Alliance Capital

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

After staying in Messiah for a day, Ladia and her family packed their belongings and prepared to head to the Alliance in Angle Bay.

The shop had already been transferred to someone else before she returned home, as the journey was long and they were taking a boat north, so large furniture was also transferred.

The family only brought lightweight items such as coins, jewelry, and clothes, and hired a carriage to leave Messiah.

In anticipation of going to an unfamiliar environment, Lisa seemed very excited, constantly asking Ladia about the customs and people of the Northwest Bay.

"Um... You'll see when we get there."

Ladia felt somewhat guilty, unsure if this child could adapt to the environment there.

Just as they left the city gate, they saw members of the Lichman Adventurer Group waving by the roadside.

They had bid farewell yesterday, so did these old friends still want to see her?

The energetic female team leader jumped onto the carriage.

"Hey! Ladia, we just got a mission to go to the Alliance!"

"So, let's travel together!"

"Um... Sure!"

The consultant responded happily. It was good to have these friends accompanying her on the journey, and they could spend more time together.

The carriage continued on, and everyone chatted along the way.

"What mission did you take this time?"

"This time it's a big one! Definitely a big payday!"

"Oh?"

"Something big happened in the Eaton Duchy!"

"Eaton Duchy? The one next to the Angle Bay Alliance? What happened?"

"The Grand Duke's younger sister—the Duchess's own sister—disappeared in the Angle Bay Alliance."

"What?"

Ladia's face showed a very shocked expression, surprising Meru with her reaction.

Seemingly noticing her overly sensitive response, the scholar quickly regained her composure and asked lightly, "So, the Eaton Duchy issued a mission at the Adventurer's Guild?"

"Hmph! Initially, the Grand Duke and the Alliance naturally couldn't swallow this indignity, but their law enforcement officers seem to be a bunch of useless drunks who can't even find a little girl. Days passed without any information, so they had to issue a mission at the Adventurer's Guild in major cities."

Ladia's face showed deep concern. "The Duchess must be frantic; her sister is probably her only close relative."

"Huh? Ladia, do you know the Duchess so well? Are you acquainted with her?"

"Huh? No, no. But the Duchess has always been popular in the Eaton Duchy, her virtuous reputation widely spread. I've learned a lot about her from others."

"It seems you're quite worried about her."

"For a ruler who cares about the hardships of the people like her, encountering such a thing, I naturally sympathize deeply."

...

The Southern Star had sailed for another two days and finally arrived at the capital of the Angle Bay Alliance, also its largest port—Niceport.

As they entered the harbor, someone approached them as soon as they stepped onto the dock.

The person spoke fluent Aldorian: "Are you the esteemed guests from Alden?"

Quik asked in confusion, "Who are you?"

"I am the steward of the Foster family, instructed to wait for you at the dock."

After receiving news from the recent merchant caravan about Grayman's upcoming southern voyage, the Foster family had been sending people to watch the dock every day.

According to the description from their second young master Quill, it was easy to recognize the ship from Alden—a ship without oars, with tall and thick masts, supporting a huge sail. That must be it.

The steward explained the situation, and Quik gratefully shook his hand, saying, "The Foster family is indeed hospitable! Thank you!"

"Oh, not at all. We always have enough enthusiasm for our partners."

The steward, representing the second young master of the Foster family, extended an invitation to Quik to stay temporarily at their mansion.

"Thank you, but there are others on the ship..."

"I've brought a few people; let them serve as guides for the other guests to tour the city. We'll cover all expenses during the period."

"How can we accept such kindness?"

"It's only proper, guests."

"Please wait a moment."

Quik quickly returned to the ship and gathered all the officers for a brief meeting. Eventually, he decided to lead two sailors to the Foster family's mansion, while the rest were to be divided and guided ashore under the arrangements of the first mate.

He emphasized that each group going ashore must be accompanied by an officer and reiterated the confidentiality rules—no matter what questions they were asked, they couldn't reveal a single word about the ship.

Just as Quik was about to leave with the steward from the Foster family, several merchant representatives approached, tearfully asking Quik to take them along.

After considering for a moment, Quik agreed. With the steward's permission, they all boarded the two carriages sent by the Foster family.

After nearly an hour of speeding along, the carriages finally stopped at the grand entrance of a magnificent mansion.

The grandeur and splendor of this estate once again stunned the country bumpkins from the Northwest Bay.

"I heard the head of the Foster family is a member of the Council of the Angle Bay Alliance. No wonder where he lives is extraordinary."

"Yes, this area could fit five or six lord's mansions!"

"Look at the decorations, look at the marble—it's much better than a castle built of stone."

The people whispered to each other softly. Though they tried to keep their voices down, snippets of their conversation still reached the steward's ears.

The steward stood tall, his face proud.

Yet, with a gentle and respectful tone, he introduced, "Esteemed guests, we have arrived. This is the Foster family's mansion."

He led the way, first stepping down from the carriage and gesturing with a slight bow, inviting them to follow.

The guests shifted uncomfortably, honestly, they had never experienced such treatment before. Whether Quik or the merchant representatives, they were all commoners, never before had anyone performed such an elegant gesture towards them.

They wondered to themselves, "Could this be the legendary noble etiquette?"

Then they wondered again, "But I've never seen Count Grayman being so particular."

"Alright, guys, let's get off the carriage."

Quik caught on and reminded the others to get off the carriage. The steward still maintained his inviting posture, unmoving. But upon hearing Quik's rough words, he almost couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh! Yes, yes, yes."

The people straightened their posture first and then stood up, their faces showing stiff smiles, moving slowly down from the carriage with deliberate movements.

The steward closed the carriage doors for them, and with a crack of the whip, the two carriages left the gate.

"Please follow me inside."

The people followed nervously behind the steward, sweating profusely.

Today, they were already dressed in what they considered to be the most appropriate clothes, but compared to the servants of the Foster family in front of them, they felt like bumpkins, afraid they were lowering their own status.

(End of the Chapter)