Chapter Ten: Soto City

The caravan finally emerged from the Sunset Prairie. Though their faces showed the weariness of days spent on the road, their spirits were high. Everyone was visibly delighted to have left the vast grasslands behind.

"Young master! Young master!" Belita called out, riding ahead on her horse.

"Young master, there’s an estate ahead. We’ve already checked it out—it’s spacious enough to accommodate all of us. We’ve made arrangements: the residents will provide us with hot water and food for just fifty gold coins."

"Excellent! Let’s hurry, then. Tonight, everyone can finally get a good rest." Hughes was overjoyed at the prospect of staying in the manor. After half a month living out of carriages, he’d had quite enough.

Belita relayed the news to the rest of the party, and the whole caravan picked up speed toward the estate.

"Come, come, have some wine!" On the estate’s broad lawn, tables overflowed with food and drink, while a few wild game roasted on spits in the center. The soldiers, who had been tense and vigilant for days, finally allowed themselves to relax completely.

Hughes sat at the dining table with Count Clay, while several maids kept replenishing their silver platters with food.

"Father, once we arrive in Sotto City, do we go straight to the test?" Hughes asked, nearly finished with his meal.

"Of course not, things aren’t so rushed. Tomorrow, we’ll first pay a visit to the Aylin family," Count Clay replied, setting down his knife and fork and turning to Hughes.

"Aylin? Father, are the Aylins related to our Bruch family in some way?"

Count Clay laughed heartily. "Not to our family as a whole, but certainly to me. We fought on the same battlefield in our youth and earned our titles side by side. We were close friends, though time and distance have lessened our contact. You even met my old friend when you were little."

Hughes racked his brains but couldn’t recall anything about the Aylin family—no doubt it had been too long ago.

"This time, as we head to Sotto City, he’s already been notified. His own son and daughter will likely be taking the test with you, so you’ll have a chance to get to know each other."

"Yes, Father." Hughes bowed respectfully and then retired to his room.

"Chip, display my physical stats."

"Beep! Hughes Bruch: Strength 3.6, Agility 4.0, Constitution 4.0, Mental Power 2.5, Status: Healthy."

Lying on the bed, Hughes gazed at his attribute panel, deep in thought.

They would soon reach Sotto City, and the day of the test was drawing near. Hughes eyed his mental power stat.

"I wonder how the wizard’s test is conducted. If it really is about mental power, as the chip suggests, then a 2.5 should be enough to pass, right?"

Carriages rolled along the muddy road—Hughes and his party, having breakfasted at the manor, had set off again. The night’s rain had made the route a bit troublesome, but nothing serious.

After the rain, the air was fresher and the day pleasantly cool. Hughes sat atop the carriage, taking in the sights. The closer they drew to Sotto City, the more settlements they passed. They’d seen many homes along the way, and some locals had inquired if the caravan were traveling merchants hoping to trade goods, but Belita had fended them all off.

By evening, the line of carriages slowly entered Sotto City. The city guards, recognizing Count Clay, gave only a cursory inspection and, after collecting a few silver coins, waved them through.

The carriages rolled down the broad avenues, drawing curious glances from the townsfolk. Hughes, too, took in the sights—the city was much grander than Count Clay’s domain. Shops of every kind lined the streets; taverns, inns, and even a music hall. To Hughes, this was the sort of place where nobility truly belonged.

"Well, Hughes, what do you think? Isn’t this place far better than ours?" Count Clay had come to stand beside him without Hughes noticing.

"Indeed, Father, it’s quite different from our home."

"Yes, being so near the coast, merchant ships stop here every year, so there’s more of everything than elsewhere." Count Clay was about to say more when Belita hurried over.

"My lord, I’ve found out where the Aylin estate is."

"Excellent. Lead the way—let’s go there now."

"Yes, my lord." Belita led the caravan toward the Aylin estate.

"Hey, hey, look at those people—they must be from out of town."

"No doubt. Judging by that display, they’re probably nobles too."

"Who knows? There’s been quite a few nobles arriving in Sotto City lately. Who can say what for?"

"Looks like a lot of people are here for the test," Hughes thought, overhearing the street chatter.

The carriages soon arrived before a magnificent castle. From afar, they could see someone waiting at the gates.

"Ah, Clay, you’ve finally arrived! I’ve been waiting for ages. The moment I heard someone inquiring about the Aylin estate, I knew it had to be you," cried a man in splendid formal dress, greeting Count Clay with great warmth.

"Haha, Ulot, it truly has been a long time," Count Clay replied, visibly moved.

"It has, indeed! Come, let me introduce you." Ulot, the Count, drew Clay aside to where a golden-haired boy and girl stood, both about Hughes’s age.

"These are the ones I’ve always told you about—Count Clay and his family," Ulot said to the pair.

"Greetings, Uncle Clay." The boy and girl bowed with perfect noble etiquette.

"Very good! I’ve prepared gifts for you both; I’ll have them brought to you soon," Count Clay said happily.

"This is my son, Boris, and my daughter, Lia. Aren’t they fine?" Ulot asked, a note of pride in his voice.

"Uncle Ulot!" Hughes greeted Ulot with a bow.

"Ah, you must be Hughes! How you’ve grown—I held you when you were a baby," Ulot exclaimed in delight.

"How could he remember? That was ages ago. But here I am standing while you keep me out here?" Count Clay quipped playfully.

"Forgive me, come inside, come inside! Boris, see to the arrangements for the caravan, make sure everyone is well cared for." With that, Ulot ushered Hughes and Count Clay into the castle, and Hughes could immediately sense the deep bond between the two noblemen.

Inside the grand hall, maids bustled back and forth, setting out exquisite dishes on the dining table.

"Come, you must be tired—let’s eat first," Count Ulot said warmly to Hughes and Count Clay.

There were few people at dinner—only Ulot, his children, Hughes, and Count Clay. The atmosphere was harmonious. Ulot regaled them with tales of adventures he and Count Clay had shared in their youth, making Count Clay roar with laughter.

Hughes, Boris, and Lia could barely get a word in, and sat quietly, listening.

When the meal was nearly done, Count Ulot waved the servants away, leaving the hall empty.

"The wizard coming to administer your test will arrive at Death Coast in three days. They haven’t accepted apprentices for decades, so there won’t be a shortage of candidates this time. I imagine you’ve heard as much on your way here," Ulot said, looking at Count Clay and Hughes.

Count Clay nodded. "Indeed, I’ve heard a great deal about noble families coming here along the way."

"Which means you’ll face stiff competition. Make sure to rest and keep your spirits up over the next two days. Go to bed early, don’t overexert yourselves, and above all, avoid trouble," Ulot cautioned them one by one.

Hearing Ulot’s words, Hughes’s eyes flickered. He sensed that Ulot must know something more, otherwise he wouldn’t be so insistent.

Count Clay then produced the gifts he’d brought for Boris and Lia: a dagger for Boris, its blade gleaming cold and sharp, and a delicate brooch for Lia, adorned with dazzling gemstones and fringed with strange, beautiful feathers that delighted her.

"Thank you, Uncle Clay," Boris and Lia said in unison.

Seeing their delighted faces, Count Clay knew they were pleased. "No need to thank me. They’re nothing special, so long as you like them."

"Don’t be jealous, little Hughes. Tomorrow, I’ll give you something even better," Count Ulot said suddenly, giving Hughes a hearty pat on the back, startling him.

Hughes, lost in thought, had been distracted, and Ulot took this for envy, patting him again. "Thank you, Uncle Ulot," Hughes said, bowing his thanks.

The conversation stretched late into the night before Ulot finally had servants show Count Clay and Hughes to their rooms.

The rooms had clearly been prepared with care, everything inside fresh and new. Though it was his first time in Sotto City, Hughes found himself rather fond of the place and its comforts.