89 Rising to the hierarchy (1/2)

Chadena's Administration District is where the citizens conduct their business with the town's governing body as they interact with the proper government authorities for whatever case they have consulted within the affairs of the town itself.

Aside from the Residential District, where citizens ranging from the common-folk to the middle-class have made their residence, the Administration District is also the place where many of the high-class individuals make up most of the nobility live.

As such, when a person of the lower class visited this district, they are usually met with the scrutinizing eyes of the nobles as they watch their juniors from the lower-class in judgment. Of course, this does not necessarily mean that the nobles have ill-intent to the commoners, merely tolerance if one accurately defines it.

After all, peasants and people of low-blood have their uses in the social hierarchy as they work under their noble lords, mostly for the benefit of the latter as their purse turned heavier with coin in each passing day. Although the nobles won't hesitate to deliver judgment and are given considerable reign in enacting justice to them as to how they interpret the laws and customs that make up the solid foundations of the town and land overall.

Of course, there are also outstanding nobles who are renowned to be quite good and benevolent to their subjects, taking into consideration of their well-being. A good example of this is the distinguished orc Baron Krothu who oversaw the farmlands on the outskirts of Chadena.

As Gray and the gang trek to the district's streets, the trio, plus Lily, who was slightly above them flying on her sparrow form, eventually arrived in front of a stoned keep that easily towered every building in its vicinity.

The keep is known as the Lion's Keep, a small castle where the Count and his royal court reside. A drawbridge makes up the entrance of the keep as a wooden bridge leads to a gateway, capable of raising or lowering to allow or prevent entry into the castle, and is spanned by a moat as means of further defense.

The guards overlooking the entrance watched the approaching group of the elf with wary eyes as they held their weapons firmly and scanned them for any factor that's a potential for danger.

”Greetings, citizen.” One of the guards greeted Gray with an acceptable non-hostile tone, fitting for someone of his status. ”I'm sure you are well aware, but no visitors are allowed to freely enter the keep unless one is an esteemed noble, a castle worker, or having been granted an audience by the good Count himself.”

”Ah, then I believe we're of the third option,” Gray spoke diplomatically as he presented the letter that the messenger had given him a few moments ago when they were inside the tavern.

The guard nodded as he accepted the letter and begun reading it. After a minute, the guard gave the message back to Gray and said. ”Ah, you must be Sir Gray Allister together with his companions, Lady Selena Allister and Sir Isamu Meiyo, correct?”

”Yes,” Gray answered in agreement. ”I believe the Count is expecting us?”

”Of course, our Countship has been anticipating your arrival.” The guard replied with a welcoming tone. ”If you would kindly wait first at the castle grounds good sirs and lady, for we'll inform one of the servants to guide you inside.”

”Very well,” Gray responded with a nod as they were officially granted entry by the guard and made their way into the area of the castle that was instructed to them.

Arriving at the castle grounds, the first thing that the group noticed is the significant number of guards at an open field as an old militia instructor conducted the usual military drills and training to hone their skills and fundamentals in combat as expected of their combat background for the protection of the town.

Isamu's eyes wander at the training field as he meticulously looked at the guards performing different combat exercises and commented on their performance inside his mind. 'Hmm, not bad, but they need to improve their footwork and the grip on their weapon. Based on their performance and stats, they appear to be new recruits and are training in preparation to be a guard or soldier to be garrisoned here. Most Guild Warriors can definitely do better than these poor sods.'

After a few minutes of waiting, a middle-aged man emerged outside from the castle door. He has short brown hair with a neat mustache and a goatee. The man was also clad in a light blue gambeson and a pair of brown shoes. Upon setting his sights on Gray's group, he approached as he greeted them with a stylish bow.

”Greetings Sir Allister and company.” The man's voice was resonating with a sophisticated vibe, giving the impression of a well-educated individual trained in the arts of speechcraft. ”My name is Howard Belington, steward and chamberlain of the humble Count himself. I have been assigned by my liege to guide you to his Countship's royal court. Since I already know all your names, we might as well keep skip through the pleasantries and proceed immediately. It's disrespectful to keep the Count waiting after all.”

Howard Belington

Level 25

Health: 3,025 / 3,025

Stamina: 1,317 / 1,317

Mana: 300 / 300

After verifying the chamberlain, Howard's stats, Gray and the others nodded in understanding as Howard gestured them all to follow and enter the keep with him. Lily, still in her sparrow form, followed them discretely as she went inside with them.

Standing inside the hallway, Gray and his companions could not help but be impressed by the sight presented to them. A long table made itself known in front of them, filled with luxurious meals of all kinds as expected of the nobility. Eyeing further past the table and into the hallway, a throne above a small stairway was seen at the very end.

Gray noticed that the throne was empty as he inquired Howard about it. ”Where's the Count? I thought he is supposed to meet us.”

”You'll meet him inside his private office together with two of his trusted advisors.” Howard simply answered the elf nonchalantly as they kept on walking.

The elf shrugged in agreement, satisfied with the steward's response. The group was led upstairs to the second floor, where they eventually stop at the door inside a corridor that they entered.