Grey Mist Town wasn't far from the crossroads. Even though the road was rough and difficult to traverse, and the carriage jolted and bounced relentlessly, the small town formed by the intersection of its two streets was already clearly visible in the darkening night an hour later.
The closer they drew to Grey Mist Town, the more Lucian felt as though they were venturing deep into an ancient forest. The variety of trees began to change—common oaks and birches rapidly gave way to ash-grey conifers reminiscent of the Melzer Black Forest, their roots and branches gnarled and protruding like grotesque, living black monsters. The sight made
"
Through the carriage window, Lucian identified the species. Aside from their fearsome appearance, they had nothing particularly special about them. However, the necromancer Wilfred—who had left behind countless terrifying legends—had been fond of this type of tree and grown them extensively in his demiplane magic tower. As a result, the species had been directly named after him.
It was precisely because these ash-grey magic trees blanketed the surroundings that the town looked as though it were shrouded in a layer of grey mist from afar, which was how it had earned its current name.
The carriage rolled into the town, passing by a group of lumberjacks heading home at dusk. Lucian noticed their faces were dull and their eyes blank, as though all their passion and vitality had long been ground away by the hardships of daily labor.
"If my future looks like that, I'd sooner choose death." Betty turned to look at the lumberjacks with a faint chill, murmuring the words to encourage herself.
The carriage had just pulled up in front of the town's only inn when Wyse, who had been silent the entire journey, suddenly jumped out and crouched by the roadside, retching.
Because of Wyse's musical talent and the many conversations they'd shared during rest stops these past few days, Betty approached with concern. "Mr. Wyse, are you alright? I know this road is terribly bumpy—why don't you walk with us tomorrow?"
"I'm fine, I feel much better now." Wyse's constitution was decent enough; after the dry heaving, his complexion gradually returned, and he offered Betty a grateful smile.
"I was just sleeping the whole time." Lucian hadn't paid any attention to the bumps along the way; he'd been focused on analyzing and studying Arcane Magic.
As she passed by him, Joanna's voice, laced with amusement, sounded softly at Lucian's ear. "Thank you, Mr. Evans, for not blaming my foolish sister."
Lucian was slightly taken aback, then laughed. "She did her best."
Lucian laughed twice and replied with a touch of humor. "Poor Betty." They probably planned to properly debrief the whole incident after getting home.
Lina, holding her sleeping baby, walked up to Lucian and offered him a Silver Naler. "Mr. Evans, thank you for letting me join the group. I've reached my destination—this is my payment."
"It was just a detour." Lucian accepted the Silver Naler.
Not particularly beautiful, Lina smiled gently. "Regardless, I will remember your kindness. I'm going to find my cousin, Madam Kailin."
"May the Lord bless you with smooth journeying." Lucian used the customary blessing of this world.
Under the shadow of the two-story inn, Lina's face appeared slightly somber. She smiled, turned, and walked with the baby toward the other side of town.
In the distance stood a stone bridge, and behind it loomed a tall black castle—its cross vaults, pointed spires, and heavy, solemn architectural style all revealing that it had been built in the latter period of the Dawn War.
"That's the castle of Baron Habelo, the lord of Grey Mist Town and the surrounding villages and hamlets," Simon explained, making no effort to hide his admiration. "In his youth he was an outstanding knight—he eradicated many formidable bandit gangs nearby and even participated in the civil wars of the Gustav Empire. He's a well-known figure in Corser City, and many of the tales told by Bards were based on him. A true hero." Baron Habelo was the kind of knight Simon aspired to become.
Joanna sighed softly. "It's a pity Baron Habelo was never able to advance to Great Knight. His body began declining in his sixties, and in recent years—after young Master Habelo set out on a journey to try awakening his bloodline power—the Baron has seldom gone out, preferring to manage his fief from the castle and enjoy music."
"Heroes will always grow old," Wyse remarked sentimentally as he walked over. "Who besides the Lord can be immortal in this world? Perhaps only music can be forever full of life."
Betty had been about to interject, but Wyse's poetic remark immediately dampened her spirits, making it seem as though a lifetime of striving to awaken one's bloodline was ultimately meaningless—all would eventually return to the Lord's embrace.
Lucian, however, did not share such sentimental feelings. For as long as an arcanist could step across the threshold of the high ranks, their lifespan would exceed anything imaginable.
"Heh, Madam Kailin is the wife of Mr. Cook, Baron Habelo's steward. I didn't realize Madam Lina had such a distinguished relative." Seeing Wyse and Betty's low spirits, Joanna quickly changed the subject.
Even the wife of a noble's steward was considered a person of considerable importance in the eyes of Simon, Joanna, and the rest—especially when that noble was a true knight.
…………
Inside the inn, the gaunt landlady raised her head and studied Lucian and the others with her greyish-white eyes. "Welcome, honored guests. What do you need? If you're staying the night, please register your names and dates of birth."
Her tone was flat, devoid of much warmth, as though the guests were of little consequence.
"Madam Blanca, we stayed here a few months ago. You don't seem to be doing too well?" Joanna asked in concern. Back then, it had been just her and Simon—Betty had taken her reward money and hidden away in Corser City to spend it.
Blanca's unfocused eyes stared blankly as she murmured to herself. "Little Roy died of illness. He was only ten when the Lord called him home."