Chapter 12
The soft chime of a small bell echoed above the clothing store's door as Lucien and Knight Rex stepped out into the lively streets of Velebrandt City, now dressed in far more modest attire. Lucien, swathed in his newly tailored clothes—a dark pair of neatly pressed trousers, a cream-colored shirt tucked under a finely crafted gilet, and now hidden beneath a thick, earth-toned cloak—felt oddly liberated. The weight of nobility still hung lightly on his shoulders, but now it blended with the world rather than towering above it. Knight Rex, ever mindful of their surroundings, had also donned a large cloak to obscure the golden embroidery and winged lion sigil of House Velebrandt etched on his armor.
Rex had paid the bill inside the store, a total of twenty-five gold coins for their garments and the expedited tailoring service. The store's attendants had bowed deeply as they left, their expressions knowing and respectful despite the cloaked anonymity. Gold always spoke, but the aura of power surrounding the S-Rank knight was unmistakable.
Back on foot now, they passed through the bustling central avenues of the city. Lucien's eyes danced from stall to stall, drawn to the kaleidoscope of colors, textures, and aromas that filled the air. The vendors shouted over one another, trying to draw attention to their vibrant fruits, glistening cuts of meat, intricate trinkets, polished daggers, and bottled potions lined up like colorful trophies. There were sellers with weathered skin and booming voices hawking bundles of magical herbs; others offered miniature charms said to ward off nightmares or improve luck in love.
At one fruit stand, Lucien stopped and bought a selection of glossy blueberries and crimson-orange citrus fruit with odd glowing specks on the skin. The vendor grinned with crooked teeth, offering the boy a slice.
"Try it, young master. They say the juice of this fruit can make even the dullest mornings feel like springtime again."
Lucien bit into the soft segment, and his eyes widened as a sweet, fizzy tang exploded on his tongue. "Tastes like carbonated fruit punch... but fresh." He chuckled, licking the juice from his fingers. Rex simply shook his head in mild amusement.
Further down, they wandered into a modest bookshop, its front sign etched with old Elyssiran runes. Inside, the smell of ink, parchment, and aged leather warmed Lucien's soul. Tall, wooden shelves curved overhead like cathedral arches, each crammed with everything from spell compendiums and monster bestiaries to fiction tales and moral treatises. He ran a hand along one row, wondering how much of this world's knowledge had been written and how much still remained hidden.
Outside, a group of burly mercenaries clad in worn but durable gear were gathered near a bulletin board plastered with bounties and escort requests. Lucien watched as one tall woman with a longsword strapped to her back laughed heartily at something her partner said, slapping him on the back hard enough to make him stumble. They looked dangerous and free—like warriors plucked from a game menu screen.
Eventually, the growing scent of cooked meats and toasted bread pulled them toward a towering stone-and-wood building with warm amber windows and a grand carved sign: The Wildfire Fork. Patrons laughed and drank inside, the sounds of clinking mugs and hearty conversation spilling into the street.
Inside, the air was thick with the aroma of grilled food, herbs, and a hint of pinewood from the hearthfire. They were seated quickly in a private booth on the second level balcony overlooking the main hall. A waiter, noticing Rex's towering presence and deferential tone, knew better than to ask questions and took their orders with utmost professionalism.
Rex ordered a plate of roasted meat marinated in magical herbs and served with baked root vegetables infused with minor enchantments for better digestion and flavor. Lucien raised a brow.