Sean led the caravan to Yorn's East Gate, where Steward Henry awaited. Though Riverside lay south, the South Gate led to slums with crumbling roads—East Gate offered quicker access to their lodging.
To his surprise, the welcome party was larger than expected. "My Lord! The lodging is ready," Henry greeted, beaming.
"Well done, Henry." Sean clapped his shoulder, increasingly impressed with the steward's efficiency.
Lucio dismounted, reluctant to part. "Sean ,my steward is here—I must return home. Need help in Yorn? My door is always open."
"Count on it," Sean laughed. "And feel free to join us for dinner tonight."
"Perfect!" Lucio's eyes lit up. "I'll check in first—if all's quiet, I'll be there!"
After Lucio departed, Sophia approached, spotting Deputy Captain Charlie at the gate. "I must go too, My Lord."
Sean ruffled her hair, grinning. "Don't look so glum, Sophia. Remember: I was imprisoned for ten thousand years and exiled from my homeland, yet here I stand, still smiling."
She blinked, confused. "Exile I get, but ten thousand years? How—"
"Details aside." Sean winked. "Face your fears head-on. That's the best way to conquer them, understand?"
"Face fears… yes, My Lord. Thank you." Sophia bowed, lingering a moment before joining her caravan.
Charlie met Sophia with a booming voice, though his tone turned grave as they walked. "Stay away from Sean, Sophia. Dangerous times lie ahead for him."
"What danger?" she pressed, paler now.
Charlie hesitated, then sighed. "Confidential, but… Waterpine's mustering troops. Your father's been ordered to cooperate with the Count's plan."
Sophia's grip tightened. "What plan?"
"An invasion of Riverside. Sean's the target." Charlie glanced around, lowering his voice. "Your father's under pressure—he has no choice. But you? Stay clear."
She nodded, heart pounding. So that's why Father said we might betray Sean…
Inside East Gate, the Mercenary Guild dominated the district, surrounded by bustling markets selling monster cores and herbs. Sean eyed the stalls, resolve hardening.
"Henry, take the others to the lodging," he ordered. "Windsor, Rem—with me to the market."
Leaving guards and the Flame Imp to watch the caravan, Sean withdrew 300 gold coins. The Random Companion Card Pack cost 2,000 Arcane Dust—equivalent to 270 gold after converting cores. A risky gamble, but he couldn't resist.
The market hummed with mercenaries hawking wares: "Black Iron cores, 1 gold each! Bronze cores, 5 gold—take 'em quick!"
Sean bargained aggressively, purchasing 50 Black Iron cores and 10 Bronze cores, totaling 150 gold. Back in his carriage, he accessed the System:
[Arcane Dust.:1,850/2,000]
Almost there. Just 150 more dust…
As dusk fell, the caravan reached their lodging—a modest house in the commoner district, courtesy of Jessica Rivers. Henry fussed over arrangements while Sean retreated to his room, the dragon egg pulsing in his pouch.
Countdown: 0 hours—hatch now.
He held his breath as light erupted from the egg, revealing a tiny, scaled creature with shimmering blue-black feathers and eyes like molten gold.
"Hello, little one," Sean murmured, smiling as the dragonlet nuzzled his palm.
A system prompt flashed:
"Congratulations! You've hatched a Young Void Dragon (Black Iron Rank). Bond established—name it?"
"Nebula," Sean decided, recalling the starry depths of his past life. Nebula chirped, flames flickering from her jaws—weak, but full of potential.
In the Golden Wolf Fort, a spy reported Sean's arrival and market purchases. Count Rivers smirked, misinterpreting the activity. Buying cores for trinkets? Foolish boy—your gold will soon be mine.
Jessica, meanwhile, prepared for Brody's visit, rehearsing lies to keep him in Yorn. Her father's plan hinged on Sean's return to Riverside, but the dragonlet in Sean's pocket—Nebula—changed the game, a secret even the Count's spies couldn't fathom.
That evening, Lucio arrived for dinner, regaling them with tales of his childhood in Yorn. Sophia, back at the mercenary lodge, stared at her tulip, Charlie's warning echoing.
Sean, however, focused on the System interface, now holding 1,900 Arcane Dust. One more core purchase…
Nebula slept on his desk, her scales glowing faintly. With you by my side, he thought, even the Count's schemes won't stand a chance.
The stage was set in Yorn—nobles plotted, mercenaries schemed, and a young lord with a dragonlet and a system readied for the battle of gold and glory.
"Imprisoned or exiled, I rewrite my fate," Sean whispered, hand on Nebula's tiny wings. "This time, no one controls my story."