Chapter 7: The Province of Caldero

After waiting for half an hour, Veilin and his party of fifteen, with eighteen red phosphorus horses, twelve nags, and six fully loaded wagons, entered the teleportation area. Four mages standing at the corners of the teleportation array began channeling magic into the surrounding apparatus. Within seconds, numerous magic circles appeared all around. Suddenly, a flash of white light burst forth.

It was unclear how much time passed before Veilin felt his vision return. He looked around—ruin and decay met his eyes. He knew instantly that this must be the provincial capital of Karod Province.

In stark contrast to the bustling teleportation area of the West River Province’s capital, this place was desolate and quiet. Once everyone had recovered, Veilin led the convoy out of the teleportation area.

Stepping out of the hall containing the teleportation array, they emerged onto the main street of the city center, only to be met with disappointment. Foul-smelling excrement from people and animals littered the streets, the odor so revolting it made one nauseous. Everywhere, hoodlums loitered, patrol officers extorted and harassed passersby, and civilians and petty merchants cowered in fear.

“Lord, is this really Karod Province’s capital? Even the most dilapidated slums of Silverstar City are better than this,” said Baird, captain of the knight escort, his face a mask of shock and disbelief.

“How can it be so chaotic here?” Veilin echoed, covering his nose and mouth in astonishment. This was utterly unbefitting the image of a provincial capital.

He had never expected a provincial capital to look like this. Perhaps, he thought, this was the true face of the world, and cities like West River’s capital and Silverstar City were exceptions.

“Lord, where are we headed next?” At the question, Veilin took out a map from his breast pocket—a crude map of the whole Karod Province, marking only approximate locations.

Compared to West River Province’s vast 950,000 square kilometers, Karod was but a tiny 150,000, dotted with over sixty viscounts and barons, its population around 1.9 million—roughly a third of the Eagle Domain of House Exx.

“First, to the administrative building to register, then we’ll visit my uncle, Baron Olcott, to learn about the local situation,” Veilin said, folding the map and instructing Baird, as he glanced at the Gut Domain, two hundred kilometers from Karod’s capital.

Walking along roads fouled with filth, Veilin felt queasy, wondering how anyone could endure living here.

The capital of Karod Province was small; in just over ten minutes, they reached the administrative building in the eastern district.

Calling it an administrative building was generous—it was merely a two-story stone house, with a coat of white paint on its exterior. Standing at the entrance, Veilin observed that the walls were more grey than white, tending towards black.

“Stop right there! Where do you hicks think you’re going? Are you blind? Is this a place for the likes of you?” The guard at the door, seeing Veilin’s plain attire, raised his poor-quality spear and sneered.

“Impudence!” Baird, standing behind Veilin, drew his knight’s sword, ready to strike down the insolent guard.

“You dare attack?” The guard retreated a few steps, shouting, “Help! Intruders at the administrative building!”

Soon, a dozen guards and a knight hurried out from the building, taking position on the steps and eyeing the group below. The knights behind Veilin drew their swords and stood before him, facing off against the local guards.

“Who are you to storm the administrative building?” the leading knight demanded, brandishing a magical signal scroll as if ready to activate it at any moment.

“Never mind who we are for now. Your guard has insulted a noble; even if I kill him on the spot, the king himself would have nothing to say,” Veilin replied coldly, his gaze sharp as steel.

Upon hearing this, the knight glanced at the distant wagons and noticed the eagle banner. His expression changed drastically, glaring at the guard, but he could not back down—he represented the dignity of the Karod Province governor and could not yield so easily.

“I know what you’re thinking. I don’t wish to make trouble. Hand the guard over to me, and let this matter rest. Otherwise, even the governor of Karod Province won’t be able to bear the consequences,” Veilin stated.

“Sir, your words…” A portly middle-aged man emerged from the building, but upon seeing the eagle banner, he swallowed the rest of his sentence and turned to the knight, commanding, “Hand the guard over to this gentleman.”

“But, Governor—he…”

“Did you not hear me?” the middle-aged man barked.

“Yes, sir.” The knight, though resentful, could only order his men to disarm the offending guard and bring him before Veilin.

This tough-looking soldier now trembled in fear, his previous arrogance vanished. Veilin drew a short sword and plunged it into the guard’s chest, killing him in front of the governor.

“Governor, apologies for the offense.”

“No matter. The fledgling eagle of House Exx is welcome in Karod Province,” the middle-aged man replied, his mouth twitching as he forced a calm tone.

Veilin remained outside the administrative building, waiting for the registration to be completed. After about ten minutes, a staff member brought him a token, the front inscribed with “Pioneer,” the back recording Veilin’s basic information, and handed it over respectfully.

“Farewell, Governor.”

“Farewell.” The middle-aged man returned the standard noble salute, but inwardly hoped not to meet again.

After Veilin departed, the previously silent knight asked, “Governor, this is our territory. Why should we fear an outsider noble?”

The middle-aged man’s smile vanished. “If it were any other noble, it would be easy enough. But House Exx is a pack of mad dogs—best not to provoke them.”

Seeing the knight about to ask more, he cut him off, “Enough. Maintain vigilance. As for the dead guard, compensate his family at the minimum rate for fallen soldiers. And tell your men to behave—don’t stir up more trouble.”

“Yes, sir.” The knight, though bitter, could only obey.

After leaving the administrative building, Veilin wasted no time, leading his party out of Karod Province’s capital. With the reputation of House Exx, the exiled governor here dared not make a move—but one can never be too careful. Veilin had no intention of gambling on the governor’s intentions.

As they left the small city, Baird rode up beside Veilin, puzzled. “Lord, why didn’t you order us to kill the knight and all thirteen guards as well?”

“There’s a limit to everything. If you go too far, the other side won’t be able to save face, and we risk mutual destruction.”

Baird’s confusion remained. What kind of people were these, anyway?

Veilin, seeing his bewildered captain, sighed and reassured him, “Leave these matters to me. Just focus on leading the men.”

“Yes, Lord.”

Looking at his politically insensitive knights, Veilin resolved to search for a talented administrator during the pioneering work ahead.