Less than fifteen minutes later, the towering city walls came into view. Albert's eyes widened at the sight, and Betty's nervousness became more apparent as they neared the massive structure.
"These walls... they must be five times the size of the ones back in our old city!" Albert exclaimed in awe.
"Six times, to be precise," Betty corrected him, her voice barely above a whisper.
"You've been here before?" Albert asked, his curiosity piqued.
"It's been a long time," she replied quietly, not offering any more details. Her distant expression suggested memories she wasn't ready to share.
The walls stretched on endlessly, disappearing into the horizon, and Albert marveled at their sheer size. If the city's outer defenses were this colossal, the city within had to be exponentially larger than anything he had ever known. It was both intimidating and exhilarating, and Albert couldn't help but feel a mixture of fear and excitement about what adventures awaited him inside those walls.
As they neared the city, the griffin began to slow down, coming to a gradual stop about 500 meters from the walls. Albert was confused and was about to ask why they had stopped so far from the entrance, but before he could, the man they had been traveling with—Gustav Silverblade—spoke up. Over the last few days, Albert had learned that Gustav was the patriarch of the Silverblade family, a fact that made him feel even more insignificant in comparison.
"We'll have to walk from here," Gustav said. "If we get too close to the walls, the guards will shoot us down. They can't know what our intentions are if we just fly into the city."
"In smaller cities, you could get away with that if you have enough influence and power," he continued. "But not here, not in the capital."
Albert nodded, finally beginning to grasp how different things were in the capital. The power dynamics were on a completely different level, and he couldn't wait to see what lay ahead in the heart of the kingdom.
The group walked toward the massive city gates, taking about ten minutes to reach them. As they approached, they saw ten separate entryways, each with long lines of people waiting to be let in. To the far right were six lines filled with common folk. Many of them had carts loaded with fruits, vegetables, and sacks of grain, most likely farmers bringing their goods to market.
Next to them were two lines of wealthier individuals. These people wore fine clothing and had well-kept appearances, clearly merchants or affluent citizens hoping to enter the city.
The group headed toward the shortest line, one meant for special guests. Albert couldn't help but notice the far-left gate, which was tightly shut with two grim-faced guards standing before it. He wondered who could possibly use such an exclusive entrance.
When it was their turn, Gustav showed the guards his family emblem, and to Albert's surprise, the stern-faced sentries broke into wide grins. They greeted Gustav with warmth and familiarity, laughing and joking with him as though he were an old friend. It was a striking contrast to their earlier seriousness.
But when Gustav introduced the rest of the group, the guards' expressions hardened once more, and Albert felt a chill of unease. He flinched slightly, but tried to compose himself.
Each of the three received a temporary entry pass. Gustav explained that if they intended to stay in the city longer than fourteen days, they would need to upgrade their passes at a city office. Every resident was required to have an official identification card, which allowed them to access various city services. Without it, many things, including legal services and trade, were inaccessible.
As they passed through the gates, even Mr. F seemed momentarily stunned by the sight that greeted them. The outer district of the capital was nothing like the slums they had seen in the previous city. Here, even the buildings in the outskirts were made of solid stone. The streets were spotless, lined with shops and stalls selling an array of delicacies, the smells of which made Albert's stomach growl.
He was just about to wander off and buy something to eat when Mr. F's hand shot out, gently pulling him back.
"We'll have time for that later," Mr. F said firmly. "First, we need to get to the Silverblade estate and rest."
Albert opened his mouth to protest, feeling wide awake despite the long journey. But then he remembered that his master had been awake for three days straight without rest. With a small nod, he decided to keep quiet, realizing how tired Mr. F must be.
The walk to the estate took about an hour. Though they could have ridden on the griffin's back, the streets were too crowded, and flying wasn't allowed within the city's walls.
They would follow Mr. F and Gustav, both of whom seemed entirely at ease in the bustling capital.
As they arrived at the estate, even Betty, who came from a wealthy family herself, couldn't help but gasp in amazement. Before them stood a mansion that could only be described as palatial. It spanned nearly 2,000 square meters, and a vast garden surrounded the entire estate. The gardens were meticulously maintained, with magicians tending to the flowers and trimming the hedges. It was a place of luxury beyond anything Albert and Betty had ever seen, a clear sign of the immense wealth and power the Silverblade family held.
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They all stepped inside, and the interior was no less impressive. Marble floors, intricate tapestries, and grand chandeliers decorated the hallways. Gustav wasted no time and called for his grandchildren.
"Tobias, Lena," he called, and two young figures quickly appeared. "These are the students of my guest. They mentioned that they'd like to explore the city. Would you kindly accompany them?"
"Yes, Grandfather," the girl, Lena, responded politely, while the boy, Tobias, merely nodded with a silent air of authority.
After the pleasantries were exchanged, Gustav led Mr. F to his private office, leaving the young ones to their own devices. As they walked through the halls, Mr. F couldn't help but notice the luxurious appointments of the mansion. Gustav's office was no exception—lavishly decorated, the room boasted chairs upholstered with rare magical beast leather, and a desk crafted from enchanted wood. Mr. F took note of the opulence. Extravagant, he thought, as he took a seat in one of the comfortable armchairs across from Gustav.
Gustav wasted no time and pulled out a bottle of amber liquid, accompanied by two finely crafted glasses from his spatial ring—a superior version of the spatial pouch. Mr. F once owned one of those, but had sold it before going into seclusion, a time in his life when material wealth seemed irrelevant.
Gustav poured the liquid into both glasses, handing one to Mr. F. The moment the glass reached his nose, Mr. F could smell the earthy richness of the drink. His mouth watered in anticipation, and he took a slow sip. The liquid burned his throat with a fiery warmth, followed by a subtle, woody flavor that lingered on his palate.
Without hesitation, he drained the glass in one smooth motion, letting out a satisfied sigh.
"Ahhh..." he exhaled as he set the glass down.
Gustav grinned, clearly pleased with Mr. F's appreciation, and refilled his glass. "This," Gustav said, raising his own glass, "is a fig schnapps made from magical plants in my garden. Only rank 1, but it makes for an excellent drink."
Mr. F nodded in agreement. Despite its low rank, the taste was superb, a testament to Gustav's cultivation skills. But the small moment of levity passed quickly, and Gustav turned back to business.
"Now, back to the matter at hand," Gustav said, placing a vial and a stack of papers on the table. "This is a standard contract for those who work for my family. According to this document, you will officially be registered as an alchemist in my service here in the capital. With this, you can also secure an identity card from the city's citizen registry office. It's quite essential for anyone wanting to operate within the city's legal framework."
Mr. F eyed the papers with mild interest, but his mind was elsewhere. He leaned back in his chair and stroked his chin thoughtfully. "About that... I have another idea," he said, his tone measured but firm.
Gustav raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Mr. F's unexpected response. "Oh? Do tell," he said, gesturing for him to continue.
Mr. F allowed a small, calculating smile to play across his lips. "While the arrangement you've proposed is acceptable, I believe we can make it... more advantageous. For both of us."
Gustav, intrigued by the shift in tone, leaned forward, his eyes narrowing with curiosity. "Go on," he urged, eager to hear what Mr. F had in mind.
"I've been thinking about creating something that will be of immense value to both of us: a magical garden. A place where I can cultivate a vast array of rare magical plants."
The words hung in the air like a thunderclap. For a moment, Gustav's breath caught in his throat, and his glass slipped in his hand, almost falling to the floor. His eyes widened with shock, and his hand shot out to grasp Mr. F's shoulder.
"You… you know how to cultivate magical plants?" Gustav's voice trembled with disbelief and excitement. He hadn't expected such a revelation, and the weight of its potential was almost too much to process.
Realizing his sudden loss of composure, Gustav quickly pulled his hand back, clearing his throat to regain his dignity. "Ahem... I mean, you know how to cultivate magical plants?" he repeated, this time more composed, though the excitement still lingered in his voice.
Mr. F gave a small nod, his eyes gleaming with the knowledge he now possessed. "Indeed. Recently, I acquired some very valuable knowledge, and I'm eager to put it to the test. However, it must be done in secret. I want no direct connection between us."
Gustav's mind raced as the implications of this plan began to take shape. A magical garden, especially one hidden from prying eyes, could be a source of limitless power and wealth. His heart pounded in his chest as he weighed the possibilities. "What do you have in mind?" he asked, the hunger for power evident in his voice.
Mr. F leaned back, his confidence unwavering. "How about this? I will purchase a piece of land outside the city—somewhere vast, spanning several kilometers. There, in secrecy, I will establish this magical garden. We'll operate quietly, and no one will know of our involvement."
Gustav was momentarily stunned by the boldness of the proposal. A garden of magical plants, concealed from the world, cultivated by a man whose expertise in alchemy was unmatched. This was not just a business proposition; it was a doorway to power, one that could shift the balance in their favor. The potential was staggering.
He nodded quickly, eager to seize the opportunity. "I agree. Such a chance comes only once in a lifetime. This could be pivotal for our future plans." Gustav paused, his mind briefly running through the logistics. "Do you have the resources you'll need, or should I provide the land?"
Mr. F waved away the offer with a slight smile. "No need. I've amassed enough and I will find a suitable piece of land and make the arrangements. Once everything is in place, I'll contact you."
Gustav's eyes gleamed with admiration. Mr. F wasn't just a skilled alchemist—he was a man who knew how to turn knowledge into power, and how to do it discreetly. Gustav reached for the papers he had prepared for their earlier arrangement, but now they seemed irrelevant. With a quick motion, he crumpled the documents and tossed them aside.
"There's no need for this anymore," Gustav said, the remnants of the earlier contract discarded. But as he spoke, he slid the vial of elixir—the one that could restore ten years of life—across the table toward Mr. F. "This is your advance. The elixir that will restore a decade of your strength."
Mr. F picked up the vial, feeling its weight in his hand, the promise of rejuvenation contained within it. The road to regaining his former glory was now within his grasp.
Gustav raised his glass, his eyes locking with Mr. F's. "To a glorious future," he said, his voice thick with ambition and the thrill of what lay ahead.
Mr. F lifted his glass in return, clinking it against Gustav's. "To a future of power," he echoed, his voice carrying the quiet intensity of a man who knew how to play the long game.