Chapter 553: Low Profile, Low Profile, Forget About Low Profile!

"Wow, they really spare no expense here!" Completely unaware that his arrival in the Uranos Empire had already been detected by the highest authority, Muria wandered around the floating ship port of the Deep Blue Merchant Guild, eyes wide with curiosity.

Muria noticed that he was still not in the main world but inside a large demi-plane designed specifically as a docking station for various floating merchant ships. In the short time he had been wandering around, he had seen over a hundred floating merchant ships break through space and dock or depart.

"The spatial defenses here are like a sieve," Muria observed for a moment. "No, it's not a sieve. There's simply no defense at all. This demi-plane must be anchored to a fixed location and can't move around like mine."

Muria's demi-plane was integrated into his being, allowing him to open its gates and summon his Giant Legion no matter where he was. In contrast, the demi-plane he was currently in seemed to have no master, operating without any central control. If someone did control it, they would surely go insane trying to manage the constant flow of floating ships.

"This demi-plane must have specific fixed exits. I'll find Andrew first," Muria thought, deciding not to scan the area with his mental power. After all, this wasn't his territory, and he wanted to keep a low profile.

Given the high traffic of floating ships in this port, there had to be powerful beings overseeing it. Muria was well aware that the Deep Blue Merchant Guild's trade extended beyond the main world, reaching into other realms. Who knew if some otherworldly beings, potentially stronger than him, were mingling here?

After using invisibility magic to scout around, Muria frustratingly found over a hundred fixed spatial gates, each exuding an aura from the main world.

"People in power like to stay in the best environments," Muria mused, heading towards the gate with the strongest elemental aura.

He casually stepped through the security wards set around the gate, ignoring them as if they were non-existent, and crossed over without a care.

Immediately, he was enveloped by a wave of rich elemental energy, making him feel warm and comfortable. This was an environment highly suitable for powerful beings.

"Do you have so little regard for the Deep Blue Merchant Guild?" Before Muria could take in his surroundings, a hoarse voice echoed in his ear. "A mere seventh-level spell to infiltrate the headquarters of the Deep Blue Merchant Guild?"

Before Muria could react or respond, he felt a shift in space. When he regained his bearings, he found himself in a realm composed entirely of pure elements. Elemental beasts formed from earth, wind, water, and fire surged around him, their murderous intent palpable and oppressive.

Muria faced an elderly wizard clad in gray and white robes, holding a staff with a long white beard trailing to the ground. He felt a twinge of frustration—a high-level legendary wizard. This was someone he could not currently defeat.

Wizards, relying on both intellect and talent, were less constrained by bloodline limitations. Upon reaching the legendary level, most human wizards barely retained their humanity, representing their alignment more than their race. 

The old wizard before Muria, despite his frail appearance, was undoubtedly formidable. Muria was sure that if he approached him, this seemingly fragile wizard could transform into a raging beast, brandishing elemental giants, or some such, and engage him in melee combat. With his current level as a freshly minted legend, Muria might not stand a chance.

Despite the encroaching danger, Muria remained unperturbed. He lowered his hood, raised his head, and met the wizard's gaze with a calm demeanor. "Where is Andrew? Have him come to see me."

Muria's tone was flat but carried a sense of authority and command. The old wizard's eyes narrowed in surprise. He saw a young figure exuding immense vitality, masked by a metallic mask but with striking golden eyes that were unmistakable.

"Your Highness!" The old wizard quickly bent in a slight bow, dispelling the elemental beasts surrounding Muria. He made no attempt to verify Muria's identity further. The hidden aura and mask spoke volumes; there was no need to expose himself.

As Muria watched, the high-level legendary wizard deduced his identity. The seemingly rudimentary invisibility spell was likely a deliberate move to attract attention and facilitate a swift meeting with Andrew. If Muria knew what the wizard was thinking, he would probably laugh out loud and remark, "Smart people think too much." Muria hadn't anticipated running into a high-level legendary wizard at all. Given their capabilities, they typically sought influential positions within the empire, rather than confining themselves to a merchant guild, even if it was one of the top ones.

"I'll inform the guild master immediately," the wizard responded. There was no doubt in his mind about Muria's identity. The dominant aura, once encountered, was unforgettable, and the boundless vitality could not be feigned.

Muria soon found himself back at the spatial gate as if nothing had happened. He took the opportunity to survey his surroundings. He was in a tastefully decorated manor that exuded understated luxury. As a master appraiser, he recognized the high value of every plant and stone around him.

As for the exact location of the manor, Muria did not dare to recklessly explore with his mental power. Encountering such a formidable figure right upon arrival had been enough of a surprise.

"Your Highness!" Shortly, Andrew, the head of the Deep Blue Merchant Guild, appeared before Muria. His round, plump face was beaming with enthusiasm. "What brings you here?"

Though surprised by the sudden report, Andrew immediately recognized Muria despite the mask and concealed aura. Only Muria possessed such dazzling golden eyes.

"I have an urgent matter that requires me to be on the main continent," Muria said calmly. He was here to find his dragon, certainly not to escape any matrimonial obligations.

"Let's find a place to talk. I don't want too many people to know about my presence here."

"Understood," Andrew replied, recalling the important figure he had just met. His plump cheeks twitched slightly; it was quite the coincidence to have both visits at the same time.

"Is there something troubling you?" Muria noticed Andrew's fleeting look of distress. "You can go handle it first; I'll wait somewhere quietly."

"Absolutely not, Your Highness!" Andrew's face took on a fawning expression. "Nothing is more important than attending to you."

Receiving such a distinguished guest was incredibly taxing. Though Muria seemed amiable, Andrew knew that leaving him waiting would likely squander all the resources he had invested in fostering this relationship. Thus, Andrew promptly prioritized Muria over his other important visitor, a decision reflecting the emperor's earlier directive.

"Your Highness, it's been a quarter of an hour." In a lavish room, a female general clad in black heavy armor reminded her liege.

"I know!" A black-haired, golden-eyed young woman delicately sipped her now-cooling tea, her expression growing colder.

"Where is your father?" The armored general, Katharina, fixed her gaze on a slightly plump young man standing nervously in the reception hall, beads of sweat on his forehead. Her voice was icy.

"My father had to personally attend to an urgent matter within the guild. I ask for Your Highness's patience. He will come as soon as he can," replied Carmen, Andrew's eldest son, wiping the sweat from his brow and silently cursing his father.

As the heir to the Deep Blue Merchant Guild, Carmen couldn't understand why his normally shrewd father had suddenly lost his senses. How could he leave the Seventh Imperial Princess, Gladys Kriss, waiting? The slight was intolerable.

"What audacity from the Deep Blue Merchant Guild! The princess herself visits, and this is the treatment she receives? Such arrogance!" Katharina sneered. "Even the royal family is disregarded?"

"Enough, Katharina," Gladys said, glancing at the perspiring Carmen and setting down her teacup. "The tea has gone cold. Let's leave."

"Are we just going to leave, Your Highness?" Katharina questioned.

"No, I want to see what urgent matter Andrew is handling that warrants leaving a princess waiting!"

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