After waiting half an hour, Velin's party of fifteen, eighteen Red-scaled horses, twelve rouncy, and six carts laden with goods entered the teleportation area.
Four mages positioned at the corners of the teleportation array began channelling magic into the surrounding instruments.
Seconds later, intricate magical formations materialised all around them.
Suddenly, an inexplicable white light flashed.
After an indeterminate period, Velin felt his vision gradually returning. Looking around, he was confronted by a scene of utter ruin.
Velin knew instinctively that this must be Corod Province.
Compared to the bustling teleportation zone of West River Capital, this place appeared utterly dilapidated and chaotic.
Once everyone had recovered, Velin led the convoy out of the teleportation area.
Stepping out of the hall housing the teleportation array onto the main street of Carod's city centre, the sight before them left everyone deeply disheartened.
Human and animal excrement littered the ground, its foul stench turning stomachs.
Ruffians were ubiquitous, patrolmen extorted money, while timid commoners and petty traders went about their business.
"My lord, this... this is Carod Province? Its conditions are worse than the most squalid slums of Silvercrest," exclaimed Baird, captain of the knightly guard, his face etched with shock and disbelief.
"How could this place be so utterly chaotic?"
Velin covered his nose and mouth, his brow furrowed. This was utterly unbecoming of a provincial capital.
He truly hadn't imagined a provincial capital would present such a spectacle.
Or perhaps this was the true face of this world, and cities like West River Capital and Silvercrest were merely exceptions.
...
"My lord, where shall we proceed next?"
Upon hearing the inquiry, Velin drew a map from his bosom. It was a crude map of the entire Carod Province, marked only with approximate geographical locations.
Compared to the West River Capital, which spans 950,000 square kilometres, Carod Province covers merely 150,000 square kilometres. It is home to over sixty viscounts and barons, with a population of approximately 1.9 million—roughly one-third that of the Eagle Domain, where the Ecks family resides.
"First, we shall register at the provincial capital's administrative building in Carod. Afterwards, we shall visit my cousin, Baron Olcott, to learn about local conditions."
Glancing at Gute Domain, two hundred kilometres from Carod Province on the map, Velin closed it and instructed Baird.
Walking along roads littered with dung, Velin felt a wave of nausea. He couldn't fathom how people managed to live here.
The provincial capital of Carod was compact; within minutes they reached the administrative building in the eastern district.
Though termed an administrative building, it was merely a two-storey stone structure, its exterior coated in whitewash.
Standing at the entrance, Velin could not help but notice the walls appeared grey, verging on black.
"Halt! Where did this mongrel come from? Have you no eyes? Is this any place for you?"
The guard posted at the entrance, spotting Velin's plain attire, raised his crude spear and sneered contemptuously.
"How dare you!"
Baird, standing behind Velin, drew his knight's sword instantly, poised to strike down the insolent sentry.
"And you dare raise your hand!" The guard retreated several paces, bellowing, "Guards! Intruders in the administrative building!"
Moments later, a dozen guards and a knight emerged hurriedly from the building, taking up positions on the steps to observe Velin and his companions below.
The knights behind Velin drew their swords in unison, forming a protective line before him as they faced off against the guards.
"Who are you, daring to force your way into the administrative building?" The knight in command, upon hearing the soldier's report, fixed his hostile gaze upon the group. Silently, he drew a signalling scroll from his cloak.
"Who we are is beside the point. Your guards have insulted a nobleman in such a manner that even if I were to execute him here and now, His Majesty the King could say nothing against it." Velin fixed the knight with a piercing stare, his voice deep and measured.
The knight's gaze drifted involuntarily to the banner fluttering atop the distant carriage. His expression shifted abruptly, his eyes narrowing with fury at the guard. Yet retreat was not an option now; he represented the honour of the Governor of Carod Province.
"I know what you're thinking. I wish to avoid further trouble. Hand over that guard for my disposal, and this matter shall be settled. Otherwise, the consequences will be too grave even for your governor to bear."
"Sir, what you say..." A portly middle-aged man emerged from the administrative building. His protest was halted mid-sentence by the sight of the Eagle banner. Swallowing the rest of his words, he turned to the knights and commanded, "Hand over that guard to this knight."
"But, Governor, he—"
"Did you not hear me?" the middle-aged man barked.
"Yes."
The knight seethed inwardly, but faced with the governor's command, he could only wave his men to disarm the guard and escort him before Velin.
The once-arrogant soldier now cowered before him, fear etched across his face.
Velin drew his dagger and thrust it clean through the man's chest, executing the guard before Governor Carod's very eyes.
"My apologies, Governor."
"It is nothing. Young eagle of House Ecks, welcome to Carod Province." The middle-aged man's lips twitched slightly as he forced a calm tone.
...
Afterwards, Velin remained outside the administrative building, awaiting the completion of his registration.
After roughly ten minutes, an official approached, presenting a token with the character for 'pioneer' engraved on its face and Velin's basic details inscribed on the reverse. He handed it to Velin with respectful deference.
"Farewell, Governor." Velin turned and departed.
"Farewell." The middle-aged man returned the standard noble curtsy, though inwardly he hoped their paths would not cross again.
Once Velin had departed, the knight who had remained silent spoke up: "Your Excellency, this is our territory. Why fear an outsider, a mere noble scion?"
The middle-aged man's smile vanished. His voice grew grave. "Any other noble scion would be easily dealt with. But the Ecks family? They're a pack of mad dogs. Best not to provoke them if you can help it."
Seeing the knight about to press further, the middle-aged man cut him off. "Enough. Maintain your vigilance. The fallen guard shall receive the minimum compensation for a combat death. And see to it your men behave themselves. No more trouble."
"Yes, sir."
The knight felt resentful, but there was nothing else to be done.
After leaving the administrative building, Velin made no further stops, leading his men straight out of the provincial capital of Carod.
Though the Ecks family's reputation meant the exiled governor dared not lay a finger on him, Velin refused to gamble on unforeseen complications.
No sooner had they left the small town than Baird rode up alongside Velin, his expression puzzled. "My lord, why did you not order me to execute that knight and his thirteen guards outright?"
"One must know when to stop. Overreach, and the other party, finding no way out, may choose mutual destruction."
Baird's expression remained utterly perplexed, as if silently asking, What on earth? I don't understand.
Seeing the bewildered look on his subordinate's face, Verlin sighed helplessly and reassured him, "You needn't concern yourself with such matters. Focus solely on commanding the troops."
"Yes, my lord."
Observing these knights lacking in political acumen, Vellin resolved to seek out a talent skilled in domestic affairs during the period of expansion.