Chapter 250: Setting Off for Harmonia

’Hmm, Puglee’s death is really suspicious...’

Regis thought seriously before a smoking hot pie was placed on the table, ’Well, let’s not think about it for now. It’s not like I’ll solve it just by thinking.’

The tantalizing fragrance made him forget everything as his focus was on the various dishes before him.

Tap— Tap— Tap—

It was not long before Pandora, Killian, Aurelia, and Patti, all summoned by Auryn, approached with their footsteps echoing as they made their way to the kitchen.

"Err, maybe I should wash up first..." Killian said with an embarrassed smile.

Martha looked at him with a smile, "Eat first. You need to regain your energy with hot food since you’ve been training very hard. I’ll get the maidservants to prepare hot water for you."

Killian responded with a shy smile as he sat down beside Regis, who then turned to look at him.

"Did you train too hard? You’re covered in sweat."

"Well, I didn’t expect Patti to be that strong. We got a little carried away in our spar."

"Patti?" Regis propped up his brow as he glanced at Aurelia’s older brother, who sat at the table.

Similar to Killian, his clothes were covered with sweat.

Sensing his gaze, Patti, who seemed to be no more than their age despite being older, smiled, "It had been a long time since I was able to exercise like that. Killian mentioned that you are powerful, so I look forward to the day we can spar."

"I look forward to seeing the standards of an aspiring Grandella student as well." Regis also replied with a smile, feeling a little surprised.

Although the siblings had mentioned striving to participate in the Grandella Admission Tournament in the past, he had not heard any specific details as to how powerful they really were.

Thinking about it, Regis began to feel a little curious.

"Dad said that we’ll be leaving the city tomorrow, so that little plan of yours might need to wait for a little while, my dear Brother."

It was Auryn who had chimed in while handing out towels to Killian and Patti.

As for Pandora and Aurelia, their training consisted more of studying than physical activities, so the best remedy for their exhaustion was the tantalizing smell of the dishes before them.

The group then ate breakfast together as they chatted casually, as the joyful atmosphere made them forget their problems momentarily.

***

A carriage of polished, pristine wood rolled steadily toward the towering walls of Harmonia, its frame entwined with fresh, verdant greenery.

It seemed less like a crafted vehicle and more like a living fragment of the forest, gliding gracefully toward the city.

Inside the carriage, the faint silhouette of a young woman emerged behind the emerald-tinted windows, her outline shifting softly with the sway of the ride.

From the faint features that could be made out, one trait stood out above all.

It was none other than her pointed ears, which spoke volumes about her heritage.

However, unlike other elves whose eyes mirrored the hues of nature, hers were black.

But beyond that, her striking silver hair also spoke of her lineage.

At this moment, a voice sounded from within the carriage, "Young Lady, if I may... why do you seem so downcast?"

"Hm..." The elven young woman let out a nasal sound, as if pondering what to say.

Her black eyes stayed fixed on the passing scenery outside the window, her expression unchanged, as she replied after a few moments, "Would you be happy knowing your family exiled you under the guise of a vacation?"

The maidservant replied only after a brief silence, her demeanor unchanged, as if this were a conversation they had shared many times before.

"Her Highness, the Queen, merely wished for you to have the chance to experience more of the world..."

The royal elven young lady scoffed, "Didn’t you see the look in my brothers and sisters’ eyes? They looked like they had been waiting for this moment for a long time."

"Well, I can understand them, at least.

Who would have thought that one of the queen’s daughters would be abnormal?"

She let out a self-deprecating laugh, "For an elf to be hated by mana... I understand that I’m only dragging the family’s reputation down."

"Young Lady, that’s not..."

Before the maidservant could continue, the young elven royal lifted her hand, her gaze never once leaving the scenery outside.

"There’s no need to comfort me. I’ve been aware of how cursed I am since I was a child.

I just hope that my absence brought them the satisfaction they needed...."

The maidservant did not respond further, lowering her head as if not daring to meet her mistress’s gaze.

Silence once more filled the carriage as it continued along the path toward Harmonia on the horizon.

***

Outside the Harmonia City Hall.

Vanessa, Perto, and Brutt were being escorted out by an official.

"Adventurers, the matter regarding the cave discovered on the outskirts of the forest will be brought before the City Council.

Rest assured, you will receive appropriate compensation. Since the quest proved more difficult than expected, we will be recalculating your rewards.

For now, take some rest. And if you ever require assistance, please don’t hesitate to let us know."

Vanessa smiled politely. "If possible, we hope to receive news about the core of the strange monster we submitted once the results are in.

I believe that is our right, since there were no terms in the contract stating that anything hunted during the quest would belong to the questor.

We also wish to learn more about the creature that nearly cost us our lives."

"That won’t be an issue. Although, may I inform you that such information might require you to sign a confidentiality contract..." The official patiently explained the stipulations that may correspond to their request.

Vanessa listened attentively before replying after a moment of pondering, "We understand. We will be awaiting the City Council’s summons."

After a few more pleasantries, the trio went on their way.

Blank expressions could be seen on their faces as they walked through the bustling streets of Harmonia.

Since its inauguration, the satellite city had been more lively, mainly due to the influx of tourists from the nearby cities and travelers.

At that moment, they could feel gazes on them, but due to special ordinances enacted to prevent both open and subtle discrimination, those gazes never lingered for more than a few seconds.

However, the gazes they felt were not in any way discriminatory, coming from both humans and other races alike.

They were simply drawn by the group’s current state— the tears in their clothes, their downcast expressions, and their haggard faces.

They had arrived in Harmonia only a few hours earlier and had gone straight to the City Council to submit their discoveries, along with the shattered black core from the grotesque monster, believing it to be of utmost importance.

But at this moment, only a single thought was on their minds.

"It’s over now, right?"

Perto’s voice broke the awkward silence as they remained standing in the middle of the street.

Brutt remained silent as his head hung low.

"Yes, it is."

Vanessa mumbled in reply after a while.

This experience had shaken their very souls.

Throughout the few years they had adventured, although they encountered various challenges and difficulties, nothing was as serious as what they had encountered in the forest.

Additionally, their discovery of aether, which naturally permeated their bodies, enabled them to become strong despite being in the Starless Realm.

It was significantly more potent than both mana and aura, while also being able to fuel both magic spells and aura arts.

However, the difficulty of advancing was like a chasm; despite their years of hard work, they remained Starless.

After more than ten minutes of silence, the three began walking again.

Their steps were slow and heavy as they made their way through the street.

***

The next day, at Midas Mansion in Montrelle City...

Darkness still blanketed the sky as the sun yet to rise from the horizon.

Servants bustled about, loading leather luggage into a carriage adorned with the emblem of Midas.

"Do we really need to set off this early?" Auryn asked with a yawn.

Martha smiled, resting her hands on Auryn’s and Patti’s shoulders as they waited for their luggage to be secured.

Aurelia, looking at her older brother and sister— who appeared far younger than herself— smiled warmly.

"Big Sis Ryn, Harmonia is really far from here. It will take us weeks to get there."

At the mention of Harmonia, Auryn’s sleepiness quickly vanished, "I wonder what it looks like! You said there are other races there, right?"

"It’ll be my first time seeing other races. I’m excited!" Patti added, eyes wide with curiosity.

Hearing his children, Aurum chuckled, ruffling their hair before giving his wife a light peck on the cheek.

"Don’t worry, I’m one of its honorary founders. I’ll make sure to give you quite the tour— along with Regis and the others."

Aurelia’s eyes brightened as she looked at her older siblings, "We can even go adventuring together!"

It did not take long before all their luggage was loaded into the carriages.

Since their group had grown in number, Aurum had decided to acquire an additional carriage to ensure they would not be cramped inside.

With everything in place, the two carriages set off from Montrelle toward Harmonia.