The carriage looked old and dilapidated, drawn by two gaunt, aged horses. The coachman appeared to be in his fifties or sixties, sporting a forward-leaning Mediterranean hairstyle.
Even from a distance, Reina May could see the weariness etched on the coachman's face and hear the squeak and groan of the wooden wheels as they turned.
A lamp emitting a faint green glow hung beside the carriage, illuminating the red-painted surface of the carriage, where large patches of paint had flaked away to reveal the bare wood underneath. A few dark silhouettes could be seen through the glass windows.
"Carriages exist in a place like this?"
"Yes! Finally, a living person! If it's an NPC, this could help us clear the stage."
"Not so fast. Who knows if these NPCs are friend or foe? Personally, I'd hide nearby and see what happens first."
"I agree. The National Destiny Battle doesn't hand out friendly NPCs for free."
"Huh? Why is Reina May still standing on the roadside? Is she planning to approach the NPC? Seems like a bad idea."
"Hard to say. Reina May probably has her own plan."
The live chat exploded with speculation, yet no one questioned Reina May's actions.
The reasoning was simple. She had survived two traps already, and with her education and status, she was far beyond the level of the viewers in front of the screen. Everything she did must carry intention.
Some might say that in novels, even the brightest protagonists are doubted at every turn, no matter how spectacular their feats. Real-life logic differs from plot-driven drama.
The chat focused instead on what Reina May intended to do next.
The carriage raced forward and slowed as it neared Reina May. The coachman pulled the reins, bringing the vehicle to a halt beside her.
A young man in his twenties leaned out of the carriage window. His slicked-back hair and golden-threaded clothing marked him as a typical Western noble.
A noble, Reina May concluded.
"Beautiful lady, why are you wandering alone by the roadside?" the man spoke, not in East Huang language, but the National Destiny system automatically translated it for her. "If you intend to go to Hamlet Town, I would be honored to accompany you."
Reina May nodded slightly.
Seeing her assent, the young man's face brightened. He closed the window, opened the carriage door, and laid down a wooden step. He extended a hand. "Please, step aboard, my lady."
Reina May glanced at his hand. The golden thread on his sleeve was worn, and his hand was calloused.
He was practiced in etiquette, but his clothes showed wear. Perhaps a noble family in decline?
Shaking her head, Reina May replied, "No need."
With that, she climbed aboard on her own. The young man hesitated briefly, smiled, and then entered the carriage. "Butler, drive on."
Inside the carriage were two others. One wore heavy armor and still had a helmet on. The other was dressed lightly in a military-green coat with leg bindings, his lower face concealed by a red scarf.
Both paused, clearly struck by Reina May's beauty.
"Do not worry. These two are my hired guards," the young noble introduced.
The carriage was small. The guards sat on one side, separated by a wooden table, while Reina May and the noble sat opposite. True to his earlier demeanor, he maintained a polite distance.
"May I ask your name, my lady? By the gods, I have never seen anyone as beautiful as you. You seem almost divine. And your attire… I have never seen such a style in my university years," the young man said with outgoing enthusiasm.
"Reina May. But when you say my name, please pause slightly in the middle," she replied.
"Rei-na May? That is a truly unique name," he repeated, clearly unfamiliar with the rhythm.
"My name is Charles Young. The armored knight is Reynard, and the other is Dismas. The driver is my butler. We are heading to Hamlet Town," Charles introduced them.
"Could you tell me about Hamlet Town?" Reina May asked.
"Certainly. You are a traveler from afar, yes? I don't really recommend Hamlet Town as a sightseeing destination," Charles said, raising his brow as he began to explain.
Originally a fishing village by the sea, Hamlet Town grew gradually due to abundant nearby fishery resources. Many settlers came, and over time it became a small town.
The town was under the rule of a local lord who was not harsh but engaged warmly with the townsfolk. Under his guidance, the town prospered.
Even so, it remained a modest town with little to recommend for sightseeing.
"To be honest, my visit is to inherit my family's estate," Charles admitted, scratching his head. "The lord here was my grandfather. He passed away recently. His butler found me working in the city and said the lord appointed me as heir."
He pulled out a letter from a pale yellow envelope, its flap sealed with wax stamped with a circular pattern one large circle enclosing a smaller circle, five vertical lines evenly spaced above the circle.
Familiar.
Reina May looked at Charles. "I'm curious about the envelope's material. May I touch it?"
"Of course," Charles agreed.
Reaching out, Reina May first extended her right hand, then switched to her left midway. The envelope felt cheap and rough, but that was not what concerned her. The moment her gloved fingers touched it, she sensed a familiar aura.
It was contamination. But if the slime-and-air contamination she had felt before were crumbs, this envelope carried the weight of a whole cookie.