Chapter 809
"That’s a relief. Then do you know exactly where they’re staying?" Ian asked right away. His expression remained calm, but inwardly, he felt a sense of relief.
The guard scratched his beard as if recalling something, then replied, "I can’t say for certain, but it’s likely the Blue Wave Inn."
"Blue Wave?"
"Yes. It’s just inside the streets near the east gate, one of the finest inns in the city."
It was likely a place for those arriving from the central regions, and those preparing to cross the inner sea toward it.
Taking up the reins, Ian glanced toward Miguel in the driver’s seat and said, "Appreciate the information."
"Glad I could be of help, ...sir." The guard finished awkwardly after a slight delay, as if only just realizing he hadn’t even learned Ian’s name.
"Carry on," Ian said casually, giving the reins a light flick.
Nila stepped forward as if waiting for the cue and passed through the gate, the carriage moving alongside. He could feel eyes following them from behind, but he didn’t bother to turn around.
Clip-clop, clip-clop—
His attention was already fixed on the city beyond the gates.
Rows of muted, gray-toned buildings stretched along the slightly damp main road. Compared to what he remembered, the city felt far livelier and cleaner—fully restored to its original state.
"Have the fairies arrived yet?" Thesaya’s quiet voice came from beside him not long after.
Through the slightly open window, Ian could see her faintly frowning face. As they drove deeper into the city, the salty scent grew stronger, now tinged with a faint fishy smell.
"Not yet," Ian replied with a chuckle, glancing at her.
Thesaya wrinkled her nose and clicked her tongue. "I was hoping they had. Seems they’re late."
"Well, can’t be helped. They’ll be here by tomorrow anyway." Shrugging, Ian turned his gaze back to the streets.
Before leaving Drenorov, Thesaya had already requested they cross the inner sea ahead of time—but Diana had only set sail yesterday afternoon.
A shortage of ships had delayed the schedule significantly. Beastfolk were not even able to depart yet.
"What about Snub-Nose and Half-Pint?"
At her next question, Ian answered without turning his head. "They’ve arrived. We’ll see them soon."
"That’s something, at least. I’m closing the window. Feels like my nose is about to fall off."
Before he could respond, the window shut again.
Ian didn’t mind. His gaze moved steadily across the streets, where droves of people freshly returned from the South passed by.
His eyes narrowed slightly as they passed through the central square. Not a single person from the archipelago was in sight.
Before, they had gathered in clusters all over the alleys and streets. It hadn’t been his imagination—there truly hadn’t been a single ship from the archipelago at the docks.
Did something happen between the archipelago and the Empire? Or...
A storm-tossed sea flashed through his mind, along with the towering shadow that had risen like a pillar beyond it.
His gaze began to sink deeper.
"Think this is it," Miguel muttered, having been scanning the buildings as they moved. He turned into an alley on the left.
Nila followed naturally. Soon, a three-story gray-white building came into view.
Ian took it in and gave a small nod. "That’s the one."
Above the entrance hung a small wooden sign, marked with a design resembling a wave.
As the carriage came to a stop, Miguel pulled on the reins and added, "You all go ahead. Looks like the stables are around the back."
He even slid open the small window beneath the seatback.
Ian nodded, and Nila came to a halt beside the carriage.
Nila huffed softly, glancing back at him. Only now did it seem to have returned to its usual self.
"I’ll get us rooms first, so leave the crates for now," Ian said.
After running a hand through Nila's mane, he hopped down from the saddle.
Miguel smacked his lips and nodded. "Still makes me uneasy... but alright."
At that moment, the carriage door opened, and Thesaya stepped out, her hooded cloak pulled low to conceal herself. Lily followed, her figure similarly hidden beneath a cloak.
"Let’s go." Ian tilted his head and turned immediately, not forgetting to glance once more at Nila.
As he approached the door, Thesaya whispered, "We’ll get rooms first, then look for them, right?"
Ian simply nodded and pushed the door open.
The moment he stepped inside, the thick, slightly stale air hit him, along with the loud, bustling noise of voices. A wide dining hall came into view, packed with customers.
"Feels like there might not even be any rooms left," Thesaya muttered with a click of her tongue.
Ian, however, curled one corner of his lips. "And no need to look."
He had spotted the gray orc seated in a corner, back against the wall. Even sitting, he was larger than most people, making him impossible to miss. The scar-covered, intimidating face and the broken tusk only added to his presence.
As Ian continued walking forward, Thesaya whispered, "Pup, don’t attack. He may look like that, but he’s not a monster."
Lily clearly couldn’t take her eyes off the figure.
Yet none of the other patrons seemed particularly concerned about Mukapa. Most were imperial citizens, and likely already used to seeing him.
Mukapa’s yellow eyes turned toward them just then. Ian immediately raised a hand, signaling him to stay seated. Despite his surprise, Mukapa nodded without resistance.
As they drew closer to the table, the figure sitting with him, previously hidden by other patrons, came into view.
Ian’s eyes twitched slightly.
That’s a new face.
The imperial man seated across from them wore a serious expression as he spoke. Ian’s gaze lingered on him only for a moment.
Continuing forward, Ian stopped beside the table, his eyes settling on the dwarf who had been listening intently.
"That’s why you’re certain the creature came from the Black Sea—"
The imperial man’s voice, which had been speaking in a low tone, cut off.
As the man blinked in confusion, the dwarf followed a moment later and froze.
"Your hair’s gotten a bit shorter, Elie." Looking down at her mismatched eyes, Ian smiled.
Her shoulders jerked slightly for a moment before she shot up from her chair and threw herself at him. "Godfather!"
Ian caught her without hesitation, arms wrapping around her as she practically clung to him, her feet no longer even touching the ground.
"I’m really glad to see you again."
"Yeah. I’m glad to see you’ve been eating well," Ian said, patting Elia on the back.
She let out a soft laugh against his chest. "Still making terrible jokes, I see."
Even as he smiled back, Ian subtly focused his awareness on the essence bead of chaos. Fortunately, it remained silent, meaning Elia hadn’t learned any dark magic.
"Good work, Mukapa. Thanks." Ian added casually, turning to Mukapa.
The orc, who had just exchanged a glance with Thesaya behind him, dipped his head slightly. "I only did what was expected of me."
"How many days have you been waiting here?"
"Today makes five."
"That’s a long wait. Sorry about that. There was a lot to deal with on the way."
"That was part of the request as well. There’s no need to worry," Mukapa replied evenly.
With a faint smile, Ian’s gaze naturally shifted to the Imperial man sitting beside him.
"And this gentleman is?"
"Someone I invited." The answer came from his arms.
Still hanging onto him, Elia continued, "I heard something interesting about the Black Sea. While waiting, I did a bit of personal investigation."
"Ah?" The corner of Ian’s mouth curled slightly higher. It seemed her curiosity hadn’t dulled at all.
Then Elia added quietly, "So, would you mind putting me down now?"
"If that’s what you want." Chuckling softly, Ian lowered her back to the ground.
Covering her mouth with one hand, she gave a small cough before turning to the imperial man. "I’m sorry for taking up your time, Mr. Veron. If it’s alright, could we continue this conversation later tonight?"
"Yes. Of course." Still somewhat frozen, Veron nodded quickly, glancing between Ian and Thesaya.
When Ian tilted his head slightly, Veron hurriedly stood and stepped back. "Th-Then, please enjoy your time...."
I wasn’t trying to scare him.
"Long time no see, Half-Pint. And you too, Snub-Nose," said Thesaya, standing beside Ian.
Looking up at her, Elia bent her knees in a polite Imperial greeting. "It’s been a while, Elder."
"Oh? You knew about that?"
"Your name has spread far enough that even someone like me, who has no interest in high society, has heard it."
"Is that so?" A smile formed beneath Thesaya’s hood. "I’ll have to give that idiot proper praise next time I see him."
"By the way, who is this child?" Elia’s gaze shifted to Lily, standing beside Thesaya.
Lily, with her usual blank expression, was staring at Mukapa.
Suppressing a chuckle, Ian spoke. "Let me introduce you. This is Lily. Lily—this is Mukapa of Vanatir, a warrior of the desert. And this here is my goddaughter, Elia Meyer. Say hello."
After looking between Mukapa and Elia, Lily bent her knees slightly and straightened again.
Elia returned the greeting, then turned back to Ian and asked carefully, "Is a name all you’re going to tell me?"
Before Ian could respond, Thesaya leaned in and whispered, "There’s not much else we can say. She’s someone who was subjected to forbidden experiments at the magic tower."
It was enough to make Ian’s brow crease, and for Elia’s eyes to light up as she turned sharply. "F-Forbidden experiments?"
"Yes. Very dangerous and horrifying ones. We rescued her." Thesaya answered with a smug smile, as if boasting.
Elia’s eyes widened as she looked back at Lily with newfound intensity. "My goodness... in such a small body... what on earth did she go through?"
"This doesn’t seem like the place to talk about that, Elia." Ian cut in.
Shooting Thesaya a brief glare, he looked back down at Elia and added, "And it’s not something we should be discussing first, either."
After a brief pause, Elia nodded readily. "You’re right. I got sidetracked again."
Then she turned to Lily. "I’m sorry, Lily. That was rude of me."
Of course, Lily gave no response. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, as if she didn’t understand why she was being apologized to at all.
"Don’t misunderstand. She’s not ignoring you. Our Pup just can’t speak." Thesaya added casually.
At that, Lily opened her mouth wide, revealing the space where her tongue should have been.
Elia’s eyes widened in horror. "My goodness... how could anyone do something so cruel?"
Even Mukapa, seated behind them, frowned deeply. A rare hint of anger flickered in his eyes.
"So first—" Ian started, but stopped mid-sentence.
He had sensed someone approaching from behind.
A waitress carrying a large tray in one hand approached. "Well, well. Looks like the people you’ve been waiting for have finally arrived?"
She smiled casually even as her eyes met Ian’s, then turned to Mukapa and Elia. "I’ve been making money doing nothing for the past few days. Starting tomorrow, I’ll finally have some real work again."
"Making money doing nothing?" Ian asked.
Stopping in front of him, the waitress shrugged. "These two have been reserving two extra rooms every day for the past few days. Always the best rooms, too."
"We didn’t know when you’d arrive. And as you can see, it’s quite crowded," Elia added, meeting Ian’s gaze.
That alone was enough to bring a smile to his lips.
"Yes, what a meticulous girl you’ve got." Thesaya chimed in, clearly pleased with Elia’s arrangements.
"Shall I prepare a meal first? Or baths? I hear all of you care quite a bit about bathing," added the waitress.
Exchanging a glance with Thesaya, Ian smiled and looked between Elia and Mukapa.
"Let’s head upstairs first."
"Yes, that sounds good. We’ve just been waiting for you anyway," Elia replied immediately, rising to her feet along with Mukapa.
Ian turned back to the waitress. "Show us to the rooms. We’d like to eat while we talk—is that possible?"
"Of course. For a small extra fee." She nodded right away, rubbing her thumb and index finger together.
Ian let out a chuckle and nodded. "Fine. Bring your best dishes. Enough for everyone."
He glanced past her shoulder at Miguel, who had just come in through the back entrance.
The waitress nodded again and turned on her heel. "Right this way."
Thesaya spun around at once and, leading Lily, followed the waitress. Judging by her steps, she was clearly hungry.
Miguel, who had been approaching, awkwardly stopped in place.
"I have a lot I want to ask you, Godfather," Elia whispered.
It wasn’t hard to guess what she wanted to know most.
Suppressing a smile, Ian started walking and replied, "We’ll talk it through slowly. I’ve got plenty I want to ask you as well."
