Chapter 684: 530 ’Vault City
Just as imagined, the inside of Norwich was filled with clamor and bustle, and even though the "calamity" had arrived, it still couldn’t completely quell this excitement and noise.
Various types of shops lined the city’s streets, and most of them echoed with the clear sound of hammering iron, giving Reiger a sense of déjà vu, as if he had returned to Maze City Orario and entered the manufacturing district’s Northeast Street.
Most of the fairies that appeared here belonged to the Earth Clan, followed by the Tusk Clan and then the Wind Clan, and there were even humans wandering around.
Humans here weren’t like those in Salisbury, who had autonomous living rights; but because of the unique nature of Refining City, Norwich welcomed merchant groups from all over Britain, even humans. As long as they could spend money here, do business here, or even make money here, the local lord would welcome them.
In some ways, the humans here were freer than those in Salisbury, provided they had money.
If they were penniless, the fairies wandering around wouldn’t mind adding another item to their merchandise, dealing in human trafficking.
And when Reiger and his group entered Norwich and walked onto the main streets of the city, they successfully attracted everyone’s attention.
"Those people over there look somewhat familiar, don’t they?"
"Hey, isn’t the one in the middle the Child of Prophecy that’s been all the buzz recently?"
"What? The Child of Prophecy has come to Norwich?"
"Absolutely no mistake, he is the Child of Prophecy, I’ve seen his portrait posted in Camelot, Salisbury, Gloucester, and Oxford."
"Fantastic! The Child of Prophecy has come to Norwich!"
"The prophecy really has come true! The Child of Prophecy will come to Norwich to repel the calamity!"
"Quick! Go notify everyone!"
The commotion spread bit by bit, causing the fairies around to either start gossiping or to run out joyfully, as if some festival was about to be held, making the buzz and excitement in Norwich grow even thicker.
Seeing this, Matthew and the others were somewhat surprised.
"Just by showing our faces, we provoked such a stir?"
"Truly worthy of being called the Child of Prophecy."
Da Vinci murmured softly, and Matthew looked on with admiration.
They had already learned from Alberon that the general populace of the Fairy Country, Britain, believed that Reiger was the Child of Prophecy and did not have a correct recognition of Altoria’s existence.
Recently, some rumors claimed that Altoria was the foreign traveler mentioned in the prophecy, thinking she was the Foreign Magician said to assist the Child of Prophecy. But undoubtedly, the fairies’ attention was focused largely on the Child of Prophecy, and the presence of a foreign traveler was seen by them as merely a subordinate character, someone who ran errands.
This was in line with the fairies’ penchant for excitement, for exaggeration, and for various stimulating controversies.
Therefore, Alberon had taken the precaution of warning Matthew and the others to watch their words and suggested that temporarily hiding Altoria’s existence might not be a bad thing.
But Matthew and the rest clearly hadn’t anticipated the Child of Prophecy, as impersonated by Reiger, to have such a huge fame among the fairies.
"Ahaha..."
The true Chosen One could only chuckle dryly, with a look of embarrassment that said, "Sorry, the real Chosen One is an unassuming minor character like me."
Tristan glanced at Altoria like that and quickly averted his gaze, displaying a flinchingly cautious demeanor, as if he dared not make contact with Altoria.
His eyes were not open, yet he seemed to have sensed something and said this.
"Are the fairies here eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Chosen One?"
That was the rumor he had heard.
"Isn’t that obvious?" Alberon said with an expression that suggested it was only natural, "Morgan’s rule has long since caused many fairies to become discontent. Although many fairies are just watching the conflict between the Chosen One and the queen for amusement, the fairies in Norwich were the same initially, but now the situation has changed."
"Morgan has abandoned this city, refusing to send troops to rescue Norwich, and this is gradually becoming well-known throughout Britain."
"In contrast, the prophecy of the Mirror Clan mentions that the Chosen One will repel ’Catastrophe’ in Norwich."
"Given this comparison, whom the fairies in Norwich would welcome more isn’t something you need to even think about, is it?"
On one hand is the witch who has given up on saving them, on saving their city.
On the other hand is the savior mentioned in the prophecy who will repel the threat of ’Catastrophe’ and save Norwich.
Who the fairies in Norwich would welcome more could be understood with a bit of common sense.
"I’m afraid before long, a rumor will spread throughout Norwich that the Chosen One has arrived, that the true king will replace the false king to save Norwich, and they need not worry about ’Catastrophe’ destroying everything anymore," Alberon continued.
Alberon spoke at length.
"It’s fortunate that none of the queen’s people are here, otherwise our bold appearance in the district would surely draw them over."
No sooner had Alberon finished speaking than Reiger suddenly chimed in.
"Even if the queen’s people aren’t here, not everyone here might welcome us."
As Reiger made his point, everyone stopped in their tracks.
Because ahead of them, a commotion had suddenly arisen, causing a group of people to rush in their direction.
They were a group dressed like guards, clearly official fairies from Norwich.
These fairies weren’t all from the Tusk Clan, at least not entirely, with the leader being a fairy from the Tusk Clan, the aura emanating from them strong enough to frantically tighten the hearts of Altoria, Matthew, Tristan, and Da Vinci, among others.
Reiger too narrowed his eyes.
This fairy from the Tusk Clan was no ordinary individual. Although not on the level of Gawain or Woodworth, he was still much stronger than an average Tusk Clan fairy. In Reiger’s estimation, this fairy was even more formidable than the first person under the Sword Saint of the Bolelei family, probably just a step away from Lv.7.
At this level, Altoria, Tristan, and Da Vinci, even if they faced this fairy alone, would likely have a tough time securing a quick victory.
Especially for Altoria and Da Vinci: one is a novice magician barely beyond the rookie category, and the other is a technician; neither would likely be able to defeat this fairy alone. Only Tristan might manage a slight edge.
The fairy then approached them with an overwhelming presence and scanned everyone, settling his gaze finally on Reiger.
"I am the lord’s trusted aide from Norwich, Sir Spurgen’s."
The lord’s trusted aide spoke with a harsh voice, addressing Reiger.
"Are you the child of prophecy? The Queen’s husband? The Prince of Britain?"
As soon as these words were spoken, not only did silence fall around them, but Matthew and the others also showed expressions of astonishment.
"The Queen’s husband?"
"The Prince of Britain?"
Matthew and Da Vinci looked at Reiger, their eyes filled with intense interest.
"...Morgan’s husband?"
Tristan’s eyes widened as if he had been startled.
"Hmph!"
Altoria let out a cold snort, showing a displeased demeanor.
Only Alberon spoke to the others.
"Well, it’s a complicated matter, I’ll explain it to you later."
Clearly, the Fairy King had not informed the people of Chaldea that Reiger had become Morgan’s husband.
Reiger paid no heed to the reactions of those present, lifting his eyes to look at the lord’s trusted aide before him.
"Did Spurgen send you?"
He spoke calmly, and his voice, cool and composed, involuntarily silenced the crowd.
The lord’s trusted aide also retracted his scrutinizing gaze, his voice becoming somewhat more respectful.
"Yes, Sir Spurgen has been informed of your arrival and has sent me to invite you to the Treasury City."
Upon hearing this, Reiger nodded indifferently.
"Then let’s go," Reiger said while turning towards Matthew and the others, "Are you coming with us?"
Matthew and the others exchanged glances.
"This is an important contact with the local personages of the Singular Zone; if possible, I would like to join," Da Vinci stated.
Clearly, she intended to use her own eyes to observe firsthand what kind of person the leader of one of the primary life forms in this Singular Zone was.
"Since Da Vinci is prepared to go, I would like to act as escort," Matthew hesitated before saying, "But the master has not yet awoken, and there should be a guard by his side."
"In that case, leave the master to me," Tristan volunteered instantly, "I will ensure the master’s safety."
"Then Matthew and Da Vinci will come with us," Alberon immediately made the decision, "Spurgen is not easy to deal with; it is necessary to let him see our strength as well."
The implication was that the more people they had, the better they could intimidate the other party.
"... Do I really need to go as well?"
Altoria seemed somewhat reluctant.
"Please, you’re the main character, remember?"
Alberon rolled his eyes at Altoria.
"Let’s go," Reiger shook his head, saying, "Better to resolve things quickly to avoid further complications."
Everyone nodded immediately, ceasing further discussion.
"Follow me, please."
Seeing that the discussion was over, the lord’s trusted aide promptly led the way.
Reiger took the lead to follow, and the others followed in succession.
......
Norwich, Treasury City.
This was the residence of the Lord of Norwich and one of the most heavily guarded places in the Fairy Country.
It was said that Spurgen had spent a fortune to build this city for himself and that within it were the treasures he had collected over many years of struggle in Fairy Country Britain; they were the lifeblood of his power.
Thus, Spurgen placed great value on this Treasury City, and the security level of its guards was said to be astonishing; once the doors were closed, not even the Elf Knights could easily break in.
At the very pinnacle of Treasury City stood the Bell Tower of the Pilgrimage, towering above.
The Lord Spurgen’s chambers were right beneath it, much like the Grand Cathedral of Salisbury, where the lord’s room was also at the very top.
"Welcome to Treasury City, child of prophecy,"
A splendidly dressed Spurgen gave a solemn bow to Reiger as he entered.
"No, should I address you as Prince His Highness instead?"
The patriarch of the Earth Clan wore a smile on his face.
That smile was quite sinister.