**Cliffwall City.**
True to its name, it had originally been a fortress city in the south, which was why the entire city was built in the shape of a stronghold.
Layer upon layer, like steps, and the markets on each level were pressed tight against the mountainside. If they extended just a little further back, Sean thought they could even carve the streets into the caves, turning it into a true fortress city.
And indeed, that was exactly the case.
Freya had brought only him along as her escort, and they entered the highest level of the mountain wall... where there were indeed streets inside.
"Cliffwall City was originally a military fortress. It backs onto the surrounding mountains and only has one side facing outward. That's why it wasn't built on flat plains like ordinary cities, but stacked up against the mountain," Freya explained, probably noticing Sean's curious glances around.
"I can see that. Was this city ever attacked in the past?" Sean asked.
"Nothing too serious, I think. The Empire's south has always been peaceful. The countries to the south are weaker, and their other side faces the Mediterranean, so they focus more on threats from the sea," Freya said.
The Mediterranean...
So the southernmost ocean was still surrounded by the continent.
Sean suddenly remembered her mentioning earlier that the origin of the Witch Society came from across the ocean. So that was what she meant.
As they chatted, they followed the soldier leading the way deep into the fortress. From the very top, there were many paths winding down, and the passages were interconnected and very wide!
Building such a large military fortress must have cost a fortune.
"By the way, who is the lord of this city?" Sean asked.
Even if the Empire covered the construction costs, maintaining it would still require a lot of money. He wondered which noble had that kind of capital.
"Cliffwall City doesn't belong to lower-ranking nobles. It's directly under the jurisdiction of Grand Duke Haruman, and it's been that way since the founding of the Empire. So the General Daniel we're going to see is the actual administrator of Cliffwall City," Freya said.
Grand Duke.
So that meant a Grand Duke.
Someone who could be granted the title of Grand Duke probably had ancestors who helped found the dynasty. No wonder this place was once considered a fortress—it was naturally entrusted to someone the king trusted.
"So he invited you here?!"
"I suppose he got word that I was coming here using my status. Soldiers don't serve long terms; most common soldiers serve five or six years. If they're injured, they might be sent back. Even those with rank only serve for a dozen or so years. Only those who reach the rank of Marshal hold their titles for life. So they often use their time in office to build connections with nobles and high-ranking figures."
Freya moved in larger city circles, so she naturally saw more than Sean did.
But since she knew he had ulterior motives, she still went to these banquets often...
"Seems like you're pretty impressive too."
"Hmm?" Freya turned to look at Sean.
"You know they're befriending you with ulterior motives, yet you still go to these banquets."
"But my organization has a base here too. Being familiar with the local administrator helps with getting things done locally," Freya said.
Sean didn't really care about that reason...
In his view, this reason wasn't worth the cost.
After all, he was a temporary ruler under another noble's jurisdiction—someone who could be transferred with a single order.
"Think it through. Befriending them means sharing intelligence!"
"Of course I know that. That's why I have you... In my eyes, you have a very valuable ability—you can see into people's hearts!" Freya said with a smile.
There was something special about the way she smiled...
She wasn't the cute type. As for being beautiful, that depended on personal taste.
Maybe in some people's eyes, Freya was very beautiful, but Sean didn't really like that type. At most, he found her sexy and alluring.
But when she smiled, she had a certain charm—an indescribable quality that stirred something in people, combined with her unique voice, enough to captivate anyone.
This was probably the charm of the Red Dragon Witch.
For a woman to move among high-ranking nobles, she needed not just strength but also charm... and for a long time, charm was often the more crucial factor.
"Lady Red Dragon Witch, we've arrived," the soldier leading the way suddenly stopped in a room within the underground fortress.
It was still daytime, but here they relied almost entirely on firelight for illumination.
A few spots had sunlight streaming in, probably where the ventilation shafts were.
Of course, that faint light became the only brightness in the dark environment...
"This way, please!" The soldier leading the way was very polite. He had been in a state of [Curious!] and [Speculating!] the whole time, but never dared to turn back and look at them.
The soldiers of Cliffwall City had some manners!
Sean followed Freya deep into the mountain fortress. As soon as they entered, they saw a man in exquisite armor standing at the door waiting.
When he saw them approach, he smiled and stepped forward to greet them...
"Lady Red Dragon Witch, I never expected to meet you in Cliffwall City. What an honor!!!"
Sean looked at the man who spoke awkwardly. Judging by his attire, he must be the General Daniel they mentioned.
He probably wasn't used to the nobles' way of greeting, so hearing him speak like that felt very unnatural...
"I'm very pleased as well, General Daniel," Freya replied with a smile.
That smile indeed stirred something in him again...
He was stunned for a moment, then a state of [Excited!] and [Thrilled!] appeared above his head.
"And this is?!" His gaze finally settled on Sean.
"This is Baron Weigel from the south. Prince Philip wanted to see him, so he's accompanying me here," Freya said, deliberately mentioning the Prince's name when introducing him. Sean could tell she was trying to boost his status.
Otherwise, a title like Baron Weigel probably wouldn't carry much weight in front of him, especially since it was from a small town like Tylermian.
"So you're Baron Weigel. Please, come in, come in..."
Daniel probably had no idea which family Weigel belonged to. Although the south wasn't as wealthy as the north, there were still plenty of minor barons in small places. Not every family was memorable.
The two followed the general into the room...
He had invited them for a tour, but in truth, there wasn't much worth seeing in a small fortress city like this. The real purpose was to sit down, eat, and share information and resources, so that in some future occasion, this brief encounter might bring them some help.
That was what socializing was all about!
But Sean and Freya had just finished breakfast before coming out, so they had no appetite for anything else.
Seeing the greasy meat on the table, Freya quietly pushed it over to Sean when the host wasn't looking...
"Hey, what are you doing!" Sean whispered.
She didn't say anything, but her eyes spoke volumes.
It was as if she was saying: If you can't eat it, why push it to me...
Freya glared back at him.
Just eat it, stop talking.