Chapter 218 Livan: A City Where Everyone Is Equal (1)
Chapter 218 Livan: A City Where Everyone Is Equal (1)
A week after his confrontation with Mera, Ashton finally left Deja for good and headed toward the city of... well it didn't matter. He was going to rename the city either way. The only other problem was...
"Wow... so much snow. Even Transylvania doesn't have this much snow." Verina exclaimed loudly, "Did you choose this city of yours with our comfort in mind?"
"Quit being so noisy!" Irina immediately silenced her sister, "If you keep acting like this, how will Ashton accept us as his brides?"
"Could you remind me why did you have to come with me?" Ashton sighed in defeat.
As much as the sisters liked to test the limits of his annoyance, coming along with him to a place known for its harsh environment was a bit too much. Even Alucard tried to sway his daughters from making such a decision, but there was no stopping them.
"To tend to your needs of course! Also, you would need strong allies beside you if you want to assert dominance and make the residents of the city respect you." Verina replied, "The soldiers accompanying you are undoubtedly strong, but not strong enough to defend your territory or to do... anything to be honest."
That was a fact Ashton already knew. As much as Virgil and the rest of his crew were of use to him, their slow levelling speed was a bit concerning. But now that he had nothing better to do, he could focus on their growth as well as his own.
"Also, with us being added to the mix, there are going to be a lot of challengers who will challenge you for our hand." Irina clarified.
"Wait I thought the two of you had the right to propose whoever you liked?" Ashton was a bit confused by now.
"That is true. But once we propose someone, till the day we get married, anyone can challenge you for our hand." Verina replied with a smile, "Which means, if you lose to someone in a duel or someone kills you, we will have to accept their proposal and test their might ourselves."
"Since it'll be a hassle if someone defeated you in a duel, so we decided to help you out by staying closer to you at all times."
Before Ashton could give pry further into their culture and get to know how to pass their 'love' on to someone else, their fleet of cars came to a halt.
"My Lord, we have arrived." The driver announced.
Ashton stepped out of the car, marking the snow under his feet. Behind him were the six royal knights, his team and the about 500 newly recruited soldiers. These people were the only defence force he had to ensure the security of the city.
Baiter's wife and Ashton's slaves were also there as Ashton believed leaving them back in Deja wasn't safe for them. Especially after he had angered Mera. There was no knowing what that bitch would have done to them in his absence.
"It's... quite barren." Renee pointed out the most obvious thing she could.
"Wow, your eyes work? I never knew that!" Fae retorted while Virgil struggled between them.
"Enough!" Ashton smacked both the ladies on the back of their heads, "First impressions matter. At least for you idiots who would be spending most of their time among the crowd."
"Crowd? There is not a single person in sight." Irina pointed at the isolated city in front.
"Yeah, I was wondering the same thing- Wait, how the hell are you fine standing under direct sunlight?" Ashton was genuinely baffled.
"Oh, sunlight doesn't affect us much. Since we are direct descendants of Dracula himself, the sun has little to no effect on us." Verina replied clapping her hands together, "That's why we said we'll be accompanying you 24x7. You are cute and all, but not cute enough to warrant our deaths."
At that moment, Ashton was wondering whether being related to Dracula could have such an effect and if it did... he lowkey wanted that gene for himself. It would have made his life a tad bit easier considering his stats wouldn't get nerfed every time he stepped out in sun.
As they discussed that, a few people could be seen in the far distance, rushing toward them. The royals knights along with a few dozen foot soldiers, immediately jumped in front of their lord to fulfil their duty. But Ashton knew there was little these people could do to him or anyone present there.
"It's alright, let them through."
Ashton was there to be their lord and he wanted to win over the residents so that they could help him out later. The best way to do that was to become approachable first.
"Young Lord, our apologies for not coming out earlier. I'm Nebulus Offrey, the chief of this... humble city and this is my wife Alucia Offrey."
An old bald man who was probably in his 80s apologised while struggling to get on his knees to greet Ashton. Beside him was a woman who appeared to be equally old along with a few young lads with wooden clubs and metal pipes in their hands.
"There's no need to apologise." Ashton pulled the man back to his feet, "Just tell me what's going on here?"
The old man stared at the woman struggling to form a sentence. It was clear they were struggling and there was a reason behind it. Although the city in question was known to be small, there should have been at least ten thousand people inhabiting it.
Also, there was no sense why the buildings appeared to be so rundown when records showed that just last year numerous skyscrapers were built there.
Not to mention the nearby mines should have provided enough resources for them to maintain their... usual lifestyle and not wear rags for clothes. A lot of things were not adding up there and Ashton wanted to know why.
"My lord... the problem-" The city chief opened his mouth to explain the situation but was interrupted by one of the men standing behind him.
"This city is cursed, your lordship. that's why no noble wants to take control of the city."
"And who you might be?" Ashton asked the red-headed man.
"Janis Offrey, sir. The city chief's eldest son."
"F-Forget about him, your lordship!" Nebulus immediately smacked his son right in front of everyone, "He keeps rambling about useless made-up stories. Don't believe him!"
"Let the man speak. I can decide whether to believe him or not myself." Ashton immediately retorted, "So Janis, why did you say this city is cursed?"