Awakening Domination System: But I'm a Slave?

Chapter 354 354: Ashfeld

"You alright?" Henry's voice cut through his spiraling thoughts.

Alaric forced his expression neutral. "Yeah. Just... trying to remember."

He was lying, of course.

Because explaining "I was unconscious in a demon's cathedral and she threw me into a dungeon that apparently teleported me across kingdom borders" wasn't going to help.

"Don't worry," Vanessia said gently. "Memories come back with time. And Ashfeld is a good place. You can rest there and recover properly."

Alaric nodded. Said nothing.

Just guided his horse forward and tried to process this new complication.

The road stretched ahead.

Eventually, the forest began to thin.

Trees became sparser. The road widened and improved, packed earth giving way to actual cobblestone in sections.

Then settlement came into view.

Proper walls, maybe twenty feet high, constructed from grey stone that suggested age and permanence. Guard towers at regular intervals. Gates reinforced with iron.

Ashfeld.

Henry smiled, genuine relief crossing his features. "We made it. Thank the gods."

A line of wagons, carts, and travelers waited at the main gate. Guards checking credentials, inspecting cargo, maintaining order with practiced efficiency.

Henry guided their wagons into the queue.

They waited around twenty minutes as the line moved forward incrementally.

Finally, their turn came.

Two guards stepped forward. Wearing standard leather armor. Spears held casually but ready. Their eyes tracked over the wagons, assessing, cataloging.

Henry reached into his jacket and withdrew a token, bronze disc with official seal embossed on its surface. Held it up for inspection.

The guards studied it. Nodded. Waved Henry through—

But stepped in front of Alaric's wagon.

"Hold."

Henry paused and turned back. "He's with us."

"Token only permits one individual or single family," the guard said flatly.

"He's hired," Henry said quickly. "For protecting the goods."

Before the guards could respond—

"That still doesn't give him the right to come and go freely."

A new voice came. Feminine. Carrying authority that made both guards straighten immediately.

A woman approached from the guard station. Wearing Plate rather than leather, marked with captain's insignia. Dark hair pulled back in practical braid. Strong features. Eyes that missed nothing.

The two guards bowed. "Captain Ira."

She ignored them and fixed Henry with hard stare. "You dared to disobey regulations?"

Henry looked down. "I... we didn't mean—"

Before he could say anything more.

Vanessia leaned forward from the wagon. "Last time we checked, there wasn't any such rule about hired escorts."

Captain Ira's jaw tightened. "These are new regulations. Implemented two weeks ago due to recent bandit raids." She practically spat the words.

"Those fucking men... scoundrels have been rampaging through the region. So now we verify everyone."

Vanessia nodded slowly. Then reached up and removed her hood.

Moss-green hair fell in waves over her shoulders that caught the afternoon light. Her copper eyes met the Captain's directly.

"I am Vanessia Valcieri," she said clearly. "And this young man is with us. You don't need to worry about him."

Captain Sera's expression changed in recognition and surprise. She straightened.

"Lady Vanessia. I... forgive me. I didn't recognize—" She caught herself. "My apologies, but I must still follow protocol. Even for..." She gestured respectfully. "Esteemed merchants."

Vanessia waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. You're doing your job. Can we proceed now?"

Alaric's eyes widened. So... she's a big shot among merchants?

The Captain turned to Alaric. Studied him with professional assessment. "Your name?"

Alaric opened his mouth. "A—"

He paused.

Wait. I can't use my real name. Should I use Brandon?

Before he could say anything, a memory flashed in his mind, and his lips moved.

"Azra."

Captain Sera stared at him. "Azra?"

Alaric blinked. "Yeah... Azra."

The Captain studied him for a moment longer. Then nodded. "Very well, Azra. You're vouched for by Lady Valcieri. You may pass. But any trouble and you'll answer to me personally. Understood?"

"Understood."

She stepped aside and waved them through.

The wagons rolled forward into Ashfeld proper.

They navigated through streets that widened considerably past the gates. Cobblestone roads.

Buildings of stone and timber pressing close together. People everywhere, merchants hawking wares, laborers hauling cargo, children darting between adults, guards maintaining order.

Henry guided them to designated merchant quarter. He pulled into assigned space and set the brake.

Climbed down first. Then Alaric dismounted from his wagon.

Henry moved to the lead wagon. Reached up to take Anya from Vanessia's arms, his daughter still sleeping despite the noise and movement. He held her carefully while Vanessia prepared to descend.

She extended her hand toward Alaric. Smiled. "Won't you help a lady get down?"

Alaric blinked. "O-Okay."

He took her hand, surprisingly delicate despite the calluses from travel. Helped her step down from the wagon.

Vanessia took Anya back from Henry, who removed his own hood, revealing brown hair slightly greyed at temples, weathered face of a man who'd spent years on the road.

He began unloading supplies. Organizing things with efficient movements.

Anya stirred. Her eyes fluttered open. She looked up at her mother with sleepy confusion. "Mama?"

Vanessia kissed her head gently. "My baby's awake?"

Anya nodded. Rubbed her eyes. Then wiggled to be set down.

Vanessia placed her carefully on the ground. Anya turned and spotted Alaric standing nearby.

Her face lit up. "HI!"

Alaric's expression flickered between confusion and something approaching discomfort. "...Hello?"

Anya just giggled. Turned and scrambled back into the wagon where her toys were stored.

Then she began playing with wooden figures and cloth dolls, chattering to herself happily.

Alaric studied her for a moment. And noticed—now that he was actually paying attention—that she looked like a miniature version of her mother.

Same face shape. Same hair color, though lighter. Only her eyes were different—blue like her father's instead of copper.

Henry finished organizing their supplies and turned to Alaric.

Then he reached into his coin purse and withdrew several silver pieces.

"As promised." He held them out. "Payment for saving our lives. It's not much, but—"

"It's fine." Alaric took the coins. Pocketed them without counting. "More than fair."

Vanessia watched this exchange. Then her expression shifted. "But where will you stay? You're injured, and you don't even know the town..."

Alaric shrugged. "I'll find an inn. Recover. Figure things out."

"Absolutely not." Vanessia's tone became firm.

"You're injured. The least we can do is offer you proper shelter until you recover."

She gestured to Henry, who nodded immediately in agreement.

"Stay with us," Vanessia continued. "We have a home here. You can rest properly and heal. Since your memories are foggy and the rules here changed due to multiple bandit attacks, you'll get in trouble, it'll be safer than staying with us than wandering alone."

Alaric hesitated. Every instinct said to refuse. To not get entangled with civilians who could become complications.

But... she was telling the truth. He was in a place he doesn't know, and not to mention, in a completely different kingdom.

I can't wander around aimlessly. I need information.

"Alright," he said finally. "Until I recover."

Vanessia smiled. "Wonderful. Come on then. Let's get you home."

She picked up Anya, who immediately wrapped around her mother like a small monkey. Henry grabbed essential supplies.

And they led Alaric deeper into Ashfeld.