Novel Full Chapter 256 Arriving in town, Adam learns the problem of lack of money
Chapter 256 Arriving in town, Adam learns the problem of lack of money
Thank you, swcowboy, for the massage chair.
Additional chapter.
1/2
===
When Adam and Elrion arrived at the location, it was already deep into the night. The sounds of crickets echoed from all sides, and a gentle breeze caressed Adam’s face.
“This is…” Adam began.
He looked at the walls in front of him. They were so high that seeing their end seemed impossible. In the embrace of the night, they looked even more imposing, enough to make potential enemies shudder in fear.
“Impregnable fortress,” Adam would have named the city of Clinton, but Elrion hastened to surprise him even more.
“Such walls are considered basic and almost the same size in most cities. And in the capital, the walls even reach the clouds,” said Elrion, smirking at the genuine shock on Adam’s face. “Exactly, I was also surprised when I first arrived in Clinton. As a villager, it was incredibly interesting and fascinating to see the differences.”
Adam nodded in astonishment, finally lowering his head – due to the length of the wall, he had to raise his head high, causing his neck to ache. That’s how big the wall was.
However, the gates were no less impressive – made of some black metal emitting strong magical energy. Adam felt that there were barriers and runes, but he couldn’t understand their type.
The gates were tightly closed, understandable because it was night. However, they had a special token with the emblem of the Clinton Knight – a two-headed eagle holding a knight’s sword in its grip, with roses behind it.
As the carriage approached the gates at a distance of twenty meters, ten knights emerged from the darkness – each of them exuding a strong aura. The air around them was extremely compressed, and touching it without protection could result in a cut.
“We welcome you, esteemed Elrion and participant of the competition,” suddenly a deep male voice echoed, and then a man over two meters tall stepped forward. He was dressed in black knight armor, emitting no energy, but…
“He’s strong,” thought Adam, feeling his sixth sense urging him to run, flashing warning signs. Only magivolves who reached the peak of the Mortality Realm could control their magic to not leak out. This control was at the highest level, and fighting such magivolves was extremely dangerous.
“I need to be more cautious. If I’m arrogant and too bold, I’ll be killed before I understand anything,” thought Adam, regaining control over his facial expression – he didn’t want to show weakness.
“Hmm?” Of course, the change in Adam’s mood did not escape the gaze of the knight in black armor. He sensed Adam’s emotions – from fear, then to caution, and after that, apathy. At the moment, he couldn’t read the emotions of the handsome guy before him.
“He’s just a magivolve at the Mortality Realm: Strengthening the Body, but he has such self-control. Not bad,” the knight thought internally, then said aloud, “Allow me to accompany you. Oh, I must ask you to leave the carriage outside the city; any vehicles are prohibited for ordinary citizens. Exceptions are only for important guests and aristocrats.”
“We understand,” nodded Elrion and then asked to wait for a moment.
He approached the coachman and ordered him to wait somewhere, handing over his token. This way, no one could intimidate him.
After Elrion finished his business, they, along with Adam and a group now consisting of three knights (the others disappeared as unnoticed as they appeared), entered the city.
“How beautiful,” thought Adam, looking around.
Everywhere there was bright light – lanterns twinkled, illuminating the city. Compared to the dull nightlife of Bean Village, life here was boiling.
Even with all his desire, Adam couldn’t count how many people were there. It seemed like he had entered a metropolis.
“The City of Clinton, besides being the capital of Lady Clinton’s lands, is also considered one of the well-developed trading cities. Influential merchants and investors come here every month,” began the knight who introduced himself as “Arnold.” Continuing his speech, he said, “It got to the point where we had to ask permission from the Northern Duke to expand the city.”
“I can understand them… the capital is too competitive, so selling goods there is unprofitable, and some trading cities demand high taxes from each sale,” Adam began speaking, surveying the market stalls. “Moreover, as I understand, Lady Clinton employs a strategy where she invests all efforts in reputation rather than profit.”
“Oh? Young man, you have a very sharp mind. You’re right, Lady Clinton spends a lot of money and operates at a loss, but it all ends up with traders wanting to do more business with the City of Clinton than with other trading cities,” said Arnold, then laughed. “But every year, the expenses decrease, so the city is developing rapidly.”
“Amazing…”
Adam could imagine how much money had to be invested to gain such a reputation. For him, the amount he had to spend in exchange for this would be unimaginable.
“I wouldn’t do that… because it’s not profitable,” thought Adam.
In Avalonia, business was well-developed, but the level did not reach the standards of the Moonlight Shadow Empire. After half an hour of walking – the city was so vast, they finally reached the estate.
“During your stay, this house will belong to you. The servants are already inside and ready to follow your orders, as long as it doesn’t cross certain boundaries,” said the knight, then shifted his gaze to Adam, narrowing his eyes.
Adam felt a strong pressure on him as if a gorilla was squeezing his body, but he maintained a static facial expression.
“This especially applies to you. Servants are ready to fulfill only orders necessary for your comfort, but sexual services are not included. I ask you to respect them, as each of them is an important staff member graciously provided to you by Lady Clinton from her estate.”
“…I had no intention of doing that,” replied Adam, raising an eyebrow.
“I truly hope so.”
Arnold left the two men and disappeared as his subordinates did. Adam frowned and shook his head.
“Why did he only warn me? Elrion is a man too…” he thought, feeling slighted.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” asked Elrion, raising an eyebrow. He put his hand on the doorknob and was about to enter when he felt a piercing gaze on his back.
“Listen, are you, by any chance, a eunuch?”
“…”
***
Entering the mansion, they were greeted by over twenty butlers and maids, who bowed to them, standing on either side of the entrance.
“Welcome, gentlemen.”
…”
Adam felt a sting in his heart, and a sense of nostalgia made him tremble. Images of the present and the past overlapped, making him reminisce about his servants in the city of Sedyon.
However, he was quickly distracted by the sound of Elrion’s footsteps, who friendly greeted them in return.
“Hello. We hope for your care, friends,” said Elrion with a smile.
“As you wish…”
While Elrion was talking to the head butler and the head maid, Adam was busy inspecting the estate.
There were only two floors. The first floor was spacious, and in the center of the room was a large staircase leading to the second floor.
There were so many rooms that after thirty, Adam got tired of counting. The entire mansion was equipped with first-class furniture and magical protection. The luxury and wealth floating in the air were something Adam liked.
And for that, he decided to inquire – how much does such an estate cost? The answer stunned him.
“Well, I guess more than 100,000,000 Rihm, I suppose? This place is located in an expensive district, so add another 50,000,000 Rihm to the price and calculate the final cost,” Elrion casually replied, sitting on a couch on the first floor.
“…”
Adam decided to put aside the idea of buying such a house. He needed to work tirelessly to be able to live in such a luxurious estate. This was considering the need to pay the serving staff as well.
Headache. Each time, the man was convinced that in the secular world, money held paramount importance.
Hot drinks were prepared quite quickly – Elrion, as always, asked for tea, and Adam, upon learning that there was coffee, requested a cup of black coffee.
Various kinds of sweets accompanied all this – pastries, chocolates, and candies. It seemed that Knight Clinton did not spare any expenses on their accommodation.
“Mm, delicious tea. Although, I still prefer the tea from my butler Henry,” Elrion said with a smile, praising the tea. However, then he caught a whiff of coffee, and his face contorted, “Darn it, Adam, how can you drink this nastiness? Okay, if you add sugar, but drinking it without sugar – it’s horribly bitter.”
“Huh? Well, you see, bitter coffee helps me wake up faster, and besides, this taste makes me feel alive,” Adam gave a vague reply, not wanting to delve deep into the topic. “I just like this taste.”
“I don’t know if it’s masochism or something else…”
Drinking his coffee, Adam looked at the panel window, located five meters above the floor – it was already deep into the night, and the clock showed four in the morning.
After finishing their drinks, they were escorted to rooms on the left side of the second floor.
Entering his room, Adam was stunned by the luxury. Everything here sparkled and smelled of opulence. Not to mention that all the furniture and decor were in the Victorian era style, adding a special atmosphere. The light was already on.
Lazily changing, Adam jumped on the bed and again was pleased with the quality. The mattress was not too soft and not too hard – just good enough for a sound sleep.
The pillow also fully met his wishes, and he quickly fell asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow.
Mysteriously, when Adam fell asleep, the light in the room turned off, plunging his bedroom into darkness.
In the left corner of the room, not far from Adam’s bed, two shining brown eyes opened. They glanced at Adam for a fraction of a second and then disappeared.
Unfortunately, Adam was fast asleep and did not notice it.
The next morning, when Adam woke up, he felt more alive than ever.
“How well I rested!”
To be continued…
Updatd frm frewebnov(e)l.com