I didn't know when exhaustion finally caught up to me, but the moment I lay down, I fell asleep almost instantly.
It was the deepest sleep I'd had in a long time.
I couldn't even remember the last time I had been this tired…
---
I woke up to the sound of knocking on the large wooden entrance door.
_"Sir Alve? Is anybody there?"_ a voice called from outside.
Still groggy, I forced myself up and opened the door. One of the guards from the front gate stood there, holding a sealed letter.
"Sir, we just received a letter from the palace," he said, handing it to me.
I frowned. **Sir?** I wasn't a knight or anything, so why was he addressing me like that?
Glancing at the letter, I noticed the royal crest—the same one I had seen on the banners in the palace yesterday.
"... I see," I muttered, breaking the seal.
After a quick read, I sighed.
"It seems I've been summoned to the palace as soon as possible," I said.
"Shall I arrange transportation?" the guard asked.
"It's alright… I think I remember the way. I'll walk," I replied.
As he returned to his post, I glanced back at the table where the pouch of coins sat.
_Sigh... I guess I'll take a few._
I grabbed just enough for the day, tucked them into my pocket, and stepped out of the mansion.
"Good morning. I'll be heading out now," I said, briefly greeting the guards before walking toward the palace.
---
### **A Walk Through the City**
The city was already alive with morning activity. People bustled about, tending to their shops and daily errands.
I spotted a large building with a sign hanging above the entrance.
"Would you look at that, there's even an adventurer's guild," I mumbled to myself, still half-asleep.
Scratching my head, I continued my slow walk through the streets.
Eventually, I reached the palace gates. After showing the letter to the guards, they allowed me inside.
That was when I realized something.
I was still wearing my **blood-stained suit**.
I had just walked straight into the royal palace like this.
I sighed, removing my coat and folding it over my arm. Fortunately, my shirt underneath was still clean.
Before stepping into the throne room, I ran a hand through my hair, trying to make myself look at least a little more presentable.
_Did I really just wake up and walk straight here like this?_
As I entered, I felt relieved.
The room wasn't filled with nobles staring me down this time.
_Maybe it's too early in the morning for all that nonsense…_