask you for money?"

"Uh..." Karl shook his head. "No."

"None? Does he look down on you, or doesn't he want to burden you?" Dana looked at him with suspicion and resentment in her eyes. "I lent him twenty pounds!"

Twenty pounds!

Two gold coins!

That was by no means a small amount for her.

Taking a deep breath, Dana continued, "I'm not afraid of anything else, but I'm afraid he's gotten into gambling. Twenty pounds... it's not too much, but it can ruin a person."

"Yes, sir," Karl said solemnly. "I'll find out what's going on."

"But sir, are you planning to leave your cousin there and not take care of him?"

As they spoke, the distance between them and Will grew, and they were soon separated by the crowd and could no longer see each other.

"Don't worry about him," Dana said, her face darkening. "My fiance should at least be a knight."

A knight?

Karl shook his head slightly.

"The kingdoms of Sachs and Gandor are brotherly federations. No matter which country is in danger, the other should set aside their differences and help each other."

"Our friendship, the Dawn Lord can bear witness!"

On the high platform, Princess Dunna from the Kingdom of Sachs was speaking loudly, "Kolon is a thief. He not only stole the authority of the Dawn Lord over the flames but also wants to steal the people of both countries."

"The gods will not allow it!"

"We will not allow it either!"

"Such a thief should suffer endless torment in the underworld and be scorned by the people!"

As a princess of one of the two countries, it was natural for her to make such statements in public.

However, only a few people below the stage were listening attentively.

"She's very beautiful," Will said, stroking his chin.

"Who are you talking about?" Martha approached. "Your cousin Dana or Princess Dunna?"

"They're both beautiful," Will turned around and skillfully embraced Martha's slender waist, speaking softly, "Of course, neither of them is as beautiful as you."

"Hmph... I know how I look," Martha rolled her eyes and twisted her body. "Not here, my cousin might see us."

She didn't dislike their intimate contact, and from her movements, it seemed she was already used to it.

"Dana?"

Will shook his head.

"She looks down on me."

"My cousin has always had high standards," Martha shrugged. "If you could inherit your father's position or become a knight, you might win her heart."

"But it doesn't matter. Their relationship is not up to her."

"You seem to really want me to be with her," Will said curiously. "If we were together, with my cousin's personality, she would definitely not allow me to see you again."

"If he doesn't allow it, would you still come secretly?" Martha rolled her eyes. "I just want to see the expression on her usually proud face when you're on top of her."

"Would she still be so high and mighty?"

"Haha..." Will exuded confidence. "You know my abilities, so that's definitely impossible!"

...

After Princess Dunna's speech, Baron Balor also took the stage.

The baron, who had a military background, was a renowned warrior and a great knight himself.

His presence could boost the morale of the front-line soldiers.

Following them, notable figures from the city took the stage, expressing their loyalty to the country and their anger towards the enemy nation.

"To show my sincerity," Robert said solemnly, "I am willing to donate one thousand gold coins and two thousand sets of clothing to support the warriors on the front lines and serve the king faithfully."

...

His generosity earned him applause from the crowd.

"Is Robert that wealthy?" Karl clapped and asked, "That's one thousand gold coins and two thousand sets of clothing. Can he just take them out like that?"

"Yes," Dana nodded. "He's not only a physician but also a successful merchant. He has shares in the factories in the north."

"One thousand gold coins are a distant number for others, but it might not be much for him."

"Tsk tsk..." Karl shook his head.

He had been working hard in Black City, and all his income added up to only one or two thousand gold coins.

Such a comparison was indeed enviable.

"Karl!"

Sebel approached with a frown, "I don't like the atmosphere here. I'm heading back to the manor. Don't forget to pick up the items when you return."

"Okay," Karl nodded.

"Hmm..." Sebel thought for a moment and continued, "There's another banquet in a few days. Go in my place to see off Archbishop Antonio."

"The Archbishop is leaving?" Karl was surprised. "Signo City can't be without an Archbishop."

Archbishop Antonio was the pillar of Signo City, and his importance far surpassed that of the city lord, especially regarding the people's hearts.

With the current unfavorable situation on the front lines, if the Archbishop were to leave, it might cause significant unrest.

"It seems he's returning to the royal capital to report. Regional bishops have to return every four years. If the Archbishop wants to be promoted to a cardinal, he can't stay here forever," Sebel explained.

"Okay!"

She gestured towards the crowd in the hall, "They're here to take over the Archbishop's position in Signo City and ensure everything remains stable."

"I understand," Karl sighed. "Alright."

He seemed to have a lot of free time, but in reality, he had many tasks to attend to.

Since he had to leave, he would need to deal with the various materials and interpersonal relationships on hand, as well as social obligations.

These are minor inconveniences.

Before leaving, I still need to meet up with Aya and the others in Vitri City.

The journey to Black Swamp is long, and I'll be traveling with Sebel and the others. There won't be any opportunities for teleportation along the way.

"Hya!"

"Hya!"

As a noble, horsemanship is a required course.

Karl controlled the horse beneath him and rode along the riverbank. After a long and arduous journey, a vague city could be seen in the distance.

Vitri City.

The legendary Sunlit City and Free Harbor.

"Whoa..."

Gently squeezing the horse's belly, Karl leaped off the horse's back and landed on the ground. He scooped up a handful of dirt and examined it closely.

The soil was loose and heavily compacted.

"The Great Cataclysm..."

Karl looked ahead, his expression complex.

This world seemed very abnormal, very abnormal. It wasn't just Black City; the more he explored, the deeper this feeling grew.

The distance from Black City to Vitri City was over a hundred kilometers, yet there were hardly any towns or villages along the way.

Most were ruins of villages.

The reason for this scarcity was simple: they couldn't!

More and more land became infertile, and there was a severe lack of water sources. Even wild beasts had become scarce, and ordinary people couldn't survive outside.

No wonder everyone was flocking to the cities.

Whether it was the records in books or the words of the elders, they all indicated that this wasn't always the case.

The change began with the so-called 'Great Cataclysm.'

But what exactly was the 'Great Cataclysm'? Karl wasn't sure. He only observed that the places suitable for human habitation were becoming fewer and fewer over time.

This world...

Seemed to be heading towards death!

Just like the fragmented crimson moon in the sky.

...

"Is this Vitri City?"

The scene before him made Karl's expression strange. He lingered at the city gates for a long time before shaking his head in silence and slowly leading his horse into the city.

Although the city was dilapidated, the market was bustling.

People came and went, and the shouting never ceased.

"Come and see, come and see! Fresh sea cargo! It's on sale, two kilograms for just one Blessing Coin!"

"Manta ray bones, the best material for making fishhooks..."

"Fishing nets, fish food, fishing rods... I've got everything you could want. Even if it's a fishing boat, as long as you can afford it, I can get it for you."

"Thud!"

A huge fish, weighing several hundred pounds, was slammed onto a cutting board. The seller, bare-chested, brandished a large knife:

"Fresh fish meat, come and buy it!"

Being a coastal city, Vitri City's specialty was seafood.

All kinds of seafood.

Throughout his journey, what impressed Karl the most wasn't the variety of seafood but the pervasive fishy smell that was everywhere.

Occasionally mixed with a stench!

The muddy ground beneath his feet was even more treacherous.

"Moonlight Flowers, one Blessing Coin each. They can guide you in the vast ocean and calm your emotions."

"I'll take three."

"I want one!"

Karl turned his head and saw a crowd gathered around the stall selling Moonlight Flowers, everyone vying to buy them.

Moonlight Flowers?

Karl's gaze fell on the flowers, and his eyes flickered.

These flowers seemed to be a type of enchanted material with the ability to gather magic and attract moonlight, enhancing the effectiveness of light spells.

"Swordtooth Shark Venom Sacs!"

"Pearl Powder!"

"Coral Fragments!"

"Sea Serpent Scales, perfect for making underwater protective gear. A master's work can even allow breathing underwater."

"Seahorse Horns have certain healing properties. Carry one with you, and minor injuries can be healed, and severe injuries can be stabilized."

"..."

Karl slowed down, and his eyes grew brighter.

Enchanted artifacts and witchcraft materials were rare and expensive where he came from.

Many witches even tried to substitute ordinary materials due to the scarcity of enchanted items.

This place was different!

Witchcraft materials were common!

If Karl had enough witchcraft materials, his progress in witchcraft would accelerate.

It was common knowledge that the key to creating enchanted items lay in the materials. With the right materials, even a witch apprentice could create enchanted items.

'It seems that in addition to alchemy and witchcraft traps, the creation of enchanted items will also be part of my future learning plan.'

'Hmm...'

'Sebel doesn't seem skilled at creating enchanted items?'

That's nonsense!

Limited by materials, many advanced witch apprentices couldn't even create a few enchanted items themselves.

"Sea Demon Bones, when integrated into specific weapons, can unleash the Sea Demon's Roar, a power that captivates the hearts of others."

Hmm?

Karl suddenly turned around.

"I'll take it!"

Before he could get close, a tall woman had already walked over and pressed down on the bones:

"Who dares to take what the Sea God's followers have chosen?"

As her words fell, the people around lowered their heads. Karl raised an eyebrow and turned away, leading his horse forward.

A knight!

And a powerful one at that.

As a newcomer, it was best to keep a low profile.

The fact that witchcraft materials were sold in the market indicated that they weren't rare to the locals.

Karl had already decided to stay in Vitri City, just as he had when he first arrived in Black City.

To stay long-term, he needed money.

"Blessing Coins?"

This was the common currency in Vitri City, similar to the large coins Karl had previously obtained from Hal.

The Blessing Coins were smaller, and Karl wondered if they contained Essence like the larger coins.

If they did, that would be perfect!

With this thought, Karl lightly patted his waist.

The wooden box at his waist trembled slightly, and a faint buzzing sound, like that of an insect, guided him towards a small path.

Tracker Bugs! Enchanted insects that could detect scents imperceptible to ordinary people.

The reaction indicated that Aya and the others were nearby.

Following the guidance, Karl stopped in front of a dilapidated wooden house. He shook his head and said:

"Now that we're here, it's time for you all to live separately."

"Uncle."

Aya stepped out of the house, smiling.

"We used to live underground, and being together was warmer and felt safer. I'm still not used to it."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end