After gathering everything I needed from the Awakened Market, I packed the newly acquired gear into my dinsional storage—a handy tool for a hunter, especially one in my line of work. Alchemy products, specialized weapons, and so anti-demon runes. Everything was in place. There was no room for error now.
The streets of Nexoria City stretched out before as I made my way to the Warp Gate Hall, a sprawling complex near the heart of the city.
The towering gates of the Warp Gate Hall lood ahead, and I made my way toward the entrance. The place was bustling with activity, various travelers and hunters moving to and from the many destinations across the Federation. But the mont I approached, the security personnel stationed at the entrance straightened up.
I reached into my pocket and retrieved my Arcadia Hunter Academy ID card—a symbol of my status. The official standing guard took it, his eyes scanning the embedded runes and verifying the authenticity of the credentials. For a brief mont, he glanced at , then back at the card, as the faint glow from his verification device flickered.
"Everything checks out, Mr. Natusalune," the guard said, his tone professional but respectful. He handed the card back to . "You're cleared for travel. Please proceed."
Another staff mber, a young woman dressed in the uniform of the Federation Transport Authority, approached swiftly. She nodded to the guard before turning to . "I'll escort you to your gate, sir. This way."
I followed her through the bustling halls of the Warp Gate section, passing rows of active gates, each one shimring with the magic of long-distance transportation. The hum of mana echoed in the air, and the faint buzz of voices from other travelers surrounded us.
As we approached the gate assigned for Ardmont, the glow of the portal beca more pronounced. It flickered with energy, signaling that it was fully operational. The attendant turned to with a polite smile. "Your gate is ready, Mr. Natusalune. You should arrive in Ardmont shortly."
I nodded in acknowledgnt. "Thank you," I replied, adjusting the strap of my pack. With everything now in order, the next step of the journey was clear. The preparations were finished, and now it was ti to put them into action.
I stepped toward the gate, feeling the familiar hum of energy as I crossed the threshold. The portal shimred, and in an instant, Nexoria City faded away, replaced by the sprawling tropolis of Ardmont.
As I stepped out of the Warp Gate, the air around changed. The faint scent of freshly tilled earth mixed with the crispness of the countryside—a sharp contrast to the industrial tones of Nexoria. Before I could take in the surroundings of Ardmont's Warp Gate Hall, a figure approached swiftly.
"Mr. Natusalune, welco to Ardmont," a well-dressed man greeted , his voice professional yet warm. He held out a small silver tray that bore a couple of neatly wrapped items. "Please, a quick refreshnt for the journey. It's customary here for our distinguished guests."
I glanced at the treats—a soft, fruit-filled pastry that seed to be a local specialty and a small flask of herbal tea. "Thank you," I replied, accepting the offer.
The man gestured politely, indicating that he would lead the way. "I'll escort you to the main square. The city has been bustling with activity lately, but we've ensured a smooth passage for your exit."
As we walked through the halls, I noticed how different the Warp Gate Hall in Ardmont was compared to Nexoria. Here, the atmosphere felt calr, more grounded. The walls were lined with rustic decor, and many of the travelers I passed wore the practical clothing of workers, not hunters. The city was unmistakably a hub for agriculture.
When we reached the exit of the Warp Gate Hall, the man left with a polite nod as I looked into the scenery.
The city of Ardmont unfolded before , its sprawling streets lined with vibrant greenery, a seamless blend of tropolis and nature. Even though the city buzzed with life and activity, it felt different from Nexoria—softer, calr. Trees lined the roads, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze. Flowers, vibrant and fragrant, adorned the walkways, adding a splash of color against the stone buildings. It wasn't just a city; it was a sanctuary—a tropolis wrapped in nature's embrace, earning its nickna, "The tropolis of Nature."
Despite the crowds, there was an air of serenity, a reminder of the city's deep connection to the earth. People moved about with purpose, yet the pace was never rushed. The surrounding greenery seed to slow ti itself, inviting the passerby to linger and appreciate the beauty around them.
As I walked, observing the fusion of urban life and nature, my thoughts began to wander. The tranquility of Ardmont was a stark contrast to the constant tension I had grown accustod to. And in that quiet mont, my mind slipped to Maya.
Even though I had known from the ga that Maya was talented, remarkably so, there was sothing off about her family. There was no ntion of the Evergreens in the ga—no references to their influence, no record of them being players in the capital's politics. And yet, the talent Maya displayed, the sheer amount of resources she had access to, couldn't have co from nowhere. It was clear that her family wasn't ordinary.
'It doesn't make sense,' I thought, frowning slightly as I walked past a vendor selling fresh produce, the scent of herbs and flowers drifting through the air. 'How can soone with that much power and backing fly so far under the radar?'
I had been searching for records of the Evergreen family for a while now, trying to piece together their story, but it wasn't easy. Most noble families left traces, even if they tried to remain discreet.
Their influence could be seen in politics, comrce, or even military movents. But the Evergreens? It was like trying to find the ghost of a family—whispers, at best, with no real substance to follow.
'No ntion in the capital's circles, no participation in the major power plays, and yet Maya carries herself like soone who knows exactly where she stands in the world,' I mused, my steps slowing as I passed by a cluster of trees. The sunlight filtering through the branches reminded of the calm that always seed to surround Maya, a calm that hid sothing far more formidable beneath the surface.
And then there were the resources. The rare alchemical products, the mana-enhancing artifacts, and even the access to training that most people could only dream of—these weren't things that ca without influence. The Evergreen family must be hiding sothing, keeping themselves away from the political theater of the capital for a reason.
'But why?' I questioned, frustration bubbling up as I turned a corner, the vibrant greenery around doing little to calm the storm in my mind. 'What are they hiding?'
These questions.
They were the reason why I had let Senior Maya take the opportunity to attend the banquet. While it was indeed true that I would need to prepare a lot more, it was not sothing that I wouldn't be able to do without Senior Maya's help.
Eventually, one way or another, I would be in that banquet.
However, letting Senior Maya help would also give an opportunity to visit her household and possibly understand what was going on there.
Of course, there was also the fact that I needed to check up on her progress regarding her vampire situation, and in the end, I had many reasons to get her involved.
'The Evergreen family must hold a certain standing if they have access to such resources,' I thought as I continued walking, the gentle breeze tugging at my cloak. 'And if they aren't involved in the politics of the capital, that can only an one thing: the governnt is allowing them to remain in the shadows. Which raises the question—why?'
If the Evergreens had enough influence and power to stay out of the political scene without consequence, it ant one of two things: either they were strong enough to make the governnt fear them, or there was so other reason keeping them protected. Perhaps alliances, hidden deals, or sothing even more complicated. Either way, the fact that they were allowed to stay out of sight despite their clear influence was unsettling.
And now, as I prepared to make my way deeper into this mystery, there was the matter of the airship. The fact that I would be taken from this city by airship and that it was arranged by Senior Maya spoke volus. Airships weren't sothing everyone possessed. They were rare, expensive, and usually reserved for the elite, military, or the most influential families. Certainly, not sothing one could command at will.
The Evergreen family clearly had more resources than I had realized, and it only deepened the enigma surrounding them. I had to figure out why they were so far under the radar yet powerful enough to move like this without attracting attention.
Just as my thoughts were spiraling further into the complexity of the Evergreen family's influence, my smartwatch buzzed softly, pulling back to the present.
I glanced down, and a single na appeared on the screen: [Senior Maya].
The holographic display projected slightly above my wrist, and her face appeared calm yet focused.
"Senior Maya," I greeted her, my voice steady, though my mind was still buzzing with everything I had been piecing together.
"Astron," she said, her voice carrying that sa gentle confidence I had co to associate with her. "Have you arrived Ardmont?"
"Just arrived," I replied.
Hearing that I had arrived, Maya's expression softened, and a slight smile played on her lips. "Good. Send your location," she said, her voice smooth. "Soone is already there, waiting to take you to the airship center."
I nodded, quickly sending my coordinates. "Understood,"
Maya's smile deepened, though there was a certain knowing glint in her eyes. "I'll be waiting," she said, her voice carrying a certain warmth that I wasn't used to. The hologram flickered, and with that, the call ended, leaving standing amidst the bustle of Ardmont once again.
I stood still for a mont, letting the cool breeze rustle through the trees as I waited for my transport. Maya had always been calm and confident, but there was sothing in her tone just now that made wonder how much more she knew about than I had assud. The thought settled uneasily in my mind, but I pushed it aside for the mont.
Within a few minutes, the sound of a car approaching caught my attention. It wasn't a flashy, high-end vehicle like the ones I'd seen parked outside the halls in Nexoria. Instead, it was a simple, unassuming car—modest yet efficient, blending in with the surroundings. The driver stepped out, dressed in a sharp, well-fitted uniform, his posture impeccable.
He approached with a bow of his head. "Mr. Astron Natusalune?" His voice was polite and professional, with a slight hint of deference.
I nodded in response. "That's ."
The driver straightened up, a respectful look on his face. "I am at your service, sir. Lady Maya has arranged for your transport to the airship center. I apologize that we did not prepare a more luxurious vehicle, but Lady Maya insisted that you preferred sothing more discreet."
I glanced at the car and gave a small nod of approval. "She's right. I don't need anything flashy."
The driver smiled faintly, bowing his head once more. "It seems Lady Maya knows you well, sir."
'Well, she indeed knows well.'
In one way or another, we have spent quite a lot of ti together, after all.
'Though, why do I feel chilly? This ti as well…..'
Once again, my instincts were warning .
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