Harem System In A fantasy World

The city was exactly what one would expect.

Busy streets, neat cobblestone roads, and mana-powered lamps lining the walkways, their soft glow only just beginning to fade now that morning had fully arrived.

As the group moved through the city, they drew more than a few curious gazes from the residents. Some people merely glanced at them and continued with their day, while others bowed or greeted Marilyn and Maya respectfully, especially since the two walked at the front of the group.

Of course, Elion raised more than a few eyebrows for obvious reasons. The sounds of giggles from women, both young and old, followed them all the way down the road.

What caught Elion’s attention most, however, was the number of merchants lining the streets. Many of them sold raw materials harvested from beasts.

He could see a collection of hides, treated skins, bones, horns, claws, fangs, and organs preserved in glass containers. There were also various labelled parts that Elion did not recognise at first glance.

Even the more established merchant shops displayed similar goods behind reinforced glass panels, arranging them neatly according to grade, species, and use.

It seemed Silvergrove’s primary source of income was tied heavily to the Great Forest. That made sense.

Given how close the city stood to the forest’s edge, hunting beasts, harvesting rare plants, and selling materials to Mages, craftsmen, alchemists, and merchants must have formed a large part of its economy.

Aside from the numerous smaller buildings, there were also much larger structures farther inside the city. They likely served as headquarters for guilds, merchant groups, noble offices, and other local powers.

Unsurprisingly, their destination was one of those large buildings. The headquarters of the Triad Alliance.

It was easily one of the largest buildings Elion had seen in Silvergrove so far. Judging from the layout of the windows, it had around ten floors, and it stood at the corner of a relatively open street where no other structure crowded too close to it.

The building easily towered over most of its surroundings.

Its outer walls were built from thick grey stone, giving it a sturdy, almost fortress-like appearance. Yet the flat roof, wide balconies, and large windows softened that impression somewhat, making it resemble a grand mansion placed in the middle of the city. A mansion that had been stretched upward and reinforced for war.

Marilyn glanced back at the group, "Let us head inside."

The large doors at the entrance were already open, but two guards stood on either side. Both wore the same armour as Maya’s escort, with the sigil of a sword piercing through a skull displayed clearly on their chest plates.

The moment they saw Marilyn and Maya approach, they straightened.

"Lady Marilyn."

"Lady Maya."

The pair greeted them respectfully and stepped aside. Marilyn nodded lightly, and Maya walked in without hesitation.

Elion followed with the others, his gaze sweeping over the entrance hall as they stepped into the headquarters of the Triad Alliance.

The entrance hall was far more spacious than Elion had expected from the outside.

The floor was made from polished grey stone, smooth enough to reflect the faint glow of the mana lamps hanging along the walls. Several wide pillars rose toward the high ceiling, each one carved with the same sigil of a sword piercing a skull.

There were people everywhere.

Warriors in leather armour, mages in robes, clerks carrying stacks of documents, and also young men and women who looked like trainees, well, because they all wore a uniform-like attire.

Of course, there were a few older warriors who carried themselves with the calm confidence of people who had survived more than a few battles. The atmosphere was busy, but not chaotic, and everything moved in an orderly fashion.

People greeted Marilyn and Maya as they passed, some respectfully, others with faint curiosity when their gazes drifted toward the newcomers behind them.

Elion could feel several eyes linger on him, probably because of Yaana, who was still holding onto his arm, and Uta looked increasingly miserable because of it.

Zenovia glanced at the headquarters with a calm expression, though her eyes were clearly observing everything, while Aeron looked around with open curiosity, his kind smile never quite leaving his face.

He didn’t know why the guy was still sticking around. After all, all he had asked for was a ride to the city. Now that he had gotten what he wanted, there was no need for him to stay, but maybe he felt he should at least stay a little longer and pay his respects before departing.

Anyway, Marilyn led them toward a wide staircase at the far end of the hall.

They climbed several floors before reaching a quieter section of the building. The hallways here were cleaner and less crowded, with thick carpets running across the floor and carved wooden doors lining both sides.

Servants appeared shortly after, moving with practised efficiency as they received instructions from Marilyn.

Uta and Yaana were taken elsewhere, led by Manfred, though Yaana looked slightly disappointed when she finally released Elion’s arm, "See you later, Big Brother Elion," she said with a bright smile.

Elion waved casually, "Try not to bully your brother too much."

Yaana giggled while Uta grumbled in annoyance. Once the siblings were led away, Marilyn turned toward Elion, Aeron, and Zenovia.

"You may wash up and rest if you wish. The meeting can wait, I have already sent word to the young Miss’s father, and he will be here shortly, if you would like to wait until he comes so that we set everything into motion all at once, I can have rooms assigned for you, and Young Lord Aeron, I assume you would like to get acquainted with Lord Smith before you go on your way."

Aeron nodded, "If that is not too much to ask, I will take you up on that offer."

Elion considered it.

He did want to get this over with as soon as possible and be on his way, but rushing blindly would not help. If he could learn more about Silvergrove, the Triad Alliance, and the hidden Legacy World first, then the delay might be worth it.

"I would like to see that contract now if possible, and also I want to make a few demands of my own, then we can make corrections on the finer details once your boss is here before drafting the final proposal, that way we can save a bit of time. There is somewhere I have to be," Elion said.

"As you wish, that is no problem," Marilyn replied.

Aeron stretched his arms lightly, "I may as well listen too. I cannot join, but I am curious."

Zenovia was silent for a moment before nodding, "Then I will listen as well if you are fine with that."

Marilyn smiled, "Our contracts are usually confidential, but I don’t think we have anything to hide, more so since I had extended a similar offer to both of you. So, if you would, please follow me."

She led them farther down the corridor, stopping before a large wooden door near the end. A singular young guard stood outside, and she immediately opened it when Marilyn approached.