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The floor was of blue ceramic tiles adorned with countless illustrations of ships and waves. The Lord of the city sat on her chair, carrying an aura of peace and serenity. The Marchioness received them with a smile, and she stood up to greet them as per customs of lords.

"Welcome to my city, Lord of Hidden," the Marchioness said with a smile. "Your visit came unexpected but welcomed nonetheless."

Hidden seems to be the name everyone called his city. It started as Hidden Gems store in Jerano, continued as an auction house in the Contracts City, and ended up as Hidden City, the tenth city of Freda.

As Arthur got to meet the Lord of Aquamia, he felt as if serenity surrounded her. Whoever laid his eyes on her couldn't help but feel at ease and admire the long navy-blue hair resting peacefully on her white robes.

"Greetings, Lord of Aquamia," Arthur placed his hand on his heart. "I hope you understand that for someone like me, I need to make every second count."

"Ah yes, your promise to build a city in less than three months," the Marchioness sat down and gestured for Arthur to do the same. "And it needs to be the trading hub of the kingdom. That would be difficult," she said after Arthur took his seat.

"That's why we are here," Arthur said as he sat down. "Manager Ma has the proposal prepared," he said, and his subordinate rushed in to give a file to the Marchioness.

After receiving the proposal, the Marchioness began reading it. Her brows furrowed with each second, and Arthur could tell the minute changes of her expression.

"This is..." the Marchioness seemed tempted. "It's one thing to propose such a thing, but can you provide what you promise?"

"If my city could not, then we wouldn't propose such a thing. The only reason that I'm giving such benefits to Aquamia is because of you, Maritime Marchioness,"

"Please, call me Amaya," the Marchioness's friendliness increased by several degrees all of a sudden. Arthur nodded with a smile, as this was expected.

"Lady Amaya's grace is known across kingdoms, and the fact that Aquamia still stands as the focal point of maritime routes is nothing less natural with your presence. I've heard of your accomplishments against the Blood Oaths, and I don't think there is anyone as capable as you are. That's why the benefits I'm offering will be well-invested."

Arthur knew that not even gods could resist praise, and they even craved it. The Marchioness's smile grew wider the more he spoke. This was thanks to Ma's report about her, and it was pretty detailed.

"The Seika has quite the silver tongue. So your offer is hard to refuse," the Marchioness rested her chin on her shoulder. "A 10% discount on artifacts from Hidden City, ten artifacts to strengthen our ships, and the ability to borrow funds after one month your city starts trading."

"There are a few more details, but yes. In return, we want you to help us build a dock and a harbor. We will also employ a few shipbuilders from Aquamia, and we want you to sell us the materials that we ask for."

"I understand, but there's just one problem," the Marchioness shook her head. Arthur was surprised that she refused his offer but kept it well-hidden. "I have my hands full at the moment with a group of monsters. It will take a few months before we can get rid of them, and they inhabit the routes between your city and mine."

Arthur remembered reading such a thing in the file, but he didn't think it would be an issue. Monsters were commonly seen in Alka, and they almost coexisted with humans. However, for the Marchioness to take a few months to solve, it was absurd.

'I guess it has begun,' Arthur realized there was more to it than just a few monsters. 'They are trying to oppress me using these tactics.'

"We can use the distributaries1 of the Lo River to establish the routes," Arthur suggested, but the Marchioness shook her head again. Ma seemed to be growing uneasy, but he didn't dare to interrupt.

"I'm sorry, Seika, but I can't help you," the Marchioness gave the proposal back to Ma, who didn't dare to refuse taking it. "Your land is one of the few unexplored regions in Freda, and sending my men there is not something I want to do."

Arthur's face was blank, but he knew that he couldn't take no for an answer. His city was depleting the resources they bought at a terrifying pace. They couldn't go back to Livia when they needed more, so they had to rely on the spot where all resources were gathered, Aquamia.

If he remembers correctly, the monsters in the Lo River and its distributaries were nothing to fret about, and it could be dealt with quickly with his ability to teleport.

The only problem is why the Marchioness would give such an excuse as monsters hindering her trade. The reason could be that she didn't know of his ability or simply hoped that he would exterminate the monsters himself.

If it was the latter, there were two possibilities as well. The Marchioness wanted him to work for her as a way to hurt his reputation, or it could be a trap to endanger his life.

"What can I do to help?" he clenched his fist as he asked, and Arthur knew he had no other choice. A smile appeared on the Marchioness's face.

"Ah, if it's the Seika, then I believe you can take care of the monsters?" Marchioness Amaya said with a grin. "I'll be eternally grateful to you. Once you return, we'll discuss the details of your proposal."

"I understand," Arthur nodded with a cold expression. The Marchioness offered her hand for a handshake.

"To Hidden and Aquamia," she grinned, and Arthur shook her hand. He knew that she wasn't the mastermind behind this, but an agreement to make things difficult for him by all the Lords.

As for a reason, it was simple. Like how things were in the trial and how they were back on Earth, Arthur wasn't a part of this place.

He was the outsider.

***

"This is unwise, My Lord." Ma knelt in front of him after they came back to the mansion. "There is something about her request that alarms me. The fact that she asked not for our troops, but your direct interference means there is a trap."

"If we indeed use our troops, then we'll spend months with how low our numbers are," Arthur shook his head as he threw a new robe over his shoulders. "This will leave Hidden City vulnerable, and the Divine Tree won't have anyone to protect it."

"That can be their plan, but you don't have to go alone!" Ma kept his head low. "I beg of you to reconsider. At least, take Lady Dia with you. She will be of some assistance."

Arthur paused at the mention of the princess. It wasn't that he didn't want to take her, but what if there was indeed a trap? He can guarantee that he gets himself out of there with his Teleport, but can he ensure her safety?

Furthermore, Arthur had other plans in mind. Ever since he became the Lord, he decided to use his legacy to its full potential. The fact that his level staggered and he was still a rei-ranker bothered him greatly, so it was time to level up.

If he brought Dia along, he wouldn't absorb the monsters like he always does. Furthermore, he feared for her safety. At least, she was here in Aquamia with his people.

Arthur knew that it was more than that, but he didn't want to think too deeply about it. There was one indisputable truth at the moment, and that was his reluctance to see the princess's face.

The past few hours he spent without her made Arthur realize how much he missed her. As for her date, Arthur didn't want to admit that it bothered him. They were a mismatch made in heaven: a human from Earth and a Demi from Alka, separated by a hundred years.

"Don't tell anyone about this," Arthur instructed. "If Dia asks about my whereabout, simply tell her that I'm training."

As he finished his words, the teleportation began. Arthur didn't lie, as he was indeed going to grow stronger. At the very least, he wanted to reach the Vetus-Rank by the time he returns to Hidden City.

A distributary, or a distributary channel, is a stream that branches off and flows away from a main stream channel.