Dinner was held inside the villa.
Olica sat nearby, visibly displeased, glaring at the Lady of the Lake who was holding onto Ryan's arm. Her amber eyes darted back and forth, as though plotting something. The goddess, however, paid no attention to her. In fact, she didn't really need to eat and only picked at a few fruits from Ryan's plate while watching him. Sulia sat across from Ryan, gracefully wielding her silver cutlery, doing her best to maintain composure in front of both Ryan and the goddess.
"Ryan, did you bring the Dragon Horn?" the Lady of the Lake asked nonchalantly, observing him devour his meal.
"Yes, though I haven't found the right moment to use it." Ryan nodded. He indeed had the silver Dragon Horn of Iselrama but was waiting for an opportune moment. The high elves' indifferent attitude made it clear that presenting it directly would likely result in little acknowledgment, perhaps not even a "thank you."
"Why not let me hold onto it? I'll find an opportunity," the Lady of the Lake suggested casually.
Ryan grinned inwardly and turned to Sulia. "What do you think, my dear?"
Sulia hesitated slightly. Was Ryan purposefully putting her in the awkward position of choosing between him and the goddess? "Well…" she said after a moment, "if Ryan didn't present it immediately, he must have a better plan in mind."
The Lady of the Lake raised an eyebrow, then sighed. "Fine, since we're all on Ryan's side now, let's follow his lead."
Ryan decided not to share his plan just yet, changing the topic instead. "Are you all up for a stroll tonight? I arranged to go with Brother Fugen to the Foreign Quarter. We'll gather some intel and maybe look around."
"You and Sulia go ahead," the Lady of the Lake said generously. "My roles as the Lady of the Lake and Moon Goddess make public appearances unsuitable. As for Olica, she probably wouldn't want to add to your troubles, right, my chosen champion's maid?"
"Hmph!" Olica glowered at the goddess. "Lilith, just you wait."
Just as Ryan suggested, there was a knock at the door. Olica answered it, finding Fugen, dressed in a Dawn silk robe and noble shirt, standing there with his attendant Carona. "Ryan, ready to head out?"
"Give me a moment," Ryan replied, gesturing for them to sit. Carona, keen-eyed as always, noticed the Lady of the Lake and whispered something to Fugen.
"We seem to be at capacity here, Lady of the Lake," Fugen commented with a smile. "Should we prepare a new room for you?"
"A new room? No need. I'll just stay with Ryan and Sulia," the Lady of the Lake said, fluttering her fan as she adjusted her seating to conceal the daring slit of her dress from Fugen's view. "It's a matter for us as an engaged couple, Brother, so no guidance needed from you."
"Engaged?" Fugen's interest piqued. "Really?"
"Of course! Darling, aren't we engaged?" the Lady of the Lake exclaimed, clutching Ryan's arm.
"More or less," Ryan replied with his mouth full, giving a slight nod.
"Did you hear that, Brother Fugen!" she proclaimed with a triumphant air.
"Engaged?" Fugen's face reflected a mix of amusement and disbelief as he quipped, "Father would never approve of an unrefined, impure daughter-in-law like you!"
The Lady of the Lake froze, a look of shock crossing her face as she fell to her knees in utter defeat, crestfallen like a dejected pup. "Brother, how could you say that…"
"And I'd never accept a sister-in-law like you," Fugen continued ruthlessly. "Just because you're dressed to his liking, sitting beside him at dinner, don't think you're on par with Sulia, whom Father has personally acknowledged as his daughter-in-law. Sulia-Kumaney-Antri-de-Winforth is my sister-in-law, playful and informal as she may be, but you? Do you even deserve it? Have you no shame?"
"Waaaah!" The Lady of the Lake's arrogance vanished entirely as she crumpled to the floor, devastated beyond words. "I've been rejected… I've been rejected…"
"Even as a maid, you're lacking," Fugen pressed on. "Olica is the maid Father approved for Ryan. If you want to stay close to him, perhaps try sleeping on a small bed by his side at night." At this, Ryan interjected, "Brother! We'll need Lilith's help later on!"
"If it weren't for that, she'd already be out the door!" Fugen retorted, chuckling. "Take your time, Brother. Carona and I will wait outside."
Carona looked as though she had suffered an even greater blow than the Lady of the Lake, her expression downcast. Fugen led her outside, laughing heartily. Olica's eyes twinkled with amusement as she took the opportunity to taunt the defeated goddess. "Master, my lady, you two head out. I'll clean up here."
Wiping his mouth, Ryan couldn't help but chuckle; Fugen hadn't held back one bit with the Lady of the Lake. Ryan stepped forward and gently cupped her crestfallen face, giving her a kiss. "Don't worry, my Lady. I keep my promises."
"Hmph! Yes, you did promise," she replied, recovering slightly, though still annoyed. She gently swatted him before waving him off. "Go on with your Sulia!"
"Haha!" Ryan turned to Sulia. "Shall we, my love?"
After a glance to ensure the Lady of the Lake was alright, Sulia nodded. She donned a casual outfit for the outing—a whimsical dress with red floral patterns, more suited for a casual date than her usual regal attire. She also wore ultra-thin flesh-toned silk stockings, almost invisible unless viewed closely, giving her legs a delicate glow.
Her cheeks tinged with a soft blush as she linked her arm through Ryan's. "Ryan, I followed your advice and… changed. Shall we go now?"
"Yes, we're heading out," Ryan said with a mischievous smile. "I'll be with you the whole time."
As they stepped out of the villa, Ryan noticed a high elf noble, Althena the Scholar, waiting. He wore a polite smile. "Your Majesty Ryan, Queen Sulia, off on an outing? May I act as your guide?"
"We can manage ourselves, I believe?" Ryan raised an eyebrow at the elf's insistent hospitality.
"Yes, you certainly can, but I could save you much hassle and ensure you have a carefree experience. Are you sure you don't need my assistance?" Althena bowed courteously. "I'm familiar with the world's current affairs and histories and can answer any questions."
"Even those about Zhongyuan, Nipon, and Ind?" Ryan asked offhandedly.
"Of course! I served as an ambassador in Nipon for eighteen years, even working as a military advisor and trainer there." Althena replied with a proud nod. "Your call, then."
"Lead the way!" Ryan exchanged a glance with Fugen, both agreeing to accept the guide's assistance.
The Foreign Quarter was bustling. Tens of thousands of people filled the cluster of islands, teeming with a flurry of trade and activity. Ryan's merchants were capitalizing on the opportunity to promote their goods, while Fugen's Ashes Legion had settled into the area without issue.
From the outer district, Ryan marveled at the Foreign Quarter's lively atmosphere. Beneath the high elves' grand displays and prosperous façade lay a society lacking the energy and industrious spirit that seemed to define humankind.
"The Asur offer you the highest courtesy, Your Majesty, granting you a permanent visa." Althena, wearing round spectacles, produced three golden-stamped parchments. "With these, you hold the right to reside permanently in Osuan. While you may not use it, the Asur regard you as friends."
"A permanent visa?" Ryan accepted the gilded parchment with a smile. "Thank you for the courtesy. I hear these visas are hard to come by?"
"Since Osuan reopened, we've only issued around three hundred of these," Althena said proudly. "They're reserved for powerful warriors, top scholars and skilled workers, merchants worth over 250,000 gold, and substantial investors in Lothern."
"High standards," Ryan replied, glancing at the night sky and the distant whirl of the Vortex.
"Not everyone can secure residency in Osuan," Althena said, nodding. "This way, everyone. I'll clear any obstacles with the guards."
The streets of the Foreign Quarter were bustling with open shops and a thriving marketplace. Merchants from across the world gathered here, along with mercenaries and sailors indulging in revelry, often finding secluded spots to drink and relax. Ryan even noticed provocatively dressed women beckoning from alleyways, to which Sulia and Carona responded with disdain.
Lining the streets were shops and vendors hawking goods from all over the world. Ryan noticed wares from the Empire, Bretonnia, the Southern Lands, and Araby but was most curious about the traders from Zhongyuan, Nipon, and Ind. "I'd like to see the goods from the Far East," he told Althena.
"Right this way, Your Majesty," Althena motioned for them to follow.
The Far Eastern wares were especially popular.
"Curry from Ind! Just five gold per
block!"
"Zhongyuan's cold-smoked rabbit meat and legs—authentic recipes from Mama Sese!"
"Quality armor from Old Doug's, perfect for melee defense! Comes with adorable egg pancakes!"
"Goblin bombs, enchanted with divination spells, for sale!"
"This is Kanna's Pepper! One bite and it's like becoming her child!"
"Fresh daikon from the sea, three for a silver, ten for three!"
"Try Zhongyuan's new gudgeon fish! After a taste, even the darkest secrets reveal themselves."
Ryan and his group picked up several items as they explored, until his attention was drawn to a group of Zhongyuan arms dealers. "What's this—a musket?"
"Yes, a Zhongyuan musket, known as a Luminous Gun." Althena explained. "The Zhongyuan army employs these extensively."
"Why would military gear be available for sale?" Ryan examined the musket, finding it to have longer range but requiring complex handling. Costly to produce, it was less powerful than Nuln's mercury rifles, had less range than Hawk's long-barreled muskets, and fired more slowly than the dwarven Thunderfire models. Ryan put it down, signaling he wasn't interested.
"Zhongyuan's army began using these over a thousand years ago," Althena said. "Though potent, it's barely been updated since then. Want to hear more?"
"Go on." Ryan nodded.
"Zhongyuan invented firearms over 4,000 years ago, introducing them to Araby in early trade. Since then, Nehekharans and Arabyans enhanced them while Zhongyuan's firearm tech stagnated."
"Why?"
"Bureaucrats worshipping Qingtian Zun intervened." Althena shook his head, explaining how this belief obstructed technological advancement. While Zhongyuan once had over 2.8 million troops, recent shifts reduced its standing forces to under 400,000. Two main factors were at play. The first was an elite exemption system that left the military severely depleted. Second, the bureaucratic class held deep-rooted beliefs, enforcing conservative rituals in Qingtian Zun's honor and stifling innovation in military technology.
"Since Qingtian Zun worship became state-sanctioned, Luminous Guns were deemed unsophisticated and abandoned for more ceremonial uses," Althena laughed. "Now their firearms are little more than antiques. Collectible, though."
Ryan sighed, realizing the delicate balance between education and reverence that prevented modernization. In this world, mass education had unforeseen consequences.
"Fenrisian Mead! Get your Fenrisian Mead here! Stronger than any five bottles you've had—just one sip and you'll be climbing mountains and fighting goblin khans!" A vendor's cry turned heads across the market.
"Fenrisian Mead?!"
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