Chapter 124 – Highway Robbery
The carriage wound its way through the hills, twisting left and right as it passed over several mountains.
Sometimes the slopes were covered in lush greenery, sometimes they were barren and stripped bare.
Frieren noticed the marks of excavation—clearly the work of human hands—but they seemed to have been abandoned long ago.
The monotonous scenery quickly grew tiresome.
Only when the tall walls of Amber City finally came into view did Frieren's interest return.
"For a medium-sized trade city, aren't those walls a bit… too high?"
Flamme followed her gaze, looking up at the towering gray fortifications.
"Amber City may not be large, but back when mana gemstones were rare, this place was incredibly wealthy. Naturally, it needed strong walls for protection."
"But over the last century, the local resources have been exhausted. At the same time, new mines were discovered across the northern continent."
"As a result, Amber City has declined more and more, losing the prosperity it once had."
She gestured toward the surrounding hills.
"Several generations of city lords tried expanding the mining operations, hoping to discover more valuable gemstones."
"But as you can see…"
Flamme sighed.
"Nothing was found except these barren mountains."
"Nowadays, Amber City survives mostly because it sits on the main road leading south. It makes a little money from trade—and collects a bit of toll from travelers."
Frieren nodded.
"So it's a fallen city… Then this toll—"
"—Stop right there!"
A guard at the city gate shouted at their carriage and began counting with his finger.
"One, two, three, four… five!"
"By order of the city lord, caravans with four people or fewer pass free of charge. But you have five people!"
"You'll need to pay eight Strahl silver coins!"
The guard's tone left no room for argument.
Though to anyone listening—
It sounded suspiciously close to daylight robbery.
"What did you say?!"
Frieren exploded in anger.
"Eight Strahl silver coins? That's daylight robbery!"
The gate guard leveled his spear without backing down.
"Those are the city lord's orders! Are you trying to make an enemy of Amber City?!"
"You—!"
While Frieren argued with the guards, none of them noticed something quietly change on the carriage.
"This soldier… take another look."
The guard glanced over—and blinked.
Elias now sat in the driver's seat, and there were only three people in the carriage.
"…What?!"
"That's not right… I'm sure there were five of you just now, including the driver!"
Elias smiled gently.
"Perhaps you've been guarding the gate for too long."
He pulled two Strahl silver coins from his pocket and placed them in the guard's hand.
"Take this. Buy yourself a little wine tonight and get some proper rest."
The guard's eyes lit up instantly. Pocketing the coins, he waved them through with a grin.
"Go on, go on. Maybe I really am just tired. I'll take these two coins then."
---
After passing through the gate, Flamme stared at Elias's back in disbelief.
"I never would've guessed, Elias."
"That flattering smile of yours—quite convincing."
"Flamme, how do you think I've managed to wander all over the world these years? Tricks like that are nothing."
"Perhaps. But compared to such small matters, I'm more curious about how Brutus intends to appear before you."
"He's both an elf and a musician. So all we need to do is—"
Elias suddenly paused, looking down the street.
Citizens were screaming and scattering in panic.
Fear spread instantly through the crowd.
Frieren craned her neck to see.
"What's going on?!"
But when she turned—
Elias and Flamme had already vanished.
Ten seconds later, the monster that had burst into the marketplace was reduced to ash.
Elias and Flamme stood facing each other silently, neither smiling.
Why had a monster suddenly appeared in the middle of the city?
And such a weak one at that—why would it attack a crowded street in broad daylight?
Lost in thought, the two returned to the carriage and prepared to head toward an inn.
But before they could move—
A squad of guards suddenly surrounded them.
"The mage who slew the monster just now… would that be Great Mage Flamme?"
"Our city lord requests your presence."
Elias glanced at Flamme.
"Another acquaintance of yours?"
Flamme shook her head.
"When I traveled south before, I only ever passed through. I've never met Amber City's lord."
Elias smiled faintly.
"Flamme… weren't you just wondering how Brutus might show himself?"
"Well—here he comes."
---
Inside a luxurious hall, a long table in the center was covered with mouthwatering dishes.
Frieren and Robin—clearly inexperienced with such luxury—could barely tear their eyes away from the food.
Elias quietly surveyed the surroundings and spoke to Flamme through telepathy.
"For a declining noble house, the decor and food here are rather extravagant."
Flamme also looked around.
"Well, he is the lord of a city. Perhaps all those tolls he's been collecting ended up here."
"—Hahahahaha!"
The lord of Amber City entered the hall with booming laughter.
He strode directly toward Flamme and grasped her hands enthusiastically.
"What an honored guest!"
"The Valkyrie of the northern battlefield herself—slaying a monster the moment you entered the city! I, Scott, am truly fortunate to meet the legendary Flamme."
"Please, sit! Please, sit!"
After returning a brief courtesy, Flamme was seated beside him.
Frieren and Robin wasted no time—once seated, they immediately began devouring the food.
"Mage Flamme, have you come to Amber City on an errand from Lady Serie?"
"Oh—no. I'm merely passing through. We'll depart for the south tomorrow."
"What? Leaving tomorrow already?!"
The city lord sighed in disappointment.
"You may not be able to stay long, but tonight we happen to have a concert!"
At the word concert, both Elias and Flamme reacted instantly.
"I'm terribly sorry, Lord—"
"Ah, Lady Flamme~"
Scott waved his hand grandly.
"It's only a concert—it won't delay you!"
"And we've recently welcomed a new musician to Amber City. His melodies are like music from heaven. You and your companions simply must hear it!"
Flamme and Elias exchanged a glance.
Both had already reached the same conclusion.
Even the monster that had appeared earlier in the street—
was likely meant to lure them here.
Flamme was about to refuse again when Elias suddenly raised his glass.
"Thank you for the invitation, my lord. We would be delighted to hear this so-called heavenly music."
Only then did the city lord shift his attention away from Flamme.
"And this mage would be…?"
"My name is Elias."
The lord looked at Flamme, then at Elias.
He thought for a moment before breaking into a knowing smile.
"Indeed. No matter how powerful a female mage may be—no matter how many demons she slays—love is still indispensable to a woman."
"—Pff!"
Flamme nearly choked on her drink.
"Lord Scott, you misunderstand. We are merely traveling companions."
"Is that so?"
He grinned.
"Well… the two of you certainly look like a fine match."