Supreme Magus

ier than a noble, just like his men seemed to be veterans.

”A third wave? What makes you think they will be back? ” Lith shook the Baron ’s hand. His grip was vigorous but friendly. The noble wasn ’t trying to test Lith.

”After the second one, I sent some scouts to follow the survivors back to the dungeon. There ’s a lot of them and they ’re damn hungry. When they noticed their companions coming back empty handed, they killed and cooked them on the spot. ”

”That ’s one heck of a hunger. ” Lith was more surprised at the scouts ’ willingness to risk their neck. So far, every city he had been to, was full of people who just whined and waited for his intervention.

”My point exactly. ” Wyalon nodded while offering Lith a mount. There was one horse for each soldier, no stagecoach waited for the city lord. Thankfully, Lith had learned how to ride during the boot camp.

”Monsters cannot fish and most animals ran away when the creatures first appeared. We are the only thing they can feed upon for miles. ”

With so little practice he was a lousy rider, but between his physique and the well trained horse, he had no problem reaching the Baron ’s Mansion. It was a two storey manor, something Lith would have expected from a merchant, not a city lord.

Each floor was barely as big as the Ernas ’ Ballroom. Only brickwork and a small garden separated the Mansion from the surrounding houses, and there was none more luxurious.

”Only a fool would waste money to build himself a castle if the whole city around him easily burns. ” Baron Wyalon answered Lith ’s silent question.

”I prefer spending the gold from the taxes to make the whole of Jambel safe. People with a roof over their head and an honest day job don ’t turn to crime. Besides, my missus and I don ’t need much. Hungry? ”

”Yes. Can I be completely honest with you? ” Lith walked through the front door while a butler welcomed them home. The hallway was about 20 square meters (215 square feet), with walls and floor covered by white painted wood.

There was a cabinet for the clothes and a small fireplace above which was a series of hangers to dry coats drenched by snow. A soft carpet led to the other rooms, covering most of the floor and keeping the house warm.

”Absolutely. You ’re about to risk your life for my people and my city is under siege. I ’d much prefer for us to drop the formalities rather than waste our time with pretty words. ”

The butler took the Baron ’s mantle while the noble sat on one of the chairs near the door to take off his dirty boots and replaced them with clean ones. Lith shapeshifted his clothes to show the man he didn ’t need his help, making him flinch in surprise.

The furniture in every room was made of high-quality materials, but its design wasn ’t ostentatious.

”This isn ’t the kind of hospitality I was expecting. I heard things about Jambel. Unpleasant things. ” Lith took a mental note of everything.

The Baron ’s house wasn ’t great, but it definitely was a home. It was warm and cozy. Each one of its rooms was lived-in, not just designed for impressing guests. It was like he wanted his own house to be.

”They are all true. ” The Baron said with a smug grin.

”We have little patience for outsiders who come into our homes and expect to be served like lords. We bow to no one just because of their wealth, status, or rank. So, rest assured, here you have only friends. ”