LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 69
69
After the private family dinner at the Reinhardt household ended, it was only the next day that Roy’s family formally entered the capital following proper protocol.
Lionheart City, like most capitals in the human world today, has a history that can be traced back to the Third Era. However, compared to other capitals, Lionheart City seemed to have faced more disasters.
During the First Magic Tide of the Third Era, as the first human capital to fall, it was destroyed. After an era of rebuilding, it had just regained its splendor when it was razed to the ground by the dragon race during the Second Dragon War.
But the people of Lionheart City never surrendered.
This was also the Third Era, where the human allied forces dealt a heavy blow to the demon race, where Robert Reinhardt rose up, sounding the horn for the counterattack against the dragons.
It was a city that had been ravaged by war, yet time and again, it rose from the ashes, a city filled with glory.
Majestic walls and fortresses throughout the city narrated the splendid past of the ancestors, while the bustling streets and magnificent scenes overflowing on both sides showcased the current prosperity of the capital.
The Lionheart Kingdom revered martial prowess; here, on the streets, in the alleys, and in the public squares, the sculptures were always of knights, warriors, fighters. There were heroes from the Third Era who fought against the demons, as well as those dragon-slaying knights from a decade ago.
These marble statues were carved lifelike, but mostly only in proportion. It was said to commemorate the glory of the warriors, rather than the nobility’s hierarchy.
Especially the statues from the Third Era, judging from their attire, were mostly in plain clothes.
However, the style of the Third Era statues was reminiscent of Roy’s past life in Greece, rugged and domineering. In contrast, the statues of Karl, Robert, and others were much softer.
According to Karl, the sculptors from a decade ago had also intended to carve in this manner, but were persuaded otherwise by the nobles, for which they were deemed crude and disrespectful by the art community.
Roy, however, expressed understanding.
After all, he didn’t want to enter the capital and be greeted by a grand statue of his own father.
Gleaming with golden splendor, the palace adorned with battered rubies at its pinnacle, the Sunset Redoubt stands tall at the very heart of the capital, dazzling and eye-catching.
It is said that the sunset there is a peerless spectacle of the world, immortalized by wandering bards, and knights take pride in being received by the royal family there.
Alas, it is still early for the National Day celebrations. Though people have begun to celebrate, with streets festooned with colorful lanterns and balloons, imbuing the air with a festive spirit, the founding ceremony lasts a week, but only the final days will host the official banquets.
Thus, most nobles reside outside the palace until then.
In the city center lies a wealthy district, specially constructed with a row of noble villas, prepared for such occasions.
Roy, accompanied by Carl, took up residence in villa number 10, which has always been the Ainsworth family’s mansion in the capital, adorned with portraits of the Ironblood patriarchs through the ages.
In these days, Roy dwells in the mansion, strolling the streets for pleasure with Carl, acquainting himself with his noble peers.
Roy had hoped to find treasures in the capital’s extraordinary merchants’ guild, but his visit left him sorely disappointed.
How to put it? Any random pick from the Favorability Store could easily outshine ten streets of the guild’s wares.
Take concealed items, for instance; the guild’s prized possession, the “Silverless Orb,” had an effect akin to crude optical camouflage, unable to even mask sound.
Indeed, it’s the comparison that counts; only after visiting the guild did Roy realize how prestigious the panel store was.
During these days, Roy also accomplished two significant tasks.
One was to savor the local delicacies, checking in at many of the capital’s eateries… Sadly, in this world without a social circle, he couldn’t share the joy of feasting through photographs.
The other was to visit numerous historical museums.
The capital, martial in spirit, lagged in cultural entertainment, yet oddly enough, it was popular to record the ancestors’ merits in museums.
Though they resembled armories more than museums.
In any case, Roy’s search through the museums yielded no clues about Rowling; clearly, her fame did not originate in the capital.
Otherwise, a being with a mysterious lineage of strength would surely have left some trace in history.
Especially since, a decade ago, the Lionheart capital was nearly driven to extinction by the dragonkin, and the extraordinary could hardly remain aloof.
What Roy didn’t know was that his museum indulgences had become known in noble circles, earning him a fine reputation.
To remember history, to never forget one’s roots, he became a role model for the youth! Isn’t that far better than the silver-spooned second generation who party every day?!
Thus, Roy became the ‘child of another family’ that elders used to chide their own unruly offspring, leading many young masters to view Roy with less than friendly eyes.
Days passed, and just as Roy grew tired of the specialty barbecues and weary of the armories, he suddenly received a letter.
“Young master! You’ve got mail, meow!” A spirited black-haired cat-eared maid burst into the dining room, interrupting Roy’s breakfast.
In Alice’s absence, the maids serving Roy were now the cat-eared duo, Choco and Vanilla.
Compared to Alice, they seemed somewhat reserved, but they still performed their duties well.
“Respected Master Roy Ainsworth, scion of the great Ironblood… Tomorrow morning, we shall hold… a ceremony filled with glory… meow?”
Non-essential envelopes were read by the maids on behalf of their master.
The maids were not illiterate; it was just that the flowery language was somewhat too challenging for them.
As for Alice, although she didn’t understand some words, she never had trouble with listening, speaking, reading, or writing.
“Let me have a look.”
“Uh, sorry!”
Choco handed over the envelope with an apologetic embrace.
Beside him, Karl showed a nostalgic expression, explaining, “It’s probably an invitation to the hunt.”
“Every year at this time, the young ones hold hunting events, competing in skills and making acquaintances. It’s a good chance for you to join in.”
Roy sipped his hot milk, casting another glance.
As Karl had said, the envelope conveyed just that.
But Roy hadn’t expected that the moment he finished reading the letter, the panel suddenly started flashing.
[Warning! A fate entwined with the Lionheart detected, triggering a reverse-fate mission. Every choice you make will alter destiny, please choose wisely!]
[Current reverse-fate node: Lionheart]
[Lionheart reverse-fate progress]: 5%
“Pfft!”
Roy spat out a mouthful of hot milk on the spot, splattering Choco’s face.
“Eek… eek…” The black-haired catgirl, her face covered in white liquid, looked up bewildered, her large eyes filled with grievance.
“Sorry, sorry!”
Roy hastily wiped the catgirl’s face clean, his heart racing.
Why would a reverse-fate node appear now?!
Roy was mentally prepared for reverse-fate nodes, not just simple galgame plot choices, but he didn’t expect it to come so suddenly!
There’s something wrong with this hunting event!
Could there be danger? But from whom?
“Father, will Charlotte also attend?”
“Of course, not only Princess Charlotte, but Prince Leo will also be there. He’s a fine young man. It wouldn’t hurt to interact more with him.”
Leo Reinhardt.
This second prince, barely mentioned in “Angel’s Waltz,” immediately raised Roy’s guard.