Another full day of nothing but ordinary travel but eventually we were able to spot the bustling city of Mineras at the horizon at around noon.

After lunch the second day, we could see the city on the horizon. It was a industrious city, both due to the mines it has for extracting the different materials to be used in the magicite alloy, and the manufacturing of said alloy before being shipped off to a different city to actually construct artifacts. Thus, it was a prime city for smiths and for merchants.

"So that's Mineras." I trailed off, as I gazed at the city on the horizon. It wasn't detailed much, the towers and walls were visible from this rest stop. I can only imagine how tall those would be when we arrive there.

"That's right." replied Melanie, who was sitting inside the wagon, switching driver duty over to Ian. "The city is mostly known for mining the different minerals and rocks they use for magicite alloy." She handed me a file, "This is our itinerary for our stop at the city."

I read through the file Melanie handed me. It contained roughly our schedule for our visit at Mineras. We would pay a visit to Count Leonhart since Auburn City was under his domain of influence, just overseen by a governor under him. Then we would resupply our provisions yet again. Lastly, we would have one day dedicated to exchanging information with the deployed INC operatives in the city, though it would be Victor and Cameron doing this.

"We'll be reaching the city in about two hours or so." Melanie said after I stopped looking at the file.

"I guess that means today we'll just be spending a few minutes with Count Leonhart before heading to our inn?" I asked her.

She nodded, "I would assume so yes, unless there are developments out of our predictions."

"I see". I said as I looked out at the horizon again. I wonder if it's more grandiose than it looks from here.

Like Melanie had said, it took us two hours to arrive at the gates of Mineras.

The city itself was as huge as it was wide. The walls stood out by being as tall as four men stacked atop one after the other. The gates were manned by a tower on each side, that stood taller than the walls. At the ground, the towers have guard posts manned with half a dozen men each. The queue for entering and exiting were separate into two lanes each, giving the road towards the city within a wide berth.

The queue was not too long. First was identification checks, and then storage investigation. Occasionally there would be additional background checks if it would be one's first time visiting or was from another country altogether. Though, that gets bypassed with official letters signed by either any of the four bureaus, or the ruling monarch, which is currently the first empress.

"We've notified the guards to send a messenger to Count Leonhart of our arrival, so we'd be heading there now." Melanie updated me as she sat in front with Ian. it was just me and Rona at the back.

We were travelling on the road at a leisurely pace, on the account that the streets were only wide enough for two wagons at a time and there were lanes to follow. Not to mention that there were civilians walking along the sideway on our sides, and the occasional crossings. The road design wasn't that too complex, since most of the important sectors were at the center of the city, or close to it. In this case, the city center has the government hall for Count Leonhart's domain and his personal estate is a bit to the east of it so heading to the government hall won't be that much of a hassle if he wasn't there.

Once we arrived there in about half an hour, we were greeted by man dressed like a butler with two guards by his side. When he stopped he came up to us and bowed,

"It is our pleasure to receive you today. I am the head butler of House Leonhart and am a personal assistant to the city governor. You may call me Liam." he continued, "The Lord, Count Leonhart is busy with his duties for the day thus I shall be his proxy in receiving your party." he turned towards the two guards by his side, "Please guide their wagons to the stables." he turned to us with a business-like smile, "If you'll follow me, I can show you to your accommodations during your stay here at our city." He turned around and walked eastward, presumably towards the noble estate.

We all followed him by getting off the wagons and handing them towards the two guards, although there was a few discussion about leaving someone to know where the stables were but we were reassured that Liam would show us later.

Liam waited for us with a luxurious carriage with the emblem of House Leonhart, a lion's mane engraved on its door.

"If you would please step inside, we would be heading to the visitor's manor by the personal estate of Count Leonhart."

Though they were reluctant to board a nobles' carriage, I was able to convince them to accept it so that we could get it over with as soon as we arrive.

The main estate that stood in the center of this land was a true display of noble wealth. It was built with smooth and polished marble, with accents of silver across it. The windows were as spotless as it can be, with the rays of sunlight reflecting on it. The gardens in front of it were blooming with all the colors possible. Though, we passed by it and went towards a more subdued version of it a distance further.

It was easily described as more tamed version of the main estate, with subdued colors, but with an air of simplicity and elegance. Comparing the two estates, the first one was a display of grandeur, wealth, and influence, while the second one had more of a retirement home feel.

We stopped at the entrance of it where there were five maids and five manservants waiting for us lined up. Once we got out of it they all bowed us and welcomed us in unison which kind of unnerved Joran a bit.

"These ten workers will be tending to your needs throughout the duration of your stay, you may direct them to the head maid of this group." After saying this, a middle-aged maid stepped forward. She had a perfectly composed face and a near-perfect posture and etiquette. Her smooth black-hair were tied up in a neat bun peaking out from her headpiece. She curtsied as she introduced herself.

"It is an honor to server you, our esteemed guests. I am Lilian, if you have any concerns, you may direct them to me." After she curtsied, she returned back to her place in the row of house employees.

Liam cleared his throat.

"Lilian will then be explaining the rest of the situation to you. I would like to do it personally myself but urgent matters require me to return by my master's side so that he can meet your group by dinner time. If you'll excuse me." He bid his farewell and returned back to presumably the government hall at the city center.

"If you'll follow me esteemed guests." Lilian said aloud after Liam left. She turned on her heel and went inside the manor, trailing behind her were a few of the house servants while another group of them stayed behind and followed only after everyone in our team followed Lilian.

The lobby that we entered was a spacious area, decorated with subtle artistry through the paintings on the wall, the flower vase on display. The paint on the walls also have a faint design visible on them if you focus on them. There were thresholds that had hallways leading deeper inside and a stairway that led to the upper floors. Lilian led us to the hallway on our right.

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Through it, there were the same types of decorations adorning the hallway. We reached the room at the end of his which was more spacious than the lobby we entered from. Viewing the manor from outside didn't really show that its interior was this large.

"This is equivalent to a living room function, complete with sofas, chairs, tables, shelves, and a fireplace." Lilian pointed at the objects as she listed them. The furniture all look subdued but by touching them, you could feel the materials they were made from and the feel expertise of trained craftsmen on their designs. Next, she led us to the other connected hallway which leads to a wide function room usually used for small parties by Count Leonhart. For now it was sparsely decorated and had the feeling of a big empty hall.

"Though you may use the function hall anytime you wish during your stay." She said to us as she headed on towards the next destination. It seemed we were touring the ground floor of the manor in a counter-clockwise way. The smell of fire and spices start to become apparent as we moved onwards, I guess the next destination is the kitchen.

She led us inside and stood at the center of the kitchen. It wasn't as large as the other two rooms she showed but the placements for equipment, storage, and stations all seemed pretty efficient and utilized the small room to the fullest, it looked to be about just a quarter smaller than the living room she showed us earlier.

"During your stay, two chefs under the employ of Count Leonhart will prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For any other servings, you may ask them through us as we are also versed in snack preparations." She never gave us a chance to ask a question though as she completes the introduction, she continues to head on towards the next area.

The next room was similar to the living room she showed first, but this time, it only had sofas and tables inside.

"This room is the reception area, though it can also be used as a gathering room for small parties. Though when guests are occupying the manor, it would be arranged to be the dining hall unless the number of guests exceed the capacity of the room." She said. The room had minimal designs much like the other sections of the house. I guess it would make sense since this is mostly a secondary manor of House Leonhart rather than their main estate.

We passed by a door but since Lilian didn't lead us there it might not be a room used by the guests. It was a plain door with a wooden handle, nothing too fancy or too simple.

"That concludes the tour of the ground floor." We ended up back at the lobby entrance and she whirled to face us.

"The last door we skipped leads to the bathroom of the house. Each floor has bathroom in the same spot so you may go about your business at any of the floors. The layout for the second and third floors are roughly the same, although they have bedrooms in the sizes of the living room of this floor and an attic at where the kitchen would be on the third floor. Simply said, there are 5 bedrooms and a bathroom at the second floor, and three bedrooms, a bathroom, and an attic at the third floor." The other servants lined up alongside her again to face us all inside the manor.

"Thank you for staying with House Leonhart esteemed guests! We will do our utmost service for you!" They all said together and bowed in unison.

We nodded at them and I asked them to prepare some tea and snacks as we await for the Count to finish his government duties for the day.

They all prepared it rather quickly. The tea they brewed was fragrant and had a nice hint of bitterness to it. The snacks that accompanied it were cookies that were soft and sweet. Though they weren't the best pairing, they still did a good job of complimenting each other. Though the others didn't really speak up much about it.

"Please inform us as soon as Count Leonhart would be seeing us Lilian." I told her.

"Of course, esteemed guest." She bowed and soon called for one of her colleagues and they headed out of the manor.

An hour or two after the third bell, Lilian approached us with another servant in tow, she bowed her speak before she spoke.

"Lord Mephelios has arrived home. He said that he'll meet you all at dinner at the main estate in an hour." She, and long with some of the servants flooded towards us, "There will be dinner preparations so until then, we will help you in your preparations before dinner."

We didn't really do anything different until there was only half an hour left. That was when we started to prepare ourselves and dust off our uniforms. We also checked and updated our itinerary since being accommodated by the local lord was not in our plans so we had to reconfigure it to take that into account. It made a defensive plan much more solid and stable and allows us a more relaxed space during downtime.

After only ten minutes left, or roughly the halfway point between the third and fourth bell, we all gathered back the lobby entrance.

"Is everyone all set?" I asked as I took a look at everyone. Though we were all wearing the same uniform for all imperial government field operations, it looked nicer because it was tidied and the dust from our travel were brushed off expertly. We all looked crisp and proper, ready for a heroes welcome, or a similar feeling to that.

I nodded at them and then nodded at Lilian, who was waiting at sides for us to call for her.

"Very well. Please follow me then." She bowed, and turned to leave the manor, we followed her in a neat line of two.

The view that met us as we walked out at night had a clear sky, dotted with countless stars, and slightly cool breeze that threatens to make you curl up in a blanket.

"It's officially the summer season and yet the night it still just as cold as winter." I said aloud, prompting some of my companions to agree.

It took us a short while, maybe a couple of minutes or so to reach the main estate from the guest manor. Just like earlier, the main estate was a grandeur to the eye, with colors bold and shining even at night, add onto that the lights that dotted within from the windows make it pleasing to the eyes. Though we couldn't admire it that much since we were having dinner with the local lord.

We went in through on of the side entrances and the view of the hallways was a step above from the manor we were staying. The decorations that were placed around were exquisite pieces from both local and international craftsman, and even some of the paintings were of the same person but made with different artists.

"Please follow me to the dining hall." Lilian said to shake us out of our astonishment.

We were led into one of the rooms that was close to the side entrance and when we entered, we were once again in awe with their interior decorations. Glass chandelier, white fabric for curtains, furniture, and the wall as well as the ceiling was decorated with a deep blue that resembled the starry night sky we just saw earlier. Though it was a mismatch of the colors, the feeling of getting lost in seeing the contrast between their white color for items they would be using and the wall as a backdrop make it seem like it was an outdoors affair.

The dining hall had a long table with eating implements prepared on top of it, adjacent to a seat for each participant. There were already a few people seated. The head of the table was also occupied by a tall, slim man. He had a neatly-combed blonde hair and thin beard on his chin. He was wearing a normal nobles' attire in the color of gold. Once Lilian announced our arrival, he looked towards us and stood up to greet us.

"Welcome to Mineras City, and to my home, Enforcer Team Four!" He said aloud as she did a noble's bow; placing his right hand on his left chest, and bowing at an angle. "My name is Mephelios Leonhart, the head of House Leonhart and Lord of this City."

I returned his gesture with the Imperial salute since we were here on official Imperial business and not of nobility.

"Thank you for the warm welcome. I am Captain Viola Tessanya, leader of this expedition team. On behalf on my team, I would like to thank you for the hospitality you have offered."

He nodded and motioned for us to sit.

We were led to his left-hand side of the table, We were seated in the order of the closest to the head of the table to the furthest: Me, Cameron, Melanie, Ian, Victor, Rona, and then Joran. That was all the seats allotted to our side of the table. Opposite to us were four seats, two of which were already occupied. The person directly opposite of him was a woman who looked to be in her early-thirties. She had a pale-blonde hair tied back neatly, outfitted with a simple light blue dress, and a necklace that was as as transparent was the wineglass we have on the table. Before a moment of awkwardness settled in, she stood up from her seat and curtsied.

"I am the wife of Count Leonhart, Countess Laira Leonhart. I apologize for failing to welcome you earlier as I was off visiting my son's fiancée." After her introduction and apology she took her seat again. We all then turned our attention to the man beside her. He looked to be near her age, or slightly younger but he bore a striking resemblance to Count Leonhart, though he had no beard and has his heart tied back in a short ponytail and his eyes were narrower than Count Leonhart'.

"I am Faust Leonhart, the younger brother of Count Mephelios. I was using one of my days off to visit home every once in a while." He said as he remained seated. The rest of my team introduced themselves, with the same sort of introductions they did when I first met them.

"Very well. Let us enjoy dinner first before we talk. Food is best consumed when fresh." Count Leonhart said and all we ate the dinner they served. It was a three-course meals and my lack of culinary knowledge made me unable to come up with decent explanation to the food they served. In simple terms, they were as delicious as the most packed restaurant in the capital.

We continued to enjoy our dinner through up until the last was served, ice cream. We were all more than satisfied with this dinner they prepared which was enough for a month's salary for most of us. Count Leonhart cleared his throat.

"Now that everyone is full and has enjoyed the dinner, it's time to talk about business for a bit." The atmosphere turned serious which caused me to focus on the upcoming discussion.