Chapter 568: The Seaver Family’s Invitation
Chapter 568: The Seaver Family’s Invitation
Heloise quickly nodded obediently and responded softly, "Yes, Lord Hermit."
The Hermit adjusted his somewhat disheveled collar from the earlier battle, his tone gentle. "No need to be so formal, Miss Heloise. As I said before, I would have taken care of those pests even if you weren’t here."
Heloise looked up at the Hermit’s eyes, speaking earnestly, "Lord Hermit, this may have been a trivial matter to you, but without you, our caravan would likely have been annihilated."
She then pulled out an exquisitely carved golden canary emblem from her sleeve and offered it with both hands.
"Lord Hermit, you may not know this, but my father, Duke Aiden, is a man who values gratitude.
You’ve helped us greatly. Whether it’s gold, jewels, scrolls, or magical artifacts, the Seaver family will do our best to meet your..."
Skilled in reading expressions, Heloise keenly noticed that when she mentioned "gold and jewels," the Hermit’s pale green pupils slightly dilated, clearly showing interest.
She didn’t press further, only quietly made a mental note of the reaction.
The Hermit tucked the golden canary emblem into his sleeve, stroked his beard, and nodded with a smile. "In that case, I shall gladly accept."
Heloise then asked curiously, "Lord Hermit, where are you headed now?"
"Port Tal. It’s been a while, but I should still have some old acquaintances there."
The Hermit gently waved his bronze staff, and a phantom map appeared mid-air, marking Port Tal’s location.
However, Heloise covered her mouth in surprise and softly reminded him, "Lord Hermit, if I’m not mistaken, Port Tal sank into the sea during a disaster that swept across Silvermoon Bay 130 years ago. That city now only exists in historical records."
The Hermit froze, a stunned look on his face, then sighed after a long silence. "Heh, I really did sleep for too long. I don’t even know the current state of the world. How embarrassing."
Heloise sensed a trace of loneliness from the man before her, but chose not to disturb him, simply standing quietly nearby.
The Hermit seemed used to it, not displaying much emotion, only a hint of melancholy.
After a moment, the Hermit turned to Heloise. "And your destination—is it that so-called Victoria Port?"
Heloise nodded solemnly, "Yes, Lord Hermit. We’re transporting these new firearms back to Victoria Port. We didn’t expect to be ambushed on the way."
"Firearms?"
The Hermit waved his sleeve, drawing a brand-new rifle into his hand from a distance and casually inspecting it.
"These things? Fascinating toys."
In a few moments, he seemed to understand how it worked and fired into the air.
"Bang!"
"Not bad. I can’t believe how much the world has changed in just a hundred years."
Heloise hesitated, brushed a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, and finally mustered the courage to speak nervously.
"Lord Hermit, since you’ve just awakened and are unfamiliar with the changes in the world, why not travel with us to Victoria Port? It’s now the largest and most prosperous city in Silvermoon Bay, and our Seaver family can find you lodging there and provide information. What do you say?"
She bowed again and said softly, "Also, it would be my honor to travel alongside a spellcaster as powerful as you."
The Hermit didn’t hesitate much and quickly nodded with a smile. "Sounds good. I’ve always liked human port cities. Let me see what Victoria Port has to offer. Miss Heloise, have your caravan prepare. We’ll depart shortly."
"Of course, Lord Hermit."
Heloise replied at once, her voice full of joy.
Not just because she no longer had to worry about the journey’s safety, but because she had formed a connection with a mysterious and powerful spellcaster.
Someone of this caliber could be a priceless asset to the entire Seaver family.
"Lord Hermit, let me..."
She reached out to lead the way but stopped as the Hermit tapped the ground with his bronze staff.
"No need for all that."
"Clang."
A crisp metallic sound rang out. Heloise felt the surrounding space peel away like a curtain, and the scenery instantly shifted.
By the time she regained her senses, the two of them were already seated inside the lavishly decorated carriage.
Even Heloise was momentarily stunned. After a pause, she said sincerely, "Lord Hermit, your spellcraft is truly awe-inspiring."
The Hermit chuckled, "Heh, just well-practiced, nothing extraordinary."
At that moment, Captain Marven saw that the young lady had returned to the carriage—and had brought a mysterious guest.
Knowing his earlier negligence, he hurried over with a flattering smile and bowed. "My lady, and... this honored guest. The caravan has nearly finished its rest. The wounded soldiers and horses have been tended to. When shall we depart?"
"Now. We must reach Victoria Port as soon as possible and complete Father’s task."
Heloise thought briefly, then added, "Also... inform everyone in the caravan:
This is Lord Hermit, the Seaver family’s most distinguished guest. Treat him with the utmost respect. No negligence is allowed."
"Yes, my lady."
Marven responded respectfully and turned to deliver orders to the others.
Inside the carriage, the Hermit and Heloise began a conversation that seemed quite strange to outsiders.
"Which is the strongest nation on the continent now? Is it still the Kingdom of Fadlan?"
"Um... it’s probably the Kingdom of Kassand. But in a sense, it’s a successor of the old Fadlan Empire."
"Does the Silvermoon Bay Alliance still exist?"
"Of course, but it’s now called the Free Trade Confederation. The strongest city-state is Victoria Port. It inherited part of Port Tal’s legacy and is governed by four dukes, including my father."
"..."
The newly awakened Hermit’s questions were basic facts known across the continent.
Though he occasionally inquired about Victoria Port’s factions and politics, he never touched on the Seaver family’s secrets. Heloise answered patiently.
In truth, Cassius was using this opportunity to gather information about the Feianso continent from the Seaver family’s eldest daughter.
After all, his memories from his past life were fading, and he had no idea what butterfly effects his actions might trigger.
With the Hermit accompanying them, the journey went smoothly.
Along the way, cultist ambushes were easily thwarted—lightning would strike from the sky before they even got close.
The caravan’s guards, including Marven, were amazed and finally relaxed around the mysterious Hermit, appreciating the value of having such a powerful spellcaster.
Before sunset, the caravan was traveling on a broad stone road, nearing their destination.
The Hermit lifted the carriage curtain and looked at the city skyline, focusing on the towering spires. He asked quietly, "So that’s Victoria Port? Not bad. It’s every bit as impressive as old Port Tal."
Heloise gazed at the familiar city walls and the fluttering golden canary banner, replying with pride, "Yes, Lord Hermit. That is Victoria Port. The Pearl of the West Coast, the hub of Silvermoon Bay’s trade, a haven of intrigue, and... the Seaver family’s domain."
Under the sunlight, her violet eyes shimmered with beauty.
Victoria Port was divided into Upper and Lower Districts—a division that dated back to Queen Victoria’s founding. After centuries, the two areas had completely separated.
The Upper District housed nobles, clergy, and elites. The Lower District was a mix of commoners, thieves, and gangs—filled with darkness.
The Tarlk Drawbridge connected the two, with guards from the "Mithril Hand" mercenaries stationed at the checkpoint.
The Upper District sat on higher ground, made up of the Honor Quarter, Temple Quarter, and the Victoria Radiance District. It held numerous temples and the mansions of noble families.
The continent’s largest temple of Waukeen, the Tower of Wealth, and Gond’s Hall of Miracles were located in the Temple Quarter.
In the northwest Honor Quarter stood a magnificent castle. Its metal gates were adorned with the intricate golden canary emblem, guarded by over a hundred elite Mithril Hand mercenaries.
—This was the famed Golden Canary Seaver Castle, home of the Seaver family for over two centuries.
At the castle’s top floor, in the symbolic Golden Canary Hall, Duke Aiden Seaver sat at the head seat.
He looked to be in his forties, dressed in fine noble attire, sporting neatly trimmed mustache curls—and sharing the family’s signature violet eyes.
Centuries ago, their violet eyes brought ridicule when the Seaver family were mere fishermen. Now, it symbolized noble lineage.
Before him stood Heloise Seaver, the family’s eldest daughter, just returned from Grayport.
Upon hearing her report, Duke Aiden stood from his seat and paced near the window.
He quickly approached her, his voice excited.
"Heloise, this Hermit you mentioned—he truly slept for centuries?"
Heloise nodded. "Father, if what he says is true, then yes. He hadn’t even heard of Victoria Port. In his memories, Port Tal hadn’t sunk, and Fadlan was still a kingdom."
Duke Aiden nodded repeatedly and turned to gaze at a wall painting, exclaiming:
"Immortals who sleep for centuries are exceedingly rare on the Feianso continent."
He turned back to her, locking eyes. "Heloise, do you have any guesses about his identity?"
"A dragon."
"Why?"
"In speaking with him, I noticed his unusual interest in gold and jewels. Combine that with his centuries-long sleep... a dragon is the most likely answer. I’m not sure what kind exactly, but judging from his help, he should be a metallic dragon."
"Clap, clap."
Duke Aiden applauded, patted her shoulder, and laughed heartily, "Excellent. I thought the same.
Haha, Heloise, my proud daughter—you may have secured the Seaver family a dragon ally."
He sat on the central sofa and whispered to the nearby butler, who ran off.
Soon, the butler returned with an old leather-bound book titled in gold: "Feianso Dragon Guide."
Duke Aiden placed it on his lap, donned golden spectacles, and began reading, saying:
"Heloise, tell me more about this Hermit."
"Yes, Father."
She respectfully recounted their journey’s details.
As Duke Aiden flipped through the book, he muttered:
"Uses lightning to attack. Loves gold and jewels. Can control weather...
Holds a bronze staff. Wears a gray cloak. Pale green eyes...
Friendly and curious about humans. Strong sense of justice. Won’t tolerate thieves or cultists. Likes port cities."
Finally, he found a page and opened it before her.
It depicted a massive metallic dragon—with a beak-like snout and sharp tongue, muscular build, sleek green-bronze scales like a divine statue.
Duke Aiden adjusted his glasses, beaming with excitement.
"Heloise, the Hermit you met is likely the Bronze Dragon known as ’Dragon of the Coast.’ From his sleep duration and weather magic, he’s at least an Ancient Dragon!"
Heloise leaned in, staring in awe at the book’s image of the majestic bronze dragon.
Though she had suspected it, she still couldn’t fully grasp that the Hermit she spoke with was such a mythical being.
She sat beside her father and asked curiously, "Father, if he is a Bronze Dragon, what makes them special?"
"Hahaha, Heloise, my dear daughter—you’ve done the Seaver family a great favor."
Duke Aiden grinned, stroking his mustache, pointing at a passage in the book. She read along:
"Once a Bronze Dragon makes a promise, it becomes the most steadfast ally. Their trust is incredibly precious.
They’re often fascinated by warfare and eager to join military causes for justice. I once saw a Bronze Dragon disguised as a human, serving as a general."
—Draconic Scholar, Arzala Stein