Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

From the readings Simon got from his senses, the population of the capital they were about to enter, outmatched all the other cities that he had been to.

At this moment, Adalinda, Alvara and Chuck also entered the gallery after sensing the air engine change direction suddenly.

The little grandaunt excitedly waltzed towards him and pulled him into a corner. 

"What's wrong?" Simon asked.

"Hehe, that stupid disciple, I found the aura left behind by Lucine when she tore the space around here" Adalinda excitedly reported, her eyes were like that of a predator that had found its prey.

"Can you find her?" Simon asked, he too wanted to find her disciple as soon as possible and repay the favour he owed her.

Meanwhile, Chuck approached Cynthia and gave her a courteous bow "Your Highness, I would like to excuse myself after we reach the capital. My fiance is waiting for me there and I also have to report back to my guild".

Cynthia nodded and turned towards Alvara who handed her a badge from her space ring.

"Take this token with you. You can use this to exchange for your reward from our merchant guild and also be able to enter our auction without any invitation. Also, I'm very grateful for your assistance up until now, adventurer Chuck Remington".

The adventurer unconditionally accepted the token, kept it in his space ring and turned to leave.

"What about Sir Simon and Miss Adalinda? Will you also be leaving after we reach the airfield?" the princess inquired.

Hearing her question, the two looked clueless and unsure. To which, she offered her assistance "In that case, how about you two leave with me? the capital is very bustling with hordes of people and activities everywhere, it is very easy to get lost. I can drop you to the commercial district where it would be easy for you to find a good inn and rest"

As she said that, her gaze diverted towards the marvelling site that appeared in front of them. A gigantic city that lived up to its name as the heart of the kingdom, the capital city of Ellesmere lay beyond the mountain range. Even from their elevation, they couldn't see the full extent of the city which was full of vibrance.

Tall spires, buildings of various shapes that showcased architectural advancement, dotted every corner of the city giving it a unique look. Added with the abundance of hills, the capital's grandeur was something to marvel at.

The city was not only full of activity, but the amalgamation of different cultures mixing together, gave it the look it has now.

A powerful barrier that even gave Simon a sense of dread, engulfed the city like an inverted bowl. According to Cynthia and Duke Montford, the barrier was laid by a powerful mage to protect the city from any unknown threat.

At the centre of this city, lay the grand castle that outshined all the other manors around it. Its splendour was one of a kind and could be seen as one of the points that added to the attractiveness of the city.

Thousands of soldiers patrolled the city donned in their shining armours carrying the symbol of the royal family. The townspeople depended on these very soldiers to resolve any dispute and keep their city safe and sound.

The glory and grandeur of the city far outmatched any of the city that Simon had seen up until now after his reincarnation.

"Welcome to the capital city Ellesmere" the pilot said reducing their altitude. The air engine turned around and followed the path the various other air engines were following and silently drifted towards the mountain range.

A large field that seemed to be made out after cutting the mountain in half, was where the airships were landing. Various kinds of air engines in multiple shapes, were parked in this field.

Naturally, those who could own an air engine were not ordinary people and were nobles and influential people just like the duke. They were accompanied by their line-up of guards, as they boldly walked forward boldly and dignifiedly.

Simon's eyes roamed and landed on those guards, each of their levels was no less than 300 and some were even above level 400.

After their airship landed with a heavy thud, the staff members of the air engine opened the exit for the passengers.

Landing off the air engine, Simon saw the others following a path and entering the air station that was built to receive the guests coming from the airships.

"Your Highness, I will be troubling you to send a letter to the minister. I will be going to my villa first before meeting up with his majesty" Duke Montford said passing a nearby soldier a badge that holds his mark.

After the soldier inspected the mark, he hurriedly ran outside the station to ready a carriage for him. Because the identity of each guest arriving from the air engine is very powerful, the station provides multiple guards along with the carriages to carry these personages.

Duke Montford nonetheless, rejected the offer of the soldiers and boarded the carriage that was prepared by the soldier along with Lucas and his guards. Since he brought guards from his dukedom, he did not see a need to trouble these soldiers who were diligently doing their work.

Princess Cynthia enjoyed the same privilege as the duke when the soldiers spotted her. Her beautiful face and reputation that was renowned across the capital was something that these of the city, were not unaware of. They swiftly prepared a carriage and assigned soldiers to guard her.

Cynthia too rejected their offer initially, only to be insisted on fervently by these soldiers. Since Simon and Adalinda counted as Cynthia's guards, they obviously boarded the carriage with her. Adventurer Chuck found himself a different carriage and went off his own way.

With everybody in, the two carriages carrying the Princess and the Duke, departed for the capital which was only a few kilometres away and located at the base of this mountain range. One could see the city more clearly from the windows of the carriage and its vibrant life.

"Do you all have a destination in mind? If not then Alvara here can recommend you some good inns. Since the capital is flooded by people coming from all of the regions, due to the tournament, most of the inns will be already pre-booked. It would be very hard to find an empty inn and a good one at that" Cynthia said looking at Simon and Adalinda.

Simon deliberated over it before accepting her offer, the capital was brimming with people as she had said. Therefore finding a good inn might be very difficult than one would assume. Adalinda too did not have a reason to refuse since she was yet to find her disciple who was hiding quietly in this city.

Before long, the carriages appeared in front of a tall rampart surrounded by many soldiers who were checking the identity of the passengers.

"One must pay a toll fee to enter the city and register their name; however, since you all are travelling with me, there would be no need to do so this time. If any soldier asks you to show your identity, simply show them the badge of my Serene Palace Merchant guild, it would be enough proof for your identity" Cynthia said.

Meanwhile, the guard commander passed a badge engraving the emblem of the royal family to the soldier who hurriedly saluted and made way for them.

The moment, the carriage entered through the gate, Simon felt a vast energy that was from the barrier protecting the city, wash over his body. The power contained within the barrier was so strong that he felt like even the strongest magic in his arsenal, would only be able to create a small ripple in it.

The carriage passed through the gate and entered the city, a tidal wave-like liveliness enshrouded the city at this moment and one could see that every inhabitant in this place, was in a festive mood.

The roads connecting the city were very wide and allowed more than four carriages to pass through simultaneously at once. People in different garbs, walked on the pavement of the road, each going through their own routine for the day.

Troops of soldiers patrolled the area after every few minutes and the security of this place was top notch.

The carriage containing the duke, after bidding the princess goodbye, headed for a different intersection in road. Whereas their carriage headed for the commercial district of the city. Which was also where most of the businesses and inns were located in.

After travelling for a while in the extremely busy streets, the carriage stopped in front of a hotel that was no less than the one they had stayed in when they arrived in Castledor city.

It seemed that the hotel was run by the Serene Palace Merchant Guild which made it easier for Simon and Adalinda who were accompanying the mistress of the guild, to get good rooms.

Simon had honestly underestimated the merchant guild, he didn't think that they would have their branch in every corner of the kingdom and different chains of business. After dropping them off, the carriage left for the royal palace.

"Esteemed customer, your room has been prepared on the third floor and these are your keys. Your food would be provided to your rooms or you can dine in the hall… if you need anything please don't hesitate to tell us. I hope you enjoy your stay" the manager of the hotel brought out two keys from the drawer and spoke to them cordially.

Simon took the keys and passed one to Adalinda, he was just about to climb the stairs at the corner of the hall, when he noticed that the little girl was locking her brows in a frown.

"What's wrong? Did you sense the aura of your disciple nearby?" he asked.