Two weeks of never ending quests later…
It was a busy yet beautiful morning. A tall man went outside the adventurer's guild holding a bag of silver coins.
Chrysos left the adventurer's guild after he received his reward. During this time, Meiros learned how to brew potions and he also went on quests with Chrysos.
These two weeks went well for both of them.
...
Ironmountain City Hall..
In the middle of the mighty Ironmountain City, as the sunlight began shining on the large smithies and buildings with foundations laid in iron and steel.
The city is surrounded by tall, thick and powerful iron gates guarded with sharp, imposing spears to prevent an easy entrance to those who decide to climb over this wall.
On the back of the city, the Iron Mountain Ranges stood tall and powerful. Its peaks are covered by thick clouds where lightning clashes and darkness always covers the land.
In the middle of the city, the largest and wealthiest building made of iron stood. It had a blue roof and gray stone walls. Lights covered by iron surrounded the building that lit up whenever night shrouds the land.
Numerous facilities for iron and ore processing, smithies, alchemy houses, and training grounds are within this large stone construct made by the powerful hands of man. In front of it was the symbol of Ironmountain. Three mountain peaks with a fist holding an axe and another one holding a pickaxe.
This is the Arlangier's Mansion.
Arlangier Orius the person who owns Ironmountain city as a whole. The hierarchy in the Divine Lands is different from earth.
The exceptions are barons and viscounts who have almost the same power and ranking as their earth counterparts. Starting from the highest of the nobility, the royal family stands the highest.
The king owns the kingdom and the continent that his kingdom rules. The princes and princesses will become the king or the queen of the continent once the king dies. Below the royal family is the Insilior.
An Insilior is a noble who rules over a country. The kingdom of Supremia Aliqierta has 45 countries each with their own Insiliors governing over them.
Below the Insilior is an Anandior who governs over a majorii. A single majorii has at least 15 cities under its authority to be considered one.
An Arlangier is a city ruler, and Ironmountain for example is under Majorii Ironfist. Below an Arlangier is a count, a viscount and a baron.
Dukes and marquises are higher than an Arlangier in terms of title and how large private land they can occupy, but if the Arlangier has more military power than they do, the Arlangier would definitely be the stronger one.
Private lands are a noble's property. Anyone except the royal family cannot interfere in their private land. Of course, not without a good reason.
…
In the large and wealthy mansion, the busy Arlangier worked in his office.
The office was a rather spacious one. It was well lit when it's nighttime. It might not be apparent now because it's still daytime. There are shelves on both sides of the walls filled with numerous books and ores encased in glass.
A blue and white oval carpet was lying down the floor, the Arlangier's desk and chair was made of the steel viened Irtimus wood from the rare Irtimus tree that grows in the harsh territory of the Iron Mountain Ranges. The wood itself is a shade of brown and its 'steel veins', its most notable feature, complements the appearance very well.
The office is located on the highest floor, being the fifth. The windows behind the Arlangier is a great way to admire the view of Ironmountain.
Arlangier Orius was at his desk minding his paperworks. He was a stern old man with a long white beard and sharp blue eyes. Even with his age of one hundred and twenty six, he is still someone who couldn't be defeated that easily.
From the hallway to his office, someone was running holding a letter.
The man opened the door with an excited expression. "Arlangier Orius, good news!"
Orius took his glasses off and looked at the man. "What's the news Hulor? If you came to me personally, I believe that it wouldn't be simple news."
Hulor laughed and straightened himself up. "Of course it isn't simple.. The Grand Majorii Ironfist Tournament has been rescheduled because the Anandior family of Ironfist decided to add more slots for the tournament." Hulor's body language suggests that he was excited to tell Orius the news.
"Really.. and why is that?" Orius put his elbows on top of his table and rested his face on his hands.
"The Ironfist Divinious Fountain has been upgraded! This means that many more nobles who get at least inside the top 70 can absorb Divinious from the fountain! It used to be 40, but now it has almost increased by half. I must say, it's good timing." Hulor laughed.
"Of course that's good news, but it doesn't require you to report that to me personally." Orius glanced at the letter in Hulor's hand. "So, what's in the letter?"
"Arlangier, you must see for yourself." Hulor gave the letter to Orius and bowed respectfully.
Orius took the letter. It was a fine paper envelope with a golden seal of a sword, a staff, and a bow. "A seal of the Anandior?" Orius furrowed his eyebrows. "It can't be, right?" He opened the letter and saw a piece of paper with something he didn't expect.
"Ironmountain has received a mark of Major Recognition. All noble families within Ironmountain will be permitted to join the tournament. However, for each noble family only one will be allowed to compete. Any more and they wouldn't be able to join." And below the letter was the signature from the Country Insilior of Sacqilis Arcroa to officialize it.
Orius was overjoyed. This was the best news he has received.
"When is the God Of Heroes altar going to be built in Ironmountain?" Orius asked.
"Around two days later my Arlangier." Hulor answered with a slight smile that was hard to conceal.
"Good, make sure to welcome them and provide them an area to build the church." Orius took a document and signed it before giving it to Hulor.
Hulor looked at the document and exclaimed. "Arlangier Orius, You're providing them this much land? And in the middle of Ironmountain, next to your mansion?"
"We have to show our respects. They accepted us and we should show our gratitude. In fact, I feel that it's still lacking." Orius sighed. "Also, announce the Ironmountain tournament. We have to bring our own nobles to the tournament and bring glory to Ironmountain."
"Yes Arlangier Orius, I'll get it done." Hulor left the office.
Once Hulor left, Orius took a deep breath
Orius laid back on his chair. It was a great day and he was in a good mood. He continued on his work with a smile.
…
Meanwhile, in a certain market.
While Chrysos and Meiros were in the market, they heard a commotion.
"What's going on?" Meiros asked as he perked his ears.
"No idea.." Chrysos paid for the ingredients from the vendor in front of him and put them in his backpack. "Let's check it out."
The two of them followed the people.
Chrysos saw a large crowd swarming over the city square, it seems that the Arlangier had something to announce.
When everyone fully packed the streets, a man holding a piece of paper spoke. "Everyone settle down, the Arlangier of Ironmountain has something to announce."
He cleared his throat. "From now on, the nobles of Ironmountain has been permitted to join the Grand Majorii Ironfist Tournament!" The man looked at everyone's astounded expressions. "And not only that, the tournament has been rescheduled and the slots have been increased! Ironmountain has a chance to show off their glory!"
The crowd gasped and then shouted in excitement.
"No way! Is this true??"
"The Arlangier announced it himself, so it must be true!"
"Long live Ironmountain!"
The crowd cheered loudly. It was such an honor for their city to be given Major Recognition.
Nobles are somewhat of a celebrity to common folk and weaker awakened ones. So, being given a chance to show off their glory was such an honor for the people of Ironmountain. So much so that even the nobles couldn't help but celebrate as well.
Knowing that the news doesn't concern him, Chrysos turned his head away.
"Meiros, let's go." Chrysos pulled Meiros' arm from the crowd.
Meiros was still clapping his hands until Chrysos pulled him back. "Eh? we're not going to congratulate them?"
"It has nothing to do with us." Chrysos didn't even turn around anymore.
As Chrysos and Meiros left, the man continued his speech.
"A selection tournament will be held tomorrow for all of the nobles to be sent to Majorii Ironfist's main city. Everyone is allowed to spectate the matches and witness history!"
...
Meiros was at home and he was confused why Chrysos acted so indifferently to the Grand Tournament. Ironmountain is about to start their selection and the winners will be sent to the Majorii's main city to compete in another selection to gain slots for the fountain.
And after that, they will fight against the winners of different cities to be chosen as their city's champion. After that, all 45 champions will battle it out to get the slots for the fountain. And since the fountain can support 70 people now, depending on your spot in the top 45 champions, you can bring others with you for the fountain! And because there's 70 slots, being a champion guarantees a slot for you to use the fountain!
And even if they don't become a champion, the rewards they get from getting so far is still a substantial amount. No one would reject this offer if it were anyone else.
But not only does his master seem uninterested, he also doesn't seem to care one bit at all. Meiros didn't get why his master didn't care enough for it.
Even though he was a runaway kid since he was little, over the years that he lived in the streets searching for food until he was eighteen, he still felt honored to be an Ironmountain citizen for some reason despite the city having done nothing to help him.
When he escaped the orphanage, it was because he was curious about the outside world. But in the end, he almost starved to death and got marked by a man using corrupted Divinious to forcefully awaken him.
Knowing how evil corrupted Divinious is as a child, he didn't dare go back to the orphanage because he feared for his life. He was taught that corrupted awakened ones will be killed on sight. And because he was still young, he ran away until he met Chrysos who changed his life and perspective on things.
This master of his is a strange person. First, he reveals strange information about atoms, geography, the equator, and the world is a ball? It was so strange! How could the world be a ball?
Not only that, he spoke about weird things that he hasn't heard of before. There were things about this Newton guy and his laws of motion. He remembered everything, but he didn't get most of them.
Meiros sighed. "Even though the master is a strange man, he's still kind and caring." Meiros knew that Chrysos eats less food than him, offers him more comfort and doesn't hesitate to buy him stuff even though he was okay with what he has.
He felt warm and felt for the first time that someone cared about him. So even though his master shows some unexplainable things or tells him bizarre science, he will still appreciate him no matter what.
…
Chrysos' house.
Meiros finished reading a book and visited the kitchen.
"Uh, master Chrysos? What are you doing?" Meiros asked Chrysos, who was sitting very relaxed in a chair.
"Hypertraining fluid massage.." Chrysos said without turning his head.
"Uh, okay... can you tell me something about the human nervous system that you told me? I'm sure you know about that more than me, so I guess that can help me find weak spots in humans when I fight someone." Meiros pointed to a drawing in a book.
"Look, you're still a kid.. you don't need to learn how to kill that effectively yet. Maybe if you're eighteen at least." Chrysos refused.
"I am eighteen.. Just because I'm short doesn't mean that I'm a child." Meiros crossed his arms.
"Wait, you're eighteen? I thought you were fifteen judging from your height. I mean, look at you, even a little girl has more muscle than you." Chrysos laughed.
Meiros rolled his eyes. "I can't believe you're one of them who thinks like this.."
Chrysos laughed even more.
Getting up from his chair, Chrysos taught everything that Meiros had questions about and it only took five minutes.
Seeing that his master's mood improved, Meiros got the courage to ask Chrysos about something.
Meiros then asked. "Why aren't you interested in the tournament selection?"
"The nobles just think they're better because they have these lame titles. They get too full of themselves and I hate that. They also look down on commoners and treat them as lesser humans." Chrysos sighed and explained it to Meiros.
Meiros was shocked, he didn't know that his master had this bad of an opinion towards nobles. "What if they're not all like that? Maybe there's kind ones too?"
"The world is full of kindness and evil. That's just how simple it is.. I've been acquainted with some nobles before and when I saw how they treat common folk, I hated them ever since. The kind ones are rare in my experience." Chrysos wasn't lying.
Back on earth, the daughters and sons of millionaires or billionaires were so spoiled and barely knew how to do things themselves. That was the same feeling he had to nobles of the Divine Lands.
"Alright, get to bed now. it's already dark." Chrysos sent him away.
Meiros nodded and left while thinking to himself, "What did master experience in his life for him to turn out like this?"
But before Meiros could leave, Chrysos added.
"We're going to sell something tomorrow. Are you fine with that?" Chrysos asked out of the blue.
"Hm?" Meiros stopped in his tracks. "Sure? But master, what are we going to sell?"
"Drinks." Chrysos smiled under his mask. "We're going to make a lot of money because of them as well. I've planned things out already."