As I walked through the sidewalk with my umbrella open and Nift sleeping on my shoulder, I came across a vendor selling some kebabs beside a lamppost on the other side of the street. I haven't eaten in a while, and my cravings are getting more violent.
"I smell something nice" Nift suddenly woke up by the overwhelming smell of meat.
Before I could say anything, I can hear a loud rumble coming from Nift. She immediately covered her abdomen, trying to silence her internal earthquake.
"Let's get some food first," I assured her.
Nift's face began to shine as if she got her favorite toy and nodded.
I looked at her and smiled as I went to the vendor, who is on the other side of the street. I can hear the tap of my boots as I walk on the stony sidewalk, with gaps filled with gravel.
Before I could cross the road, I noticed there are signs, telling us not to cross it, and to use the footbridge that was a few meters away.
As a law-abiding citizen, I naturally follow the rules and walked my way toward the overhang. Can you even call me a citizen even if I'm a foreign being in this world? Eh, maybe not.
If it weren't for the umbrella the soldier gave me, we would've melted already. The sun is much more unforgiving than the earth, the trees that we're on the sidewalk aren't bearing any leaves at all.
Their bark is dry and the soil around them is much more darker than usual. The color of the bark is dark brown, with black lines filling up the crevice.
The cement below forms a square shape that is filled with soil around the tree and is slightly damaged, showing cracks and chips on the side. The same goes for every other cement that had a tree cemented around it.
As I faced toward the stairs of the footbridge, I noticed that it was made out of stainless steel, with an arch-type structured design albeit small.
The sound of clings and clangs resonated in my ears as I walked on the footbridge, I can feel a slight wind blowing through the street as if it was telling me it's gonna be a good day.
I can see various carriages passing by the footbridge. From afar, I can see a parade of some sort. I can see a much more luxurious carriage than the other carriages I've seen.
Standing on top of the said carriage is a woman, wearing a white tiara and a white dress with a purple jewel carved in a diamond shape right below her chest, greeting the people.
Beside the woman are a girl and a man, sitting on the seat of the carriage. Presumably her daughter and husband. The girl is wearing similar clothes to the woman and the man is wearing a white cape and a blue suit.
Hundreds if not thousands of people are flocking toward the luxurious carriage while being barricaded by the soldiers, who were surrounding the carriage.
It was a nice sight to view, probably in my top 3s for the 'amazing sceneries I saw.' Before I turned my back toward the vendor, I felt a sharp gaze coming from the parade. I can see the girl, who is in the carriage looking at me.
I shook it off as maybe she was looking somewhere else then walked down the footbridge, I then pulled out the small pouch that Eta gave me and bought 4 kebabs, 2 each for me and Nift.
...
"Ah, is there something wrong, my dear?" my mother worriedly said to me.
I gazed into her sky-blue eyes as her blonde hair shines brighter than the light, I replied "It's nothing, Mother." while I lean on the window of our carriage
The voice of the people cheering and praising our service to the country as they try to crowd our carriage. Luckily, soldiers were guarding us, or else we would've been crashed down by the wave of our supporters.
"You must've found someone you liked, huh" my father jokingly said to me.
I ignored what my father said, not buying into his joke. It's a bit cold to do that but considering the people who were looking toward us, I need to keep a good reputation.
I can see him frown and slump forward while letting out a sigh, "You guys are so serious, it's no fun."
Well, aside from the boy I saw on the footbridge, I haven't seen his face anywhere before.
His face is barely visible from the front window of our carriage, but his left eye is yellow. There is also a kid dangling on his shoulder, most likely his pet I suppose.
He seemed to be staring at us for quite some time, but I don't feel any ill intention from him.
His gray cloth is usually given to the recons in the country, it's filled with magic circles and engravings that are used for protection and other reconnaissance-related aspects.
Ah, he left already. He realized I'm staring too much. Oh yeah, the first examination had ended, and the second will begin soon. My father suggested that I pick a guardian during the second test but honestly, I don't need one.
This is taking too long, I think I should take a nap and get on with it. I'm getting bored sitting in a carriage and waiting until we get home.
...
"Nom, nom nom..." Nift happily ate the kebab that I gave her. I already finished mine and kept the sticks in my inventory.
Silver coins' purchasing power is quite large. The vendor had to scramble what was left in his money jar just for a silver coin. The kebabs I bought cost 5 coppers each, so around 60 dollars.
Wait, 60 dollars for just one kebab? That's hella expensive. Well, there's no dollar or any paper money in this world so I guess that doesn't matter that much.
"Did you enjoy it, Nift?"
"It's super yummy!" she replied while munching down on the last piece of meat.
We still have time left to roam around the citadel. Maybe I should take a look at a vantage point, do they even have one though?
That doesn't matter anyways, I can just climb on top of a building and view it from there. I want to know more about this citadel.
"We're going to the top of that building," I told Nift while pointing at a massive clockwork tower that was several blocks away.
"Eh?!"
"Isn't that thing massive? Besides, there's no way we can get up there!" Nift said in awe.
I replied, "Do you trust me?"
"Well, I'm the one who went up to you." Nift tried to not make eye contact with me.
"Just trust me, everything will work out." I pat Nift's head and went inside a building.
Inside the building, I asked the receptionist if we were allowed to roam around the building. Naturally, the receptionist said yes and we made our way to the highest floor.
There is even an elevator which is much better compared to the hospital earlier. I went inside the elevator first and a lot of people came pouring into the elevator, which made us hug the wall like lizards.
'Ding!'
The sound of the elevator making its stop on the first floor. Some people came out but we stayed until we reached the 4th floor. From here on out we have to use the stairs.
The building's layout is much more complex than I had thought. A lot of doors lead us to some parts of a certain floor, and another led to a lounge room, in which we stumbled upon a bookshelf.
There were a lot of encyclopedias and anecdotes that filled most of the bookshelf's storage. I don't want to mess with it, but I took a glimpse of it and went to the upper floors.
Nothing to say with the remaining floors, mostly just crates and boxes filled with books or paper. And so we continued our way up to the roof.
Before going onto the roof, I'll have to get more books. I had to use「Akashic Records」again.
There is something I learned about how 「Akashic Records」work. From my past testimonies, I can say that this skill is overpowered in terms of knowledge.
There are 2 weaknesses when using 「Akashic Records」. One, it cannot read the future, and two, if I entered into its state of 'tranquil', my physical body won't move unless canceled.
While being in 'tranquil', time will continue to move normally except for the first time I used it, for some reason.
For it's cool down, there is none. So I can use it repeatedly. However, my brain can't handle too much skill usage, I'll pass out again.
That's the summarization, I guess. I have to get more information, although not the perfect time, I'll just have to be quick.
I found an empty room that was presumably a storage room on the 4th floor, the last floor before the roof.
I told Nift to lock the door behind her and to guard me for a while as I tried to find a comfortable spot to sit.
"What are you gonna do?" Nift asked me.
I replied, without thought, "I will peer into the unknown"
Her face seemed puzzled after I said that and began to tilt her face at every angle.
"Please guard me," I asked Nift.
Nift replied, "I'll try my best."
With relief in my mind, I said the following words, " Use skill, 「Akashic Records」"