As the perplexities of the situation clouded their minds, Mika and his friends embarked on a perilous journey to the town, Lalapila.
Though the town appeared peaceful upon first view, the air felt tight that could squeeze the lungs out of you by feeling it–as if were bound by unspeakable evil. A plethora of fruit and food merchants littered the streets, with a grandiose fountain featuring the statue of an honored nobleman nestled within.
However, upon a closer look, it became apparent that the town lacked any semblance of individual residences, hinting at a widespread reliance on rented accommodations.
As Mika and his friends traversed through the town, they beheld a sight that would make any gentle heart tremble.
The townsfolk, downtrodden and impoverished, appeared to be on the brink of starvation, their gaunt faces and sunken eyes painting a grim picture of their dire circumstances. As if they were rats had infested the town, roaming everywhere, working, and begging for food and money.
In stark contrast, the vendors were robust and healthy, their stalls brimming with an abundance of fresh fruits and meats. The same for the nobles who dressed neatly, though their faces had no concern over the peasants despair.
It was the very definition of corrupted society...
However, despite its grandeur, an air of unease pervaded the atmosphere, as if some dark secret lay hidden within the town's walls. Mika and his friends knew they had to proceed with caution if they were to uncover the truth behind this strange and unsettling place. The warning that were forewarned was all make sense.
"This has been... Regretful... seeing them like this makes my heartache... It's like, no one even bothered to give them any mercy." Mika frowned, sympathizing with them. "Let's head deeper, act it like some sort of tourism..." As Mika drew closer to the situation at hand, he contemplated the ways in which he could be of assistance.
However, this was not the first hurdle he had encountered on his journey.
Prior to even setting foot in the town, Mika had to undertake a rigorous task; he was required to acquire a regulation book, the contents of which he had to commit to memory.
The book was filled with an overwhelming amount of pages that detailed a system of dominance and control that left Mika feeling disheartened and disillusioned. It would also appear that this book was a commonly general rule in the dominance of the noble world.
The rules and regulations outlined within its pages were imbecilic and oppressive, and Mika found himself struggling to comply with them. It was as sickening as a poison from a pufferfish.
Despite his at first reluctance, Mika knew that he had a responsibility to uphold the law and protect those in need.
With steely determination, he pressed on towards the situation, ready to utilize his knowledge of the regulations to help those who required it. As he approached, he took a deep breath and prepared himself for whatever lay ahead. If laws were meant strict and universal, this would help Mika not to get in trouble, unless of course, they would use money as a form of cowardice.
"Confusing and utterly disgusting, how can they make such rules this bad? Not even an animal would go this far." Mika complained.
"Be that as it may, we have to be careful... Trickery could be common around here, so do without failing your priorities." Sougo suggested that Mika should concentrate on his main objectives rather than becoming excessively preoccupied with indulging in food and purchasing needs.
Mika stubbornly refused, "Yeah, not really interested in that plan. Let's go grab a bite!" Despite Sougo's advice being serious, Mika did not take it seriously, and instead opted to seize the moment and enjoy himself by trying out some local delicacies.
It seemed as though Mika was determined to make the most of this unique opportunity, regardless of any potential consequences or distractions.
As Mika sauntered into the lavish eatery, he plopped himself down onto a chair, eagerly anticipating the satisfaction of his gastronomical desires.
The ambiance of the restaurant was simply exquisite, with a luxurious and refreshing atmosphere that permeated the air. Every nook and cranny exuded an air of elegance and sophistication that was sure to impress even the most discerning of diners. The whole room was smeared by noble names and their rich laughs.
Suddenly, a waiter approached the table, his demeanor humble and accommodating. "How may I be of service?", he inquired with a polite and gracious tone, eager to cater to Mika's every need.
"Any suggestions? Specifically something cheap?" Mika, taken aback by the high prices of the menu items, politely asked the waiter for a recommendation. "(The price on the menu here is off the charts, anyone could go nuts just for a glass of water that cost a leg. Talk about fine dining...)" Mika mused, expressing the annoyance from the ridiculous prices.
In response, the waiter offered a suggestion with a touch of humor, proposing a drink called "purple honey" that provided both exquisite flavor and affordable price, priced at around 30 Ru'us.
"(30Rs? It's too cheap! Purple honey was supposed to cost a king's ransom!)" Mika flabbergasted. "(Top it all off, it's rare amongst Exliya and tough to find. It's not on the menu list either. Well played, but you've picked the wrong victim for your scamming!)" Mika was not easy to be fooled for he had unspoken knowledge of the world even with minor details.
Offering a negotiation, he wanted to pay first to see his reaction.
"No need, sire. You can pay at the register after finishing your drink."
"Say... isn't purple honey a rather rare item in this establishment? I'm curious as to why you're recommending the rarest and supposedly cheapest option on the menu?" Mika grinned amusedly. "Could it be... you're tricking us by persuading us to purchase a beverage that's not even on the menu?" Mika pressurized the waiter to uncover his true intentions.
"Well, if you're not interested in that suggestion, allow me to cease it. May I propose an alternative?" The waiter tried to get away with the main suggestion that his attempt to trick Mika had become abortive.
"Wait hold on, I'm not done yet. As you know, the local laws here are quite stringent, and one of them stipulates that "any recommendation made by the waiter is to be taken as credible, thereby allowing the customer to select any item based on the waiter's suggestion freely" Is what It said, clear as day." Mika smirked after copying one of the law book pages and reciting them without a stutter.
"Page 138, article 3. Read it for yourself. I expect your commitments to be trustworthy; otherwise, incarceration will be your new home."
The waiter, overcome with nervousness and a tremor in his voice, complied with the request, pricing the purple honey at 30Rs.
Meanwhile, Sougo and Luna overheard the exchange but opted to remain silent, their understanding of Mika's intentions limited.
As they indulged in the exquisite purple honey beverage, expressions of contentment graced their faces, with Sougo silently savoring the unparalleled sweetness. The drink proved to be a delightful treat, satisfying their taste buds with its irresistible flavor.
While Sougo maintained his composed demeanor, Luna and Mika reveled in the experience, exuding a sibling-like camaraderie. Grateful for the culinary delight, they departed from the restaurant without settling the bill, as the waiter had "generously" offered to cover the cost due to his earlier missteps.
"Where to next?" Mika inquired, attentively seeking their input on the next destination that might capture their interest.
"You tell us," Luna replied.
All of a sudden, a delightful sound emerged - that of a jovial little girl who had purchased a savory meat-filled bun, beaming with unbridled joy.
"Enjoy your treat!" the man tenderly handed her the delectable food.
The seller's heart was deeply moved by the exuberant smile on the young girl's face as she clutched two meat buns tightly.
Mika, who witnessed the scene, couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy upon noticing the tattered state of the girl's clothes and her apparent malnourishment. Her smile was worth to protect.
Despite living in squalor, the girl seemed resigned to her circumstances and displayed a profound gratitude for the mere gift of life.
"Hmm?" Mika was captivated by the sight of two elegantly dressed teenagers striding through the town with an air of arrogance.
Suddenly, blinded with happiness, the girl came bounding toward them and collided with the callous duo.
"Move, peasant!" the rude teenagers barked, shoving the girl aside. In the process, the expensive meat buns she had purchased were trampled underfoot, while the other was spared but became soiled by the dirt of the ground.
Suppressing her sorrow, the girl was still smile as she remarked that the meat remained palatable and steaming.
Despite the mangled state of the meat, she proceeded to collect the crushed portions into a plastic bag, unwilling to waste anything.
She sobbed, eating the still warm meat buns, giggling happily of how grateful the meat bun was still edible, "it's still warm and good..."
"HEY!" Mika bellowed at the two impolite strangers in a fit of rage, his eyebrows furrowed and his hands tightly clenched, revealing prominent veins "Say you're sorry!" he confronted the discourteous individuals.
"Or else what?" One of the young nobleman yelled. "Wanna piece of us, punk!?" Upon being confronted, the two individuals devoid of moral code brazenly issued a challenge to Mika for a physical altercation.
Despite Luna's earnest pleas for Mika to avoid any unnecessary fights, Sougo refrained from intervening. Mika's commitment to justice propelled him forward, unfazed even if his actions were at odds with the law. Their acts were unforgivable.
As they locked eyes, a palpable aura of threat and hostility emanated from their presence, permeating the surrounding environment. They were ready to fight.