"I can't believe it. We're finally going back to the capital." Ella's voice was filled with excitement as she and Rafael rode in a wagon passing through Fritsburg towards the northern gate.
"You really have a strong attachment to that city, don't you?" Rafael asked, glancing at her.
"Of course! I still find it hard to believe how a city can grow so vast." Until the invasion, Ella had never left Calistoga, which was considered a medium-sized city. As a child, she had asked her father how many houses there were, and he had told her it was around eighteen hundred.
"It must be at least five times the size of Calistoga."
At least five times... Hmm. Well, I suppose for a city of the eighth century, it is quite impressive. Rafael thought.
The streets outside the wagon were bustling with activity now that people were free to work and move about outside the walls. They had just left Maxis's mansion after bidding their farewells.
Rafael felt a pang of sadness that his training with Eleonor would be put on hold, but he had received some valuable tips and moves to practice while living in the capital.
Before they left, Maxis had mentioned he would be investing in larger distillers after witnessing the production of pure alcohol.
Looks like he understands the importance of distillation. If he's as astute as I think, he'll have people working around the clock. With the list of uses for alcohol I've given him, he's bound to become a key figure in this city.
Ella is excited to return. Well, I am too, but I'm trying to keep it under wraps, he mused, observing the wide smile on her face. Her hair was neatly tied back, and she was dressed in a beautiful ensemble of yellow, green, and white.
"Oh, Lord, everything is finally going well for us! Except for the marriage with that man."
"Marriage? What are you talking about?" Rafael inquired, puzzled.
"I'm supposed to marry the son of Count Cuthred from the north. His family came to the capital, but my mother told me to come here before he could see me. She assured me everything was under control. I hope nothing has gone wrong."
"Don't worry, your mother knows what she's doing. Besides, we have the backing of King Threo himself! There's nothing he can do to us."
The carriage came to a halt, and they heard noises from outside. Without a window to see what was happening, they could only hear the sounds of voices and the opening of the door.
A soldier peered inside.
"Please, I need to...." He froze, staring at Rafael for a moment. A flicker of recognition crossed his face, but he couldn't place it.
Wait... Those clothes... The soldier's shock was palpable.
"Don't move!" He stepped back, drawing his short sword. The surrounding guards quickly moved to encircle the carriage.
"Step out of the carriage! You're surrounded!"
Ella's smile vanished, replaced by fear. Rafael reassured her with a calm demeanor, despite his own growing concern.
Surrounding the carriage were not just soldiers but also a crowd of onlookers. The sight of a young man descending from the well-crafted wagon caused a stir among those who had a good memory.
"The heretic!" a peasant shouted, pointing at Rafael, triggering a wave of alarm among the crowd.
"Oh, Lord, it's him!"
"The devil!"
Rafael noticed the large wall nearby; they were at the northern gate, but he hadn't expected an inspection before passing through. The commotion drew more people, and the crowd's reaction to Rafael was one of shock and anger.
"It's really him! Strike him down!"
"Go back to Hell, demon!"
"Kill him!" The cacophony of shouts was almost deafening. The crowd demanded Rafael's imprisonment or death.
"Silence! I said silence!" A group of guards appeared, led by the commander in charge of the gate.
"What's happening here?"
"Sir, we've found the criminal! He's the one!"
Everyone's gaze turned to Rafael.
"Are you in charge here?" Rafael asked, but the commander ignored him.
"What's your name? You match the description of the criminal we've been searching for. Drop any weapons you have and surrender!"
"I am the person you're looking for, but I'm not a criminal..."
"Shut up with your lies! Kill this demon! Send him back from where he came from!" An elderly woman's voice rose above the clamor, fueling the crowd's frenzy.
"Silence! Silence!" The commander threatened to arrest some of the more unruly onlookers, and the noise gradually subsided.
Meanwhile, Rafael produced a parchment from his coat. "I have a royal pardon, absolving me of any accusations or crimes."
"What? Do you think I'm a fool?!" The commander's outrage was evident.
"It's true. If you disregard this decree and harm me, you'll be going against King Threo's decision. Are you sure you want to risk that?"
The commander was torn. Denouncing the decree could be seen as treason.
"Let me see it." The commander approached and took the parchment from Rafael's hands.
The soldiers and bystanders were skeptical, unwilling to believe it.
"You won't deceive us, demon! Chief, give the order, and we'll take down this abomination!" one guard insisted. The commander remained silent, his gaze fixed on the parchment, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Chief?"
"So, will you ignore an official decree from the king himself?" Rafael crossed his arms and smiled defiantly.
"I need Priest Locart here. Call him now!" The commander's frustration was palpable. He knew they needed the priest's confirmation. One soldier hurried to fetch the old man from a nearby building.
"What in the name of the Lord is happening here?" Priest Locart's voice was filled with ancient authority as he examined the parchment.
"I need to verify its authenticity."
The old priest scrutinized the document, his initial anger shifting to confusion. As he read, his frown deepened. "This.... Who gave you this?"
"He, the one we've been searching for. Is it genuine?" The priest was the only one present who could decipher the document. The commander, though not literate, recognized the king's seal.
"Of course it's real....!" The priest's eyes widened in horror as he looked at Rafael.
"Holy Heavens! He's the demon we've been hunting! Guards, arrest him! Don't let him escape!"
Rafael's smile widened in triumph. "No, no. As you've confirmed the decree's authenticity, it means I'm a free man now, and you have no reason to detain me."
"What?! I..... I... No! You must have... " The old priest was at a loss, unable to fathom how the decree had come into existence.
The crowd, including the soldiers, was stunned into silence. They struggled to grasp the reality of the situation.
The commander folded the parchment with a heavy heart.
"You're free to go," he said in a solemn tone, unable to fully believe his own words.
"What?!" The disbelief was widespread. The crowd watched as the commander handed the parchment back to Rafael.
"Thank you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be." Rafael wasted no time returning to his carriage.
"Wait, before you go, you should know that Count Edwin wants to speak with you. He assures you will be treated with respect and as a guest."
Rafael noticed the puzzled expressions of the soldiers. They didn't know about this? So, only the higher-ups are aware that Edwin doesn't want to remain on my bad side. And what could he want to discuss? Should I meet with him?
"Boss! What is the meaning of this? He's a criminal, a sinner, and a traitor! He must be dealt with!" a guard protested.
"Quiet. He is now free from any accusation and is free to leave if he chooses."
"So, will you accept Count Edwin's invitation?" the commander asked.
"Hmmm... No. He can send me a letter later. For now, goodbye." Rafael made his decision. I'd better leave before this angry mob loses their reason and attacks me. I also don't want to stay any longer in a place where I'm viewed with prejudice.
He entered his carriage and closed the door. As it began to move, the commoners shouted their objections, but the soldiers managed to keep them at bay.
"Thank God everything went smoothly," Ella said, her voice trembling with relief as she had been tense and worried throughout the ordeal.
"I agree, that was too close. If it hadn't been for that old man confirming the letter, I doubt we would have escaped unscathed," Rafael admitted, feeling a wave of relief wash over him.
He was now free.
This is the beginning of my ascension. After everything I've been through these past months...
That's when he realized something. He recalled the early days when time seemed to pass excruciatingly slowly.
Was it because I was on high alert, focused on the knowledge that I was trapped here forever? He felt as if time had accelerated after the first month, as if his subconscious had relaxed and stopped scrutinizing every detail.
Rafael closed his eyes, reflecting on his journey and his evolving perception of events. The first person he killed had left a "scar" on his mind, but it was now almost "healed." Even after taking two more lives, the shock was slightly less severe than before.
He had a theory about why his mind adapted so quickly to such direbsituations, and he was actually right about that. I think I would have killed myself from the depression if it wasn't for the ELSpam. Damn, thank you BioC for creating such miraculous thing.
He imagined himself bowing to a large building with exquisite and beautiful architecture, maybe the most famous one back in his time-line.
It's most important product.... Literally changed humanity.