MTLNOVEL Chapter 679: Trial?
"Sir, I asked, do you intend to stay for the short term in the Aradonia city? Or do you have plans for a longer stay?" The guard asked, his eyes narrowed even more and his voice raised a little.
Noah frowned, but not at the way he was being spoken to but at his surroundings. After a single look around, he realized that he was standing in line at the entrance of a city, Aradonia City, from what the guard said.
The guards were taking note of everyone in and out of the city, and he seemed to be one of the few people who were trying to enter the city.
'Where am I? Is this a trail? If so, what is the point of all this? Even though he was surprised and caught off guard because he allowed it to be that way, he did not panic from start to end.
Noah tried to look around for any signs of Elyisa but found her nowhere around. Instead he felt a vague sensation inside his chest. Something illusionary and far away to grasp, but it brought a smile to his lips.
While he was lost in thought, the guard grew frustrated.
Noah seemed to have sensed his raging emotions and turned his attention back to him. "I am not sure. I am looking for a good town to settle down in, but if this place does not meet my standards, I will move on to the next city."
Noah's words immediately changed the behavior of the guard. At first he looked doubtful, but when he noticed Noah's handsome appearance matched with the fine robes he was wearing, he immediately became more respectful and put on a fawning smile. "Ah, then I am pleased to welcome you to Aradonia City from all of my heart. I hope our city is to your liking."
The people who were lined up behind Noah were surprised to see such a speedy backflip from the guard. They had been annoyed by Noah for wasting their time, but they knew better than to start something in the presence of the shark-like guards.
Under their astonished eyes, Noah was warmly welcomed into the city, even more enthusiastically when he dropped a spirit stone in their hands. Once Noah had crossed the city, they returned to their posts with their usual cold, stoic state.
The guy who was next in line grumbled at their unfair treatment, under his breath though.
"Who is that guy?"
"Did you see, those demonic guards who do not spare their own families were fawning over that guy."
"Did he bribe that guard or maybe make a deal with him in secret?"
Noah ignored the murmurs in the background and continued to walk on the long, wide road leading to the center of the city. Unlike what these residents of the town were assuming, he did not bribe the guard… not technically.
Noah had noticed the worn-out state of the walls of the city and the dilapidated state of the gates. These things only happen due to poor city management, corrupt officials—most likely the city lord—the lack of money, which once again comes under poor management, or last but not least, the city being under constant siege.
Once he looked inside the city and noticed the makeshift shops and booths that can be easily packed up and taken away within no time, Noah guessed it was the last case.
'Most likely this place is constantly facing beast tides one after the other.' When he reached this conclusion, Noah used the bait, creating a scenario of him using a lot of money to buy land if he liked their city.
He is well aware that a city under such a state can always use any bit of manpower or money.
The guards thought he was a cultivator with quite a bit of money and treated him the way they did.
"Now what should I do first?" Noah wondered as he looked around the city. There were no big shops in the outer area of the city, and he knew he would not find any here. 'I should gather information. While I am in this place, I might as well try to clear the trail my way.'
With slow, deliberate steps, Noah walked to a nearby alleyway and entered it. Soon after he went there, three burly figures followed after him with a greedy look in their eyes and sharp weapons on their waists.
Even though this area was a little secluded and only a few people were present, many of them saw this happen, but no one stepped forward to help Noah.
But soon they realized they did not even have to step forward, even if they had the guts to do so. Noah walked back, unscathed and tidy as ever.
"What a waste of time." Glancing inside the dark alley, Noah scoffed before looking around. Those who were looking at him turned away, too afraid and guilty to meet his gaze.
Clicking his tongue in disdain, he walked away and made his way to the second option he knew of.
A restaurant.
Cities have small establishments where people had the habit of having their meals and talking to other people about god knows how many things.
He could not go to a high-end place, as the people there eat with proper etiquette, and eating while talking was not one of them.
"Welcome, welcome!" Once Noah reached the nearest restaurant he could find, a small child who seemed to be serving some tea to the people sitting near the entrance noticed his arrival and approached him enthusiastically.
Once he saw Noah's refined appearance and apparel, a hint of hesitation appeared in his eyes. Noah saw this and smiled warmly, "Take me to an empty table."
The hesitant kid saw no repulsion in Noah's eyes and regained his energy before taking him to an empty table under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
"What can I bring you, sir?" He asked with an expectant look on his face; as if realizing something, he knocked himself on the head and read out a list of dishes from his mind with a look that said he was trying hard to remember something. "Mmm… we have curry rice, chicken rice, dog rice, cat stew, bao bun… and… and… Goddess Ana, what was it? Ah, and fried rice! 'Praise the goddess…' We also serve tea and some mild wine if you would like something to accompany the food."