TGS - Chapter 40
Chapter 40: Yilulaila City
Under the azure sky, the Yilu River was wide and calm, reflecting shimmering light like flecks of gold. Merchant ships laden with goods cut through the river's surface, propelled steadily by the current.
Ebony, ivory, exotic spices and fabrics... these goods from the neighboring Kasnie Kingdom were highly popular among the Solancians and would surely fetch a good price.
For this reason, most of the caravan members were in high spirits, gathered on one side of the deck, chatting and laughing. They imagined how much money they would make after selling this shipment and what gifts they would bring home to their families.
In the past, they would never have been so relaxed. On the long merchant routes, there were far too many who preyed on caravans.
Bandits in the mountains, insatiably greedy officials... being extorted was a minor matter; there were even instances where the entire caravan, including its guards, was wiped out.
But this time, everyone was at ease.
Because among the cavalry escorting them was the Princess, who had made a formidable name for herself on the border. With such a fearsome god of the battlefield assisting them, they had encountered no trouble on their journey, passing through the City of the Sun God and boarding the merchant ship.
Traveling by boat was not only safe but also comfortable and relaxing, much more pleasant than trudging on foot or riding horses on land.
"Sigh—"
On the other side of the deck, the envoy from Akhet leaned against the ship's rail, gazing into the distance with a melancholic expression, completely out of place with the leisurely chatting caravan members.
It had been a month.
He had been following this caravan for a month.
He was supposedly following the caravan, but his real purpose was to monitor Princess Alyuin. However, after all this time, he felt like he had been monitoring nothing at all.
While traveling on land, he couldn't observe anything from across the vast caravan, but that was acceptable, as nothing much could happen on the road anyway.
Upon reaching the City of the Sun God, he was unexpectedly roped into buying and selling goods by the caravan master. After more than half a month, he had practically mastered the trade process and had even been muddle-headedly turned into free labor, helping with the accounts.
On the one day he finally managed to follow the Princess, he found she was just wandering around with her teacher, watching plays, visiting gardens, and strolling from the east street to the north street. Where was the slightest sense of duty as a caravan guard?
She didn't even meet with the God-Concubine, as if she weren't her blood aunt. It made the envoy suspect that she had no other purpose in coming to Surinia at all, and that he had simply been overthinking things.
And now, as they were about to arrive at the next major city, he still had nothing to show for his efforts, no progress whatsoever.
Every time a carrier pigeon arrived from Akhet, the envoy would get a headache, because he had no idea what to report.
Should he report that he'd discovered the Princess was neglecting her duties and indulging in pleasure?
Even a fool could see she was putting on an act!
Thinking of this, the envoy from Akhet couldn't help but sigh deeply again.
Just then, he heard a troubled sigh from nearby, and his eyes instantly lit up.
Could it be that on this ship where everyone was cheerful, there was another dejected soul like himself?
The envoy from Akhet walked around the cargo hold and saw a young soldier in leather armor, his hair as messy as straw, pacing in circles with a conflicted expression. To be honest, he looked a bit foolish.
The envoy narrowed his eyes.
He had an excellent memory and recalled that this person usually moved with the Royal Guard but wasn't one of them. He was always being ordered around unceremoniously, so he must have accumulated a lot of resentment, which was why he was sighing so heavily here.
Perhaps this was someone he could win over.
The envoy greeted him amicably, "My good man..."
The straw-haired soldier looked up at him and immediately scowled.
"No need for such hostility. I see you standing here all alone. You haven't been ostracized by the others, have you?"
"What nonsense. You're the one being ostracized," the straw-haired man retorted bluntly.
The envoy, who was indeed being ostracized by everyone on the ship: "..."
The envoy's eyes turned grim, but he kept a smile on his face. "Don't misunderstand. I don't mean anything by it. I just feel it's unfair to you."
The straw-haired soldier: "What's unfair about it?"
"Look, you've worked so hard on this journey, being ordered around left and right. Don't you think those people are going too far? Even the veterans who serve Her Highness shouldn't torment a junior like this."
The straw-haired soldier frowned.
The envoy thought his persuasion was having some effect and was about to continue his spiel when the straw-haired man declared loudly, "These are my trials! You troublemaker, don't think I'll fall for your tricks!"
His voice was sonorous and powerful, so loud that even the caravan members on the other side of the deck fell strangely silent.
The envoy sucked in a sharp breath and hissed, "Are you crazy? Why are you talking so loudly?"
The straw-haired man: "My mother told me that only people with a guilty conscience deliberately lower their voices when they speak."
The envoy gritted his teeth. A miscalculation. This blockheaded soldier looked foolish, but he actually understood everything. He was probably a plant, set up by the Princess.
He turned and walked away, covering his face before the others could be drawn over by that booming voice. Although they both knew each other's intentions, he couldn't let the Princess catch him in the act, or he would be a complete failure as a monitor.
The straw-haired soldier assumed the man had left in shame after his ill intentions were exposed, and couldn't help but feel proud of his own insight.
But soon, he remembered his own troubles and his face fell again.
Footsteps approached from behind. The former deputy commander, Lena, had heard the commotion and came over. "What were you shouting about just now? Who was trying to stir up trouble?"
The straw-haired Luca recounted what had just happened in detail. After listening, Lena's brow relaxed. "Well done."
Usually left half-dead from being choked up by the straw-haired man's words, Lena realized for the first time that his way of speaking was also extremely effective against enemies. She imagined the envoy was probably questioning his life choices right now.
Lena asked casually, "So, what were you so conflicted about earlier?"
"Just thinking about a trivial little thing..." Luca's voice suddenly became quieter than a mosquito's buzz.
Lena gave him a suspicious look. "If it's a small thing, then fine. But remember not to let it affect your performance. We're about to reach our next stop, so pull yourself together."
Luca said seriously, "I will."
The deputy commander turned and walked back the way she came. Standing behind her, Luca's expression quickly switched back to one of misery.
Lotus gazed through the small window of the cabin at the city, its silhouette now visible in the distance.
The major city they were about to reach was named Yilulaila, meaning "protected by the Yilu River." True to its name, it was a city that worshipped the River Goddess—that is, Lotus herself.
Alyuin was adjusting her straps. Facing the mirror, she finished fastening the ones on her chest and reached behind her back for the others.
Seeing this, Lotus came over to help her.
The Princess stiffened for a moment. Feeling the goddess's fingertips touch the skin of her lower back through the fabric, she couldn't help but lower her gaze.
Although she could have fastened them skillfully herself, she calmly allowed Lotus to help, even indulging in the sensation of the gentle touch, wishing the moment could last a little longer.
But there were only a few straps, and they were fastened in no time.
Lotus looked at the Princess through the mirror and said, "You're dressed quite formally this time."
"The Lord of Yilulaila is a traditional man who values etiquette. Knowing in advance of my arrival, he will certainly invite me for a meeting at the earliest opportunity. Dressing too casually might affect his first impression." Alyuin paused, then asked with a smile, "This outfit should be sufficient, don't you think?"
A long, wide-shouldered dress, covered by a light, trimmed cloak. She wasn't wearing a full set of gold jewelry, but the agate-inlaid belt and simple gold bracelets alone were enough to display an air of nobility that others could not match.
Lotus thought for a moment, then found an exquisite golden hair ornament and placed it in Alyuin's hair.
The delicate yet simple hair ornament added a touch of solemnity. Without even looking in the mirror, Alyuin said, "Your choice is perfect."
Lotus gestured for her to look in the mirror first, but the Princess said confidently, "I don't need to look to know it suits me. The Lord of Yilulaila is also your believer. If he has any objections to this attire, it only proves he isn't devout enough."
Lotus shook her head. "What kind of logic is that?"
Don't blame matters of aesthetics on faith.
"Lotus is logic."
The Princess went along with it, her expression quite serious.
Lotus could now face Alyuin's creative flattery with perfect composure. "If that's the case," she said calmly, "why didn't you listen to me last night and go to bed earlier?"
Alyuin replied plausibly, "Because sometimes, people want to be illogical."
There seemed to be nothing wrong with that reason.
Lotus sighed with a smile. "You really have an answer for everything."
With all preparations complete, the merchant ship docked outside Yilulaila City.
A commotion could be heard outside the cabin; the caravan members were unloading the goods they intended to sell.
The two of them disembarked from the other end of the ship, their feet touching solid ground. They tilted their heads up slightly, gazing at the city under the protection of the River Goddess.
Unlike most cities, which favored thick, high walls—the higher the better—Yilulaila's walls were relatively less towering and massive. Its defense relied mainly on a moat.
The extremely wide channel was the result of manual excavation, its water drawn from the Yilu River. It resembled a pale turquoise ribbon. A bridge spanned the water outside each city gate, and soldiers stood guard on them day and night.
Two soldiers approached the caravan.
They must have received news in advance, as their expressions showed no surprise. They bowed respectfully and said, "Welcome to Yilulaila. The Captain of the City Guard will be here to greet you shortly. Your Highness, please come with us for now."
Alyuin nodded in return.
The group followed the guards across the moat bridge. As they reached the city gate, Lotus's gaze inadvertently swept over the wall next to the gate. Many pieces of paper were posted there, visible to everyone entering the city.
The first sheet was particularly large, listing the city's regulations and friendly reminders for outsiders.
Below this notice was a row of portraits.
Solancians would post portraits of wanted criminals outside the city to help the guards screen people and prevent fugitives from slipping inside. This was not unusual, but Lotus's eyes froze.
The one at the very front... it looked a bit familiar.
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