"Hey, what are you two talking about? Whispering like that is really suspicious."
The female spellcaster beside us finally spoke up, having observed our conversation without understanding a single word of what we were seeing or saying.
I looked over at her and shrugged dismissively. "Huh? Nothing. Just making sure I'm fully awake and not dreaming."
"You really are a strange pair, aren't you?" she muttered, her face clearly showing her lingering suspicion. "So, can you move now? If you're fine, let's go meet the lady."
I simply nodded, indicating that I also wanted to meet the person who had assisted us. After glancing around, I realized I was resting inside a different wagon than before—a heavy supply carriage used for transporting equipment and trade goods.
Outside, it was clear we hadn't strayed far from the spot where I had last fought that Ogre General.
The carriage Lilia and I were in had pulled up beside a second, far more luxurious carriage—one that clearly signaled the high status of its occupant.
The heavy wooden door of the main carriage opened, and a beautiful young noblewoman stepped up to the window. She had long, flowing blonde hair and striking, beautiful green eyes.
Her gaze swept over our travel-worn, dusty clothes, lingered briefly on the massive, charred carcass of the Ogre General visible in the distance, and finally settled on the heavy steel sword resting at my waist.
"My name is Liora Arden, and this is Lady Elysia Veritas, from the renowned Veritas Ducal House in the Fenix Federation," the wizard girl stated, introducing her mistress with a formal bow.
"Did you... defeat that beast?" Lady Elysia asked, her voice carrying a flawless blend of refined noble elegance and breathless astonishing wonder.
"Yes, My Lady," I replied, bowing my head slightly to observe proper etiquette. "My companion and I were ambushed on the road while heading to Hills City. It was a brutal struggle for survival, but thanks to the assistance provided by Lady Liora here, I managed to land the final blow and slay the monster."
Lady Elysia observed my calm and composed demeanor. A warrior capable of facing an A-Rank Ogre General alone—and surviving to tell the tale—was certainly not an ordinary soldier or adventurer.
She could clearly sense the dense, powerful aura emanating from beneath my dusty travel cloak.
"A warrior of your caliber shouldn't be traveling on foot across the border like this—especially after defeating a monster capable of threatening an entire city," Lady Elysia said, a warm, friendly smile gracing her face.
"We are currently on our way back to our family estate in Venix. If you don't mind the company, you are welcome to join us as far as Hills City; I happen to have some business there before we head to Venix."
"We are deeply grateful for your extraordinary kindness, Lady Veritas," I said, nodding respectfully.
Once all our travel arrangements were finalized, Lilia and I were about to board the luxurious carriage.
I had already stepped into the carriage, but just as Lilia was boarding, a soldier blocked her path and said, "Please take a seat in the carriage behind this one."
Upon hearing this, Lilia immediately lowered her head, her ears turning bright red. She likely realized that the soldiers knew she was a slave.
Just as I was planning to step out and join Lilia in the rear carriage, Lady Veritas suddenly spoke up. "It's fine, just let her board."
"But, My Lady..."
"It's okay."
Heeding her mistress's command, the soldier finally stepped aside to make way for Lilia to board.
After Lilia and i was already inside the carriage, i caught her glancing at Lilia several times—whether out of curiosity about her face or perhaps because Lilia was clearly trying to hide the slave collar around her neck.
Inside this lavish carriage, there were now Lady Veritas, Lilia, Miss Liora, and myself.
Accompanying us were several elite soldiers who escorted the carriage as it began to move.
The interior was lined with soft velvet cushions and smelled faintly of lavender and treated leather—a stark, welcome contrast to the rough, bumpy wooden wagon we had been riding in previously.
As the carriage set off, Lilia sat closely beside me, her eyes locked onto the plush floorboards to avoid drawing any suspicion from the noblewoman.
My arm remained loosely around her waist—to maintain our cover as a traveler and his personal slave—while Lady Elysia occasionally asked polite questions about our journey, which I answered with a carefully crafted blend of truth and lies.
After roughly two days of smooth, comfortable travel, the heavy wooden wheels of the carriage finally began to grind to a halt.
"My Lady, we have arrived at the gates of Hills City," the coachman called out from his seat, his voice sounded somewhat muffled by the thick glass panel.
The carriage ground to a complete halt in a bustling, massive plaza within the city center.
The sheer scale of Hils City was immense. As the central trading gateway between the Regalia Kingdom and the Venix Federation.
The wide stone streets were alive with the loud, chaotic chatter of merchant caravans, heavily armed adventurer parties, and elite border guards patrolling the towering stone battlements above.
After stepping down from the carriage, I turned back to face Lady Elysia, who was peering out from the mahogany window frame with a gentle smile.
"Thank you for your immense generosity, Lady Veritas," I said politely, placing a hand over my chest in a traditional warrior's salute. "Your assistance has saved us days of grueling travel under the harsh sun."
"Think nothing of it," Elysia replied with a warm, refined nod. "A man of your talents will surely make a name for himself out there. It is a shame I still have urgent business to attend to here at the border garrison, otherwise, I would have accompanied you directly into the capital myself."
She paused, her sharp green eyes shifting toward Lilia for a brief second before returning to me. "If our paths ever cross again, do not hesitate to visit the Veritas estate in Venix City. Safe travels to you and your companion."
"Safe travels, Lady Veritas," I replied.
With a sharp snap of the driver's reins, the luxurious carriage rolled away into the crowded streets, leaving Lilia and me standing amidst the vibrant, bustling plaza.
Inside the Carriage. "My lady, that woman with him before..." The Magic user Liora, Ask Lady Elysia.
"Yes, I know. If this is true, then the situation is indeed critical. We must wrap up our business here as soon as possible, return to Venix, and see my father."