As Valery promised, the transport was fast.

Fast enough that Li could hear the wind whipping against the metal shell of their carriage, beating out hollow dents. The ride was relatively smooth, too, undulating up and down, but far less than it would on horseback. In fact, the feeling was entirely different – it was more like feeling the rocking atop a moving boat.

Despite Li and the two girls all sitting in the passenger row, it didn't feel crowded at all. He figured it could seat five people if it came down to it, and besides, he had nothing to complain about as he had a nice windowside seat. Sylvie had decided to sacrifice her comfort and insist on Jeanne getting the other windowside seat as it was the hero's big day, among other reasons.

Old Thane followed behind on a second carriage, entrusting that Li would make better conversation and protection for Jeanne and Sylvie if it ever came down to it.

Despite the dull grey armor layering the outside, the inside of the carriage was surprisingly comfortable. The seats were made of velvety red cushioning and the walls were fashioned from polished and varnished elderwood, a pale bark pleasant to the eye and supernaturally durable, inscribed with both decorative and practical runes.  

"Splendid!" said Sylvie, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. Her hands glided across the carriage walls, feeling the smooth wood. Elderwood was not native to Riviera – it only grew in Montagne, where the cold forced only the hardiest of trees to survive. She leaned forward, her face almost pressing against the hardened see-through glass separating passengers from the driver. "Say, Valery, how do the elves create such glass? It feels as if it were fashioned of wood, and yet it still retains its clarity."

"A hardening process in their Greatforges that is too much a secret for me, a lowly driver, to know," said Valery as he cocked his head. "Though I must say, this is the bottom of the barrel that the Republic sends us. Their true machines of burden are far more impressive than these. In fact, they not need even yoke beasts to their service at all."

"Yes, their steam cores do seem to allow for miraculous feats." Sylvie nodded as she leaned back again, resting her chin atop the back of her hands. "I have been to Montagne only once, and there, I see old Elvish golems performing extraordinary feats of strength in the shafts without need for food or sleep." She sighed. "If only the duchess had not limited trade so heavily with the republic, perhaps we would see more progress here."

"Oh, but the duchess has given us peace, hasn't she?" said Jeanne. Her hands were clasped together and resting at her lap. "I cannot think of a sweeter gift for the people. I have not seen war with my own two eyes, but I have heard much of how the common folk suffer the most under it."

Valery laughed. Li eyed him, wondering if he would leak the truth, as surely, he, as part of Alexei's group, knew the true course of history and how bloody and brutal the duchess's ascension had been.

"Every coin, no matter how golden or lustrous it be, has two sides," said Valery as he whipped his reins. "The duchy manages peace within its borders, and yet its secession from the Republic does call into question how much it lost in terms of industry and innovation. Even the very art of rune-carving that we rely upon so much from day to day is an Elven innovation."

He nodded. "And the Elves, though they certainly hold many special wares to their name, are quite the prickly and proud people. It is likely humans would have never stood upon equal grounds with them in the Republic."

"Oh? You've seen elves?" said Sylvie.

"The nature of my job requires me to be well-traveled, but I am surprised you have not seen a single elf. They were quite the common sight before the secession." Valery paused. "Ah, you two are very young, so you may not know them personally. I know it is quite rude to ask such elegant ladies as yourselves, but how many summers have you passed, if I may inquire?"

"We aren't too sure," said Sylvie. "We were orphans and born during the chaos right before the secession, so we don't have any records to our name. I should say we are near twenty?"

Jeanne squirmed in her seat, looking away and out the window. Sylvie reached out and squeezed Jeanne's hand, and the hero gave Sylvie an appreciative smile.

"Indeed, the years leading up to the secession were…interesting times," said Valery. Though the vampire did not face them, Li could tell by the way he stiffened that he was frowning. "Records lost or burned. Nonhumans hunted down and driven north or into the forestlands. But twenty? Then you two are little more than pups. "

He shook his head and regained his composure, and yet his tone seemed to hold hints of mockery underneath.

"I see. You two are children born during or after the secession, children of the sun, as the duchy would say you are, and what would children of the sun know of the elves in the dark and wintry north? Of all the inhumans blessed not by the light of life?"

"A shame, as their ways and wares have always seemed interesting to me," said Sylvie. Her eyes had narrowed, picking up Valery's sensitivity to the topic, but she chose to ignore it. "Strange, though, you seem not much older than us, and you speak of us like children."

Valery laughed. "Forgive me, sometimes I believe myself far older than I am. Likely because my co-workers at Black Securities are all so elderly, and I must tell you now that the old never manage to go a day without reminding you how old they are."

"You've got that right," commented Li.

Sylvie glanced at Li and Valery. "Say, it has been on my mind, but how did it come to pass that you two began working with each other? It seems almost fantastical to see Black Securities ferrying regular wheat when they usually load their carts with ancient relics, magical items, and piles of coin."

Li had spent the ride looking out the window, but when he heard Sylvie's question, he glanced at Valery, waiting to see how the vampire would answer. Obviously, the vampire couldn't reveal that Li had essentially beat them all down and strong armed them into working for him.

"Oh, the matter is quite simple. We at Black Securities know first and foremost to put the good of the state before our needs. It just so happens that Lord Lys wishes to keep sir Li here in good graces, wishing a glowing review of Soleil when he returns to Xia, if ever he does. And Count Alarie, our founder, is quite close with the lord, and was more than willing to offer our services to aid in making the good sir's stay as comfortable as possible."

Li nodded at Valery. The vampire had rehearsed this story to perfection, and it covered the two of them quite well.

"Lord Lys wanted to meet me one day while I was at the city hall for some business," said Li to add more meat to the fiction, though in his experience, adding some truth made lies that much more believable. "I caught his eye, which isn't surprising considering how different I look. He was friendly to me and told me he would do anything in his power to make sure I had it going good over here, and he's true to his word." He nodded at the carriage. "Obviously doesn't skimp on expenses, either."

"Yes, always a man with a penchant for luxury, perhaps to the point of indulgence," said Valery.

Sylvie looked between Li and Valery and then nodded. "That's quite interesting."

Jeanne shifted in her seat uncomfortably. "With but a talk, you managed to bring so much fortune upon you. I wish I had half as much of your confidence, Li."

"What do you mean," said Sylvie as she gave a friendly push to Jeanne's shoulder. "You're about as loud as it gets."

"With you and others close to me, yes," said Jeanne. She bit her lip. "But royalty? The great duchess herself? I fear I may seize up, unable to muster up even a single word."

Li scoffed. "I know a thing or two about dealing with higher ups," he said, remembering his past life and the corporate climb that came with it, all the connections he had to juggle and manage. "You have to be efficient. Keep your words few and serious, but don't be antisocial. Be confident, but don't intimidate. Talk to them with respect, but don't overdo it like they're gods, because they aren't. They aren't special. They're just like you. Remember that, and you'll find confidence."

"Interesting," said Sylvie, her head cocked as she probably conjured up images about what incredible princes and emperors and whatnot Li had talked down to. "But honestly, that sounds like just you. I would be quite scared to see Jeanne acting the same way."

"Serious words, confidence, respect," repeated Jeanne with focus.

Sylvie smiled and patted Jeanne's back. "Come now, just act natural. You are a gold-ranked adventurer talking to a crowd as well as the duchess. Be the same bright and happy girl you have always been, and I'm sure everyone will be charmed."

"True," said Li. "You've got a different vibe going on. Be happy, be yourself, but if you're ever lacking confidence, just remember what I said. It's easy to be confident when you think everyone's at or below your level."

"Now you're just corrupting her," said Sylvie teasingly.

Jeanne unclasped her hands. They were slick with nervous sweat.

"Well, it is true that I feel others too much above me, especially when they are of rank and position." She nodded at Li. "Thank you for that bit of wisdom."

"Pardon for the interruption," called out Valery. "But we are approaching the gates."