Maiden Under the Moon

The iron bells hanging from the carriage swayed, and accompanied by a crisp jingling, the caravan moved slowly along the road on the hillside.

"That must be Scorched Stone City, right?"

Sylutia looked out the window at the city built against the mountain. Just as the name suggested, the stone bricks were covered in charred marks, as if the place had once been ravaged by a massive fire.

"That's right, we'll be arriving at Scorched Stone City shortly." The merchant Vandhi rode his horse past the carriage Sylutia was sitting in.

"Once we arrive, we'll be resting for quite a while to restock our supplies and sell the goods we've acquired to the merchant guilds in the city."

"Mr. Vandhi, aren't you going to sell them directly to the citizens?" Sylutia asked, somewhat surprised.

"It's not the same as it is in the villages," he said, shaking his head.

"The market stall fees in the city aren't cheap. Besides, it would take a long time to offload this much cargo, which simply isn't cost-effective."

"Lastly, the merchant guilds in the city are powerful. A wandering merchant like me can't compete with them. To avoid conflict, selling the goods directly to them is the best choice."

"I see."

As they chatted, the caravan gradually reached the city gates to undergo inspection by the guards.

The process didn't take long; the guards simply recorded the number of vehicles and the general nature of the cargo before letting them through. As for the carriage Sylutia was in, they didn't even spare it a glance.

"Move." Flicking the reins, the driver urged the pack horses forward.

Once they entered the city's cobblestone streets, the carriage ride became much smoother. Sylutia peered through the gap in the window to observe the scenery along the street.

The city was quite lively, with many villagers from the surrounding areas and peddlers walking along the streets, selling daily necessities and local food.

At this moment, Sylutia also noticed a few peculiar individuals. They wore short cloaks and carried weapons on their shoulders—double-bitted axes, broadswords, spears, and some even carried bows and arrows. Compared to the average passerby, they were noticeably more confident and flamboyant, and they spent money quite lavishly when buying goods.

"Those are adventurers," Talia said, noticing where Sylutia's gaze was fixed.

"My grandfather used to be an adventurer. They take on quests posted by the local guild and complete them for a reward."

"What is their strength like?" Sylutia's eyes flickered. Her Identification Pupil told her that while these individuals had yet to reach the First Order of Aspect Power, they were significantly stronger than typical guards, and one of them even possessed a Breathing Technique that had reached the second stage.

"Adventurers' strength varies. The capable ones reach the first stage, but those who are even stronger are quite rare," Talia replied.

"But my grandfather was a second-stage adventurer back in the day; he was very strong." No wonder the old man had such a temper, and Frien didn't dare talk back to him.

To have the strength of a second stage in one's youth was a rare feat in this region. It made sense that he could be on good terms with the previous Baron Holin.

Upon arriving at a large inn in the city, Vandhi spoke with the proprietor for a while before the carriage was driven into the backyard to be parked. Talia and Sylutia then stepped out of the vehicle.

The stables were filled with the mixed scent of damp fodder, animal manure, and the musk of livestock. Fortunately, the area was open-air, so the smell wasn't too overwhelming. After stepping down, Sylutia covered her nose slightly with her sleeve, her eyes beneath her hood curiously scanning the surroundings.

Just as they walked out of the backyard and into the inn's lobby, a member of the caravan approached them.

"Miss Tia, Master Vandhi invites you to join him for dinner."

"Where is it?" Judging by the tone, it didn't seem to be at the inn.

"At Gelia Restaurant in the city. I will escort you there." The man bowed and gestured.

Sylutia and Talia followed him along the street, and about two minutes later, they arrived at a roadside restaurant.

The arched windows were decorated with stained glass, and the entrance featured doors made of glass and curtains, looking exceptionally elegant.

Pushing the door open to enter, several waitresses stationed by the side stepped forward to guide them. They led Sylutia to a private booth on the second floor, where tables by the window were separated by curtains, creating a quiet environment. Talia remained on the first floor to dine with the young men from the caravan.

Walking into one of the compartments, she found Vandhi already seated. He had taken off his felt hat and set it aside, his grizzly-bear-like frame leaning back against the chair with a rare sense of relaxation.

"Miss Tia has arrived." He half-rose to greet her before sitting back down.

After spending these days together, he and Sylutia had become somewhat familiar, and he was no longer as stiff or sycophantic as he had been at the start.

"Sit down. The food here is delicious; it certainly won't disappoint you," he promised.

"Then I shall look forward to it." Sylutia smiled and gave a slight nod of thanks.

Seeing the silver-haired girl across from him smile, Vandhi froze for a few seconds before shaking his head.

"Miss Tia's beauty is truly hard to resist," he remarked with a sigh.

In truth, he wasn't entirely sure if she was truly a noble, but her temperament and appearance were likely beyond the reach of even some heirs to great noble houses. That was precisely why he was willing to invest in a friendship with this girl.

"Thank you for the compliment." She had heard praise for her appearance countless times over the past few days. Even though she was mentally prepared, she still felt a bit shy every time she heard it.

Then again, being beautiful was indeed a blessing, though it occasionally brought some trouble. She was already considering whether she should wear a light veil when going out in the future.

The two chatted briefly about their experiences over the past few days. Vandhi mentioned that he would be staying in the city for a while, and knowing that Sylutia had just arrived in Scorched Stone City, he knew she would likely need help with many things.

"Miss Tia, what are your plans for the future?"

"Me? I suppose I'll first find a place to live in the city, then look for a job, and perhaps study some knowledge before planning for the future." Who could say for sure what the future held?

Hearing this, Vandhi didn't offer advice immediately, instead stroking his thick beard in thought for a moment.

"I am a merchant, and I don't have much power in the city. However, I can help you arrange a place to stay. It's a property I used in the past, but since I rarely stay in Scorched Stone City, it has been sitting vacant."

"That would be a great trouble to you. I will remember this kindness." Even though she knew he was investing in her out of self-interest, Sylutia still felt a surge of gratitude. Otherwise, given her current situation, settling down in the city on her own would have been extremely difficult.

"Hahaha, these are just small matters." Seeing Sylutia express her gratitude this way, he felt much more at ease; at the very least, his investment showed some hope of a return.

If Sylutia had been the type to be indifferent or carry an arrogant, picky attitude, he likely wouldn't have dared to invest so much help for fear of a loss.

Shortly thereafter, the restaurant waiter brought the prepared dinner to the table. As he lifted the cloche, a fragrant cloud of steam wafted into the air.

A roasted goose lay on a silver platter, its skin golden, charred, and crisp, surrounded by a garnish of red berries and roasted parsley.

"Sir, shall I carve it now?" the waiter asked, bowing.

"Let us admire it a moment longer; I always feel that Chef Martin's food is nothing short of art," he praised the restaurant's head chef.

Understanding the implication, the waiter carefully rotated the platter, ensuring the golden-roasted goose could be appreciated from every angle by the two diners.

Even for Sylutia, who possessed memories of a past life, this was a rare and magnificent feast. Her eyes shimmered with curiosity as information about the dish surfaced in her mind.

[Roasted White Goose] (Quality: Excellent): After removing the innards, the goose is stuffed with bread, orange segments, and spices, then roasted with butter brushed over the skin. Finished with a dusting of pepper and a light glaze, it offers superior flavor and texture.

After the viewing, the waiter produced a carving knife to slice open the goose, portioning out the bread stuffing and carving small pieces of meat to place on their respective plates.

"Please, enjoy your meal." With the goose prepared, the waiter bowed and withdrew.

Sylutia used her fork to pick up a small piece and placed it in her mouth. The heat mingled with the sweet richness of the butter; upon biting down, the sharp notes of pepper and meat hit first, followed by the soft, crumbly texture of the bread. As the flavors melded, the released juices flooded her palate, instantly awakening her taste buds.

Haa...

After finishing the bite, she exhaled softly, cooling her flushed tongue.

Seeing the girl's adorable expression, Vandhi had to look away once more, lest he feel himself melting into the strange, captivating charm she radiated.

Not even a princess of the kingdom could be more endearing, he thought. If this girl were to enter the upper echelons of nobility, she would surely attract countless young talents vying for her favor. If he were ten years younger, he might have joined their ranks, however slim the hope, but now... his youthful ambitions had long since dissipated.

While enjoying the delicacies, Vandhi brought up the subject of Sylutia's age.

"About fifteen or sixteen, I suppose."

She had inferred her age based on Talia's; Talia was just over sixteen, and there was little difference in their heights.

"Sixteen, is it?" Vandhi studied Sylutia's appearance. Her facial features were still soft, not yet fully matured, so the estimate seemed accurate.

"At sixteen, it won't be easy for Miss Sylutia to find work," he mused.

"There will always be a way." In her past life, Sylutia had already graduated from university and worked for several years, so she wasn't particularly worried.

At worst, she would live simply and cut expenses. In this world of extraordinary power, what mattered most was how to improve her strength.

"Mr. Vandhi, do you know where one might learn about advancing in extraordinary aspects?"

"As it happens, I do know a thing or two—or rather, anyone with any ambition would inquire about it, hehehe." He chuckled, lifting his wine glass and swirling it gently.

"For a commoner, the most frequent path is to join the army or the guard under a noble. They teach knowledge related to the 'Castle' aspect, along with various combat techniques. If you have exceptional talent and can reach the Second Tier before forty, you will earn the respect of many, regardless of your humble origins."

"But for the true elite—I mean the rulers of this country and the upper crust—reaching the Third Tier is where it truly begins."

"At the Third Tier of the 'Castle' aspect, you are qualified to pledge loyalty to a monarch or a great noble, becoming a knight under their banner and receiving your own fief. At the very least, a village; a town is possible if you perform well."

"The King often commands a powerful force of knights, each one a Third Tier knight or higher. A single one of them can slaughter a village or raze a town, or hunt down powerful mountain beasts. They are the stars of the battlefield and a formidable force."

"Each knight, paired with three or four Second Tier 'Castle' squires, forms a steel legion of thousands that can sweep across a battlefield, crushing any defensive line and remaining invincible."

"In our current Regas Kingdom, the founding monarch was known as the 'Knight King.' Centuries ago, he led the 'Fir Knights' through twenty-seven consecutive battles. Their swallow-tailed banners with ice-crack patterns fluttered, and thousands of lances tore through the cold mist like lightning, shattering countless enemies and local tribal forces. Finally, he established the capital at White Cliff City, carving out his own kingdom amidst these mountains."

"But those are things of the distant past. The Regas Kingdom of today is a shadow of its former self, having been downgraded from a kingdom to a principality." He shook his head slightly.

"Beyond the common paths, there are the various guilds and organizations. Smaller ones include the 'Gourmet Guild,' the 'Gardener's Guild,' or the 'Stonemason's Guild.' They hold knowledge and secret arts for the first and second tiers. Larger ones, like the 'Alchemist's Guild,' the 'Blacksmith's Guild,' or the 'Thieves' Guild,' possess knowledge and secret arts up to the third tier."

"Is that all? I heard Talia mention the 'Candlekeep School'." Sylutia asked, puzzled.

"Oh, right, of course. Her sister Winnie studied under Scholar Heide," Vandhi replied, stroking his beard.

"The 'Candlekeep School' is different from the other guilds I mentioned. They are a powerful organization that stands above nations; even many kingdoms must rely on them to solve problems."

"I don't know much about the 'Candlekeep School' myself. After all, I am just a small merchant. The only thing I know is that many of the advisors and consultants to the nobles of Regas come from that school. Those scholars certified with the Candlekeep badge are held in high regard in this land; even nobles treat them with courtesy."

"Thank you for the information."

Their meal gradually drew to a close.

After enjoying the rare feast, Sylutia and Vandhi went downstairs, met up with the waiting Talia and the merchant youth, and boarded the carriage to return to the inn.

The night passed peacefully.

The next day, Vandhi had the long-vacant house cleaned and furnished with a new bed, handing it over to Sylutia.

With the keys in hand, Sylutia and Talia spent a good while touring the house, exploring every corner.

"This is the East District. It's not as wealthy or luxurious as the West District, but it's a very good area," Talia explained to Sylutia.

"The North District is where the castle of Viscount Xuefeng stands; ordinary people can't get in there. The West District is home to the wealthy and some nobles. The East District is generally for free citizens and professionals, while the South District, also called the Lower District, is where many of the poor live."

The house was not large. The ground floor was suitable for daily living, consisting of five rooms: a living room, a kitchen, a washroom, and two bedrooms. Upstairs was an attic for storage, though the space was limited.

Behind the house was a small courtyard, five meters wide, where flowers and plants had once been grown, though most were now withered and choked with weeds.

It was indeed small, but Sylutia was very satisfied; it was far better than the housing she had lived in while working in the big city in her past life.

The following day, the people Vandhi hired helped clean the entire house thoroughly. Sylutia settled in, and Talia stayed with her for the time being, the two of them keeping each other company.

That night, after washing up, the two sat in the small courtyard behind the house in their nightgowns. The cool evening breeze blew, dissipating the lingering moisture on their skin, bringing a sense of comfort.

Sylutia leaned back in a tall wooden chair, her ankles swaying gently beneath the hem of her pale nightgown. She tilted her head to look up at the night sky; it was a rare night where the moon was visible.

The grayish-white moon had faint, dark markings, like flaws in a piece of jade, yet these imperfections only made the moon appear more real and clear, stripping away any sense of illusion.

Bathed in the moonlight, the young girl felt a faint sense of weightlessness, as if she could simply drift away to the moon once she relaxed her entire body.

Unfortunately, opening her eyes revealed this to be nothing more than an illusion.

"Sylutia, you seemed to be covered in a thin veil of light just now, the color of it just like the moonlight." Talia's eyes were filled with curiosity.

"No, perhaps it was just my imagination; it's gone now."

"Hmm." Sylutia shifted her gaze back to the ground, looking at Talia beside her.

Perhaps she truly did share a peculiar bond with the moon.