"Are you the bastard?" the carriage driver asked, looking Elias up and down.
Benjamin’s expression immediately darkened.
"What did you just say?" he asked angrily.
Elias, however, didn’t react much. He had heard that word countless times throughout his life, especially from the members of the Crimson Ducal Clan, so it wasn’t exactly something capable of surprising him anymore.
Still, his brows furrowed slightly.
He had some pride, and regardless of his reputation, he was still a member of the Crimson Ducal Clan.
Elias raised a hand to stop Benjamin before the butler could say anything else, then looked toward the driver and asked calmly, "Who commanded you to say that?"
The driver, who had clearly expected Elias to lash out at him, suddenly looked troubled. He shifted uneasily in his seat before stuttering, "N-No one!"
Elias narrowed his eyes.
"Do you know me?" he asked incredulously.
The driver’s troubled expression changed, and he immediately struck his chest with one hand before muttering, "Of course I do. You are the Crimson Duke’s bastard!"
"Right," Elias said with a nod.
He stepped closer to the carriage and reached toward the driver. Before the man could react, Elias grabbed the back of his head and pulled him over his shoulder, bringing his face close to his own.
Elias then leaned toward his ear and whispered, "Which means you just insulted a member of the Crimson Ducal Clan, one with the name Crimson at that. Do you think the person who told you to do this can save you from the clan?"
The driver’s face immediately turned pale.
Elias released his head and allowed him to straighten himself.
"Now," Elias asked calmly, "do you feel like answering me?"
The driver nodded frantically before answering, "Y-Yes. The City Lord told me to do this."
Benjamin watched the exchange with a surprised expression before asking, "Have you done this before, my lord?"
Elias shook his head and answered, "No."
"It seems like you have," Benjamin said.
Elias furrowed his brows as he boarded the carriage and added, "What is so difficult about it anyway?"
Benjamin followed him inside and took a seat opposite him.
The driver remained silent as he pulled on the reins, and the horses let out a series of snorts before beginning to move.
The carriage rolled through the streets, its wheels rattling softly against the stone road.
Elias leaned slightly toward the window and looked outside.
The city stretched out around them, with buildings made primarily of stone and wood lining the streets, while tall poles fitted with lanterns stood at regular intervals along the roads. Merchants occupied small stalls beside the streets, while various stores opened their doors to customers passing by.
It was a fairly ordinary city.
Elias had expected something more impressive from a city located within the territory of the Crimson Ducal Clan, but the place lacked the distinct touch of magic that could be found in the central regions of the Dracarian Kingdom.
That wasn’t particularly surprising.
The city was located in the far west of the kingdom, where magical resources were considerably scarcer, and the influence of the major magical factions was much weaker.
Elias continued watching the streets through the window as the carriage moved deeper into the city.
Benjamin remained quiet for most of the journey, occasionally glancing toward Elias as though he were still trying to understand what had happened outside the manor.
After roughly five minutes, the carriage finally began approaching a large estate surrounded by tall stone walls.
Elias’s gaze shifted toward the imposing manor beyond the gates.
His eyes gradually sharpened as he leaned back in his seat.
’I wonder who it is...’ he thought, his expression becoming serious. ’And why is he trying to stand against me?’
The carriage came to a stop at the wide-open entrance gates, and Elias stepped down first, followed by Benjamin.
Elias lifted his gaze toward the manor beyond the gates and studied it for a moment. The estate was considerably larger than his own, with broad stone walls, several towering buildings, and an expansive courtyard filled with guests.
Benjamin glanced around before leaning closer and whispering, "It seems to be slightly bigger than yours, my lord."
"Slightly?" Elias asked with a chuckle. "It’s nearly twice the size of mine."
He began walking through the gates, with Benjamin following a few steps behind.
Benjamin glanced back toward the manor before muttering, "I don’t think it’s that big."
Elias shook his head but didn’t bother arguing.
As they continued through the courtyard, the voices of the gathered guests gradually reached his ears.
"I heard from Lord Carvan that the North’s hundred-year blizzard is about to end," a guest said.
"What? Would we finally be able to traverse to the North?"
"I heard that Princess Mlethica has the Wise One-Eyed Dragon Physique."
"Are you stupid? Princess Mlethica lost her eye during an assassination attempt by the Night Shade."
"I’ve heard Lord Sithum has gained the favor of the Queen of the Three-Eyed."
"I heard that too, but it is unlikely to be true."
Elias glanced around at the people gathered throughout the courtyard.
There were merchants discussing business, wealthy businessmen speaking among themselves, knights standing near the edges of the gathering, and various low-ranked officers dressed in expensive clothing.
It seemed that the inauguration had attracted quite a large crowd.
Elias continued walking with Benjamin until a maid approached them. She stopped a short distance away before bowing respectfully.
"My lord," she said, "the City Lord wishes you to join him inside."
Elias nodded and answered, "Alright."
The maid straightened before turning toward the manor.
"Please follow me," she said.
Elias exchanged a glance with Benjamin before following the maid toward the entrance.
Benjamin remained quiet as they walked, while Elias’s expression gradually became more thoughtful.
Neither of them knew what the City Lord was planning.
Still, judging by everything that had happened so far, Elias couldn’t help wondering what scheme the man was playing this time.