"Why are you so slow?"
Ryan spoke arrogantly. If he did not act this way, it would only arouse suspicion.
The soldier, somewhat frightened, hurriedly explained.
"We were worried about Cultists."
"Cultists? Those Cultists attacked Furnace City?"
Ryan spoke in shock.
"Doesn't Furnace City have many mages? Those Cultists dared to come here?"
"I don't know either, but I heard that evil mages appeared among the Cultists, making it impossible even for the mages to drive them away."
Ryan nodded. That explained it.
"Take me to see the nobles here."
Ryan had to meet the local nobles. After all, there were quite a few nobles among those Cultists; some Cults might even have been formed by nobles themselves. Until they confirmed his identity, they could not possibly allow Ryan to move about freely.
Besides, any noble who did not integrate into noble society would seem suspicious.
As he walked through the streets of Furnace City, Ryan saw that the people here did not look particularly happy either. They hurried along with sallow, emaciated faces, each burdened by worry.
It seemed Furnace City had solved the problem of cold, but it could not solve another problem.
Food.
And clearly, ordinary people and slaves lived in one half of the city, while the other half belonged solely to the nobles and mages.
Ryan was taken to a place called the Furnace Council, the center where the city's nobles handled affairs.
Clearly, everyone passing through this place possessed an exceptional bearing, the sort of presence unique to nobles.
Someone received him. It was a duke, seated in an ornate chair with a delicate pastry in hand, making Ryan wonder whether Furnace City truly lacked food.
"Duke Moriarty."
Ryan bowed. Before entering, he had already learned the other man's name.
"You are the current