Chapter 63: Aldermere City
Roderic’s sleepiness disappeared almost instantly.
’’Already?’’
He quickly pushed himself upright before pulling open the carriage curtain.
Bright sunlight immediately flooded in, nearly blinding him.
But as his eyes got used to the light, they slowly began to widen.
’Whoa...’
The difference compared to the Whitemane Barony was noticeable instantly.
Smooth stone roads, wide enough to let three carriages pass beside each other, stretched far into the distance.
Large farms and green fields covered much of the land on either side.
Roderic could see dozens of people already working despite the early hour, while large wooden barns and stables appeared every few hundred meters.
There were even several inns and small clusters of houses scattered along the road.
And the closer they got to the city, the busier everything became.
More carriages filled the roads, most belonging to merchants transporting goods. In between them, farmers walked with their livestock, while groups of travelers followed the stone paths along the sides.
’Damn,’ Roderic thought, leaning out the window. ’What a difference.’
And all that when they weren’t even inside the actual city yet!
Finally, his gaze shifted further forward.
Roderic’s eyes slowly began widening even further.
’Holy shit...’
Massive stone walls stood in the distance, lined with dozens of towers that were decorated with large blue banners bearing Marquis Valemont’s signs.
Through the wide-open gates, he could even see the countless two-story stone buildings inside.
Yet one structure towered above them all.
Near the center of the city stood an enormous castle, built upon elevated ground and overlooking practically the entire city.
Roderic remained silent for several seconds.
’So that’s Aldermere,’ he thought. ’The capital of the Valemont Marquisate.’
Compared to the Whitemane Barony, it almost felt like another world.
But instead of feeling jealous, a grin slowly grew on Roderic’s face.
’How long will it take me to grow our territory to this size?’
A strange excitement spread through his chest at the thought of all the opportunities.
Unlike Earth, there was magic in this world, which didn’t make it impossible to construct cities rapidly.
’It just requires me to set everything up well,’ he thought, rubbing his hands together.
Roderic continued looking outside as their group followed the road towards the city.
It didn’t take long before the Valemont knights stationed near the gates noticed them.
More specifically, they noticed the Whitemane banners carried by several of his knights.
One of the guards immediately stepped forward.
’’House Whitemane?’’ he asked, bowing slightly.
Edmund quickly rose from his seat at the front of the carriage.
’’Indeed,’’ he replied firmly. ’’Young Master Roderic Whitemane has come on behalf of Baron Arthur Whitemane.’’
The guard’s expression didn’t change one bit.
’’Of course,’’ he said, nodding once. ’’Welcome to Aldermere.’’
Without waiting, the man raised his hand towards the other guards, signaling for them to step back.
Almost immediately, one side of the entrance was cleared for them.
’’Once you’re through the gates, please wait by the side of the road,’’ the guard added. ’’A knight will arrive shortly to guide you to your residence.’’
Edmund nodded politely, sitting down once more.
’’Understood. Thank you.’’
With that, their carriage moved through the gates.
Following the guard’s instructions, they pulled off to the side shortly after entering.
Fortunately, they didn’t have to wait long.
Barely a few minutes later, a knight wearing polished silver armor came riding towards them.
His eyes briefly moved across the Whitemane banners before stopping beside the carriage.
’’Welcome to Aldermere,’’ he said politely. ’’I’ve been assigned to guide you to your residence.’’
The knight turned his horse around immediately.
’’Please follow me.’’
Roderic’s group quickly began moving again.
It was only then, as they traveled deeper into the city, that Roderic finally got a proper look at the people living here.
’There’s got to be over fifty thousand people in this city alone,’ he thought, shaking his head. ’That’s already more than we have in total!’
Before long, they reached an area filled with spacious estates.
Each held another noble family’s banners, clearly already prepared for the gathering.
That wasn’t all either.
Roderic noticed many had already arrived, judging by their luxurious carriages.
After another few minutes, they finally came to a stop in front of a large residence.
Whitemane banners fluttered outside the windows while several servants already stood ready to receive them.
The carriage door opened almost immediately.
Roderic stepped outside and stretched his arms above his head.
’’Finally...’’ he muttered before letting out a yawn.
Edmund climbed down shortly after him while the rest of their group began settling in.
Servants took care of the horses and luggage, while several of the knights immediately began inspecting the residence.
Roderic was about to head inside when Edmund suddenly approached him.
’’Young master, there’s something you should know.’’
Roderic glanced over.
’’Mhm?’’
’’The main gathering won’t begin for another three days,’’ Edmund explained. ’’For now, Marquis Valemont is simply receiving the arriving noble families.’’
Pausing, Roderic’s brows furrowed slightly.
’Three days?’ he thought. ’We still have that much time?’
His mind began churning right away.
Originally, he’d planned to head to Ravenport for the main quest after the gathering.
’But is that really needed? Might as well just do it now.’
Before Roderic could say anything, Edmund continued.
’’There will apparently be a smaller gathering tomorrow evening as well. The families who have already arrived are welcome to attend.’’
Roderic remained silent for a moment.
Then he shook his head.
’’No, thank you,’’ he replied. ’’One of those gatherings is more than enough.’’
Who the hell would sign up for more torture sessions!
Besides, there was something far more important he could be doing in that time.
’’Instead of that,’’ Roderic continued with a smile, ’’prepare me a smaller carriage to Ravenport.’’
Edmund froze in place.
’’Huh?’’
The chubby man blinked several times, processing his words.
’’Young master, you want to leave again?’’ he asked incredulously. ’’Didn’t you hate every second in the carriage?’’
Roderic didn’t respond.
His eyes were already locked onto the blue window floating in front of him.
[Main Quest 2]
Steal the Corrupt Merchant’s Fortune
> Expand for more information
...
A grin slowly appeared on Roderic’s face.
’Three days,’ he thought. ’More than enough time.’’