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MT - 45 Arrival
🕑 Added 2024-12-18 06:12:13 +0000 UTC"Wake up."
Ghislaine's cold voice broke through Roy's nap, rousing him from slumber. He blinked awake, only to find Rudeus staring at him with an inexplicable grin. The sight was unsettling enough to shake off any lingering drowsiness.
Roy frowned, his irritation clear. "What are you grinning about, Rudeus?"
Rudeus stifled a laugh, mumbling, "I can't help but wonder what people will think when they see you like this. They'll probably mistake you for a girl."
He raised an eyebrow as he spoke.
After all, someone like Roy—golden-haired, stoic, and with an air of haughty pride—would easily be mistaken for a young noblewoman. If he wandered alone, it wouldn't be surprising if someone tried to knock him out and sell him for gold.
Of course, they'd first need the strength to pull that off.
Meeting Rudeus's mischievous gaze, Roy scoffed. He flexed his right arm slightly, his bicep tightening under his sleeve. "They're welcome to try, if they dare."
Rudeus gulped, a flicker of unease crossing his face as he recalled all the times Roy had beaten him into shape in the past.
"Let's move. Quit wasting time chatting." Ghislaine cut in, her voice cool and commanding.
The city before them, the largest in the region, was bursting with life.
The first thing that caught their attention was the city walls—massive structures standing seven to eight meters tall, encircling the entire metropolis with a sense of impenetrable strength.
The enormous gates buzzed with activity as carriages rolled in and out. Beyond the gates, rows of open-air stalls lined the streets, filling the air with the vibrant chatter of merchants and townsfolk.
Not far from the entrance, several stables and inns could be seen, catering to travelers.
Armored figures mingled with ordinary townspeople and merchants, creating a scene straight out of a fantasy story. The air was thick with the distinct charm of a medieval world, with its western otherworldly vibe washing over them like a wave.
At one point, a middle-aged vendor manning a fruit stand caught sight of them. His eyes lit up as he called out enthusiastically, "Young lady, care for an apple?"
Walking at the front, Roy sighed heavily, his expression stern. "You should've said, 'Young man, care for an apple?'"
His lips twitched as he said it, realizing just how familiar the situation felt. It reminded him uncomfortably of a certain main character from another story.
Rudeus, meanwhile, had noticed people sitting at what looked like a waiting area for carriages, some carrying large pieces of luggage.
"Ghislaine, what's that for?"
Ghislaine frowned, her displeasure evident. "What do you mean by that?"
Caught off guard by her sharp tone and glare, Rudeus stammered, "No, no, I didn't mean anything bad! I just don't know what that is, so I was hoping you'd explain…"
Tilting her head slightly, Ghislaine softened. "Oh, that's what you meant? My bad."
Roy, familiar with her personality by now, resisted the urge to comment. Despite her fearsome demeanor, Ghislaine had moments of surprising kindness and cluelessness. It was almost endearing—if one ignored her hulking presence.
Ghislaine quickly explained, "That's a public carriage stop. People use those to travel between towns, or they pay traveling merchants to hitch a ride with them."
As they continued exploring, it became clear that Rudeus and Roy were still novices when it came to urban life. Ghislaine pointed out various establishments, a weapons shop here, a tavern there, the local adventurers' guild branch, and even some shadier establishments that required no further explanation.
As they turned a corner, the atmosphere shifted noticeably.
Shops catering to adventurers—weapon and armor stores—lined the streets at first. But as they ventured further, the scene transitioned to stores more suited for local residents.
The city's layout was meticulously planned.
In the event of an attack, those near the gates would be the first line of defense, buying enough time for the townspeople to retreat deeper into the city or escape in the opposite direction.
As one ventured deeper into the town, the buildings became increasingly grandiose, and the shops more luxurious, catering to those with wealth and refined tastes.
In this city, proximity to the center was directly proportional to affluence.
At the heart of it all stood a colossal white palace—a structure so resplendent it was impossible not to marvel. Its architectural style screamed of European grandeur, with intricate designs and an almost ostentatious elegance.
"That's the lord's residence." Ghislaine said in her usual calm tone.
Roy raised an eyebrow. "Calling it a residence feels like an understatement—it's more like a fortress."
Internally, he couldn't help but mentally flip off the excesses of the elite.
"This is a fortress city." Ghislaine explained, her expression neutral.
Entering the estate was remarkably smooth. Ghislaine's distinctive presence was enough for the two guards stationed at the gate to allow them passage without question.
Led by Ghislaine, the group walked straight through the grand entrance and into the central hallway.
Roy's eyes caught a detail along the way: numerous maids with feline ears and tails were bustling about.
Most of them were youthful, probably in their late teens, with an appearance that could easily be described as charming or cute.
Rudeus's eyes lit up at the sight, and he broke into a grin. "Well, the lord of this place has surprisingly good taste, don't you think, Nii-san?"
Roy, unfazed by the cat-eared maids, gave a nonchalant snort. "Hmph, nothing special."
For Roy, who had no inclination to indulge his fantasies, the maids held little appeal. He was already well aware of the dangers of being blinded by such temptations, and today, he wasn't about to give the lord any undue praise for his indulgences.
Rudeus, however, leaned in with a sly smile. "Oh? Is that so? But what if it were Roxy dressed like this?"
Roy paused, caught off guard by the mental image that immediately formed in his mind.
He could see it clearly—Roxy, petite and graceful, donning a maid outfit. The white stockings clinging to her slender legs accentuated their delicate curve, while a pair of cat ears atop her head completed the ensemble. She struck a playful pose, exuding an irresistible charm.
Wait. That's actually…
Damn, that's lethal.
Roy swallowed hard, retracting his earlier indifference. "Alright, I'll admit it. If it were Roxy in a cat-eared maid outfit, I wouldn't object."
Rudeus chuckled knowingly. "See? Even you have good taste."
For a moment, the two exchanged glances, a subtle smirk playing on both their lips.
The estate was vast, but the central meeting hall wasn't far. After only a short walk, they approached their destination.
However, before they could enter, a loud, coarse voice echoed from within. "Where are they?!"
Roy instinctively frowned. He detested being shouted at, regardless of whether it was someone's habit or temperament.
Accompanying the shout were heavy, deliberate footsteps. Soon, a man in his fifties emerged from the room.
The man was imposing—broad-shouldered and barrel-chested, with a height of at least 1.9 meters. His dark brown hair was streaked with gray, a testament to both his age and his enduring vigor. He radiated a rough, unyielding energy that demanded attention.
