-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Return to the Capital
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The carriage Lellia boarded swiftly departed the Superion territory.
Her grandmother, grandfather, uncle, aunt, Becky, and the castle servants and knights.
Lellia felt a strange mix of emotions as she bid them all farewell.
Even though she’d said she would be back soon, they all shed tears, which in turn made Lellia cry. It truly felt like she was leaving for good.
Even the knights she wasn't particularly close with were dabbing their eyes with handkerchiefs.
Lellia only managed to stop her tears and compose herself when the carriage reached the edge of the territory.
‘Still, I should reach the capital quickly.’
Over the past nine years, Emperor Perseus had implemented policies to fully develop the abilities of mages.
Thanks to this, teleportation circles had been installed throughout the empire, shortening a journey that would normally take a month to just two weeks.
It was a tremendous advancement.
Lellia gazed out the carriage window. The merchant caravan was safely escorted by knights.
Her uncle-in-law, whom she had met for practically the first time, was a very kind man.
Not only did he let her have a luxurious carriage to herself, but he also assigned her a maid from one of his business partners traveling with them.
However, throughout the entire journey to the capital, she never saw the face of this so-called business partner.
He remained inside his carriage and never came out.
When Lellia expressed her curiosity, the maid explained.
“My master has a skin condition, so he does not leave his carriage.”
Perhaps that was why only the servants and her uncle occasionally went in and out of the carriage.
Lellia quickly lost interest.
In truth, she couldn't afford to focus on other things.
She was lost in deep thought.
She wasn't excited or afraid, but it would be a lie to say she felt no pressure.
The well-being of her family rested in her hands.
It felt like only yesterday that she had fled the capital and met her grandfather…
‘I have to keep my wits about me now.’
Lellia bit her lip, her eyes shining with determination.
Until she arrived in the capital, Lellia meticulously planned and revised her future course of action.
A few weeks passed like that.
Lellia finally arrived in the capital. It was her first time back in nine long years.
The carriage came to a stop as it entered the capital's bustling main street.
The caravan's cargo wagons were on the outskirts of the city; this carriage had come separately just to drop Lellia off.
Stepping out of the carriage, Lellia gathered her light luggage.
“You have enough for your travels, right? The caravan's business is pressing, so it will be difficult for me to stay with you.”
“It’s alright, Uncle. Thank you so much for bringing me here. I’ll see you at the estate later.”
“Yes, I’ll see you then. Take care of yourself.”
“You too, be safe.”
Her uncle seemed to be in a hurry, as he left immediately after dropping her off, heading for where the caravan's wagons were waiting.
Lellia looked around, dazed. The capital had changed quite a bit over the past nine years.
“…”
It felt strange to be standing alone in the heart of the capital. It was somewhat frightening, yet also empowering. Her grandfather had wanted to send a maid or a knight to attend to her, but Lellia had adamantly refused. They would only get in the way of her plans. When she told him it was for the ingredients for her alchemical medicine, her grandfather seemed to understand and reluctantly agreed.
The capital was quite boisterous.
This was due to the news that the heroes of the five empires had defeated the Mad Dragon and were scheduled to return soon.
Everyone seemed busy preparing for the festival.
The faces of the passersby—merchants, customers, commoners, and nobles alike—were all bright and full of hope.
Feeling like an outsider, Lellia pulled the hood of her robe down low over her face.
