Morning sunlight filtered through the windows of Damon's bedroom.
He sat on the edge of his bed, fastening the final button of his shirt while thinking about the day ahead.
It had been several days since his return from the Beast Forest. His body had recovered from the exhaustion of the expedition, and his training with Roderick had resumed.
However, there was something else he wanted to do.
Explore the city.
He had spent most of his time within the Jubo family mansion since arriving in this world. Although he had learned about the kingdom through conversations and books, he had barely experienced its streets, businesses and people firsthand.
As someone who hoped to understand this world, remaining inside the mansion forever made little sense.
"Young master?"
Melissa's voice came from the doorway.
Damon turned.
"Come in."
She entered carrying a small tray containing breakfast.
"I heard you were asking about leaving the mansion again."
Damon smiled. "News travels quickly around here."
Melissa placed the tray on the table.
"Your father has already heard."
"And?"
"He said you should speak with him before making any arrangements."
Damon chuckled.
"Of course he did."
He stood and approached the table.
"Did he say anything else?"
Melissa shook her head.
"Only that you should eat properly before meeting him."
Damon looked at the breakfast.
"Father's instructions are becoming increasingly difficult to escape."
"Perhaps because you keep giving him reasons to worry."
She gave him a small smile before turning towards the door.
"Eat well, young master."
"I will."
***
Marcel was in his study when Damon arrived.
The duke was examining several documents, with a few reports arranged neatly across his desk.
"Father."
Marcel looked up.
"You're here."
Damon took the seat opposite him.
"I want to visit the city."
Marcel placed the document in his hand aside.
"I expected you would ask again."
"I've spent enough time inside the mansion. I want to see the capital for myself."
Marcel studied him for a moment.
"Your training has progressed, and Roderick's report from the Beast Forest was encouraging. However, I don't want you wandering around without protection."
"I wasn't planning to go alone."
"Good. Captain Roderick will accompany you. You may also take two guards."
Damon nodded.
"That works."
Marcel leaned back.
"There's something else you should understand. Your recovery is no longer a private matter."
Damon raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"Rumours have started circulating among the noble families. Some claim you've recovered completely. Others say you've begun cultivating as a knight."
Damon remained silent.
"People will be curious. Some may approach you out of genuine interest, while others may have their own reasons."
"Are you saying I should avoid them?"
"Not necessarily. You're the heir of the Jubo family. Eventually, you'll have to interact with these people. Just remember that not everyone who smiles at you has good intentions."
Damon smiled faintly.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Marcel nodded. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
"Then go. But don't turn your first visit into an unnecessary competition."
"I'll try."
Marcel gave him a knowing look.
Damon quickly added, "I promise."
***
The capital of Platunmina Kingdom was considerably larger than Damon had imagined.
As their carriage moved through the main streets, he looked through the window with undisguised curiosity.
Tall buildings lined the roads, their architecture combining elegant stonework with magical designs. Merchants displayed their goods outside brightly decorated shops, while craftsmen worked in open workshops.
There were restaurants, clothing stores, weapon shops and numerous establishments whose purposes Damon could only guess.
The streets were crowded with people from different backgrounds.
Merchants negotiated prices. Adventurers discussed their recent hunts. Nobles travelled in decorated carriages, accompanied by servants and guards.
It was a world that seemed to operate on a scale he had only encountered in fantasy novels.
"Quite impressive, isn't it?" Roderick asked from beside him.
Damon nodded.
"Much bigger than I expected."
"The capital is one of the most prosperous cities in the kingdom. Merchants from other regions come here to trade, and several influential families maintain businesses within its walls."
Damon continued observing the streets.
"Are there many adventurers here?"
"Quite a number. The Adventurers' Guild has a branch in the capital. You'll find hunters, mercenaries and independent cultivators there."
Damon smiled.
Something about the thought of visiting an adventurers' guild appealed to him.
But he decided not to rush.
He had come to explore, not to chase every interesting thing he saw.
The carriage eventually stopped near a busy commercial district.
Roderick stepped down first before offering Damon his hand.
"Welcome to the capital, young master."
Damon stepped onto the street.
For the first time since his arrival in this world, he was standing outside the Jubo family estate without feeling like a prisoner of his circumstances.
He took a deep breath.
There was much to discover.
***
Their first stop was a large commercial establishment dealing in cultivation resources.
Damon was particularly interested in understanding the prices of medicinal herbs, beast materials and other valuable goods.
The Silver-veined Spirit Herb they had discovered in the Beast Forest had already caught his attention. He wanted to know more about the market surrounding such resources.
Inside, neatly arranged shelves displayed various medicinal ingredients.
A middle-aged attendant approached them.
"Welcome, esteemed guests. How may I assist you?"
Damon looked around.
"I'm interested in medicinal herbs and materials used for physical cultivation."
The attendant nodded and began explaining the different categories of products available.
Some herbs were used to prepare recovery medicines, while others helped strengthen the body or improve mana circulation.
Damon listened carefully.
He didn't intend to purchase anything immediately. For now, understanding the market was more important.
As they moved towards another section, a familiar voice interrupted him.
"Excuse me. Are you Damon Jubo?"
Damon turned.
Three young nobles stood a short distance away.
The one in front appeared to be around his age, dressed in expensive clothing with a family crest embroidered across his chest.
His eyes moved briefly over Damon before settling on his face.
"I heard the Jubo heir had recovered. I didn't expect to meet you here."
Damon regarded him calmly.
"Then the rumours must have travelled quite far."
The young man laughed.
"They certainly have. My name is Adrian. Adrian Voss."
He introduced the two people accompanying him.
Damon acknowledged them with a polite nod.
"Pleasure meeting you."
Adrian studied him with open curiosity.
"Is it true that you've started training again?"
"I have."
"And that you entered the Beast Forest recently?"
Damon smiled.
"News travels faster than I expected."
Adrian laughed again.
"People are naturally interested. The Jubo heir disappearing from public view for so long and suddenly returning to cultivation is hardly ordinary."
Roderick remained a few steps behind Damon, quietly observing the interaction.
Adrian continued.
"I hope your recovery is complete. It would be unfortunate if the rumours were exaggerated."
Damon understood the implication.
The young noble wasn't being openly disrespectful, but he was testing him.
"My recovery is progressing well. That's all that matters."
"Indeed."
Adrian smiled.
"Perhaps we'll meet again. It would be interesting to see how far you've progressed."
"I look forward to it."
The three nobles exchanged farewells before walking away.
Damon watched them briefly.
"Interesting people," he remarked.
Roderick approached.
"Do you know who they are?"
"No. Should I?"
"House Voss is a respectable noble family, though not among the kingdom's most influential houses."
Damon nodded.
"Are they connected to the Gassi family?"
"No direct connection that I know of."
Damon looked in the direction the young nobles had disappeared.
He had noticed the curiosity in Adrian's eyes.
It was clear that the rumours surrounding his recovery had already reached people he had never met.
And this was only his first visit to the city.
***
After leaving the establishment, Damon continued exploring the commercial district.
He visited a weapon shop, observed the activities of several merchants and learned about the different services available to ordinary citizens.
The city was full of opportunities.
Businesses, trade routes, cultivation resources and countless other possibilities.
As he watched merchants negotiate their transactions, a thought crossed his mind.
*Understanding this world is going to be just as important as becoming stronger.*
He had no intention of remaining dependent on his family name forever.
Strength was important, but knowledge and resources mattered too.
For now, however, he would take things one step at a time.
"Young master," Roderick called.
Damon turned.
"We should return soon. His Grace expects us back before evening."
Damon glanced at the sky.
"Already?"
"You've spent several hours exploring."
He sighed.
"Time really does move quickly."
Roderick smiled faintly.
"There will be other opportunities."
Damon nodded and followed him towards the carriage.
As they departe d, he looked out of the window one final time.
The capital was far more fascinating than he had imagined.
And somewhere within its streets were people who would eventually become his allies, rivals and perhaps even enemies.
For now, he was simply the recovering heir of the Jubo family.
But that would not remain the whole story for long.