Chương 555: Chapter 554: Crossing Baxzar

Merchant of Desire Lv. 36 I saw the text, and a smile appeared on my face. I needed it. The level-up was great yesterday, but I needed an attribute point. I wanted to use it for charm. Instead, I put it on strength, taking it to nineteen. I would have put it on the vitality, but it was already at twenty. I aim to take strength to twenty before I use any attribute points on mental attributes.

Although mental skills would be more useful in Archmage City, after what I experienced, I want to increase my physical attributes. I won't assign any points to mental attributes until I take strength to twenty. I pushed the text away and slowly got up from the bed. I am feeling better than yesterday, but I am still weak—enough that even a level 10 wouldn't have any problem defeating me. I quickly freshened in the shower before carefully walking out and sitting on the bed.

Even these simple movements have left me exhausted. I looked outside. It was still dark, but just before dawn. In a few minutes, the sun would start to come out. After a minute of rest, I got up and changed into a suit before leaving the bedroom. Only to see Margaux and Varza sitting there. When I returned from meeting the Governor of Vudiz last night, they hadn't returned; they were busy with their work. I didn't want to go through with the meeting, but I had no choice as a matter of noble formality.

Thankfully, having the stationmaster by my side spared me from facing a barrage of probing and politically charged questions. I have also used many methods to mask the artifact's traces, including that charm Caena had made. It was a very expensive one. Made with Grade IV emotion essence. The charm was designed to create confusion, obscuring the things I wanted to keep hidden and making it significantly harder for anyone to uncover them.

The curious will need very competent people with specific classes to discover what happened there.

"You should have rested more. We have a long journey ahead of us," I told the two ladies as I slowly sat down.

"We have, Master Silver," she replied. They have rest skills. Even when I use one of Caena's charms, I do not feel as rested as these two are looking. A moment later, Varza slid a file toward me. I picked it up and opened it. When I stopped myself, I nearly activated Insightful Reading. Using my skills had become an instinct. It is my most used skill. Although my reading speed is noticeably slower, it is still much faster than when I first came to this world.

Although I may not use skills, I still have powerful, high-mental attributes. The file had information about the girls we had selected. There are a total of thirty-nine of them. Including the woman I had chosen. Even before I had gotten into the brothel business, I had a plan that would require these girls with skills and experience. Enacting that plan now would be controversial, but I could prepare for it. I could train these unique women so that I will be ready for it when the time comes.

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"It's good," I said and placed the file down.

"Kagles had arranged for their travel. They should leave for Greltheaven by the afternoon," I added. While I had asked Margaux to hire the girls, I had also requested Kagles to arrange for them to be sent to Greltheaven. They will leave for it in the afternoon. A few minutes later, we got up and walked toward the kitchen, where everyone, including my sister, was already waiting.

We had a lively breakfast before walking out of the manor, where a line of carriages was waiting, including two carriages with the flag of Archmage City. Official, they are traveling with us. Unofficially, they will be escorts, with them with us. Enemies would think twice before attacking. They aren't that powerful. Only one among them is above Lv. 30, but they are from the Archmage City, and that is not to be taken lightly.

"I hope we will have a smooth journey, High-Mage Hardhelm," I told the dwarf.

"We will, Lord Silver," he replied pretty confidently. After a short conversation with me, he went to his carriage. I went to mine. It is slightly bigger than the ones I used on the journey, but these circumstances required it. I stepped inside and sat down in the big, comfortable seat. A few seconds later, the carriages moved out of the compound. I watched through the windows as the city rumbled past, advertising its power. It is a mature city that has formed and developed its own distinctive identity and culture.

Greltheaven and even Panar are still discovering their identities, which isn't a bad thing—for now. It allows me to shape and mold those cities to align with my vision. The vision is already taking form, but it will take a long time to mature as the cities are rapidly growing and changing daily. Soon, we reached the gates. They stopped us for a few seconds before letting us leave. I looked ahead into the thick, wild forest, its towering trees casting shadows over the snaking road that cut through it.

So, unlike Greltheaven and Renwell, where there is only wasteland and nothing else. I watched until the carriage entered the forest before reclining my seat and turning it into a bed. That is why the carriage is big; it would allow me to sleep. I don't want to sleep, fearing I might get attacked once more, but I need to, and my body betrays me, as I am feeling incredibly sleepy. Sleep will help me the most in recovering. I need to recover enough in two days to build my endurance so I don't tire too quickly.

Another type of battlefield awaits me in Archmage City. When I woke up, it was four and a half hours later. I felt good and a little less tired. I adjusted my seat and looked out. The carriage is moving through the thick woods. It's beautiful but also dangerous. I haven't forgotten how I was attacked in a dense forest like this a few days ago. I watched for a few minutes before taking out a book. I read the book till we stopped for lunch near a settlement. We intentionally did that in case there is an attack.

Even with the addition of the station's escort. We do not want to take any chances. After eating, we resumed our journey while I slept more. When I woke up, it was an evening.

"Where are we?" I asked as I adjusted the seat.

"Near Nadra," replied Zela. It is a city near an extreme magic region. Five cities surround it. Baxzar has the highest concentration of EMRs. They are the source of the greatest danger—greater even than the undead—but they are also the foundation of immense wealth and the rise of unparalleled powerhouses. This balance defines their strength and resilience, a point of pride for the Dominion. We didn't stop for dinner and continued traveling until we reached a medium-sized city at eleven.

We have already made arrangements. We rented the whole inn and hired local private security. Seeing what had happened with the others, I was uncomfortable with it, but there was no other option. We had a quick dinner before going to our rooms to sleep. I lay on the bed and closed my eyes to sleep. It will be my last night in Baxzar. Hereafter, it will be south into Rasal and Archmage City before dawn the day after tomorrow. I have to be there before the opening ceremony—there's no room for delay.

It's absolutely crucial to my plans. I fell asleep and woke up at dawn. Click! When I stepped out, I saw Jon sitting in the living room with his eyes closed.

"You are doing it too fast. It is creating instability. Take it slower," I advised gently, sensing the flow of his aura. He is practicing it every morning and night, as it is the only free time he has. He doesn't do it during the travel. There, he only focuses on his job. This made me feel bad. I knew how much I wanted to practice it when I awoken the aura. I watched him while I read through the city's reports. Most of it isn't secret and wouldn't affect things, even if it were leaked.

Soon, Jon opened his eyes, his exhaustion evident in every aspect of his body language.

"It is so hard. I can barely practice for a few minutes, which makes me dead tired," he said.

"It will get better as you practice more," I replied with a smile. I also desperately wanted to practice my aura. In the battle, I pushed myself hard and made progress that would have usually taken me a long time to make. I want to consolidate that progress and try new things. Unfortunately, I can't use aura until I recover. I can't even use the skills I have become so dependent on. A few minutes later, we walked out and had breakfast with everybody before leaving the inn.

Soon, our carriages reached the city gates and passed through them. This is the last city of Baxzar we will enter. After we cross it, we will move to the fortress at the boundary. Hours passed and in the late morning. We had crossed into the Kingdom of Rasal. We will be in Archmage City before sunrise tomorrow if everything goes well.