"It’s been a while! Haha, what a pleasant surprise!"
Fael, with his characteristic warm smile, shouted as he gestured for the guards to open the door wide and began to walk.
He also nodded in greeting to Philip as he continued speaking. "It seems that fate ties us together in so way. We might not have t if you arrived just a few days later."
"Looks like you were preparing for another trade journey."
"It’s sothing even more remarkable than that. I’m glad to see you again, looking perfectly healthy. You seed to deal with sothing important last ti. It seems you took care of it safely."
"You could say that. I appreciate the warm welco." Ian smiled as he faced Fael, who had stopped in front of him.
Fael let out a hearty laugh. "When our best custor and benefactor visits, it’s only natural, isn’t it? I’ve wanted to see you again, and I’m grateful you ca by. Now I have a chance to repay so of the favor."
Judging by his tone, it seed he wasn’t just referring to the fact that Ian and his group had bought a lot of his goods before. Since Ian had already guessed as much, he casually shrugged his shoulders.
"I’m looking forward to it. I won’t refuse."
As Fael nodded, the large gate opened wide. Turning slightly to the side, Fael raised an arm toward what lay beyond.
"Welco to the Imperial Ark Caravan, Sir Ian. Now, let’s continue our conversation inside." With a grin, he turned around.
As Ian leisurely followed behind, Fael quickly moved ahead, walking alongside the horse and glancing at Philip.
"Long ti no see, Sir Philip."
"Long ti, Fael."
"A servant will arrive shortly. Please leave the horses and carriage to them. If you’d like, you can stay in the carriage until we reach our destination."
"No need. I’ll get down and walk with you."
"By the way, that’s a magnificent horse. Its lineage seems too noble just to pull a carriage. Perhaps—"
While the two continued their conversation, Ian took in the view beyond the gate and the walls. The estate was as large as it appeared from the outside. A stone-paved path extended inward, leading to a spacious garden and courtyard. Large wooden storage buildings and several stone mansions stood tall throughout the area. They were Imperial-style structures, complete with eaves on the roofs.
Servants and workers, likely employees of the caravan, bustled around busily. The success of previous perilous trade journeys had clearly brought considerable wealth to the caravan.
"Impressive. Are those buildings used to store wine?" Philip, who had been looking around, asked.
Fael nodded. "Not just that, there are also several ferntation rooms for making cheese. We hired local artisans, and now we produce everything ourselves. It’s all thanks to your help. If not for that, we might not have made it back alive."
"... It seems the situation on the frontier isn’t very good."
"Don’t even ntion it. Ah, it seems you’re unaware of the recent events at the frontier. I’ll fill you in later, as much as I know."
"Please do." As Philip responded, Fael slowed his steps and approached Ian once more.
Looking at Ian, he smiled. "Please excuse the slight disarray. We haven’t been here long, and we’re just getting ready to move again."
"Well, I like the energy here," Ian responded nonchalantly.
Fael, observing him for a mont, added, "Sir Philip, and Sir Ian as well. It seems neither of you are wearing much of what you bought from us last ti. We handpicked those items for you, after all. You must have been through a lot of tough situations."
"Quite so ti has passed, hasn’t it?"
"... Indeed. Much has happened on our side too, so I imagine it’s the sa for you. Let’s take our ti to talk. Now that you’ve co all the way here, I trust you’re not planning on leaving without staying at least one night." Fael subtly added.
From the look in his eyes, it was clear there were many things he wanted to say, and much he wanted to hear.
Ian chuckled and asked in return, "Seems like you’re busy. Are you sure it’s alright?"
"More than alright. Thanks to you, I no longer have to run around as much myself. Besides, how could I not host you? You’re my life savior who’s rescued multiple tis."
Fael added with a broad grin, "If you need anything, please let know. I’ve established myself here sowhat, so I should be able to help."
"Then could you help us with purchasing supplies? It would be even better if you could sell them to us directly."
"That’s no problem. Just give a list of the items you need. I’ll get everything for you, and of course, at cost price."
"I won’t refuse that either. You certainly take good care of your custors."
Fael’s smile deepened. "For you, I can do even more— Ah, they’re coming! Quickly, take the reins from Sir Philip here!"
Fael, turning his gaze, gestured to a servant running over and shouted. As Philip brought the carriage to a stop, Fael naturally stood beside it. Ian also waited without moving ahead. With such a warm reception, there was no reason not to reciprocate with politeness.
Soon, Philip dismounted from the coachman’s seat and opened the carriage door. Elia, as if she had been waiting, stepped out of the carriage. It seed she had been tidying herself up inside, as her appearance was much more composed.
Fael, who had taken in the sight of her, turned to Ian with a surprised expression.
Ian spoke up imdiately. "She’s both a companion and a client. I’ve taken the liberty of bringing her along."
"Liberty? Not at all. I was simply surprised because I expected to see the sa people as before."
As Fael responded, Ian looked back at Elia.
She politely curtsied. "Nice to et you. My na is Elia yer."
"Pleasure to et you. I’m Fael, running a small caravan. Since you’re a companion of Sir Ian, you’re an esteed guest to as well. I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of during your stay, so you won’t experience any discomfort." Fael greeted her respectfully.
Elia smiled and added, "Thank you. You’re just as thoughtful and kind as I’ve heard."
"I don’t think Sir Ian would’ve said that, so it must have been Sir Philip who spoke well of . Haha." At Fael’s playful remark, Philip, who had quietly moved behind Elia, rely shrugged in response.
Fael looked down at Elia and added, "I an no disrespect, but you are the most courteous dwarf I’ve ever t."
"Thank you for the complint, Fael."
As Elia slightly bowed her head, Ian unintentionally curled his lips into a smile and added, "It’s due to good family upbringing, I’m sure."
Fael looked at Elia, sowhat surprised. "Are you perhaps from a noble family? I must admit, my knowledge of dwarf families is rather limited."
"Yes, though it’s a fallen house. I’ve heard that my grandfather was once a renowned craftsman in the North," Elia responded calmly.
Ian, who had unintentionally glanced at her, quickly stifled a smile.
So that’s the story she’s going with...
It was clear that this was the false identity Archeas had prepared for her. Moreover, her current expression and manner of speaking showed none of her usual sowhat dazed deanor. She had been preparing diligently to step out into the world. It was likely that other dragon children had similarly erged into the world.
Fael, without the slightest hint of doubt, nodded in agreent. "As I thought. So, are you on your way back to the North with Sir Ian?"
"No, I’m heading to the capital. Sir Ian is escorting there."
"Is that so…? I see…" A deeper smile appeared on Fael’s lips as he looked at Ian. "This makes even more delighted. It truly feels like I’m being guided by the Goddess herself."
Is there sothing else going on here?
"Have you eaten, Sir?" Fael asked.
"Not yet."
"Perfect. I’ll have the al prepared imdiately."
Ian resisted the urge to ask for just the ingredients. Though it was clear Elia was a far better cook than the chefs here, given that she had just introduced herself as a noble lady, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to step into the kitchen.
"And of course, so fine wine as well. It’s the only way to ensure a long stay at the table with you, Sir," added Fael.
So there really is sothing more, Ian mused as he smiled.
"This is why familiar faces are always welco." Fael, with a smile on his face, turned around.
As the servant-driven carriage moved aside, they resud walking. Fael’s pace had slowed slightly, likely out of consideration for Elia.
Soon, walking side by side with Ian, Fael suddenly lowered his voice. "By the way, where are the others?... Ah, wait. Could it be—"
"There’s no need to be cautious."
Noticing the brief tension in Fael’s expression, Ian smiled and added, "They’ve simply gone their separate ways, all safe and sound."
"Good to hear. I was worried I might have said sothing wrong. If Bor were here, I’d surely have gotten an earful." Fael chuckled, brushing his chest with his palm as if relieved.
Ian glanced at him. "Speaking of Bor, I haven’t seen your usual companion. Does he only accompany you during trade journeys?"
"Ah, Bor is…" Fael’s face montarily hardened, and his eyes darkened for a brief second before his usual kind smile returned.
"We’ll discuss that later. Every story has its proper sequence, doesn’t it? Right now, you’re the priority, Sir Ian. Here, this is the residence where you’ll be staying."
Fael, as if changing the subject, gestured with both arms toward Philip and Elia. Ian followed his gaze to the building ahead.
It was a two-story house. From the looks of it, there was a larger mansion behind it, making this place seem like a guest house. From above, one could easily see the courtyard. A guard who had been stationed at the front gate now stood at the entrance of this house. Catching Fael’s signal, he opened the door wide.
"This house was built specifically for hosting important guests. It’s an honor that Sir Ian is the first to stay here. Now, about the al…"
"We’ll eat here," Ian answered as he stepped through the entrance.
Fael smiled as if he had expected this. "Of course. The bedrooms are upstairs, so feel free to unpack and rest. It won’t take too long. We can continue our unfinished conversation over the al."
Fael turned to leave with a gesture to the guard, seemingly heading off to oversee the al preparations personally.
As the door closed, Philip murmured, "The hospitality is truly remarkable. It seems he’s accumulated quite a fortune, but even so, his manners are impeccable. He seems destined to beco a great rchant."
"I doubt it’s just because we’re custors," Ian muttered as he moved further inside.
Philip tilted his head in curiosity, staring at the back of Ian’s head. "Then do you think there’s another reason?"
"A bit of both, I’d say."
Ian responded casually as he placed his foot on the staircase. Whatever dangerous situation that rchant had gotten himself into this ti, he would find out soon enough, whether he wanted to or not.
***
The al took place in the dining room on the first floor, with just Ian’s party and Fael sharing the table. Even the servants, after serving the food and wine, had quietly left the room. Ian could easily guess Fael’s intentions—it was clear he wanted to have a candid conversation without interruptions.
"I’m relieved to see the food is to your liking," Fael said as the group had cleared a good portion of their plates.
Ian nodded while chewing on his at. "It’s excellent."
Of course, it didn’t move him the way Elia’s cooking had the first ti he tasted it, but the food was still quite good. After all, they had been surviving on preserved rations for a while. Even though Elia’s touch had improved them, there were still inherent limits that couldn’t be overco.
"The wine is especially good. The one you gifted us last ti was remarkable, but this has an even deeper flavor," Philip added, sipping his drink.
Ian raised his glass in agreent, though his gaze subtly drifted toward Elia. She, too, was sipping her wine steadily, her expression unchanged despite the strength of the drink.
Well, she was a dwarf, after all. Ian had never t a dwarf who couldn’t handle their alcohol.
"This is the best wine we’ve produced this year. Drink as much as you’d like—there’s plenty left," Fael said with a hearty laugh, taking a sip of his own drink before adding, "As I ntioned before, the wine from our region is especially renowned for its flavor. You could say Tessen’s wine cos close, but of course, ours is still a cut above."
"So now, you’re in a league of your own," Philip remarked with a peculiar smile before taking another sip of his wine.
Fael blinked in surprise. "Could it be... are the rumors about the West true?"
"What rumors have you heard?" Ian asked nonchalantly, eting Fael’s gaze.
Fael hesitated before speaking carefully. "I heard that the Duke Kralen, who ruled the West, was a demon."
"And?"
"The purification squad from the Order requested help from a Northern superhuman, and together they defeated him. In the process, the West was left in ruins. That’s as much as I’ve heard. If you want more details, you’ll probably have to wait another week."
"Hmm..." Ian nodded calmly.
Though Borta wasn’t too far from the western regions, the news was bound to travel slowly. Everyone who had left Racliffe had done so by ship. The details were probably spreading bit by bit through the cities along the inland sea and rivers. Of course, by now, the capital must be in an uproar.
As Philip and Elia subtly glanced at Ian, Fael observed their expressions and asked, "It seems like you know sothing. Co to think of it... where exactly are you coming from?"
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