It was only a half-day journey.
It seems Baron Alden didn't want to go too far for the outing, which is understandable. Since problems may arise at any time. So, leaving his own territory is out of the question. So, Elena didn't think too much about it.
Two carriages were prepared for their transportation. Elena rode in a different carriage from Bianca. It was mainly brought for the maids. The carriage was cheap and uncomfortable. Something Elena wouldn't even look at in normal circumstances.
It shook a lot and made her butt hurt. She would have preferred to walk rather than ride this wooden junk if it weren't for the fact that she had to show that she was still injured.
Jully accompanied Bianca as Baron Alden wasn't there. The carriage that Bianca is riding is a bit better. Well, it should be. But in Elena's eyes, it wasn't much.
Because Jully is riding with Bianca, there should have been more space. But Olen insisted on riding with Elena. So, this small carriage again became a bit too cramped. But beggars can't be choosers. So, she couldn't complain.
Even so, this worried Bianca. She still had no idea what Elena's true identity was. For all she knew, this new character might be a spy from some other nobles.
But she still allowed it. Because if Elena were sent by someone to harm her son, she could already have done so. She had the perfect opportunity to assault Olen in the woods. So, she concluded that at the very least, Elena wasn't here to harm Olen.
So she should have ample opportunity to observe Elena. Bianca told the guard leader to keep an eye on her movement on the way. To see if she was communicating with somebody while traveling. She instructed him to make a move the moment he noticed something odd.
She believed that should be enough to prevent Elena from doing anything funny, at least in their own territory.
Elena had already noticed a lack of trust from Bianca. But she didn't mind.
'Everyone has their consideration,' she thought. 'One must always be aware of one's enemy.' -She now knew and understood this concept very well. No one can know what is in the heart of another. So, trusting someone without knowing their true motives could only be described as foolish. She had suffered this time for this very reason. Because she was unable to see through the facade before her eyes. Because she was unable to distinguish the truth from falsehood. Because she put her trust in the wrong person. Because she stopped herself from looking past the veil cast upon people's faces.
Elena understood Bianca's concern. It was only natural for Bianca to guard against her. But she also knew it was meaningless.
'Without the proper strength, what did she hope to achieve?' She thought. These people simply didn't have the ability to stop her. Even in her weakened state, if she were to do anything to them, they would be powerless to do anything about it.
Of course, she didn't have any ill intentions toward Alden's house. Showing off her strength too much would only invite unintended worries. So, refrained from doing so... for now...
.
Though the guards were on alert, nothing happened on the way.
The road between the vacation house and the city was well-maintained. And there were no bandits in the area. Even if there were some, the insignia of the Baron scared them away.
Though for Elena, these guards are as insignificant as ants, in these parts, they are the elites. No one is willing to pick a fight with the Baron's family.
They arrived at Wolf Fang City without any incident. The only thing that happened was Olen's nonstop talking. Like, what Olen did with Jully and Jon here or there, nothing specific.
Elena understood that Olen was just a normal kid, unlike the kids at her home, where elders start the kids' spiritual training at an early age. In this place, there is no concept of training spirituality. So their mind only develops slowly with their age.
Olen only did some physical training from an early age. So he has a pretty strong body for a kid. But spiritually, he is very normal.
'He is of good nature.' -Thinking this, Elena decided she would help the kid.
Though she could have taken care of herself back in the woods, it wouldn't have been as convenient for her if it were not for the kid. In times of need, even a bit of help may be very impactful. And the boy came for her when she needed it the most.
Olen could have just left her there and ignored her. He could have been frightened by her bloody wounds. But he didn't leave her there and made the effort he was capable of making. That is a fact Elena couldn't overlook. So, she decided to repay him in kind.
Also, it wasn't like she could just go running home now. She needs to recuperate. For that, she needs shelter and a convenient cover for her identity. And Alden's family could give her both.
.
By the time they reached the city, it was noon. They entered the city through the south gate without any form of checking. Only the guard captain nodded to the city guard.
In this city, the Alden are the rulers. Who'd think about checking the carriage of their Baroness?
The city was bustling. Shops were open. Merchants were calling for customers. Everyone was busy. It was a prosperous city. They moved through the shopping district in the middle of the city.
The city isn't big, but it isn't small either.
The city stands at the intersecting points of two rivers. One of which comes from the mountain areas they just came from. They had basically followed the river the whole way back to the city.
The Alden house is on the north side of the city. The house was elevated higher than other areas. So it is possible to look over the whole city from its front gate. Well, that also means as long as someone passes the city gate, they would also be able to see the big house walls.
The view of two rivers intersecting from both sides of the city can be seen from the backside of the house. So if the house was attacked, it had a natural defence as well as a perfect escape route. So, it can be said that the house is located in the best position in the city.
As the lord of the land, the Alden house was the biggest in the area. Though there were some large buildings, they couldn't compare with the city lord's residence.
"Greetings. How was your journey, madam? Hope there wasn't any inconvenience."
Reaching home, they were greeted by a burly man about twenty to twenty-two years old. He asked very cordially.
To Elena's surprise, this person was stronger than the guards' captain. He should be a light yellow-grade spiritualist. And his integrated spirit should be battle-oriented.
"Who is he?" Elena asked Olen.
"Who? Are you talking about Jon? He is my trainer and Jully's brother. He is the one I told you about on the way. I often go to the market with him. He is strong. You would have met him if Father hadn't brought him with him in a hurry." Olen gave a detailed answer.
"Oh, it's him?" Elena heard a lot about Jon from Olen and knew a bit about him.
Apparently, besides being Olen's trainer, he is supposed to be one of Baron's wife's guards. And when Baron left Bianca and Olen, he was in a hurry. So he had only brought Jon back with him. And Elena understands why. This man here could do a better job of protecting the Baron than all those guards following them combined.
Though light yellow grade and dark green spirituality have only a difference of one level, they have a very big difference in terms of power.
While they were talking, Elena saw Jon looking at her with a frown.
'He is a bit too sensitive. He may have talent,' Elena thought. Since they were traveling in a new area, she was suppressing her spiritual pressure. But because of her injury, she couldn't suppress it fully. But even so, it shouldn't have been detectable for someone at Jon's level. So, she was rather surprised.
"Madam, who is this person?" -Jon asked. He looked worried.
"This is Ms. Aniston. She was brought back by Olen from the woods behind the vacation house when he found her injured. So we brought her with us."
"Madam, with all due respect, you could have let the maids staying there take care of her. Why bring her here?"
Bianca looked at Jon but didn't say anything immediately.
"Do I need permission from you to do something?" Bianca scolded.
"Absolutely not. I'm sorry, madam. Please forgive me."
"All right. Go and prepare a room for her. Then come report to me." Bianca dismissed Jon.
"Jully, go prepare a bath for Olen. He's tired from the journey. And Olen, don't go running off." -Saying so, Bianca left.
.
Elena followed Jon to her assigned room. Entering the room, Jon looked at her.
"Who are you? Why are you here?" Jon asked rudely.
"Hmm, is this a way to behave with a guest?" Elena asked laughingly.
"No, it's not. But you are no ordinary guest, are you? So, what's your purpose?" Jon asked back.
"Relax. I mean no harm," she said smilingly.
"As your madam said, I was attacked and was injured. Your young lord found me and brought me here. I'll leave as soon as possible. But if you try to dig deep, I will make sure to bury you with the truth." -Elena changed her tone and gave the pressure of a higher realm.
All of a sudden, Jon was having a hard time standing. He felt like he was before a ferocious beast. One from which he didn't have any chance of surviving. He felt like danger creeping onto him from all sides. Any wrong move, and he is dead.
But the next moment, the pressure was gone. It's as if it were never there. If Jon hadn't experienced it himself, he wouldn't believe there could be someone so strong. The knight commander of his lord wasn't strong enough. He even doubted the royal knight was strong enough.
"Well, even if it is easy for me, I will not kill you if it can be avoided. But make sure not to say a single word about this outside. Or you will regret it. Now go back. Bianca should be expecting your report. Say that you have misjudged." Saying so, Elena shooed him out.
When Jon left her room, he was sweating buckets. He couldn't believe what he just felt. In his mind, he remembered not to irritate their new guest. It really didn't look like a good idea.
.
Shortly after, Jon knocked on a closed door, "Madam, may I come in?"
"Yes," came the reply.
It was Bianca's room.
Jon entered the room before closing the door.
"So, how was it?" -Bianca asked.
Jon looked at Bianca before saying, "I feel that she is strong... very strong."
"But it doesn't seem like she is an enemy. It would be wise not to get involved with her too much," Jon concluded.
"As long as she isn't an enemy..." Bianca thought.
"Now then, where is your lord? What happened?" Bianca asked again.
"Lord Baron went to the royal capital. He didn't say why he was going. But it seems like the other nobles are moving. Depending on the situation, he should be back within four to six months."
"Was there so much of an urgency? He never left on such short notice. I hope there isn't too much trouble." -Bianca could only pray and do her best to maintain order with others.
Suddenly, Bianca thought of something. "How strong do you think our guest is?" -She asked again.
"Can't say for sure. But most likely stronger than our knight commander." Jon answered.
"Are you sure? Is she really that strong?" Bianca's eyes opened wide.
"Knight commander is strong but not that strong. He is only in mid-yellow grade. He wouldn't be able to make me feel that threatened. She is in a league of her own."
Bianca became silent for a moment.
"All right, treat her well. See if we can befriend her. And get a healer from the Alchemy pavilion to have a look at her." Bianca commanded.
"I don't think that would be of any good."
"It doesn't matter. Even if it doesn't work, it wouldn't hurt to show a bit of kindness. We wouldn't lose anything. Also, we will be on friendly terms with her."
"Madam, being on friendly terms with her may also bring misfortune for us. Don't you remember? She was attacked and injured by someone. Those people might come looking for her here."
"Let me think about it when the time comes. There are too many things happening at the moment. Having a powerful ally like her may save us a lot of trouble."
"All right then, please excuse me." Jon bowed and took his leave.
In the hallway, Jon saw a little man running towards him. For some reason, seeing this carefree guy always made Jon smile. This guy still acts childish. But he is a responsible person and works hard. Some day he will become a fine man.
The little guy jumps and hugs him. It is Olen.
"Jon, you left me. And I couldn't find you when I needed you." Olen pouted.
"I need to talk to you right now. Come with me." He demanded. He started to pull Jon by hand.
"What's so urgent that you have to talk to me first thing after coming from a journey? Go, get some rest. We can talk by letter. I'm busy now."
Normally, Jon would help out whenever Olen asks something like sneaking out of the mansion to play, going swimming in the river, or telling him the location of sweets he isn't allowed to take. Jon would always accompany Olen in his misdeeds. But now he has an urgent job. So he can't play with Olen.
"No. It's important. I need to talk to you right now."
"All right, all right. But I don't have much time on hand. Make it quick." -saying so, Jon follows Olen to the backyard of the house.
"So, what is the urgent matter?" asked Jon.
Olen had a serious face.
"Jon, teach me how to become a man."