Chapter 46 - #46 Balcony illuminated by Moonlight (1/2)

I went back to the end of the cave to look at the state of the ores.

Hmm, seems like the blue ones are all on the ground mixed up with other things that melted down but green ones are still intact. Once I return back to the Capital, I have to learn how to forge weapons in a more sophisticated way.

I decided to leave for now and take just a few ores back with me. This time, I made my way to the Capital without any further stops, I even ignored Danger Beasts just so I wouldn't be slowed down.

Of course, if I found some exceptionally strong Danger Beast, I wouldn't decline the meal but since all I have met were weak ones, there was no need to bother with them.

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I was able to arrive at the Capital's gate at dead of night, the gate was illuminated by lights and a few guards were guarding it while nodding off.

I didn't say anything and just stopped walking while looking at them with a tired expression.

”Go search his backpack and ask for his identity.” One of the guards ordered to his colleague.

They were pretty loud and I noticed that a few other soldiers who were resting on the side, leaning against the wall finally woke up and looked around with sleepy expressions.

”Hm?! Wait! Is that you, Lord Phoenix?” One of the soldiers noticed me and after a while of focusing his sight at me, he finally shouted at the guards before turning to me with a respectful and maybe slightly fearful expression.

I see...they are from our expedition.

”Yes, can I go in without being searched? I am pretty tired.” I replied and said with a tired tone.

”? A-Alright, you can go in, sorry for wasting your time.” One of the guards looked back at the soldiers waiting for me and then back at me before bowing down to me.

”It's alright, at least you do your job but I recommend not to stab your spear's head into the ground, use the other end to support your balance if you need to doze off a bit.” I waved my hand that it's alright and then teased him about what he was doing a few minutes before he spotted me.

”Um...ha-ha. You must jest, I wouldn't dare to doze off on my duty.” Guard released an awkward laugh and then said with a forced smile while adjusting his helmet

”What are you doing here?” I asked them with a slightly confused expression.

”Commander Esdeath wanted us to relay you a message and also e-escort you back to your home.” One of them replied and when he mentioned word ”escort” he staggered a bit.

*Gulp* All of them looked extremely nervous as they were walking behind me.

”Bu!” I abruptly turned around and shouted at them while making my entire figure be illuminated by a small flame I created on my palm.

”?!” 2 of them took step back with slightly afraid expressions.

”Eek!” And the last one exclaimed and quickly hid behind his colleague

Pfff...nice escort, haha.

Both of them glared at the last one who was scared the most.

”Tell me the message, you don't need to escort me, I have been living in this city for many years.” I made the flame disappear and then said to them with a stoic face.

Was her intention to discover where I live? But that shouldn't be any problem now that she knows my full name...strange. Anyway, I will have to meet with her the next morning but for now...I should just go back to my room and my bed.

I thought and then made my way towards our part of the city and when I arrived near our mansion I immediately noticed guards diligently standing in front of the gate, observing the surroundings with stern looks on their faces.

Hmm, they are completely different from Capital's usual guards.

I thought with a small smile while observing them from the shadows.

I moved in the shadows and jumped over the numerous meters high fences.

There aren't many guards here but no one knows about this fact but our maids are also highly trained warriors all of them are much stronger than usual soldiers.

I carefully circulated around the entire mansion to find a good spot to sneak in until I noticed a figure of someone I knew very well standing on the balcony, staring longingly at the moon.

What is she doing?

I thought with furrowed brows while looking at Ichika standing there all alone, wearing only her black nightgown.

I decided to give her a small surprise so I started slowly and discreetly climbing up. After I climbed up at the roof of our mansion, I quietly descended on the balcony right behind Ichika who had absolutely no idea about my presence.

It's even easier to hide your presence when you don't mean any harm to that person but she must be spacing out really hard if she can't notice me so close to her...

Hehe, your back is wide open Ichika!

I quickly wrapped my left hand around her right under her ċhėst and put my palm near her neck, acting as if it was a dagger.

”?!” She immediately woke up and tried to hit me into my nose with the back of her head but I dodged and hold her even firmly not letting her attack me anymore.

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