"Another bandit?" Mary asked.
"Well, this is not Chanterre county which is already cleaned of criminals, so it's normal for this to happen," Aldred said.
Suddenly, the captain of the caravan came and bowed to Byron. "Sir, what do we do?"
"Just continue. We don't want to delay our journey too much."
"Yes, sir."
Aldred didn't say anything, and just as the captain was about to leave, Mira told him to wait. "Shouldn't you help the merchants?"
"It's not our territory. I don't want to get into any problems by being involved in something else. I only have permission to pass and have some weapons and soldiers to defend ourselves. If I move my army, the lord of this region might take it the wrong way."
Mira sighed. "Aldred, wouldn't you help? You're allowed to help right?"
"Aldred is technically not a part of our army, so he can do whatever he wants."
Aldred smiled. "Alright."
He summoned his undead: 50 Snow Wolves and Snow apes. 55 Bajaragons, and 55 Phantom claws. With this undead army menacingly staring at them, the bandits immediately dropped their weapons and ran.
The undead beast chased them down.
The merchant was relieved, and then lifted his wife before he ran to the caravan and thanked the soldier. The soldier pointed to Aldred's carriage.
The merchant then ran towards Aldred's carriage and thanked everyone inside for saving him.
Mira smiled. "Please don't go out without protection again. I heard adventurers provide protection service for an affordable price."
The merchant wore a sad expression. "It's actually the adventurers that betrayed us. Normally, they won't do that as their right in the adventurers guild would be revoked, but with enough incentive they would accept it. I just don't know that my caravan is worth destroying with such a large amount of money."
Mira sighed. Disaster could still happen even if the man was already careful enough to employ adventurers.
"I am sorry to hear that. Maybe you can join a bigger merchant caravan just to be safe. After all, a profit can be earned, but your life and loved ones cannot be replaced."
The merchant was in shame to hear that. To avoid splitting the profit he did indeed decide to travel by himself, but at the same time, he put his own family in danger.
"Thank you, my lady. I am a fool blinded by greed."
"Travel safely."
The merchant bowed and left.
Aldred's caravan continued on their journey after that short event.
For days they traveled through the plain, up the hill, and by the river. Eventually, they arrived in Hajheletmik county.
The capital of Hajheletmik was located by the giant lake called Ocares Lake that connected Thignia to Paphia. It was one of the reasons why Hajheletmik could match Chanterre in wealth and influence. After a few more days of traveling, they finally arrived at the capital city—Beressas.
When the caravan passed through the gigantic gate, the people there had shocked him by throwing flowers, and playing drums, flutes, and other musical instruments.
The people were smiling as they danced around the carriages. They gave him plates of fruits, and some local foods.
"Are they welcoming you?" Aldred asked Byron.
"No. They are welcoming you. Look over there." Byron pointed at a large sign that the people lifted in the street depicting a painting of him defeating a Bajaragon.
"Your name has spread far and wide, and everyone knows of your legend. The people here are excited to welcome you."
"Oh… I didn't know that I have such a reputation. What do they call me?"
"The greedy boy."
"What?"
"There's many other names such as: The sex machine boy. Scammer boy. Killer boy."
"All of them are wrong. Except maybe the first one."
Byron laughed. "Those are just your side nicknames. People know you mostly as the Undead Lord."
"Undead Lord? I have other skills such as fire magic, and sword art. And that's the best title they can give me?"
Byron shrugged. "That's the one that stood out."
"I don't even rely on my undead that much. I defeat my enemy using my own power."
"It doesn't matter, Aldred," Mareona said. "The people like you for whatever reason. Just accept it."
"Right…" Aldred smiled and waved back at the people and they cheered at him.
He didn't know his reputation was so great that people would welcome him like this.
After he passed the crowd, Aldred looked at the food. "I thought you guys only drank blood."
"Humans and other races came to this place as well, so we produce our own food and sell them. We don't eat them."
Aldred nodded.
The city of Beressas did not lose out against the capital city of Chanterre. Aldred saw many large ships anchored by the port as the carriages passed through many workers were lifting boxes of goods.
The city was bustling with activity. Passing through these busy blocks, they arrived at the citadel block. The people here were fewer and calmer. There were weirdly yet beautifully many hills ahead of them. A road made out of red bricks were weaving around these hills, and some infrastructures were built within the hills, making it some sort of house.
But these hills could not hide the grand and tall castle behind them. The carriages rolled on the bricks, and then passed another gate that guarded the castle.
When they arrived, soldiers with majestic armor were welcoming them. They raised their weapons as in giving honor to the visitor.
The carriage stopped in front of their salute formation. Aldred looked around before Byron guided him to proceed. Ahead of them was a handsome man with blonde, frizzy hair, and muscled frame, wrapped by a luxurious soft blue clothes.
"Father," Byron said. "This is Aldred. Aldred, this is my father. Lord Yanka, the Count of Hajheletmik."
Lord Yanka smiled at Aldred and opened his arms. "Welcome. I am sure all of you are tired. I have prepared your bed. Take some rest and the servants will make you some delicious meals."
A few maids walked to them and guided them away.
As they walked through the hallway, Aldred said: "This is weird. Why is your father not angry? Does he know why I am here?"
"He does."
"Damn. Your family is weird. It's as if you guys are happy and in a hurry for me to fuck your mother and sister."
