Heloise nodded obediently at once, replying in a soft voice, "Yes, Lord Hermit."
The Hermit smoothed the lapels of his robe, slightly ruffled from the battle, and said in a gentle voice, "There is no need to be so formal, Miss Heloise. As I said before, even if you were not here, I would have disposed of those vermin in passing."
Heloise looked up into the Hermit's eyes and said earnestly, "Mr. Hermit, to you this might just be a trifling matter. But without you, our caravan would likely have been entirely wiped out."
At this, Heloise produced an exquisitely carved broom flower crest from her sleeve and presented it with both hands.
"Mr. Hermit, you may not know, but my father, Duke Aiden, is a man who places great importance on gratitude. You have done us an immense service. Whether it be gold, silver, jewels, spell scrolls, or magic items, House Silver will do everything in our power to fulfill your wishes..."
Skilled at reading expressions, Heloise keenly noticed that when she mentioned "gold, silver, and jewels," the Hermit's pale green pupils dilated slightly, as if he took a distinct interest in them.
However, she said nothing more, merely continuing to listen quietly while making a mental note of this peculiarity.
The Hermit slipped the broom flower crest into his sleeve, stroked his beard, and then nodded with a smile. "Since you put it that way, it would be impolite of me to decline."
Heloise then asked curiously, "Mr. Hermit, where were you traveling?"
"Port Tarr. Though I haven't returned in quite some time, I should still have a few old acquaintances there."
The Hermit lightly waved the bronze scepter in his hand, and an illusionary map materialized in midair, marking the location of Port Tarr.
Heloise, however, gasped and covered her mouth in shock, gently pointing out, "Mr. Hermit, if I remember correctly... Port Tarr sank to the bottom of the sea a hundred and thirty years ago in a disaster that swept across Silvermoon Bay. That city exists now only in history books."
The Hermit froze on the spot, looking thoroughly bewildered. After a long silence, he shook his head with a wry smile. "Haha, it seems I truly have slept for far too long, to the point of being ignorant even of the world's basic state. I have... made a fool of myself before you."
Heloise could sense an aura of loneliness emanating from the man before her. Not wanting to disturb him, she simply stood by in silence.
The Hermit, however, seemed long accustomed to such things. Without much emotional turmoil, he merely sighed with sentiment.
After a moment, he turned back toward Heloise. "And your destination? Is it that so-called Port Victoria?"
Heloise nodded and answered somberly, "Yes, Mr. Hermit. Our objective this time was to transport this shipment of new arms back to Port Victoria. We never expected to be ambushed along the way..."
"Arms?"
With a flick of his sleeve, the Hermit pulled a brand-new rifle straight out of the air, casually turning it over in his hands.
"These things? Quite an intriguing little trinket..."
Within moments, he seemed to grasp how the firearm operated and fired a shot straight into the sky.
*Bang!*
"The power isn't bad at all. To think that in just a brief century, the world has changed so drastically..."
Heloise hesitated for a moment, tucking a stray lock of golden hair behind her ear. Steeling her resolve, she nervously extended an invitation.
"Mr. Hermit, since you have only recently awoken and are unfamiliar with the changes in the world, why not travel with us to Port Victoria? Port Victoria is now the largest and most prosperous city in the Silvermoon Bay region. House Silver can arrange lodging for you there and provide whatever information you need. What do you think?"
She bowed once more and murmured, "Furthermore, it would be my honor to travel alongside a spellcaster as powerful as you."
The Hermit did not hesitate for long. After pondering briefly, he nodded with a smile. "That sounds quite pleasant. As it happens, I have a fondness for human port cities. Let me see the sights of this Port Victoria, then. Miss Heloise, have your caravan get in order, and we shall depart shortly."
"Of course, Mr. Hermit!"
Heloise chimed in readily, her tone turning decidedly cheerful.
This was not merely because she no longer needed to worry about their safety for the rest of the journey, but because she had forged a connection with a mysterious, immensely powerful spellcaster.
A relationship with a spellcaster of this caliber was an invaluable asset to the entirety of House Silver.
"Mr. Hermit, allow me to lead—"
Heloise extended her hand, preparing to guide the way, when she saw the Hermit lightly tap the ground with his bronze scepter.
"No need for such trouble."
*Clang.*
A crisp metallic ring sounded. Heloise felt as though the space around them were being drawn back like a curtain, the surrounding scenery shifting in an instant.
By the time she gathered her wits, the two of them were already seated inside the lavishly decorated carriage.
Heloise was momentarily stunned. After a pause, she said from the bottom of her heart, "Mr. Hermit, your mastery of magic leaves me... utterly breathless."
The Hermit chuckled. "Haha, it is merely familiar practice, nothing extraordinary."
Just then, the guard captain Marvin noticed that the young lady had returned to the carriage and had even brought the unfamiliar guest inside.
Conscious of his earlier failure, he hurried over to greet them. Wearing a flattering smile, he bowed low. "My lady... and esteemed sir. The caravan has finished regrouping, and the wounded soldiers and horses have been bandaged. When do we plan to depart?"
"Right now. We must reach Port Victoria as quickly as possible to complete the task Father entrusted to us."
Heloise paused, then added, "Furthermore... inform everyone in the caravan. This is Lord Hermit, the most honored guest of House Silver. He is to be treated with the utmost courtesy. There must be no slight against him."
"Yes, my lady," Marvin replied respectfully, then turned to relay the orders to his men.
Inside the carriage, the mysterious Hermit and Heloise began a conversation that would have sounded rather bizarre to any outside observer.
"Which is currently the most powerful realm on the continent? Is it still the Kingdom of Fadlan?"
"Um... it should be the Kingdom of Cassander. Though in a sense, it broke away from the Fadlan Empire that once ruled the continent."
"Does the Silvermoon Bay League still exist?"
"Of course, though it is now called the Free Trade Confederation. The most powerful city-state within it is Port Victoria. It inherited part of Port Tarr's legacy and is governed by four dukes, including my father..."
"..."
This Hermit, newly awakened from slumber, asked only about the simplest common knowledge known to everyone on the continent.
Occasionally he inquired about the factions and political structure within Port Victoria, though he steered clear of House Silver's private affairs, and Heloise answered each question patiently.
In truth, Cassius was indeed using this eldest daughter of House Silver to grasp the general situation on the Feanso Continent.
After all, his memories of his past life had grown somewhat hazy, and he did not know what kind of butterfly effect his actions might trigger.
With the Hermit present, the rest of the journey went exceptionally smoothly.
Over the several dozen li of their travels, the caravan did encounter ambushing cultists, but before the wretched creatures could even draw near, they were reduced to charred cinders by lightning striking from the sky.
Marvin and the other caravan guards marveled in awe, finally shedding their wariness toward the mysterious Hermit and experiencing firsthand the immense benefits of having a mighty spellcaster in their midst.
Before the sun went down, the caravan was already rolling along a broad stone road, drawing close to its destination.
The Hermit parted the carriage curtain and gazed at the silhouette of the city emerging in the distance, his eyes fixed on the towering spires. He asked in a low voice, "Is that Port Victoria? It looks quite impressive, not a bit inferior to the Port Tarr of old."
Heloise also looked toward the familiar city walls and the fluttering broom flower banners, replying with a hint of pride, "Yes, Mr. Hermit, that is Port Victoria. The pearl of the western coast, the center of maritime trade in Silvermoon Bay, a hotbed of schemers, and... the territory of our House Silver."
In the sunlight, a beautiful luster gleamed within Heloise's violet eyes.
...
Port Victoria was divided mainly into the Upper District and the Lower District. This division had already begun to take shape when Queen Victoria founded the city, and over several centuries, the two districts had become completely separated.
The Upper District was the domain of the nobility, clergy, and other elites. The Lower District was a chaotic melting pot where commoners, thieves, and gang members gathered, concealing countless dark secrets.
The two districts were connected by the Tark Drawbridge, across which merchant caravans and religious orders frequently traveled, with the checkpoint guarded by mercenaries of the Hand of Mithral.
The Upper District sat on higher ground, comprising the Honor District, the Temple District, and the Radiant Victoria Quarter, among others. It was filled with numerous religious monuments and the opulent estates of various nobles.
The largest temple of the goddess Waukeen on the Feanso Continent—the Tower of Wealth—and the Hall of Wonders of Gond, the god of craft, were both situated in the Temple District.
To the northwest of the Honor District stood a majestic and imposing fortress. Its metal gates were carved with exquisite broom flower crests, guarded by over a hundred well-equipped mercenaries of the Hand of Mithral.
This was the renowned castle of the "Broom Flower" House Silver, Castle Silver, steeped in over two hundred years of heritage.
At the very top of the ancient fortress, within Broom Flower Hall—the symbol of the family's authority—Duke Aiden Silver sat regally in the primary seat.
He appeared to be in his forties, dressed in elaborate aristocratic robes, sporting a neatly trimmed mustache. His eyes bore the same violet hue characteristic of House Silver's direct lineage.
Centuries ago, when the ancestors of House Silver were merely fishermen, they had often been bullied for this bizarre eye color. Yet centuries later, those violet eyes had become a symbol of noble blood.
Before him stood the eldest daughter of House Silver, Heloise Silver, who had just returned from Greyport.
Listening to his daughter's report, Duke Aiden could not help but rise from his seat and pace back and forth by the window.
He hurried over to Heloise, his voice brimming with excitement. "Heloise, this Mr. Hermit you speak of—did he truly sleep for hundreds of years?"
Heloise nodded. "Father, if what Mr. Hermit says is true, it seems so. He had never even heard the name Port Victoria. In his recollection, Port Tarr had not yet sunk beneath the waves, and Fadlan was merely a kingdom..."
Duke Aiden nodded repeatedly, turning once more to gaze at the oil painting on the wall, and sighed in wonder. "A long-lived being capable of sleeping for hundreds of years... Even across the entire Feanso Continent, there can only be a handful."
He turned back and looked straight into Heloise's eyes. "Heloise, do you have any guess regarding this Hermit's true identity?"
"A dragon."
"Why?"
"In my conversations with Mr. Hermit, I noticed he possesses an extraordinary interest in gold and jewels. Combined with the trait of sleeping for centuries, a dragon is the most fitting answer. While I cannot yet be certain of his exact kind, judging by the aid he offered us, he ought to be a metallic dragon."
*Clap, clap.*
Duke Aiden clapped his hands. Looking at Heloise's earnest expression, he patted her shoulder and could not help but chuckle. "Excellent, that is precisely what I was thinking! Hahaha, Heloise, my proud daughter, you may very well have won the friendship of a dragon for House Silver!"
Duke Aiden sat down on the sofa in the center of the hall and murmured a few instructions to the butler waiting nearby, who promptly scurried off.
Moments later, the butler returned bearing an ancient tome bound in vellum, its cover stamped with large gilded letters: *Feanso Guide to Dragons*.
Duke Aiden placed the book on his lap, put on the gold-rimmed spectacles handed to him by the butler, and began paging through it carefully, not forgetting to add, "Heloise, tell me more about this Hermit."
"Yes, Father."
Heloise did not dare delay, promptly recounting numerous details from the journey.
Duke Aiden flipped through the *Feanso Guide to Dragons*, muttering under his breath as he read, "Skilled at attacking foes with lightning, fond of gold coins and jewels, capable of altering the weather... Wields a bronze scepter, cloaked in gray, with pale green eyes... Friendly and curious toward humans, possessing a strong sense of justice, intolerant of thieves and cultists, with a liking for port cities..."
At last, Duke Aiden found a page in the book and spread it open before Heloise.
Depicted upon it was a massive metallic dragon. It possessed a beak-like snout, a pointed tongue, and a sinuous, powerful body covered in sleek greenish-bronze scales, resembling a majestic statue cast in bronze.
Duke Aiden pushed up the gold-rimmed spectacles on the bridge of his nose, the corners of his mouth curving upward uncontrollably, his tone growing even more excited.
"Heloise, the 'Hermit' you encountered must be a bronze dragon, known to people as a 'Dragon of the Coast.' Furthermore, judging by the duration of his slumber and his ability to control the weather, this 'Hermit' is at least an ancient dragon!"
Heloise leaned in as well, looking with astonishment at the bronze dragon depicted in the book, magnificent and imposing like a bronze monument.
Though she had harbored suspicions, it was still difficult to imagine that the Hermit she had spoken with for so long was such a mythic entity.
Heloise sat down beside her father and asked curiously, "Father, if Mr. Hermit is a bronze dragon, is there anything special about them?"
"Hahaha! Heloise, my dear daughter, you have done House Silver an enormous service!"
Beaming from ear to ear, Duke Aiden stroked his mustache and pointed exuberantly to an excerpt of text in the book. Heloise followed his finger to read:
"Once a bronze dragon makes a pledge, it becomes the staunchest of allies, making their trust exceedingly precious. They are often fascinated by warfare, eager to join armed forces and fight for a righteous cause. I once saw a bronze dragon disguised as a human enlisted in military service, rising to become a general on the battlefield.
—Draconic scholar, Alsara Stein"
Chapter 564