"Duke, our little market is filthy and dim. We truly wouldn't dare make you suffer such hardship. How about this—fifty jin of every kind of vegetable sold here today, delivered directly to the Night-Kirin City Chamber of Commerce."
At the entrance to the Imperial Capital's largest Mana-Less market, Landen was politely blocked outside the gates by three High-Ranks, who refused to let him enter no matter what.
After leaving the Zhuoqin Family's banquet, Landen had originally hoped to take another look around while he was not yet a Duke. Yet as he walked, several Flying Dragon knights circled overhead, several High-Ranks followed at his side, and when he reached the market entrance, members of great families blocked his way. They feared that during these two days in the Imperial Capital, he might suffer another assassination attempt by some fool who did not know better, forcing them to purge both the open and hidden forces all over again.
As he neared the Royal Palace, Landen "happened" to run into the legendary Elf Saranir. His appearance made the High-Ranks who had been "passing by" nearby breathe a collective sigh of relief.
"Hahaha, you couldn't even hide in the Hindukush Basin, and you still wanted to come here and play at traveling incognito?"
The Elf teased Landen the moment he saw him. "Think about it—among those able to successfully run businesses in the Imperial Capital's districts, which family wouldn't recognize you?"
"Actually, I wasn't trying to travel incognito. I simply wanted to browse around," Landen said with a smile. "I thought the Imperial Capital was so big that I could wander it for months. Who would have thought I couldn't even get into a market now?"
"They mean well. Markets inevitably have plenty of fresh seafood. You live far from the ocean, but