The coachmen jumped in shock, their drowsiness and boredom vanishing instantly upon hearing the destination city's name.
"Vanzhas?" asked one coachman hesitantly. "You mean Vanzhas City in the Vedegra region? All the way there? And stopping by the slums first? Are you serious, sir?"
"Of course I'm serious! Let's go!" asserted Arvin.
Although feeling astonished and confused about taking luxury carts to the slums, they all obeyed their client's request.
One by one, the carts began to leave the guild and moved toward the slums. Arvin sat next to the coachman whose cart was in the very front row to show the way.
Once they arrived in front of the slum area, an unpleasant smell welcomed them. Arvin ordered the 9 horse carts to keep moving deeper inside.
"Sir, is the place still far?" asked the coachman while covering his nose with a handkerchief.
"We'll arrive shortly!"
From a distance, Arvin could see many people already gathered at one point in the open field.
"That's them, the ones going to Vanzhas!" Arvin exclaimed.
The coachman was shocked to see so many homeless people he would be taking to the Vedegra territory.
"Is this alright? I'm afraid we'll be intercepted by border guards! A group like this will definitely be suspected!" said the coachman anxiously.
"Relax, everything will be fine!"
Arvin got down from the cart and approached Rayand's group. Everyone immediately paid their respects to him, forgetting their fatigue from waiting since morning.
"Are you ready to depart?"
"We are very ready, Young Master!" answered Rayand firmly.
Arvin took out 28 magic bags made of thickbrown and gray fabric that he had made and handed them to Rayand.
"Distribute these to your members and also to Lorrin! Whisper to them that inside the bag is 2,000 Gold for your holding money!" ordered Arvin.
Rayand was very shocked when he received the magic back and heard Arvin's whisper. His eyes bulged. "Two thousand...?"
"Why are you spacing out? Distribute them quickly so you can store your belongings in there!"
"Y-Yes, Young Master, as you command!"
Rayand began distributing all the magic bags to all his members while whispering to them one by one about the amount of money inside their bags.
Their expressions changed instantly upon hearing the enormous nominal of money. Some were shocked, some happy, some enthusiastic, and there were even those crying tears of emotion hugging their magic bags.
Arvin only shook his head seeing them showing various expressions before him.
Not wanting to waste much time, Arvin looked for 9 pieces of wood around him. His action of picking up wood immediately got everyone's attention.
"Young Master, what are you looking for?" asked Gaile curiously.
"Looking for 9 pieces of wood with a length of about 80cm."
People swiftly helped him. Because of the help from many people, it didn't take long for him to collect all the wood.
"Thank you!"
Arvin took out the fabric flags with the Vedegra family crest. He attached the fabric to the wood, then used his alchemy to unify the fabric fibers and wood fibers so they adhered permanently.
Then, Arvin tied all the flags that had been attached to the wood tightly to the front of the horse carts, right to the left of the coachman.
Everyone was very shocked because the flags fluttered before their eyes. Dark blue fabric with a gold circle, and in the center were three blue ice crystal motifs arranged in a triangle pattern, along with a white border on the edges.
That was something very rare. Only at certain moments was the flag bearing the core Vedegra family crest flown. Usually, it would be flown during war, serious and urgent situations, or when the Duke himself intervened.
If the flag bearing the Vedegra family cres was already flown, even members of the royal family wouldn't dare stop the group's pace.
"Y-Young Master, why are you flying your family's flag just for our departure to Vanzhas?" asked Gaile curiously, realizing how heavy the symbol was.
"So that you aren't stopped by border guards and you can proceed without having to deal with anything troublesome."
"Will our journey be smooth without obstacles?" he asked again.
"Only a fool would dare prevent the pace of a horse cart convoy flying the Vedegra family flag!" answered Arvin confidently.
Arvin handed a letter to Gaile.
"If you have arrived at the Vanzhas border territory, this flag serves no purpose anymore. The soldiers will definitely stop you. If that happens, give this letter to the soldiers who stop you!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
Then he also handed two letters to Rayand.
"If you have met my father, give these two letters to him! Without these letters, my father will never be able to trust you!"
"As you command, Young Master!"
Suddenly, Melisa approached Arvin and showed her open hand as if asking for something from him.
Arvin sighed. He picked up a piece of wood, held a magic crystal from his storage dimension space, then used his touch alchemy to transform the wood into a smooth magic staff and united the gem at the tip. Matching Melisa's hair color.
"Here!" Arvin handed it over.
Melisa was very happy to receive his gift. Mwah! Melisa kissed his lips softly.
Not only Arvin, everyone was immediately shocked to see Melisa kissing him without hesitation.
Arvin's mind went blank. Why did she kiss me? Is she crazy?
Melisa looked at Arvin's handsome face then she said: "I wanted my first kiss for my savior and also the person I really like! Thank you, Young Master Arvin!"
Arvin held his lips. "Damn... you have stolen my first kiss!"
Hearing his words, Melisa immediately laughed triumphantly. "At least, we both gave our first kiss. That already makes me happy."
"Ah... whatever!" Arvin turned his face away, embarrassed.
Melisa touched his face then she said to him: "If your younger brother doesn't like me, are you willing to take responsibility to become my husband?"
"Oh my gosh, what's wrong with you? I emphasize to you again that I am not interested in women! My brother will definitely fall in love with you!"
"In that case, let's make a bet! If he doesn't like me, you have to take responsibility to marry me! But if he likes me, I will love him sincerely!"
Melisa held out her hand. Then, Arvin welcomed and shook her hand resignedly.
The two of them had made an agreement and were witnessed by many pairs of eyes.
"Dammit! Why did I agree with you?"
"Hahaha. I'm also surprised you actually agreed to bet with me."
Arvin sighed deeply. "If my brother likes you, forget me and love him sincerely! I don't want you to hurt his feelings!"
"Of course! I swear I will try to make him like me with my smile!"
For the second time, Arvin sighed, watching the group starting to move away leaving the capital toward the north, to Vanzhas.
"I hope you don't go back on your word!"
"I also hope the same for you, Young Master Arvin."