Episode 49.2 (1/2)
”That was quite the news. To think you were the one who defeated Earth Dragon Toron.”
”Yea.”
”All by yourself at that.”
”Yea.”
”Our house dispatched our knights in that tale of Founder King slaying Toron. It is said that the casualties we suffered were no joke.”
”I could see that, yeah.”
”And yet you accomplished that alone. Unbelievable. But it surely is the truth. Could you deign me with a detailed tale on your Toron-slaying feat?”
”No. Sorry but I'm not gonna show my cards.”
”Is that right. That is fair indeed. It is what it is. Either way, we cannot publicly announce Toron's defeat. Seeing as Chaney Company and Zaidmhal Household are aware of the fact that the swords and spears are made of Toron thorns, this fact will eventually leak out, however there's only a few souls privy of Toron's death. I'm sorry but I have to ask you to keep it confidential.”
”Got it.”
”Speaking of which, you divulged me your reason for avoiding the capital, yet here I am asking you to go per the royal family summon. This matter did not have to end with an unnecessary dispute between them and our household since you agreed. You have my gratitude.”
”It's me who turned this stuff into an issue. My apologies.”
Manfrey blinked for a while, seemingly taken by surprise by Lecan's response.
”Hearing that puts me at ease. I shall personally accompany you in this audience.”
”What. Aren't you the marquis himself?”
”All lords are to visit the palace every year for new year greetings. I'm only delaying that for a bit. I take it you don't mind if we head to the capital tomorrow.”
”Yea. Much obliged.”
The group departed Mashajain the day after and arrived at the capital on the third day.
The capital was an incredibly vast city.
However, it's not the buildings or the number of populace that shocked Lecan.
(Powerful guys!)
(So many folks with stupid amounts of mana lying about.)
(So this is the capital.)
As the wagon ran down the street, a sound of bell echoed.
”Oh, this must be the Bell of Time. Four tolls should mean, err, Hour of Water Buffalo (Shutlan), is it.”
Manfrey took some kind of tool out of his pocket as he said that.
”Fumu. Correct.”
”So the number of bell tolls signify times?”
”Yeah. It is a new initiate started this year. That PM sure could think up quite a clever thing every once in a while. The bell just now must be Elex Temple's. The tolling from afar should be of Raikos Temple I believe.”
Their wagon eventually arrived at Wazrof Mansion. A bulky wall surrounding a vast plot of land where thick groves of trees are growing with a mansion in the center.
The wagon passed through the opened gate inside. A huge number of servants were standing in rows in front of the mansion to welcome the family head.
They went up the stairs into the mansion, a lone woman stood in the center of the reception hall inside.