Chapter 155: It was a rare moment of tranquility
The days passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, eight full days had gone by.
During that time, nothing out of the ordinary happened. There were only a few minor inconveniences that were effectively dealt with by the local authorities, maintaining order and calm in the city.
However, the only thing that caught the eye was the irregular flow of people arriving and departing.
Every day, without fail, caravans arrived from the kingdoms of Lion and the Holy Empire. Their cargoes were not the usual ones of ordinary trade, but mainly military products: weapons, armor, and durable provisions.
Everything gave the impression that both kingdoms were making preparations, either for a great war or for a looming conflict.
During these days, Kael spent his time improving his strength, using the Magic of Stellar Acceleration, expending much of his life, but it was not something he cared much about, so now he is one step away from reaching Rank 7, Superior level.
In addition, Michel Abraham had left Mount Vigerth a day ago when his family came for him.
Watching the constant flow of people from the bedroom window, Kael calmly bit into the black apple, letting the wind blow against his face and move his black hair like a flag.
Michel has left the mountain and Audrey hasn’t moved much yet... Kael thought, taking another bite of the black apple. His eyes narrowed slightly, without losing his composure.
"Hmm... the flow of people from the royal mountain is much more constant. Could they be here for Audrey?" The idea made him pause for a moment. That detail caught his attention, as it could well be one of the triggers for the event that was about to unfold on this mountain.
Kael leaned back in his seat and took another bite of the black apple. He showed no intention of moving yet. Since leaving the mountain, Kiran had not had a real rest, and he knew it.
The plans in his mind were many, complex, and intertwined, but even so, he could not rush. Haste, he knew well, was man’s worst enemy.
After a few minutes of stillness, Kael stepped away from the window and calmly descended to the first floor.
"Did you hear that nobleman Jeremy’s wife was found in a stable with a servant? Hahaha... you should have seen her husband’s face."
"Lately, too many people have been arriving, but none of them seem noble. Most of them are mercenaries."
"Tonight, I’m going to meet with the head of the family that controls the mountain. It’s a rare opportunity that has been given to me."
The different conversations intertwined in the air of the inn’s dining area. Voices, laughter, and murmurs formed a constant hum that drifted between the occupied tables laden with steaming dishes and bottles of expensive wine.
Kael listened without paying much attention. They were passing words, gossip, and trivial matters that had nothing to do with him. However, they painted a picture of the atmosphere in the city: rumors of nobles, mercenaries, and power shifts.
Calmly, his steps led him to an unoccupied table. There, far from the immediate hustle and bustle, he sat down, as if nothing he had just heard mattered in the slightest.
A waitress approached with a professional smile.
"What would you like to eat today?" She asked politely.
"A medium-rare black milk cow steak, accompanied by a fresh salad, a jug of sweet wine, and black vanilla ice cream for dessert," Kael replied calmly.
The young woman quickly took note and, after a slight bow, withdrew, leaving Kael alone at the table.
The constant murmur of the luxurious dining area enveloped him: the sound of glasses clinking, the aroma of exotic spices, and conversations intertwining in a pleasant buzz.
However, he didn’t pay much attention to any of that.
His gaze turned to the large window beside him. From there, he could see the wide, busy, dark street where all kinds of people were walking. His thoughts were a mystery as the minutes passed.
It was a rare moment of tranquility.
Not long after, the waitress appeared with a spring in her step, carrying a tray laden with food. She carefully placed the dishes on the table one by one. The deep black tablecloth, adorned with delicate golden lines, further highlighted the colors and aromas of the food.
"Enjoy your meal," said the waitress with a slight smile, as she bowed slightly. She then discreetly stepped aside.
Kael looked at the dishes served in front of him. The black milk beef steak stood out in the center of the table: a thick, juicy cut, golden on the outside and with a pink center that still retained its internal tenderness.
As he sank the knife in, dark juices began to slowly slide onto the plate, releasing an intense aroma that filled the air. He brought a piece to his mouth and tasted it. The meat melted softly between his teeth, releasing a deep flavor with a barely perceptible hint of sweetness.
Then came the salad, the perfect counterpoint to the steak. Crisp green leaves combined with thin slices of black tomatoes and equally dark cucumbers. A light dressing of aromatic herbs covered everything, infusing each bite with freshness. The flavor was clean and refreshing, like a breath of fresh air.
"Although it needs a little salt to be perfect," he murmured as he chewed calmly.
Even so, his expression remained indifferent. No matter how delicious the food was, there was not the slightest sign of enjoyment on his face. There was no emotion in his eyes, only depth.
The wine accompanied him gently. Its warm flavor slowly descended his throat, leaving behind an enveloping sensation. Kael held the glass for a few seconds, silently observing the reflection of the dark red liquid, which glowed under the golden light of the lamps.
Kael continued eating silently until he had cleared his plate. Only dessert remained.
In an elegant bowl lay a scoop of ice cream, a deep ebony color, glistening in the light. Its aroma was sweet and mysterious, reminiscent of traditional vanilla, yet with a more intense and exotic undertone that aroused curiosity.
As he tasted it, the cold slowly melted in his mouth, leaving behind a creamy smoothness. The aftertaste was velvety, sweet, and dark, a lingering trace that remained etched on his palate even after the last bite.
Once finished, Kael calmly got up. He left the dining area, exited the inn, and stepped out into the busy streets of the city, where the hustle and bustle of the day immediately enveloped him.
...
In the most luxurious part of the city, in a room with a perfect view of the entire place, Audrey sat by the window, her expression indifferent.
Her red eyes glowed with an ominous light.
During the days she had been in the mountains, she had a strange feeling that she was being watched, which was confirmed when she saw people from the Real mountains, where her father’s family lives.
This smelled like a conspiracy to her from miles away, but there was something she didn’t understand: Why had he been watching her since she arrived at the mountain? Audrey felt that someone had leaked her information.
Could it be that those two young men sold my information?
That could explain the sudden arrival of several mercenaries and weapons in the caravans of the two kingdoms that were enemies of the Kingdom of Aragon.
"Hmm..." Audrey narrowed her eyes dangerously. She didn’t like this situation at all, as it was beyond her control.
At that moment, the door to the room opened with a slight creak, and the maid Martha entered.
"My lady, I have returned," he bowed respectfully.
"What information did you obtain?" Audrey got straight to the point.
"My lady, it is as you suspect. Someone leaked information about you, and all those mercenaries and caravans that have arrived are forces from the Holy Empire and Lion, so that the mountain will become a battlefield." Martha shared all the information she knew and had obtained.
Audrey fell silent, lost in thought for a brief moment, and then asked, "Is it possible that those two sold information about me?"
"My lady..." Martha hesitated for a moment before answering. "I’m not so sure, to be honest. The young man with black hair is still in town, but Michel was picked up by his family and left the mountain."
"So you’re not sure..." Audrey looked coldly at her maid, put her hand on her chin, thinking about various possibilities, before she could come up with a concrete plan.
"You know where the one who calls himself Jasper is staying."
"Yes, my lady, I know where he is staying. He has made no effort to remain inconspicuous." Marthe replied, as she had been monitoring Kael’s movements over the past few days.
"Let’s go and meet him." Audrey decided after thinking about it for a moment.
"My lady, that young man cannot be trusted..." Martha was about to continue speaking, but when she met her mistress’s cold gaze, she fell silent.
Audrey left the room to meet Kael, her thoughts a mystery.
...
Author’s Note: This Chapter has been quiet, with nothing significant happening, but I wanted to write it this way so I could take a little break, and I also wanted to show what a normal day in Kael’s life would be like.