Merchant From Earth in the Magical World

After Donna assisted him in removing his armor, Yan Xing lay comfortably on the large bed in his bedroom.

It was truly large; no matter how much he tossed and turned, he wouldn't fall off, and it was also very soft.

The bedding had been scented with spices, emitting a gentle, elegant fragrance.

What a pleasure this is, he thought.

His maid, Donna, opened the window. Outside, several unknown but vibrant flowers bloomed on a climbing vine.

Just then, a Gryphon Squad happened to fly by at low altitude, the airflow they generated stirring the leaves and blossoms. A group of soldiers approached from a distance, with one warrior stopping to stand guard every few paces.

A priest from the Central Divine Temple had been assassinated. Before the assassin was found, security at the Lord's Mansion in Nuta City had been heightened.

When a human sentry was posted outside Yan Xing's bedroom window, Olaf, who had come looking for him, also stationed two Werewolf Warriors there to protect their master.

A Knight, leading a cavalry patrol, quickly approached upon seeing the Werewolves. After some questioning, he permitted them to post guards there.

Donna, who was keen on becoming a militiawoman, couldn't help but lean by the window, watching the various human soldiers of different ranks with fascination.

After a while, a knock sounded at the bedroom door.

Donna immediately ran to open it.

The person who entered was a guard from the Lord's Mansion. He was fully armed, his armor painted with blue and white vertical stripes. In the center was a Griffon crest—one claw grasping a sword, the other a sheaf of grain.

This was the heraldry of the Theodore Family, visible everywhere within the Lord's Mansion.

The Griffon depicted was a Battle Griffin. Only nobles of sufficient status, with a family lineage of no less than ten generations, were entitled to use the Battle Griffin in their family crest.

Nobles of slightly lesser standing could only use a Griffon.

Newly ennobled families were not permitted to use the image of a Griffon in their family heraldry. Keep us going by reading on MV_LEM_PYR.

Only the royal family of the Gryphon Heart Empire was entitled to use the image of the Royal Griffon.

The Theodore Family crest on his armor signified that he was a retainer of that family.

"Honored Knight Yan Xing. Count Theodore is now going to the Nuta City Temple to investigate the assassination of Priest Temple, and he hopes that you will accompany him. Lord Earl is already waiting in the carriage outside..."

Yan Xing sat up from the large bed, feeling very puzzled.

What does Count Theodore's investigation into the assassination of a priest have to do with me?

"Why take me with you?"

The guard saluted Yan Xing again. "I am here to invite you under my lord's orders. If you have any questions, you may ask my lord on the way to the Temple. Please change into your armor quickly, so as not to keep my lord waiting."

Yan Xing couldn't figure it out. But since Count Theodore invited me to the Temple, why not go... Perhaps I could even manage to sell a coffin in the Temple.

"Please wait outside the door. I will change immediately."

The guard stepped outside. With Donna's help, Yan Xing put the armor he had just removed back on.

He ordered Steel Fang to take some of the Werewolves and remain at the Lord's Mansion to guard the personnel and supplies from the Eternal Domain.

He then had Olaf select ten Light Armored Werewolf Warriors to accompany him to the Nuta City Temple.

After finishing dressing in his armor, Yan Xing thought for a moment and said to Donna, "You come with me too. It will broaden your experience!"

"Yes, Master."

Yan Xing, now dressed in his knightly attire, stepped out of the bedroom and followed the guard who had invited him along the outer corridor toward the exit.

Donna followed closely behind Yan Xing.

Then came Olaf and ten fully armed Werewolf Warriors.

Outside the Lord's Mansion, a troop was already assembled and ready to depart. Dozens of Knights on horseback surrounded a black, four-wheeled carriage.

Yan Xing's party emerged from the Lord's Mansion.

The guard opened the carriage door.

Yan Xing climbed in, and Donna followed. The Werewolf Warriors, coordinated by the guards, integrated into the main escort.

A single glance swept across the scene.

The First Order Werewolf Warriors, clad in half-suits of fine steel armor and bulging with equipment, stood among the eleventh-order knights without appearing any less imposing.

Indeed, clothes make the man. The aura of pride emanating from the Werewolves also added significantly to their presence.

With everyone assembled, the leading Knight waved his banner, and the entire procession began to advance.

At this moment, Yan Xing was facing Count Theodore.

Count Theodore had a burly figure and was dressed in noble attire embellished with gemstones and embroidery. His full beard was neatly trimmed and, like his hair, completely white. He wore an earl's coronet inset with diamonds.

Ever since Yan Xing had entered the carriage, Count Theodore had been looking at him without uttering a word. His piercing gaze seemed to want to see into Yan Xing's very bones.

Yan Xing, in turn, stared back at Count Theodore, also silent. Everyone is putting on airs, he thought. Whoever speaks first loses face. Besides, I'm making all sorts of guesses. I really can't understand... why does this old guy insist on taking me to the Temple? This is basically our first meeting, and we haven't exchanged a single word yet. Since you're the one who invited me, you'll definitely be the one to break the silence.

"You're very clever!"

A sly smile crept across Yan Xing's lips. Hmph, couldn't hold back, could you...

"But if you don't have the corresponding strength to back it up, cleverness can sometimes make you look like a clown."

The smile vanished from Yan Xing's face.

The fan is spinning normally, isn't it? The ambient lighting is on too, right? These special effects have fooled many people.

"I don't understand why Lord Earl would say that," Yan Xing asked.

The old Earl said, "Your armor conceals some alchemical contraptions. They can bewilder the weak, but they're useless before a truly powerful individual. Atreli said you are as crude as someone from the Swamp Tribe, ignorant of etiquette—a barbarian. You indeed don't know etiquette—or more precisely, you don't understand the hypocritical trappings of nobility. But I can now assert that you are no barbarian; that is merely a facade. So... what was your purpose in handing those mercenaries over to Hibel?"

At that moment, Yan Xing felt a chill run down his spine. He was already trying to pull up his system panel, preparing to escape.

Indeed, I've underestimated the people of this world, he thought. However, Yan Xing didn't immediately try to return to reality.

He reasoned that if the Count intended him harm, there would have been no need to invite him into this carriage. He had just been in the Lord's Mansion, where they could have acted against him however they wished.

I'll just observe quietly for now, he decided. Let's see what game this old fox is playing.

Yan Xing maintained a calm demeanor and said to Count Theodore, "Before today, I did not know Miss Hibel. Those mercenaries colluded with Orcs to attack my domain. What purpose could I possibly have in handing them over to Nuta City? I'm more curious about Lord Earl's reason for inviting me to the Temple. Surely it's not to have me investigate the murderer of that... what's-his-name... priest?"

To his surprise, Count Theodore said, "Indeed. I want you to investigate the murderer of Priest Temple."

What in the world kind of joke is this!