Six days passed before Eiji and Tahrren reached the holy city of Ophelia, finally confronting its impenetrable ivory walls that rose to reflect the rays of a sun still at its zenith.
"Impressive, isn't it?"
Eiji saw these legendary walls for the first time with his own eyes. He froze for a few moments at the sight of such an architectural wonder.
As the horses were moving towards the city, Tahrren took a necklace from his bag. Simply adorned with a small mirror, the object looked common, but Eiji recognized its peculiarity at first glance thanks to the rune on the back of the accessory.
"A translation necklace."
Tahrren's eyebrows raised in surprise.
"So you know about it."
Eiji smiled slightly. Tahrren's remark hurt Higashito's heart a little.
"Even though we are strangers to magic, we still use many artifacts, especially for communication. We often use the translation necklaces for sea trade."
He took the necklace and put it on. Soon they reached the big door. As tall as five men and as wide as four, the imposing, immaculate structure was constantly guarded by many men.
The line at the gate was even more surprisingly long. It would have taken hours for them to enter the city. However, Tahrren doubled the line, causing great indignation among those in it. Quickly, one of the guards came to the two men, which made Eiji's forehead break into a cold sweat.
"Stop! Get back in the line!"
Tahrren dismounted and approached the young knight, who placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Stay back, or I'll draw my blade."
Tahrren slowed his pace and slowly pulled an emblem from one of his tunic pockets. He held it out to the guard.
"Take a look. This should do the trick."
The knight's face turned pale.
"Her Holiness seal?"
He released the hilt of his sword and knelt before Eiji.
"Please forgive me, my lord."
Embarrassed, Tahrren asked for him to rise.
"No worries, we simply wish to enter the city, my apprentice and I."
"Please. Leave your horses with us. We will take care of them. You can pick them up at the main stable, near the eastern exit of the city." He said as he showed them the way.
At the sight of Eiji, the young guard swallowed his saliva. As the two men walked through the door, almost all of the guards stared at the young Higashito. Although Eiji was pacifist, it is always difficult to extinguish the flames of hatred passed down through generations.
Fortunately, none of them seemed to have the desire to harm him. After all, everyone was welcome in the holy city.
"What did you use to make them let us through so easily?"
Tahrren answered his apprentice's question by presenting the seal.
"This is the Seal of the Saints. It can only be granted by Her Holiness, the person who rules over Ophelia and its territories. Although we operate in the shadows, we still have some connections to the highest political authorities in Aurdalia."
"Couldn't we use this seal to get through the Saintess' Garden?" asked Eiji suspiciously.
"Impossible. The roads are owned and maintained by the merchant guild in the area. Although the seal has great diplomatic and political power, it has no power over the merchant guild. We need a pass from them. But don't worry, our contact will manage to provide us one."
They went on through the hall under the city walls. When he came out, Eiji was surprised by the splendor of the city. All buildings without exception were made of the same white material. He had little time to admire the city as Tahrren did not slow his pace. Although the young swordsman was completely lost, the elf seemed to know exactly where they should go. So he followed him, taking in the surroundings.
"This city is fantastic. It is so different from ours. So where do we find the contact?"
Tahrren smiled to see his apprentice like that. It was as if all his resentment had vanished. This city had that effect on humans. He was convinced that if people got to know each other better, many conflicts could be avoided. Eiji was proof of that right now.
"She's the manager of a marble factory in the southern districts. We should find her easily."
The two men moved forward in the direction of the southern districts.
"So this rock is marble?" Eiji asked.
"Indeed. The roads leading to Myr-Khandur and Randurin are lined with impressive marble quarries. They are transported by caravan to Ophelia, where they are worked and used. Here is where you can find the whitest marble in all Aurdalia!"
Ophelians were the only people in the world capable of working marble in this way. Through a manufacturing process that they jealously guarded, they can remove impurities from the marble's surface, resulting in a perfect white stone. Polished and sculpted, in the hands of the best artisans, it becomes a solid calcareous rock.
They walked for a few more minutes along one of the city's main thoroughfares before approaching some large properties.
"What the hell are you lazy bastards doing? Do you think these marbles are going to grind themselves? Come on! Get to work!"
In the distance, they could see a woman in her thirties with an impressive build: at least two meters tall and with arms as thick as Eiji's two thighs combined, she was berating two men of much more delicate stature. Tahrren couldn't help but laugh.
"There she is! She hasn't changed..."
He walked over to her, who quickly noticed the presence of the two men.
"What's a barbarian idiot doing in my territory? Get out of my way if you don't want to end up like those marbles!" she said, walking past Tahrren without noticing him and threatening Eiji with her fist.
"Come on, come on. Let's calm down, Irina. Don't threaten my apprentice."
This time, she turned to Tahrren, who had stopped her with his hand.
"Tahrren! At last! I've been waiting for you for three days! Where the hell have you been?"
Tahrren sighed slightly before continuing.
"Sorry, I've been pretty busy lately. Things have been a little tense in Ninakami."
"I guess that's where you found the boy. Your new charge?"
"Indeed. His name is Eiji Kawasaki. I'll bring him to the headquarters as soon as I find Amalia."
Eiji reacted to this name he never heard of.
"Amalia?"
"My partner. I'll introduce you to her later. But more importantly." Tahrren paused for a moment. "Irina, I believe there are one or more immortals in the Saintess' Garden."