Sean rode at the front of the caravan, Windsor at his side. The lead position spared him dust and offered a clear view, but his brow remained furrowed.
"Lord Sean, what troubles you?" Windsor asked softly.
Sean sighed, "Recall the banquet at Golden Wolf Fort over ten days ago? Steward William gave us a chest of gold—sixty kilograms worth. Now, less than ten kilos remain."
Windsor chuckled, "A necessary investment. Our trip to Yorn will refill those coffers."
Sean's real worry lay elsewhere: the Random Companion Card Pack. With the Malfurion's Blessing buff (guaranteeing a golden card in the next pack), he debated spending 2,000 Arcane Dust—equivalent to 270 gold coins after converting cores.
"Henry!" Sean called the steward over. "Ride ahead to Yorn. Rent the lodging I stayed in during my first visit. Use 100 gold—no need for luxury."
Henry hesitated, then nodded. "As you command, My Lord." He departed with three guards, purse heavy with coins.
In the Golden Wolf Fort's study, Count Mason Rivers beamed at his daughter, Jessica. "Your internship ends today. I'm naming you heir to all my businesses—merchant guilds, mercenaries, shops. Time to take the reins."
Jessica, 15, paled. "But Father, I'm not ready—"
"Nonsense." Mason waved her concerns aside. "I started at 16, lost my first 10,000 gold to a wheat scam. Your grandfather nearly had a heart attack! Experience comes from failure. Now, about Brody Mill—still pestering you with flowers?"
Before Jessica could reply, Steward William entered, grave-faced. "Urgent message from Gabe, my Lord."
Mason scowled, "Lucio refusing to return? That brat—"
"Worse, My Lord. Sean is coming to Yorn. With Lucio."
Mason spat his coffee across the desk, leaping to his feet, veins throbbing. "What?! Why would Sean leave Riverside? He should be cowering in that mud pit!"
William handed him the letter. "Gabe reports Lucas's Sky Rank ascension draws nobles from across Laine. Sean intends to sell 'divine goods' at the banquet."
Mason cursed, pacing. "This changes everything! If he charms the nobles with his 'holy' trinkets, our plan to paint him as a reckless spendthrift collapses. And the Count of Waterpine's invasion—"
Jessica frowned, "Father, perhaps Sean's arrival is a blessing? His 'divine' status could legitimize our alliance with Robert."
Mason paused, rubbing his temple. "Or expose our lies. William, send word to Zud: accelerate preparations. Sean must leave Yorn… persuaded to abandon Riverside willingly. No bloodshed—yet."
William bowed, departing. Mason turned to Jessica, suddenly weary. "Pray Sean's arrogance blinds him, daughter. The last thing we need is a martyr with a divine title."
Back on the caravan trail, Sophia rode near Sean's carriage, stealing glances at his profile. Her father's warning echoed, but the flutter in her chest refused to still.
Windsor, noticing her distraction, leaned close to Sean. "The girl's smitten. Should we assign her a guard detail? Keep her occupied?"
Sean laughed, "Focus on our defenses, Windsor. If the Count means to act, Yorn will be a den of vipers."
He glanced at the dragon egg in his pouch, countdown now 6 hours until hatch. Perfect timing, he thought. Let the Count rage—I bring a secret even his spies can't anticipate.
As the sun set, the caravan made camp. Sophia sat by the fire, sharpening her blade, her tulip still in her hair. Somewhere in the dark, Olga's mercenaries rode ahead, carrying a chest of gold destined for the Count's coffers—a payment for delaying the invasion, a betrayal wrapped in smiles.
In the end, Sean's gamble hinged on two things: the allure of his luxury goods and the unpredictable power of a dragon about to hatch. The River Count's shock was just the first act in a play where everyone had a role… and Sean intended to steal the show.
The road to Yorn stretched on, each mile a step into the lion's den. But with a system at his back and a myth in his pocket, Sean smiled—let the nobles marvel, let the Count seethe. In the end, gold and glory favor those bold enough to seize them.
And as the dragon egg pulsed with latent energy, one truth hung in the air: Surprises were coming to Yorn… and not all of them wore noble titles....