The City of Ars

Good evening, teacher!

Luo Ge stepped forward to greet him, a smile on his face, his tone as natural as if nothing had happened.

Good evening, Luo Ge.

Roxy responded with a neutral tone.

"By the way, what were they doing just now? Did they have a fight?" She tilted her head and gestured towards the backyard.

"Oh, that one."

Luo Ge scratched the back of his head. "Isolte and I were sparring. She's been practicing quite well lately, so I just gave her a pointer."

Roxy nodded slightly and didn't ask any further questions.

Luo Ge walked up to her and noticed the half-eaten bread she was clutching in her hand; his eyes lit up.

"You even brought me food late at night, teacher, you're so kind."

Roxy was about to say, "That's mine."

As a result, Luo Ge had already snatched the bread from her hand with lightning speed, stuffed it into his mouth in a few bites, and chewed it with his cheeks bulging.

Roxy's outstretched hand froze in mid-air as she watched the last half of the bread disappear into Luo Ge's mouth. She blinked, then blinked again, pursed her lips, but ultimately said nothing.

"Hmm, it tastes good."

Luo Ge gave a vague assessment, swallowed it, and then clapped his hands.

"Wait a moment."

Roxy suddenly spoke.

"What's wrong?"

Luo Ge stopped, puzzled.

Roxy stood on tiptoe, reached out and wiped the corner of his mouth, removing a few crumbs stuck there.

Her soft fingers, still warm from the bread, lingered for a moment at the corner of his mouth before withdrawing.

"Alright."

Roxy withdrew her hand and clapped her fingertips. "Really... next time after you finish eating, remember to wipe your mouth."

"... oh."

Luo Ge paused for a moment, then smiled. "Thank you, teacher."

"It's getting late, I'll head back to my room now."

Good night.

"Okay, goodnight!"

The two went back to their respective rooms.

The next morning, after everyone had breakfast, Isolte hurriedly went out, saying she was going to the Water God Style Dojo to discuss with her master about traveling together.

After the rest of the people finished cleaning up the dishes, Elinalise stretched and suggested going out for a walk.

"It's a rare treat to come all the way to City of Ars, it's so boring to just stay inside."

Luo Ge thought about it and agreed. Anyway, it would be a while before Isolte returned, so he led everyone out the door.

City of Ars is the capital and political center of the Asura Kingdom. Its streets are wide enough for four carriages to run side by side, and the shops on both sides are lined up one after another, with signs that are more ornate than the last.

There were many people and many carriages, and the cries of vendors stretched from one end of the street to the other, interspersed with the music of bards and the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting from some unknown shop.

Of all the cities Luo Ge has visited, only Milishion can compare to this place.

Come to think of it... this is his second time visiting this city.

I didn't get to do any proper shopping last time because I was in a rush, so I'm making up for it today.

The group strolled along the main street, with Aisha and Norn walking in front. The two little girls found everything fascinating and peered into shop windows.

Nanahoshi followed slowly behind, occasionally stopping to look at the covers on the bookshelf.

Elinalise had already gone into a jewelry store and hadn't come out for a while.

As Roxy walked beside Luo Ge, her gaze swept over the price tags, and she was immediately taken aback by the clearly marked prices.

Luo Ge led them into a clothing store.

The clothes in the store are made of good quality fabric and are well-made.

He picked out a light-colored dress for Norn and a comfortable jacket and shorts for Aisha. The two girls were so happy with their new clothes that they spun around in circles.

I've bought gifts for everyone here.

Luo Ge walked up to Roxy with a smile on his face.

"Hey, teacher, what do you want?"

Roxy was looking at a robe hanging on the wall. Her hand had just touched it when she flipped to the price tag, and she froze.

She quickly withdrew her hand and shook her head vigorously, like a rattle-drum.

"No need, no need, I don't need anything."

"You really don't need it?"

"We don't lack any."

Roxy spoke with certainty, then muttered under her breath, "This is too expensive... Luo Ge always spends money extravagantly and doesn't know how to save."

Luo Ge glanced at the price tag; it was indeed expensive for the average person, but for him, it was nothing special.

Besides, he has Elinalise, that rich woman, by his side. If he runs out of money, he can borrow some from her to spend, though whether he pays it back depends on Luo Ge's mood.

Without saying a word, he took the robe off the rack and shoved it into Roxy's arms.

"Give it a try."

"Luo Ge, you really don't need this--"

"Hey, let's give it a try."

Roxy, clutching her robe, glanced up at him, her lips moved, and finally she whispered a thank you before disappearing into the fitting room.

When she came out after changing, the size of the robe was just right, and the material made her look even more radiant.

Roxy stood in front of the mirror, looking left and right with a conflicted expression. She was reluctant to take it off, but also felt sorry for herself.

Luo Ge simply went to the counter and paid.

After leaving the clothing store, Luo Ge carried several bags, Aisha and Norn each carried a paper bag, walking ahead with beaming smiles.

Suddenly, the atmosphere on the street changed.

The once quiet street suddenly became completely silent.

Da da da...

A carriage approached from afar, entirely black with gold trim on the carriage walls. The four horses pulling the carriage had glossy coats, and their hooves clattered in unison, like the beat of drums.

Pedestrians around them quickly moved to the side of the road, heads bowed, some even bending slightly to respectfully step aside.

Luo Ge glanced around curiously from within the dense crowd.

"Who is this? He seems to be someone important?"

A nearby vendor lowered his voice, not daring to raise his head. "Young man... shh! Keep your voice down. The person sitting in the carriage is Advanced Rank, the most powerful minister in our Asura Kingdom, Darius figure even the king treats with deference."

Darius?

Luo Ge glanced at the carriage.

The curtains were half-open, and inside sat a fat, bald man.

Beside him were several little girls who looked very young, kneeling carefully on the ground, diligently serving their Advanced Rank.

Darius's face was folded in several layers of flesh, and his small eyes were half-closed. His expression was not arrogant, but it exuded an unsettling aura.

Like a fat raccoon, it lazily nestled in the cushion, not even glancing outside.

Luo Ge glanced at it once and then looked away.

This appearance does fit his impression of nobles quite well; that fat body and that inexplicable sense of disgust are practically standard features.

The carriage rumbled past, and only then did the people on the street raise their heads again and go about their business.

Not long after, Isolte emerged from the crowd, spotted Luo Ge and the others, and ran over excitedly.

"Luo Ge! Good news!"

"Master has agreed. We can set off for the North together tomorrow!"

"Yeah?"

Luo Ge nodded. "That's perfect. Could you please take me to pay a visit to the Water God later?"

"No problem..."

"But before that, please allow me to take the liberty of showing you around the City of Ars."

Isolte smiled and enthusiastically took on the role of guide, leading everyone on a tour of the City of Ars.

She knew everything about the place better Luo Ge; she knew which alleys had the best pastry shops, which squares had afternoon street performances, and which shops had the best deals on cheap and practical travel gear.

Another day has passed.

The group returned to the mansion when it got dark, with a table piled high with bags and packages.

Aisha and Norn were so sleepy that their eyelids were drooping, so Roxy carried them back to their room, one in each arm.

Luo Ge put his things away and stretched on the edge of the bed.

This trip didn't leave me with any particular impression; my only notable observation was how expensive everything was on the streets of City of Ars.

After Rogge settled Aisha Norren and the others into Izuruti's house, the two of them soon set off for the Water God Dojo.