Chapter 408: Passing Through.

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. ViiSiit novelbi/n(.)c/(o)m for latest novels

‘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.

Before the woman could continue with her monologue the other bear-like guard appeared with the merchant behind him.

“What are you two doing? Come let’s go.”

Cedric shouted at them from a distance, prompting the feline woman to swiftly run to his side. Roland noticed a peculiar angry expression in her glances, something he wasn't accustomed to. It seemed they were underestimating his capabilities to the point of considering him a potential liability. The trio assumed a triangle formation, with Roland positioned at the front and tasked with most of the responsibilities. It was evident that they didn't trust him to watch their backs and preferred to keep a close eye on him instead.

The group made their way through the bustling streets of Isgard, the air thick with the scents of various goods, magical incense, and the occasional waft of volcanic ash. Roland kept his focus ahead, navigating the crowded streets with caution. The feline guard, whose name he had yet to learn, continued to cast suspicious glances in his direction. Fortunately, the path to the port was conveniently close. The merchant guild displayed strategic foresight by setting the headquarters right beside it, making it merely a ten-minute walk away.

As they approached the airship port, the atmosphere changed. The sounds of haggling and the vibrant colors of market stalls faded, replaced by the steady hum of airships. Roland looked up in awe as a multitude of fantastical vessels hovered in the air. Varying in size and design, they were all crafted from enchanted wood and adorned in unique ways. The port, carved from ancient stone, showcased ornate archways and balconies embellished with mystical runes that shimmered in the sunlight, casting an ethereal glow over the entire structure.

Cedric led the way, approaching a particularly large and opulent airship. Its hull was decorated with intricate patterns and adorned with glistening gems. The merchant guild's personal airship was a symbol of their wealth and influence, a testament to their success in the world of trade. The crew members, a mix of humans and various other races, bustled about, preparing the airship for departure.

‘I still have a lot that I can learn...’

Roland was momentarily stunned by the wonders of magical technology unfolding before him. As a runesmith who had recently developed some minor floating capabilities, the prospect of creating such a large vessel felt like a dream come true. Although he typically concealed it, delving into the creation of magical devices was a passion he had learned to cherish. Observing these inventions, he had to resist the urge to examine the intricacies that made them tick.

The ships in the port were supported by peculiar-looking clamps. Roland observed them in action as a nearby ship prepared to land. These large metal clamps extended, resembling fingers with various joints. Analyzing them with his mana sense, Roland was confident that they were golemic creations. The ship descended onto them, securely grasped into place by the intricate clamps. Once the ship was firmly secured, the crew opened a gangplank, allowing the passengers to disembark.

‘I bet those things act as the anchor to hold the ships in place. It probably wouldn’t be possible to leave this port with one of those clamps around the ship either...’

There were magical machines in this world that Roland yearned to examine. Despite the relatively modest level of technology, marvels like these airships captivated him. While not as swift as modern airplanes, they held unique advantages. Typically, a larger ship would be constructed around a levitation stone or floatation stone - a rare mineral that, when harnessed, could lift large objects into the air. With this resource, craftsmen only needed to devise effective means to propel these ships forward. Some utilized sails and winds, akin to regular ships, while others employed magical engines. There were even those that harnessed spirits to ride the wind currents, a domain about which Roland was less informed.

“Stop spacing out, we need to move!”

His contemplations were interrupted by the feline guard as the group prepared to board the merchant ship. The vessel, resembling the size of an older cruise ship, appeared somewhat inferior to the ship used by the church to combat the cultists. This one was designated for transporting valuable merchant goods, securely stored in specialized spatial boxes. Cargo wasn't transported conventionally, as conserving weight on a flying vessel was crucial for its mobility. Exceeding the flotation stone's capabilities in weight would render flight impossible.

“Of course.”

He nodded and followed suit, his eyes darting around as he tried to assess the current situation. They entered through one of the doors that led them to the inside of the airship. The interior was a lavish display of magical craftsmanship, with plush carpets adorning the floor, and intricate chandeliers illuminating the halls with a warm, magical glow. The walls were adorned with enchanting paintings that seemed to come alive as you looked at them.

Typically, his weapons would be confiscated, but being part of the merchant ensemble, he was granted the privilege of keeping them. Everything proceeded according to plan; although he couldn't join the merchants in the more luxurious cabins, he was afforded the freedom to roam the airship.

As the airship prepared for departure, Roland found a quiet corner on the deck to observe the surroundings. The bustling airship port gradually shrank below as the vessel ascended into the sky. The city of Isgard, with its towering walls and the ever-present Emberpeak volcano, became a distant panorama. The wind whistled past, carrying with it the distinct scent of the volcanic fog. On his way to the Institute, Roland harbored the hope that soon he would uncover new intricacies involving runes, enabling him to elevate his craft to a new level.