6 Curiosity killed the cat

Dontan, famous capital of the von Stahl archduchy and shining beacon within the Aegrion empire, comparable to it's imperial capital city, Arendurn, itself.

And today, Alexander von Stahl, finally walked though this city for the very first time in his life. Everything was just like he heard or read or saw through windows from within his family's palace, yet it was also completely different.

Almost all building around Dontan's central plaza and around his family's palace, were well build multi-story houses. Some of them were boutiques but most housed families, probably of rich merchants or his father's direct subordinates.

Also apart from tall buildings, there were a ton of people and carriages moving about, keeping all these streets busy with a high traffic activity and density.

It somewhat reminded him of his past life in Berlin but in a completely new way. Instead of seeing mobile phone zombies, people would randomly engage in talks regarding latest news or start discussions once they hear something they didn't agree with. Some would even simply give compliments to strangers, just to let others hear some nice words.

"Excuse me, sir. If I may introduce myself, Hans is my name, and I noticed your pointy ears. Could you perhaps be a half elf?"

A young man even started a conversation with Alexander.

"Yes, I am a half elf. Why, do you need something?"

"Oh no, I was just thrilled to see you, since it is usually rare to come across non-human races in human kingdoms and empires. That is even more for half bloods.

'So that is why some people were staring at me.'

"You see, I am always excited to see and experience new things and people, So I couldn't help my self from speaking to you. Well Sir, that's all, I whish your remaining day to be nice."

"Sure… you too."

It baffled him how strangers would start conversations with each other so randomly but then again, he just learned that apparently it is rare to find different races and half bloods like him in human countries.

'Understandably. According to what I read, conquests and enslavement of different races were common before our current emperor took over. He, together with archduke Friedrich pushed for a reform, which acknowledges their right and privileges, completely shattering our old system. Though it was portrayed in a 'now everything's fine' manner, there must still be deep grudges and mistrust'

He continued his little exploration of Dontan and soon came across the central train station next. Trains as of right now, were only used to bridge long distances, among cities but there were still a lot more people buzzing around here then near the central plaza.

Of course, that gave raise to many businesses, concentrated around this area. From fancy boutiques, selling high end clothing and jewellery, to restaurants, inns, bakeries and pastries offering local specialities. Combining what he was seeing today with what he read in books, Alexander came to this conclusion.

'Culture and technology seems to be similar to how it was in central Europe during it's 18th century. Of course it is difficult to compare since most technological breakthroughs were focused around utilisation of mana and there are also various fantasy like concepts like magic and different races etc.'

Meanwhile he came across some boutiques where clothing and jewellery was being sold and which were exclusive for nobles. A few streets further were similar shops, but much less fancy in design and inventor. There, commoners with a deep pocked would go and shop.

Around some commoner's boutiques, were different bakeries, pastries and so on. They did pique his interest but since he forgot to bring any money, not like he has any, Alexander didn't enter any shops for now.

Leaving that area and walking towards the southern parts of Dontan eventually led to a huge cathedral, the only building that was at least worth comparing to archduke Friedrich's palace.

It was high and grand that anyone who didn't live in a high-lord's residence would probably be awed by it's appearance, especially by the 2 statues, which stood on each side of the entrance. Seeing them Alexander remembered, which religion this cathedral is part of.

'A mother who gave birth to life itself, and a father who shelters and protects those who can no longer hold on to life. A strange religion which worships death as much as they do life.'

It mainly teaches that all people are like a coin and death and life each take up one side. The mother grants live to newly formed souls, but for a lack of divinity, they cannot hold onto it, leading them to rely on the father from then on out.

'Come to think of it, they are fanatics who consider necromancers as saints who received both parent's highest blessing. Might be worth a visit if I ever find myself in trouble and need to reveal my skills…'

Alexander continues to wander around, carelessly exploring even side streets and back alleys until the sun was about to set. It was his sign to slowly head back for today and so he did, while taking a detour through a recently build park.

After walking for a short amount he came across an interesting scene. A young woman, dressed in a fancy green dress, walked by an artis who sat on a bench, trying to draw the setting sun. She took out a tissue and threw it down into a thorny bush, before going back and asking him for 'help'.

"Excuse me, sir. I am sorry for interrupting you but my precious tissue fell into that bush and I am too afraid of getting stung by thorns to get it myself. Would you be so kind and bring it to me? I'll even make sure to rewards you for it."

She said while acting coy and even gave him 'the eyes' when bringing up a reward.

'Fuck, isn't she about to shamelessly seduce a man, who just wanted to draw a setting sun, in public? Forget her tissue, she wants his help on a completely different matter!'

He sarcastically thought to himself, interested to see, whether this artist would bite the bait or stay focused on his initial purpose for coming here.

"Sure, I will gladly help the lady."

*tsk*

Unsurprisingly he chose to take her bait, probably in hopes of taking her later tonight. Though what he didn't notice was how his lady took out a small pearl and placed it on his painting. The pearl lit up and shone before seemingly integrating itself into that painting.

"… What the hell was that?"

Alexander asked, unsure what that pearl just did. He had half a mind to go and warn that artist but upon seeing him flirt with that woman while holding her tissue, that idea vanished.

'Well, whatever it might be it is none of my business.'

Or so he thought but his actions were more honest leading him to walk by that exact bench, where the painting lay, and inspect it before those two returned.

He really wondered what was done to this painting and reached out to pick it up and inspect it In more detail but-

"Hey! Stop, don't touch that-"

The woman suddenly shouted at Alexander, but it was too late. As soon as his hand touched the painting, his surroundings changed in an instant. Gone was the bench, the path he just stood on, and even the park itself.

Instead, there appeared tall trees, standing strong on uneven ground, where a circle with strange symbols was drawn.

"Hey, Ben. That isn't our target, is he?"

Before he could make head or tails of his situation, an unknown man walked out from behind one of those trees. He was tall and burly, his clothes looked as simple as they were dirty and shabby, except for that bow on his back.

"No Dirk, this one seems to be someone else. He looks too young on top of being a half blood, doesn't he, Henry?"

Another one appeared from behind Alexander. Ben was even taller than Dirk, but instead of burly and meaty, his build was very lean, with long, thin arms and legs.

"Then did Esmeralda make a mistake? That is quite unlike her."

The third man, called Henry, was shorter than Ben and Dirk. In fact he was shorter than most people, Alexander ever saw, making him wonder whether this one was perhaps a dwarf. Short but robust body, meaty big hands and while he looked unwashed and dirty, both his long bushy brown beard as well as his battle axe, looked perfectly cleaned and taken care of.

All three of them eyed Alexander for a while, who in return eyed them back. He had no idea where he was, how he got here, who these guys were and what they wanted. All he could understand was that him being curious and meddlesome, caused his ass to switch places with that artist, whom these men probably expected.

Teleported into, what seemed to be a forest and surrounded by three armed men made his heart, beat faster and his hands raise on their own.

"Ehm… I don't know what is going on or why was I teleported here, but since you seem to have no business with me, I'll just take my leave okay… Before that, can anybody tell me where we are and how to return to Dontan?"

Though it was somewhat expected, all he got were weird looks, wondering whether his brain was wasn't working correctly any more. Henry scratched his head in bewilderment before giving him an answer.

"Well, that would be quite problematic. You might not be who we were supposed to get rid off, but you saw our faces, found out that we use teleportation to separate our targets and those two idiots over there even revealed all our names."

"Names? What names? I don't remember any names!"

Alexander claimed but it didn't help.

"Nice try. Don't take this personally, we are just looking out for ourselves."

All three took out their weapons, ready to get rid of an unexpected nuisance but his next words made them stop in their tracks.

"I am a von Stahl! If you kill me, death will be a sweet reward, once you get captured!"

This false claim proved more effective than simply asking to be allowed to leave even though it hurt his pride to relay on his indifferent family for something like this. Henry took a very good look at him, but there were things he found suspicious.

"Tall. Red eyes. Judging by appearance you should be 20 or younger… and a mixed blood. Are you the archduke's bastard? Alex- something?"

Alexander quickly nodded.

"Yes, that's me! But I am no longer a bastard. I was granted the von Stahl name just yesterday!"

For a moment he thought to have dodged a bullet. Someone who never fought for real and who wasn't ready to risk his life, wouldn't just fight a battle, while totally unprepared, outnumbered and unarmed regardless of whether that person stood a chance to win or not. Sadly, this decision wasn't up to him to make. All three, who he assumed are hired thugs or assassins, showed an extremely solemn expression as if they chewed on the same piece of shit at the same time.

"Fuck! Kill him quickly and run! His guards must be turning the city upside down in search of him, as we speak. Whether he lives or dies, we are done for if he tattles and we get caught!"

(An: Hey everyone! I can already see people complaining about how mc is a pushover who dodges a fight with just 3 thugs despite being a primordial Necromaster or for how stupid it was for him to land in this situation etc. Yes. Let me just make a few things clear before that. To be honest, he could actually win this fight quite easily if he used what he got so far resourcefully but keep in mind that this is the first time his life was actually threatened. Even more this is going to be his first fight whatsoever. imagine you found yourself surrounded by thugs with bows and knives and battle axes while you are unarmed. Despite having a super op class, you are still just level 1 and the class skills, you will use them for the very first time, if you even remember them. On top of that, even if you win, you don't really get anything out of it, so why not try your best to somehow scare them off? Why did I write this note? Just to let you know that I plan to let this mc eat a few losses so he can learn and mature and grow into a truly overpowered character who gets more shaped and defined as the story progresses. At least that's the big plan, whether I can make it happen is another question. Hopefully till next time.)