Chapter 408 – Passing Through.

The caravan was a diverse assembly of merchants, guards, and adventurers hired for protection. Roland quickly introduced himself to the merchant, whose name was Cedric. Cedric eyed Roland up and down, sizing him up as a bodyguard. The Knight Commander had taken great care to disguise his identity, wearing a hood over his runic helmet to conceal even more of his face. He was quite the imposing sight to behold with a large tower shield in one hand and a thick war hammer in the other.

“You’re one of my new personal guards? I guess you at least look the part, you’ll be riding in the back of my exclusive carriage.”

“That works for me.”

Roland replied with a nod, maintaining a stoic demeanor. Luckily he wasn’t expected to talk or interact with anyone here. Cedric gestured towards the luxurious carriage parked nearby, adorned with intricate carvings and gilded accents. It was clear that the merchant spared no expense when it came to his own comfort and safety.

The extravagant appearance of this carriage didn’t fool him one bit. It was made out of magical wood that could resist tier 3 spells and might. Various enchantments were placed over it, and even a pocket for mana fluid, somewhat similar to his own battery technology, was hidden within to power them. It had layers of armoring underneath the wood and was being pulled by a large lizard-like creature that could probably devour a horse whole. Its most characteristic feature was the number of limbs which was at six.

The size of the carriage was comparable to a school bus from his old world, thus it needed a large creature to pull it. The fact that it was meant just for this merchant alone indicated that this man was quite important. Other tier 3 class holders were coming along for the trip, and most of them were stationed near him. From what he knew, the man belonged to the merchant guild that was hoping to open up some new trade routes with Albrook involved. With the presence of the church and the high-level materials from the dungeon, this place had become a gold mine.

After taking his place in the back seat the journey was ready to commence. There was enough space here for him to spread out his legs and it reminded him that he was indeed somewhat well-regarded. Previously, when he was a tier 1 or 2 class holder, the trips with merchants were quite bumpy. Now on the other hand, he was a Platinum-rank adventurer, someone who was part of the elite and respected by others.

‘There are a lot of new faces here and I don’t think anyone has realized that it’s me…’

He made sure to keep the runes hidden. Even if his gauntlets and helmet were noticed, unless he started using runic magic, they wouldn’t show up on the outer metal. Most of the adventurers and guards were ones hired at a previous location, so they didn’t know him. Some of them decided to remain in Albrook after their contract was done, so the merchant caravan hired some locals for the trip back. This included him, who added to the personal guards of Cedric, who also had two personal tier 3 class holders to protect him. The man reminded him of the old gnome from Edelgard who had two strong elven assassins in tow.
‘I guess, I’m the expandable one from this bunch, I should expect them to ditch me if it becomes too problematic.’

While thinking of potential monster attacks, the caravan started moving. His cart was somewhere in the middle, and if everything went right, there wouldn’t be much that he would need to attend to. No one was expecting any strong monster attacks to befall them. Then there was also a higher concentration of the Valerian army that was responding to the increased cultist activities.

As they reached the gate, the city of Albrook started to fade. He glanced in the direction of his home and could only hope that nothing would happen to his friends and family. Luckily, with the help of magical means, he could continue talking to his wife every day.

“Yes, I’m outside the gates. I’ll call you later. Bye.”

He conversed with Elodia through these magical ways before leaning back in his cabin. The road ahead stretched out into the distance, winding through lush landscapes and occasionally passing by small villages. Cedric was seemingly oblivious to his guards’ concerns and continued to chat away with some people inside his carriage. The other two guards were there with him, along with some other business partners. While they were blocking out the sound with the help of some enchantments, he could choose to listen in, but he decided not to.

Instead, Roland gazed out of the window, lost in his thoughts. The landscape was changing gradually as they moved further away from Albrook. The lush greenery gave way to open plains, and the air carried a different scent. The journey ahead wasn’t long, but Roland knew that he needed to stay vigilant. Despite the seemingly peaceful surroundings, danger could lurk around any corner.

Days turned into nights, and the caravan pressed forward. His interactions with other guards and adventurers in the group were minimal; he preferred to keep a low profile and avoided unnecessary attention. The path toward Isgard, the main city on this island of Dragnis, was mostly uneventful with minimal effort needed from his side. Their pace was noticeably swifter than that of the previous caravan he had taken. This acceleration was primarily due to the superior stamina of the current beasts, coupled with their willingness to travel even during the night.

If a merchant possessed sufficient funds, traversing the perilous nights posed no issue. There existed diverse methods to conceal themselves, and in this instance, they restricted the amount of light and sound emanating from their caravan. Every carriage and wagon was enveloped in a kind of mist that rendered it challenging for nocturnal creatures to detect them. Thanks to these precautions, they managed to triple their speed compared to typical expeditions.

Soon, the initial checkpoint on the journey to the Xandar Institute of Wizardry lay ahead – Isgard City. Isgard, a bustling metropolis, stood in stark contrast to the developing Albrook City. With no imminent threats, everyone peered out of their carts, marveling at the grandeur before them. Surprisingly, the first thing that caught his eye was not the giant walls or towers, but the colossal volcano in the background. This city was situated quite close to the renowned super dungeon of Dragnis Island, and now, he could finally witness it in all its imposing glory.

Isgard stood as one of the largest cities in the entire kingdom, accommodating over a million residents at the foot of the towering Emberpeak volcano. Despite its significant distance from the active volcano, Emberpeak sporadically released embers of lava. The landscape in this region differed drastically from that of his hometown; the terrain appeared scorched due to heightened temperatures, and a dense volcanic fog obscured much of the forward view. Remarkably, the city itself seemed capable of dispersing this ashy phenomenon, enabling inhabitants to reside there.

A large chasm encircled the bustling city, initially appearing as a vast moat designed to safeguard against external raids. However, its true purpose was different- it served as a safeguard to capture any potential lava that might trickle down from the ever-active volcano.
The sole access to the city was via one of the colossal bridges capable of accommodating multiple caravans side by side.

The bridge itself was a marvel of engineering, crafted from materials that could withstand the extreme heat and occasional tremors from the Emberpeak. Guard towers dotted its length, ensuring the safety of those entering and leaving the city. As the caravan made its way across the bridge, Roland couldn’t help but feel a mix of awe and apprehension.

Cedric, still within the confines of his luxurious carriage, seemed unfazed by the city’s grandeur. He seemed to be taking a nap, roused only by his guards as they approached the city gates. Roland, in contrast, meticulously analyzed every nook and cranny of the architecture. He contemplated whether some of the design choices could be implemented in Albrook’s defenses, though he was well aware that the associated costs would be quite staggering.

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Upon crossing the bridge and passing through the massive gates of Isgard, the bustling atmosphere intensified. The city was a vibrant blend of cultures, with people from various regions converging to engage in trade, exchange knowledge, and seek opportunities within the dungeon. While the expansive markets of the city held an enticing promise, time was a luxury he couldn’t afford.

The caravan slowly navigated through the crowded streets, with Cedric’s extravagant carriage drawing attention from both locals and visitors. Roland observed the diverse array of individuals, from mages in ornate robes to skilled craftsmen showcasing their wares.
Isgard served not only as a gathering place for adventurers but also as the central trade hub on the island, ranking among the largest within the entire kingdom. Eventually, the caravan arrived at the designated merchant district where they would disembark.

Cedric’s carriage came to a stop, and the guards promptly surrounded it, forming a protective barrier. Roland, still maintaining a low profile, waited for the merchant to step out and make his way to the local merchant guild. As the caravan settled in, the various merchants and adventurers began their own preparations for trade and rest.