Extra's Rise: I Stole All The Women In The Hero's Party-Chapter 83: Havenworth City

Celestia gasped, clutching her heart in mock offense. "Lies! Where?!"

"In my imagination," Zayn said with a straight face.

She huffed, pouting. "So rude."

The carriage passed through a massive gate where heavily armored guards stood at attention, barely glancing at them before allowing them through.

Zayn frowned slightly.

"No inspection?" he muttered.

Celestia stretched her arms lazily. "No need. I have a special pass. They know who I am."

Zayn glanced at her. "Wow. Must be nice."

"It is," she said, grinning.

As the carriage rolled deeper into the city, Zayn leaned out the window to take in the sights.

Havenworth was unlike any city he had ever seen, it was even different from New York for crying out loud.

The streets were paved with smooth stone, and large, beautifully crafted buildings lined the roads.

Ornate banners of blue and gold fluttered in the wind, and at every turn, armored guards patrolled diligently.

The city was bustling with people — merchants shouting their wares, children running around, and nobles walking with their noses so high they might as well have been admiring the sky.

The deeper they went, the grander everything became.

Shops transformed into high-end boutiques, casual eateries into luxurious restaurants, and the people became increasingly well-dressed.

"Fancy," Zayn muttered.

"This is the noble district," Celestia said, flipping her hair dramatically. "Only the most important and wealthiest people live here."

"Ah," Zayn deadpanned. "So, the ’I’m better than you’ section of the city."

Celestia giggled. "That’s one way to put it."

Before long, they reached a particularly extravagant estate, and the carriage finally came to a stop.

The second Zayn felt the wheels stop turning, he opened the door and jumped out as if escaping a prison cell.

"Freedom!" he muttered under his breath.

Celestia stepped out more gracefully, stretching. "You’re so dramatic."

Zayn rolled his shoulders, ignoring her, and turned his attention to the estate before him.

It was massive — bigger than anything he had ever stayed in. The mansion was several stories tall, with large white columns, grand balconies, and intricate golden accents decorating its walls.

A perfectly maintained garden stretched across the front, complete with trimmed hedges, a fountain, and even a few rare magical flowers that pulsed with a faint glow.

A long line of servants was waiting for Celestia, bowing as she approached.

Zayn whistled. "Yeah, this is definitely rich people territory."

Celestia turned to him with a playful smirk. "Are you intimidated?"

Zayn snorted. "Please. I’ve fought monsters scarier than your house."

She laughed and gestured for him to follow. "Come on, I’ll show you inside."

With a sigh, Zayn followed her up the grand staircase and through the massive front doors.

The interior was just as ridiculous as the exterior — polished marble floors, elegant chandeliers, and an overwhelming number of portraits featuring regal-looking people (most likely her ancestors) staring down at him like judgmental ghosts.

There was one with a bald head and a long mustache, Zayn wondered if all the hair probably went to his beard instead of his bald head.

A well-dressed butler approached them with a bow. "Welcome back, Lady Celestia. Shall I prepare tea for you and your guest?"

"Yes, please," Celestia said.

The butler nodded and walked away without a sound.

Zayn leaned over slightly. "Do you guys train them to be that quiet, or is that just a butler thing?"

Celestia chuckled. "A bit of both."

They walked through the halls, past extravagant decor and lavishly furnished rooms, until they finally reached a large sitting area.

Celestia flopped onto one of the couches, stretching like a cat.

Zayn remained standing, crossing his arms. "Alright. We’re here. Now tell me — what exactly is this job?"

Celestia sat up, her expression turning slightly more serious. "It’s not just any job. It’s... personal."

Zayn raised an eyebrow. "Personal?"

She nodded. "You see, I need your help with something that could determine the future of my family."

Zayn sighed. "Of course, it’s something dramatic."

Celestia smirked. "Would you expect anything less from me?"

He gave her a flat look. "No. I was actually expecting worse." fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

She laughed. "Fair enough."

Before she could continue, the butler returned with tea, setting the cups down on the table between them.

Celestia took a sip, letting out a satisfied hum.

Zayn eyed her. "You’re stalling."

She set her cup down, tilting her head. "Maybe."

Zayn groaned, rubbing his temples. "Look, I don’t care about noble politics or whatever internal drama you’re dealing with. Just tell me what you need me to do."

’I need to get in and out of here immediately... Can’t waste time on this flat chick.’ Zayn thought with an important nod.

"Uhm, my friend is actually coming over for a duel... she said I should bring my boyfriend," she said, as if this were a normal sentence to say.

Zayn almost choked.

He blinked at her, chewing slowly, processing her words.

"...Boyfriend?" he repeated, voice flat.

Celestia nodded.

"We barely know each other. What do you mean ’boyfriend’?" Zayn’s eye twitched.

Celestia cleared her throat and looked away, suddenly very interested in the tablecloth.

"Well... You see, I might’ve... lied."

Zayn’s expression darkened. "Lied?"

She rubbed the back of her neck. "I may have told my friend that I have a super strong, super amazing, and super handsome boyfriend to one-up her in an argument, and now... well..."

"...Well?"

"Well, her boyfriend challenged my ’boyfriend’ to a duel, and she’s bringing him over today."

Zayn stared at her, his soul leaving his body.

He placed his hands down slowly. "Let me get this straight... You made up a boyfriend to impress your friend, and now that friend’s boyfriend — who actually exists — is coming over to fight me?"

Celestia coughed. "That... is correct."

"No."

Celestia blinked. "Huh?"

"No. I’m not doing this." Zayn stood up, dusting off his hands. "This is your problem, not mine."

Celestia pouted. "But I already told them you’d be here..."

Zayn ignored her and turned toward the door. "Not my problem."

Then she pulled out two gold coins.

Zayn vanished from the doorway and reappeared in his seat, legs crossed, arms folded, and an incredibly serious expression on his face. "You were saying?"

Celestia grinned, dropping the coins in his palm. "I knew you’d understand."

Zayn sighed heavily. He couldn’t believe he was getting dragged into this nonsense. Again.

But then again... It was all for the money.