The city of Icidia, one of the ten largest cities in the Kederawen Kingdom, stood as a bustling hub of life and commerce. Positioned strategically in the southwest of the kingdom, near both the Steanu Sea and the Dwarf Kingdom, its streets were alive with traders, adventurers, and citizens from all over the continent. Unlike the Alcos and Wadya cities that Aiden had visited, Icidia was different—not only in its sheer size but in its population.
Aiden, Alex, Saya, Hu Zhao, Dian Long, and Diss stepped off the airship, eager to explore the city, while Eldric and Edvard disappeared to handle some business. Lora, who had visited the city a few times with her grandfather, offered to show them around.
Walking through the streets with his companions, Aiden marveled at the different races around him. Humans, elves, demi-humans, and even a few Oni moved freely, interacting in markets filled with goods from all corners of the world. The air buzzed with energy, the sounds of chatter blending with the calls of merchants hawking their wares.
"This place is... different," Aiden remarked, scanning the crowd and the lively atmosphere. "You don't see this kind of places in most cities."
Lora, walking slightly ahead, glanced back at him with a knowing smile. "That's what makes Icidia and our kingdom so special. It's one of the only cities where the races actually live together—peacefully."
Aiden nodded, still processing the stark contrast. "It's nice to see. No slavery either. That's... rare."
The city of Icidia was famous for being the only city in the entire continent with direct access to the Dwarf Kingdom—a reclusive, mysterious nation hidden behind towering mountains and thick forests. While the capital held power, even it respected Icidia's unique status as the sole gateway to the dwarfs merchandise.
As the group wandered through the bustling streets, Lora began to explain more about the city's significance.
"You see," Lora said, walking alongside Aiden, "Icidia is the only place the Dwarf Kingdom trades with. No other city or country has managed to gain their trust. Not even the capital can boast the kind of relationship the city lord here has with the dwarfs."
Aiden raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Why only here? Why not expand trade with other cities?"
"The dwarfs are incredibly private," Alex chimed in, gesturing toward the towering city walls. "They don't want their technology or resources falling into the wrong hands. They've been burned before. Icidia's city lord, Duke Salazar, is the only person they trust enough to handle trade between our world and theirs."
Hu Zhao, who had been casually observing the crowd, joined the conversation. "It's no wonder so many have tried to conquer the Dwarf Kingdom. I heard the Yodatya Kingdom tried it a thousand years ago, followed by the Lamang Empire. Even Lefia gave it a shot."
"Every one of them failed," Alex added, his voice steady. "The dwarfs have technology that surpasses anything we can imagine. Their defenses are impenetrable."
Aiden thought about this for a moment, the idea of such an advanced civilization hidden away piquing his curiosity. "What kind of technology are we talking about here? I've seen some pretty impressive stuff, but..."
Lora cut in with a smile. "The kind that makes even the most powerful mages and warriors look like children playing with sticks. The dwarfs don't just rely on magic; they blend it with machinery. Weapons that rival anything we've seen, armor that's almost indestructible. Even the great nations couldn't breach their walls."
Aiden let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. "No wonder everyone wants a piece of their kingdom."
"But it's not just dwarfs living there," Saya noted. "I heard that even if the kingdom has a vast majority of dwarfs living there, other races live there too. Elves, half-elves, and even demi-humans live side by side with the dwarfs. They've created a system of governance that manages all the different races, keeping things peaceful and organized."
"Only two places in the world have anything like that," Alex said, pointing at the crowd around them. "Here in Kederawen, and the Dwarf Kingdom. It's why this city is so unique. It reflects the diversity and cooperation the dwarfs value."
"Icidia is practically a melting pot of races," Saya added, her eyes scanning the bustling marketplace. "It's one of the few places you can walk down the street and see all races living together peacefully."
Aiden glanced around, he smiled at the sight of how happy the people were right now. "Well, It's good to have places like this. It gives others hope for a better world".
Lora smiled, proud of her kingdom. "It's one of the things that makes Kederawen special. And the dwarfs respect that about us. It's why they trust Duke Salazar so much."
"And why Icidia is as big as some capitals," Alex remarked. "The city's wealth and power come from that trade. The duke's family, the Icidia family, has always been known for their powerful warriors and mages, especially those who specialize in ice magic. The current duke, Salazar, is no exception."
"An ice mage, huh?" Aiden mused, intrigued.
"Yes," Lora nodded. "He's famous for it. His magic is said to rival some of the strongest mages in the kingdom."
Aiden paused, letting the weight of what he had just learned sink in. Icidia wasn't just a trade city—it was a vital link to one of the most advanced civilizations in the world, a hub of diversity and cooperation, and home to some of the most powerful warriors and mages. It was no wonder the Dwarfs trusted the city and its rulers above anyone else.
As the group continued to wander through the market, Aiden suddenly remembered something and turned his gaze toward Saya, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
"Saya, I didn't realize you knew so much about this kingdom and its history" Aiden said, his tone thoughtful.
At his words, everyone turned their attention to Saya, recalling that she was from Alcos, a city far from Kederawen. Yet here she was, telling he history of this kingdom she visited for the first time with a surprising depth of knowledge. For a moment, Saya seemed caught off guard by the attention.
Lora, standing beside her, couldn't help but notice the sudden shift in the conversation. With a mischievous grin spreading across her face, she crossed her arms and shot Saya a teasing glance.
"Oh, look at that, Saya. Aiden actually noticed how well-informed you are. You know, Aiden," she then turned at Aiden and said with a playful tone, "you should really thank me, because two days ago Saya came..."
Before Lora could finish, Saya's face flushed a deep shade of red, her eyes widening in a mix of embarrassment and panic. She rushed forward, cutting Lora off mid-sentence. "Lorra! What are you doing?! You promised!!"
Her sudden outburst caught everyone's attention, and Saya, now thoroughly flustered, grabbed Lora by the arm and pulled her off to the side, trying to put some distance between them and the others.
"Shh! You weren't supposed to say anything!" Saya hissed under her breath, her embarrassment only growing as Lora continued to laugh at her friend's predicament.
Aiden, for his part, couldn't help but smile at how the two talked with each other. During the two months of their travel, Lora and Saya had gotten closer and became great friends.
Saya who left her home and dearest friend and Lora who was the princess of a great kingdom and had only one friend. This led to them having the time to know each other more and have a great time together.
For now, he decided to let thing go on their own and not interfere,"You two can keep your secrets," he said, his tone light. "But I'll admit, Saya, I am impressed."
Saya, finally managing to calm down, shot Aiden a grateful look, though her cheeks still held a faint blush. "Thanks, Aiden. But really, it's nothing special."
"Nothing special?" Lora teased, her grin widening. "You spent the last week studying maps and history of the kingdom! You could probably outdo most locals."
Saya shot Lora another warning glance but couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her. "Okay, fine," she admitted, still blushing slightly. "I might have done some research... but only because I like to be prepared!"
"That explains a lot," Aiden said with a nod, clearly impressed. "No wonder you've been able to know so well."
The others nodded in agreement, and with the tension easing, the conversation gradually shifted back to their surroundings, but the lighthearted exchange between Lora and Saya left a smile on everyone's face.
---------------------------------------------------
"So you're telling me that 'crazy old scientist.' used his influence and power as royalty to abolish the slave trade here", Aiden said as he raised an eyebrow, surprised. "He did that?"
"Wait, seriously?", Dian Long spoke as he also shared the same sentiment as Aiden.
Saya smiled warmly, walking beside them as she spoke with a tone of admiration, "You'd be surprised if you knew more of his story. He is a very great man."
"The guy's a living legend, whether you believe it or not.", Alex chimed in, his hands behind his head as he strolled casually.
"Legend, huh?" Aiden mused, shaking his head. "I didn't expect him to be like that. I mean, with the way he acts, you'd never know."
"Well, he's not called the Great Hero for nothing," Saya added. "He led the revolution that ended slavery in the kingdom. Mister Eldric didn't just talk—he acted. Took down slave traders personally, with his powerful magic."
Hu Zhao, who had been quietly observing the crowd, grunted. "If I didn't know him personally, I'd say you were talking about two different people."
Diss nodded in agreement. "He didn't exactly give off that 'Great Hero' vibe when he was with us. Just an old man with a few tricks."
AN: [I completely forgot about Diss until I reread some chapters ago and found him there XD. the thing is he's also important to the story and yet I forgot about him].
Dian Long snorted. "Maybe he's just gotten rusty."
Lora, overhearing the jabs about her grandfather, spun around, her eyes narrowing in irritation. "Hey! How dare you talk about Grandpa like that! He is a great hero. He saved this kingdom—don't forget it!"
The group exchanged amused glances as they continued walking through the city, while Lora huffed indignantly.
As they made their way through the market, something else caught Aiden's eye. Among the usual vendors selling food and trinkets were stalls selling a type of weapon that he was familiar with —guns. and not only that but also, rifles, and other firearm-like models.
he never would've thought he would see here weapons
Curious, Aiden approached the stall. "Old man, where did you get these weapons?" he asked, picking up one of the crude pistols.
The merchant gave him a wary look. "Kid, everyone knows these weapons come from the city lord's commerce chamber. You must be new around here. You looking to buy, or just gawk?"
Aiden blinked, not expecting such a brusque response. "Commerce chamber? So these aren't common?"
Aiden frowned, not used to being dismissed so easily. Lora, seeing his interest, stepped in to explain. "These are magic guns. They were developed by some magic researcher in the Dwarf Kingdom and sold here exclusively. They're not exactly common, but they're growing in popularity".
Intrigued, Aiden inspected one of the guns closely. "Magic guns…? How effective are they?"
Alex, who had been quietly observing the weapons, spoke up. "The guns run on mana stones, and they're powerful—but only up to a certain point. It can only harm warriors or mages below the transcendent level. Beyond that, they're practically useless. They also burn through mana stones quickly, and their durability is average at best. After a few uses, they fall apart. Still, they're useful for commoners or lower-level fighters who don't have access to high-level magic."
Saya chimed in, looking over one of the rifles. "It's strange, though. You'd think the dwarfs would make something more reliable."
Aiden considered this. He picked up one of the pistols and infused a small amount of his Sunshine power into it, trying to test its limits. Almost immediately, the weapon glowed a bright red before it detonated with a loud boom, shattering into pieces.
The stall owner cursed loudly, but Aiden held up a hand in apology. "Sorry. I wasn't expecting it to explode like that."
Lora trying to appease the old man, gave him double the money and then they excused themselves and walked away.
After walking some distance, Lora turned and glared at Aiden. "You could've told me to buy it for you before you blew it up. What a waste."
Saya who brought the destroyed gun with her shook her head, "No, it wasn't Aiden's fault. He used his power to only melt the exterior. That gun was rigged to self-destruct if anyone tried to tamper with it."
Dian Long, ever the observer, nodded thoughtfully. "A failsafe. Whoever designed these didn't want anyone reverse-engineering their work."
Aiden's mind raced as he considered the implications. "What if these are just prototypes?" he said, drawing the group's attention. "What if the person who created these weapons is working on something much more dangerous? A weapon that can harm even high-level warriors or mages—or worse, something that could kill a Saint"
Everyone exchanged uneasy looks as they considered Aiden's theory.
"It's possible," Alex said after a moment. "The dwarfs are known for their craftsmanship. If they've been experimenting with firearms, there's no telling what they might be developing in secret."
Hu Zhao snorted. "What would they want with something like that? The dwarfs are reclusive—they don't meddle in continental politics."
"Maybe they're not the ones who want it," Aiden suggested. "Maybe whoever's the head of this project has bigger plans."
"I think Aiden's right," Dian Long said, folding his arms. "This could be the start of something much bigger. If these weapons evolve, they could change the entire landscape of warfare."
The group fell into a contemplative silence as they realized the potential danger. It was possible that Icidia was sitting on the verge of a technological revolution—one that could upset the balance of power across the continent.
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While everyone else explored the bustling city, Eldric and Edvard made their way toward the imposing white castle in the north. This was the seat of Duke Salazar Admonius, the city lord of Icidia, and one of the five powerful dukes of the Kederawen kingdom.
Upon their arrival, they were greeted by the duke himself, a tall half-elf with a commanding presence. His silver hair and sharp features gave him an air of nobility, and his blue eyes gave the feeling of looking into an icy blizzard.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Lord Eldric, Lord Edvard.", Salazar said, bowing slightly. "It's been too long."
Eldric, grinning as they exchanged pleasantries, gave the half-elf duke a nod. "No need to be too formal Salazar. It's been far too long since we last saw each other. How have you been? Still wrestling with those three sons of yours?"
Salazar let out a weary sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Oh, they're going to be the death of me. They can't seem to sit still—always off fighting or chasing adventures. Only my youngest daughter shows any interest in actually inheriting the family domain, but she's still a bit too young for that responsibility."
Eldric chuckled softly, leaning on his staff. "Ah, I remember when you were born. Your father was overjoyed—nearly fainted with happiness."
The duke smiled wistfully, his gaze softening. "He'd be glad to hear that, I'm sure. I imagine him and mother watching over me from heavens."
"Undoubtedly," Eldric agreed before his tone shifted, more businesslike. "But we didn't come just to reminisce. I even managed to drag Edvard here," he added with a smirk, glancing at Edvard, who looked as uninterested as ever.
Salazar caught the change in tone and his expression grew serious. "I suspected as much. So, what brings you here, Sir Eldric? There must be something pressing if you've come all this way."
Eldric folded his arms, his expression thoughtful. "I've been away from the kingdom for a while, and I'm not fully up to speed on what's happening. But I've heard whispers. And with your sister being one of the king's wives, I imagine you'd know more than most about the situation in the capital."
The mention of his sister made Admonius visibly tense. He hesitated before scratching his neck awkwardly. "Well... you've heard right. Things in the capital are... complicated. The marriage has only made it worse."
Edvard, who had been mostly quiet until now, raised an eyebrow. "What sort of complications are we talking about?"
Salazar's expression darkened as he leaned in slightly. "Problems that could threaten the stability of the entire kingdom and lead to war."
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AN:
Two chapters have been released. Don't forget to leave comments and reviews.
I'm also Sorry for not releasing the previous week and so I will release two chapters these whole week as a compensation. Thanks for your support.