The nearest town to Bayek was Dude, a relatively prosperous settlement where almost all facilities could be found: schools, administrative halls, police stations, factories, and more.
Various carriages traversed the streets, along with people wearing garments that clearly indicated their social class. The Lolita-style buildings on either side made Glen feel somewhat disoriented as he entered.
Compared to the town of Bayek, this seemed like an entirely different world.
Although he had images of this all from the original owner's memories, experiencing it personally was a distinct sensation.
Today, there seemed to be more people than usual? Was something happening? Glen quickly adjusted, but he was not overly surprised, as he recalled such circumstances occurring a few times before.
Usually, it was due to a circus arriving or some festival event, but Glen had no interest in these matters.
He purchased some ingredients from several vegetable stalls, and only two copper coins remained in his pocket.
I need to think about how to make money... Glen walked casually back with packages in his arms.
Suddenly, he reached out to the side and steadied a youth who was about to fall.
"Thank you, sir." The youth said sincerely.
Glen nodded slightly.
Then another youth's voice came from the side: "Mayer, you do not need to be so urgent. Bryant is right there; you can see him sooner or later."
Glen turned his head and saw five young people laughing as they approached—three boys and two girls. The one who spoke was a taller youth among them.
"That is the great knight who once defeated a third-level vampire. I have only heard about him from the teacher. Are you not eager to see him?"
Mayer glanced somewhat embarrassedly at one of the blonde girls among the five and explained.
"We should still be careful. If you get hurt, it would not be good..."
The six quickly moved away, their voices lost in the crowd.
Glen recognized these several people, or rather, Dylan did, but they did not know Dylan. He had encountered them occasionally when traveling to this town.
He noticed them only because the two girls among the six were very beautiful, leaving a deep impression on the original owner.
If his father were still alive and the family wealthy, he would have certainly pursued them.
But the original owner no longer had the pride of the past, only deep insecurity.
Great knight Bryant? Is that why it is so lively today? The original owner had no impression of this fellow; never mind, it is none of my business... Glen tightened the packages in his arms and continued walking.
...
Wearing silver-shining armor, a red cloak embroidered with golden thread, a stern and steady face giving a sense of heavy presence.
This was Mayer's first impression of Bryant, though slightly different from his imagination, but roughly the same.
Bryant rode alone on a silver-armored white horse, with two columns of orderly knight soldiers below.
The front two knight soldiers held high flags, with the symbol of the kingdom's will fluttering in the wind.
In the enthusiastic cheers of the townsfolk and the admiring words of the young women, Bryant's column marched with orderly steps toward the rest area arranged by the mayor.
"Deamela, look! That must be the Riles great sword the teacher spoke of, how beautiful! And that, the White Lion Spear that drives away evil spirits..."
Mayer excitedly pulled the taller youth beside him, pointing at the great sword behind Bryant and the twin guns at his waist, introducing.
"Of course we know! The teacher did not only tell you the legend of Bryant; we also grew up hearing his stories. Finally seeing him in person, he looks truly powerful!"
Deamela was also somewhat excited; for youths of their age, these heroic figures themselves held enormous attraction.
"I will become a knight like Bryant someday!"
One of the red-haired, slightly plump youths said thus.
"You should think about how to pass the teacher's exam in a few days, Brock."
A beautiful girl wearing a wide-brimmed soft hat, with golden hair, blue eyes, and three-dimensional features, said with a smile.
The companions all laughed heartily.
"Perlas, do not bring this up again; you have ruined my good mood..." The red-haired youth scratched his head in reproach.
The laughter grew louder.
"Alright, stop teasing Brock; he has worked hard."
Seeing the red-haired youth's face turn red, another maiden with tea-colored long hair and equally lovely appearance quickly stopped the others.
The youths then ceased their teasing, Brock gratefully looking at the tea-haired girl, "Thank you, Laura."
The maiden smiled slightly, saying, "Study well, and you will pass the teacher's exam."
...
In the Dude town knight's inn, Bryant's entire contingent stopped. The enthusiastic townsfolk were blocked by police personnel at the perimeter to avoid disturbing the knights' rest.
The mayor was a white-haired, white-bearded elder, dressed in decent clothing, looking at the dismounted Bryant with a smile as he approached.
"Honored Lord Bryant, we have prepared your room; this way, please."
Bryant nodded, saying, "Do not worry too much about it; we are only staying here for a few days, looking for traces of the two wanted werewolves; there are more important matters above."
The mayor's expression shifted, revealing a hint of fear, "Lord Bryant, would those werewolves appear here? Please ensure the safety of the townspeople, my lord."
"Do not worry at all, Mayor. Those two werewolves are merely low-level beasts with thin bloodlines; they pose limited harm. Even if we do not find them, a few officers with guns can handle them."
Bryant's voice was steady, giving a great sense of security.
Upon hearing this, the mayor's expression improved somewhat.
...
Walking along the road back to Bayek, Glen thought about dinner while remaining aware of his surroundings.
As the road grew more remote, he encountered fewer travelers, until an unfamiliar figure appeared in the distance.
Glen slowed his pace, his eyes fixed on the figure.
Not another monster, surely?... Glen remained calm and approached slowly.
As the figure became clearer, Glen could see him clearly and caught a somewhat familiar scent.
It was a man wearing gray-black hemp clothes, a strange turban on his head, dark skin, deep dark circles under his eyes, expressionless, making him seem like a taciturn fellow.
Glen felt the familiar scent came from Bayek, suggesting this man was also a resident of that town, though the original owner had never seen him.
The man stood sideways to Glen, holding a package in his left hand, showing he was also returning from shopping, and at his feet lay another figure, in the weeds, which Glen only saw as he drew closer.
"Sir, are you also a resident of Bayek?" Glen asked tentatively.
The man turned his head to look at Glen, expressionlessly nodding.
He is not much of a talker... Glen fell silent for a moment, glanced at the figure on the ground who might be dead or alive, then said in a low voice, "Did you kill him?"
The man shook his head.
Then what is this situation? Glen was puzzled.