Assimilate All Talents

After Sol's intervention, no one else approached the orcs. But even though peace had returned to the line, it was clear from the lingering resentment in people's eyes that tensions were far from gone.

Even Sol received a few hateful glares for stepping in, but he didn't take offense. 'Can't do much about that, only time can heal such grudges.'

He had only intervened because the situation had turned violent. He wasn't about to tell them that they shouldn't resent the orcs. They had every right to, given everything that had happened. Just as Crestelia was still trying to mend its fragile relationship with Sylmasera after two centuries, the Frostaxe Clan had a long road ahead of them if they wanted to do the same.

'I probably won't live to see both sides make peace—actually, never mind. I actually might.'

With [Perfect Balance] extending his lifespan by 350 years, it was entirely possible that he'd live long enough to witness that day.

Shaking the thought worrying thought about having a lifespan similar to the elves aside, Sol refocused on the line ahead, keeping an eye out for any further trouble. Meanwhile, Amber remained inside the carriage, continuing to refine her pseudo law technique, while Thorwyn eagerly observed everything around them. Every so often, he'd ask Sol a question about something he saw, which was often.

The line moved quickly, with people being processed into the city at a steady pace. But when the orcs reached the gate, that efficiency ground to a halt. The guards took their time, meticulously inspecting every item the orcs carried, searching for anything that could serve as an excuse to turn them away, or better yet, arrest them.

Sol kept a close watch, using [Seeker's Map] to ensure no one tried planting false evidence.

'If they pull something like that, I'll have to step in again… and I might have to flash my knight's badge.'

Technically, he was still a Royal Knight, as he had never officially resigned or ran away. He was technically on a special mission under orders from the Saintess. He still preferred not to flaunt his credentials, but if the guards tried anything underhanded, he wouldn't hesitate to use them.

Fortunately, it didn't come to that. The guards, though relentless in their scrutiny, found nothing. The orcs had come prepared with that in mind, bringing only what was necessary and avoiding anything that could be remotely incriminating.

Frustrated but unable to justify denying them entry, the guards eventually allowed them through, but not before demanding a heavily inflated entrance fee. The orcs paid without complaint, and with barely concealed reluctance, the guards stepped aside to let them pass.

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With the delay caused by throughout inspection of the orcs, the line had grown much longer, prompting the guards to rush through the inspections for the next few groups. This, in turn, brought Sol's carriage to the front far sooner than expected.

As he approached the gate, the guards recognized him immediately. Their expressions darkened.

One of them extended a hand. "Identification?"

Without a word, Sol handed over both his and Amber's adventurer cards.

While one guard verified their information, two others conducted a brief but thorough inspection of the carriage, only to find it empty aside from Amber.

"You got spatial rings? Hand them over for inspection."

'I knew they wouldn't make this easy.' Sol thought, but he complied, handing over his two spatial rings while Amber did the same. Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire

As the guards sifted through their contents, one of them spoke, his tone laced with barely concealed anger.

"Why'd you side with the enemy?"

Sol shrugged. "What enemy? I don't see them charging at us with weapons."

The guard scoffed. "So what if they aren't? Too many have died defending our city and kingdom, and now we're just letting them in?"

Sol met the man's glare with a calm expression. "I get it. Truly, I do. I was there during the last invasion, fighting with my life on the line to stop them from taking the fort."

The guard's eyes widened slightly. "You were?"

Sol nodded, letting the statement sink in before continuing. "But let me ask you something. If not peace, then what? Do you want another war? Exterminate them until none are left? How many more lives do you think that will cost?"

The guard's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. And Sol didn't expect him to.

At that moment, the guards finished inspecting their spatial rings. "Everything's clear." One of them muttered begrudgingly.

The first guard sighed. He had no reason to keep them any longer. "Fine. You can go. Ten copper."

He handed back their adventurer cards, and after receiving the payment, stepped aside.

As Thorwyn pulled the carriage forward, the guard spoke in passing. "I don't want another war. But what if they use this as a chance to attack us while our guard is down?"

Sol paused, his gaze fixed ahead on the open city gates. "Then I'll be the first one on the battlefield."

From the moment he chose to spare Kirgar, Sol had committed himself to forging peace between the two nations. But if the orcs betrayed that peace… he wouldn't hesitate to stop them.

'Ah I almost forgot.'

Just as he was about to continue into the city, he glanced back to the poor adventure still stuck in the ground. It appeared a few of his allies were trying to get him out but were unable to do so even with the assistance from an earth mage. This was because even with earth magic, Sol's mana still lingered in the stone encasing the adventure and resisted any manipulation from other forces.

Sol believed that the man had suffered enough, he controlled the earth to spit him back out which sent him flying a few feet in the air before being caught by one of his allies.

Having done what he needed to do, he didn't stick around and entered the city.

The moment they passed through the towering stone gates, the atmosphere shifted entirely.

Kerman was alive with movement. Vendors calling out their wares, children weaving through the crowded streets, workers loading and unloading goods from large caravans. It was just as Sol remembered it. Kerman was the first city he had been to and even if he didn't have perfect memory from [Memory Engraving] it was hard to forget such a sight.

But more than that, this place was special for another reason.

"We're back, Amber." he said, glancing at her.

"Mhm." she murmured, her expression unreadable.

This was where they had first met.