Chapter 46

We are back with more chapters! I spent the last few days revising my mistakes and better planning the plot for this arc. Of course, it wasn't easy. However, the most important step is always the next one, as it's what allows you to continue your path :)

***

After forming a plan with Naveena, Rydel decided to explore the capital. Even though some parts of the city seemed to have been plucked from a fairy tale, there was a strange undertone that permeated the place.

The magnificent golden walls that pierced the heavens were at first glance a manifestation of opulence. When in fact, they were a remnant of the devastating war that entire elven races fought for dominance nearly twenty thousand years ago.

The Imperial Family, the Elrand Clan, had yet to evolve to high elves at that time. Against every odd, they warred against the southern clans of frost elves, who dominated entire hordes of titan mammoths-humongous beasts employed as living siege machines.

An Ascended titan mammoth towered above any other known creature, their height reached as high as the Burj Khalifa back on Earth. Their trunks could almost graze the top of the wall, making them walking nightmares for the trembling soldiers stationed at the top.

Turning the wall into a golden color was just one of the many projects made to embellish the city afterward.

Of course, this happened so long ago that even the Ascended from that age had long died of old age, their lifespan was only ten thousand years after all.

Rydel knew that there were two factions in the Imperial Family. One of them was led by the current Emperor, and the other by the Grand Marshal herself. However, their objectives and why the divisions of interest weren’t things that Rydel knew of.

As he had entered the city with Shael and Lady Allyna, he’d be seen as a willing member of the Emperor’s faction. A runt that could be squished without trouble, but someone from the enemy faction, nonetheless.

It was for his well-being if he at least knew what he’s gotten to before he stirred a hornet nest.

Another matter bugged his mind. After having been taught from Galather for all these years, he knew that the old man kept closed guarded secrets locked in his heart.

Galather was old, for him to show signs of aging meant that he was close to the limits of his natural lifespan. The timeline didn’t match, as Galather would need to be over nine thousand years old for that to happen.

A drastic event should have forced him to spend his vitality essence in the past. If he had to guess, this should have happened about two thousand years ago, as there weren’t any written records from the Elphyra Clan before this period.

The only hint that Rydel had was that Galather lived in Osserion in his youth and had tried to conquer the heart of Lady Allyna. What he did after being punished by the Emperor a couple of times, he didn’t know.

The more urgent issue for him was to raise his Daodrops to Daostreams before Ascending. It wouldn’t be easy.

Rydel would become both the Sun and Moon of Osserion, the all-consuming light and the ever-growing shadows.

***

The residential zone was located in the west of the capital. Besides the manors from the Imperial Family, there was a central castle that lorded over the entire region.

It was where the Emperor lived and administered the entire operations of the capital, even though he was called like that, there wasn’t any Elven Empire to rule.

It was a title reserved for the strongest elf. It was both a reminder of his strength as well as his influence.

Outside of Osserion, elfkind was so segregated into small settlements, with great varieties of races that unifying into a kingdom would be useless. Due to the low fertility, the population of elves wasn’t very numerous, it was better to force each settlement into offering tributes to the ruling family.

Resistance to complying would be met by a visit from the royal army.

To the east of the capital was the commercial district, the place where Rydel had entered from. In contrast to the quiet and serious atmosphere of the residential zone, the commercial district was boisterous and lively.

It was night-time, a matter that didn’t diminish the residents’ enthusiasm in the slightest. A couple of lamps here and there were enough for a population that almost didn’t have the need of sleeping and had a high perception that allowed them to perfectly see with barely any light.

Rydel examined a stand with an assortment of weapons for sale. From the spears to the broadswords, everything was delicately carved with empowering glyphs that granted diverse abilities.

After investigating a long sword with his normal and divine senses, as it was similar to the one he normally used, Rydel addressed the merchant.

“What are these glyphs for?” He pointed to a formation of red glyphs that covered the body of the sword.

“Excellent eyes! Not everyone has the means of noticing good quality weapons at first glance.” The merchant nodded with satisfaction. “This sword is made by one of the best apprentices under Master Wavar. It has an enchantment that wraps it in a layer of fire. You will be the admiration of many as you fight like the incarnation of a Fire God unleashing his fury into the battlefield.”

Rydel’s eyes twitched, a sword with a simple fire enchantment had somehow become the stuff of legends by this merchant.

“What’s the price of it?” Rydel carefully asked.

“Not much at all! A mere pittance compared to its boundless uses. I like you kid, and I feel the destiny that both of you share, it can be yours right now for fifty life stones.” The merchant whispered the right part as if it was a secret that shouldn’t be spoken out loud.

“Fifty life stones? You might as well ask me to rob me. Three life stones are a much reasonable price.” Rydel refused without hesitation.

In truth, he was dirty poor compared to the average citizen of Osserion. Although his parents had given him some money, it wasn’t much as they expected him to earn his own.

Such was the life of those that left the nest early, it was expected from them to work for money. A nasty concept.

With barely two hundred life stones under his belt, he couldn’t afford to waste a quarter of it on a new weapon, even if its enchantment had a good affinity with his Dao of the Sun.

“Young man… Being too hasty isn’t an advised trait. Listen to someone who has seen the wider world, forty-five life stones is an offer that you mustn’t reject.” The merchant wisely sighed.

Electricity swirled from both of their eyes. This wouldn’t be an easy battle for either of the two.

Half an hour of haggling later, Rydel was perspiring. His opponent was in better condition, as he was a man who was used to this type of battlefield. He admired Rydel’s form with a hint of respect.

“Twenty life stones would be the final price then. Brat, you aren’t bad at haggling. If you want to continue this other time, I still have more merchandise.” He said with a wink.

Rydel grumbled and paid the stones, not before adding a hood that he managed to get with the purchase of the sword. He kept both on his spatial ring before leaving the stand.

He had spent too much time on an inconsequential matter, as the sword was only a medium through which he used his Dao. He wasn’t like those legendary sword saints that could bend reality with their sword will.

The stand was in the middle of the street and relatively well placed. This allowed him to investigate every person around him for that entire half an hour, from conversations to rumors.

A tavern was the cliché place to do this sort of thing. However, he disagreed in his particular case. He wasn’t old enough to be in a tavern, and people usually went there to get drunk without caring.

It wasn’t a bad place but it wasn’t comparable to an open market filled with gossip and casual conversations.

Apart from useless information, he had discovered that the north of the city was dangerous at night.

Coincidentally, it was where he planned to meet with Naveena. The south was where the normal citizens lived, and the north was the poorer side.

The north wasn’t an actual slum, as it didn’t make sense to have one. Elves naturally advanced through the E-grade just by aging, everyone had at least that opportunity. However, those with no talent or troublemakers lived in the north where housing was cheaper.

Rydel went to a nearby ally, and after making sure that no one was watching him, he covered himself in his Mantle of Night.

The moonlight made him almost indiscernible, like a shadow skulking in the crevices. His aura was retracted to the minimum possible, he further reduced his presence with different techniques.

It was time to see what Osserion really was about.

***

Naveena was in her elvenoid form strolling in the northern area of the city. The buildings here were more neglected, although not to the point of being dilapidated.

The demeanor of the citizens was different here, they were more cautious and some of them gave off an aura of insecurity. Her curiosity led her to inspect the people more than it was polite, as it was her first time seeing normal elves.

They weren’t much different than forest elves. The height was about the same, what was notable was that their skins didn’t have the usual greenish tint that she had grown used to.

After an hour of strolling around alone, she was surrounded by four gangster-looking elves.

Naveena internally rolled her eyes, this couldn’t be more cliché even if they tried. Outwardly, she put on a confused and scared face.

“W-who are you?” Naveena played her role with practiced experience.

One of them had a scar on his eyebrow, he appeared to be the leader as he nodded at the rest before putting on his version of a terrifying smile.

“We’ve never seen you here. Are you lost? We can help you.” The leader said.

“N-no, you don’t need to, I lost myself here doing an e-errand.” Naveena took a step back.

“Are you alone?” The leader insisted, the goons approached her a couple of steps.

“N-no.” Naveena denied without sounding convincing.

“You know, we can escort you to where you want. However, you’d need to pay 50 life stones for it.” The leader said.

“I-I don’t have that much money!”

“You can also pay with labor.” The leader inspected her from top to bottom. “You don’t want to mess with Young Master Erlathan.”

The leader added the last part with clear intent, as she’d know who he is and why she shouldn’t mess with them.

“I-I can’t.” Naveena tried to escape.

The gangsters didn’t appreciate having their prey escaping, so the four of them went rapidly against her. It was better to be sure against an unknown enemy.

Naveena ran at full speed at a nearby alley that she had previously scouted. She kept looking behind her with gloom and entered the alley with desperation.

The four gangsters didn’t notice anything strange and followed her. Naveena had taken out a short knife, she was gripping it while trembling, She prepared to do a last stand.

“It’s bet-“

The leader didn’t have time to finish when overwhelming darkness inundated the entrance of the alley, blinding the inside and muting the screams.