Chapter 44. Adventures in Darrumburgh

Feeling someone’s soft lips, delicate fingers and warm breath on his face, Ken slowly opened up his eyes to see the beautiful vampire girl already wide awake and playing with his face.

“What are you doing Alice?”

“Playing with your hair to see what style makes you look the cutest.”

“I thought I’m a lady magnet? Any look is good right?”

“Exactly why I am trying to make sure only I get to see your cutest look! Where do you want to go today? Last day here before we have to head home. Can’t believe how stingy their whatever embassy is and only letting us stay exactly five nights and not a single day extra.”

“Be thankful to Vincent that we even managed to get over the wall in the first place. Let's go check out the exotic pets market today. I saw some awesome horses in Yelwraek and the front desk girl told me Darrumburgh’s got a exotic pets market that might have some cool creatures!”

After meeting up with Ava, the three headed down to the main dining room of the hotel where Ken enjoyed a lavish complimentary breakfast while a runner went to inform Albert to get the carriage ready for the upcoming day.

Walking out of the hotel satisfied with breakfast, Albert the butler was already waiting with their carriage ready to explore the city for one last day.

As the carriage drove down the stone paved road that’s now familiar to Ken, the six lanes of road for carriages and large sidewalks on both sides reminded him greatly of Yelwraek and overall, the cities resemble each other greatly even when the two are on the opposite sides of the world.

From an area perspective, both cities are gigantic and take many hours to traverse from the different districts even when traveling by carriage. Also located on the east coast of their continent for ease of access to the ocean for fast travel, the city likewise has a massive fleet of battleships ready for war while the civilian port is always packed with vassals of all types.

Living up to its reputation of being equals with the city of Yelwraek, everything Ken was able to find and do in Yelwraek could be found here in Darrumburgh. The major difference that set the two kingdoms apart is the way everything looked.

While both cities had impressive architects, the looks and design style was completely different. While the building in Yelwraek was more elegant and stylish and buildings next to each other sometimes looked completely different, the ones in Darrumburgh were more rigid, blocky and uniform.

The color is another major difference as buildings in Yelwraek were built from stones of all types and colors while in the main districts of Darrumburgh, just like in Vespera, everything is built with the white stone that was mined from the mountains in Vespera and as Ken watched the rows after rows of magnificat white buildings, he was able to understand what Ava meant by old money that had lasted generations and will probably not ran out for many more.

Like with his trip to Yelwraek, Ken and the two sisters visited the amusement park in Darrumburgh which was also proclaimed to be the largest amusement park in the world. The rides were equally dangerous and exciting for those who aren’t highly trained but since it was winter, the outdoor pool area was closed due to the cold.

However, they soon discovered that there was also an indoor pool area that was filled with people going down waterslides, swimming in a massive pool and having a great time in the nicely warmed building.

While Alice didn’t really mind Ken looking at all the barely dressed women because she knew she was the most attractive out of them all, she wasn’t too happy with how many girls who were staring at Ken’s now ripped body from two years of hard training and who were whispering amongst themselves while giggling.

Due to the cold weather, their trip to the beach was short without any fun activities but they ended up visited many different districts and museums in the city while Ken tried all sorts of different foods and the girls bought a whole bunch of new clothes for him and themselves and the trio had a great time the past few days just having fun in the big city.

“Can we bring pets to the academy? I don’t think I have seen one so I guess not?”

“No, since we get teleported, pets won’t be able to follow. But I do know there are a few rare creatures at the academy some of the higher level students work with.”

“Really? How come you know things that I don’t when we are literally always together?

“Literally always together except for that one week during the tournament where I have to be a good girl and stay with my family.

It also happens to be when all the higher grade students who are looking for an eventual employer come to talk to all the different royal and noble families.

I could care less about them and their needs and wants but once in a while I will hear something I sorta remember in the back of my mind.”

“Such a privileged girl. Oh well, even if I can’t have a pet, I love to see what kinds of interesting animals they would have here at the market. I hope they have some cool creatures.”

After the group got out of the carriage when they arrived at the market, the strong odor of the market hit the trio instantly.

“KEN! Let’s leave! Why do you keep bringing me such disgusting and smelly places!”

“What did you expect it to smell like? We are at an animal market! Just stay in the carriage while I go explore or go shopping with Ava and come get me around lunch time. I will wait here if I don’t see you all.”

Knowing she won’t be able to stop Ken from exploring the market now that they are already here and refusing to go herself, Alice and Ava decided they will go do some shopping until lunch time and left Ken to explore the market on his own.

“If a cute girl speaks to you, turn the other way and leave, okay? We will be here around noon to pick you up.”

“I will talk to whoever is selling creatures that interest me or whoever that catches my curiosity.”

“Well, don’t get curious about any cute girls!”

Pretending he couldn’t hear Alice while waving goodbye, Ken walked happily towards the animal market while Alice and Ava rode away in the carriage to get some shopping done.

Looking at all of the different sellers and the number of different animals that are up for sale, Ken was disappointed that most of the animals here seem to just be your typical pets like dogs, cats, and other common pets and nothing seemed out of the ordinary or special.

“What are you looking to buy sir?”

Turning to the voice, Ken came face to face with a very beautiful yet unique looking girl. Chocolate colored skin, deep pink eyes and flaming red hair that looked like it was burning, the girl looked so unique that Ken couldn’t help but stare at her in a trance and having no idea what she was saying.

“Are you even listening to what I was saying?”

“Nope, didn’t hear a single word. Too lost in how beautiful and unique you looked. Are you a fire human?”

“Geez, I am a fire fairy. We the fairies are a rare race that is mixed with elements but not that rare for you to not even know what we are called. Anyways, I was asking what you were looking for and that you seemed familiar, have we met before?”

“We have definitely never met before, I won’t have forgotten such a unique girl. Good to add another race to my mental book too! I was trying to look for some cool unique pets but everything I saw so far are just common creatures!”

“Duh? You are at the wrong selection! The rare creatures are all the way in the back where my stall is!”

Without saying more, the girl grabbed Ken’s hand and guided him through the busy crowds.

“Does your hair flare up like that of a fire horse?”

“Yep! If I am determined and focused, it will flare up and get hotter! And we are here! Welcome to my stall, are you interested in buying a nice pet?”

Without realizing how far they had walked, Ken was suddenly in an area of the market that was no longer full of average pets and disappointments. Creatures of all sizes and shapes that looked like they shouldn’t exist are kept at each stall.

“Are those wolf pups?”

“Yep! I have a water wolf, an earth wolf and a fire and air hybrid wolf for sale!”

“I will just be walking around checking out the cool creatures. thanks for bringing me to the right area!”

“You said I was beautiful right? I will be your guide! Show you all the cool creatures, don’t even have to pay me much for my service. how about it?”

Looking at the girl desperately trying to get money out of him and having a pocket full of coins from Ava, Ken decided he might as well share a little of his wealth and get the girl to answer some of his curiosity.

“I will give you a silver coin to be my personal guide who will answer all my questions until noon and guide me back to the entrance.”

“YES!” The girl shouted happily while grabbing Ken’s hand.

“What’s your name?”

“Candace Azar! Yours?”

“Name’s Ken. Nice to meet you Candace.”

“Ken? KEN! You are the guy from the academy! No wonder you looked so familiar!”

As the fairy girl guided Ken around the stalls, they looked at interesting creatures that had formed and changed since the Great Reset while chatting about all sorts of things.

“Wish me luck please! I came all the way here to Darrumburgh from my village for the selection. I hope I get selected but even If I do, if I don’t sell those three puppies, I won’t have enough money to buy food on my trip back home.”

“How far away do you live?”

“It took me and my friend a whole month to walk here! Can you believe that? I wish my family had any money. But my whole village barely gets by from selling volcanic rocks. This winter has been especially bad with the cold and not as much lava formed so we are having issues making ends meet.

The villagers caught those three wolf pups and decided that since me and my friend there turned 15, we should take this opportunity to come to Darrumburgh to see if we could get selected while selling those pups to make some money.

But no one wants to buy a wolf pup! Are they all stupid? Wolves make the best pets!”

“I mean, I would if I could take it to school but if I can’t keep it around, no point in buying one. How much are you trying to charge for them anyways.”

“Ten gold coins each, if someone takes all three I would settle for 25 gold coins.”

“Ten gold coins? Are you crazy? I can buy a pet dog for a silver coin. No wonder no one will buy them.”

“This is why I hate talking to amateurs! How could you even compare a pet dog to a wolf that’s the descendant from the Great Reset? Your dog would live for what? 15 years? 20max! One of those wolf pups could very well live for hundreds of years like people with the proper care and high level healing magic.

They can grow to hundreds of pounds and are extremely intelligent as well. If you raise them from young, they are lifelong partners! Just so you know, reset wolves make the best pets! ”

“Well, I don’t know what they are worth but how many people have ten gold coins lying around to pay you in the first place. Interesting story nonetheless, I will definitely look into getting myself a cool pet once I graduate from school.”

“So what is the academy like? I have never met someone who attended Dragonspire! Is it as awesome as that announcer girl makes it out to be?”

“Nope, it’s a terrible place. Royals and nobles and high class treating commoners like trash. Most people don’t even attend the lessons or try to get stronger and just waste away their potential while trying to kiss the butts of the high ranking nobles and royals.”

“Wow, that’s totally opposite of what I imagined it would be like from all the things they say during the tournament. Do you regret attending?”

“Oh, no way, it’s the best thing to happen to me. Changed my life and future for the way better. If you do end up getting selected, it’s an opportunity you can’t miss. Besides, I am there, I will hook you up with some nice people so no one will pick on you.”

Chatting with the fairy girl while browsing and looking at all the cool and unique creatures, the morning hours flew by and while she wanted Ken to stay longer, the young man had to politely decline and asked her to guide him back to the entrance of the market.

“KEN! I take my eyes off you for one freaking morning and you just have to go and pick up a random girl from who knows where!” Alice shouted as the carriage was already waiting when Ken and Candace emerged from the market.

“Stop making it sound like I’m going around picking up random stray cats or something. This is Candace, she was just guiding me through the maze back there.”

“Well, it’s time to say goodbye to Candace forever. Let’s go!”

“Hey Ava, you want to buy three wolf pups for thirty gold? They are all magical ones and I heard they make the best pets.”

“YES! Magical wolves make the best pets! All of the nobles and royals want them! Only thirty gold? Depending on the element, they could be worth hundreds if not thousands!”

“He was just joking! I won’t sell my wolf pups for only ten gold each! Why don’t you come and see them and make me a proper offer?”

“We are not going in there!” Alice rejected.

“Why don’t you come to Vespera with us tomorrow? We will be leaving pretty early but if you want to join us. AWWW!” Before Ken could finish his sentence, Alice pitched his side so hard he couldn’t help but let out a scream.

“What are you doing Alice!”

“Who gives you permission to invite random people to my kingdom?”

“Ava, you want those wolf pups right? One is a duo elemental too! I doubt you have enough cash on you to pay for them.”

“Come by Hotel Darrumburgh before 9 tomorrow and we will take you back to Vespera with us and I will get a breeder friend of mine to give you a proper evaluation.”

“My friend will be able to come too, right?”

“Of course! We will take the two of you back with us.”

Happily accepting the offer, Candace quickly left to tell her friend the good news while waving goodbye to Ken and the girls.

“Ava! How could you let her come when you know I am against it!”

“Well, for how you have been treating me since you returned home. Doing something that will make you mad in itself is a good enough reason. On top of possibly getting some reset wolf pups for pets? Yeah, they are coming with us tomorrow and you can’t convince me otherwise.”

After the group returned to the main district, Ken had a small lunch from a busy shop and the three explored the town some more for the final time before meeting up with Vincent late afternoon for a final meal in the city.

“Hi Vincent! Pick the best place, Ava is paying!”

“Is it really alright for Lady Ava to pay when they won’t be having any of the food?”

“Come on, for us commoners to have the opportunity to be treated by a noble, you need to take advantage of the situation!”

“It’s fine Vincent, we have to thank you for getting us in so feel free to go all out on dinner. I will be glad to pick up the bill.”

“Ken here is a master at freeloading. You could learn a thing or two from him.” Alice added.

“Yep! I grew up too poor to afford anything and at first I wanted to feel like I have to earn everything I get but eventually, I realized those rich people have too much for it to matter if I freeload now and then.”

Eventually deciding to take the group to a fancy restaurant, Alice ended up ordering way too much food for just the two of them.

“Are you sure you should order this much food Lady Alice? There is no way the two of us could eat this much.”

“It’s fine, Ken can eat a lot. I just ordered everything he likes. If there is leftover, you can either take it home and share with your friends or if you don’t want it, Ken will take it, he won’t waste food.”

“He sure is lucky to have such a wonderful girlfriend.”

“I know right? Can you believe that he is not satisfied with having just me and is still out there flirting with random girls and having side girlfriends!”

“Vincent, you are with me on this right? How am I supposed to resist a cute girl? I won’t pretend to not be attracted to girls that I am clearly attracted to and if they like me how can I say no?”

“Sorry, I have been too focused since I was selected to Dragonspire on increasing my strength and how to make my family proud that I have not given relationship any serious thoughts.”

“I should be like Vincent, ditch all the nonsense like girls and just focus on getting stronger. You know Alice, I have made up my mind! Until I reach holy level, I won’t think about girls or anything else.”

“Nice try Ken. I am not Lovetta, like I would believe such a dumb lie. You aren’t capable of not thinking about girls.”

“Hey! Don’t try and insinuate that my Lovetta is naive when she isn’t here to defend herself against your accusations!”

“They really do get along very well don’t they?” Vincent commented as Ken and Alice continued their back and forth bantering throughout the whole meal.

After enjoying the fancy dinner, Vincent thanked Ava for paying and graciously packed the leftover food to bring back to the wall and share with some of the guards while wishing Ken the best of luck on eventually reaching his goals.

“You take care too Vincent! If you figure out the secret on how to advance to holy level, don’t forget about me!”

With Vincent gone and the night getting late, the trio headed back to the hotel to turn in for the night and ended their trip to Darrumburgh on a high note.

Author Notes:

Released my new story for those that wants to check out a litRPG. Will be adding a new chapter a day for a few weeks!