There weren’t too many wagons lined up for inspection at the entrance of the city. Quite a number of them would branch off to the left and right of the wall, going away from the city.
“There’s actually almost no elves and beast people living in this city despite it being call the joint city. There are also many barracks located along the wall every ten kilometres.” Alex was explaining the general situation to Vanessa and Liz back inside the cabin.
“The elves and the beast people have their own camps along the wall. Their representatives only ever come for a meeting at the city every few months.”
“Have you seen the elves? Are they as beautiful as they say in books?” Liz asked with shining eyes.
“Oh yeah! They are quite tall and elegant! The men are too pretty though. Almost no muscular hunks among them!” Amelia answered Liz with excitement as the two girls started talking about the elven race, leaving Alex alone, slightly depressed.
“We should be able to see some elves if we visit their shops though! There are also shops selling products from the sea of trees as well where beast people live.”
Vanessa heard Amelia’s comment and also caught onto the conversion quickly, causing Alex to mope by himself in the corner.
The soldiers inspected the two wagons with haste and signalled them to pass as there wasn’t all that many things and their mana detection could not pick up the presence of any magic tools.
“Alex, do you know of a good inn?” Kyle asked the still silent boy without turning his head.
Alex lifted his head and answered sheepishly. “Yes, there should be a few of them if you take the next left. They’re all about the same. Just pick one you like, brother in law.”
The city was filled with soldiers and mercenaries alike. There were no stalls present, which was an odd sight. Shops lined the streets left and right. Every building had many layers, with the upper floors being used as living quarters.
The two wagons rolled along at a slow pace down the road, towards the direction Alex pointed. They did not draw much attention as newcomers were a common sight in this city.
Kyle stopped in front of an inn called ‘The Sleeping Ogre’. An employee came out and greeted Kyle.
“Welcome to the Sleeping Ogre! There’s space for wagons on the side. Do you need help with the luggage?”
Kyle followed the employee to the parking space, with Captain Ruby driving the wagon behind him.
The inn was simple enough with a restaurant and a lobby on the ground floor and the guest rooms being upstairs.
“Alex, Miss Amelia, you’ll have to be our guides! What’s there to do in this city?”
The family was sitting in the lobby of the inn after they had booked a few rooms. It was still the afternoon so there was still time to stroll around in the vicinity.
“There’s truly not all that much, unless you’re a merchant looking to make a profit. Of course, it’s fun to interact with the elves and the beast people.”
Vanessa was a little disappointed upon hearing this.
Alex continued not noticing this. “Ah but there are a lot of restaurants selling food with monster meat. It’s surprisingly tasty! There’s also local products from the elven forests and the beast people’s country.”
“Alright! Let’s go see the elven shops for now! Kaylee, do you want to see the elves?”
The family took to the streets together after having decided that they’d go browse the nearby shops. Captain Ruby had elected to remain behind to rest as well as to watch over their belongings since she did not want to intrude the family holiday.
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***
There truly was not much to do in the city. The environment catered to only merchants and mercenaries.
They had visited all the unusual shops and places over the last few days and had eaten all the local delicacies. Kaylee was smitten by the various beast people. She would stare them with her big round eyes until they allowed her to touch their fluffy ears. Oddly enough, she gave no reaction to the slightly elongated elf ears.
Kyle smiled thinking of his daughter’s demand to visit the beast people’s country one day.
“’nessa, my love. I feel that we should leave already. We’ve done all there is to do here.”
Kaylee was fast asleep between them on the wide bed. Kyle whispered to his wife, not wanting to wake up the little girl.
“I don’t mind, dear. But what about Alex, Amelia and Liz?”
“Hmm, didn’t Miss Amelia say that her older brother was in this city? They can stay with him in the army barracks. As long as they don’t go fight the monsters outside the walls, they’ll be fine.”
Vanessa nodded in approval. She had never been to the world outside before she married Kyle and was actually very excited to see new things. The memories Kyle had shown her were too vague, only giving her a general idea of Kyle’s adventures.
“Ok, I’ll talk to Alex in the morning. There isn’t much longer until his classmates get here anyhow.”
***
Alex sat in the backyard area of the inn. It was early in the morning and he had finished his daily morning routine of running through the forms together with Amelia. The girl had run off together with Liz and Kaylee to clean up, leaving him alone.
Alex stared at the beautiful form in the clearing with a dazed look. He did not notice Kyle approaching him and sitting down beside him.
“Are you already aiming for a third wife? Quite ambitious of you, Alex!”
Kyle’s banter woke him up from staring. Alex smiled awkwardly and responded.
“I was merely mesmerized by the forms, brother in law. And what third wife! Amelia hasn’t agreed to marry me…yet…”
“Well, Captain Ruby is a little too old for you, haha!”
The two men sat in silence for a while, appreciating the valiant female knight performing the advanced set of forms that Kyle has taught her.
This was until Vanessa and Amelia came up behind them and knocked them on their heads.
“Oww! Amelia! What was tha…” Alex wasn’t able to finish his complaint as he looked back with teary eyes and noticed his lover’s fierce expression.
Amelia bent down and twisted his ears. “So, you’re aiming for Sister Ruby next huh? You’ve forgotten all about me and Liz already?!”
“Noo!! Amelia! That’s not true! I swear!” “Hmph!”
Kyle pulled Vanessa into his embrace and the husband and wife watched Alex chase after Amelia in a fluster.
“Haha, it’s good to be young.” Kyle commented.
“Dear, we’re also young.”
“I think that’s just you, ‘nessa my love. Although, I doubt your looks will ever change for the millenniums to come.”
Vanessa leaned back into Kyle’s broad chest and relaxed.
Captain Ruby has finished her forms and was taking deep breaths. She noticed Kyle and Vanessa sitting together a distance away.
Kyle acknowledged Captain Ruby’s greeting with a nod. Vanessa also waved and said good morning. Kyle thought of something and beckoned the captain over.
“Do you have any instructions for me, Master Kyle?” Kyle and Vanessa were used to her stiff tone over the days that they’ve been travelling together.
“This is for you Captain, keep it on your body at all times.” Kyle handed a jade bracelet to the captain.
“Think of it as a charm.” Kyle continued with a chuckle noticing the slight confusion from her face. Ruby nodded and placed it into her pocket.
“Captain, we’ll be leaving this city shortly to continue our journey. I’ll have to trouble you to take care of the three lovebirds.”
Ruby was a little surprised but she did not question Kyle’s decision. The mature woman only had respect and awe towards Kyle, ever since he imparted the exercises to her.
“Don’t be afraid of teaching Alex a lesson if he tries anything funny, Sister Ruby.” Vanessa said as she stood up.
“Well, let’s go and have breakfast!”
***
“Hello, my name is Kyle. This is my wife, Vanessa and our daughter Kaylee.”
“I’m Dorian. Amelia’s big brother. I’m a captain of the city defence force. It’s nice to meet you!” A large man very much unlike the petite Amelia and her equally small twin brother Michael greeted the family with enthusiasm. He was only in his early twenties yet he could be mistaken for someone in their thirties.
Dorian laughed and looked at Alex. “Alex! Since, you’re going to be here for a few days before your class arrives, what do you say we do some training!”
While Dorian was laughing and repeatedly slapping Alex’s back, disregarding the boy’s pained expression, Kyle spoke up. “Ok, we’ll be off. Everyone, take care. And don’t forget to keep those charms on you.”
Vanessa hugged Alex and Amelia in turn. She turned to Liz, holding the maid’s hands. “Good luck, Liz!”
Liz blushed a little from the implied meaning. Kyle got onto the supplies wagon that Captain Ruby brought, having decided to leave the carriage to Alex to bring back to the capital city. All their belongings have been loaded onto the back of the wagon.
The family of three slowly rode west heading out of the city along the wall. Alex, Amelia and Liz waved their goodbyes from the city gates and watched the wagon slowly go out of their sights.