CHAPTER 42: INVITATION

The horses pulled the carriage away from the bright lights of the auction house, and they began to travel deeper into the capital city. As they did, the atmosphere shifted. The vibrant city life began to fade into quieter, more secluded streets.

Less rough and chaotic.

Aric leaned back in the carriage, his mind shuffling between his new knowledge of the weavers and his upcoming meeting. When he sat before the king and his council, whatever was done there would matter most. He needed to play his cards perfectly.

Lerai gazed out the window, his eyes zipping from one rising architecture to the next, while Serina was quiet and appeared contemplative, her mind just as deep in thought as Aric’s.

"There is something about this city, it feels... guarded," Lerai muttered.

Serina turned to Lerai then back at the window. "Yes, well, they have secrets to hide. I’d say it’s best we keep our wits to ourselves."

The carriage passed through several districts, each street lined by imposing buildings made of stone and wood. The glow of mana lamps offered some illumination to the main roads. The hum of distant voices and laughter filtered in from open taverns and streets filled with revelers.

They were in the noble district, the dwelling place for the rich and wealthy.

Large manors loomed, boasting sigils of noble families. Perhaps the best spot for a wealthy businessman like Razid Heidz to build an inn. However, they went on further, and the streets began to become more narrow and gave way to quieter alleys lined with more businesses, inns, brothels, and shady establishments.

Rather than the more professional courtesans that found business in the imperial city, the streets were rampant with what could only be described as cheap whores.

Their clothes were loose and revealing, their bare bosoms catching wind as they bothered not to raise the lacking linen that failed at an attempt at decent covering, revealing plump thighs and all the other things that would incline one to indulge in their lust.

They swarmed any passing carriage while repeatedly calling out the same thing:

"Good sir, come have the night of your life for only 100 silver... I won’t disappoint."

Some carriages would open, allowing one or more of these escorts to board, while some, like Aric’s carriage, would simply pass—perhaps in disgust.

Aric, however, did not judge. He very well understood that most times life did not give options, and whether it was to steal, kill, or even sell your body, one would have to do whatever was needed to survive.

After all, a person’s life is only worth as much as it is useful.

And warming the bed of some lustful lord for a night was, in itself, use. Whether it was honorable use was another matter.

At one point, the carriage halted for a moment as a group of city guards patrolled the area. Aric watched carefully through the window, but the guards passed without issue.

Aric’s eyes lingered on a few familiar buildings that might become a place of interest.

After a relatively short ride, the carriage pulled up to a discreet but well-maintained inn. It was erected in the less noisy parts of the capital. It was quite large yet understated, as though meant for high-profile guests who sought privacy.

As they entered, the innkeeper, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes, greeted the group. He was a man familiar with the importance of discretion and bowed respectfully as they entered, without a question spoken.

"Your rooms have been prepared, my lords," the innkeeper announced, assuming Aric to be a lord like the usual frequenters of the establishment. He then led the trio through the dimly illuminated corridors, their footsteps echoing softly.

They were taken to the upper floor where three rooms awaited them. Each one had a core element of luxury, but not overly extravagant—it kept a perfect balance for those wishing to avoid unnecessary attention.

Lerai and Serina exchanged a few quiet words before nodding at the prince and heading to their respective rooms, leaving Aric alone in the hallway.

He turned and he as well entered his room. Aric began to look around, taking in his surroundings. The room was spacious and furnished with a large bed, a writing desk, and a window overlooking the quiet streets of the capital.

The dim light from a lantern contorted shadows across the room, offering a slightly serene atmosphere. Aric took a breath, as though inhaling the silence after the tension-filled last couple of hours.

As the prince walked further into the room, his eyes locked onto an unexpected sight: a large wooden crate, sitting in the corner near the window. Its surface, which was well-polished, gleamed under the light’s soft glow.

Aric, his curiosity now piqued, approached closer to the crate, noticing a piece of parchment neatly attached to the top. He pulled it off, unfolding it to reveal a handwritten note.

"I hope this invitation gift suffices. If you are ever in Migard, pay me a visit. —Signed, Lord Heidz."

Aric’s lips curved into a smile. He had expected a lot of the unfolding events, but this one had come as a total surprise.

Invitation?

The Lord of Heidz was not a part of the king’s council despite being the wealthiest and one of the most powerful in the kingdom. However, he was aware of the council meeting, which would indicate he had interest in the king’s affairs.

What this could mean is that Heidz might not be on amiable terms with the king, and if that was the case, then the lord’s usefulness to Aric might significantly increase. The Migard province where Heidz ruled was the most strategic location in the prince’s conquest.

Aric set the note aside, and although already knowing what was inside the crate, he opened the top, revealing C-rank mana crystals, stacked neatly inside.

Seeing no need to leave them kept in there, Aric began to store away the crystals, safely keeping them until he would hand them over to Lerai back at the base. The value of the crystals in his hands was more than any could understand. They were now leverage in the complex game of politics and power he was preparing to play.

Standing by the window, Aric gazed out at the darkened street below.

"Things are falling into place faster than I expected. First the council. Then... perhaps Migard. What if the entire province was made a stronghold?"

Aric sighed, turning away from the window as he pulled out two books from thin air.

"But before that... how much stronger can I get with these techniques?"