The huge gates of Hesa City appeared ahead.
It was nothing compared to the previous villages and small towns they’ve passed through. A huge part of it was supported by tal plating, and there were even full-armored guards standing still despite the hot weather.
’This place looked safer...’ Rayven muttered as he already liked the city’s first impression.
It was giving off a unique aura that none of the small villages made him feel.
After a long line of people, they finally entered the city quite even without docuntation. They only had to pay three silver coins for each person. That was a total of 12 silver coins.
Thankfully, they have extra horses that they could sell for so money.
After all, the entry fee was very expensive considering that a small family could live for a month with only four silver coins.
"What a lucrative business..." Rayven muttered as he recalled that real estate was indeed the best way to earn money.
"Well... You can get a discount if you’re a resident, soone with a specific rank, or part of the Mage Association..." Thyruz said as he looked at Rayven’s longing expression.
It was quite amusing to see.
"I’ll rember that..." Rayven said as they entered the city.
Soon, they were greeted with a buzz.
"Whoa~ This place looked livelier than Veidra City." Miki muttered as she looked at the plaza and streets filled with carriages, people walking around, children playing on the streets, street perforrs, vendors, and such.
As they moved, the scent of baked bread, spiced ats, and city smoke drifted faintly on the wind.
They had really made it...
"We’ve completed our mission!" Miki and Nara hugged each other.
"Right... I rember you’ll be attending a Sword Competition in this city." Rayve muttered as he recalled their conversation when he hired the two.
"Yes! You’re right... We still have more than a week for that event. However, we’ll have to register soon."
Rayven nodded as he slowed his horse and looked at the crowded street...
After a few monts, he glanced over at Miki and Nara, then at Thyruz riding just behind him.
"You two, we agreed on paynt once we reached the city. Ten silver coins for your service."
Miki’s eyes flicked to him in mild surprise, then curved into a grin. "You rembered."
"Of course," Rayven said, pulling out a small pouch from his bag.
To be honest, he had already spent all his money over the past few days. He only had 19 copper coins left in his coin pouch.
Because of that, Rayven decided to withdraw two gold coins from his Gold Balance, leaving him with only 138 gold coins.
As soon as Miki felt that there was only a single coin in the pouch, she looked confused for a mont.
Then, as soon as she opened it, she was shocked. Even Nara gasped as she glanced at the coin inside.
"This is my first ti holding one! Let ..." Nara imdiately said as she held the coin while still keeping it inside the pouch. She didn’t want anyone to see it since they were in a public place.
Miki couldn’t speak imdiately as she looked at Rayven...
"This is too much." She finally said.
"Well... I plan to hire you for so more ti until I’m settled." Rayven said as he also didn’t want to end their connection here.
"Generous," Miki admitted. "I was expecting you to haggle... But you gave us more instead."
Rayven shrugged.
Miki and Nara didn’t hesitate as they didn’t mind even if Rayven hired their services for even more than a month.
Rayven turned toward Thyruz. "And you, Sir Thyruz... I didn’t forget about you either. How much for guarding all the way here?"
As he said this, Rayven offered a gold coin to the old man.
However, Thyruz waved him off with a dry chuckle. "Keep your coins. I’m the one who should be paying you for letting join your group. And... I’m not done watching you yet."
Rayven blinked. "Not done?"
"I’ll stay around for a while..." Thyruz said, his tone even, but his eyes sharp. "Tier 3 mages don’t work for free, but this ti, let’s just say I’m... curious about you."
Rayven almost smiled. "Curious, huh?"
The old man gave a slow nod. "You don’t know much about magic, yet you cast spells almost without a trace. That’s rare. Very rare. I want to see where that leads. Is that alright?"
Rayven didn’t argue. Having Thyruz around was like carrying an extra fortress on his back.
"Great... So we’re all sticking around." Rayven chuckled as he decided to bring them all to Golden Coast Trading, the rchant company owned by the Holt Family!
Rayven wasted no ti. They stopped a passerby, a thin man in a brown vest carrying a crate of bread.
"Excuse ," Rayven said, "Do you know where I can find the Golden Coast Trading?"
The man thought for a mont, then nodded. "You an that failing business? It’s a pity that they’ve been targeted by a huge... Ah, never mind. I heard they deal in everything from silks to steel, but you probably want to do business with other trading companies... Like the Wandering Star Guild or the Northern Bloom Company."
However, seeing that Rayven wasn’t even considering those other rchant companies, the man stopped chit-chatting and pointed at the road.
"Their main office is in the Upper Market, past the Grand Fountain. You can’t miss it... Three floors tall with a black iron gate."
"Thanks..." Rayven said as he gave the man a copper coin.
At this ti, he was already frowning... It seed that his family business was in trouble.
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