Westesia was known for its unpredictable weather, and the Demiliore Family finally got to experience it when they were only an hour away from Crystal City.
It rained as though the sky was determined to drown the land, and though the crowns of the tall trees worked as umbrellas, keeping the road relatively clear, the water fell in the form of waterfalls along the sides, cascading with a relentless roar that echoed faintly through the downpour.
It was quite a beautiful sight, something they had never witnessed before. However, just as beautiful as it was, it was also quite intimidating.
The torrential rain masked every sound, and only the distant rumbling of the dark clouds could be heard from time to time, accompanied by the sharp, ozone-scented crackle of lightning splitting the air.
They had even sensed lightning striking the forest, and given that they had consumed the Luminous Water Spirit Pearls and could sense life better than ever, they could feel the fear of the Magical Beasts as nature showcased its might, their hearts pounding in unison with the storm's fury.
Even the people in the forest were staying beneath the shelters they had created, unwilling to be targeted by random bolts of lightning.
However, even in this solemn atmosphere, a certain someone was being a little mischievous.
Ayesha, who was now riding with him and sitting in his lap since she did not have a horse of her own, leaned further into his embrace.
She had her eyes closed as though she were trying to sleep, but in truth, she was sneakily planting kisses on his neck where her face was hidden. And he could feel her smile against his skin as she teased him with her soft lips, her warm breath sending subtle tingles across his flesh.
"What are your intentions?" he teasingly whispered so only she could hear him.
"They are all innocent." She whispered back, almost stifling a giggle, and then nibbled on his neck, sending a shiver up his spine.
Keith smiled at her playfulness and used the hand resting on her waist to tickle her.
He could play this game too, and Ayesha welcomed his challenge, intensifying her efforts to tease him even more.
At some point, Kiara noticed what was happening on their side, but she merely giggled to herself and kept quiet, choosing not to disturb their moment.
However, despite her mercy, their affection could not continue for long when they saw hundreds of mercenaries stopped on the road leading to the City Gate.
The City Guards stood in their armour, all looking very solemn, and they were not allowing people into the City without a check.
As they passed through the groups camping by the roadside, they were met with curious gazes, most directed at their group and some particularly focused on their mounts.
As soon as they were about to leave the shelter of the trees, Keith created an invisible shield using his Mana, protecting them from the rain.
"We are sorry. Only those who have businesses or homes inside the city, or Mercenaries whose headquarters are located here, are allowed entry this week," a guard apologetically informed them after stopping their group.
He was quite experienced and could tell that this group was unlike the others. However, he still had to follow the rules, so he refused them entry as politely as possible.
"We do have a property on one of the cliffs just outside the city. Does that count?" Kiara asked, and the man looked at them in surprise, seemingly trying to identify them once again.
"Was it recently transferred?"
"Yes. It has been a couple of weeks," she answered, and the guard nodded in understanding.
"If you can show the deed or anything else that can help us verify your claim, you may enter the city." He politely said, immediately stepping forward when Kiara took the deed out of her Storage Ring.
"Please wait a moment." He spoke after confirming that it was valid and then headed straight into his cabin to verify it further.
A couple of minutes later, he returned with a book in his hand.
"Thank you for your patience. Kindly provide us with the names of your companions so that we can create passes for you." He returned the deed to her and asked.
"These are Haru, Caesar, and Victorian. These are my sisters, Celine, Celeste, Amora, and Noor. My aunt, Syl, and these are my parents, Argus and Evelyn."
She provided the names, mostly their middle names, and smiled when the man handed her the book and asked her to check whether he had written them correctly and to sign the passes, which she did.
These were essentially going to be their legal documents in Crystal City, and she had not lied about any of the names, so there was no room for future complications.
Once the guard received the book back, he took out his badge and pressed it against the pages, activating the Runes inscribed upon them.
Afterwards, under their watchful eyes, he took out the Crystal Cards, stored the information from the pages onto them, and then handed everyone their respective identity tokens.
"These are temporary passes that will remain valid for the rest of the week. Since you own a property in the city, which qualifies you to apply for citizenship, I suggest that you visit the City Hall and submit an application. It will save you future inconvenience, and you will also be able to enjoy the rights afforded to citizens." He smiled. "Of course, it is merely a suggestion. Have a pleasant stay!"
"Thank you." Kiara nodded to him and then led their group into the city.
There was another checkpoint after they passed through the Gate, where they had to show their passes before they were finally free to go wherever they wished within the city.
"I like the name. Thank you." Victor happily said once they were away from the gate, and everyone immediately looked at him in confusion, which made him feel a little awkward.
"Victor, be honest. Do you not know that Victorian is your real name and Victor is just short for it?" Kiara asked, and they all received their answer when his eyes suddenly widened.
"What?!"
"Wow." Harud failed to hold back his laughter, and the same was true for Ayesha and Alana.
Sebastian managed to restrain himself, but he kept shaking his head, smiling and chuckling.
"But no one told me that my name was Victorian. Everyone just calls me Victor." The Muscle-Head innocently replied, and Kiara giggled at his reaction.
"Now you know." She smiled. "And we are glad that you like your name."
Hearing her words, the man smiled again.
"I have a mighty name!" he declared, prompting another round of laughter, and their happiness naturally attracted quite a bit of attention.
However, as soon as Keith released his Presence, which weighed heavily on the hearts of those around them, people quickly looked away.
Whispers spread among the crowd, and it did not take long for people to identify him as the Poison Master who had been seen in the city two weeks earlier.
Ignoring the attention, they travelled deeper into the city, and when they arrived at the Central Square, they dismounted and stored their mounts away.
The rain was still pouring relentlessly with no signs of stopping, but thankfully, the drainage system had been designed to handle such weather, channelling the water away through swift, gurgling streams.
"Let's go to the Hungry Cauldron," Kiara suggested, and following her gaze, they looked at the conspicuous building shaped like a massive cauldron. Despite the weather, the Restaurant was filled with people, or at least the main lounge was. Several exotic carriages were also parked outside, indicating that a group of distinguished guests was dining there.
Looking at the guards standing outside, proud Martial Masters, they knew it was an expensive establishment, but money was not something most of them ever hesitated to spend.
"Welcome to the Hungry Cauldron!" The guards politely bowed as they opened the glass door for them, and the moment they stepped inside, a mouthwatering aroma greeted them, rich with spices and simmering broths that promised warmth against the chill outside.
Victor audibly gulped, making Keith smile as he looked at the attendant approaching to guide them.
"Welcome, Esteemed Guests. Would you like a private room, or would you prefer dining in the restaurant?"
"A private room, preferably one with a view of the City Square."
"Of course. Please come with me." The attendant politely smiled and led them upstairs, and when they arrived at the private dining room, it was everything Kiara had expected.
"I like it." She told the attendant, who seemed pleased by her guest's easy-going nature.
"I will be your attendant during your stay. You may call for me once you have decided on your orders."
"Thank you." Alana smiled at her and then joined her sisters, who were already moving towards the glass wall that provided a full view of the City Square. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" she knowingly asked as she noticed the curiosity in Ayesha's and Qingyue's eyes.
"It is." The grey-eyed Eldeilyon nodded as she scanned the crystal structures that lived up to the city's name.
On the other side of the room, Keith sat down at the table with Venessa, Kashish, and Sibyl, and across from them, Sebastian, Victor, and Harud took their seats.
To them, the menu was far more interesting than the city outside, at least for the moment. And soon enough, Victor looked at him in confusion and asked for advice since he knew nothing about the dishes listed within it.
"If we don't like anything, we will hold it against you." Kiara mischievously said to Keith as she took her seat, leaving the ordering entirely to him.
"Sure." He smiled, accepting her challenge, and went through the menu, using all his culinary knowledge to understand what the combination of listed ingredients would taste like.
There were several dishes he had already tried in this world back in the City of Sin, and he decided to order a few of those as well.
After he buzzed for the attendant, who soon entered the room, he placed the order on behalf of everyone, and as the dishes continued piling up, so did her smile.
Whatever he was ordering was among the finest offerings available, which naturally meant that they were among the most expensive as well.
"Wine or drinks?"
"Mirium's Rain. Six pitchers." He said and then glanced at the wine section of the menu. "The Dragon Wine. Six bottles."
The attendant furrowed her brows slightly and debated whether she should warn them that the wine should not be consumed in large quantities, but in the end, she kept her thoughts to herself.
The guest appeared to know exactly what he was ordering, so everything should be fine.
"Will that be all?" she asked after writing everything down.
"No. We would also like you to join us for the meal." He smiled at the surprise on her face. "We are curious about what is happening in the city, and we were hoping you could tell us what has happened over the last two weeks."
She smiled at his words and then bowed.
"Thank you for your offer, Sir, but we are not permitted to dine with guests. However, I will be happy to join you at the table until your meal is served."
"Very well. Serve the wine and Mirium's Rain first."
"Yes." She happily excused herself to submit their order and returned a few minutes later with a couple of waitresses carrying their drinks and wine.
And what she had to tell them about what was happening in the city caught them all completely off guard.