Royal Market

Archie's mention of the market wasn't about the ordinary day-to-day market where one could buy groceries, meat, and various daily necessities—the kind of market anyone could stroll into.

In Yeluvia, such places did exist, but what he referred to was a place accessible only to nobles and wealthy merchants.

Its purpose was not significantly different from a regular market, but the items sold were entirely different.

In that exclusive market, various magic items, magic weapons, magic books, swordsmanship books, and even slaves were on sale.

During their leisure time, many nobles and wealthy merchants enjoyed browsing this market, looking for valuable purchases. Some idle noble children also liked to pass their time at this place. Especially females, who naturally enjoyed shopping, were particularly fond of such places.

Hence, the two noble girls found Archie's suggestion satisfactory, while the other noble boys raised no objections.

Of course, Riezel knew that this was also a result of everyone present giving face to the red-haired girl.

As mentioned earlier, in this small group, everyone else was from minor noble families, such as viscounts and barons. Only two people were from the count families, which were the major nobles.

Archie Rhein was one of them, and the other was precisely the red-haired girl, Carrera Elliott.

Like the Rhein family, the Elliott family was also a count family. Carrera was the eldest daughter of this family, nineteen years old, the same age as Archie, making her one of the older members of this small group.

Though Archie held a leading position in the group that was almost unshakable, he couldn't ignore Carrera's opinion. When she was present, he often entertained her, going to places she liked.

Honestly, Riezel was a bit puzzled about why a rich young lady would join this group and spend her days seeking thrills like a delinquent.

Especially Carrera—according to the original Riezel's memories, she seemed to have joined this small group voluntarily, unlike the others who were either brought in by Archie or intentionally joined for connections with the Rhein family.

There was also a somewhat immature and curious-looking girl who joined the group with Carrera. Her name was Sylvanie Roxy, fifteen years old, undoubtedly the youngest within the group. She followed Carrera like her shadow, believing that without Carrera, she wouldn't have joined this group on her own.

Carrera's motives were known to none except Archie, who had some understanding. The original Riezel was equally clueless, never even contemplating the issue at all. However, the original Riezel was initially willing to join this small group not only due to Archie's influence but also Carrera's influence.

If one were to ask why?

"Does this world's Riezel actually like Carrera?"

In a luxurious carriage, as Riezel muttered and recalled various aspects of the group's dynamics, he suddenly discovered something somewhat shocking.

"What?" Ian overheard his inadvertently mutter words, unable to hear clearly, and thus showed a bit of curiosity.

Ain, on the side, also cast a glance in his direction.

"It's nothing, don't mind it."

Riezel remembered that Ain and Ian were both in the carriage, protecting him nearby. As a result, he shook his head and brushed it off.

Though Ian furrowed her brows, slightly dissatisfied with his dismissive attitude, she didn't mind adding a few more words since she had already spoken.

"Forgive my frankness, Mr. Riezel..." Ian stared seriously at him. "But this second son of the Rhein family seems a bit untrustworthy. I don't recommend getting too close to him."

"Oh? On what basis?" Riezel's attention shifted as Ian spoke, immediately turning to her.

"In his eyes, there's harbored ambition."

It was Ain who answered him, not Ian, but this answer made him smirk.

"Ambition, huh? That's one way to put it..." Riezel muttered to himself. 

If it weren't for ambition, why would a son of a count family pull in a countryside boy like Riezel into his group full of noble children?

The group comprised nine individuals, eight of whom were nobles, leaving Riezel as the sole commoner—signifying something suspicious.

It meant that before Riezel joined, Archie and the rest weren't willing to accept any commoners into their group.

If that was the case, why was Riezel an exception?

Because he had value to exploit.

Someone with the potential to become a Tactical-Class Magician and even a Strategic-Class Magician was someone anyone would want to recruit.

Yet, as Riezel recalled, he discovered an interesting fact.

Apart from Archie, no one in the entire Spriller Academy had shown closeness or goodwill toward the original Riezel. This was not normal, and he refused to believe that no one had ulterior motives if they knew his potential.

'Those people... most likely stopped by Archie, right?'

Archie seemed intent on keeping the potential of Riezel under wraps.

With a group of children from other noble families gathering around Archie, it seemed to Riezel that Archie was tirelessly recruiting these noble children to build his own circle of influence.

Why was Senna subtly at odds with Riezel? Simply because he thought Archie valued Riezel more than him, recognizing Riezel's future potential, and felt jealous as a result?

Carrera joining this group with Sylvanie was probably a result of Archie's careful manipulation too. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so friendly toward her, clearly intending to build a good relationship.

Everything was carefully planned.

'Does that guy really think I'd believe his nonsense, thinking he's been worried about me?' Riezel chuckled inwardly.

If Archie was truly concerned about him, why was there complete silence from Archie when he was recuperating? Yuri had sent someone to Spriller Academy to request leave on his behalf so Archie should've known his condition.

If Archie were genuinely worried, Yuri's representative would have brought back some information, such as Archie searching for him or something similar.

Unfortunately, there was nothing.

Furthermore, since his 'Gate' was damaged and he could no longer continue as a magician, Yuri discreetly leaked this information long before he recovered from his injuries, hoping to evade further assassination attempts.

With all these reasons, Archie should have known about his poor condition long ago but chose to remain silent—or perhaps he didn't even care in the first place.

Riezel found this intriguing.

He understood that Archie indeed knew about his condition and precisely because of that, Archie decided to abandon and ignore him, as he had become a waste with no further use. Yet, why did Archie knock now, not earlier or later, but precisely after news spread about him turning to swordsmanship and being taken in by the Frenzel family?

Senna's remarks earlier were also full of bitterness, clearly envious of his growing relationship with the Frenzel family.

Was there really no special reason behind their behavior?

Ain and Ian, these two competent attendants, also noticed some clues behind Archie's group behavior and decided to warn him. After all, if he handled this poorly, it might affect Yuri, who was their master.

Finished pondering, Riezel turned to Ain and Ian.

"Do you two know anything about him?" 

The two female knights exchanged glances, and after a moment, Ian spoke up.

"Rumors are telling that Count Rhein is preparing to appoint his heir soon." 

"I see..."

After hearing that information, Riezel understood something, and soon, his expression returned to calm.

'Let me see then... What you actually want to do, Archie.'

===

Yeluvia, Royal Market.

This exclusive upscale market, open only to nobles and wealthy merchants, was situated in the city center near the palace.

Carriages escorted by bodyguards made their way to this place, stopping at the entrance of the market. Extraordinarily dressed individuals disembarked from the carriages and only then did the carriages proceed to the adjacent open space for parking.

Riezel and the others, following Archie's lead, entered the Royal Market.

At the market's entrance, stationed personnel scrutinize the identities of those entering, allowing only nobles and wealthy merchants through. Ordinary residents, and even their bodyguards, were halted and denied entry.

With Archie and others present, Riezel was naturally allowed to enter, but Ain and Ian were stopped. However, when they showed a token engraved with a snowflake pattern to the personnel at the gate, they were immediately allowed through.

This scene caught the attention of many, causing Archie and the others to look at each other in blank dismay, their eyes flickering, wondering what was going on in their minds.

After a while, the group entered the Royal Market and stopped at the plaza near the entrance.

"Do any of you have something specific you want to buy?" Archie asked, holding a parchment listing various items provided upon entry.

Some items on the list were marked, indicating their rarity or recent arrival, capturing the interest of many.

"I want to check out the slave district." Senna raised his hand, having just been eyeing a batch of newly arrived and exceptionally beautiful female slaves.

""We want to go too!""

The four tall, short, fat, and skinny youths also exclaimed simultaneously, all sharing Senna's interest.

Observing the directions many male nobles and wealthy male merchants were heading, it became apparent that they too were heading toward the slave district.

Only Carrera and Sylvanie furrowed their brows slightly upon hearing the slave district.

"I want to buy a magic item." Carrera declared.

"I want to check out the new jewelry." Sylvanie added, expressing a different preference.

"Okay, what about you, Riezel?" Archie, seemingly anticipating this situation, turned to Riezel for his input.

"I'm open to anything." Riezel replied nonchalantly. "Although, if possible, I'd like to see what swordsmanship they have here."

Upon hearing his words, everyone reacted with intrigue.

"You're not seriously considering switching to swordsmanship, are you?" Senna asked while observing Riezel with a subtle sense of amusement.