The trip to Mischo City took six to eight hours by horse-drawn carriage. Gideon and Lena sat next to each other, facing Norton, who sat across from them.
"Do you have an important business that made you decide to go to the city?" Norton asked.
"Yeah. We need detailed information about many things we can't get from the Mythical Race village," Gideon replied.
"You don't have to worry. Mischo City is led by Viscount Duncan. They're under my authority," Norton said.
"What do you mean?" Lena asked.
Norton explained a lot about the noble hierarchy to Gideon and Lena. Noble titles could be granted by three different ranks: Earl, Duke, and King.
An Earl could promote someone to Baron or Viscount. But an Earl was appointed by a Duke. A Duke had the authority to grant the titles of Earl and Marquess. The King had full authority to grant any noble title.
In practice, though, the King usually granted only Earl or Marquess titles directly. For Baron and Viscount, it was left to each Earl with the Duke's approval.
Ashfield — Norton's noble family name — held the rank of Earl. He ruled over a southern territory in the Moko Kingdom, but that didn't make him a Marquess.
There were only two Marquesses in the Moko Kingdom, stationed at the northern and western borders. Both ruled strategic regions with a higher status than Earls.
But Norton wasn't greedy. As commander of Moko's infantry, he could've requested a promotion to Marquess.
He refused. That would divide the nobility and destabilize politics, which in the end would hurt common people the most.
Gideon listened carefully.
These noble titles… they feel familiar. I think I've heard them in a movie before.
He didn't expect this fantasy world to copy the same noble concepts.
"That's the noble hierarchy of the Moko Kingdom," Norton concluded.
"Do other kingdoms copy this system?" Lena asked. Norton cleared his throat.
"Yes, the Sisyla and Luthe Kingdoms copied this noble structure too."
"Do each of these noble ranks have their own authorities?" Gideon asked.
"I don't think we have enough time to get into that."
Norton glanced out the front carriage window, clearly seeing the massive stone walls and gates protecting Mischo City, like a giant fortress.
Gideon and Lena looked in the same direction. Their carriage was approaching the fortress, where a long line of carriages stretched toward the city's south gate.
Guards in green armor stood checking each visitor's Entry Permit Plate, making sure their requirements were met before letting them in.
The perk of Norton's noble rank meant he didn't have to wait in line — a fast-track lane. The carriage slowed when one of the guards stepped in front, blocking the way.
"This is Earl Ashfield's carriage."
The coachman handed Norton's Earl plate to the guard. Without even touching it, just glancing at it, the guard's face went tense. Nervously, he quickly opened the way for Earl Ashfield to enter the city.
"Your noble plate, Commander," the coachman said, handing it back to Norton through the carriage window.
"That's nobility for you," Norton said, aware he could enter the city with almost no inspection.
Gideon was impressed, but he still wasn't used to the idea of nobility. He had nearly been offered a noble title by the King through Norton — if he and his team agreed to join Moko. Gideon refused because of conflicting principles.
If he joined, Moko would have an easier time invading the Mythical Race village, and they'd push for the use of firearms — something that could be dangerous for this world.
The carriage passed through the gate's tunnel and into the city. Gideon and Lena turned their heads to the side, eyes widening at the sight of city life and architecture inside the walls.
The scene reminded Gideon of Europe's Renaissance era, with old-fashioned, modest clothing worn by the townsfolk.
This really is a fantasy world.
Norton noticed Gideon's reaction. He ordered the coachman to stop. In his opinion, it would be much more enjoyable if Gideon and Lena explored the city on their own.
"Take this," Norton said, tossing a pouch with twenty gold coins. Gideon caught it.
"What's this?"
"Money. You'll need it."
"One gold coin equals ten silver coins, and one silver coin equals a hundred copper coins. Do you understand?" Norton asked.
Gideon cleared his throat briefly. He knew what Norton meant by giving them the pouch and stopping the carriage.
Exactly — Norton was letting them explore the city without him tagging along. Gideon didn't mind, and neither did Lena.
"Guard your money. A pickpocket's hand is faster than light magic."
He and Lena got out of the carriage. Norton and the coachman drove off, leaving them behind. Gideon took Norton's advice seriously — he had no experience in a city like this.
"Where should we go?" Lena asked. Gideon stayed silent.
"Let's start walking. Focus on the goal: finding a blacksmith."
"Got it," Lena said.
They walked carefully on the neatly paved stone road, hexagon-shaped blocks under their feet. People bustled past in both directions, not suspecting Gideon and Lena were outsiders — their clothes blended in perfectly.
Lena turned her head, noticing the line of shops along the street — tailors, bakeries, newspapers, toys, even brothels openly accessible to anyone.
Gideon's focus was different. He noticed merchants unloading goods. But that wasn't what caught his eye — it was the people wearing chains around their necks and ankles.
Is that slavery?
He stopped walking, eyes narrowing toward a small, dim alley with damp surroundings. Lena turned to see him stopped and approached curiously.
"What's wrong?"
She looked in the same direction. She heard a woman crying — and a man's grunts — from inside the alley. As her eyes adjusted, she was shocked to see a man raping a woman. What shocked her even more was…
"Th-that's a Kitsune race woman?" Lena asked, stunned.
She was furious, her anger boiling at the man's disgusting act. She almost drew her handgun before Gideon stopped her. Lena was taken aback.
"Why are you stopping me?!" she demanded.
"Look at her neck and ankles. Those chains are binding her."
"She might be a slave."
"A slave?" Lena repeated.
"We're in a fantasy world — nobles, medieval architecture, magic, armored soldiers. Maybe slavery is normal for them here," Gideon said.
"Even so, we can't just leave her. She's still a woman from the Kitsune race."
"Lady Mitsuko would be furious if she saw this," Lena muttered bitterly.
"I know."
Gideon stepped aside toward a merchant unloading goods — not into the alley. There was a chance the Kitsune girl being assaulted was one of his slaves.
"Is that girl your slave?" Gideon asked, drawing the attention of a bald, overweight man.
The man gave him a sharp look, then glanced toward the alley, where one of his carriage drivers was finishing his "fun."
"Yeah. She's mine. Why?" the man said coldly.
"I'll give you one gold coin if you hand her over to me," Gideon said firmly.
"You want to buy my slave? Two gold coins!" the man snapped.
"One. She's a woman — not much use for you when you need heavy lifting for your goods."
"Tch!"
The bald man realized the Kitsune girl was too weak for heavy labor. He'd bought her a week ago, and she couldn't even lift a box of bread.
He kept her only because his driver liked her. But human appetites change fast — soon enough, the driver would get bored.
"Fine. Give me the money."
Gideon cleared his throat, signaling Lena to go into the alley and get the girl. He opened the pouch, pulled out a gold coin, and handed it to the man.
The man tossed him the key to her chains. Deal done — Gideon had successfully freed her.
Lena emerged, holding the Kitsune woman in her arms. She looked about eighteen — far too young to bear such a cruel reality.
Her body was filthy, her fur matted, her face thin, her clothes torn and stinking. She had clearly been treated horribly.
She buried her face in Lena's chest. Lena's nurturing instinct took over, stroking the girl's hair to comfort her. It worked, easing the girl's anxiety.
"Let's find an inn and let her rest."