F/VoH Ch 88: The City of Bertord

Ryan glanced briefly at the now invisible aircraft, then turned to face his group. "Alright, let's go." With calm yet firm steps, Ryan led the way, followed by Ellina, Charlotte, and lastly Rosseline.

The journey to the City of Bertord took place in a silence filled with vigilance. A cold wind blew through the trees, carrying the scent of the forest and a soft mist that enveloped the path they were traversing.

In the distance, the City of Bertord began to come into view, surrounded by towering stone walls that stood strong, protecting the city from external threats. The atmosphere of the city appeared grand, yet full of mystery.

After a few minutes of walking, they finally arrived at the large wall encircling the city. Ryan observed carefully; the wall looked incredibly sturdy, built with large stones arranged neatly.

"An impressive wall..." Ryan murmured to himself, slightly surprised by the size and grandeur of the structure. Not far from there, the Sky Dock was visible on the horizon, with various Magic Flying Ships appearing to be arriving or departing from the dock.

However, what caught their attention the most was the large gate standing between the massive walls, the main entrance to the heart of the City of Bertord. The gate was magnificent, adorned with intricate carvings and the city’s emblem proudly engraved at the top. Ryan's gaze sharpened as he observed every detail, searching for signs of danger or anything that could pose a threat.

"This gate... is bigger than I imagined," Ryan said softly to himself, though Charlotte, standing nearby, could hear him. There was something about the gate that made him feel that this city held more secrets than met the eye.

Across the gate, the flow of people coming in and out appeared busy, as if life in this city continued unabated, despite the ever-present threats outside the walls. They had to be cautious.

The City of Bertord might seem peaceful from the outside, but Ryan knew that behind those massive walls, a lurking power was waiting—and they had to be prepared for whatever might happen.

Ryan's group finally arrived at the grand gate of the City of Bertord, a large city tightly guarded by a line of burly guards. The tall stone walls surrounding the city seemed to form a solid barrier, enhancing the impression of how difficult it would be to breach the city's defenses.

As they approached, the wary gazes of the guards immediately focused on them. Each guard held a long spear that glimmered in the afternoon sunlight, ready to confront anyone who raised suspicion.

"Stop!" shouted one of the guards in a loud voice, stepping forward with a steady stride. "Show your identification."

Ryan held his breath for a moment, then stepped forward while slightly lowering his face, hiding his expression behind thick-framed glasses. "We are traveling merchants," Ryan said in a calm tone, introducing himself with a prepared alias.

Beneath the cloaks they wore, Ryan's group had carefully disguised themselves. Wigs that differed from their original appearances flowed neatly, giving the impression that they were ordinary people who wouldn’t attract attention. Their clothing had also changed—simpler, yet adorned with small accessories to obscure their true appearances.

In reality, they could have used Illusion Magic or Skills to disguise themselves more quickly. However, the advanced scanning devices at the city gate could detect even the slightest magical fluctuations.

Utilizing disguise Skills or Magic would have backfired on them. Therefore, they chose the old yet effective method: wigs, new clothing, and a few accessories that made their appearance unremarkable, yet not suspicious.