Chapter 139
Unsettling News
Chapter 139 Unsettling News
The atmosphere in the tavern had become somewhat awkward because of the failed conflict earlier.
The merchants and travelers are now also trying to avoid direct eye contact with Ryan and his group.
Although they did not know the specific identities of these three people, the fact that the nobles of the Erin family were willing to back down was enough to prove their extraordinary nature.
As Ryan was focused on the roasted lamb chops on his plate, the two businessmen at the next table who were talking in hushed tones caught his attention.
"Have you heard? The delegation sent to Elvenheim returned looking disheveled the other day," a merchant said mysteriously.
"What's going on? Weren't we supposed to be discussing extending the term of the Sunstone Covenant?" another merchant asked curiously.
"Who knows? I heard they didn't even get to see an elven minister. They were politely escorted out of the Misty Forest by the elven border guards. They were very firm and showed no leniency whatsoever. I think our three-hundred-year peace with the elves is probably coming to an end."
"Really? If the alliance fails and the pressure on the northern defense line increases significantly, then we merchants won't have a good time."
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"Shh—keep your voice down! These are matters of national importance; are they something we should be discussing?"
Although the two spoke very softly, Karen and the others could hear them clearly.
Ryan noticed that Sir Karen, who had been calm and collected, seemed to be somewhat emotional when she heard the news.
His brows furrowed for the first time.
"Sir, this—" Ella heard it too, and looked at Karen with some concern. With elven blood flowing through her veins, she was particularly sensitive to news of the deteriorating relationship between humans and elves.
Karen slowly shook her head, signaling her not to ask any more questions.
He downed the ale in his glass in one gulp. He knew things were far more complicated than the merchants had made them out to be. Elves were a race that placed great importance on covenants and honor; they would never act so rudely, bordering on breaking the covenant, without a reason.
There must be something big happening behind the scenes that they don't know about.
A sense of foreboding rose in Renn's heart.
The elves drove out the kingdom's delegation.
The Sunstone Covenant — The Cornerstone of Kingdom Peace —
When these pieces of information were put together, he sensed an impending storm.
The next morning, as Raine and the others were preparing to leave the post station, Royce Erin reappeared.
He had changed into a more formal suit, his blond hair was neatly styled, and he looked radiant.
There were no guards with him; he stood alone in the courtyard of the post station, clearly waiting for them.
"Good morning, Sir Karen, Miss Ella, Mr. Ryan." Upon seeing the three arrive, Royce immediately smiled and bowed slightly. "Did you sleep well last night?"
Karen hadn't told Royce her identity yesterday, and this nobleman was indeed extraordinary, having ascertained the identities of the three of them overnight.
"Thanks to you," Karen replied calmly.
"I heard from the innkeeper that the three of you are also heading to the capital," Royce said bluntly, his words revealing his sincerity. "My men were quite offensive last night. To express my apologies, if you three don't mind, would you be willing to travel with my caravan? It would be good to have someone to look after you on the road, and with the banner of the Erin family leading the way, we can avoid some unnecessary checks and troubles."
This is a very tempting and well-intentioned offer.
Traveling with a caravan of nobles would undoubtedly make the final leg of the journey safer and more comfortable.
Ella was somewhat tempted, and she looked at Karen for her opinion.
However, Karen refused without hesitation.
"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Erin." He nodded slightly, "but we are used to traveling freely and might disturb your caravan's journey. We will depart on our own later."
His refusal was swift and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.
Upon hearing the result, Reus didn't seem particularly surprised, his face still bearing that flawless smile.
He didn't press further, nor did he show any displeasure; he simply shrugged gracefully.
"In that case, I won't insist." He bowed again. "I hope we can meet again in the capital. I wish you all a safe journey."
After saying that, he turned and left without saying another word.
Throughout the entire process, he behaved like a truly cultured aristocratic gentleman.
"Why didn't you go with him?" Ella couldn't help but ask in a low voice after Royce's entourage, escorted by guards, slowly drove out of the post station. "Wouldn't it have saved a lot of trouble if you went with him?"
"Ella," Karen turned to look into Ella's eyes and said seriously, "Remember, never easily accept the kindness of a strange nobleman, especially someone like him."
Why?
"Because every act of kindness comes with a hidden price tag," Ryan chimed in, echoing Karen's sentiment: "We were just strangers to him, yet he was paying the bill and inviting us to join him. There must be an ulterior motive behind this overly enthusiastic apology."
"He wants to probe our background." Karen nodded, offering her speculation: "He can't see through us, so he wants to use this opportunity to observe us, to probe our origins and purposes. When you're with this kind of person, every word you say and every action you take will be analyzed in his mind. The less contact we have with these nobles before entering the vortex of the capital, the safer we will be."
Ella nodded, seemingly understanding.
Although she wasn't good at these intricacies, she still got the gist of it.
They did not set off immediately, but stayed at the post station for nearly an hour longer.
Only after confirming that the Erin family's caravan had gone far away did they leisurely mount their horses and embark on the final leg of their journey to the capital.
As they drew closer to the capital, the atmosphere on King's Road grew increasingly lively and solemn.
The number of kingdom soldiers patrolling the roads has more than doubled, and their equipment is visibly much better.
Clearly, they were no longer ordinary local guards, but rather guards belonging to the capital.
Each soldier was quite skilled individually, with sharp eyes that vigilantly scrutinized every passerby.
Along the roadside, some manors and villas began to appear, which should be the idle properties of the royal nobles around the capital.
Sir Karen rode his horse, and as they approached the capital, he began to slowly explain the specific structure of the capital.