Chapter 170: The Alliance Capital
TL: Etude
After spending another day in Messiah, Ladi and her family packed their belongings and prepared to head to the Horn Bay Alliance.
The shop had been transferred to someone else before she returned home because the journey was long and they would be heading north by boat, so the large pieces of furniture had also been sold off.
The family only carried light items such as coins, jewelry, and clothing, and hired a carriage to leave Messiah.
Heading into an unfamiliar environment, Lisa seemed thrilled, endlessly asking Ladi about the local customs and culture of the northwest bay.
Uh youll know once we get there.
Ladi felt a twinge of guilt in her heart, unsure if this child would be able to adapt to the new environment.
They had just left the city gate when they saw the members of the Lichman Adventure Team endlessly waving their hands by the roadside.
They had said their farewells yesterday. Did these old friends want to see her one more time?
The lively female leader of the team hopped onto the carriage.
Hey! Ladi, we just took on a mission that happens to go to the Alliance!
So, lets travel together!
Uh okay!
The female advisor answered happily. Having these friends along on the journey was certainly a good thing, as it meant they could spend more time together.
The carriage continued on its way, and everyone chatted along the road.
What kind of commission did you accept this time?
Its a big one this time! Sure to make a lot of money!
Oh?
Something big has happened in the Grand Duchy of Eton recently!
The Grand Duchy of Eton? The one right next to the Horn Bay Alliance? What happened?
The dukes sister-in-lawthe duchesss own sisterhas gone missing in the Alliance.
What?
Ladi looked visibly shocked, which caught Meru by surprise.
Seeing that she had overreacted a bit, the female advisor quickly returned to a normal expression and asked nonchalantly, So, does that mean the Grand Duchy of Eton has issued a commission through the adventurers guild?
Humph! The Grand Duke of Eton and the Alliance authorities naturally did not want to lose face at first, but it seems their law enforcement officers are just a bunch of good-for-nothings, unable to find even a young girl. As days went by, without a single piece of information, they had no choice but to issue commissions in adventurers guilds across major cities.
Ladis face showed deep concern. The duchess must be beside herself with worry; her sister is probably her only close relative.
Eh? Ladi, are you so acquainted with the duchess? Do you know her?
Ah? No, no. But the duchess is well-loved by the people of the Grand Duchy of Eton, and her virtuous reputation is widely known. Ive learned quite a lot about her from others.
It seems like youre really worried about her.
As a ruler whos so compassionate towards the suffering of the common people, I naturally feel deep sympathy for her when shes going through such an ordeal.
After another two days of sailing, the Southern finally arrived at the capital of the Horn Bay Alliance and the largest portFort Ness.
As the group entered the port and just set foot on the dock, someone approached them.
Speaking fluent Ordo language. You must be the honored guests from Alda, right?
Quik, puzzled, asked. And you are?
I am the steward of the Foster family, sent to wait for you at the docks.
It turned out that ever since the recent return of a merchant caravan with news of Count Graymans decision to send a ship southward, the Foster family had sent someone to watch the docks daily.
According to the description by the familys second young master, Queller, a ship from Alda would be easy to recognizeit had no oars, with thick and tall masts, adorned with a huge sail. That had to be it.
After the steward explained the situation, Quik gratefully took his hand and said, The Foster family is truly hospitable! Thank you!
Where there is, we always have enough enthusiasm for treating our business partners.
The Foster familys steward conveyed an invitation from his masters son to Quik, asking them to temporarily stay at their estate.
Thank you, but the other people on the ship
Ive brought a few men. Let them act as guides and show the other guests around town for a while, well cover all expenses.
How could we impose like that!
Its supposed to be this way, guests.
Please wait a moment.
Quik quickly returned to the ship, gathered all the officers for a brief meeting, and ultimately decided to take two sailors with him to the Foster family residence, while the rest of the crew would disembark in groups arranged by the first officer.
Quik emphasized that there must be an officer leading each group that went ashore and highlighted the importance of confidentiality, stating that no matter how much they were asked, they must not reveal a word about anything on the ship.
Just as Quik was about to leave with the Foster familys steward, several representatives of the merchants came forward, their eyes brimming with tears, pleading Quik to take them along.
After some thought, Quik agreed. With the permission of the steward, they all boarded the two carriages sent by the Foster family.
After racing for nearly an hour, the carriages finally stopped in front of the grand entrance of a lavish mansion.
The magnificence and grandeur of this estate once again amazed those from the northwest bay, who were unaccustomed to such splendor.
I heard the head of the Foster family is a member of the Horn Bay Alliance council; their residence is truly extraordinary.
Yes, this area could match up to five or six lords mansions, right?
Look at these decorations, these marbles; theyre so much better than a castle simply piled up with stones.
The group quietly discussed among themselves, and though they tried to keep their voices low, snippets of their conversation still reached the ears of the Foster steward.
The steward puffed up with pride, a look of pride clear on his face.
However, he still introduced the estate to the guests in a gentle and respectful voice. Honored guests, we have arrived. This is the residence of the Foster family.
He was the first to step off the carriage, standing by the door and making a welcoming gesture with a slight bow.
The guests fidgeted uncomfortably. Honestly, this was the first time they had been treated with such ceremony. Both Quik and the merchant representatives were commoners, never having been on the receiving end of such seemingly elegant gestures before.
They wondered inwardly. Could this be the legendary noble etiquette?
And then they questioned. But I never saw Count Grayman pay such attention to ceremony.
Hmm! Gentlemen, lets get off the carriage.
Quik snapped back to reality, reminding the others to disembark. The steward was still holding the door open in invitation, not moving an inch, but almost couldnt help laughing when he heard Quiks rough words.
Oh! Yes, yes, yes.
The guests straightened up a bit and then got up, stepping off the carriage with stiff smiles and deliberate movements.
The steward closed the carriage doors behind them, the coachmen cracked their whips, and the carriages left the entrance.
Gentlemen, please follow me inside.
The guests followed the steward inside with unease, sweating profusely.
They had already dressed in what they considered their most appropriate outfits but felt like bumpkins compared to the servant of the Foster family.
[1] The Grand Duchy of Eton is an independent state. The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess will be referred to as Grand only in the context of of Eton, or itll be too spammy.
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