Bonus chapter thanks to @Talosfanboy from Kofi!
A Different Path (1)
There were two carriages heading toward Black Label.
They were just ordinary carriages, with no fancy patterns or expensive decorations.
However, the people riding in the carriages were far from ordinary.
They were members of a prestigious family in the empire.
"Black Label will be coming into view soon, Miss."
Jason.
He was called the Knightlord, Isabella's mentor, and her protector.
At his words, the woman in the robe slightly pushed aside the silk curtain and looked out the window of the carriage.
In the distance, she saw the endless ocean and the huge port city beside it.
The view was beautiful, but the journey had been quite boring for her.
"I thought we might run into a band of thieves along the way, but it seems we didn't have any issues."
As the mature woman with silky purple hair spoke, Jason responded.
"Perhaps the thieves were deterred by our plain-looking carriage. They might have been more interested in flashy carriages that draw more attention. But we've traveled rather quietly."
"It's still been too uneventful. Even if they had come, it wouldn't have been a problem. In fact, it might have been more fun."
"No, Miss. Boring is always better. The world is an unpredictable place."
"You're right, Jason. It's not wrong to say that."
Since the Crown War began, they had been ordered by their family to head straight to Black Label.
The reason they were heading to Black Label was simple.
It was because the Lyon Guild leader was there.
"Jason, I heard that the Lyon Guild and the Black Label Union have merged?"
Even though they were from different fields, they had heard about the general news related to the guild.
"Yes, I heard that the newly-appointed guild leader is quite ambitious. Right after taking office, they waged an all-out war with the Black Label Union."
"Does the new guild leader enjoy fighting?"
"I heard that they are very talented and quite young."
"Is it because they're young?"
"It's possible. People tend to become more conservative as they age."
"Was the previous guild leader named Benjamin?"
"Benjamin de Lyon. He was from the Lyon family and only took care of his own interests. However, he treated us well. He was a decent and good person, from our perspective."
"What good does it do if he's only good to us? He was incompetent within the guild and was driven out."
"That's true."
She suddenly became curious about the new guild leader.
"But do you know anything about the new guild leader, Jason?"
Jason couldn't raise his head, seemingly apologetic about not knowing more.
"I'm sorry. The order came so suddenly that I haven't been able to find out more about them."
"Really?"
"I think what you know and what I know won't be much different."
"Right. For both you and me, the most important thing right now is the Crown War."
The reason they came all the way here was also related to the Crown War.
Jason said,
"To be honest, I never expected the guild to cause problems. They've been loyal to us for so long that I didn't think they would suddenly change their attitude."
Isabella seemed to agree.
"Is there someone else they trust?"
"I don't know. But even if there isn't, they should change their position once we arrive."
Mages were the most fearsome and frightening beings under the sky.
So it was natural that a mere bandit leader would bow their head when they approached.
"What if they don't?"
"Then they must have someone else they trust."
However, Jason didn't seem too worried.
"Even if they have someone they trust, they won't be able to easily abandon us because of their own limitations. We are indispensable to them."
Isabella knew better than anyone what this meant.
"Without the special paper provided by our side, their whole operation would become a forgery paradise, wouldn't it? They can't make it themselves."
Jason seemed to agree with her and spoke again.
"Yes, so there's no need to worry too much. Only the Sinclair family can make that paper."
She then asked about the new guild leader again.
"But I heard that the new guild leader is from a commoner background."
"Yes, I heard that as well. Their background is so humble that their name isn't even well-known."
"So neither you nor I know anything about them?"
"In my opinion, other members of our family might know their name. There must have been someone more suitable for this task. However, our lord entrusted it to us."
When the lord was mentioned, Isabella's expression darkened slightly.
'He's trying to protect me. Direct involvement in the war is too dangerous.'
"It's probably because of me. He's trying not to involve me in dangerous situations."
Jason nodded slightly.
"Well, I don't blame him. Personally, I'm grateful that he only gives us easy tasks."
With no information about the new guild leader, they couldn't help but be surprised when they met him at Black Label.
"Banco... boy?"
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