With Lucia's help, I successfully snuck out of the Ashbourne manor without alerting anyone. We reached the back of the manor.
"Young Master, are you sure you will be all right?"
Ronan sighed.
"It will be all right, Lucia. I am just training, don't worry so much. You'll get wrinkles."
Lucia's face flushed at that.
"Young Master! You know it's rude to remind a woman of her age."
"Oh, don't mistake me for a fool, Lucia, you don't look a day over 25," Ronan grinned. "Although that might not remain true if you don't heed my advice."
Lucia glared.
"I'm already regretting this."
Ronan rolled his eyes theatrically.
"I'll be off then, Lucia."
"Remember, Young Master! Before midnight!"
"Yes, yes."
Ronan left the Ashbourne estate, leaving Lucia behind.
It was regrettable that he had to lie to Lucia, but he didn't feel too bad.
He wasn't going to train. Two days of training would do absolutely nothing for him.
Ronan needed to take a more ambitious approach.
Reaching into his back pocket, Ronan took out a map he had ripped out from one of the books he had been reading yesterday. It was a map of Jules City, the city where the Ashbourne family resided.
Taking a note of where he was now, followed the map perfectly.
He needed to get to the public transport area.
After around 30 minutes of walking, Ronan reached his destination. There were all types of carriages, big and small, and they were stationed next to the large building with a sign that read Jules Central Transit Hub.
The letters were carved onto a large, polished stone, large enough to be seen from a large distance away. Finding it hadn't been hard.
Ronan put on his mask as he approached. It covered the lower half of his face, allowing him to see perfectly fine while also hiding his identity.
The place was crowded. Commoners hauling luggage, merchants shouting prices – like a true medieval world.
For a brief moment, Ronan simply observed.
Then he walked up to a certain carriage.
It had magic circles drawn around it, making it stand out from the rest. The commoners avoided it, only sparing occasional glances.
A magic carriage.
Exactly what I needed right now.
Ronan walked up.
The middle-aged man in the carriage sneered as he walked towards him.
"Hah?! Get lost, kid, I'm not here to entertain you. I'm already in a bad mood, I don' need you ruining it further with your silly questions."
Ronan didn't reply, and instead he pulled out a bag.
The sound of coins could be heard.
The man's expression instantly changed, but Ronan spoke before he could.
"I need a route to the Central District. And I need you to wait there for 2 hours, 3 max. Then I want a ride back home. Understood?"
"Y-yes, esteemed customer! This humble carriage owner profusely apologizes to this esteemed young man!" The man was bowing repeatedly while taking not-so-subtle glances at the bag of silver coins. "Where in the Central District would you like me to take you?"
"The red light district."
"Ohhh, so you're that type of lad, eh? Hehe, let me tell you something about–"
"Let's not waste time. I have to be back before midnight."
Ronan cut him off with an annoyed tone.
The man nodded frantically.
"Yes, esteemed customer! I am Combo, known for my amicable personality! Owner of the fastest magic carriage here in Jules City. If you ever deci–"
"Cut the chit-chat, old man. I'm in a hurry," Ronan said lazily as he got into the carriage.
"Of course, of course! I am known for my efficiency after all!"
Instantly, the air shifted. Magic circles started spinning around the carriage, and it started to lift slightly in the air.
And before Ronan could tell what was happening, the carriage zoomed away.
Trees and buildings blurred by as the carriage raced over the terrain, the wind magic working with terrifying efficiency.
So this is a magic carriage?
He'd read about them, but actually being in one was much different.
In just 6 – or maybe 7 – minutes of riding, they had reached their destination.
"We're entering the Central District, lad! Brace for the stop!"
He didn't need to tell Ronan twice, and he did what he had read about in the novel. He grabbed the handle to his left, leaned forward slightly, and braced his core.
The carriage came to an abrupt stop, sending pressure through Ronan's body.
It didn't hurt, but he didn't think it would be so smooth if he didn't know about the method. This carriage owner was so irresponsible!
"We've arrived, lad– I mean esteemed customer!" Combo said with a puff of his chest. "Best spot I could have landed you without drawing too much attention, you know?"
"Yeah, yeah. Here's your money."
"Oh hoh! Thank you, esteemed customer. I'll stay here for two hours like you asked… three if need be. But after that…"
"You'll leave. I know."
"Can't risk my business, y'know?" Combo grinned sheepishly.
Ronan nodded and tossed him the bag.
Combo leapt at it like a hungry dog.
Paying the man no more attention, Ronan got out of the carriage.
The first thing he was greeted with was the smell of sex.
Sex, perfume, desire.
Everywhere around him, it clung to the air like a second skin.
Lanterns were lined against the street, men with multiple women clinging to their arms like trophies. They wore tight, revealing clothing – some wore none at all.
They whispered sweet nothings into the men they seduced, promises of pleasure and control.
"Mmm… you're so handsome. Want a mistress to show you a good time, boy?"
A voice came from his left. A mature woman, maybe Lucia's age, although she showed many more signs of aging on her face. Her body did not, however. Thick, voluptuous, with pendulous breasts that swayed like they were trying to hypnotise you.
But Ronan paid her no mind.
Having a good time with whores wasn't why he came here.
Ronan walked down the street, looking for a particular building. A particular sign.
And after only 5 minutes of walking, he found it.
Liquor Daddy – The Best Liquor in the World!
It seemed like a regular liquor store with ambitious marketing tactics.
Ronan wasn't interested in the store, however. Just the landmark.
He walked towards the alleyway to the left of it. It was dark, with small wet puddles from a previous rain, perhaps.
Ronan spotted a door to the left of the alleyway. It didn't have a name, but he knew what it was.
He opened the door and was immediately met by another door with two men guarding it.
"Stop," one of them said simply. "Invitation."
Of course, Ronan didn't have one.
But he didn't need one.