Because they are flying at speeds that is impossible for a horse drawn carriage without jeopardizing their comfort inside, they arrived after a day without any problems. The only stop that they took was when she noticed that one of the twins, Deena, is barely holding on. After taking care of her business, Haizum just continued on showing no signs of fatigue nor hunger. They ate what Chloe has been eating since she was transferred here, the in-game food bought from the Marketplace. In the game, the appearance are just for cosmetics and to differentiate them from one another but that has become real in this world. The three slaves couldn't stop praising it even though it was just a regular English meal.
They have arrived and could see a well maintained highway, bustling with people and carriages coming in and out of the city wall of Tritos. She could also see the vast ocean in its western border.
But that said, they choose to land in a place devoid of people. Even though this is a world of magic, the existence of a flying vehicle has never been seen before. Though artisans and magic users had made many attempts to make a flying carriage or something similar that could carry multiple items to the relative safety of the skies, nobody has yet to succeed. And of course it was a no brainer move to show it to the masses as it could invite more trouble than necessary.
Still, even though Chloe had made Haizum took on a relatively normal form by concealing his wings and making his body appear more like a normal horse, he was still big even for a war horse and the carriage was still luxurious so they would still attract some attention. She didn't mind it though, sooner or later she was bound to step into the limelight. Knowing from Salazar that her powers are perhaps even greater than the saint of the Church of Celesrica and the Church of Briggan, the two most influencial religions in this continent.
"Come over here for a bit." Chloe said to Salazar as he was heading to exit the carriage. It would be weird if their carriage is moving without a coachman to guide it.
"I know it's a bit too late to ask this but, how old are you now?"
"I am at my prime age of 63." he said with a confused look at his face.
"Really now, then kneel down," she said with a smile. Not questioning their master is what a slave should do but with all her surprises, Salazar couldn't help but wonder.
Light gathered at her and she was once again wreathed in holy light. "I do not know if this will work but I will now reverse your age."
"R-reverse my wha-?"
He couldn't even finish his sentence. What he just heard was just absurd that his mind stopped working for a bit and just before he could form a coherent thought, soothing light poured from his forehead down to his body. He can feel every pain caused by old age is disappearing like an accumulated fatigue from a good massage.
"Oho, it's working properly." Chloe said with a wide grin on her face.
But Salazar could not find any words as his body returns to its youthful state. He just knelt there with eyes wide open and a mouth that can't seem to decide any words.
"Okay that's enough." Chloe said as she forcefully pulled her hand off of the forehead of Salazar now looks like a 20 year old man. "It seems my theory on rejuvenating the cells to produce something akin to a youth induction works perfectly. In case you're wondering, that was my skill, [Rejuvenation]"
[Rejuvenation] is a skill that gradually restores HP over time, same as [Regeneration]. But after coming here, she noticed that her skills now have some effects that are not listed in the skill description. Though both the skills still restores HP, for some reason [Rejuvenation] and some of her other healing skills do not restore lost limbs but apparently skills like [Regeneration], [Light of Restoration] and her skills that have a name that means or is similar to regeneration will restore missing limbs and even heads. That's why she thought that maybe [Rejuvenation] will have an effect like this.
Salazar, now free of the hand of her master looks at his hands with a shocked and trembling body. He knew that her master's powers are beyond his comprehension for he has never seen anything like her, and the wings on her back are only spoken of in legends. But for her to do something like this...
"What... What happened to my body...?!"
He checked his face, his neck, his back and everything else on his body. No matter how much he checked, his body is now free of wrinkles, no matter how many times he felt and touched, his body is now that of a 20 year old. He felt lighter, all of his body aches disappeared and he felt the strength that father time has robbed him has returned.
"A satisfactory result?" Chloe giggled looking at the now young Salazar.
Salazar looked at Chloe who returned to her seat and is now elegantly sipping the tea that she has prepared because the twins just stood there with mouths hanging wide open.
The twins, who are new to the Bhelraion house has never seen a young Salazar. Even though he is a steward directly under the order of the previous head of the house, he never had a painting or any illustration for it was expensive and Salazar wasn't interested in immortalizing his younger self.
"Maybe you'd like to look at your younger self?" asked her master while staring into empty space which she always does when producing items out of thin air. Unbeknownst to them is that she is simply looking at the item catalog. They tried to question her about it but she just ordered them to never question how she keeps producing her in-game items.
She handed him a mirror the size of a closed laptop. "But better hurry, I do not want to arrive there at night."
Chloe had already confirmed that this world's day consists of 24 hours just like on Earth. Although the blaring sun indicates that it is about 2:00 pm, it will take them about an hour on a regular horse speed to get to Tritos and another hour on lining up on queue. Salazar did mention that it is highly likely that they will get mistaken for nobles and they will just let them pass through without falling in line and proving their identity.
Salazar looked at the mirror that doesn't have any impurities. His first thought was that how expensive this must be. He looked at his face, his 20 year old face and a single tear dropped on his face. He knew that it was just a matter of time before old age will take him and just a few days ago, a sword was about to take it. He had lived a good life and was ready to face death with a smile on his face. But he could not say that he has no regrets. Perhaps magic is impossible for him but had he trained in the ways of the sword, then maybe he could have helped Enreall and his wounds would have been so much lighter. Had he trained in the arts of apothecaries then maybe he could have saved the late Lord Renal from his sudden sickness. Although he had no regrets in studying how to manage the domain of his lord, these what if's are constantly looming over the recesses of his mind.
He was not sure if he fears her great power or is grateful for it and unable to speak any words. He bowed his head deeply while tears and snot covered his now handsome face.
Although his hair is still gray and have become long and his nails looks like it belonged to a bird monster. He is still Salazar and could feel that nothing has influenced his heart. Well, something did seep into his heart and that is the feeling of gratituity for his new master for giving him a second chance at life. He did not know how she did it or what kind of magic that was but from the bottom of his heart, his gratitude for her was already overflowing.
She instructed the twins to groom the young Salazar with a pair of scissors they have found in the stash of the merchant Gelro.
Salazar did what he suggested and hold the reins of Haizum. Haizum would never follow his command but they did this for appearance sake then they made a beeline to the City of Tritos.
-----------------------------------------------
About an hour, they finally arrived. The towering walls of the city looms imposingly over all who stands before the gates. Chloe was quite impressed when she saw it in the distance but she is now awed by the magnificence of a building constructed not by heavy machinery but by the hands of men.
"My lady, we shall proceed as planned. Please allow me to do the talking." Salazar said to her. So it's 'my lady' now? Chloe thought as they keep on changing how they address her.
She nodded and gave him a gold qual from the stash of the merchant. Qual is the currency of the Iranliya Empire. Incidentally the total loot that Chloe got from the merchant was of course the three slaves, 224 gold quals, 3,598 silver quals, 2,654 bronze quals and ten intricately decorated precious jewels.
Merchants, hunters, mercenaries and those that belong to the commoners all stop to look at her carriage.
"Look at my carriage peasants! Mwahaha!"
Hmm? Why are the twins looking at me like I'm an idiot for saying that?
"A carriage that grand without a single guard?" said a farmer talking to the mercenary besides him.
"Heh, must've been lucky it didn't run into somethin'" replied the mercenary.
"Do you think a noble is inside?" said a mother holding a child.
"Maybe it's the princess!" screamed the child with gleeful eyes.
She couldn't see the people who are saying those but for some reason, she can clearly hear them. Though even when she shouts or sing very loudly inside the carriage, with the exception of the coachman on the front, none of the people outside can hear her. She didn't understand how this carriage work as the game hasn't bothered explaining it.
"That's quite the commotion outside." Chloe said as she chews on some cookie.
"That cannot be helped mistress," replied Iyara "As your carriage is too eye catching to be from just any noble or merchant."
What can't be helped can't be helped I guess. It's too much of a hassle to buy another carriage and it would only serve to freak out the three slaves more than they used to.
She'll just take into account the popularity that she got from this event.
"Greetings and welcome to our fair city of Tritos. We are terribly sorry but we have to do an inspection on our esteemed guess and also your intention and identification please." said the guard who's armor is comparatively better than those around him. "I am Berias, the Guard Captain, I hope that we can match up to the expectations of our esteemed guess."
He said as puts a fist in his chest as a sign of salute. Salazar had told her that in ordinary circumstances, carriages like these are often told to go without even checking them.
She raised an eyebrow indicating her curiosity. I'll investigate later.
"My lady is an understanding master so please do your job and feel free to check us. Oh and this is from my lady Belleriall," said Salazar as he handed him the gold coin which he instinctively reached. For a moment Berias' eyes went wide but before he can even speak, Salazar continued, "Let me be clear that this is not a bribe, you see our Lady was almost assaulted by a band of thieves. If not for the heroic guards that came to her rescue, she would have met a fate worse than death." Salazar said with a remorseful face and a tearful eye. Oooh, I didn't know Salazar is a good actor.
"I-I see... But... "
"Please, just accept it. My Lady would be honored if you gentlemen buy yourselves a drink and toast in her name." Salazar quickly cut him off. Not accepting a refusal.
"Butー" he stuttered but a guard who had overheard the conversation flashed a wide grin and a thumbs up. "....fine, we'll gladly accept your lady's gratitude." he said with a sigh, hanging his head while rubbing his temples and dwhispering 'idiots' under his breath.
"What is the lady's name so that we know who we may toast to? Please do forgive me for not knowing." asked the guard while looking at the dark exterior of the carriage.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
"My lady's name is Chloe Belleriall." Salazar responded.
"And who might you gentleman be? For I must know who is the humble servant of your lady."
"I do apologize but this one is only a slave by my lady." he replied as he shows the thin collar at his neck.
"I-I see, please forgive me." said Berias with a bow.
The treatment of the slaves in this world is akin to an inanimate objects, they have no rights and even have no names unless their master names them. Salazar and the twins, Deena and Iyara are quite fortunate for having quite an ignorant master for she address them based on their real names. If she ever denounce their names, they have no choice but to give up on their real names forever, that is the power of the collar that they are wearing, that is what it means to be a slave. But Chloe does have plans to change Salazar's name.
After that, he ordered his subordinate to check the carriage albeit the said subordinate only checked lightly, he didn't even open the carriage. Though no one could blame the guard for the half-assed inspection because nobles are fond of execution, and the longer they kept them at the gates, the more likely it is that heads would be sent flying. Literally.
"Just one more question before we let you through, what would the lady's business be to our fine city?" asked Berias.
"My lady's main business would be to establish a business here and to obtain a citizenship." replied Salazar with a serious look in his face.
"Tell your master that I'll be rooting for her. Thank you for you consideration. And once again welcome to our fine City of Tritos." he said while saluting by thumping his fist into his chest.
Salazar thanks the guard and we go on our way.
She had a back up plan in case the guard really checked for identification. She plans to show the seal of Teggran that he got from the merchant. Thankfully, she didn't have to use it.
"Now then, to the Merchants Union!"
Salazar is familiar with the city of Tritos for he had been here many times already. But Haizum wouldn't listen to any of his commands so he had to tell me which directions to go and I would then mentally command Haizum to go towards that direction.
It didn't take long for us to reach the Merchants Union Building as it is in the Town Plaza. Next to it is a branch of the Union of the Sellswords which we plan to go next.
The exterior of the Merchants Union's building is very similar to that of the architectural design of a large germanic style building.
We entered the building and in the nth time Chloe was again awed. Floating lights and people with swords and wands are all too stimulating for Chloe who was once a fan of high fantasy novels.
As Chloe doesn't have time to be awed like a country girl visiting the city for the first time, they hurried up in line.
After about 20 minutes of waiting, the two of them, Salazar and Chloe now stood at the wooden front desk. Incidentally, the twins have been left at the carriage.
"Good afternoon dear costumers, I'm Glavea and I will be your receptionist today. What business do you have with us?" said the receptionist while Givin a business smile.
"We would like to buy a plot of land and a citizenship." Chloe said.
As Salazar explained to her, if one wishes to migrate, one must be willing to pay the price of a citizenship. Of course there are no such fee from the natives but for a foreigner, the price can be downright outrageous. Though there are temporary recidency which could only last for 10 days, they were looking for a base to settle down so a temporary recidency which are much much cheaper, was out of the question.
The cost of a citizenship varies from city to city but they are generally too expensive for a commoner to afford.
Because of its relatively high quality of life and security, the price of a citizenship in Tritos is 70 gold quals. Considering that 1 gold qual can be enough for a commoner to live for 2 months without working for a single day. It's the kind of money that will never be touched by the common people.
Incidentally, 100 bronze quals makes 1 silver qual but it would take 1,000 silver quals to make a single gold qual.
This is why the guards seemed very elated because with the one gold that they have given away, even if they drink all night, there would still be some left over change for them to take home.
"Citizenship here on Tritos is 70 Gold Qual. Dear costumer, would you like pay inー"
"I'll pay in full." Chloe said, grabbing a bunch of gold coins from her pocket. Though in reality she is getting the coins in her inventory because item bags or storing items in a different dimension does not exist yet and would be more than trouble if she were to be found out.
Salazar said that there is a very big possibility that she will be used as a pack mule if a noble or a big merchant finds out about her storing capabilities.
She doesn't really like hiding her abilities but if that what keeps troublesome matters at bay and give her an upper hand in certain situations then she'll just have to hide it even when it causes her discomfort.
For just a split second, the eyes of the receptionist grew wide but quickly put on the facade of a cool headed business woman
"Then we'll gratefully accept. I received 70 gold quals," Glavea said as she finishes counting them. "Now for your other matter. On what purpose will you use the land that you will be buying? I am sorry but knowing the purpose of the future land owner is one of the requirements for purchasing a real estate in Tritos." the receptionist bowed her head as she apologizes to Chloe.
"Please raise you head, if that is one of the procedures then we simply just need to follow. Charles, explain to her what we will do with the land." Chloe said then took a step back as Charles, or rather Salazar, faces the receptionist.
Because some of the people here in Tritos knows of Salazar Enright, the steward of the Bhelraions, she decided to change it to Charles. Salazar, or going by the name that he is going to use from now on, Charles had already accepted that this is his second life and easily accepted the name that Chloe had given him.
"I am Charles, a humble servant of my lady Chloe Belleriall. A pleasure to be doing business with you on this fine day." said Charles as he gave a bow befitting a former servant of the house of Bhelraion.
"Oh no, the pleasure is all on us." said the receptionist.
"Now on to the main business as I don't want my lady to stand too long and for the line to get longer," Charles said as he takes a look at the line forming behind him. "We will use the land for a construction of a brand new guild which my lady plans to establish in the near future."
The receptionist Glavea, for a quick second, flashed a wide grin but quickly returned to her business smile.
How did she became the receptionist of this large firm if she always lets her emotion show like that? Though one would have to have a good eyes, a knowledge on psychology or be really experienced to see her ruse. Chloe thought to herself, quietly observing their interaction.
"Then please follow me to a private room so that you can finish both your citizenship and the procedures of buying a land." Glavea said while beckoning a free receptionist to take her place.
They are taken to a room on the second floor of the building. She was told that this room is used for costumers that have private transactions.
After just taking a glance at the rather crude paper in front of her, she can immediately understand what is written there. Needless to say she was shocked but she couldn't afford to let it show on her face.
The game has an automatic translator so that must be why I can read it but the text didn't transform into that of the Roman alphabet, it is still the lexicon of this world. So how was I able to read it? I'll investigate it later.
It's basically just a name, age, occupation and wether or not she can perform magic. So it's fairly easy to finish. Incidentally she wrote that she can use magic but didn't specify. Apparently, Charles said that some magic users prefer to keep what kind of magic they can use a secret.
"So about the land that you will be buying, may I know what is your preferred location and how big do you want it to be?" asks Glavea
"May we ask for your recommendation? As you already know, my Master plans to start a guild so it has to be a rather large plot of land and as we are a first time visitor in this city, we do not have a good grasp on the lay of the land here." Charles said.
She then took out a map of the city.
"It is required for the every guild bases to be built inside either the Area of the Commons or the Nobles domain. Here are the locations that I personally recommend that fits your given criteria."
"Limit it to only the Area of the Commons. The Nobles domain might be too expensive for us." Chloe chimed in.
"Let's see..." Glavea said as she jots down those locations that fits the description. "There is an available plots of land in the commons area but it is too small to fit a building that is gonna be a guild base."
I do not plan on recruiting members and if the land is really too small I could just build higher or underground for that matter, I do have the tools to make this happen and this has been what I'm planning to do at the very beginning...
"But I do have a plot of land that is available," Glavea said snapping Chloe at her train of thoughts. "However, it is within the domain of the Nobles but please do listen to me first. This land is situated right at the boundary of the Nobles and the commons area therefor its price is considered a great bargain." Glavea explained while pointing at the map.
Though I can't really measure how big the land is without knowing how accurate this map.
"And the asking price for that land is...?"
"It is only 135 Gold and 750 Silver Qual. A cheap price isn't it? Shall we conduct an excursion to see the land. I think that you should hurry and buy this land or else someone might get a hold of it first."
I looked at Salazar or rather, Charles, but his expression is stiff. Maybe the price is too high? No, that is not it. The price is too low. Charles told me that there is a wall that divides the commons area and the nobles area. Even if the land is near the commons area, it still should be within the wall.
He even added that the security in the nobles area are worlds apart when compared to the commons area. This is the first time that I talked to a local that is not being tortured or are not my slaves and even I could tell that something is definitely fishy in this deal.
Fine. You wanna play? Bring it.
"Okay, I'll purchase it."
"Mast-?!" Charles tried to protest but Chloe stopped him.
"Wonderful, please sign here and here. And this is the terms and condition of purchasing the land."
"You sure do work fast."
"Thank you very much Madam, we have been trained to do this over and over so it is only appropriate that I sell this land as quickly as possible so that the Union may profit from this transaction." Glavea said as she dons the perfect smile of a business woman.
Heh. Bring it. Whatever happens, happens I guess? I'll just use this as a lesson if I lose here.
Though Chloe has confidence in herself to adapt and plan out any situation. There are still things that she has no control and there are a multitude of ways that this could end very badly for her. She lost a big sum of her 'pocket money' and the said lost is way beyond a commoners reach even if they work from infancy to old age. She knows it's value that is why she is determined to overcome whatever the catch is to this land.
After paying the 135 gold and 750 silver qual, she left with her citizenship documents and the land title neatly stored in her Inventory.
"Young lady, there is a large possibility that there is some sort of trap in place." said Charles.
"There is, in the ownership title, they clearly stated that construction of the building must start during the first week that it is claimed or risk a heavy fine weekly. If failure to comply with the said request within 30 days, the property can be reclaimed by the Union." Chloe explained while walking to their next destination which is conveniently just across the street.
"But- Ah! They plan to sabotage us! My lady please consider refunding!"
"It's fine, it's fine. Plus if I refund now, we must pay 50 gold quals and as you have noticed, we only have 13 gold quals left. If I do sell the jewels that we got from the merchant, I think they'll lower its value as much as possible so there isn't a way for us but to go forward. Though I must say that the way they do things is so brazen. It's difficult to think that someone will fall for this."
"They are probably targeting rich young nobles who set out on a journey. The young lady does have the look of a rich noble."
"Still, if it was me I'd put more effort into it. Maybe I'll do things in a roundabout way that makes it seem like both parties are gaining something. Ah, were here."
The building of the Union of the Sellswords is as big as the Merchants Union but lacks class and design. It was probably built with cost efficiency and practicality in mind. Maybe it houses warriors so they do not need to make it gaudy.
The interior is just as plain as the exterior design. Everything is within the realm of practicality and the word boring perfectly describes it.
"Salutations traveler, how may I be of service to you?" said the guy receptionist. She was honestly expecting that this building would be overflowing with people but the reality was a bit different. There are barely any people at all. This is probably because they are at their own guilds. Charles said that the only ones who visits the guild are those that are posting a request, those that have a business with the Union and those that doesn't belong to any guild, the guildless.
"I'm here to establish a guild."
All eyes went on Chloe for saying that. There are six large guilds in the City of Tritos. Making it almost impossible for a start up guild to survive. The people in this building had never seen her before, that is why the receptionist called her a traveller, which will make it even harder for her to recruit people that would join her guild. She could even here some mocking sneering.
"Ah I-I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. Can you please state your business here again."
"I. Am. Here. To. Establish. A. Guild. Is that clear enough for you?"
"Haaaa.... Okay, okay. Then it's 10 gold quals and 50 silver quals for the processing fee." the receptionist said unenthusiastically.
How rude, this is the perfect time to be a Karen and ask for the manager.
She handed over the coins and in exchange, a document that she needs to fill up. It contains the preferred name for our guild, the name of the guild master as well the members. Since there are no members and I don't plan on recruiting yet, this just leaves the name of the guild. Should I use the previous names of my guild back in the game?
"Hey Salaz- ehem, Charles, what are the names of the guilds here?"
"The three guilds in the Nobles domain are The Golden Helm, Poliriyals Guild and the Swords of Ghelstat. The one in the Commons area are the Shields of Tritos, Hammer of Tritos and Dragon Fell."
"Where do they get their names? Is the name of the guild a big deal?"
"For most yes, because it is used as their symbols or their achievements. For example, The Golden Helm only accepts Gold rank hunters and mercenaries. While the guilds like Poliriyals guild is based on the noble that is backing them and the Swords of Ghelstat is based on a heroic mercenary. But often times, the names of the guild is just the surnames or the names of the guild master."
"Putting my name as the name of my guild is boorish at best and narcissistic at worst. I'm gonna go with Rosenheim."
Rosenheim is the name of her guild of which she is the sole member.
After completing the sign up procedures, he was handed over a crystal that is gonna be used to update a quest and to register members, including herself.
Chloe was 100% anticipating some form of trouble at the guild but her expectations have been proven wrong. This is because if one hunter or mercenary is caught instigating a fight, he or she can lose his/her membership and they will also drag the names of their own guild to the mud. So almost all of the guild members are well behaved and informed of the rules, regulations and etiquettes of being a decent human being. That said, there are still a few who disregard those rules but those individuals are few and far in between.
With her business done, she head over to the location of the land that she bought just a while ago where she will perform one of the most ridiculous thing in this world have ever seen but is just a normal thing back in the game.