The matter about Luke and his father soon was forgotten when Baston drifted into his sleeping time. When the morning came, he only grabbed a handful of bread plus a slice of meat for breakfast. In order to hurry to the
destination, he didn't have a time to get luxury on his food. As long as it was enough for a day, he didn't mind it. Inside his head, he thought this kind of lifestyle was quite good for a diet. Always stayed a night at nature outside with minimal consumption in order to be more efficient. The less he ate, then the less he needed to go to nearby town or village to stock up.
Regarding Luke's uncle, Baston would look for more plan after he met him directly. The conversation he had before with Luke made him frowned because even though both of Luke and his uncle were same, their strength and wealth were very different. It was just like Luke was a bastard son while the uncle was the patriarch or someone very important in the family. Luke had already determined to solve his problem and took the punishment, yet for this uncle of him, the man surely would have another backup to avoid the
punishment. Even he was deemed guilty, he could pay it off easily.
Between the less rich Luke and the richer uncle, everyone could see who was going to win. Because of this, Baston needed to look further about Luke's uncle. It was too bad that the old book never explained more about it. Rather than contemplating too long about his disadvantages, he had to prepare everything once he reached his destination. The place would be unlike village or town he ever visited before since Luke told him it was a big city. To be honest, Baston wasn't eligible to enter if he went there by himself.
However, that would be a different story if he disguised himself as the servant with his boss by then.
Baston didn't count clearly how many days he took on the road before he finally arrived at the destination. He saw from far that the
city was huge one, even the front gate was also the same with many officers doing the inspection. It was really unlike many other towns before where people could easily enter. Luke also saw the city, but his eyes was indifferent toward the glamor and luxury shown to him. He only had one purpose to go here so anything else was meaningless. The magic carriage drove normally until everyone reached the front gate. At there, every carriage needed to queue.
"Please, come outside first because we need to check the carriage…" one of many officers talked before Luke.
"Alright, please wait a moment…"
Luke and his temporary servant stepped down while someone took magic instrument with him and started scanning the entire vehicle for any dangerous items. The scanning was on progress and Luke was then asked for a few questions by another officer. At this time, Baston should be the one to explain but because he didn't know what he needed to do in this city at first time, it was better for Luke himself to handle it.
"Please state your identity and the purpose of you visiting this city?"
"My name is Luke Anderson and I come from noble family. Here's my proof. Besides me, I also bring my servant here," Luke pointed to Baston, "I come here to look for a fun."
"I see…" the officer nodded knowingly, "Welcome to Luminos City, Sir Luke. I hope your staying here will be happy and satisfying."
"Thank you very much…" Luke replied, then whispering something, "It's already a long journey to get here. Is there any inn you could recommend to me? The price doesn't matter but I need a quiet place because I
need to get a good sleep."
The officer grinned, "Of course, Sir Luke. I know one place and it fits to your requirement. This is my emblem and you just need to bring it there. The innkeeper will make sure your rest will be satisfying."
The magic carriage then entered Luminos City successfully, but Baston was curious why Luke needed to ask such question. The noble boy might not be very rich, but surely, he could stay for several weeks in this city with no problem. There was no need to trouble someone to look over a place to stay for a night. Despite Baston's eagerness to know the explanation, Luke didn't tell him directly. Instead, he started to talk about something else.
"Do you know to enter Luminos City, your status has to be equal or higher than merchant?"
"Really? Even a commoner can't enter?" Baston exclaimed.
"Yes, because there's another requirement. People who want to enter this city must at least have 10,000 pounds. For this number, the poor and the commoner surely can't keep their wealth until this high. Because of
that, only merchant or nobles have the rights to visit here."
"But, if everyone comes from the merchant or noble class, who will serve them? Is everything done by magic?"
"There's magic in many places inside the city, but it only works as monitoring, cleaning, security, or anything else. As for the service area, it's done by many servants. These people mostly come from poor and commoner class, but here in this city, they don't have a freedom. They work for the
governor to maintain this city by offering their services. If they don't want to work or being employed, then they will be kicked out since their status don't match with the requirement. Everything almost cost money in Luminos city, so never expects the governor to pity you if you don't have money."
Baston nodded understandingly and Luke continued further. Since there was a requirement here, the officers surely had their own way to check whether your wealth had already reached the threshold or not. People might hide their treasure trove somewhere, but at least, every rich person
surely had a bank account on them. By checking the account, Luminos city could
clearly know how much the money left personally. For merchants, this simple
checking was successful on many occasions since they would know if the merchant really flourished or bankrupted.
As for a noble like Luke, Luminos City had more trust since 10,000 pounds were just a rookie number for him. He didn't need to show his wealth and just headed inside the city. Baston knew nobles must have 10,000
pounds inside their bank accounts since their real wealth must be a lot than this. Because of the fact, Luke only showed a proof that he was indeed a noble before the officers let him entered the city. However, the fat boy wondered if there was a need to ask about a place to stay at night. If the enemy knew their location somehow from the officer, then they would have the initiative to
attack first.
"Luminos City is a place where you need money mostly at the time. I was asking a place to stay at night, not because I didn't know the inns here, but I wanted to make connection with the officers here. Sometimes, they take a commission if they successfully promote a business to the visitor. This emblem is the proof. When we stay at there, we book a room and show it to the innkeeper. The person will understand by then."
"So, what is the next after that?" Baston asked.
"Like I said before, people need money mostly at this place so there's a big chance that someone will ask if there's something I want to do tomorrow morning. Since I happen to need a guide before, someone will offer if I need another service."
"Oh, I see…"
In Baston's head, he could think by showing the first impression to these officers, they might have a concept that Luke was extravagant in Luminos city. Someone surely would catch this opportunity by providing another service just to get more money from him. Moreover, the noble boy already said
the price didn't matter so basically, everyone must think Luke was very rich. However, people didn't know that he had limited fund and only acting here just to exact his killing plan. But Baston understood they must not be hasty since the target was also a noble. Even though so, he needed to go around this place to see how Luminos city worked.
Both of Baston and Luke were having a short conversation before the magic carriage went to a certain inn. The place was indeed good with just how many paintings and chandeliers lingered around here. The temperature inside was also managed by magic, so even it was hot and cold outside, it still felt nice inside. Luke walked to the receptionist table where the innkeeper had
been waiting for a while with a few staffs. It looked like the officer from the front gate made a call before so they could welcome them satisfactorily.
"Sir Luke, welcome to our humble and luxurious inn. We hope your staying in here will be delightful."
"Ah, I never thought you already know me. I really appreciate it."
"It's our job to take care our guest," the innkeeper smiled before asking the main point, "I wonder which room you want to take?"
"Please enlighten me…"
"Very well. There are 5 types of room here from the basic one to the most expensive one. The standard room costs 1,000 pounds, the superior room costs 2,000 pounds, the deluxe room costs 3,000 pounds, the suite room costs 5,000 pounds, and the last one is the noble room which costs 10,000 pounds…"
"I will take noble room for one week."
"Then, I will quickly prepare the room. Please wait for a minute while we check everything. In the meantime, you can process the payment first."
The innkeeper was elated at the moment. His eyes were glimmering with the tinkling of money, but he hid it quickly so as to keep his
professional manner. It was really rare to find someone who stayed at the most expensive room for one week. Truly, he found a jackpot today. After this, he couldn't wait to celebrate a mini party in his own room. Also, he wouldn't forget the officer at the front gate. If not because of him, he might not get this rare guest.
After finishing the payment, Luke went upstairs. As the servant, Baston should be the one who brought all the belongings, yet because Luke showed his wealth, the innkeeper ordered 2 staffs to do the job. One was already enough and two was excessive. The staffs divided the job, leaving Baston on empty hands. His work as the servant should start from now, but someone already snatched the opportunity. There was nothing he could do unless following Luke into his room.
After getting inside the room, the 2 staffs then informed Luke if there was anything he needed, he could call them. They promised to do the best of the best. Luke nodded and gave each one of them 10 pounds before
retreated into his room. Baston looked at the happy staffs for the last time before closing the door. He locked it and turning the soundproof magic on. Since this was the most expensive room, it was well-equipped with many magic facilities. However, the cost of 10,000 pounds for one night were very
expensive. If it was him, he surely wouldn't pick this room.
"What are you going to do next?" Baston asked.
"Let's rest first today. It's exhausting to stay outside after these times. Tomorrow morning, I need to collect some information first. Do you want to go with me?"
"Okay, then… I will accompany you since I'm the servant."
"Temporary one…" Luke chuckled before looking outside the veranda, "After this, there's only one thing we need to do. Since it's a perfect opportunity, I won't waste it. Anyway, welcome to Luminos city, Baston.
A place where you can be a king if you have a lot of money. Also, a place where you will be a sinner if you don't have a money."