The Herb King

No one noticed them since they landed in an obscure corner of the city. They managed to bypass the guards on top of the walls and descended safely to the ground.

"We're here. Follow me. We need to board a carriage to reach Dominion District. My mansion is located there and it is large enough for us. If it becomes too crowded in the mansion, I'll ask a friend to reconstruct it." He muttered as he released his parents' hands.

Anton and Melissa nodded their heads as they trailed behind him. They were curiously looking around as they walked.

After finding a carriage driver, Aethelwolf told the coachman that their destination was Dominion District.

"It's quite far so it will be expensive." The old coachman said with a smile.

Aethelwolf looked at the coachman with calm eyes and nodded his head. "The price isn't a problem." He noticed that the coachman wasn't an ordinary civilian. He looked like someone in his forties, but his thick graying beard and mustache made him look so much older.

The coachman grinned when he heard Aethelwolf's words. "Alright. Hop in. I believe you guys don't want other people to board the carriage so I won't accept more customers." He was an astute individual and he noticed that Aethelwolf and Anton seemed to be experts. He was a former commander who had a high status in the army so he has a special way of determining other people's strength even though his Hegel is in a sealed state.

This coachman's name is Albert Nicholas, a retired commander of the Black Lion Army. He was a mid stage Level 3 Esper who had the potential to become a Level 4 Esper. However, a mishap happened during one of his missions, rendering him incapacitated for several months and even his Hegel was forced into a sealed state. After that incident, he could no longer summon his world essence and he returned to being a normal human. Due to this, he was discharged from the Black Lion Army and was forced to work as a coachman. Because he was a commoner, no one helped him the moment he became a normal person. Even those people who were once close to him drifted away and treated him like strangers. The so-called friends that he treated like brothers ignored him and they didn't even offer the smallest help.

Inside the carriage, Anton leaned closer to Aethelwolf's ear and whispered. "That guy doesn't seem to be simple. Although he is a normal human, he has the aura of a warrior. I think he is a retired soldier. Perhaps he had gravely injured his Hegel."

Aethelwolf nodded his head in agreement. His father also noticed the peculiarities of the coachman.

Perhaps having sensed their thoughts, the coachman's calm voice suddenly echoed. "You guys are high level Espers so I believe you've noticed that I'm different from normal civilians." He paused and chuckled. "Don't be nervous. I'm no longer a soldier and I'm not affiliated with any group or noble household. I'm just a simple coachman now..." He sounded calm, but Aethelwolf caught a trace of sorrow in his tone. This was a person with a story.

"Brother, how come you are still working as a coachman? I thought retired soldiers would be given an ample amount of monetary compensation. Have you not gotten yours?" Anton stared at the coachman's back. The front and the back portion of the carriage had no cover so they could see the coachman.

The coachman was silent as if he was ruminating whether to tell them his story.

They then heard the coachman's sigh. It was filled with complicated emotions.

"When I was still a soldier, I made enemies a lot of enemies. Perhaps this is retribution..." He laughed without looking back at them.

"Your Hegel is in a sealed state, but it can still be healed." Aethelwolf suddenly said.

His words made the coachman jolt in surprise. He had visited numerous Doctors and even Alchemists to look for a solution to his injury, but no one was able to help him. Everyone said that he no longer has any hope to recover.

Aethelwolf added calmly. "You must have received a blunt trauma in your head during one of your missions. This put a burden on your Hegel and later forced it into protective mode. Your Hegel was sealed, it is an involuntary response to protect itself. I bet the Doctors you visited told you that you can no longer recover."

This time, the coachman's shoulder quivered and he slowly turned his gaze to the young man. He looked to be in his late twenties, with a pair of obsidian eyes that shone like jewels. "W-Who are you?"

Aethelwolf smiled at the stuttering coachman. "Aethelwolf, an Alchemist." He replied.

When the coachman heard that he was an Alchemist, hope seemed to have returned to his soulless eyes. This guy was able to accurately tell what had happened to him. "Sir Aethelwolf, my name is Albert Nicholas, a retired army commander of the Black Lion Army." He hurriedly introduced himself.

Aethelwolf nodded his head. He then pointed at his parents and said. "This one here is Anton and Melissa. The kid is their son, Leric."

Anton cupped his fists at the coachman. He was surprised when he learned that this pitiful guy was actually an army commander of the Black Lion Army.

Melissa merely smiled and nodded her head as she stroked the head of the sleeping little boy in her arms.

"Nice to meet you guys." Albert politely nodded his head. He then turned his gaze to Aethelwolf and asked with a hopeful look. "Sir Aethelwolf, d-do you h-have a way to help me recover?"

Aethelwolf stared at Albert deeply. He already have two thousand guards, but there was no one who can lead them other than him. Perhaps his father can help him manage those guards, but he still had to process his transfer to another unit. After all, they would be settling in Lion City now so he has to enlist in a new unit.

"I can help you, but my help isn't for free. I can even guarantee that you will come out stronger the moment your recover. However, what can you give in return for my help?" Aethelwolf's eyes suddenly turned sharp as he gaze at Albert.

Anton and Melissa chose to remain silent. They knew that Aethelwolf was a top expert so they didn't doubt his words in the slightest. They just silently stared at Albert as they waited for his decision.

Albert urged the Equuses to halt. He then kneeled in front of Aethelwolf with a resolute look on his face. "If you can help me, I'll be willing to serve you." For some strange reason, Aethelwolf was giving off a mysterious feeling that made him want to trust the man unconditionally. It was hard to describe, but he knew that this was his only hope to rise up once again.