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Chapter 35
The City of Stonefield
The cold wind carried the faint smell of ash as Alex stood silently at the entrance of the bandits' cave, watching the last wooden chest being carried outside by the royal knights.
For several hours the soldiers had searched every corner of the hideout, carefully opening crates, overturning barrels, and breaking apart hidden compartments that the bandits had used to store their stolen goods.
Gold coins filled several sacks.
Weapons taken from merchants were stacked against the walls.
Even grain and farming tools stolen from nearby villages were piled in the corner.
Years of cruelty and robbery had been hidden inside this cave.
Max approached Alex while wiping dirt from his gloves.
"We've searched every chamber of the cave, Your Highness," he reported in a steady voice. "There are no more hidden passages or supplies left inside. Everything that belonged to the bandits has been confiscated."
Alex slowly nodded as he looked at the piles of recovered goods.
"And the prisoners?" he asked calmly.
Max's expression hardened slightly.
"The captured bandits confessed to multiple raids across this region," he replied. "Murders, kidnappings, even selling villagers into slavery."
Max paused briefly before continuing.
"As military law requires, we carried out their execution."
For a moment Alex remained silent.
He had expected that outcome, yet hearing it still made his chest tighten slightly.
Bandits who preyed on innocent villages rarely deserved mercy, but the act of taking lives never felt light.
Alex closed his eyes briefly and exhaled.
"…Then it's finished."
He stepped outside the cave and looked toward the waiting villagers.
Several carts filled with gold and supplies had been lined up nearby.
The villagers stood together nervously, many of them still wearing bandages or supporting injured family members.
The destruction of the previous night had left deep scars.
Alex walked slowly toward the carts.
Max followed beside him.
"Your Highness, what should we do with the loot?" Max asked.
Alex looked at the frightened villagers for a moment before answering.
"Give it to them."
Max blinked in surprise.
"…All of it?"
Alex nodded without hesitation.
"This gold was stolen from these people and their neighbors in the first place," he said calmly. "If it stays with us, it will simply become another treasure in a royal vault."
He gestured toward the villagers.
"But for them, it means rebuilding their homes, buying livestock, and feeding their children."
Max studied Alex for a moment before smiling faintly.
"You really are different from most nobles I've met."
Alex chuckled quietly.
"That's not always a compliment."
Soon the knights began distributing the recovered supplies.
The villagers stared in disbelief as sacks of grain, coins, and tools were handed back to them.
An elderly man stepped forward slowly, his hands trembling slightly.
"Your Highness… is this truly for us?"
Alex nodded gently.
"Yes."
"Use it to rebuild your village."
The old man's eyes filled with tears as he bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Prince Alex… you have saved our people twice."
Other villagers followed, bowing repeatedly while expressing their gratitude.
Max watched the scene quietly before leaning closer to Alex.
"You know, Your Highness, if you keep doing things like this, people will start calling you a hero."
Alex shook his head.
"I'm not interested in being a hero."
He glanced toward the mountains in the distance.
"I'm only doing what I think is right."
---
Later that afternoon the royal convoy resumed its journey.
The forest road stretched quietly ahead of them as the carts rolled slowly along the dirt path.
The tension of the battle had finally faded, replaced by the rhythmic creaking of wheels and the distant sound of birds.
Inside the carriage, Alex leaned slightly against the window while watching the trees pass by.
Max rode beside the carriage as usual, his sharp eyes scanning the road.
After some time Alex pushed open the door slightly.
"Max."
The commander immediately turned his horse closer.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"How much longer until we reach Baron William's territory?"
Max looked ahead thoughtfully.
"If the road remains clear, we should arrive within three hours."
Alex nodded slowly.
"That's sooner than I expected."
Max studied him curiously.
"You seem eager to reach the baron's lands."
Alex smiled faintly.
"You could say that."
Max raised an eyebrow.
"I hope it's not another bandit hunt."
Alex laughed quietly.
"No, nothing like that."
Then he leaned back into the carriage.
But inside his mind, his thoughts were focused on something else entirely.
The dragon legacy.
In the original game Chronicles of the Ruined Empire, the mountains near Baron William's territory hid the ancient inheritance of a long-dead dragon.
It was one of the most important events in the game.
The wandering Princess Aurelia had discovered it and gained incredible power.
That power allowed her to later join the famous Hero Party.
Alex stared quietly at his hands.
But this time… things will be different.
The story was already changing.
The bandit attack had not happened in the game.
The assassination attempt had never existed in the original storyline.
His knowledge of the future was slowly becoming unreliable.
And that meant he needed strength even faster.
The dragon legacy must become mine.
---
Soon the forest opened into wide fields.
Stone walls appeared in the distance, surrounding a modest but lively city.
Max rode closer to the carriage.
"Your Highness, we've reached Baron William's territory."
Alex stepped outside the carriage and looked ahead.
The banner of the baron flew proudly above the gate.
Stone houses filled the city beyond the walls.
Farmers moved through the streets while merchants sold goods in small market stalls.
A group of guards waited at the entrance.
Standing at the front was a middle-aged nobleman with a warm expression.
As Alex approached, the man bowed deeply.
"Welcome, Prince Alex, to my humble city of Stonefield."
He straightened with a polite smile.
"I am Baron William."
Beside him stood a young man who looked to be around sixteen years old.
"My son, Lucas."
Lucas stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness."
Alex returned the greeting politely.
"The pleasure is mine."
Baron William gestured toward the city.
"I apologize that our city is not as grand as the capital, but we will do everything we can to make your stay comfortable."
Alex smiled warmly.
"After several days of traveling, Baron, any comfortable bed sounds luxurious."
The baron laughed heartily.
"Then you will certainly enjoy our castle."
---
That evening Baron William hosted a dinner in Alex's honor.
The castle dining hall was smaller than the imperial palace, but it had a welcoming atmosphere.
Baron William's wife, Baroness Elena, greeted Alex warmly.
"I have heard many stories about you, Your Highness," she said with a friendly smile. "Especially about your new beauty business in the capital."
Alex chuckled softly.
"It seems rumors travel faster than merchants."
During dinner, the conversation flowed easily.
Lucas asked endless questions about the capital.
The baron spoke about managing the farms and trade routes of his territory.
At one point the baroness sighed slightly.
"I must admit, though, I do envy the noble ladies in the capital."
Alex tilted his head.
"Oh?"
She smiled playfully.
"They all talk about those miraculous beauty products from Silver Bloom."
Alex laughed quietly.
"Well… I might have brought a few samples."
He signaled to one of the knights, who brought a small box.
Inside were several elegant bottles and jars.
Baroness Elena's eyes widened.
"These are…?"
Alex nodded.
"Silver Bloom products."
"A gift for welcoming us so warmly."
The baroness looked genuinely delighted.
"Oh my… I will treasure these."
Lucas laughed.
"Mother will never stop talking about this now."
The room filled with warm laughter.
---
Early the next morning, before the city had fully awakened, Alex quietly left the castle.
Max noticed him near the gate.
"Your Highness?"
Alex smiled casually.
"I'm going to explore the city a little."
Max frowned slightly.
"Alone?"
Alex shrugged.
"I won't go far."
Max hesitated before nodding.
"…Be careful."
Alex waved lightly and walked away.
But instead of heading toward the city streets…
He walked toward the distant mountains.
After several hours of climbing narrow paths and pushing through dense trees, he finally reached the base of a rocky cliff.
And there…
Hidden behind thick vines…
Was a dark cave entrance.
Cold air flowed from within.
Alex stood silently for a moment.
His heart beat faster.
The dragon legacy…
Slowly, he stepped forward.
Then he disappeared into the darkness.
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