Chapter 194
Chapter 194
"Knights! Clear a path for our guests!"
At the mayor's shout, the knights of Ruspelheim hurriedly moved to clear a path for Logan's party.
And then—
"Hey! Don't push!"
"Knights are coming—move aside!"
"Damn it, soldiers! Get out of the way!"
The already crowded city gates descended into further chaos.
But no one dared resist the knights and soldiers, and soon, a straight path opened up before Logan and his group.
"What's with that giant and his entourage?"
"Is this all because of them?"
"Damn nobles—ordinary folks can't even live in peace."
Either oblivious to the grumbling or simply ignoring it, the mayor smiled in satisfaction at the cleared path and gestured for Logan to follow.
"Please, come this way. I'll guide you myself."
"...Understood."
Suddenly thrust into the spotlight, Logan and his companions exchanged awkward glances before following the mayor.
"...Is this how they normally treat state envoys? The mayor himself coming out to greet them at the gates?"
"Not a chance. I visited about ten years ago, and it wasn't like this. He was mayor back then too."
Logan whispered his confusion to Luther Kyle, but the answer only deepened his bewilderment.
Moreover—
"Why's the mayor acting like this?"
"No idea. Normally, he wouldn't budge from his office."
"Exactly."
The hushed murmurs of Ruspelheim's knights, picked up by Logan's sharp hearing, only amplified his suspicion.
"Count Logan MacLaine, I've heard so much about you. The city has been buzzing with tales of Grandia's rising young hero..."
The mayor, Dmitri Ryan, spoke in the Empire's common tongue with an accent slightly foreign to Grandians. A middle-aged man with a pleasant demeanor, he was far more talkative than expected—and most of his words were lavish praise directed at Logan, making the latter increasingly uncomfortable.
Aside from the fact that he seemed unusually well-informed about Grandia's affairs.
"Hey, do you have some kind of history with this guy? He's practically carrying you on his back."
Luther Kyle's incredulous expression was understandable—the mayor's behavior was excessive.
But Logan couldn't exactly snap at someone being overly polite. Fighting back the urge to cringe at the excessive flattery, he maintained a neutral expression as he followed the mayor.
The moment they stepped past the gates, the exotic scenery captivated the group.
The first thing that caught their eyes was a wide boulevard flanked by uniform three-story buildings stretching endlessly in both directions.
Identical in design and evenly spaced, the buildings didn't feel oppressive—instead, they gave off a clean, orderly impression.
Countless merchants lined the streets, peddling all manner of goods from stalls and shopfronts.
"Most of the outer city is essentially one giant marketplace. This is why Ruspelheim prides itself as the largest trade hub in the eastern continent. Though, of course, it pales in comparison to Acerian. The Empire is the greatest nation in the world—there's nothing we don't have. If you need anything, just ask. We have everything... except what we don't."
The mayor, who had been showering Logan with praise, now spread his arms proudly as he surveyed the streets.
The sight was indeed impressive enough to justify his pride.
"Rare beasts from the far western edge of the continent! Come take a look!"
"Monster parts—Calcutta horns and hides for sale!"
"Fruits found only in the deepest southern mountain ranges!"
Goods they had never seen in Grandia drew the group's attention like moths to a flame.
"Ten years ago, it wasn't like this... The Empire's progress is frighteningly fast."
Luther Kyle, the eldest among them, marveled at the surroundings while the rest of the party gawked like country bumpkins in a metropolis.
"Our territory has developed a lot thanks to the Young Master, but this is on another level. The Empire really is— Ow! What the— Hey, you lot! Straighten up! This isn't a sightseeing trip!"
Henderson, who had been muttering in awe, yelped when Victor elbowed him in the ribs, forcing him to snap back to discipline.
The mayor watched their reactions with satisfaction before turning to Logan—only to find no particular change in his expression.
'Still, it's nothing compared to twenty years later. Of course.'
Unlike his companions, Logan wasn't distracted by the sights. His eyes were fixed on the soldiers and knights stationed throughout the marketplace.
'The security forces aren't much different from my past life. But if the current military strength is the same as twenty years later...'
As he pondered, the mayor suddenly spoke up with a remark that made Logan's eyes widen.
"Ah, come to think of it, a merchant group from MacLaine visited not long ago. Quite an impressive bunch—they established a branch here in no time."
"...The mayor personally keeps tabs on individual merchant groups?"
"Haha. Given Ruspelheim's location, I make it a point to stay informed about Grandia's affairs. Especially when it concerns the MacLaine family. You'll understand when you receive their report—I made sure to extend every courtesy."
"My, I've unwittingly incurred a debt. Thank you for your kindness, Mayor."
"Not at all. It's only natural for fostering goodwill between our nations. After all, isn't the MacLaine family effectively Grandia's ruling power now?"
"Haha. That's too generous an assessment."
Logan maintained his smile, but his gaze darkened.
Ruspelheim was the closest major city to Grandia—but still a three-day gallop away.
For its mayor to keep such close tabs on Grandia's affairs, down to individual merchant groups?
'He was likely mayor during the Empire's war too... Could they have been preparing for war even back then?'
It was worth investigating carefully.
As Logan steeled himself for further probing, the mayor's idle chatter continued until they arrived before a massive building.
"This is Ruspelheim's administrative office. It also serves as my residence."
Standing before the seven-story structure—something only seen in Grandia's few magic towers—Mayor Dmitri turned to Logan with pride.
"I've prepared a guest suite inside. Please rest as long as you need."
Seeing no reason to refuse, Logan nodded graciously.
"Thank you. I won't forget your excessive hospitality."
It was just another empty pleasantry, no different from their earlier exchanges.
Yet—
"Hahaha. I'd be truly grateful if you didn't."
The response was... odd.
The mayor seemed to take Logan's courtesy at face value.
Baffled, Logan couldn't help but ask—
"...Is there something you'd like me to help with?"
But—
"Oh, no. It's just... should you ever rise to prominence in the Empire, I hope you'll remember me."
The mayor's words were strange.
"Prominence in the Empire? Me? What are you—?"
Logan's disbelief leaked into his tone.
Yet the mayor nodded as if stating the obvious.
"Yes. You've received a personal invitation from His Imperial Majesty."
Logan blinked.
Had he just been handed nonsense in response to a question?
Were Empire mayors appointed based on sheer stupidity?
His bewildered gaze instinctively turned toward the half-giant beside him.
"What is he talking about?"
"...No idea."
"My ears aren't deceiving me, right?"
"Seems to me like he's lost his mind."
Luther Kyle's face twisted as he spoke loudly enough for the mayor to hear.
But whether the mayor genuinely didn't hear or chose to ignore it, his expression remained unchanged—still smiling amiably.
So Logan had no choice but to press further.
"Are you perhaps under some misunderstanding? I'm here as a state envoy."
"Ah, I believe it's you who's slightly mistaken, Lord Logan."
"Me?"
Logan's face openly displayed his incredulity.
"The invitation you carry isn't a standard one. It's a personal summons from His Imperial Majesty to 'Logan MacLaine' as an individual. That makes all the difference."
Finally, Logan understood what the mayor was implying.
But even so, the idea was absurd.
"Hahaha. Even so, my circumstances are different, no? I may pale in comparison to the Empire, but I already have a family to serve."
Yet the mayor simply smiled.
"Just something to keep in mind."
The knights behind Logan scowled at the implication—they took it as disrespect toward MacLaine and Grandia.
"How dare you slight our kingdom?!"
Luther Kyle bellowed openly, but Logan was the one who stopped him.
"Sir Luther. Calm down. You know I'd never consider such a thing."
"But even so! There's basic courtesy to show an envoy—this is outright insulting!"
"From his perspective, it's not an insult."
"Tch..."
Logan stepped in front of Luther and studied the mayor's face again.
His unwavering expression confirmed it—
'This man genuinely believes there's a chance I'd accept. Is he sane?'
The Empire's notorious superiority complex was on full display.
"...Understood. I'll remember your words."
Arrogant bastard.
As Logan turned away—
"I heard His Majesty's guest has arrived, Mayor."
A sharp voice cut through the air, drawing all eyes.
'Who—?'
The speaker was a middle-aged man with brown hair, black eyes, and a trimmed mustache—utterly ordinary in appearance.
But the way everyone reacted to his voice was no coincidence.
"That man—he's a Transcendent."
Thud.
Luther Kyle stepped forward, signaling the newcomer's danger, and the entire party tensed.
Except Logan, who had already sensed it.
"Who... are you?"
The answer came from right in front of them.
"Ah! Sir Blake! Lord Logan, this is Count Blake Evendor. Commander of the Western Army's elite 3rd Legion."
"Mayor, you flatter me. I'm just one of the Western Eight. But might this gentleman be...?"
"Indeed. It's him."
At the mayor's confirmation, Blake extended a hand toward Logan with utmost courtesy.
"If I may be so bold, could I see His Majesty's invitation with my own eyes?"
Suppressing a sigh at the absurdity of the situation, Logan produced the letter from his coat.
The Transcendent examined it meticulously before his eyebrows twitched. Then, with both hands, he returned it respectfully.
As Logan numbly accepted it back—
"I've confirmed His Imperial Majesty's handwritten summons. It's an honor to meet you."
"...Huh?"
"From this moment forth, I, 'Fierce Strike Blake,' shall escort you safely to the imperial capital."
The most ridiculous words had just been spoken.