《ASTREA - A Game of Different Realities》Chapter 68
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Hundreds of Travellers were on every corner we look at. The roads are much busier than when I visited Twilight City. Having claustrophobia will be hell if you want to navigate around the area especially narrower paths compared to the main roads.
Not to mention, mysterious lights keep on falling like fruits underneath the leaves of the Tree of Life covering the whole city. We understand these lights are supposed to become Travellers when they landed on the ground, but it always looks bizarre up close.
Three of us was hiding our identity using cloaks we brought along inside our dimensional bags. Although, I think it will be difficult for our faces to be seen when dozens of Travellers walk past us every second.
“Where is the Imperial Knight of this place again?”
“I’m hungry. Let’s eat have a meal first before we go there. I really want to eat something sweet now.”
“No! We deliver this first. My back can’t handle it any longer.”
“Nature’s Gift Restaurant is just close by. That can wait, right V?”
The final decision was given to me. It was an easy choice to agree with Jackson and finish the delivery as soon as possible. However, none of it matter since Helena bought a sweet corn at one of the stall anyway.
During this time, the knights should be just starting their break. So looking for the Imperial Knight shouldn’t be hard. Usually, they should be stationed in their barracks.
After asking some residents of Salix, we know that Arwen, this city’s Imperial Knight, can be found relaxing on one of the branches of the Tree of Life. That is remarkably high up when considering how big and tall the tree was.
I cannot help but look above when they told us where he is. It will be difficult to see that far away if I do not focus. But when I finally able to examine what stands out from the branches, some hanging structures look expensive to stay in for an hour.
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Thankfully, reaching the top only requires gold which none of us is lacking. We can use our identity to use their transportation for free, but it will defeat the purpose of why we are here.
Everything was made out of glass when we dropped off the vehicle used to reach this place. Arwen is supposedly at one of these high-class rooms that give a view to everything below.
“Standing this high is amazing. Look at the people below, they look like ants...Wah! What’s with the bright light.”
“Will you keep quiet Helen. You’re disturbing the other guest.
Her surprise was due to the spawning of a ball of light which I assume are the Travellers.
“So this is how Salix City has its Travellers given.”
“Aecor City has its Travellers drop up like rain droplets. Eurus City has theirs popping out of nowhere and float slowly towards the ground. Solstice is more violent, creating craters when reaching the ground yet it only focuses on one spot, so no property damage is caused. Twilight City has their looking like shooting stars, especially at night. And here in Salix City, Travellers drop down like fruits reaching the time for their harvest.”
“Different in every city base on the location’s identity. I wonder about that.”
“Just another mystery related to Travellers, nothing new. People in Salix City are just taking advantage of this and making it a tourist spot.”
As seen by the rooms we passed through, lots of lower to middle-class nobles are dining here. This place seems to be a successful business considering that it was just newly formed. I think only in this city peaceful viewing can be accomplished.
It did not take long before we saw Arwen among these rooms. He was being served by two women wearing risqué clothing while clearly doing some favours for him. It was a scene that should not happen inside a transparent room.
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No one seems to mind this, so I assume Arwen’s behaviour was a normal occurrence for them.
“I can’t believe the Imperial Knight for this city is so vulgar.”
“Disturbing me during my relaxing time. You sound like a pretty woman, why don’t you leave those guys and stay here.”
Arwen has not recognized us yet. It cannot be helped with all the cover we are wearing, but Helena did not think so. She is about to punch the person in front of him when Jackson decided to intervene and removed his cloak.
“We are here for this.”
“Fuck me, it’s actually our dear Highness. I hope you can forgive this little knight.”
After knowing our identity, he threw the woman leaning on him and immediately kneel. His two company also ran away as fast as they can when they saw our faces.
“Can we move to a more private space, we were told this is supposed to be a top-secret delivery.”
“Don’t worry my lord. Please bare for a second.”
Arwen pressed something followed by the transparent glass around us turning black all around. Except for a little flicker of a candle near the half-empty wine bottle, we are basically trapped in the darkness.
‘This place actually has a feature like this, how useful.’
“No one outside can hear us, right?”
“Everything in this room stays in this room. I already guess what our dear lords have come for, so there is no need to explain the details.”
“Good, I hope there won’t be problems.”
“Actually, I still need the help of our Highness when setting it up.”
“?”
“Our Highness knows very well how heavy it is. A weak knight like me won’t be able to carry it till the designated place to set it up. And besides that, some demons need cleaning up.”
I cannot help but listen closely when he mentioned demons. That is the most troublesome problem our kingdom is dealing with and somehow it is related to the package we delivered.
“How can demons be related to this thing?”
“It will be easier to explain later. For now, let me wear clothes first before we leave.”
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Between Mountains and Moons
Under the light of the three suns, the scorching sands of The Great Desert test any who are brave and or foolish enough to cross its vast and treacherous expanse. With each passing year, it becomes more and more of a necessity as The Great Desert is ever expanding. Omid knew this as he signed onto a caravan crossing. He knew of the dangers and ancient magics that this unrelenting land holds. He knew of ancient kingdoms long lost, buried by the sands. He knew of the strange in-human inhabitants, the true masters of The Great Desert seeking to expand their dominion and drive humanity to the edges of the world. When he is offered the chance to learn magic from a master, Omid agrees eagerly at the chance to discover such ancient arts, and to even dream of defending against a hostile world and all that would claim to rule it. But nothing in this formidable domain is ever easy, nor simple, nor as it seems. Be vigilant, act with cunning, and always remember to choose your words wisely. (Cover art by https://www.deviantart.com/dyrdottir)
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