Chapter 98: Danom City
Some time later...
— Young Master! There is a city not far from here!
Kant’s voice echoed through the carriage.
I slowly opened my eyes.
— Where are we now?
I heard the sound of maps being unrolled and a few objects being shuffled outside before Tinod replied.
— According to the markings we purchased earlier, we’ve already entered Orpal Province. Ahead of us is the City of Danom, located near the provincial border.
— City of Danom...
I murmured softly.
Without delay, I projected the map in my mind.
— Biochip. Display the regional map.
A translucent blue screen appeared before my eyes.
Various colored lines connected cities, villages, and trade routes. My current location blinked slowly.
Danom.
There were only a few days of travel left before I reached my true destination.
The City of Distant Wind.
I stared at the map for a few seconds before letting out a quiet sigh.
After nearly half a year of traveling...
I’m finally arriving.
I couldn’t help but smile wistfully.
When I fled Arcangrove Tower, I had planned to cross the route using my balloon.
The journey should have taken only a fraction of that time.
But those damned acolytes from Black Bull Tower and Black Blood Tower decided to tear it to pieces.
At least that fairy paid part of the bill.
I smiled to myself.
I stood up from the seat and pushed open the carriage door.
A gust of cold wind immediately struck my face.
I took a deep breath.
I looked at the small city in the distance.
Its walls were simple.
Several fields surrounded the area.
Farmers worked slowly in the fields while smoke rose from the chimneys.
Everything seemed peaceful.
— Find us an inn first.
I looked at Kant.
— Early tomorrow morning we’ll continue our journey.
— Yes, Young Master.
Shortly afterward...
Our carriage slowly passed through the gates of the City of Danom.
The guards merely gave Kant and Tinod a quick glance.
Two heavily armed knights.
An elegant carriage.
A well-dressed maid.
Naturally, they concluded that we belonged to the nobility.
None of them dared to ask any questions.
We passed straight through the gates.
In fact...
I really was a noble.
Just from another continent.
...
We quickly found a respectable-looking inn.
After securing rooms for everyone and sending Kant to take care of the horses, I sat down in the main hall.
Soon, a servant approached me respectfully.
Absentmindedly, I picked up a gold coin between my fingers.
It slowly spun in my hand.
— I need some information.
The man’s eyes immediately followed the coin’s golden gleam.
Behind me, Jane remained perfectly still like a true aristocratic maid.
The combination certainly convinced the man that I was some young lord traveling through the kingdom.
He swallowed hard.
— My deepest respect, sir. How may I assist you?
— Where can I hire people in this city?
The servant answered immediately.
— If you’re looking for servants, governesses, guards, or skilled workers...
He pointed out the window.
— Near the city lord’s manor, there is a hiring market.
— There, you’ll find experienced warriors, administrators, servants, cooks, maids, and practically any professional willing to work.
That was exactly what I wanted to hear.
I smiled.
I tossed him the coin.
The man nearly caught it in midair.
When he realized it was actually gold...
His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
— T-tomorrow morning...
— You’ll take me there.
He gripped the coin so tightly that his fingers turned white.
— It will be an honor, sir!
I nodded.
I would be staying in the City of Distant Wind for a long time.
Perhaps a year.
Perhaps longer.
I would need to set up a laboratory.
Conduct experiments.
To do that, I would need people to take care of my estate.
Kant.
Tinod.
Jane.
The three of them were only the initial core.
Hiring a few workers in Danom would greatly reduce the chances of someone from the City of Distant Wind planting a servant to spy on me.
No place was ever completely safe.
But reducing risks had always been one of my principles.
...
A short while later, dinner was served.
Hot vegetable soup.
Freshly baked white bread.
A small piece of salted meat.
I silently looked at the meal.
It was obvious that the innkeeper had set aside his finest ingredients to impress me.
Even so...
It didn’t come anywhere close to the food prepared at Arcangrove Tower.
I picked up the spoon and began to eat.
The taste was simple.
As I ate calmly, I noticed something curious.
The other guests had completely moved away.
They all remained in the corners of the hall.
They spoke quietly.
Always casting discreet glances toward my table.
I looked around.
That entire spacious hall...
Had practically been reserved just for me.
I couldn’t help but smile.
.
.
.
.
.
The next morning, shortly after sunrise, I left the inn accompanied by Jane, Kant, and the servant I had hired as a guide.
The streets of Danom were just beginning to awaken.
Merchants were lifting the wooden shutters of their shops, bakers were pulling steaming loaves from their ovens, and wagons loaded with vegetables slowly entered through the city gates.
— Young Master, the Employment Market is just ahead.
The servant pointed toward a large complex of buildings near the city lord’s castle.
I carefully observed the place.
It made sense.
Building a market of that kind beside the ruler’s residence was a simple way to maintain order.
As we walked, I felt countless eyes falling upon our small group.
In truth...
They weren’t looking at me.
Nor at Kant.
Much less at the poor servant.
The eyes of practically every man were following Jane.
My maid had exchanged her simple clothes for an elegant dress we had purchased during the journey.
Her brown hair was carefully tied up.
Her fair skin looked clean and glowed faintly beneath the morning light.
Even with her head lowered, she attracted attention wherever she went.
Some men even slowed their pace just to watch her.
However...
The moment their eyes met Kant...
The enormous knight clad in steel armor walked beside me like a moving fortress.
The curious onlookers immediately looked away.
I smiled faintly.
Good armor intimidated far more than speeches ever could.
...
A few minutes later, we arrived at the Employment Market.
— Sir.
The servant bowed.
— This is the largest hiring market in the City of Danom.
He pointed toward the vast open grounds.
— Here, you can hire practically any kind of professional.
— You can also register long-term contracts or post commissions.
I nodded slowly.
— You’ve done a good job.
He smiled in relief.
Before leaving the inn, I had left Tinod in charge of the carriage and all our luggage.
I kept the magical items with me.
But the gold coins, clothing, and various other belongings were still stored away.
The chances of being robbed were slim.
Even so...
It was better to be safe than sorry.
I looked over the market once again.
It was a vast open field surrounded by simple buildings.
Hundreds of people waited for potential employers.
Mercenaries displayed their swords and armor.
Maids stood silently in neat rows.
Some burly men advertised their services as porters.
Others appeared to be scribes or administrators.
I also spotted a few individuals who looked extremely suspicious.
Probably thieves looking for an employer with low standards.
I crossed my arms.
Naturally, a city of this size also had a slave market.
But that kind of business would never be conducted so openly.
Even the Mage Markets concealed such activities.
However...
That wasn’t what I was looking for.
I already had two knights and Jane.
Now I only needed ordinary employees.
As soon as I took a few steps...
I was surrounded.
— Young sir!
— Need mercenaries?
— I have excellent workers!
— My company is the best in the city!
— Hire my men!
A crowd of brokers practically appeared out of nowhere.
I smiled beneath my hood.
Money truly attracted people.
I raised one hand.
The noise subsided.
— I need to hire a group of mercenaries.
Everyone became attentive.
— They will accompany my journey to the City of Distant Wind.
— Afterward, they will remain there protecting my property.
— The contract will last at least two years.
As soon as I finished speaking, an extremely thin man pushed his way through the crowd.
His completely bald head gleamed beneath the sunlight.
He gave a quick bow.
— May I ask how many men you wish to hire, sir?
I thought for a few seconds.
— Between ten and fifteen.
— They don’t have to be knights.
— Experienced soldiers will be enough.
I looked directly at him.
— But I demand loyalty.
— Honor.
— And discipline.
— Payment will be made monthly.
— Everything will be recorded in a contract.
The man broke into a wide smile.
— Then I believe I have exactly what you’re looking for.
I tilted my head slightly.
— Go on.
— The Danom Falcons mercenary group.
His smile widened.
— They’ve just finished a period of rest.
— They’re citizens of this very city.
— They have an excellent reputation.
Something curious happened at that moment.
The other brokers simply fell silent.
Some looked away.
Others displayed obvious envy.
Even a few nearby mercenaries seemed to respect that name.
"Interesting..."
So that group truly had a certain reputation.
— Very well.
— Take me to them.
— If I’m satisfied with their services, your commission will be generous.
The bald man’s face practically lit up.
— It will be an honor, sir!
...
Shortly afterward, the servant from the inn received his gold coin as agreed.
He thanked me repeatedly before hurrying back.
Only the four of us continued on.
Me.
Jane.
Kant.
And the bald broker.
We walked for about half an hour.
The city gradually changed around us.
The buildings near the castle disappeared.
In their place appeared colorful houses.
Small gardens.
Wooden balconies.
Stone lamps decorated the sidewalks.
I observed everything in silence.
— This looks like a residential district.
I murmured.
— Very perceptive, sir.
The bald man smiled.
— This is the district where merchants, craftsmen, and free citizens live.
He pointed farther ahead.
— The Danom Falcons live here as well.
Kant frowned.
— Aren’t we going to their training grounds?
The broker let out an awkward laugh.
— Honored sir...
— The Danom Falcons are only a small group.
— They have no more than thirty members.
— Their reputation exists only within this city.
— Renting a training ground would cost more than many of the contracts they receive.
— It would be a waste.
That made sense.
Small mercenary groups rarely maintained their own facilities.
The man continued.
— Normally, each member attends to their own affairs.
— They only gather when they receive a mission.
Then he glanced discreetly at me.
His expression became slightly nervous.
— I hope this doesn’t disappoint you, sir...
— Despite their small size...
— Most of them are retired army veterans.
— And their leader...
He smiled with a hint of pride.
— Commanded a medium-sized military unit for many years.
— His strength is still respected to this day.
I calmly observed his expression.
It was obvious that he was afraid I would lose interest after discovering how small the group was.
But that had never been a problem.
— A former military commander...
— I’m curious to meet him.
In truth...
I didn’t particularly care who led that group.
They would never become my elite soldiers.
Their duties would be simple.
Guard properties.
Transport goods.
Carry out errands, and nothing more.
...
1904 Words