Inside the carriage is Gray, Selena, and Isamu are minding their own business and wished that they'll arrive at Flocaster anytime soon and experience civilization yet again.

Fortunately for the group, the carriage held less risk of any Bandit ambush or any foul element whatsoever as they were prepared, thanks to the efforts of the sparrow Lily as she is capable of flying above the bright blue sky scouting around the premises for any potential hostile. Although there was that time yesterday when a group of Bandits did lie in waiting for anyone that pa.s.sed on the roads as she heard about their conversation related to it. As a result, Lily was able to warn her companions about it, thus the ambusher was ambushed instead.

Selena, despite her ongoing suspicion towards the Druid, had to admit that Lily is definitely a reliable a.s.set on their team, being the scout as well as the Healer, filling two important roles at once.

To be more specific at what the group is doing right now, Gray and Isamu are currently playing a card game that so they won't get bored that much while on this trip. Selena opted to simply observe them as she was done with the last match against the cat-folk, with her being victorious. Lily was out in her usual scouting duty as a sparrow.

The card game is called Wizard's Prodigium and it's based on real-life creatures and monsters here in Silverhart. It's an enjoyable game accessible by n.o.bles and common-folk alike and is played with both luck and skill if one wishes to emerge victoriously. Of course, and also with a good deck in the player's a.r.s.enal. Two months ago, it was Rarsu who introduced him and Selena to this fun game during apprentices.h.i.+p and since then, they were all hooked up.

"My Fire Elemental defeats your Gra.s.s Demon," Gray smirked in triumphant as he revealed his card from his hand, showing a humanoid figure engulfed with flames and laid it to the flat floor where his other cards of various magical creatures are also seen.

"Not bad, Gray." Isamu retorted with a defiant and mischievous look as he took out his own card showing the picture of a tidal wave. "But your luck ends here!! I activate Aquatic Field, thus nullifying any incoming attacks of your Fire Elemental and increasing the attack of my Water-based creatures."

"Really now?" Gray grinned with a challenging look. "Although it's your luck that's going to end today."

In an instant, the elf put out a unique card from his, revealing the trump card in a dramatic manner that immediately determined the outcome of the match in his favor.

"I summon... Sygmug, the Monster King of the Sea." Gray was having the time of his life as he revealed the card showing a mythical Kraken-like creature. "With this bad boy, you've just made your mistake activating Aquatic Field. Now, he is an unstoppable ent.i.ty and not even your Water-based creatures stood a chance against their ruler, hahaha!!"

"d.a.m.n it!!" Isamu gritted his teeth at his inevitable loss. With a heavy heart, he put the Gra.s.s Demon, a green muscular demonic ent.i.ty with numerous vines sporting on its hand, to the graveyard where many of his cards are piled up. "Why the h.e.l.l do you always have the good cards!?"

Gray chuckled merrily while shaking his head in response at Isamu losing again and him emerging victorious while Selena snickered mentally inside the two men's respective minds.

Lily after quite some time, has returned back to the carriage as she transformed back to her human form and talked to the trio about her findings outside.

"Hey, how goes the scouting?" Gray asked the Druid as he and Isamu secured their respective cards inside their own Inventories.

"It appears that we are approaching a small village not so far away from here," Lily told them. "If we continue to follow the road, then we should arrive there for about an hour or so."

"Ah yes, that village." Ivan joined in the conversation as he too was bored in seeing the same usual sights as the carriage driver and wishes for some social interaction.

"Do you know anything about the village, Ivan?" Gray inquired about it.

"Yes, my lord." Ivan nodded as he began telling him. "Einsberg is a small village two days away from the town of Flocaster. Surrounding the settlement is a vast land with plenty of natural resources as well as the livestock and cattle grazing on the open meadows. It's a lovely sight when one appreciates the beauty of Wynather's blessings."

"I see." Gray nodded with a smile in response. "I suppose that we can take our rest at that village in the meantime for today before proceeding to our next route. Who's the n.o.ble that overlooks the entire village?"

"That would be Baron Stan Walcot, my lord," Ivan responded. "He has three children; one daughter, and two sons. From what I've heard, he is a decent enough lord to his subjects and merely provides an adequate amount of treatment to them. So far, I also heard no complaints from the common-folk regarding him and his family. Of course, the matter would be entirely different when he deals with a n.o.ble like you, my lord. No doubt, he'll be generous and provide you and your companions a lodge inside his Manor should you truly choose to make your stay there."

"That's certainly rea.s.suring," Gray said in approval and faced the group of his intentions for them. "Well, I believe I know what our plans are going to be for tonight. I'll speak with the Baron to get ourselves acquainted and b.u.t.ter him up for us to have a roof under our heads, hehe."

Seeing no good reason to turn down the elf's statement, the gang all agreed with him as they waited for another hour before their inevitable arrival at the village.

***

An hour has pa.s.sed and the militia guards patrolling the near outskirts of the town became slightly alarmed upon witnessing an approaching carriage entering their line of sight.

Ivan saw two militia guards gesturing for his ride to stop for the purpose of inspection and what his intention is here at Einsberg.

The group also took notice that the village guards have inferior equipment compared to their counterparts in town. The guards are clad in a set of simple chainmail armor instead to provide enough protection.

"Greetings." One of the guards spoke up as he began questioning Ivan. "What brings you here into our humble village of Einsberg? Forgive us for sounding alarmed but there have been reports of Bandits roaming around the countryside."

"I understand sir guard." Ivan nodded in understanding since they're merely doing what is in line with their duty. "Inside this carriage, I bring my n.o.ble clients as instructed to me by the Count of Chadena, the esteemed Baron of Oakwood, Lord Gray Allister together with his three companions, his sister the Baroness Selena Allister, the Knight of the Allister Family, Isamu Meiyo, and a special envoy from the Order, Lady Liliane Springflower. Our intentions are to spend the night here so his lords.h.i.+p can rest and we'll depart immediately tomorrow going to Flocaster."

"The Baron of Oakwood?" The guard was slightly caught off guard by this revelation. Although Gray's name sounded unfamiliar, so he merely thought that he's a newly dubbed n.o.ble most likely. "I see. Still, protocol dictates that the esteemed occupants of the carriage must step foot outside so we can verify their ident.i.ty with our own two eyes. If that's okay with his lords.h.i.+p?"

"Verify away then." The guards all heard and saw an elf surprisingly departing from the inside of the carriage as he and his three companions revealed themselves to them all.

Of course, little time of the inspection is only needed however when the guards saw the rose badge being adorned on the soul-siblings' robes. Not to mention the plate armor that the cat-folk is wearing indeed is a sight to see. Regarding the Druid, the people know about the esteemed Order and its contributions to the land so she's welcome here as well.

The guards' demeanor immediately changed as both of them bow their heads down to acknowledge the group.

"A fine welcome to you, my lord, and his regarded companions." The guard greeted and allowed them entry without any hesitation. "The Lady will certainly be thrilled about your n.o.ble appearance here in our village."

"The Lady?" Gray questioned in confusion. "How about your Baron?"

"Baron Stan is currently away with his two sons at Flocaster together with a handful of his elite Knights." The guard answered. "As a result, the good Lady Stephania herself is left in charge of the affairs of the village. She'll be the one who'll welcome you in the Walcot Manor. I'll a.s.sign my partner here to escort you into the Manor."

"I see." Gray nodded in understanding. "Very well."

With the business with the guards now concluded, the carriage was granted entry to the village with a free reign as Ivan park it somewhere near the entrance at the stables and will be joining with the group soon after he's finished. The guard that was talking to them also sent a villager to inform the Lady in advance about Gray and the other's appearance to make the necessary preparations for their arrival.

While they are on the walk, Gray marveled at the small houses that make up most of the village's composition. The farmlands are seen nearby and many are tending to the crops as their way of sustenance in their daily lives. Overall, the village is quaint, quite similar to Oakwood except for the location of the buildings obviously as what one might expect in a village during the old times.

While the group is also pa.s.sing along the premises, many of the villagers and peasants acknowledge them, most notably at Gray and Selena as per their rank of n.o.bility with the u003cBadge of Barons.h.i.+pu003e being served as the proof.

In a short while, the quartet arrived at the entrance of a two-story luxurious manor. Near the door entrance, a young beautiful black-haired woman with twin-tail styled in a braid is seen with her maid, an old woman wearing the maid outfit designated to her task. The lady of the village wore an elegant long-sleeved dress that any n.o.ble worth their money can afford. The two of them welcome Gray's group in front of their abode with them bowing their head as a sign of welcome and respect.

"I welcome you, esteemed Baron and company." The n.o.ble lady greeted them with a friendly smile. "My name is Lady Stephania Walcot, acting Baroness of Einsberg with the absence of my honorable father and brothers. I was not expecting a visitor such as yourself to grace forth in my village."

Stephania Walcot

Level 9: u003cSilverhartianu003e

Health: 702 / 702

Stamina: 412 / 412

Mana: 222 / 222

"I'm Gray Allister, the Baron of Oakwood." Gray returned the gesture with his own bow. After the short action, he then introduced his companions as per compliance with the social etiquette that most n.o.bles are entirely known for. "And these are my companions, my sister, Lady Selena Allister, my Knight, Sir Isamu Meiyo, and a friend of mine from the Order, Liliane Springflower."

'Friend.' Lily indeed was beaming mentally at how Gray had introduced him to the Lady. Of course, she's also aware that it's all for the sake of formality of a sort and perhaps the elf neglected to use the word 'acquaintance' instead in favor of putting her into a good position with the social group and interaction most probably.

It's also one of Gray's conditions that if Lily wants to be part of the group, then she would interact like a normal human being and not a sparrow constantly lurking around in secrecy as she did to him and Selena for the past three months.

"Oakwood... I see." Lady Stephania smiled with a nod of acknowledgment. "Once again, it's a pleasure to meet you all. You must be tired from your long journey Baron Gray. Why don't we head on in so that you and your companions can get yourselves acquainted with the Manor and have some short rest? After that, we'll have some lovely dinner together. No doubt, all of you must have a grand tale to regale and it's nice to have some guests every once in a while."

"It would be our honor, my lady." Gray agreed with Stephania's suggestion as all of them proceeded to enter the Manor when the maid opened the door for them while acknowledging their presence with a respectful bow that compliments with her serious expression in line with her duty to the Lady.

And with that, the gang, for now, will have their rest for today here at the village of Einsberg before eventually making their way to Flocaster for tomorrow.