Chapter 74: Heading to Maple Leaf City

Chapter 74: Journey to Maple City

Gurgle, gurgle!

Wheels turned, the carriage advanced steadily.

They all breathed sighs of relief, having narrowly escaped the encirclement.

“That was too close—we nearly got surrounded by the orc army!”

“Thank goodness for Livi’s leadership, or we’d never have made it out.”

“By the way, how did you know that path was safe?”

“Just lucky guess.”

Once safety was assured, Livi glanced toward the rear carriage, curious about who might be inside.

Was the city lord himself in there?

He quietly released his spiritual sense, piercing through the wooden planks to glimpse the interior.

Otz sat fully armed within, eyes closed, feigning sleep.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes—his gaze cutting straight through the wood, locking onto Livi.

Livi’s heart skipped a beat. Otz had sensed his spiritual probe.

Just how strong was Otz?

He’d never heard anyone speak of the city lord’s true strength.

Most people, upon seeing Otz, first noticed his title—Lord of the City—then his rank as Count. His personal power was overlooked.

Not that being a city lord required no strength.

It was simply that Otz remained so low-key, never boasting of his prowess, that most had no idea of his real capabilities.

Even now, Livi didn’t even know what class Otz belonged to.

Only mages could sense spiritual energy—yet Otz often appeared clad in armor. He couldn’t be a mage.

Then again, any class, if elevated enough in rank, could perceive such energies.

After an hour, they reached a fork in the road.

Otz suddenly spoke: “To Maple City.”

Lanya and the others froze, startled, quickly halting the carriage and bowing deeply. “My Lord!”

Livi glanced at them, finding their behavior overly dramatic.

“Hmm. To Maple City,” Otz repeated.

“Yes, my Lord.”

Kunan climbed back onto the driver’s seat, gripping the reins with trembling care, no longer daring to speed.

Lanya, Lisa, Dias—they stopped clinging to the carriage, dismounted, and began jogging behind it instead.

Only Livi remained seated calmly on the carriage roof, indifferent.

Watching their stiff, nervous expressions, he found the whole scene awkward.

He tapped the carriage wall with his staff. “Mind opening the door?”

Kunan stared at him, stunned—his face twisted in disbelief, as if asking, *What in the world are you doing?*

But astonishingly, Otz actually opened the door.

Kura!

The door slid open. Livi rose, stepped inside, then closed it behind him.

Otz studied him with quiet amusement. “You’re not afraid of me?”

Livi countered, “Why should I be?”

Mainly because confidence came with skill.

He settled into a comfortable seat, eyeing Otz. “My Lord appears unharmed.”

“This entire ordeal was part of your plan with Orm.”

Otz smiled faintly. “Orm told me you were sharp.”

And just as the name implied—some things were better left unasked.

Livi returned the smile. “I’ll be meditating here. I hope you don’t mind.”

Otz chuckled. “Still training even now? No wonder you’ve achieved so much at such a young age.”

“If you’re willing to join the Mage Instruction Corps, I can provide all the resources you’ll need for cultivation.”

“And… a chance to become the Royal Kingdom’s Chief Archmage!”

Livi’s heart jolted. He thought he understood now—what Otz and Orm were plotting.

They meant to build a second kingdom upon the land of Maqil.

Closing his eyes, Livi said softly, “I have no interest in power. My life’s pursuit is the truth of magic.”

Otz laughed lightly, then fell silent.

Only youth untouched by hardship could speak such words so easily.

But he wasn’t in a hurry.

Livi’s potential was immense—yes—but only potential.

Not yet strength.

And Livi, too, had his own plans.

Seeking magical truth still required gold. Aligning with a faction brought abundant resources—undoubtedly beneficial.

Yet he refused to sacrifice freedom.

A contract was more than just paper.

In the world of magic, contracts could not be broken—or rather, the price of breaking one was unbearable.

For a day and a night, they pressed onward without rest, racing back to Maple City.

The horses pulling the carriage were changed twice along the way.

At last, Maple City loomed ahead.

Lanya, Kunan, and the others finally exhaled in relief.

It was over!

Now that they knew they’d been escorting the true Lord of the City, all four felt an immense weight pressing down upon them.

Not a word dared they speak along the way.

At the sight of Maple City, all four felt an overwhelming relief, as if freed from chains.

"My lord, we have arrived at the gates of Maple City."

Dawn had just broken; the city gates remained closed.

Otz stepped forward, and the soldiers atop the wall, catching sight of his armor, flinched in alarm.

They hurriedly summoned the garrison commander, who, upon recognizing the city lord, shouted urgently: "Open the gates! Quickly, open the gates! The lord has returned!"

After Li Wei and the others had departed, Oen had already sent word via magical script scroll to the commanders of Maple City.

The garrison commander rushed to the gate, bowing deeply. "Welcome back, my lord."

Otz strode into the city, his armor clanking with each step.

"See them settled, and summon all captains to meet at the lord's manor."

"At once!"

As Otz disappeared into the distance, the garrison commander led Li Wei and the others to rest within the gatehouse.

Normally, Otz would never concern himself with a few subordinates.

Yet he had given explicit orders—this alone told the commander everything he needed to know.

Li Wei and the others were served fine food and drink inside the gatehouse.

Lanya and the others collapsed into exhausted sleep.

Even Kunan, who had driven the carriage without pause, now felt drained beyond measure.

Li Wei glanced at the soldier standing guard by the door—he understood. They were under house arrest.

Otz’s secret return to Maple City must involve something of great importance.

Perhaps it was tied to what he’d mentioned—building a kingdom of his own.

Though resentment stirred within him, Li Wei could do nothing but endure.

With rising strength came shifting treatment.

From Oen’s initial warning, to Otz now revealing secrets, even extending an invitation—

Li Wei couldn’t help but reflect: power commands respect; talent reigns supreme!

Had he been stronger, perhaps even this confinement wouldn’t exist.

Closing his eyes, Li Wei slipped into the dream world.

He seized every moment, grinding relentlessly through spells, forging his strength!

Focusing on Invisibility Armor, he pressed onward—just how powerful would it become at perfection?

Before noon, he was awakened.

A soldier said, "You may go."

Li Wei rose, glancing toward Lanya and the others. "And them?"

"The lord wishes them to remain."

He looked at his sleeping companions, hesitated, then chose not to wake them for farewell.

There was nothing he could do.

He couldn't alter their fates.

The moment Otz climbed into that carriage, their paths had already been sealed.

Li Wei knew—they wouldn’t die. They would simply vanish, like Susan, fading into silence.

Until the hidden truths of Otz and Oen were finally revealed to the world.

"Let’s go."

(End of Chapter)