Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Erza
"The one who accepted the task is the City Lord of Ryan City, Lady Erza." Ward glanced around and said in a low voice.
"The City Lord?" Herag couldn’t believe it; it was actually the City Lord of Ryan City who accepted his task.
Herag had long heard of City Lord Erza. Since arriving in Ryan City, he could always hear news about her.
Erza came from a noble family; her father was the famous Duke Barton of the Doris Kingdom.
Eight years ago, Erza married the City Lord of Ryan City, which was meant to be a powerful union.
Unexpectedly, just a month after the wedding, the City Lord of Ryan City succumbed to a severe illness.
It was said at the time that even the legendary Mystic was invited, but no one could cure the City Lord’s illness; they could only watch him die.
Afterwards, Duke Barton used various contacts and resources to make Erza the City Lord of Ryan City, where she remains to this day.
This event was filled with so much drama that it became a topic of discussion among the residents of Ryan City and throughout the Doris Kingdom.
Such discussions were fewer in Ryan City because anyone daring to comment on the City Lord, if known by the staff of the City Lord’s Mansion, would suffer extreme punishment.
Many believed back then that the marriage was a conspiracy, a plot by Duke Barton to seize Ryan City.
The then City Lord of Ryan City was in the prime of life with excellent health; suddenly falling severely ill aroused suspicion from everyone.
There were also those who thought that the City Lord’s illness might have been due to Lady Erza’s overwhelming allure, leading to indulgence.
When Erza first became the City Lord of Ryan City, she faced many obstacles, including opposition from many of the late City Lord’s loyalists.
But Duke Barton was no pushover; he quickly eradicated these opposition forces, helping Erza smoothly take over Ryan City.
In the past eight years, key positions within the City Lord’s Mansion have been replaced with Erza’s own people, putting Ryan City firmly under her control.
She could be said to have immense power in Ryan City.
"Why would such a person come to take my task?" Herag was deeply puzzled.
Ward saw his expression and said in a low voice, "I don’t know the specifics, but City Lord Erza surely has the information you need. I can’t bring her to see you; you’ll have to go see her."
Ward showed a helpless expression, indicating he was powerless in this.
Herag nodded and said, "I understand."
"Ed! To the City Lord’s Mansion!" he turned and called to Ed in the courtyard.
Ed quickly brought the horse out and then attached it to the carriage.
After Ward completed his notification task, he left as well.
The City Lord’s Mansion was located at the northernmost part of Ryan City. Though called a mansion, it was actually a castle.
Tall walls shielded it from prying eyes, heavily armed soldiers stood on and outside the walls, showcasing the authority of its master.
Herag’s carriage was stopped a hundred meters away from the wall, where three soldiers wielding weapons stood outside the carriage: "Stop, what’s your purpose here?"
"My name is Jelant, I have matters with City Lord Erza, please notify her." Herag lifted the curtain, slightly revealing his own presence.
These soldiers, having been on the battlefield many times, quickly sensed that this person was extraordinary.
Especially when Herag lifted the curtain, a tremendous pressure enveloped them, giving them a feeling of suffocation.
Fortunately, Herag quickly retracted his spreading magic power, allowing the soldiers to feel more at ease.
Seeing Herag showed no intent to force entry, one of the soldiers ran back to the City Lord’s Mansion to report.
The remaining two soldiers continued to hold their weapons against Herag. Although they knew they weren’t a match for him, it was their basic duty.
Soon, the soldier returned: "Mr. Jelant, you may enter."
Herag jumped off the carriage and followed the soldier into the City Lord’s Mansion, while Ed stayed outside to wait for him.
As soon as he entered, Herag felt like he had stepped into a garden.
The mansion was filled with all sorts of flowers and plants, fountains were everywhere, and there was a winding waterway with the sound of flowing water that was soothing to hear.
The soldier led Herag through two palaces to a place that appeared more residential.
There was a long staircase in front of the residence, and a man in his forties stood at the top of the stairs, staring coldly at Herag.
"Mr. Jelant, please go up. Knight Commander Levan will take you to see the City Lord," the soldier said, and then returned the way they came.
Herag stepped onto the stairs, silently noting another Great Knight at the top, Knight Commander Levan.
He climbed the stairs step by step, with Levan watching him intensely the whole time.
Once Herag reached the top, Levan said, "Follow me."
Then he turned to lead the way, seemingly unwilling to speak more with Herag.
Herag sensed a persistent hostility and wariness from Levan, along with a hint of disdain.
He couldn’t fathom what he had done to provoke this Levan since it was their first meeting.
Levan led Herag through a series of turns and finally to a large door.
He reported with his head down, "City Lord, Jelant has arrived."
"Hmm, let him in." A clear and pleasant voice came from behind the door, soothing to hear.
"Yes." Levan gently pushed open the door, then turned to stand by the door, not even glancing inside.
Herag took a look at him, then walked in. The door was promptly closed by Levan.
Once inside, Herag’s first impression was the luxurious décor and expensive furniture.
Every chair was made from precious wood, each worth tens of thousands of gold coins.
He then turned towards the deepest part of the room on the right, where there was a bed.
A woman lay across it, supporting her head with one hand, a plate of fruits in front of her, eating grapes.
"City Lord Erza?" Herag said.
Erza was dressed casually, in a loose robe, with the front revealing vast patches of white skin.
She didn’t seem to be wearing pants, only covered by the long robe.
Her long white legs peeked through the robe, faintly visible.
Her feet were bare, toes delicate and fair.
Erza popped a grape into her mouth and then said, "It is I, esteemed Herag."
"You know me?" Herag was instantly on high alert upon hearing her name him directly.
Erza smiled and said: "No need to be tense, I have no ill intentions. I am also a Wizard Apprentice. Though lacking in natural ability, Uncle Dino tried many ways for me, and I remain a First-Class Wizard Apprentice."