Ascension from Dual Professions

Chapter 211: Chapter 206: Sights of Trulane County, the Adventurer’s Guild

Heavy hooves crushed the frozen mud. Jon reined in his horse, letting the mount snort out great clouds of white breath.

He raised his head, his ice-blue eyes peering from beneath the rim of his hood, gazing at the behemoth that lay at the end of the wind and snow.

"Hah... I’ve arrived..."

Trulane County City.

Although Birch Town grew very wealthy by collecting taxes and Paris had been willing to spend a fortune on all sorts of defensive facilities, it was still just a town. It paled in comparison to the true "great city" before him.

Its towering walls were like a crouching, gray beast. The stonework radiated a cold, oppressive aura under the leaden sky. The walls were several times taller than Birch Town’s, far grander and more massive than any mighty city Jon had seen in his previous life.

’The architecture of a Magical World is just that unreasonable.’

And as the heart of a county, its Business Activities were also quite lively.

Despite the lingering, bitter cold of winter, all sorts of vehicles still formed a long, winding line before the city gates.

Heavy carts laden with grain and hay creaked and groaned. An endless stream of Trade Team wagons covered in thick felt passed by, and there were even ornate private carriages bearing noble crests.

The shouts of drivers, the whinnying of livestock, and the occasional commands of the guards wove together, forming a dull but vibrant wave of sound that dispelled some of the winter’s deathly stillness.

Jon led his horse, moving slowly forward with the flow of people entering the city. His gaze swept over the gatehouse, seemingly by chance.

Two rows of guards in neat armor stood there. They showed no signs of slacking due to the severe cold. On the contrary, each stood ramrod straight, their vigilant eyes scanning every person attempting to enter the city.

Their armor was clearly well-maintained, gleaming with a hard, cold light even under the dim sky. The blades of the halberds in their hands glinted menacingly. Their bearing and appearance were a stark contrast to the hastily armed militia of Birch Town or Paris’s perpetually exhausted city guards.

’This is the kind of atmosphere one would expect in the heart of a county ruled by a truly powerful noble.’

Jon mused silently.

The fires of war in Heta County were raging, but they clearly had not spread here. Or rather, Trulane County had the ability to keep the conflict at bay, maintaining the order and vitality of its core territory.

A moment later, it was finally his turn.

A young guard stepped forward and held out a hand to Jon. His tone was reasonably polite, but it carried an authority that could not be questioned.

"Identification, purpose of entry, and an inspection of your carried goods."

Without hesitation, Jon reached into an inconspicuous hidden pocket inside his cloak and took out a small, copper badge.

The badge was of an antiquated design, with a relief of a crossed Short Sword and Magic Staff at its center. The edges were engraved with the common pattern of the Adventurer’s Guild—it was a standard, low-level Adventurer’s seal, the most inconspicuous disguise he had prepared in advance.

He handed the badge over.

The guard took it, his rough fingers rubbing the badge’s patterns. His gaze, however, did not relax. Instead, he scrutinized Jon even more carefully from head to toe.

The man’s tall, sturdy frame was hard to hide even under the heavy cloak. Though the hood concealed most of his face, his calm, mountain-like bearing was clearly not something an Ordinary Adventurer would possess.

"An Adventurer?"

The guard turned the badge over and over, his voice now tinged with suspicion.

"Things haven’t been peaceful over in Heta County lately. There are plenty of roaming bandits and unidentified individuals about."

"This seal of yours... it looks fine, but please state your specific identity and purpose. We need a more detailed registration."

As he spoke, he gestured to a nearby Scribe holding a quill and a scroll.

Jon’s brow furrowed slightly under his hood, but then understanding dawned on him.

’It seems Count Trulane has adopted a relaxed exterior to hide tight security in response to the turmoil in the neighboring county...’

He didn’t argue or show any dissatisfaction. He simply gave a calm nod and, from another, more concealed pocket, took out a small, silver badge.

This badge was more exquisitely crafted. Its main feature was a sparrowhawk about to take flight, surrounded by laurel leaves symbolizing loyalty and honor.

He placed it steadily in the guard’s outstretched palm and spoke in a deliberately lowered, deep voice.

"I am an advisor in service to Baron Moran. On his lordship’s orders, I am traveling to Roco Town to handle some matters concerning the family’s assets. I am merely passing through here to rest."

He did not give his name, only emphasizing his employer’s identity and his destination—Roco Town, which was precisely the town where his true objective, the Demon Forest Ruins, was located.

As for the family crest, it was of course genuine. It had simply been borrowed through the channels of the Golden Maple Leaf Trading House to conceal his tracks.

The guard clearly recognized the insignia, and most of the suspicion on his face vanished in an instant.

He carefully inspected the details of the family crest, and after confirming it was undoubtedly authentic, he looked back at Jon, his tone softening considerably.

"So, you’re an advisor to Lord Moran."

He returned both badges to Jon and waved a hand at the Scribe beside him.

"Log it. Advisor to the Moran family, on official business, destination Roco Town."

Without looking up, the Scribe quickly jotted down a few keywords on the parchment scroll.

The guard stepped aside to clear the way and gestured for him to proceed.

"Just doing my duty, my lord. Forgive the inconvenience. You may enter the city."

Jon gave a slight nod, retrieved his two badges with an unhurried motion, and led his horse forward, officially stepping into the clamorous yet orderly territory of Trulane County City.

Behind him, the guards’ wary gazes had already shifted to the next traveler waiting to enter, as if the small interlude had never happened.

But in the deeper shadows, Jon’s interaction with the guard was being watched by people who made a living selling information.

A few runner boys and a few scribbled notes quickly transmitted every whisper and movement into the city’s underground information market.

Jon, of course, knew this would happen, but he didn’t care.

As an Adventurer with experience traveling the entire continent, he was perfectly clear on these underground Rules.

A purely mysterious act would only attract more attention. An identity that had some value but was otherwise unremarkable was the best disguise. "An advisor to a minor noble" fit the bill perfectly.

He led his horse, walking slowly down the bustling street.

Inside the city, another scene unfolded before him.

Stone buildings of varying heights crowded both sides of the wide, stone-paved road, hung with all sorts of signs. Merchants, porters, Adventurers... people in all kinds of attire thronged the streets.

The clamor of taverns, the sound of Hammer Forging from Blacksmith Shops, the scorched aroma of roasting meat, and the smell of cheap tobacco mixed with the gamey scent of livestock, forming a potent and authentic city-life atmosphere.

Chaos and order coexisted here in a wondrous way. Amidst the din was a burgeoning Life Force.

Although Jon didn’t often adventure in Trulane County, this familiar, bustling atmosphere, like that of a player’s main city, couldn’t help but put him at ease.

He took in the sights cursorily as he walked, following a route from memory.

Soon, a tall, brightly lit building appeared at a street corner. Its conspicuous sign, inlaid with countless pieces of colored glass and Crystal Stones, shimmered with a hazy glow in the twilight. Copper bells hanging by the door knocked against each other in the cold wind, creating a crisp, jingling sound.

Marie’s Colorful Lantern House

This was not only one of the largest taverns in Trulane County City, but also the location of the Adventurer’s Guild.

Jon pushed open the heavy oak doors. A wave of heat, a mixture of ale, roasted meat, sweat, and tobacco, washed over him, carrying a noisy and lively atmosphere that instantly dispersed the chill from outside.

The cheerful, melodious tune of a Bart’s Harp intertwined with coarse laughter and the sounds of drinking games.

The main hall was extremely spacious. Massive wooden beams supported a high ceiling, and the roaring fire in the hearth bathed the entire space in a warm glow.

As far as the eye could see, the many faces of the Adventurer world were on full display.

A red-faced Dwarf with foam-caked whiskers was competing against a burly, profusely-maned Lion-man at opposite ends of a long table. The empty wooden mugs piled up before them were like a small mountain, and a crowd of jeering, gawking patrons surrounded them.

On a stage in the corner, a Minstrel leisurely plucked at his strings, singing an unknown ancient ballad whose melody seemed particularly ethereal amidst the clamor.

Young serving girls in brightly colored, boldly styled long dresses flitted about like butterflies, weaving nimbly through the crowded tables, chairs, and people. The large trays in their hands were held steady, laden with full mugs and plates, as they giggled and dealt with all manner of teasing, both good-natured and crude.

There were also all sorts of Mercenaries and Adventurers; some sat alone in corners polishing their weapons, while others gathered in groups, loudly discussing quests, bounties, and rumors of some ruin.

The notice board, densely packed with quest notices of all levels, was especially crowded with people.

Jon’s arrival caused no stir. Aside from a few tables near the entrance whose occupants glanced at him out of habit, he drew no further attention.

He paid it no mind, shaking the snow from his cloak before heading straight for the bar.