The Letter

After entering, Aidan first closed the door behind him and instinctively glanced toward the corridor to confirm no one was approaching before walking over to Matthew.

“Brother Matthew.”

Matthew glanced at him. Aidan’s face was etched with fatigue, but his eyes were earnest. This exhaustion wasn’t born of laziness, but rather the tension that followed completing a task.

“Speak.”

Matthew didn’t ask if he was tired, nor did he offer any unnecessary concern. Aidan was his subordinate. It was only natural for a subordinate to handle affairs and return to report.

Aidan didn’t feel uncomfortable because of this, either. He had already grown accustomed to Matthew’s ways. Brother Matthew wouldn’t easily praise people, nor would he say coaxing words. However, as long as he handled things well, Matthew would naturally take note.

Aidan immediately said, “Grain, meat jerky, water skins, herbs, bandages, flint, salt, spare cloaks, and some ordinary clothes that might be needed on the road—I’ve bought them all separately.

“Following your instructions, I didn’t concentrate my purchases in one shop, nor did I buy too much at once. I also looked into the carriages. There are two rental agencies in the outer city, but their carriages are too ordinary, and the drivers aren’t very stable. I went to the adventurer guild and asked around; there are indeed several merchant caravans leaving the city in the next two or three days, some of which are headed toward the Royal Capital.”

At this point, Aidan paused slightly. He glanced at Matthew, his expression somewhat hesitant. Matthew naturally noticed.

“And?”

Aidan lowered his head, his voice weakening slightly. “There is one more thing.”

“Speak.”

“Going to the Royal Capital might not be that simple.” Aidan swallowed. “I found out that if one wants to enter the Royal Capital, especially the inner city, or stay for a long time, it’s best to have a recommendation letter.

“Without a recommendation letter, ordinary traveling merchants can at most stay temporarily in the outer city areas, and they have to undergo inspections. Adventurers also have to show guild certification. Those with unclear identities might be stopped at the city gates.

“Some say that if the recommendation letter is issued by a noble, a merchant group, or a guild, it will be much more convenient.”

After saying this, Aidan’s expression was clearly uneasy. He felt as if he hadn't handled things perfectly enough. Matthew had only told him to prepare supplies and look into caravans, yet he only found out today that a recommendation letter was required to enter the Royal Capital. This made him feel somewhat guilty.

He quickly added, “I’ve only found out this much for now. It’s possible I haven’t asked clearly enough, or there might be other ways. I can go back to the guild this afternoon to ask, or go to the outer city to find those drivers who often travel long distances.”

Matthew didn’t answer immediately. He simply watched the ripples in his water cup. A recommendation letter.

This wasn't an unexpected requirement. The Royal Capital was, after all, no ordinary city. As the capital of a country, it was the political and economic center, as well as the place where nobles and various forces were most densely concentrated.

It would be truly strange if just anyone could enter at will. This was especially true for the inner city and long-term stays. The closer one got to the center of power, the stricter the inspections would become.

Ordinary people might still be able to enter the outer city under the guise of business, visiting relatives, or a short stay. However, for a wizard apprentice like Matthew, if his identity wasn't clear enough, he would be even more likely to attract attention.

After all, he wasn't an ordinary person. To the Royal Capital, an unidentified wizard apprentice was definitely more worth being wary of than an ordinary farmer.

Matthew’s fingertip lightly tapped the rim of his cup. He quickly thought of Regg. Regg was the Eldest Young Master of one of the three major noble families in the county seat.

He wasn't a wizard apprentice, only a Brass Rank Class holder, but the family behind Regg carried enough weight. If a recommendation letter were issued in the name of the Holder family, entering the Royal Capital shouldn't be difficult.

The problem was that once he went to find Regg, his itinerary would be exposed. Regg would know he was leaving the county seat. The Holder family might know as well.

This matter itself wasn't fatal, but Matthew didn't like his whereabouts being known by more people. Especially right now. The tomb incident had just occurred.

Herbert and Sutton’s lives were still uncertain. He was also carrying a large amount of loot. Every additional person who knew his itinerary added another layer of uncertainty.

Matthew fell silent for a moment. Aidan stood by his side, feeling even more uneasy. He kept his head lowered, his fingers instinctively tightening.

Matthew looked up at him. “Is there no other way?”

A trace of difficulty appeared on Aidan’s face. “Well, someone did mention something.”

“What?”

“Some say that if one’s strength is great enough, or if their identity is special enough, they can also enter.” Aidan spoke with little confidence.

“For example, famous high-level Class holders, guards of large merchant groups registered in the Royal Capital, or people with a knight order background. As long as the guards know them or their identity can be verified, a recommendation letter isn't necessarily required.

“However...” He lowered his head. “I didn't get the details. Those people were speaking in a mess, and much of it was just hearsay.”

Matthew’s expression didn't change, but he had already dismissed this path in his heart. The idea that one could enter if their strength was great enough sounded like a solution, but it might not actually be suitable for him.

The stronger one was, the greater the threat they posed when their origin was unknown. If an ordinary person entered the city, they could at most steal or cause a disturbance. But if a high-level Class holder entered, they could cause mass casualties in a short time.

The guards of the Royal Capital wouldn't fail to understand this. Therefore, the reason those experts could pass was most likely not because they “didn't need proof,” but because they already had a reputation, an organization, and backing. The guards knew who they were and who stood behind them.

This wasn't a relaxation of rules, but rather another form of identity confirmation. And what Matthew lacked most right now was an identity that could be placed in the open.

It seemed a recommendation letter was a must. Matthew set down his water cup and stood up.

Aidan immediately looked up. “Brother Matthew?”

“Let’s go.”

“Where to?”

“To see Regg.”

Aidan was stunned for a moment, but he quickly understood. “Yes.”

Matthew picked up his coat, his movements neither hurried nor slow. He had already made his decision. Seeking out Regg would expose his itinerary.

However, not seeking out Regg would lead to even greater trouble when entering the Royal Capital. Comparing the two, the risk of the former was more controllable.

Furthermore, Regg had been actively befriending him for a long time. If he didn't use this relationship, it would just sit there. When one should borrow strength, one should borrow strength.

However, borrowing strength was one thing. Matthew wouldn't tell Regg the true reason. He only needed a recommendation letter.

As for the tomb, Herbert, Sutton, and the harvest in his hands, none of them would appear in their conversation.

Soon, the two left the Stone Statue Inn. The noon sun in the inner city was just right. The streets were livelier than in the morning, yet they still maintained the unique order of the inner city.

Carriages moved slowly along the stone-paved roads, and the drivers’ shouts were kept very low. The shops on both sides of the road had their doors open, with exquisite cloth, silverware, spices, and potion bottles displayed in the windows.

This place was completely different from the outer city. The outer city was noisy and chaotic, a place where mercenaries, refugees, peddlers, taverns, and the smell of sweat were all mixed together.

The inner city, however, seemed to have been deliberately polished. It was clean, orderly, and carried a sense of decency belonging to nobles and the wealthy.

Aidan followed behind Matthew, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the surroundings. He had been in the county seat for two months, yet he was still unable to fully adapt to the atmosphere deep within the inner city.

The people here spoke in lower voices than those in the outer city. Their clothes were neater. Servants would deliberately avoid noble carriages while walking.

The patrolling soldiers on the streets weren't as rough as those in the outer city; instead, they were more silent. This silence, in turn, made Aidan feel even more uneasy.

He instinctively straightened his back, fearing he would look too much like a youth from the countryside. Matthew didn't look back, but he could sense Aidan’s stiffness. He didn't offer a reminder.

Reminders were meaningless for such things. Once one saw enough of it, they would naturally grow accustomed to it. The two continued toward the deeper parts of the inner city.

The streets gradually widened, and the buildings on both sides changed from shops and inns to independent mansions with courtyard walls. There were iron fences, flower beds, neatly trimmed hedges, white stone steps, and fountains.

There were also guards standing at the doors and servants dressed in uniforms. This was the noble residential district of the county seat. Ordinary people could walk on the roads outside, but it was difficult to truly enter.

The further they walked, the more Aidan could feel an invisible sense of distance. It wasn't that anyone spoke to drive him away, nor did anyone look at him with contemptuous eyes.

Rather, everything here silently told him that this wasn't a place where ordinary people could linger at will. Matthew, however, remained calm throughout. As he walked, he memorized the surrounding layout.

The width of the roads, the patrol routes, the distance between mansions, the height of the walls, the visual blind spots, and the directions in which he could quickly leave.

These observations had almost become his instinct. No matter where he went, the first thing he thought of wasn't appreciation, but rather judging safety and escape routes.

Before long, the two arrived in front of the Holder family mansion. It was a villa-style building that occupied a vast area. The black iron gate was tall and heavy, with white stone pillars on either side topped with carvings of a soaring falcon.

Inside the gate was a wide driveway, with neat rows of short trees planted on both sides. Further away, a three-story white stone mansion stood quietly in the sunlight, its windows reflecting bright light.

Two guards stood at the entrance. They wore uniform leather armor with swords at their waists, their backs straight and their auras much steadier than those of ordinary city guards.

Seeing Matthew approach, one of them stepped forward. “This is the Holder family mansion. May I ask what business you have?”

Matthew’s expression remained unchanged. “Matthew, here to visit Young Master Regg.”

Hearing this name, the guard’s expression immediately changed. Clearly, Regg had given instructions in advance. “Please wait a moment.”

One guard quickly turned and went inside to report. Standing behind Matthew, Aidan once again felt the gap brought by status. If he had come alone, he probably wouldn't even have had much of a chance to speak.

Yet Matthew only had to give his name, and the other party immediately went inside to report. This was the weight of a wizard apprentice. It was also proof of how much Young Master Regg valued Brother Matthew.

Soon, the guard returned, his attitude even more respectful than before. “Lord Matthew, the Young Master invites you in.”

Matthew nodded slightly. The two passed through the iron gate. The environment in the courtyard was even quieter.

The sound of the fountain was delicate, the servants walked soundlessly, and the flower beds were trimmed without a hint of mess. The air even carried a faint floral fragrance, completely different from the smell of mud and livestock in the outer city.

After entering the mansion, a butler came forward to meet them. His hair was combed neatly, and he wore a black formal suit, his expression respectfully polite. “Lord Matthew, the Young Master is waiting for you in the second-floor reception room.”

Matthew nodded. Inside the reception room, Regg was already standing by the window. He was wearing light-colored hunting attire today and had no sword at his waist, making him appear a bit more casual than usual.

The sunlight fell beside him, giving his golden-brown hair a faint luster. Hearing footsteps, Regg turned around, a smile appearing on his face.

“Matthew.” His tone was very natural, like he was hosting a friend he was already well-acquainted with. But when he saw that Matthew’s face was still slightly pale, his gaze paused for a moment.

“Your state doesn't look too good.”

Matthew said calmly, “The consumption yesterday was a bit large, but I’ve recovered quite a bit.”

Regg’s eyes shifted slightly. He didn't press for details about what had happened yesterday. Noble children learned one thing from a young age: never rashly touch other people’s secrets unless they were willing to share.

This was especially true for the secrets of a wizard apprentice. “Sit,” Regg said, gesturing. Matthew sat down at the round table. Aidan instinctively stood behind him, not approaching the table.

Servants brought tea and snacks before quickly withdrawing. Regg picked up his teacup and looked at Matthew, smiling. “I presume you didn't come to see me today just for tea.”

Matthew didn't beat around the bush. “I plan to go to the Royal Capital, and I need a recommendation letter.”

The hand Regg used to hold his cup paused slightly. “The Royal Capital?” For the first time, a clear sense of surprise appeared in his tone.

Matthew nodded. “Yes.”

Regg looked at Matthew and fell into a brief silence. He was truly a bit surprised. In Regg’s original plan, Matthew should have stayed in the county seat for some time longer.

Matthew was a wizard apprentice; he was young, had good talent, and had shown strong combat judgment before. As long as such a person didn't die, they would likely go much further than ordinary Class holders in the future.

Regg appreciated this potential. More accurately, he wanted to invest in this potential in advance. Noble families were best at offering goodwill before a person had fully grown.

Once the other party truly rose to prominence, this goodwill would turn into a relationship. The problem was that Regg hadn't had time to pull this relationship closer before Matthew was already leaving.

This feeling made Regg feel it was a bit of a pity. It was like a good seed he had just discovered; before he could transplant it into his own garden, it was already prepared to be carried further away by the wind.

Regg sighed inwardly, but he didn't let it show too clearly on his face. He set down his teacup, his tone still gentle. “Why such a hurry?”

“At your current stage, logically speaking, you should properly consolidate your foundation. Although the county seat isn't as good as the Royal Capital, I can still find ways to get you some materials and resources.”

These words were spoken with great tact. They sounded like concern, yet they were also a hint. If Matthew were willing to stay, Regg wouldn't mind providing some help.

But Matthew only said calmly, “What the county seat can provide is no longer enough for me.”

He didn't mention Herbert, Sutton, or the tomb. He simply said in a very steady tone, “I want to go to the Royal Capital and take a look.”

Regg looked at him. Matthew’s expression didn't fluctuate in the slightest. Regg knew that the other party didn't plan to state the real reason.

Or rather, the reason Matthew gave was the one he was willing to say. “The county seat isn't enough.” These words sounded a bit arrogant, yet they didn't feel out of place.