Fili sat in the swaying carriage, drowsily leaning against the cabin wall.
The carriage suddenly stopped. The inertia jolted the guildmaster awake, saving him from smashing headfirst into the roof.
"Mr. Fili, we've arrived," the coachman called.
Fili grabbed the box containing the Demon Cores beside him. After confirming that the number was correct, he sighed in relief, pushed open the carriage door, and stepped down.
The moment he got out, his brow furrowed. He said quietly to the coachman, "Didn't I tell you to stop the carriage in Eagle Town? I'll walk the rest of the way myself."
The coachman lowered his head. "Guildmaster Fili, you were sleeping so soundly, so..."
Before he could finish, a Personal Guard at the castle entrance called out, "Mr. Fili, have your servant move the carriage. Baron Raven is waiting for you in the study."
"Oh, right, right!" Fili nodded with a broad smile, then turned around and snapped at the coachman, "Didn't you hear him? Hurry up!"
The coachman drove the carriage to the roadside. Fili straightened his clothes, took the box in both hands, and entered the castle.
Although it was already eight in the morning, the sky remained dark and gloomy.
All kinds of carriages and carts came and went through the broad gates of Eagle Fortress, loaded with large bundles of grain.
Raven's Personal Guards wore full armor and held their weapons as they stood vigilant at their posts. Even the walls, which normally went unattended, were manned. They watched every person coming and going with unwavering scrutiny.
After crossing the drawbridge, Fili could see groups of three Personal Guards patrolling the courtyard. Their footsteps were heavy, their expressions stern, and their gazes carried a probing edge as they looked at everyone.
At the side of the castle, carriages