When the mysterious carriage arrived at the archway, the heavy wooden door creaked open and a man stepped out. He was tall and carried himself with a quiet, rugged authority, dressed in a heavy leather coat that looked built for the road, worn over simple black pants. Medium-length hair framed his face, blending into a neatly trimmed sideburn beard that gave him a sharp, weathered look. The man looked directly at John and Carmilla, giving them a curt, light nod of acknowledgement before walking toward the castle with purposeful, heavy strides.
"Who is that guy?" John asked Carmilla, watching the imposing figure disappear through the main entrance.
"That is Carlos Decker," Carmilla replied, folding her arms across her chest. "He is a vampire, and a business partner of Grandfather Leonidas. He comes here every now and then to discuss business, usually involving shipments or large-scale acquisitions."
"Oh, by the way, where is Grandma? She was supposed to be here," John asked, scanning the courtyard for her.
After a couple of minutes, the sound of light, rhythmic footsteps announced her arrival. Anna finally emerged, escorted by four fully armored knights whose plates gleamed in the light, along with two attentive maids following closely behind. Her hair was impeccably styled without a single strand out of place, and her formal attire was elaborate, shimmering with the status of her position.
"What took you so long, Grandma?" John asked, his voice casual despite the intimidating display of her escort.
Anna smiled at John's questioning, her eyes twinkling with a soft warmth. "I have to get myself ready, dear. Don't you know that it takes time to put on make-up and style the hair? A lady must always present her best self. Now, come child, get into the carriage."
"Grandma, can I also come along?" Carmilla asked, her brown eyes bright.
"Of course, honey," Anna replied with a nod.
Anna, John, and Carmilla climbed into the luxurious black carriage. Following Anna's earlier instruction, Elena joined them, her presence a quiet and watchful shadow. The four of them—Anna, John, Carmilla, and Elena—were the only occupants in the plush, velvet-lined interior as the carriage began its two-hour journey. The wheels crunched over the gravel of the winding mountain roads that led down toward the valley, the vehicle swaying gently as it navigated the steep descent.
The town was huge, a sprawling metropolis that felt like a living, breathing entity compared to the quiet isolation of the castle. It was full of all kinds of people, stone buildings that seemed to defy gravity, and market stalls stretching as far as John could see. His eyes were shining brightly as he pressed his face toward the window, taking in the bustling life, the unusual architecture that blended wood and stone, and the small bridges with cool, ornate designs that arched over crystal-clear canals.
The carriage eventually slowed, coming to a stop in front of a fancy, imposing building. It was a restaurant that looked fit for nobility, with polished pillars and guards standing at the door.
"Elena, Carmilla, please show John around the town. I have a meeting here with an old friend," Anna instructed them, her tone professional and authoritative.
"Yes, Lady Anna," Elena said, giving a light, respectful bow.
John, Carmilla, and Elena were soon walking through the streets, which were truly brimming with life. Merchants yelled out their prices, carts rumbled over the cobblestones, and crowds of people moved with busy purpose. John stared in wonder as he passed lizard-men in silken robes, tall elves with sharp features, and humans of all walks of life.
Suddenly, John smelled something incredible. It was rich, savory, and instantly mouth-watering, cutting through the heavy scent of the crowded streets. He didn't hesitate, immediately following his nose to a nearby, unpretentious-looking restaurant that seemed to be a favorite for the locals.
"Hey, what is that smell?" he muttered, his stomach growling as he quickly stepped inside.
The interior was welcoming and warm, filled with a diverse clientele and the sound of clinking glasses. John went straight to the girl who looked like a waiter, ignoring the curious stares from the other patrons.
"Excuse me, shawty, but can you tell me what that delicious smell is?" John asked, beaming at her with a wide, friendly grin.
The waiter blinked, then smiled warmly at John's foreign slang, clearly finding his energy infectious. "You must be new, Mr. What you are smelling is the meat from the 4-eye white pig. Would the Mr. like to taste?"
"Oh, don't call me Mr., shawty. Call me John. And how much does the 4-eye white pig meat cost?"
"It is about 10 silver, Mr. John," the waiter replied, her eyes twinkling as she quickly adapted to his casual attitude.
"Then I would like to buy some,"
Just then, Carmilla and Elena rushed into the restaurant. "John, why did you run off so suddenly?" Carmilla asked, her voice sounding slightly annoyed as she caught her breath.
"Oh, I almost forgot," John said, turning to them with a sheepish grin. "Carmilla, Elena, do you two also want some 4-eye white pig meat?"
Carmilla shook her head firmly. "No, I am not hungry."
"What about you, Elena?"
"No thank you, young master. I will watch you eat," Elena replied, standing tall with her usual poise.
Carmilla looked at John with puzzled eyes. "John, how are you able to eat so much meat while you are supposed to be thirsty for blood?"
John paused, considering the question. He thought about telling Carmilla that he was a hybrid and probably needed both blood and food, but he changed his mind, deciding to keep that detail a secret for now.
"Probably because I am weird," John shrugged his shoulders.
All three went to a nearby table and sat down. When the steaming plate of meat arrived, John's mouth watered visibly. "This smell is amazing."
He ate the 4-eye white pig meat like a hungry lion, devouring it in massive, satisfied bites. The meat was tender and packed with a rich, savory flavor that exploded on his tongue. "Wow, I have never had meat tasting this good! I wonder what other delicacies are in this world, I can't wait to try them all."
When John was finished eating, he signaled for the waiter to come over. As she approached the table, he reached into the empty air beside him. With a faint shimmer of magic, ten silver coins materialized in his hand, pulled directly from his storage ring. He reached out and placed the coins into the waiter's hands to settle the bill.
With the meal finished and the tab paid, they continued their tour, visiting different stalls that sold impressive weapons, intricate paintings, and various strange foods. They walked for a few minutes, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling crowd, until they arrived at a small, unassuming storefront that advertised magic items.
"Good day, sir," John said with a friendly nod as he approached the counter.
The old man smiled faintly. "Good day to you as well. How can I help you, young man?"
John gave a soft, humble smile, shaking his head slightly. "Don't call me young man, kind sir," he said politely. "And sorry for not introducing myself first. My name is John Crimson. It is very nice to meet you."
As the words left his mouth, John made sure to stick to the instructions Anna had given him back in that sun-drenched sitting room. She had been firm: he was to use the last name Crimson and never mention the name Fang. He was a member of the Crimson Clan now.
The old man's eyes went wide, his posture straightening instantly as if a cold breeze had just swept through the shop. In this world, the name of the Crimson Clan carried immense weight, and the realization hit him like a physical blow.
"Sorry, my Lord, for not knowing who you are," the old man said, giving a light, respectful bow that was deep enough to show his genuine fear and sincerity. "This old man is called Clarence."
"Nice to meet you, Clarence," John said, his modern habits slipping in. "Let me see dem stones."
Clarence moved with a newfound urgency, his hands trembling slightly as he quickly took the stones out of the case and positioned them neatly on the velvet cloth on the table. John reached out and picked up a red one, holding it carefully. He immediately felt a surge of raw, contained energy. The magic power that flowed through the stone felt like a miniature heartbeat pulsing against his skin.
"How does this work, Old man Clarence?" John asked while putting the stone back on the table.
Old man Clarence looked confused, his brow furrowing as he looked at the young member of the Crimson Clan. "Does Young Lord not know how an elemental stone works?"
John shook his head. "Please explain."
"You just have to absorb the power that is in the stone and then release it," Clarence explained, his hands moving in a small, circular gesture. "The energy within these stones is automatically absorbed as soon as you hold one in your palm. Then, you just have to think and release that energy using your other palm. Of course, it doesn't have to be your palm; you can also release the magic directly from the stone itself. It is very easy for anyone to use, though it does take a bit of practice to aim and control."
Clarence leaned over the counter, his voice dropping slightly. "It's a temporary store of a single elemental spell, designed for quick use in a pinch."
John looked at the stones on the table, calculating his move. The glow from the gems reflected in his eyes as he considered the possibilities. "How much does one cost?"
"50 silver, but I can give the Young Lord a discount," the old man offered quickly.
"No. Are these stones powerful?"
"It depends on who the Young Master is fighting. These stones will be highly effective against a weak opponent, but this is a low-grade batch," Clarence admitted honestly. He seemed to shrink slightly under the weight of John's gaze. "There are stones that are higher grade, but they will cost much more. And honestly, I don't think master can absorb and control those kinds of stones yet."
"Okay, then give me four," John said, making his selection without hesitation. "I want the two red ones that I assume is fire. I want a lightning and a wind stone to go with that."
After John bought the stones, he reached into the air and watched the shimmer of magic as he put all four in his storage ring. Elena and Carmilla had been glancing around the small shop with expressions of mild boredom. Everything they saw was clearly not high quality in their eyes, as they were used to the refined items of the Crimson household.
They came over to leave as the transaction finished. John wanted to look around more to see if there was anything else he liked, but he decided to follow the two girls out. He left the store with a satisfied smile on his face, the raw magic of four elemental stones safely tucked away in his storage for whenever he might need them.