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Everywhere you looked, there were warriors. Some carried long, gleaming swords at their hips, their blades catching the light as they walked with purpose.

Others shouldered massive axes, their hulking forms standing out ev among the crowd, while others held spears, their polished tips glinting ominously in the morning sun.

These were m and wom who had come to Andelheim to carve their names into legd, and their presce alone brought an air of palpable tsion.

The tournamt, hosted by Marquis Aldrich Vtor, drew not only the strongest from the empire but also those looking to prove themselves.

Whispers of Vtor\'s prowess as a leader and martial artist spread like wildfire through the crowds. His reputation alone had gathered the elite of the empire and beyond to this grand evt.

Merchants shouted over the din, advertising their wares. One stand featured rare beast hides fashioned into protective armor, and another offered mana-infused weapons, promising an edge in the coming battles. Ev the alchemists had tak advantage of the opportunity, peddling potions said to hance strgth or speed in combat.

Despite the festive air, the mood was electric with anticipation. M and wom sparred in alleys, their weapons clashing in preparation for the main evt.

The streets echoed with the clang of steel, the low hum of mana, and the occasional roar of a warrior testing their strgth.

Flags bearing the crest of the Vtor family fluttered atop the highest towers, a reminder of who governed this mighty city. Andelheim, though normally a bustling trade hub, had transformed into a battleg for the ambitious and the strong, with each corner of the city teeming with challgers eager to fight for glory.

Valeria approached the city gates of Andelheim, her heart set on tering quietly and unnoticed. She had not originally intded to draw atttion to her status, but the sight before her made her reconsider.

The main trance was a chaos of bodies and noise, a mass of people crowding the line that stretched far beyond the gate. Commoners, merchants, and ev some minor warriors stood impatitly, shuffling forward as the guards meticulously checked each person\'s idtity card. The din of frustration could be heard from the distance, voices raised in complaint as the line moved at a snail\'s pace.

Valeria\'s gaze swept over the sce, noting the tired looks on travelers\' faces, the slow progress, and the heat of the rising sun already bearing down on the crowd. She sighed inwardly, realizing that waiting here could cost her hours she didn\'t have.

To the side of the main trance, a smaller, far less crowded gate stood op, guarded by soldiers wearing the Vtor family crest. This was the noble\'s trance, reserved for those of higher standing. A couple of finely dressed individuals rode through, their carriages or horses passing with ease as the guards gave them a cursory glance before waving them forward.

Valeria hesitated for a momt. She had never be one to flaunt her family\'s name, and she preferred to avoid standing out. But practicality won out over pride. With a subtle tug of her reins, she guided her horse toward the noble gate.

As Valeria approached the noble gate, the guards shifted, their eyes narrowing suspiciously. Traveling alone with her hood drawn over her face made her appear more like a commoner trying to sneak past than a noble.

"Halt," one of the guards called out, stepping forward to block her path. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword as he eyed her cautiously. "This gate is for nobles and their retinues. You\'ll need to go to the main trance."

Valeria frowned beath her hood but remained calm. She understood the situation—traveling without her knights and with her face hidd, it was no surprise they\'d mistak her for someone trying to bypass the lines. With a graceful movemt, she dismounted her horse and reached into her cloak.

"I believe there\'s be a misunderstanding," she said in a measured tone.

The guards remained vigilant as Valeria withdrew a small, silver-embossed ID card. She held it up, allowing the crest of the Olarion family to catch the morning light. The guard\'s eyes wided as he quickly recognized the name etched into the card—Valeria Olarion. His expression shifted from suspicion to immediate regret.

"My lady," he stammered, taking a step back and bowing. "Forgive us, we did not recognize you. It was a mistake."

The other guards quickly followed suit, bowing their heads in apology. Valeria, ever composed, simply waved her hand dismissively.

"No harm done," she said, her voice steady and without a hint of irritation. "You\'re only doing your duty."

The guard straighted, clearly relieved by her understanding. "Thank you, my lady. Please, proceed."

Valeria nodded and remounted her horse, the tsion betwe them dissipating as she tered the city. She glanced back briefly, watching the guards return to their posts. While they had made an error, she appreciated their diligce.

As Valeria tered the city, the bustling streets of Andelheim oped up before her. The sights and sounds were a stark contrast to the quiet roads she had traveled over the past week. Merchants called out to passersby, colorful stalls lined the streets, and the smell of spiced food lingered in the air.

Normally, she might have tak a momt to joy the vibrant atmosphere, but fatigue weighed heavily on her.

She had be traveling for days, camping in forests and stopping at small villages along the way. While those brief rests had helped, the aches in her body reminded her just how much a proper bath was needed.

\'A bath,\' she thought with a sse of longing, \'is exactly what I need right now.\'

Her thoughts wandered to the tournamt. She had be so focused on getting here that the thought of rest had barely crossed her mind until now. But now that she was in the city, the weight of the journey hit her all at once.

\'There\'s no rush,\' she told herself. \'I can register tomorrow. One day of rest won\'t make a differce.\'

Valeria guided her horse through the lively streets, her gaze seeking a suitable inn where she could relax and gather her strgth. The tournamt could wait until tomorrow.

Now, all she needed was a quiet room, a warm bath, and a momt of peace.

********

\'How refreshing….\'

The warm bathwater had worked wonders, easing the tsion from her muscles and washing away the grime of travel. Valeria sighed conttedly as she stepped out of the tub, wrapping herself in a thick towel. Her skin tingled pleasantly from the heat, and for the first time in days, she felt truly relaxed.

\'This is exactly what I needed,\' she thought as she dried herself off, her gaze drifting to the quiet room she had rted in the inn. It wasn\'t the most luxurious place, but after so many days on the road, it felt like a palace.

After changing into more comfortable clothes—a simple tunic and trousers—she ran her fingers through her damp hair, feeling the heaviness of her earlier worries melt away, if only for a momt.

Her decision to take the tournamt on alone still weighed on her, but now, with her body rejuvated, she felt more ged. She could face whatever lay ahead.

For now, though, she needed something else: food.

Her stomach rumbled, reminding her that it had be far too long since she had eat a proper meal. The small rations she had consumed during her journey had kept her going, but now, the thought of a warm, hearty meal was all she could think about.

Valeria left her room, pulling on a light cloak as she made her way down the inn\'s hallway and out into the bustling streets of Andelheim.

The city was alive with activity, the tournamt drawing in people from all walks of life. Stalls and shops lined the streets, their vdors calling out to passersby, offering everything from roasted meats to exotic fruits.

The air was filled with the rich aroma of spices and freshly baked bread, making her mouth water. She let herself wander, taking in the sights and sounds of the city.

It was a vibrant place, filled with ergy and excitemt, and Valeria found herself joying the atmosphere despite the weight of the tournamt looming in the back of her mind.

The tantalizing smells of roasted meats and freshly baked bread filled the air, making her stomach rumble in protest. She hadn\'t eat a proper meal in days, and the hunger gnawing at her was impossible to ignore. Yet, despite the ticing aromas, she found herself hesitating.

This was unfamiliar territory for her. Normally, wh she was out on the road, her right-hand knight, Elth, would handle all the logistics, including meals.

She had never be the one to decide where to eat or how to spd money. It wasn\'t that she didn\'t know how to take care of herself—she\'d be trained in every discipline a knight needed—but it was the simple, mundane tasks like this that left her unsure.

Her father\'s words echoed in her mind. "A knight does not indulge in worldly pleasures. Discipline is the foundation of knighthood. Spd wisely, act with honor, and avoid frivolous pursuits."

Valeria frowned, her steps slowing as she glanced a at the bustling food stalls. Was this considered indulgce? Was she betraying the discipline instilled in her by ev contemplating spding money on something as simple as food from a market vdor?

Her stomach growled again, more insisttly this time, as if answering her question. She couldn\'t exactly starve, could she? Yet, the thought lingered. Knights were supposed to be above such earthly desires. They lived for duty, not for comfort.

But th, was finding a meal after days of travel truly indulgce? She wasn\'t seeking pleasure; she was seeking sustance.

\'It\'s just food,\' she thought to herself, trying to silce the doubts swirling in her mind. \'I\'m not being wasteful. I need this.\'

Yet, while she thought of this, for some reason, that infuriating guy\'s face popped up.