Chapter 230: Nightfall City

In the morning forest, a wagon moved slowly, the sound of hooves echoing through the valley.

The wagon advanced, surrounded by lush trees, with pine branches occasionally brushing the windows, filling the air with a fresh scent.

The green forest, morning sunlight, and drifting mist created a picturesque scene.

Streams flowed gently through the valley, with the occasional chirping of insects waking the forest and streams.

Helag had finished meditating, sitting in the wagon with a map in hand.

Reese slept soundly, leaning against him.

David drove the wagon toward Nightfall City.

Five hours later, the silhouette of a city appeared on the horizon.

The trio entered Nightfall City as adventurers.

Upon arrival, Helag sought out an inn.

Despite Reese’s insistence on only two rooms, Helag booked three.

Helag planned to test the bloodline mark, crucial for their future plans, and couldn’t indulge Reese’s whims.

Reese eventually relented, thinking, “Booking doesn’t mean sleeping there.”

“We’ll register at the Adventurers’ Guild, then find a way into Strange Valley,” Helag outlined their plan.

They intended to disguise as adventurers and join a caravan heading to Strange Valley.

Once there, they’d act as caravan guards.

Upon reaching Strange Valley, they’d find an opportunity to place the teleportation coordinates.

This was the safest approach.

After settling at the inn, they headed to the Nightfall City Adventurers’ Guild.

Nightfall City was independent, not part of any nation, beyond the Norn Kingdom’s borders.

Its long-standing independence hinted at powerful backing.

Some claimed Nightfall City’s lord was linked to the Norn Kingdom’s royalty, a strategic force placed there.

Others believed the elves supported Nightfall City, monitoring the Norn Kingdom.

Theories varied, with no definitive proof.

One certainty: Nightfall City was formidable.

No adventurer dared cause trouble, knowing it was a death sentence.

The city’s strength ensured order.

Many fugitives from other kingdoms settled here.

Becoming a resident was easy; just pay the fee.

As long as they behaved, no one interfered.

Residents followed the rules, avoiding trouble.

At the guild, Helag found it larger than Oberstein’s, bustling with more activity.

Oberstein, a border city, had fewer missions and adventurers.

Nightfall City’s unique location and status attracted many adventurers.

Many missions unsuitable for other kingdoms were posted here.

Rewards were generally higher, drawing adventurers seeking lucrative jobs.

A larger population meant greater overall strength.

Pierre’s Wind Sword Adventurer Group wasn’t among the strongest, merely notable.

“Hello, sir, what can I do for you?” a lady at the counter asked.

“Register as adventurers,” Helag replied succinctly.

“Alright, just fill out this form.”

Registering required no qualifications or identity checks, given the diverse adventurer community.

Helag quickly filled out their information, mostly false.

The lady glanced at the form, surprised.

A grand knight and a knight.

Though only three, their strength was impressive.

“Mr. Helag, we’ll need to verify the grand knight and knight levels,” she said.

Verification was necessary for such claims, ensuring authenticity.

“No problem,” Helag smiled.

Verification was simple, testing strength.

Strength was the basic measure for knights and grand knights.

They entered a small room with a wooden dummy.

Their guide, a young guild staff member named Rick, explained, “This is a special strength dummy. Punch it; if it trembles, you’re knight-level. If it sways, you’re grand knight-level.”

“David, give it a try,” Helag instructed.

David nodded, punching the dummy, which trembled slightly.

Rick noted, “That’s knight-level strength.”

David stepped back, and Helag approached, feigning difficulty, “Need to control my strength, or I’ll break it.”

Helag controlled his power, estimating grand knight strength, then punched.

The dummy swayed violently, and Helag frowned, “Still too strong.”

Despite efforts to control his strength, it was excessive.

Rick was stunned, “Incredible strength, Mr. Helag. You’re impressive, even among grand knights.”

Helag nodded, satisfied it wasn’t broken.

After verification, they browsed the guild hall.

The mission board displayed various tasks.

They found none matching their needs.

Helag discreetly asked Rick, learning missions to the elves were rare.

With no luck, they decided to stay in Nightfall City for a few days.

They’d observe, hoping for a suitable mission.

As night fell.

Reese returned, heading to her room, ordering hot water.

Her room was next to Helag’s, and he heard the water running, knowing she was bathing.

He wasn’t interested in peeking, focusing on testing the royal elf bloodline in his mark.