Chương 682: Chapter 680 – Unforeseen Guest.

The moment the carriage came through the gate, all eyes were on it. To everyone's knowledge, the guest of honor was Julius Valerian, the first son of the duke and the man closest to becoming the next Duke. He was someone who didn't quite seem real to the people living here, in what had once been a small town in the middle of nowhere. However, within a few years of Arthur's arrival, this place had been transformed into a large city, complete with magic, runes, and proper fighting forces.

Proof of its growing importance was not only the working teleportation gate, but also the caliber of people passing through it. Still, the identity of the person inside the carriage remained a mystery. Roland stood there, trying to figure out who might be inside. He had a suspicion, but he could not be certain. Julius rode openly on horseback, while the other person remained within the carriage, as if being escorted by him. That alone suggested someone of even higher standing.

Perhaps it was his lover or his wife, though it was more likely someone else entirely.

'Could it be that woman? But why would she come here?' His thoughts settled on a single possibility. He doubted it was the duke himself or any other noble. Neither Arthur nor Roland had received any prior notice, and both were caught off guard. There were not many people who could simply accompany Julius without announcement.

"Brother Julius, how have you been? We have not seen each other since that incident. Have you grown more dignified?" Arthur finally stepped forward, while Roland remained just behind him as his right hand and knight. His gaze appeared fixed on the golden-haired man, but in truth, he was watching through the many golemic cameras hidden on the carriage and among the crowd. There were distinctive markings on the carriage, ones that did not belong solely to the Solarian Church.

"Arthur, my brother, it has been too long." Julius came to a halt as one of his attendants took hold of his horse. Moving with effortless grace, he dismounted the white steed in a single smooth motion, his boots touching the stone plaza without a sound. Even without the height of the saddle, he carried himself as someone set above the rest of the world.

"I see. So this is your city. You truly have been busy." His eyes moved across the gate, the guards, the runic windmills in the distance, and the gathered citizens, who stood in quiet anticipation. They were still and orderly, and to someone like Julius, their approval of their lord was unmistakable.

"Albrook has grown, thanks to certain opportunities." Arthur smiled as he glanced toward the horizon, where new buildings were still rising, and more people continued to arrive. Julius gave a small nod, but his attention did not linger. Instead, his gaze shifted, almost imperceptibly, toward the carriage behind him. It had come to a stop, and several knights stood ready to open its door. The whispers in the crowd returned as the carriage came to a halt at the center.

Everyone was clearly curious about who would step out, and soon Julius turned his attention toward it.

"Ah, where are my manners? There is someone I would like to introduce to you, brother. You two did not truly get to meet last time."

"Oh?" Arthur's smile remained, though it thinned slightly at the edges.

"Is that so?" The knights by the carriage moved in unison. One stepped forward and grasped the ornate handle, hesitating only for a fraction of a second before pulling the door open. A soft click echoed, and a figure emerged from within, drawing a surge of chatter from the surrounding crowd.

'As expected, Aurelia Valerian.' Lady Aurelia stepped out of the carriage. Her golden hair shimmered as always, and the dress she wore seemed even more pristine than the one from the Valerian family gathering. A sun motif was embroidered across it. Behind her stood two servant girls with their faces covered by white veils, giving them the appearance of nuns.

"Brother, let me introduce you to my mother, Lady Aurelia." Arthur seemed momentarily taken aback by her presence, but he quickly concealed his reaction and continued as though nothing were amiss.

"Lady Aurelia, it is an honor to welcome you to Albrook." He inclined his head just enough to show respect without diminishing himself. It was a careful balance, one he had clearly practiced. Lady Aurelia regarded him in silence for a moment. Her eyes were calm, yet they seemed to be searching for something in the crowd that was not there.

"So this is the city with the divine beast?" Her voice was soft, almost gentle, yet it carried across the portal plaza with a strange authority. Roland had not been able to properly analyze anyone during the event in Isgard, as too many eyes had been on him, and doing so would have been considered rude. Now, however, he could sense a distinct power in her voice. From the energy she gave off, he could tell she wielded divine mana, likely as a priestess of the church in some capacity.

Though he wanted to study her more closely, it was best not to push his luck. He could already tell there were powerful spellcasters among her entourage, along with formidable paladins. Through his information network, he also knew that Julius's mother had prior ties to the Solarian Church and was likely the one who had guided him onto this path in the first place. It was not surprising that someone like her would want to see Agni. Good thing he had instructed them to remain at the estate for now.

Originally, the plan had been to greet Julius and then proceed to the mansion, showcasing the clean streets and the runic devices along the way. Lady Aurelia's presence had not been anticipated, but it did not present any real problem.

"Lady Aurelia wishes to witness the divine beast as well?" Arthur was the only one here allowed to speak, so it fell to him to guide the conversation in the right direction. Roland, meanwhile, continued to observe everything around them. He saw no enemies and no signs of an ambush. If an attack were to come, it would happen either now or later in the night. For the moment, everything remained calm.

"I hope you do not mind, brother. Mother simply could not contain herself after hearing about the divine wolf of legend. There is no stronger faith than hers." Julius chuckled as he glanced at his mother, who was still looking around with quiet curiosity. The woman appeared composed and did not seem bothered by the fact that they were speaking about her. Arthur briefly looked toward Roland, who gave a small nod, confirming there were no immediate concerns.

"The divine beast is not here. He is at my estate. We have prepared a more suitable place for an audience." Arthur's reply came smoothly, as though nothing about the situation had caught him off guard. In truth, Roland could tell that Arthur was already reconsidering his plans. A visit from Julius alone was one thing. A visit from Lady Aurelia made it something else entirely. Arthur and Julius had endured a traumatic experience together and had rebuilt their bond through it.

This was meant to be a simple visit where they could speak about the kingdom and their lives. With Aurelia present, however, strengthening that bond would not be so straightforward. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

"I see. Then lead us there, brother. I doubt Mother will settle down until she sees this divine beast."

"Of course. Everything has been prepared for your visit." The tension that had quietly formed began to ease as formalities resumed. Servants moved into position, and knights adjusted their formation. Aurelia returned to her carriage, and soon they were on their way. The journey back to the estate was far less relaxed than originally intended. They could not visit the city's landmarks, and Arthur had no opportunity to point out his achievements to his brother due to his mother's wishes.

Even so, the two managed to share a carriage and continue their conversation as they traveled.

"You have truly outdone yourself, brother. From what I have heard, this place could hardly be called a city before your arrival."

"You give me too much credit, Brother Julius. I could not have accomplished any of this without my retainers."

"That only proves your talent and dedication. Choosing the right vassals has always been a difficult task for a lord."

"I have been fortunate." Arthur's gaze lingered on a particular knight riding beside the carriage as it passed through the main street. It was Roland, the man who had driven the city into a new era of prosperity, though he had no desire to stand at the forefront of it.

"Indeed, your knight is truly something."

"That he is, but your people are remarkable as well. I had hoped Lady Bernadette would join us today."

"Regrettably, Lady Bernadette was summoned by the Inquisition. Those cultists are an affront to everything we stand for." Julius' expression darkened for a brief moment. His polished smile faltered, then returned just as quickly.

"You know how it is. Duty rarely waits for convenience." Arthur inclined his head.

"Indeed. The Inquisition does not act without reason." The carriage continued forward, its wheels rolling steadily over the stone-paved streets. Outside, the people of Albrook watched in awe as the noble group passed. Some bowed, while others whispered among themselves, speculating about the unexpected guest.

"You mentioned cultists." Arthur continued, his tone drawing Roland's attention.

"Have they grown more active?" Julius let out a quiet breath and leaned back slightly. He was not only the duke's eldest son but also a high-ranking member of the Church of Solaria, as was his mother.

"They have become more organized. Less reckless than before. That makes them far more dangerous, not as easy to find or stop. No one knows what they are planning, but they have gone into hiding since the last incident." Riding alongside the carriage, Roland listened carefully through the small auditory device hidden within. His expression remained neutral beneath his helmet, but his mind was already at work. It was not unusual for cultists to halt their movements.

They had likely abandoned their more obvious bases and gone into hiding, waiting for another opportunity. These old organizations were not easy to eradicate. They were like a hydra with many heads. Even if several were cut off at once, they would eventually grow back.

'I should be careful. They are probably watching even now.' Roland knew he had drawn attention during the past incidents. He had likely become known within the abyssal cult as a troublesome figure, though they had been unable to reach him due to the presence of the paladin order and the protection of the Valerian name. That would change once he entered the main kingdom, a place where the cult could act more freely.

'Maybe I should not take Robert there, but there are few people I can trust with this task.' He understood that bringing Robert into the central kingdom was risky. If his identity were exposed, it would cause serious problems. Yet there were no other capable pilots who could handle the large golem construct he intended to build. His brother knew the risks and was still willing to help, largely because of their sister.

During the competition, Robert and Lucienne would finally be able to see each other again, something Roland did not want to deny them. There was also the headmistress. By now, he was certain she knew everything he had done. For the moment, he trusted her to keep his secret and even protect him and his brother, as long as he upheld his side of the agreement by winning the competition and helping the students secure higher standings.

If he succeeded and earned a favorable result, many of his current troubles would begin to fade. The estate gates opened before the noble march, guards snapping to attention as the carriages rolled through. Unlike the city streets, the inner grounds were quieter and more controlled. Every servant knew their role, every knight their position. Nothing was left to chance. Mary stood at the front with a group of maids, ready to hand out refreshments and attend to the wishes of the arriving nobles.

Before the estate, a large new fountain had been assembled, depicting the Valerian stag at its center. The water flowing from the stag's antlers shimmered with faint runic light, catching the sun in a way that made it seem almost alive. It was not just decoration but a quiet statement. This place belonged to the Valerians, and more importantly, it thrived with magic. Roland dismounted first, his movements practiced yet deliberate, careful not to appear sudden or threatening.

The knights, paladins, and soldiers who had arrived with Julius remained on high alert. Their duty was to protect Julius and his mother. If Roland or any of his men behaved in a way that could be seen as disrespectful, problems would arise. Fortunately, the woman seemed somewhat distracted.

"I can feel the divinity. It is close." She stepped down from her carriage and immediately turned her gaze toward the area where Agni had been transported in his special carriage. In a sense, her behavior bordered on rudeness, but no one dared to point it out. Lady Aurelia did not wait for Arthur to formally guide her. The moment her feet touched the ground, she moved forward with urgency, her gaze fixed in a single direction, as if something unseen was pulling her toward it.

"Mother." Julius spoke softly, though a hint of restraint lingered in his voice.

"We are guests." She paused for a moment, tilting her head slightly, as if deciding whether his words deserved acknowledgment. In many ways, she held the highest authority present. She was the official wife of the current duke and came from a powerful family. Even though the city bore Arthur's name, it ultimately belonged to her husband, Alexander Valerian.

"It is fine, brother. I will guide you both. I am sure you also wish to see the sacred beast." Arthur stepped in before the situation could escalate and led them toward the back gardens, where Agni had been taken. Roland remained behind, rolling his eyes. To him, these people were making far too much of a fuss over his tamed beast. Agni was not some divine creature in his eyes, but a wolven companion he deeply cherished.

'I hope he behaves.' Roland glanced at the entourage Julius had brought with him. It was not just his mother. There were paladins, priests, and other high-ranking members of the church. They treated his wolf like an attraction, but there was little he could do about it. If this helped them grow closer to the Valerians, then so be it. They already had an enemy in Theodore, and he was someone they could barely handle.

"I can feel it more clearly now…" Aurelia whispered, her voice almost reverent, as the sunlight wolf finally came into view. Agni's fur blazed with fire as always, and he was in the middle of a yawn. A few priests stood nearby in prayer, but the moment Roland appeared, Agni's posture grew noticeably stiffer.

'Just act normal…' Agni was intelligent, and they had discussed this beforehand, but Roland still was not sure how he would behave. He had instructed him to act like a holy creature, with restraint and dignity, rather than the overgrown puppy he tended to become when left to himself. For a brief moment, nothing happened. Agni finished his yawn, stretched one massive foreleg forward, and then slowly lifted his head.

The flames coiling around his body flickered in a steady rhythm, no longer wild and playful but controlled. His eyes, usually bright with lively energy, now held a calm, steady glow as they settled on the approaching group.

'Oh?' Roland raised a brow beneath his helmet.

'That was better than expected.' Lady Aurelia stopped the moment she saw him. Her eyes widened in something close to shock. She quickly covered her mouth as a golden light began to shimmer within her gaze.

"T-this is… how grand." It was obvious that she was a devoted follower of Solaria. To her, this creature was living proof of her god's power, something that affirmed her faith and deserved reverence and protection. Because of that, what she did next was not entirely out of character.

"How much?"

"Lady Aurelia?" She turned toward Arthur, her eyes no longer filled with devotion but with something closer to greed.

"How much? I will pay any price. This divine beast must be worshipped in the proper temple." She snapped her fingers, and her retainers stepped forward. Using spatial items, they began retrieving treasures and piling them to the side. Gold coins, rare minerals and metals, even mana-filled crystals appeared. The growing heap was worth more than anything Roland had ever seen.

'I was afraid of this…' He grimaced beneath his helmet as he watched. Refusing a noblewoman like her could easily be taken as an insult, and he had no idea how she would react to being denied.