The iron bells hanging from the carriage swayed back and forth, their crisp chimes accompanying the caravan as it slowly advanced along the road on the hillside.
"That's Burnt Stone City, right?"
Xilutaiya looked out the window at the city built against the mountain. True to its name, its stone bricks bore many scorched marks, as if it had once experienced a great fire.
"That's right. We'll be in Burnt Stone City soon." The merchant Fandexi rode past the carriage Xilutaiya was in.
"After we arrive in Burnt Stone City, we'll rest for a while, replenish our goods, and also sell what we've acquired to the merchants' association in the city."
"Mr. Fandexi, don't you sell directly to the citizens in the city?" Xilutaiya was a little surprised.
"It's different from the situation in the village." He shook his head.
"The market fees in the city aren't cheap. Secondly, if we had to sell off all these goods, it would take a long time and simply wouldn't be worth it."
"Finally, the merchants' association in the city is powerful. An itinerant merchant like me can't compete with them. To avoid conflict, selling the goods directly to them is the best choice."
"I see."
As they chatted, the caravan gradually reached the city gates and submitted to the guards' inspection.
The process didn't take much time. The guards simply recorded the number of vehicles and the general cargo, then quickly let them through. As for the carriage Xilutaiya was in, they didn't even look at it.
"Go." The driver shook the reins and urged the pack horses forward.
Once they entered the cobblestone streets of the city, the carriage became smoother, and Xilutaiya observed the street scenes along the way through the gaps in the window.
The city was quite lively. Villagers and peddlers from the surrounding areas walked along the streets, selling daily necessities and some local foods.
At this time, Xilutaiya also noticed several special people. They wore short cloaks and carried weapons on their shoulders—double-bladed axes, broadswords, long spears, and some bore bows and arrows. Compared to ordinary passersby, they were noticeably more confident and bold, and generous when buying things.
"Those are adventurers," Taliel said, seeing where Xilutaiya's gaze was directed.
"My grandfather used to be an adventurer. They take jobs issued by the local guild and complete them for payment."
"How strong are these people?" Xilutaiya blinked. Her Appraisal Eye told her that although these people hadn't reached first-order attribute yet, their strength was far greater than ordinary guards, and one person's Breathing Method had even reached the second stage.
"The strength of adventurers varies. The more capable ones have reached first-order, but those stronger are rarely seen." Taliel replied.
"But my grandfather used to be a second-order adventurer and was very strong." No wonder that old man had such a temper, and even Frien didn't dare talk back to him.
Having second-order strength in his youth made him a rare and formidable figure in this region, so it was only natural that he was on good terms with the former Baron Holin.
Arriving at a large inn in the city, after Fandexi communicated with the owner for a while, the carriage drove into the backyard and parked. Taliel and Xilutaiya also got out of the carriage.
The stable was filled with the mixed smells of damp fodder, animal dung, and livestock body odor. Fortunately, it was open-air, so the smell wasn't too heavy. After getting off the carriage, Xilutaiya slightly covered her nose with her sleeve, then her eyes beneath the hood curiously looked around.
Just after leaving the backyard and coming to the inn's front hall, a caravan member came over.
"Miss Tiya, Lord Fandexi invites you to dinner together."
"Where?" From the other person's tone, it seemed they wouldn't be dining at the inn.
"At Jelia Restaurant in the city. I'll take you there." The person bowed slightly and made a gesture.
Afterward, Xilutaiya and Taliel followed the person along the street, and about two minutes later, they arrived at a street-side restaurant.
The place had arched windows decorated with colored glass, and the main door was also made of glass and curtains, looking especially elegant.
Pushing the door open, several maids standing by the door came forward to guide them, letting Xilutaiya go up to a private table on the second floor. Curtains separated several window-side tables here, and the environment was quiet. Taliel stayed on the first floor to dine with the caravan youths.
Entering one of the booths, Fandexi was already seated. He now removed his felt hat and placed it aside. His bear-like body leaned against the chair back, exuding a rare sense of relaxation.
"Miss Tiya has arrived." He half-rose to greet her, then sat down again.
After these days of getting along, he and Xilutaiya had become somewhat familiar, no longer as restrained and obsequious as at the beginning.
"Sit down. The food here is delicious, and I guarantee you won't be disappointed." He assured her.
"Then I'll look forward to it." Xilutaiya smiled and bowed her head slightly in thanks.
Seeing the silver-haired girl across from him smile, Fandexi was stunned for a few seconds, then shook his head.
"Miss Tiya, your beauty is truly irresistible." He sighed.
Actually, he wasn't even sure now whether she was truly a noble, but this temperament and appearance were probably unmatched even by some great noble heirs. That was why he was willing to invest friendship in this girl.
"Thank you for the compliment." As for the compliments on her appearance, Xilutaiya didn't know how many times she had heard them in these days. Even though she was mentally prepared, she still felt a little shy every time she heard them.
Speaking of which, being good-looking was indeed a blessing, but it occasionally brought some trouble. She was already considering whether to wear a light veil when going out in the future.
The two simply chatted about their experiences over these days. Fandexi said he would stay in the city for a while. Knowing that Xilutaiya had just arrived in Burnt Stone City, there must be many places where she needed help.
"Miss Tiya, what are your plans for the future?"
"Me? I'll probably first find a place to live in the city, then prepare to find a job. Then learn some knowledge, and then plan for the future." Who could say for sure about the future?
Hearing this, Fandexi didn't make an immediate suggestion but stroked his large beard and thought for a while.
"I'm a merchant and don't have much influence in the city. However, I can arrange a place for Miss Tiya to stay. It's a place I used to live in, but since I'm rarely in Burnt Stone City, it's been vacant all along."
"Truly, this is a lot of trouble for you. I'll remember this kindness." Even though she knew the other party was investing out of self-interest, Xilutaiya still felt a surge of gratitude. Otherwise, given her current situation, it would be very difficult for her to settle down in the city on her own.
"Hahaha, these are all small matters." Seeing Xilutaiya express herself this way, he was considerably comforted. At least the investment might yield some return.
If Xilutaiya were the type to be indifferent and a bit arrogant and picky, he probably wouldn't dare invest too much help to avoid loss.
Not long after, the restaurant's waiter brought the prepared dinner, placed it on the table, and opened the food cover. A wave of steam carrying fragrance spread out.
On the silver plate was a roasted large goose. Its skin was golden and crisp, and around it were arranged red berries and roasted parsley as accompaniments.
"Sir, do you need it cut now?" the waiter asked, bending over.
"Let's look at it a while longer. Every time, I feel that Chef Martin's food is like art." He praised the restaurant's head chef.
The waiter understood the meaning behind his words and carefully rotated the plate, trying to let the golden-roasted large goose be admired from all angles by the two of them.
For Xilutaiya, who even had memories of her past life, this was also a rare feast. A hint of curiosity showed in her eyes, and information about this meal surfaced in her mind.
[Roasted White Goose] (Quality: Excellent): After removing the entrails, stuff bread, orange segments, and spices into the goose's belly. Then coat the goose skin with butter and roast it. Finally, sprinkle pepper and brush a small amount of sauce. The flavor and texture are excellent.
After viewing, the waiter took out a dining knife, cut open the goose's belly, took out the bread inside, broke it into pieces, paired them with small pieces of cut goose meat, and placed them in both of their plates.
"Please enjoy." After finishing with the roasted goose, this waiter respectfully left.
Xilutaiya used a fork to take a small piece from the plate and put it in her mouth. The steam mixed with the sweetness of butter. After biting down, first came the taste of pepper and meat, then the softness of breadcrumbs. Mixed together, the juices spread in her mouth, and her taste buds were instantly activated.
Hah...
After finishing this piece, she exhaled in small breaths to cool her scalding tongue.
Seeing the girl's adorable appearance, Fandexi had to look away again, otherwise he felt he would melt in that strange charm she exuded.
Even a kingdom's princess couldn't be more cute and moving than this, he thought. If this girl entered the upper nobility, she would probably attract countless young talents competing for her. If he were ten years younger, he might even join the ranks of suitors, even if the hope was slim. But now... the ambitious aspirations of his early years had long since dissipated.
...
While enjoying the delicious food, Fandexi brought up Xilutaiya's age.
"Probably fifteen or sixteen."
She estimated her own age based on Taliel's age. Taliel was only just over sixteen, and the two weren't much different in height.
"Sixteen?" Fandexi looked Xilutaiya over slightly. Her facial lines were still somewhat soft and not yet fully developed, so she did look about that age.
"If you're sixteen, Miss Tiya, it wouldn't be easy to find a job." He mused.
"There's always a way." In her past life, she had left university and worked for several years, so she wasn't too worried about it.
At worst, she could live more simply and save money. In this world possessing supernatural power, what was more important was how to increase one's strength.
"Mr. Fandexi, do you know where one can learn about advancing one's supernatural attribute?"
"I happen to know some about this. Or rather, anyone with ambition would ask about it. Hehehe." He laughed while raising his wine cup and gently swirling it.
"If you're an ordinary commoner, the most common path is to join the army or a noble's guard. They teach knowledge related to the 'Castle' attribute and various combat skills. If you have extraordinary talent and can enter second-order before forty, even if you're of low birth, you'll gain considerable respect."
"But for the true upper class—I mean the rulers and upper-class figures of this country—entering third-order is the true beginning."
"A third-order Castle attribute qualifies you to pledge loyalty to a monarch or great noble, become their knight, and obtain your own fief. At worst, a village; if you perform well, even a town is possible."
"The king often has a powerful Knight Order under his command. Every member is a knight of third-order or above. They can single-handedly massacre villages and destroy towns, subdue powerful monsters in the mountains, and are stars and powerful forces on the battlefield."
"Each knight is paired with three or four second-order Castle attribute knight squires. Together they form a steel legion of over a thousand people that can sweep across the entire battlefield, shatter any defense, and is invincible wherever it goes."
"The Raygas Principality we are in now—the founding monarch was hailed as the 'Knight King.' Hundreds of years ago, he led the Fir Knight Order in twenty-seven consecutive battles. The ice-cracked swallowtail flags fluttered, thousands of lances were like thunderbolts tearing through cold mist, crushing countless enemies and local tribal forces. Finally, he established the capital at White Cliff City and opened up his own kingdom among these mountains."
"But those are things from long ago. The Raygas Principality of today is not as strong as before, and has been demoted from a kingdom to a principality." He shook his head slightly.
"Aside from this most common path, next is joining various different guilds and organizations. Small ones include the Gourmet Guild, Gardener Guild, Stonemason Guild. They have related first- to second-order knowledge and secret arts. Larger guilds such as the Apothecary Guild, Smithing Guild, Thieves' Guild, etc., have related first- to third-order knowledge and secret arts."
"Is that all? I heard Taliel mention the Candle Fortress School." Xilutaiya asked, puzzled.
"Oh, right. Also, her sister Wenni once studied under Scholar Haide." Fandexi answered while twirling his mustache.
"The Candle Fortress School is different from the other guilds and organizations I mentioned. They are a powerful organization standing outside nations, and even many kingdoms need to rely on them to solve problems."
"As for the Candle Fortress School, I don't know much. After all, I'm just a small merchant. All I know is that many noble aides and advisors in the current Raygas Principality come from this school. The scholars certified with the Candle Fortress Badge are highly respected in this land, and even nobles treat them courteously."
"Thank you for letting me know."
Their meal gradually came to an end.
After enjoying the rare feast, Xilutaiya and Fandexi went downstairs. Then, together with the waiting Taliel and the young caravan members, they boarded the waiting carriage and returned to the inn.
That night passed peacefully.
The next day, Fandexi had someone clean the house that had been vacant for a long time and bought a new bed, handing it over for Xilutaiya to live in.
After getting the keys, Xilutaiya and Taliel toured inside and outside the house for a while, looking around.
"This is East City District. Although it's not as wealthy and luxurious as West City District, it's still a very good location," Taliel introduced to Xilutaiya.
"North City District is where Viscount Xuefeng's castle is located, and ordinary people generally can't enter. West City District is where the wealthy and a small number of nobles live. East City District is generally where freemen and some professionals live. South City District is also called the Lower City, where many poor people live."
The house wasn't large. The first floor was suitable for normal living, with a total of five rooms: a living room, a kitchen, a washroom, two bedrooms. Upstairs was an attic for storing miscellaneous items, not very spacious.
Behind the house was a small courtyard five meters wide. Some grass was planted there, but most of it had withered now, and there were quite a few weeds.
It was indeed small, but Xilutaiya was very satisfied. It was far better than the house she lived in while working in a big city before.
The following day, people Fandexi found helped clean the entire house. Afterward, Xilutaiya settled in, and Taliel would also temporarily live here. The two kept each other company.
At night, after washing up, the two sat in the small courtyard behind the house wearing pajamas. The cool evening breeze blew, dispersing the residual moisture on their bodies, and a comfortable sensation washed over them.
Xilutaiya leaned against a tall wooden chair. Beneath her pure white nightgown, her exposed ankles swayed gently. She raised her head to gaze at the night sky. Today she had a rare chance to see the moon.
On the grayish-white moon, there were faint dark markings, like flaws in jade. But these flaws made the moon seem more real and clear, no longer seeming illusory.
Bathed in moonlight, the girl felt a faint sense of lightness, as if after relaxing her whole body, she could float lightly up to the moon.
But she found that this was merely an illusion.
"Tiya, just now it seemed like a thin veil was covering you. The color was just like moonlight." Taliel said, her eyes full of curiosity now.
"No, maybe it was my illusion. I can't see it now."
"Mm." Xilutaiya shifted her gaze back to the ground and looked at Taliel beside her.
She probably really did have a strange connection with the moon.
Chapter 8