Chapter 179: Set Off for Capital City
Gara rose and left for the dining area. From the side door near the kitchen, Fian and Madha joined in as well.
Since the living space was open—only the bedrooms, bath, and storeroom were separate—Ares could see them gathered at the table.
He turned his back to them completely, still mortified by how friendly he’d acted just moments ago.
Even so, his eyes kept stealing glances at the long polished wooden dining table, which reminded him of the days back in his own abode.
Every morning, he and his father would share breakfast together. His father always asked what he had done the day before and what his plans were for today, then ended their meal with advice and guidance.
Ares’s father might have been strict and serious, but that never strained their bond. Ares always respected and admired him.
His father often reminded him, "We were born with many privileges. That’s why we must work twice as hard, so that the life we enjoy is truly matched by our own abilities."
Because of that, Ares held himself to strict discipline.
When this incident struck and his father could do nothing but send him far away from home, Ares never blamed anyone.
He had simply been unlucky—caught as the victim of a spoiled prince’s whims.
He always remembered his father’s last words before he set off from dragon territory. "Living far from home doesn’t mean life is bad. We dragons are not meant to remain locked away at mountain peaks. We must wander, experience the real world. Only then can we achieve greatness."
Even though he was now confined inside this dimensional space, it didn’t feel like a cage at all. Here, he could meet remarkable people and witness things he had never seen before.
If he gave it his all, life here might not be nearly as bleak as he had once imagined.
...
After breakfast, Gara, Fian, and Madha prepared to leave the dimensional space.
Before stepping out, Gara turned to Ares. "Could you build a treehouse for Rea and her little ones? There’s no rush because the nights are cold. They’ll probably keep sleeping here until winter ends."
Ares blinked at him, puzzled.
But Gara didn’t explain further. The matter of winter was something he would bring up when the season truly arrived.
Leaving the dimensional space, Gara went down to the first floor. Fian and Madha had already gone ahead to handle the carriage. Their destination was the teleportation hall.
The carriage they had used to reach the county had been taken care of yesterday by the Yugo House. That carriage would be returned to Falopo Town.
Which meant they needed a new one. Thankfully, as a major city, the county had passenger carriages available—though they needed to be booked in advance.
"Ride with me, Sir Gara," Yuvika greeted him as he ascended the stairs.
"I thought we agreed to meet at the portal hall. Why are you here?" Gara asked.
"I wanted to give you this, Sir Gara." She handed him an envelope. "The portal hall is too crowded. It would draw attention if I gave it to you there."
"What’s this?"
"It’s just a small gift from my father. He wanted to thank you. The enhance crystal you provided has strengthened my talent greatly," Yuvika said with a bright smile.
"You already used the enhance crystal?" Gara raised his brows, a little surprised. Yuvika was quick on her feet. "But really, I don’t need this. If we keep exchanging gifts, it’ll never end."
"Of course, Sir Gara doesn’t need to give us anything in return after this. Please, accept it. Both my father and I are deeply grateful." Yuvika gently pushed the envelope into his hand, shy but insistent.
In the end, Gara accepted it.
"That’s an auction invitation," Yuvika explained, "for one of the largest auction houses in the capital city."
Gara was quietly amazed. Traveling to the capital had truly opened his eyes. His destination was no longer just rivers and mountains—now he would be stepping into auction houses.
"Alright, thank you, Yuvika."
With that, they headed straight for the portal hall.
They arrived before a cream-colored building that, from the outside, looked much like a mayor’s hall.
But once they stepped inside, they were greeted by a vast chamber. At the far end stood two double doors, each guarded by a pair of Liners. A long line stretched before the door on the right, while people were steadily coming out from the other.
"That’s the teleportation portal? We’re supposed to line up on the right one?" Gara asked, pointing toward the double door.
Yuvika nodded. "It’s especially crowded today—lots of people heading the same way as us. Luckily, I asked Kevio to come early and hold a spot in line."
Gara was about to nod when he heard a familiar, lazy voice from the side.
"Yuvika, you took your time."
It was Kevio, wearing his usual bored expression.
"Kevio! I told you to stand in line!" Yuvika snapped, striding forward with a fierce look.
Kevio instinctively stepped back but quickly straightened, aware that plenty of eyes were on them, including bumpkin people from the village.
"Relax. Orman’s holding our place." Kevio gestured toward the long line. "I’m going to sit for a while. He’ll call us when it’s our turn."
He turned away, followed by two men who looked very much like bodyguards.
Gara almost asked why Kevio was ordering Orman around when, back in the village, he’d always been so obedient. The answer was plain. Kevio had brought muscle. What a coward.
"Sir Gara, let’s find seats as well," Yuvika suggested.
But Gara shook his head. "I’d rather go talk with my friend."
Together with Fian and Madha, he walked along the line to look for Orman.
Yuvika felt her stomach twist. She had wanted to make a good impression on her idol, but now it seemed she might be painted as someone who treated Gara’s close friend unfairly.
Irritated, she stormed over to Kevio. "Stand up."
"Huh?" Kevio blinked at her in confusion.
Without hesitation, Yuvika grabbed him by the arm and pulled him up. "I told you to wait in line, didn’t I?"
"But he’s already—"
"I don’t want to hear it!" Yuvika’s voice dropped into a low, heavy tone that made Kevio shiver. Reluctantly, he stood and shuffled into line.
Meanwhile, Gara and the others were already laughing and chatting.
"You wouldn’t believe it, Gara. My Earth Block shot way up after using that enhance crystal. You really have to try it," Orman said enthusiastically.
Yuvika overheard and wanted to jump in to share her own experience with the crystal, but she bit her tongue and held back.
Before long, their turn came. They entered the double doors on the right.
Beyond was a square chamber, much like an elevator from Gara’s world. A soft white glow began to fill the room, and their bodies blurred until they faded completely.
And as they vanished, the other door opened.
A man with silver hair stepped through, speaking into his crystal ring. "They don’t know I arrived today, do they?"
A voice crackled back in reply. "They believe you’ll be arriving tomorrow, Professor Langga."
...