Peaceful Life System: I only need to live peacefully-Chapter 173: Back To Elowen

"What? What is going on? Explain yourself." Lord Falco seethed in anger.

The captain swallowed, recounting the events quickly. "My Lord, two mages—a battle-mage and a shadow-weaver—approached the main gate. Joric refused them entry, as per your orders."

"Then how did they get in?" Falco demanded.

"It was Young Miss Marci, my Lord," the captain explained, his head bowed. "She came from the garden and reprimanded us for our... lack of courtesy. She insisted they be allowed in. We could not disobey a direct order from her."

The captain swallowed again, his gaze fixed on the floor. "My Lord, we heard a crash from the guest suite. We responded immediately. The room was empty, save for a spilled tray. The balcony doors were open."

"And?" Falco prompted, his voice dangerously quiet.

"We searched the grounds, my Lord. They are gone. And... and the new attendant, the one who owned the donkey... he is gone as well."

Lord Falco stood up slowly. The minor noble he had been speaking with wisely began to back away. "You are telling me," Falco said, his voice a low, menacing rumble, "that two street mages, brought into my home by my own daughter, have abducted a member of my household staff from under my own roof?"

"It... it appears so, my Lord," the captain whispered.

"And they did so using magic so powerful that none of your men saw a thing?"

"Yes, my Lord."

A vein pulsed in Lord Falco’s temple. The humiliation was a physical blow. To have his authority so flagrantly disregarded, his security breached so effortlessly... it was an intolerable insult.

"Find them," Falco snarled, his voice no longer quiet. "I don’t care what it takes. Scour every street, check every inn."

He then whirled around, his eyes blazing with a cold, calculated fury. "And get me the Head Mage! Now!."

"At once, My Lord."

Meanwhile, in the guest room, Marci was seething with rage.

"How dare those two betray me and abduct on of our people? I will not let them escape. Someone, get me the Head Mage as soon as possible. They shall rue the day they crossed me.

"Young miss. Your father has already sent for the Head Mage. Looks like he has the same plans as you."

"Good. Let me visit father. I hope that he will allow me to punish those betraying scum."

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The world snapped back into focus with a blinding flash of white light.

The oppressive, shadowy air of Dreadspire was gone. It was replaced by the smell of warm earth, fresh bread, and clean, running water. They were standing in the middle of a bustling village square. They were in Elowen.

Rennan stumbled from Clover’s back, his legs weak. He looked around, his face a mask of utter confusion. This wasn’t the small, struggling village he remembered.

The path was paved with smooth stones. New, sturdy houses made of timber and rock stood where there had once been sagging huts. In the distance, the foundations of two massive churches rose towards the sky.

A small human child pointed a finger at him. "Look! It’s the trader man!"

A gasp spread through the villagers in the square. Then, recognition dawned.

"Rennan!" a woman shouted.

"It’s Rennan! He’s back!" another voice cried out.

The quiet square erupted into chaos. From the direction of the church construction, Lila, Elara, and Lysaria came running, their faces a mixture of shock and relief. Lord Arnold and Marquis Gregor stepped out of the longhouse, their expressions equally surprised.

A burly figure pushed through the growing crowd. It was Chief Barou. His jaw was hanging open.

He was the first to reach the bewildered merchant. Without a word, he enveloped Rennan in a powerful, back-thumping hug that nearly lifted him off his feet.

"Rennan! By the gods, where have you been?" Barou roared, his voice thick with emotion.

"We thought you were dead!" Lila exclaimed as she reached them, her eyes wide.

Lysaria looked at his plain attendant’s uniform. "What happened to your clothes? And your cart?"

Elder Borin, who had come over from the new forge, squinted at Rennan’s attire. "That’s no merchant’s garb," he grumbled, his craftsman’s eye assessing the cheap fabric. "Looks like something a lord’s third-best footman would wear. What trouble did you find, lad?"

Sister Alia, followed by a small group of children including Korgin and Brina, hurried over. "Mister Rennan," she said, her voice soft with relief. "The Light has returned you to us. Are you well?"

"Is it true you were in the Dark Kingdom, Mister Trader?" Brina asked, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Did you see any shadow-drakes?" frёeweɓηovel_coɱ

He took charge, grabbing Rennan’s arm and leading him towards the longhouse. The crowd parted for them, their faces filled with a thousand questions. As they walked, Rennan’s eyes darted everywhere, trying to process the impossible changes.

He saw Dwarven children with braided beards chasing human children near the well. He saw new stone houses with glass in the windows.

Lord Gregor fell into step beside him, a look of sympathy on his noble face. "Master merchant, welcome back. I heard that you met with lots of trouble earlier?"

"Who... Lord.. Lord Gregor!!" Rennan stammered. Being a merchant, he certainly knew the hummer family and its old lord.

"What Lord? I am retired now. Just call me Old Man Gregor." He said with a dry chuckle.

Rennan looked around once again.

At this point, it wasn’t just a village anymore. It was a thriving town with all kinds of people.

Rennan could only stare, overwhelmed. "Barou? Lila? What... what is this place? How come there are dwarves here? How come Lord Gregor from Luxia is here? What is going on?"

Barou clapped him hard on the shoulder and laughed. "It’s Elowen, you fool! Come, inside. You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

Inside the longhouse, the mood shifted from celebratory chaos to serious concern. Everyone gathered around the large wooden table. Riku and Sherry sat on one side, Rennan on the other. Barou placed a large mug of ale in front of his friend.

"Now," Barou said, his voice grim. "Start from the beginning, Rennan. Tell us everything."

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