I asked Ember to send a "drone" to survey the cityscape. With her help, we found a shorter path toward the Virgil Family's grounds and headed there. Hopefully, we could finish our business and book a private meeting with the head.
We passed through small alleys, jumped over roofs, and immediately reached the gates of their residence. There were a lot of guards with fierce-looking monsters by their sides.
"Excuse me, I'm sent here by the Capital City's lord to deliver something."
Without wasting any time, we quickly headed for the guards and asked.
"Capital City? You mean Duchess Yu Na sent you?"
The guard asked with a sharp gaze, doubting the credibility of my claim. I just smiled and took out the black card that I received from the government office as proof of identity.
"A black card holder... Well, let me check first. Wait here."
The guard went inside the gates, but it seemed like he was reluctant to even cater to my request. The three of us stood still for a few minutes until a panicked set of footsteps approached.
"M-Mr. Tamer! Please forgive me. It seems that you were already expected by the family head. Please follow me."
The guard panted and spoke in a panic. He donned an awkward smile as he tried to usher us inside. I smiled as we were about to enter; however, a voice echoed from behind at that precise moment.
"Huh, it's Will! Long time no see!"
Wan Er's energetic voice echoed from afar. Looking back, their group of three was already walking up the wide staircase leading to the residence's entrance. Wan Li had a complicated expression, as if she didn't expect that we would meet again so quickly.
Luo Ying Yue, however, wore a deep frown as soon as she saw me. I sighed in my head and greeted the three with a smile.
"Wan Er, Wan Li, and Miss Ying Yue, I didn't expect to see you three here. What a coincidence."
The three of them were slowly climbing the stairs. I wished to just go ahead, but it may be rude to them. Even the guard, seemingly familiar with their faces, stopped in his tracks and waited.
When they reached the top platform where we were waiting, Ying Yue scanned the faces of Ember and Fang.
"... 3rd stage?"
She muttered under her breath, as if in disbelief. I looked at Xiao Bing and Xiao Huo that were flying beside Wan Er, and it seems that they were still in the 2nd stage. Well, it hasn't even been a month since the tournament ended, so no wonder.
"Wait, is that Ember?! Woah! She became so pretty!"
Wan Er, who finally got close enough, immediately recognized Ember despite her humanoid form. Ember, hearing her praise, gave a genuine smile as she waved her hands in greeting.
Xiao Bing, as if in wonder, flew to Ember's side and scrutinized her appearance from up close. As someone who battled and beat Ember firsthand, her change in both power and appearance seemed to have baffled the little ice fairy.
"Will, do you have any business with the Virgils?"
Wan Li asked.
"I was asked to deliver something to the family head, so I'm here. How about you guys?"
"We're here to greet the family head. His daughter will be marrying soon, so we're here to send our congratulations and gifts in lieu of Madam Luo."
"Hmm..."
I looked over at Ying Yue, who should've come here to represent her mother. It seemed that they were not bringing anything, but I quickly noticed a silver ring on her right ring finger. It should be a storage ring similar to mine.
"Then let's go in together! We're heading to meet the same person after all!"
Wan Er cheerfully said as she ran to the side of the guard and smiled at him.
"O-Of course! Please follow me."
The guard blushed madly at the cute actions of Wan Er. Despite his fluster, he still led us inside. The wide courtyard was pretty crowded with other tamers attending to their tamed monsters.
I was wondering why most of their tamed monsters were in beast form despite having above 5th-level power. Well, it's not like all monsters have a humanoid form anyway, so better let it pass for now.
Soon, we entered the Western-style mansion that was about three stories tall and covered more than a few tens of thousands of square meters in area.
The guard led us through a long and winding maze-like path before knocking on a gorgeously designed wooden door. Without his lead, I don't feel confident enough to leave the mansion easily.
"Enter."
A voice echoed from inside the room. It sounded like it was spoken by a young boy, though. Why?
The guard opened the door, and inside, a boy really was sitting behind the desk. No matter how I look at it, he seems nowhere near legal age. And he's the family head?
My gaze shifted to his side, only to find a beautiful secretary wearing something like a female suit with a short skirt in dark gray. On top of her head, curved horns could be seen clearly. She should be a monster, and at a pretty high level at that, given the overflowing power gathered inside her.
"So you're Will? I heard about you from Duchess Yu Na. I've been expecting you for a few days now, though. You arrived so fast."
The boy said sarcastically. I can't help but shrug my shoulders and respond similarly.
"Well, it's not like she told me to deliver it immediately. And I was on the verge of death a few days ago, so it's not like I was just lazing around, right kid?"
As soon as I finished my words, the secretary beside him released a powerful wave of intimidating air. Wan Li and Wan Er almost immediately went down to their knees. Their tamed monsters were no exception, as they fell powerlessly to the ground.
The only ones who remained standing were me, Ember, Fang, and Ying Yue. The three of us were used to intimidating airs like this since we sparred with someone who could kill us with a single flick for a long time. I was rather surprised by how tough Ying Yue was, though.
"Prima, enough."
The boy spoke calmly to the secretary beside him. She quickly bowed slightly and dismissed the intimidating air she was releasing.
"Forgive my subordinate for acting impulsively. I forgot to introduce myself, right?"
The boy said this before he vanished from behind the table. Ember and Fang couldn't even see his movements as he was already in front of me, extending his hands for a handshake.
"I'm Maximillian Virgil. It's a pleasure to meet you, O one favored by a God."
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