Chapter 25 "The Duke's Mission and the Man in the Shadows"
"I made my way down the familiar streets of the western district, noticing how little had changed since I left. I supposed I hadn’t really expected it to. The city seemed untouched by my absence, still bustling with its usual sights and sounds. Soon, I arrived at the inn—a shabby old building with creaking wooden beams, yet one that had somehow grown to feel like home over these past months.
After we arrived, we went straight to the Willow Guild to receive our payments. Elle was so happy that I had succeeded in my first high-ranking mission, but she understood that I needed rest after the long journey, so she didn’t ask any questions. Even though I knew she was curious and wanted to hear my stories, she held back and let me go home to rest."
Pushing open the door, I found Mrs. Soyen at the counter, her familiar warm smile instantly lifting my spirits. “Welcome back, Caelan! Been a while, hasn’t it?” she greeted.
“Thank you, Mrs. Soyen,” I replied with a nod, feeling the comfort of returning to something familiar.
She held out a steaming bowl, the rich aroma filling my senses. “I made vegetable soup with meat. Here, have some,” she said.
Taking the bowl, I murmured my thanks and dug in, savoring each spoonful. The flavors burst across my tongue, the warmth spreading through me. After the rough meals in the wilderness, this was pure bliss.
When I finished, I climbed the stairs up to our shared room. Pushing open the door, I spotted Jason’s and the others’ backpacks neatly set on their beds, a sign they’d already returned. They were probably down at the Brave Tavern. I hadn’t seen them at the guild today.
I took off my robe and armor, feeling their weight lift from my shoulders, and made my way to the small washroom. The moment I stepped under the warm water, I felt the tension wash away, the aches from travel fading in the heat. A proper shower—one of the little luxuries I missed most in the wilderness.
Clean and dressed in comfortable clothes, I sank into my bed. The mattress was far from soft, the sheets thin and worn, but after days of roughing it on the road, it felt like pure luxury. I closed my eyes, letting the comfort sink in. Though it was nothing like the plush bed I once took for granted in my old world, here, now, this was enough. Slowly, I felt my consciousness begin to drift, slipping into a rest that felt well-deserved.
I woke up, my stomach rumbling with hunger. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, I glanced around the room and realized I wasn’t alone—Jason and the others were already there.
“Good evening, Caelan,” Jason greeted me with a grin.
“Evening?” I asked, confused. “Wait… it’s already evening?” It hit me that I must have slept through the entire day.
“You looked completely worn out, so we decided not to bother you,” Niro explained, a hint of concern in his voice.
“Yeah, we understand,” Van chimed in. “We were all exhausted after that mission in the duchy. But you had it worse than us, Caelan. At least we rode a ship most of the way; you traveled by land on horseback.”
Jason nodded in agreement. “He’s right. And speaking of surprises, we heard you took on a high-ranking mission while we were away. Not only that, but Rina said you’re planning to enroll at the academy?” He leaned back with a grin, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. “We were shocked, but… really happy for you. Sounds like you’ve finally figured out what you want to do.”
“Well… yeah,” I replied, rubbing the back of my neck. The attention made me feel self-conscious, but their support warmed me. “But I’ll still be an adventurer too. I haven’t given that up.”
Niro crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. “You’ll need some savings, though. If you’re going to the academy, you won’t have time to take on as many missions.”
“That’s exactly why I’m taking the high-paying ones now,” I said, flashing a shy smile.
Jason leaned forward suddenly, his face just inches from mine. I jerked back, my heart skipping a beat at the unexpected closeness. “Whaaaaat? Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.
Van and Niro turned to Jason, their brows furrowed in confusion.
Jason’s stare lingered for a moment longer before he finally pulled back, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “There’s nothing wrong with your face—you’re still as handsome as ever. It’s just… I feel like something’s changed about you. I can’t put my finger on it, though.”
“You’re imagining things,” I said quickly, steering the conversation away. I kept my expression neutral, hoping to mask the turmoil within me, but Jason’s sharp gaze lingered. He wasn’t just observant—he had a way of seeing through people, like he could untangle emotions hidden beneath the surface. It was unnerving how effortlessly he picked up on things others missed.
“I didn’t notice any changes,” Van said with a shrug, his tone casual.
“Me neither. He’s still the same,” Niro added, sounding certain.
Jason exchanged glances with the others before his lips curved into a lighter smile, the intensity in his eyes softening. “Alright, maybe I’m overthinking it,” he said, though I could tell he wasn’t entirely convinced. His tone shifted as he changed the subject. “Anyway, speaking of high-ranking missions, we’ve got a pretty good offer for you—if you’re interested. I know you’re probably tired from that last mission, but opportunities like this don’t come around often.”
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I sat up, intrigued. “What offer?”
He leaned forward, his voice dropping with excitement. “You probably haven’t heard yet, but a new dungeon has emerged in the Schumidt Duchy. It’s part of the Limor Kingdom, a medium-sized kingdom. The Limor Kingdom lies to the northwest of Liras City, bordering the Krehon Empire. The dungeon is classified as an E-rank dungeon, so it’s not too dangerous. But here’s the best part—they’re offering thirty gold coins to whoever brings back the dungeon’s jewel, and…” He paused dramatically. “…there’s a chance of earning knighthood.”
“thirty gold coins and a knighthood?” I repeated, stunned. “That’s a huge reward for an E-rank dungeon.”
“There’s a reason for it,” Niro added. “Rumor has it the duchy’s knights are… not what they used to be. They’re struggling, so they’re recruiting skilled adventurers through these dungeon missions. It’s a pretty clever way to scout talent while also solving a problem.”
Since it’s only an E-rank dungeon, S to C-rank adventurers are the only ones allowed to participate,” Jason continued. “But we can still join if a higher-ranked adventurer lets us be part of their party.”
I stayed quiet, letting that sink in. For any adventurer with ambitions to become a noble, they wouldn’t pass up a chance like this. Jason, Niro, and Van might not be after titles, but this could be a real stepping stone for others who wanted to climb the social ranks. Ordinary people usually avoid dealing with nobles, yet the lure of rising in society is hard to ignore. Becoming a knight would bring them a step closer to that dream.
And this wasn’t just any small barony offering the mission—it was the Schumidt Duchy, part of a medium-sized kingdom. The fact that the request came from a duchy, with a duke at its head, made it all more enticing
In the noble hierarchy, the Duke holds the second-highest position, just beneath the royal family. Below them are the Marquis, the Count, the viscount and finally, the Baron. Only those ranked as count or higher, including the Duke and, of course, the royal family, have the authority to grant titles. A Baron or viscount, despite their status, can’t bestow a title upon their knights. However, even for those with the authority, it’s not something given lightly.
As I’ve read in the books a knight must make significant contributions to the kingdom or empire to earn a noble title. Loyalty and dedicated service to a noble house for at least ten years might be enough for consideration, but even then, it ultimately depends on the noble.
The fastest route, oddly enough, is through marriage. If a knight marries the daughter of a noble family, her family might grant him a title to ensure she retains her status. But that’s rare. Another quick path to nobility is through distinguished achievements in battle—something that earns respect and recognition across the land.
Knowing all this, it’s no wonder Jason, Van , and Niro are so eager and excited about it
As I was deep in thought, my stomach suddenly growled, loud enough for everyone to hear. They all turned to me, wide-eyed, before bursting into laughter.
“Whahaha! Oh, Caelan, we got so excited to tell you the news that we forgot you haven’t eaten dinner yet!” Jason chuckled, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye.
I scratched my head, looking down, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Yeah… I guess I haven’t.”
“We already had dinner at the Brave Tavern before heading back. If we’d known you were coming home today, we would’ve waited so we could all eat together,” Jason said, his expression turning apologetic.
“It’s fine,” I reassured him with a small smile. “I’ll just go down to the kitchen and see if Mrs. Soyen made something. She always has something good prepared.”
“Alright, we’ll get some sleep, then,” Jason said, looking relieved. “We’re planning to head to the guild early tomorrow to secure a party for that dungeon-clearing mission.”
Sounds good. I’ll come along, but I’m still undecided about joining the mission,” I replied.
Jason’s face lit up, and he gave a cheerful nod. “That’s fine! Just come with us, and we’ll figure it out.”
Niro and Van both smiled and nodded in agreement, their eyes already drooping from exhaustion.
I headed downstairs, finding Mrs. Soyen in the kitchen. She’d only made fried chicken, but that was more than enough to satisfy my hunger. I ate quickly, the warm meal filling me up after a long day. When I returned to our room, Jason, Niro, and Van were already fast asleep, their quiet breathing filling the silence.
Sitting down, I started thinking about this mission they’d mentioned. It sounded like a golden opportunity—but something about it felt too good to be true. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there might be more to it than they realized.
I lay down on my bed, thoughts still swirling in my head, but eventually, sleep pulls me under.
The next thing I know, someone is shaking me, calling my name. Groggy from sleep, I force my eyes open and sit up. Blinking, I take in the sight of my friends, already fully dressed in their armor and robes. Then it hits me—I’d promised we’d head to the guild early.
“We’ll wait for you downstairs,” Van says, giving me a quick nod before they head out.
With a sigh, I push myself out of bed and hurry to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face to wake up. After a quick shower, I get dressed, grab my weapon and backpack, and head out to join them.
We arrived at the guild early, just as we’d planned. It was always busy in the mornings, but today was on a different level. The place was packed—far more than I’d ever seen before. Receptionists darted between counters, each one swamped with adventurers, and we could barely move through the lobby with so many people crammed into the tight space.
Despite the chaos, someone in the crowd caught my attention. Amidst the usual leather armor and robes, one figure stood out, dressed in a unique outfit that seemed unlike anything I’d seen on other adventurers. It wasn’t just their attire, though—it was their entire presence. Something about them felt out of place in a guild filled with rugged adventurers. While others carried the marks of battle and survival, this person exuded an air that was polished, refined, and utterly at odds with the rough atmosphere of the room. My curiosity piqued, and I found myself drawn to this mysterious figure in the middle of the bustling room.
Caelan couldn’t take his eyes off the older man standing across the room. The man’s white hair, slicked back with practiced precision, gleamed under the flickering guild lamps, each strand arranged as if it were part of a larger strategy. His calm expression carried an unsettling edge, a faint, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as his sharp eyes flickered across the room. There was something about his gaze—like a blade hidden behind velvet—that sent a chill crawling down Caelan’s spine.
Thick, arched eyebrows framed his watchful eyes, lending him an air of wisdom but also a dangerous cleverness. Dressed in a dark, perfectly tailored suit with a crisp white shirt and an immaculate black tie, he exuded authority, the kind that silenced rooms and commanded respect without needing a word.
Caelan felt his chest tighten as the man’s gaze briefly landed on him, piercing yet unreadable, before drifting back to the group. His companions seemed unfazed, but Caelan’s unease only grew. It wasn’t just the man’s polished appearance or his confident stance—it was the feeling, deep and primal, that something about him was wrong. Like a predator toying with prey, the man’s presence demanded attention, even if it felt dangerous to look too long.