Faerun: The arcane mage is still too imprisoned.

Chapter 137 Arrival

Lance entered the city lord's mansion.

Alfred was pacing.

Seeing Lance arrive, he immediately went to greet him, his face showing some displeasure: "Lance, you've finally come! These Sassanids, they started a war without warning, and only after losing did they think to send envoys. Where were they before!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a guard rushed in: "Report! The Sassanid envoy has arrived outside the city gates and requests entry. He says he is on the king's orders to go to the capital to negotiate peace and is passing through Rield to request an audience with His Highness the Prince and Master Lance."

"Let them in."

Alfred straightened his tuxedo collar, sat back in the main seat with an air of authority, and exuded royal pressure. "I want to see how these guys who have lost everything plan to talk to us."

Half an hour later, Muhammad, who was over fifty years old, entered the council chamber. He was wearing a well-fitting robe, his temples were gray, and his eyes were calm and clear. The officials accompanying him walked very quietly.

The moment he entered the hall, his gaze first fell on Lance, then turned to Alfred, bowed deeply, and said respectfully, "Muhammad, the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Sassanid, greets His Highness Prince Ereland and Master Lance."

Alfred didn't let him get up, leaning back in his chair with a cold gaze: "When General Cassius led 30,000 troops to raid Rield, why didn't you think of sending an envoy? Now that your army has suffered heavy losses, Cassius has been killed, Olaf has escaped with serious injuries, and the princess has been captured, you suddenly think of seeing my brother?"

Muhammad showed no anger, and bowed deeply, replying in a solemn voice: "The previous war was all caused by General Cassius acting unilaterally, and His Majesty the King feels deeply ashamed."

"I have come today for two reasons: first, to report my itinerary in Rield, and second, to express the respect of our nation to Master Lance."

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"The Mage single-handedly turned the tide of the battle, a true legend of our time. His Majesty the King has repeatedly instructed that we must apologize to General Cassius in person for his rudeness."

Lance merely raised his eyes slightly, took a sip of tea, and did not reply.

Muhammad composed himself and explained his purpose: "I have come to the City of Radiant Light on the orders of the King to meet His Majesty King Ereland, to present a personal letter from my King, and to discuss a permanent ceasefire between our two countries and the ransom of Princess Elena, so as to quell the border war and restore diplomatic relations."

"I imagine His Highness the Prince and Master Lance will be setting off for Holy Radiance City soon. I humbly request permission to accompany them. Firstly, there has just been fighting on the border, and there are many scattered soldiers along the way. Accompanying them would allow us to receive His Highness's protection. Secondly, it would also prevent delays in our journey and avoid hindering the important peace negotiations."

Alfred exchanged a glance with Lance, and seeing that his expression remained unchanged, he immediately burst into laughter, slapped the armrest, and stood up: "Since you've come all this way to see my brother, that's perfect. We'll set off today, and you can come with the group."

"You will be protected by our elite guards on the road, but let me make this clear: you must abide by our rules. You are not allowed to leave the group without permission or send messages in private. Anyone who violates this rule will be executed immediately."

Muhammad immediately bowed deeply: "Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Master Lance! We will strictly abide by the rules and will not overstep any boundaries!"

He was already worried because the border was full of people who deeply hated the Sassanids. It was uncertain whether the group of more than a hundred people could reach the capital safely if they traveled alone. By following Lance and Alfred, not only would their safety be guaranteed, but they could also get a close look at the temperament of this "legendary" mage.

The matter was settled, and Alfred arranged a temporary resting place for the messengers, agreeing to meet them at the south gate at noon.

Just as noon arrived, the north gate of Rield was bustling with noise, and a large procession had already assembled.

At the forefront were twenty elite vanguard knights, clad in bright silver armor, their eyes sharp as eagles.

Following closely behind were the carriages of Lance, Graham, and Alfred, with Arya, Lillian, and Sissa's carriages beside them;

Further behind was the Sassanid envoy's procession, firmly surrounded by a hundred elite cavalrymen; at the rear were fifty heavily armored cavalrymen, the sound of their hooves echoing with a chilling aura.

The group left the city gates and sped towards the capital.

The first day of the journey went exceptionally smoothly, with unprecedented security along the way. Sassan's group remained quiet throughout, and Muhammad hardly ever left the carriage. The accompanying guards all kept their heads down, avoiding eye contact with the Ariland soldiers and strictly adhering to the rules.

Aria, standing beside Lance, gently tugged at the reins to keep pace with him, and spoke softly, "Mage Lance, are you worried about the capital? The Silver Glow family has been operating in Holy Glow City for over a hundred years, and they have connections in both noble circles and the Magic Association. I can tell you all about it while we travel these next few days."

"By the way, many established families in the capital are keeping an eye on you. You'll definitely have a lot of people visiting you, and some might even want to arrange a marriage with you. If you find that troublesome, I can help you avoid them."

Lance raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but laugh: "Arranged marriage? I have no interest in those."

Arya breathed a sigh of relief, her smile softening even more: "I knew Mage Lance wasn't the type to be bound by these things. But even if you're not interested, those people won't give up easily. I'll handle it for you."

When setting up camp in the evening, Cielsa immediately tidied up Lance's main tent, laid out thick soft mats, and set out hot tea and snacks.

Lance had barely sat down when Lillian skipped in, holding up a freshly grilled skewer of meat and handing it to him: "Teacher! Try some! Uncle Graham grilled them, they smell amazing!"

Just then, Muhammad arrived, carrying an exquisite wooden box, and bowed deeply, saying, "Master Lance, this is a small gift specially sent by His Majesty the King of our country to express our apologies and respect."

He opened the wooden box, inside which was a star crystal containing pure magical energy.

"It is a rare specialty of the Sassanid Kingdom; only thirteen pieces have been unearthed in the entire kingdom."

"In addition, His Majesty the King of our country said that as long as you are willing to facilitate peace talks between the two countries, our country is willing to pay you a personal tribute of 100,000 gold coins every year, as well as various rare magical materials. This is no exaggeration."

Lance merely glanced at the crystal, refusing to accept it, and sneered, "Take the gift back. The peace talks between the two countries are a matter between you and the Kingdom of Eriland. How to negotiate is up to His Majesty and the royal family. I will not interfere or obstruct it."

Muhammad narrowed his eyes slightly and quickly bowed and withdrew.

The next morning, the group broke camp and continued their journey. Muhammad became increasingly respectful to Lans, personally visiting him every day before departure to inquire after his well-being, but never mentioning bribes or peace talks, simply following the group quietly on their way.

On the fifth day, just as dawn was breaking, the team broke camp and set off.

Everyone knew they would arrive in the capital today, so they were all on high alert.

The guards polished the armor, and Sassan's entourage changed into formal attire.

Alfred smiled and pointed to the hill ahead: "Lance, once you cross that hill, you'll see the gates of Holy Radiance City."

Lance nodded.

The procession slowly crossed the hill, and a magnificent city suddenly appeared before everyone's eyes.

On the vast plains, towering black city walls, tens of meters high, stretch for miles, covering the sky and earth. The walls are covered with magical runes and powerful defensive arrays, and have never been breached by foreign enemies for hundreds of years.

Within the city walls, a snow-white magic tower pierces the sky, making the entire Holy Radiance City resemble a crouching behemoth, exuding a heavy and majestic aura that inspires awe.

At noon, the group finally arrived at the south gate of Holy Radiance City.

The city gates were already crowded with welcoming people, led by the King's Minister of the Interior, followed by palace officials...

Nobles of all ranks, and even the Magic Association, sent two mages.

The guards on both sides of the city gate, clad in armor, raised their weapons and saluted as the procession approached.

The Minister of the Interior quickly stepped forward, bowing to Alfred and Lance: "Your Highness, Master Lance, His Majesty specifically ordered me to wait here to welcome your triumphant return!"

He glanced at the Sassanid envoys' procession and added, "His Majesty is already aware of the Sassanid envoys' arrival to negotiate peace and has arranged accommodations. After entering the city, you may rest first, and tomorrow morning you may enter the palace to meet His Majesty, present your credentials, and discuss related matters."

Muhammad immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your subject Muhammad thanks Your Excellency for the arrangements."

The surrounding nobles and officials bowed respectfully as the light fell upon Lance, filled with curiosity, awe, and inquiry.

They had long heard of Lance's legendary deeds, but only today did they finally meet this excessively young mage.

Their first impression of Lance was—is he really not a warlock?