Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 1354

After the group entered the city, Michael was momentarily distracted by another merchant caravan arriving at the gates. He made sure to inspect them thoroughly, confirming that there were no issues before allowing them to pass.

As he turned back, he noticed the merchant caravan was following closely behind the group he had just checked. Among them, a familiar figure caught his eye—a figure whose silhouette seemed unmistakable. It resembled Carissa's martial uncle from the Pathfinders Guild.

The man's name was Everett, if Michael recalled correctly. But then again, the face didn't match. He thought about it for a moment, but the resemblance was only in the figure. The features—absolutely not.

Still, Michael felt uneasy and decided it was worth investigating further.

He instructed a few men to follow the caravan and watch for any unusual activity. An hour later, they reported back that the group had settled in a manor on Eastland Avenue. That area was known for being home to powerful lords and nobility. Even a wealthy merchant couldn't easily buy property there.

After having his men check, Michael discovered that the house had once belonged to a distant royal relative, an honorary prince from a different family. The place had been vacant for some time, with no one living there. It was rumored that the former owner had moved away years ago.

Though nothing seemed to connect them directly to anything suspicious, Michael couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He tried to put it out of his mind, but found himself unable to. His thoughts felt muddled, and he realized how exhausted he was. Days of endless checks and duties had left him with a foggy mind, crammed with information he could hardly keep track of anymore.

"That manor is next to Willowbrook Estate," one of his men mentioned.

Michael's eyes narrowed immediately. "Keep an eye on it. Or better yet, pay them a visit."

He recalled Carissa's advice—anyone connected to Willowbrook Estate should be watched carefully.

Later that evening, after further inquiry, it was confirmed that the manor did indeed belong to the distant royal family's heir. After losing the hereditary title, he had been doing business outside. With the chaos in the outside world, he decided to return to the capital for a while to hide.

Michael recalled the goods he had seen when checking the merchant caravan earlier—rich silks and jewels. It seemed they were returning with their treasures to seek refuge in the city.

A quiet sigh escaped him. The outside world was in chaos, and while the capital appeared safe, it was hardly peaceful. Only the outsiders remained unaware of the brewing trouble.

Given that nothing alarming had come up, Michael didn't report the matter to Carissa.

"But the city's gate guards seem utterly incompetent," Adrian muttered, a frown creasing his brow. "We have so many chests with secret compartments, yet he couldn't find them. His name's Michael Brown, right?"

Everett nodded. "Yes, that's him. He's with the Capital Guard."

"This is dangerous," Adrian continued, still displeased. "One small slip-up could mean disaster for all of us. He's inexperienced. Does she have anyone competent around her?"

Everett gave him a side glance. "It depends on your standard. By your measure, there's no one fit for the task. Even Kyle wouldn't be good enough."

Adrian's expression soured. "You can't be serious. Kyle's capable enough. He's better than Rafael, at least."

"Nonsense! Who can compare to Rafael?" Everett snapped, his temper flaring. "But this isn't about who's stronger right now. Since she doesn't have reliable people by her side, we'll just have to put in the extra effort. Once the guild leaders and clan heads arrive in the capital, we'll take turns keeping watch."

"Alright, we'll do it your way. They should all be arriving within the next day or two," Adrian said, pausing briefly before giving his orders. "Have the Skywing Spire members all entered the capital yet? Tell them to keep an eye on the riverworks and Willowbrook Estate. If there's the slightest sign of movement, report back immediately."