Chapter 10: Viridian City
"A-Aaron, are you an really at the Earth Realm?",Veronica could no longer contain her curiosity. She had received far to many surprises today.
Hearing the question the other 3 Red Bands also turned to him. After he had frozen Marvin and his group, Aaron had simply brushed it off and continued walking towards the gates. However The Red Bands simply couldn't let go of this question.
'Was he really at the Earth Realm? He's only 14 at most 15!'
Aaron had also been thinking over his answer. He had learned the details of the cultivation states and there traits from the system as he had been walking towards the gate. He figured this was the perfect way to explain both his abilities. Also, since he had no Qi there would be no way to verify his claims. However he didn't want to gave a concrete answer. Vagueness would be his friend.
"I don't know, as I told you before I can't remember anything, when I woke up I simply knew how to use these powers.", he responded while shrugging.
'What? You don't know?' Kid stop messing around! We clearly saw you use an elemental attack!', they yelled in their hearts.
However, they remembered that Aaron did in fact tell them that he had lost his memories. But could one forget their cultivation? They could only keep their doubts in their hearts. However they had one question they couldn't shake. Just who was Aaron? Shouldn't someone like this have been well known?
As they continued walking soon enough the city walls came into view. They were pure white without the slightest of blemishes, standing at 50 ft tall. On the wall one could see solders in black chain mail and green armor patrolling one could also see massive Green flags with gold trim fluttering in the wind. In the center of these flags was a majestic tree, it had a golden trunk and emerald green leaves. This was the symbol the Royal Family of the Emerald Kingdom!
The Emerald Family!
As they neared the gates they saw a line of people waiting to enter the city. They went and got in line, once again Aaron was the center of attention. His looks were enough to make anyone stop and stare. They simply couldn't understand how a human could look this stunning.
Aaron had also began to realize that this would probably keep happening. He wasn't sure if he should hide his face or not. He didn't want to wear a mash but he knew his appearance might continue to bring him trouble.
'Must I really hide my face', he sighed while thinking.
Soon enough they found themselves at the gate.
"1 silver each!" said one the guards.
'eh? I don't...I don't have any money' Aaron quickly realized that he was broke.
Seeing the expression on his face Jasmine smiled.
"Don't worry Aaron, we can pay for you", Although Jasmine was a high noble and could have her entrance fee waived, she always preferred to do things as the others. Also her family was based in the Royal City not Viridian City so she didn't wish to draw attention to herself.
"Ah, Thanks. I just realized myself that I had no money haha", he laughed awkwardly while thanking Jasmine.
However right before they could enter they saw one of the guards walk to his Superior and whisper something in his ear. Soon enough a man in his late 20's wearing a Green armor trimmed with silver trim and black chain mail had begun walking over to them.
"Welcome to Viridian City, Young noble. This one is named Blake Wolf, I'm Captain of the Viridian City Garrison, may I have the honor of knowing your name? ", he asked. One of his soldiers had informed him that a young man dressed in strange attire was entering the city. Judging from his clothing and appearance the guard believed him to be a noble.
'Again with this noble stuff, It's best to clear this up now', Aaron thought before speaking.
"Aaron Heart, however I'm no Noble."
"Surely you jest Sir, no commoner could possible afford the clothes you're wearing.", Blake responded. Aaron was wearing such fine clothes that he couldn't possible be a commoner and no merchant would dare travel by themselves with such gaudy clothing. They'd be asking to be robbed.
Blake had good reason to find out if Aaron was a noble or not. If he turned out to be a Noble and ended up complaining that he wasn't treated accordingly, he would be punished by his superiors.
The Red Bands were just as surprised hearing Aaron speak, they had always assumed him to be a noble as well. However, when the recalled that he had lost his memories they assumed Aaron himself probably wouldn't remember if he was a noble or not.
"I have a unique taste in clothes. Anyway, I'm no Noble and would like to enter the city, may I leave?" Aaron responded blandly.
Veronica couldn't help but chuckle, 'unique is an understatement' she thought while staring at his feathered robe.
Blake was at a lose, he believed this young man was lying to him but he if he was and Blake called him out wouldn't that create the very problem he wanted to avoid? It was a catch 22. However he soon reached a decision.
"If Sir insists, then I won't say anymore, However, allow me to wave the entrance fee for you and your friends. Let them through!"
"Oh, thank you. Lets go", Aaron turned to the Red Bands and spoke.
The group was more than happy to have their entrance fee waved. Following Aaron, they entered the city.
Emerald City – Imperial palace
At this moment deep in the palace, a transmission was received from Viridian City. One of the clerks in charge of sorting through the information was surprised when he saw the color: Red.
This meant that the message of the highest priority and concerned the Kingdom! However, the last time a message of such a level from Viridian City, was received was 15 years ago when those bastards at black mountain had attacked the city!
'Are they attacking again? Impossible, we would have noticed their movements!"
He quickly read the information. As he read his face had turned white, when he finished he immediately rushed over to his superior!
This was impossible! He had to relay this information!
Throne Room
A middle aged man sat on a Throne made of twisted twisted branches and leaves. However if one were to look at the throne they would soon realize the branches were Golden! The leaves growing from the from the throne appeared to be made of crystals, the luster they had was beyond anything a normal tree could possess.
This man was the 28th King of Emerald Kingdom!
Robert Emerald!
The king appeared to be 40, he had Short black hair and a short beard, an almond complexion and the most prominent trait of the royal family – Emerald green eyes! The brilliance of his eyes couldn't even be compared with Jasmine. He appeared to have jewels encrusted in his eyes, the way the light played off them made them appear even more radiant. He wore a set of black and green imperial robes and draped on his shoulders was a magnificent dark green velvet cloak trimmed with gold, on back of it an image of Golden Tree with Emerald leaves!
He was currently in a meeting with his ministers and nobles when the head clerk rushed into the throne room in a panic.
Before anyone could speak to him, he approached the throne and fell to one knee.
"Please excuse my behavior Your Majesty, but I have received information of the utmost importance!"
"Insolent, to think you would just barge in during such an important meeting! Do you think your information is more important than the governing of the kingdom!", yelled a Viscount.
However the clerk simply remained on his knees, his head down waiting for the King to allow him to speak.
"Enough, I'm sure the head clerk wouldn't barge in if the information wasn't of great importance. You may speak", respond The King with a smile.
"Your Majesty is understanding. Just earlier we received a transmission from Viridian City from on our spies. The message was was marked Red!", the clerk spoke loudly and clearly.
When everyone in the throne room heard that it was a Red message, they began to look at the clerk with serious eyes. A red marked message was something that could affect the entire kingdom!
"Black Mountain?", the King asked solemnly. This was the first thing that had to to his mind when he heard it was from Viridian City. When the Minsters and Nobles heard this their expressions became even more grim. Black Mountain had always been a thorn in the side of the kingdom.
"No your Majesty, the message concerned just a single person!", the clerk explained.
"One person? They dare make such a fuss over one person! Have you-", the viscount from earlier began yelling.
However he was cut of by The King.
"Silence! Let him finish!"
"Excuse my impertinence Your Majesty.", The viscount said in fear as he bowed.
"Continue"
"Yes You Majesty! The message stated the following: "A 14 or 15 year old Earth realm cultivator with Rare Ice affinity, High grade Gold possibly Platinum cultivation skill and a Platinum Grade Bloodline has appeared in Viridian City!".
An uproar occurred in the throne room the moment the clerk finished his statement.
"Impossible! Do you take us for fools?! There are only 5 Platinum grade bloodlines on the entire continent!", screamed a minster.
"14 or 15 year old Earth cultivator? Do you believe him to be the Emperor of Dawn?! Also you say he has an Ice affinity and possible platinum Cultivation skill? Someone like this would be know to the world!", another Noble berated.
This information was far to unbelievable, if it was as the clerk described than genius would be an understatement. This was a monster!
"Your Majesty, this humble one speaks the truth. Our spy witnessed him using his abilities first hand. She described how he had gotten into an altercation with 4 Late Core Formation cultivators, he didn't have a sliver of Qi but his bloodline allowed him to fully manipulate them as if they were puppets! She wasn't sure of his cultivation until he unleashed he ice. From her judgment, the drop in temperature and the speed at which he was able to freeze his opponents was only possible if one had a very high grade cultivation skill!", the clerk continued. He had full trust in their spies, none of them would causally send a red marked message.
'A Bloodline that allows him to manipulate people as if puppets?' , The King pondered. He didn't know of any Platinum grade bloodlines that allowed one to manipulate others.
"How was she able to determine the quality of his Bloodline?", he asked
"Our spy said that even after the young man began to use his abilities there still wasn't the slightest movement of Qi. Had she not seen it first hand she would have believed him to be a mortal!", reported the clerk
The King began to ponder, everyone was silent however the majority simply couldn't believe this news. It was far to outrages!
"Earl Evergreen, your daughter is currently in Viridian city, yes?", The King suddenly spoke,
A older man about 40 with similar features to the king other than his eyes, which only had a tinge of green to them responded.
"Yes Your Majesty, she's currently part of a small adventurers group. She wanted to travel and train herself in the Emerald forest.", Earl Evergreen responded respectfully .
"How dedicated she is, can you get in contact with her?"
"Yes, shes carrying a talisman that allows her to communicate with the one at our manor."
"Inform her to keep an eye an out for that young man, If she finds him she's not to do anything reckless. I'll contact the Earl Dalton and have him arrange for people to investigate alongside her. My youngest daughter Miara is currently training to the west of Viridian City, I'll contact her as well."
"It would be her honor to be of service to Your Majesty and Her Highness.", the earl responded showing no emotion on his face. His family had a distant relationship with the Royal family, the sister of the 20th King of Emerald had married into their family and this allowed for their descendants to carry a tinge of the Royal Bloodline.
"We'll continue the discussion after we have more information. For now we will continue with out previous affairs",said The King
"Yes Your Majesty!", everyone responded in unison.
Viridian City
Aaron had just stepped through the gates and gotten a good look at the first city he's been too since coming to this place.
"How beautiful"
The city was beyond his expectations. The Roads were wide enough that 4 carts could pass side by side, they were paved with a smooth light Grey material, it looked like concrete but far smoother. Carts could bee seen moving all on the streets. Along the sides of the roads were evenly spaced trees that stood at around 10ft, that gave the city as sense of life. The Buildings lining the streets were similar in appearance to Georgian architecture from earth, except all of them appeared to be made of white marble bricks, the roofs were made of a green material that also appeared to be made of stone.
On both sides of the streets were stores with massive windows that allowed you see inside, restaurants that were packed with customers, and stalls selling all kinds of trinkets and items. The city was full of life!
"Isn't it?", responded Veronica
"Ah, To think all the building would be pure white!", Aaron exclaimed
"His Majesty spares no expense for his people, he had mandated that all building were to be build of this Moon Stone to shelter his people. The city walls are also made of the same stone, it can withstand the strike of Peak Earth grade Qi beast! His policies have made the lives of the citizens much easier!"
It was Josh who had spoken up this time. Usually he was quiet but when he spoke of The King only respect could be seen in his eyes. As he spoke the others also had a look of respect in their eyes. Jasmine was the only one that had another emotion mixed in with this respect.
"You should see the Kings City! Its similar but on a much grander scale.", Veronica said with a smile. If Aaron was this impressed by Viridian City she couldn't wait to see his expression once he went to Emerald City!
"Where should we go?", Aaron asked. Since coming here he never really made a plan. He had just wanted to leave the forest.
"Lets go the Merchants Guild to sell the material we got from the Crystal Antler Deer afterwards we can head to the Smiths Guild to have our weapons made!", Andrew said excitedly. Their whole reason for going into the forest was to get these antlers and now that they had them he couldn't wait any longer.
"Sounds good.", Aaron and rest agreed
However just as Aaron was about to move forward a sound he hadn't heard for a while rang in his head.
*Ding*
[Mission Complete: Find Civilization]
[Awards: 1000 system points]
'Eh? Mission? What mission?'