Reincarnated as the third son of the Duke

Chapter 117 117 City of White and Shadows

117 City of White and Shadows

Yet Heide had no knowledge of any breakthrough.

'If they aren't even close to success yet, there's no way they'll be able to make an official announcement in just a few months. That means someone else has already made progress... and their work is about to be stolen.'

The problem was that Heide seemed entirely content with his life.

To steal someone else's research, an alchemist would have to be willing to take immense risks.

Even if they succeeded, the original researcher wouldn't take the theft lightly.

Could a man like this really put his life on the line to rob someone else's discovery?

'...Well, I'll figure that out soon enough.'

Fortunately, there was still plenty of time.

And the method for uncovering the truth wasn't complicated.

The next morning, William and Raymond set out early, leaving the inn behind.

Their destination was close—they would reach it within the day.

"So, this is your first time visiting the capital, isn't it?" Raymond asked.

"Yeah. First time."

Even in his past life, William had never set foot in the Imperial City.

By the time he had gained enough freedom to travel, the Empire had already fallen into chaos.

Even if he had tried to visit back then, the capital had already endured several sieges and was practically in ruins.

"To be honest, I'm looking forward to it," William admitted. "They call it the jewel of the Empire. Is it more impressive than Kelheim?"

"It's not just more impressive. It's beautiful."

Raymond grinned, then pointed ahead.

"And look, there it is."

At first, the walls appeared as little more than a faint outline in the distance.

But as they approached, the details became clearer—

A city of white.

William's eyes widened.

The massive walls, constructed from a luminous white stone, gleamed under the sun, reflecting the light in dazzling patterns.

Intricate engravings covered the surface, shifting subtly depending on the angle of the sunlight.

It was less a fortification and more a massive work of art.

Raymond chuckled at William's reaction.

Even if he had to show his identification to the guards eventually, at least this way, he wouldn't be the center of attention.

With that thought, he quietly joined the end of the line with Raymond.

Three hours passed.

"...This isn't moving at all."

William's voice was calm, but there was an undeniable sharpness to it.

"...That is strange."

Raymond shifted uncomfortably.

The line had barely budged.

At this rate, the gates would close before they even got near the entrance.

It was then that a merchant ahead of them turned around, having overheard their conversation.

"You two must be new to the capital."

William raised an eyebrow.

The merchant took their silence as agreement and nodded knowingly.

"The inspections have been much stricter since the recent rebellion," he explained. "It takes hours just to get through these days."

A rebellion?

William's gaze sharpened.

"Then why are you standing in line? If you know we won't get in today, wouldn't it be better to try tomorrow?"

The merchant simply smiled and lifted a bedroll from his pack.

"I'll just camp here and wait for morning. The line continues the next day. That's what we all do now."

William and Raymond stared at the merchant, momentarily speechless.

They would have to sleep outside, on the ground, just to hold their place in line?

"If you don't have a bedroll, I can sell you one," the merchant offered eagerly. "I brought extras, just in case."

William hesitated, not because he was considering the offer, but because the absurdity of the situation left him momentarily lost for words.

The merchant misinterpreted his silence as uncertainty and quickly continued.

"Don't worry about line-cutters. The city guards patrol all night, and anyone caught skipping ahead is sent to the back of the line."

He gestured toward the nearby guards, one of whom had been scanning the crowd—

Only to freeze the moment his eyes landed on William.

A heartbeat later, the guard's face paled, and he shouted,

"Lord William?! Why are you here?!"