Chapter 35: The Road to Venice Duchy

Jenny and I woke up early in the morning and hurriedly left the Marquis’s Castle.

Since it was a place where no one would object no matter when we left, no one tried to stop us.

Still, as a final courtesy, we informed the Marquis’s visitor’s hall that we were leaving.

Due to the alcohol we drank yesterday and the forced exercise all night, the Marquis weakly responded with an understanding reply, and our farewell was complete.

“There’s no need to rush, right?”

I chose not to take the same road we used last time from the Capital but instead selected a well-paved and relatively safe path.

If the previous route took about three days, this new one would take over a week.

However, the presence of large territories and small villages along the way meant we didn’t have to camp out in the wild, which was the most comforting thought.

After traveling like this, we arrived at Venice Duchy, the largest city before reaching the Capital of the Londinium Empire.

“Wow. The Duchy really is different.”

I marveled as I looked toward the thick castle walls visible from atop my horse.

The towering walls, more than five meters thick, were accompanied by an enormous Gate.

Since the Gate was as tall as the walls, I couldn’t help but admire it.

“Do you think that Gate actually opens?”

A reply came from behind me.

“It does open, but only when a war breaks out. We hope it stays closed.”

I turned my head toward the voice.

There stood a group of men dressed in light leather armor like me, armed and carrying monster corpses on their backs.

Judging by that, they were hunters roaming the area.

“I doubt it opens easily. But I’m curious.”

“Hey, don’t joke about that. If it did, everyone would be conscripted and dragged off.”

He grimaced at my words.

The hunters quietly followed behind us, heading the same way.

Unlike them, Jenny and I were on horseback, so we quickly left them behind.

When we arrived at the imposing Gate, we realized it was far grander than we had imagined.

The Gate was a masterpiece of art.

At its very top stood a figure that seemed like a god, radiating light and gazing downward.

Below, a fierce battle scene between humans and monsters was depicted.

I didn’t know who carved the Gate, but it had to be a powerful and skilled artist.

As we followed the road, we came upon a large crowd, all silently praying toward the Gate before continuing on their way.

I watched them for a moment.

The hunters we passed earlier also paused to pray quietly before moving on.

I quietly watched the Gate a little longer before resuming our journey.

Beneath the Gate was a smaller door.

One was for commoners lined up in a queue, and the other was a Gate for nobles, designed to allow carriages easy passage.

Jenny and I headed for the nobles’ Gate.

“Excuse me.”

As we approached, a soldier with a noticeably heavy build blocked our path, unlike the others.

It was the same unpleasant face from before.

No wonder.

Jenny and I were unmistakably dressed as mercenaries.

We weren’t about to charge into battle or wear heavy armor or elegant noble attire while merely traveling.

I showed him the ring proving my noble status.

“He is Baron Solo. Marquis Lakazet granted him the title of Baron.”

Upon hearing that, the soldier quickly changed his posture and bowed deeply in greeting.

“Forgive me. Welcome to Venice Duchy.”

“Thank you for your service.”

I passed through the Gate.

“Nobles have it good. Passing through the Gate is so fast.”

“Indeed. Getting through the Gate used to be quite a hassle.”

Jenny spoke as if disappointed.

No matter what she said, my mind was elsewhere.

“Maybe we should buy a carriage? Hmm…”

I thought it might be a good idea.

Having a carriage would guarantee a proper place to rest, even if we camped out.

Not on cold ground or damp grass, but inside the carriage.

‘That would be great.’

It would be a very satisfying journey.

We didn’t have a set destination yet, and we didn’t know how far we’d travel, but owning a carriage was definitely worth it.

Combining the thousand Gold we’d earned this time with the additional income we hadn’t tallied yet, we had more than enough to buy one.

With Toma and Jenny’s horses combined, one carriage would be easily pulled.

I made up my mind.

After passing through the Gate, we moved to find accommodations.

I didn’t look for anything expensive or extravagant.

There was no desire to indulge in luxury.

A place with a stable, quiet, and a little away from the bustle was enough.

We’d only stay for a day or two anyway.

We found an inn and roughly unpacked.

I put on the clothes I wore when rescuing Jenny at the Slave Market last time.

I dressed neatly for the first time in a while and stepped outside.

***

The first thing I needed to check was my skills.

So, we headed to the Magic Tower located in the Duchy.

This Magic Tower was the largest in the Londinium Empire, towering twenty floors high and well-known throughout the Creseria Continent.

The Tower’s masters were three Archmages of the Seventh Circle — a rare and prestigious group, only ten of whom existed on the continent.

As such, many Mages gathered here, and countless magical goods were kept.

Next to the Tower was a building displaying various magical items for sale.

Since it was managed by the Tower, it was an impressive store, complete with security Magic and real-time monitoring Magic.

To enter, one needed to prove their identity — Mercenary Badges wouldn’t suffice.

Only registered Mages or nobles could enter.

“Welcome to the continent’s largest Magic Shop. If you need anything, I will guide you immediately.”

After confirming my identity at the entrance, a neatly dressed clerk bowed and greeted me.

The hospitality was as if I’d walked into a high-end department store.

Jenny and I were led to a table on the side.

He brought tea and snacks and asked what I needed.

“I want to see Magicbooks related to Barrier Magic first.”

“Understood.”

He stepped back a few paces and turned to lead me somewhere.

Looking around, I saw several well-dressed people receiving similar treatment.

Their attire and accessories clearly displayed wealth.

Although I couldn’t tell what they were buying or asking for from a distance, my curiosity was piqued.

Soon, the clerk returned with my requested item.

“This is the Field Spellbook, known as the most basic Barrier Magic. It can be used by Mages of the Third Circle.”

It was the most basic Field Spellbook.

Magic capable of controlling space within a certain range.

In truth, Field Magic was mostly used to temporarily protect an area.

That’s why Field Spellbooks were very cheap — only 10 Gold.

“We also have a specially developed Magicbook here at our Tower.”

He presented another Magicbook, not the basic Field one.

“By refining the formulas and magic circles, we have created the best product. When the Field is generated, it casts invisibility to prevent detection, blocks odors, and basically protects the Field itself with a shield.”

I looked at him with disbelief, wondering if such things were possible.

He said I could see for myself and led me to a room set up for demonstration.

I drew the magic circle and chanted the incantation written in the Magicbook.

A transparent barrier formed.

“Wow.”

Surprisingly, the transparent shield completely filled the room, leaving no sense of enclosure.

The clerk then proved its defensive strength by firing a First Circle Magic Missile at the barrier.

“How many Circles of Magic can it withstand?”

“Up to Third Circle, twice.”

“Let’s test it. Fire Spear, Rock Spear!”

My two spears struck the Field.

Bang! Flash!

My spears vanished, but the Field remained intact.

“Excellent. I’ll buy this right away.”

“Thank you very much, sir.”

“I want to see some other Magicbooks too. Could I see some Fifth Circle Magicbooks?”

“I will guide you there.”

Following the clerk, I arrived at a room lined with bookshelves.

Various Magicbooks were neatly organized by attributes.

I finally felt relaxed and browsed carefully.

But despite my intentions, I didn’t pick many.

‘Don’t forget, you decided to buy a territory, right?’

Big purchases like land and a carriage required careful planning.

So, I only chose what I truly needed.

The first was the Call Lightning Spellbook, a powerful spell to use against individuals.

Call Lightning summoned a bolt of lightning from the sky, consuming a great deal of Mana but wielding absolute power.

Next, I bought the Fire Wall Magicbook for large-scale combat.

The powerful wall of flame was versatile.

Additionally, I selected the Enchant Spellbook to bolster my lacking swordsmanship.

To further enhance my survivability, I purchased Hide and Hide Mana Force, spells for concealing myself.

“All together, that will be 350 Gold.”

The upgraded Field Spellbook cost a huge amount.

But since the items were worth it, I bought everything without complaint.

“Thank you very much, sir. We look forward to your next visit.”

After a polite farewell, I left the shop.

With my business at the Magic Tower concluded, I visited several warehouses in the area.

I gradually sold off the equipment I had secretly stored.

I couldn’t release too much at once.

Since the items I sold were looted during the war inside the Londinium Empire, I had to handle the sales cautiously.

After disposing of small amounts of goods, I took a leisurely stroll through the market, enjoying the food and the sights.

But at that moment, I didn’t realize—

Someone was watching me.