Looking at the towering gates and the roads teeming with traffic, Mohg couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder. Such a sight was rare even in the current Royal Capital of Leyndell.
Though peace had returned to the Capital, the war upon the Mountaintops of the Giants still raged. Consequently, even as daily life and trade resumed, Leyndell remained under a degree of martial law. Control over those entering and exiting the Altus Plateau was particularly strict; the Golden Dynasty had even stationed guards at the ancient ruin cliffs Mohg had discovered previously.
Seeing such a vibrant, bustling scene in Sellia was a rare treat.
"Is it always this prosperous during the day?"
"Yes. Though Sellia is widely known as a black market, it is actually a marketplace that stays open from dawn till dusk. However, the goods sold during the day versus the night differ significantly."
"For example?"
"According to our intelligence, daytime trade consists of normal goods: textiles, glintstone staves, food, common medicines, and materials. At night, however, things like our Blood Roses or even the Aeonian Butterflies of the Scarlet Rot are put up for sale."
"Rot Butterflies?"
Mohg's eyes narrowed at the name. In his view, the Scarlet Rot wasn't exceptionally good, nor was it exceptionally bad—mostly because he was comparing it to the Frenzied Flame.
The Scarlet Rot was more than just simple decay. To existing living beings, it was a poison, a curse virtually impossible to cure. Unless you could adapt to it and become part of its ecosystem, your only end was to become fertilizer.
Indeed, the Scarlet Rot spread its own ecosystem, bringing a blessing known as "Abundance" to those within its cycle, while bringing destruction and mutation to all other life forms—a burden that would haunt a creature for its entire life.
"Yes. It's said they are sold by a nomadic merchant. He only offers them occasionally, and they sell out almost instantly whenever they appear."
"That's to be expected. Almost no life form can resist the toxin of the Scarlet Rot."
Mohg wasn't surprised. This stuff was the ultimate tool for assassination and highway robbery. Before the rot set in deeply, one could dispel it with Boluses or through sheer physical resilience—though even with a powerful body, the cost was high. But once the infection took root, there was essentially no saving the victim. Even if suppressed temporarily, death was only a matter of time.
"Once night falls, Liana, take me to find that nomadic merchant. I want to know where he's getting those butterflies."
"Understood."
Liana nodded. The two then made their way toward the checkpoint established at the entrance of Sellia.
As they drew closer, Mohg got a clear look at the personnel responsible for inspections and sentry duty. There were two soldiers from the Bace Dynasty and a Sellian sorcerer wearing a Karolos Glintstone Crown, responsible for registration. Behind them stood two Avionette Soldiers.
Beyond these few, defensive forces were stationed throughout the area, including a Troll positioned at the highest point. From the Troll's relaxed demeanor, it didn't look like a slave captured by Sellia, but rather an ally. It lay comfortably against a massive boulder, looking quite at ease.
Though he couldn't see the Troll's exact inventory, Mohg knew its primary purpose: to hurl massive magic pots filled with glintstone and explosive stones. Once these pots were broken by a force exceeding a certain threshold, they would explode with terrifying power, roughly equivalent to a Haima Cannon fired by a senior scholar of the Haima Classroom.
"Name."
"Luther."
"Origin?"
"Limgrave."
"Purpose of entry."
"Trade."
"Very well. Pay a hundred Runes and you may enter. Every transaction conducted inside is subject to a tax upon your departure. Please keep an accurate record of your spending so as not to be swindled by the tax collectors..."
Mohg looked at the sorcerer, momentarily stunned.
"...Please do not look at me like that. This is standard procedure. If you fail to remember your transaction totals, you will be subject to a fine. Please keep that in mind."
Sensing that Mohg was a first-timer, the sorcerer added the warning after sizing up his luxurious clothing.
"Your town is... certainly unique."
"We appreciate the compliment. Enjoy your stay in Sellia. Next."
The sorcerer nodded slightly to Mohg and gestured for him to move along.
A moment later, Liana passed the inspection as well. The guards were primarily concerned with controlling dangerous items and weapons while informing entrants of the rules—though the rules were already posted on a prominent bulletin board at the entrance. They didn't need to explain much, mostly just answering simple questions.
Here, Mohg felt the difference between the Sellian sorcerers and those of the Academy. The Sellian mages seemed to view themselves more as commoners who happened to possess power, whereas the Academy sorcerers held themselves in a much more elitist, detached regard. This was evident in how the Sellians interacted with the common folk around them.
Just as they entered, Mohg saw another Sellian sorcerer, also wearing a Karolos crown, arguing heatedly with a stall owner over prices. Such a scene was almost impossible to find in the Academy Gate Town, as Academy mages would consider such behavior beneath their dignity.
"The scenery here is quite lovely."
Mohg looked around and sighed. The blue glow of glintstone shimmered throughout the environment—a sign of the area's rich magical saturation. On the ground, dense clusters of Moon-scented Lilies were in full bloom. Beyond that was a lush forest inhabited by harmless animals and a few domesticated Storm Wolves.
Mohg even spotted a sorcerer in the woods interacting with a pack of Storm Wolves, seemingly trying to foster a bond with them.
After a brief observation, Mohg headed toward the main district of Sellia.
Past the initial checkpoint lay a small residential area. Many wealthy individuals from across the Lands Between purchased or rented property within Sellia because of the security it provided.
Another residential section belonged to the true owners of Sellia—the sorcerers. The outer ring mostly housed apprentices, while the core district was reserved for formal sorcerers and professors. That core area consisted of a cluster of towers. Unlike Raya Lucaria, Sellia did not maintain a "Magic Realm" barrier.
On one hand, their philosophy leaned toward open communication with the outside world, whereas a Magic Realm required a sealed boundary. On the other hand, maintaining such a barrier required an immense amount of mana. Even though the Aeonia Swamp beneath Sellia was rich in glintstone resources, they considered such a permanent drain to be wasteful.
Furthermore, they believed a Magic Realm barrier wouldn't help one's personal strength reach the next level; they prioritized the attainment of raw, personal power. This was yet another ideological divide between Sellia and the Academy. They craved magic used for combat and resolving conflict. While they valued academia, they weren't as obsessive about it as the Academy scholars. This was why Sellia had so many Battlemages from the Haima Classroom.
As for the main marketplace... common goods were sold along the roadsides, but high-end trading required entry into Sellia's core—the sorcerers' residential district. In that area, carrying weapons was strictly prohibited; anyone caught with one would be escorted out immediately. In other areas, weapons were permitted but had to be kept sheathed and unused.
Furthermore, after nine o'clock at night, outside personnel were forbidden from entering the core district. Magic traps that were deactivated during the day were turned on, and Avionettes and patrol teams began their rounds. To enter at night, one needed to prove their status or possess an official token of recognition from Sellia.
That core area was where the true Sellian Black Market resided. However, even during trade hours, one rarely saw the Sellian sorcerers; most remained inside their buildings, focused on research and practice.
"Lord Mohg, it's still daytime. What shall we do now?" Liana leaned in and whispered into Mohg's ear.
"Hmm... let's find an inn to settle in first, then we'll go see how the 'high-end' market looks."
Mohg thought for a moment and then led Liana toward a nearby inn.
Standing before the "North Wind Banner Inn," Mohg gave the establishment a quick look before pushing the doors open. Inside, oil lamps flickered alongside lanterns powered by the natural glow of glintstone. Various travelers in diverse attire populated the room. They looked up at Mohg and Liana as they entered, though most quickly turned back to their business, with only a few lingering gazes.
Ignoring the stares, Mohg walked straight to the front desk.
"Noble guest, are you looking to check in?"
"Yes. One room, including meals, for one day and one night."
"Certainly..." The attendant made a note and looked at Mohg with a smile. "That will be one thousand five hundred Runes."
Mohg's pupils shrank slightly. With a slight twitch of his mouth, he handed over the Runes.
The attendant took the money and handed Mohg an ornate silver key, giving him a knowing, suggestive look.
"I wish you an enjoyable night. There are... complimentary gifts in the room."
Mohg was baffled—until he heard Liana's soft, stuttered murmurs beside him.
"O-one room... One room with Lord Mohg... Hehe, hehehe..."
With a dark expression, Mohg took the key. After checking the room number, he led Liana toward the stairs, casting a sharp eye over the inn's interior as they walked.
Floors made of specialized stone, architecture clearly polished by master stonemasons, and furniture that looked remarkably lavish...
It seemed he had accidentally wandered into a luxury hotel.
Mohg let out a silent sigh. He couldn't help it—the inns here all looked the same from the outside. Then again, he blamed himself for not thinking twice before booking the room the moment he walked in.
"Liana, tell me about this place."
"Ah? Y-yes!" Liana, snapped out of her fantasies by Mohg's voice, stood up straight to answer. "Lord Mohg, this inn is an asset owned by a Duke of the Bace Dynasty. It is said to cater specifically to nobles, sorcerers, and wealthy merchants. The attendant likely mistook you for some unknown noble... and those people looking at us earlier were probably trying to figure out your lineage."
"I see... Next time, it would be better to tell me these things sooner," Mohg instructed.
"I understand. I'll remember for next time," Liana replied earnestly.
The two arrived at the door of their room.
"...Don't get your hopes up. There's a high chance we won't even be sleeping here tonight."
"Y-yes..." Liana's face turned bright red, realizing Mohg had heard her muttering earlier.
Mohg sighed softly. After inspecting the room and confirming it was protected by a simple barrier spell, he took a seat.
He had to admit, the 1,500 Runes actually matched the quality. A magic barrier for soundproofing and defense against minor attacks, accessible only to the key-holder... that spell alone was worth the price. It seemed this "Green Light" district was a collaborative effort between Sellia and the Bace Dynasty.
However, he didn't know if the attendant had simply forgotten or if the inn only offered one type of room—either way, he hadn't been offered any other options.
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