Chương 681: Chapter 679 – New Family In Town.

"Innkeeper, do you have something to eat, perhaps roasted chicken and some cold, delicious ale?" An adventurer tapped on the counter of the inn. A lone woman stood behind it, wearing a welcoming smile.

"Of course, sir. Please take a seat, and it will be right out." Her voice was warm and practiced, the kind that put weary travelers at ease without effort. The adventurer gave a satisfied nod and turned, scanning the room before choosing a seat near the window. Sunlight filtered through the glass, casting a soft glow over polished wooden tables and a freshly swept floor. The inn was medium-sized and mostly full.

A pair of merchants argued quietly over coin near the window, while two young adventurers compared bruises and boasted about a recent hunt. The scent of roasted meat and baked bread lingered in the air. More than anything, the owners of the establishment still looked on with awe at all they had been given.

"We have an order for ale and roasted chicken."

"Sure thing, landlady." Another man answered from behind what resembled a bar counter. He hurried off to inform the chef, a routine the new owner, Lysa, was still getting used to.

"Haha, everything is moving so fast. Is this really okay?"

"Why wouldn't it be, Mama? You own this place now."

"Oh, I am not sure about that. Sir Wayland could always take it away."

"Why would my master ever do that? The deed has already been signed over to you and Papa, so stop worrying. I will not let anything happen. I will study properly and prove myself." The woman nodded with a smile as she spoke with her daughter, Millie. Some time had passed since they first stepped through the doors of this place, uncertain whether they truly belonged there. Even now, everything felt borrowed, almost like a dream.

At any moment, she feared she might wake at the old Red Dragon Inn back in the dungeon, where the higher-level adventurers resided. While she held no resentment toward those people, it had quickly become clear that the people in Albrook were much gentler. The tier three adventurers had often seen them as lesser, almost like servants who existed only to attend to them. Here, she felt normal. It helped that so many ordinary people with noncombat classes lived and worked alongside everyone else.

"Ah yes, should you not be studying right now?"

"Uh... Master said I can take some time off, so do not worry about it. I still want to see more of Albrook." Lysa smiled at her daughter, whom she had scarcely seen this past week. If Millie was not at Master Wayland's workshop learning, she was running through the district making new friends and exploring every corner of the city, like a child discovering the world anew.

"You should not neglect your studies too much. Sir Wayland is strict, is he not?" Millie puffed out her cheeks slightly, clearly displeased by the remark.

"He is, but he is also fair. Besides, I am learning a lot. You would not believe the things I've seen, Mama. Some runes glow like stars, some machines move on their own and even talk, and tiny spider golems that clean everything." Lysa let out a soft laugh, though a hint of unease still lingered in her eyes.

"That sounds nice, dear."

"And isn't it the same for you? We even have… what did Master call it… an ale dispenser?"

"Oh, that thingamajig? It does make things a lot easier. We just attach a barrel to it, and it pours ale like magic while cooling it as well." Lysa finished, still sounding a little amazed each time she said it. Millie grinned and leaned against the counter as if she had something to do with the magical device.

"Magic is truly exciting. I wonder if I'll ever be able to make something like that."

"If you practice, I'm sure you will." For a moment, the two watched the magical ale dispenser as one of the new workers used it. Lysa was the innkeeper, but she had far less work to do than she had in the dungeon. For one, she no longer had to cook everything herself or serve as a waitress. The inn had a workforce that made everyone's job much easier, and there was still enough money left over for everyone to earn a living.

Even though the prices were not low and magical devices helped reduce much of the labor, they could still make a good living. And the ale dispenser was not the only magical device that helped them. Instead of candles and torches, all the lighting came from some form of magic. It gave off a strange, soothing warmth and was gentler on the eyes than the harsher magical lights she had experienced in the past. Water was no problem either.

There was something called plumbing here that allowed them to take baths and things called showers whenever they wished. Normally, people did not bathe often and relied on cleansing spells that always left the body feeling strange.

"If you're free, perhaps go see how your father is doing. I heard his new chief is giving him some trouble."

"Will do, Mama, but… I also heard something is happening at the teleportation gate, so maybe I'll go there afterward." Millie smiled before dashing toward the exit. Lysa shook her head, thinking her daughter might be a little too enthusiastic, but she could not fault her for it. This new life they were building here was already far better than what they had endured in the third dungeon ring.

The people were kinder, the pay was better, and when she stepped outside, she could look up and see the true sky instead of one made by the dungeon.

"I should probably help the cook." With a smile on her face, she moved toward the kitchen area. Her daughter, on the other hand, was outside, wandering through the streets and taking in the people and devices around her. Everyone seemed different, people of all races and professions filled the city, not just adventurers seeking to grow stronger. Carts rolled past, pulled by large beasts, some resembling horses, others massive tigers or even salamanders.

The streets were loud with chatter, and along the way she spotted her father at work, being reprimanded by his new boss, a large woman with horns.

"Papa seems to be doing fine and has steady work in a proper smithy." She hid behind a corner, watching as her father got smacked by the horned blacksmith, a tier three class holder. While she was not as prominent as Hasim, she was still a respected craftsman in the city, and the wife of the soulsmith Bernir, someone her uncle Hasim seemed to respect to some extent.

"Focus. If you hammer it like that, you'll ruin the balance!"

"I got it, I got it!" He replied quickly, adjusting his grip and trying again. This time, the strike rang cleaner. The horned woman crossed her arms and watched closely, her sharp eyes missing nothing.

"He seems to be enjoying himself." If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. Even though her father was being shouted at by a formidable blacksmith, he looked fully engaged. While Hasim gave him work, it was usually below her father's capabilities, since most of the smithy focused on rune enchanting. He had been more of an assistant than anything else, but here he seemed to have earned a position with real responsibility.

"I should probably leave him be…" Millie chuckled and turned away, only to bump into someone.

"Ack…" It felt like she had walked into a standing boulder. She lost her balance, but before she could fall, a hand caught her by the shoulder.

"You should watch where you're going, girly." The man before her was enormous, and for some reason, his chest was exposed. He had muscles layered on muscles and was, admittedly, rather handsome.

"Cat got your tongue, or have I done it again?"

"Uh?" Even though he was somewhat good-looking, the moment he started speaking, she felt irritation rising at what he was implying.

"It's okay, it happens all the time. I'm used to it. If you want to look, be my guest." He began moving strangely, flexing his muscles and even making his pectorals jiggle, which made Millie want to run away. At the same time, she knew this person was strong. She had met many adventurers from the third ring, and while he might not have been as strong as them, he was certainly a tier three class holder.

"Hey, what are you doing, you idiot!" Luckily, before the uncomfortable scene could continue, another person stepped out from behind him. It was a woman with pointy ears, not as long as a true elf's, but still longer than a human's. She grabbed the muscular man by the ear and twisted it without hesitation.

"I told you to stop doing that to strangers!"

"Doing what? Hey, easy there… stop pulling my ear, Dumbelia!"

"Who are you calling Dumbelia, Lame-and!"

"Why you!" Millie had no idea what was going on, but the two started calling each other names and glaring. Then the half-elf woman moved closer and whispered to her.

"Don't worry, he is just an idiot, so pay him no mind. He comes over here to be a creep and stare at a married woman, like the loser he is. Best stay away from him or you'll catch his stupidity."

"Hey, I heard that! You're just mad you're flat as a board and no man will look at you!" Armand shouted back, and the moment those words left his mouth, the half-elf woman jumped on him and started biting his shoulder.

"..." At first, Millie did not know what to make of the duo, but as they kept fighting, she burst out laughing. It came out louder than she expected, bright and unrestrained. For a moment, both of them froze and looked at her.

"See what you did now?" The man grumbled.

"You made us look ridiculous."

"I did no such thing. This is all your fault." Eventually, the two calmed down, and to Millie's surprise, the sharp-eyed half-elf looked down at the large bracelet on her wrist.

"That's… isn't that something Wayland would make? It even has his symbol on it."

"Oh? I thought he had stopped making gear for others." They both stared at the bracelet, but Millie did not hide it. Instead, she lifted her arm and presented it like a treasure.

"Yes, this is a bracelet my Master made for me. Isn't it great?" The two looked at her in astonishment. Once they mentioned her master's name, she felt inclined to tell the truth. Her master had told her she did not need to hide the item, as it could help protect her from enemies. His name carried weight in Albrook, so in a way, she was using it to protect herself without lifting a finger.

"... Your master?" The half-elf woman repeated, narrowing her eyes.

"You mean Wayland the Master Runesmith?"

"Yes." Millie straightened a little, clearly proud. The muscular man stopped rubbing his ear and blinked.

"Wait, brother-in-law, got himself an apprentice, and you're that apprentice? Why didn't he tell me anything?" The reaction was not what she expected, as for some reason the large man referred to her master as his brother-in-law.

"Why would he need to tell you something like that? But…" The woman glanced back at Millie and studied her face for a moment.

"He found himself an awfully cute apprentice."

"Y-you know my master?" At last, Millie asked the question.

"Of course, I know him. He is my sworn brother and the one and only man who has my full respect!" The large man began flexing his muscles and boasting, much like Millie when she showed off her bracelet.

"Haha, I will have to ask big sis Elodia about it later, but for now, let us not forget why we are here, you big idiot."

"Oh, right!" Just as they said it, a burst of cheers echoed from afar. The distant roar of the crowd rolled through the streets like a wave, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. Millie turned toward the sound, her curiosity instantly reignited.

"Oh right, someone important was supposed to arrive today!"

"That is right. An important noble is arriving, so watch yourself, Wayland's apprentice. By the way, you can call me big sister Lobelia, and this oaf here is Armand."

"There is nothing big about you." Armand said, only to receive a quick kick to the shin.

"Glad to meet you two. You can call me Millie." She nodded to the pair and started moving toward the cheering crowd. Lobelia only smiled and waved as they parted. The two seemed strange, but they did not strike her as bad people, and she could feel it.

"So many people… who could this noble be?" Like any curious child, she pressed forward. She had been hiding away in a dungeon for the past five years, and she was eager to see more, to experience what this wide world had to offer. Yet moving became difficult as more and more city residents gathered around the teleportation gate she had come through.

"Millie, what are you doing here?"

"Huh? Master? Where are you?" As she tried to find a way through the crowd, the voice of her master, Wayland, rang out, though she could not see him anywhere.

"Your bracelet, Millie."

"Oh?" To her surprise, the voice came through the magical bracelet she was wearing. Millie lifted her arm closer to her face, eyes widening as she stared at it.

"Master, how are you talking through this, and where are you?"

"I'm at the teleportation gate, but what are you doing here?" As he spoke, the runes began to glow faintly.

"Oh, I heard a noble would be coming here today, so I wanted to see them!" After a short pause, her master answered. His tone was harsher than usual.

"I see... It would be best if you went home now. This noble is not someone to be taken lightly. Go back home and study the runic schematics further."

"But Master, I already came all this way and..."

"No." Millie blinked, her excitement faltering as she heard the seriousness in his voice. She wanted to protest, but she did not want to anger her new teacher. Nobles were dangerous, she knew that much, so perhaps her master was only worried she would get herself in trouble by staying too close, especially while he was serving another noble.

"I... I understand." For a moment, she puffed out her cheeks while looking toward the teleportation gate. She could see several armored men there, and supposedly the man who was her master, wearing a suit of armor she had never seen him in before. He was looking in her direction, and it made her shrink back in fright.

"Well... I wanted to see the other side of the city anyway, so I'll just go there."

"Good. Don't stay out too long or make your parents worry."

"I won't!"

'She is quite the little explorer. That could get her in trouble, but it is also good to be inquisitive.' Roland had seen Millie moving through the city through the monitoring devices and the bracelet he had given her. Once she arrived near the gate, he decided to keep her away, as he was unsure who would be coming through.

"Someone is coming through!" Right on cue, the gate began to react, and people started whispering. Today's guest of honor was quite prestigious, to the point that Arthur was already here to receive them. As always, the gate burst with light as it activated, and soon a group of people began moving through it.

"Almost the same as before, but that woman is not here anymore..." At the front appeared armored men belonging to the Church of Solaria. Some were full paladins, while others were still in training. They carried a banner bearing both the Valerian household and the Church.

'There he is. Julius Valerian.' It was Arthur's brother, the oldest of the group and the man most likely to become the next Duke. He rode a white horse, clad in golden armor that gleamed even under the muted light of the gate's magic. His posture was straight, his chin lifted, his eyes calm in a way that suggested confidence. Behind him came attendants, clerics, and more knights, their formation tight and disciplined. The crowd quieted almost instantly, but to Roland's surprise, that was not all.

At the rear, a carriage emerged through the gate, far more lavish than those the Valerian brothers usually used. Layers of magical protection shimmered around it, protections Roland could not immediately pierce to see who was inside.