Ren sat there doing as Silika advised and started to enhance his mana capacity by using the dense amount of mana that was flowing through the forest. While he was doing this Silika stood by his side protecting his body. At the moment she couldn't sense anything due to the weird fluctuation of mana in the surrounding area, nor could she rely on her sense of smell, since the monsters rumored to be living here are treants. Meaning they would feel and smell like an ordinary tree.
So Silika decided to stay close to Ren's side and react accordingly depending on the threat.
...
Back in Grenton Lara was already half way through her list. She had dealt with all the people against Ren's rule in Grenton's underworld. She also eliminated everyone who were still selling illegal drugs when Ren said otherwise.
She also bribed the head of the town guard to look the other way in regards to their operations. Though the head guard was a lecherous person and even insisted Lara do something for him, she showed the person who was superior. After displaying an overwhelming might to the head guard, Lara then threatened him. The head guard finally understanding his position agreed to all of Lara's terms.
After doing that Lara continued doing everything on the list. The remaining half of the list was to bribe fallen noble families like Hilda's to join under Ren's flag, using the money Lara had earned while adventuring. Lara didn't understand what Ren was trying to do, but she didn't question it. She knew that if it was Ren he would have a plan and all she needed to do was to follow it.
...
Valdel and Matthew had finally reached the capital of the Reschbeauch Kingdom, Grimsby. It was thrice the size of Grenton, and it too had walls surrounding the whole city, but unlike Grenton's these wall were enhanced by mana. Another major difference between Grenton and Grimsby was that near the middle of the city stood a majestic castle. Also Valdel noticed that even the lowly guard in Grimsby wore high quality equipment. It would seem that the people living in the capital were better off than most.
Valdel was amazed by all the wonders he saw in the capital. He saw a lot of horse carriages, and he saw some carriages moving around without horses, but instead were being pulled by mana. In the notrthern sky of the capital he saw Griffons with knights riding them. While on the southern sky he saw knights riding on wyverns.
It was an incredible sight to behold. Valdel also noticed the cheery faces of the people they pass by. Still Valdel knew that if there was light there would also be darkness. He knew based on his experience when he saw Grenton's underworld, he was sure that something similar must be lurking in the capital as well.
...
Before they got down the carriage Matthew gave Valdel a hooded cloak and mask to hide his face. Once he was done putting those two things the two got down from the carriage, and Matthew led Valdel into a very expensive looking inn, that was located near the palace. Upon entering they proceeded to get some rooms.
The owner of the inn had personally came to greet the two guests. The owner did this since he was quite familiar with Matthew a knight that directly worked for the king. The owner knowing of Matthew's status didn't make things hard for him, as he didn't ask for the identity of the new guest.
After a brief talk with Matthew the owner handed them their room keys and guided the two to their respective rooms.
...
Once Valdel entered his room Matthew spoke to him. "We will be meeting the king a bit later. So you rest here, and prepare yourself. Once the time is right I will come back for you."
After saying what needed to be said Matthew left Valdel in his room. Valdel who was finally alone spoke to Zwei.
"So what do you think Zwei?"
"We have been followed ever since we entered the capital. About thirty people are surrounding the inn. It doesn't seem like they plan on attacking. I also noticed that they don't seem to be cooperating with each other."
"I see... They're most probably spies sent by the nobles and big bosses of the underworld in the capital. I guess They're curious about me, who Sir Matthew brought. Still I'm sure Sir Matthew noticed them as well, I wonder how he would deal with those spies."
"Don't worry master no matter what happens me and Nika will protect you." Valdel hearing that smiled wryly.
"I know you will... So Zwei did you notice any powerful presence within the capital."
"There are many here that know how to hide their presences, and even if we know how strong their mana is, it doesn't necessarily mean we know how strong the person is. There are some masters that compensate their lack of mana with extreme skill. So I hope you keep your guard up while we're here master. Since unlike in Grenton your dear friend Ren isn't here to protect you."
"Hey you're making it sound like I rely on Ren for everything."
"Don't you?" Hearing Zwei's counter, made Valdel unable to reply. Now that he started to think about it, it was true he did rely on Ren for almost everything. He just unconsciously assume that Ren would handle everything.
Seeing her master wasn't replying Zwei was sure that he had finally realized that what she was saying was the truth.
"See I was right. Still don't worry about it too much master, now that Ren isn't by your side, you can make your own decisions and see for yourself the consequences of the choices you make."
Not wanting to continue this conversation, Valdel tried to change the topic. "Hey Nika why aren't you talking?"
"Master and Zwei's conversation is too hard for me to follow, so I decided to not listen anymore." Hearing Nika's answer made Valdel want to face palm.
"Never mind then, I'm just going to rest for a short bit, before Sir Matthew comes back. Zwei just inform me if you sense something amiss."
"Very well master." Zwei transformed into her girl form and bowed. Once he was done giving his orders Valdel pretended to go to sleep.
'I see ever since I was kid, I relied on Ren for everything. I might have different opinions than him, but I never enforce mine and fully believe that Ren's choices were correct. If seen by a third person, Ren doesn't really look like my friend, he looks like my superior. Now that I think about it, is Ren actually just using me? No that can't be! I know Ren and I'm sure he won't do something like that to me. Ren has never forced me to do anything that I don't want to do, everything I did was by own decision. Even following Ren was my own decision.'
When Valdel got to this point of his thoughts, he remembered something Ren said. "Don't worry about it. It's always better that you think for yourself. That's better than blindly believing in everything I say. So in truth I'm happy that your starting to have your own opinions Val. It's obvious that we wont always agree with each other; and like I said in the past, your path and my path are different. No need to follow each and every one of my whims."
Remembering those words Ren said to him made him feel a bit relieved. 'Yes I guess I'm really just overthinking it.' Once Valdel reached this conclusion of his, he truly fell asleep.