The carriage trundled along the dusty road, the rhythmic clatter of hooves against the ground accompanying our journey. As we approached the outskirts of the city of Narai, the capital of the kingdom, I leaned forward, peering out of the window with anticipation.
In the distance, the towering spires and grand buildings of Narai came into view, their outlines blurred by the shimmering heat of the midday sun. The sound of bustling city life echoed towards us as we drew closer.
The first thing that came to the eyes however was the sight of the Freolian wall - a colossal structure that seemed to stretch on for miles, its sheer size and strength leaving even Costantinopolis in shame. Legend has it that this impenetrable barrier was built by a powerful magician who had granted a wish to the first king of Narai. According to lore, this frail old man had challenged the king to a game and upon his victory, granted him one wish. And so it was said that the king asked for a city that could never be conquered.
Even now, as I gazed upon its magnificent form, I couldn't help but feel awe and wonder at the power and magic behind its creation. For centuries, Narai had stood strong and proud, never falling to any enemy or siege. And even on his demise , as depicted in my novel's ending, where the royal family sacrificed themselves to bring down part of the demon army within its walls by blowing the entire city up , it remained true to its legacy - a city that could never be conquered by siege...
As I gazed upon the towering walls before me, my mind struggled to find a way to bring them down. The sheer magnitude of the task was daunting - it would take at least one hundred cannons, firing relentlessly for weeks, to make even a breach on the first of the two fortified barrier. And constructing a siege tower was out of the question, with no nearby forest to provide the necessary materials. This city seemed impenetrable, an unconquerable fortress that loomed over us like an unbreakable shield.
As we neared the imposing gate of the castle, two guards bearing a royal insignia emerged and signaled for our carriage to halt. Their gleaming armor reflected the sunlight, their swords at their sides and ready for action. One of the guards, a tall and stern figure, stepped forward with an air of authority.
"Good morning, may we see some identification?" he asked in a voice that made it understand it was more of a demand, his voice echoing off the stone walls.
It was Roy who approached the knights and presented the cards attesting to my presence, while a knight from Varstia's house did the same.
The guard scrutinized the cards before turning his gaze to us. After a moment, he nodded and bowed respectfully. "I apologize for stopping you, I assume you are here for the feast?" he asked, looking directly at me as I leaned out of the carriage.
"You guessed correctly. It's not every day that the kingdom is blessed with a victory, so it's only fitting that we all come to celebrate," I replied with a smile.
The guards bowed even deeper. "It is an honor to have you here, sir.We are blessed to have you here..."He repeated twice" you may proceed, I apologize for the delay," he said as he ordered the gate be opened .
Apparently, word had reached even the capital about my fight.
"No need to apologize, you were simply doing your job. Have a good day," I responded graciously before settling back into the carriage as the gates swung open and we continued on our way.
The bustling streets were alive with the energy of its inhabitants, a constant flow of people moving in all directions. Vendors hawked their goods from colorful stalls, their voices blending into a chaotic symphony of pitches and accents. The clatter of hooves and wheels echoed off the stone buildings as carriages like ours navigated through the throngs of people.
Narai was a bustling metropolis, brimming with endless opportunities and hidden secrets. A true melting pot of cultures, it bore the marks of its diverse inhabitants in every corner - from the colorful stalls of exotic goods to the distinct accents heard in the bustling streets.
But it wasn't always like this. The city had undergone a transformation after the arrival of the demons, as neighboring kingdoms fell and their citizens fled south to seek refuge in Narai. And with each passing year, the once small and unassuming capital grew into a powerful city , its population doubling within just thirty years.
As the seat of power for the kingdom, Narai held immense political influence. Here is where the king held his court and assembly of nobles, though in reality they held little actual power aside from advising the monarch during times of peace and serving as regents when he was away at war. Yet even with their limited authority, their presence carried weight and commanded respect among the people.
As I stood gazing out the large windows at the bustling city below, Frolocht noticed my amazement and approached me with a warm smile. "Is this your first time here?" he asked, his voice friendly and inviting.
I chuckled, unable to hide my surprise. "Do I give it away that easily?" I replied, meeting his gaze with my own and offering a small smile in return.
"You do," Frolocht said with a chuckle. "Do you like the view?"
"It's better than what I though ," I admitted, turning back to take in the sprawling metropolis outside.In my previous life I lived in a metropolis, but it was nothing like this, it was dirty , filled with rats, both as animals and people.Here instead buildings were clean and towering , the streets bustling with activity. It was a sight unlike anything I had ever seen.
Frolocht smiled proudly. "It's quite impressive, isn't it?"
I nodded in agreement. "Yes, it is. I've never seen anything like this before."
"Well, welcome to our city," Frolocht said warmly. "A small piece of advice for you - when you go to talk to others, remember that the city has an image built already for you . People will see you differently after what you accomplished. So always appear in control, don't let anything show that surprises or amazes you too much. The more you project control, the more people will be drawn to you and see you as a strong leader."
I nodded slowly, taking in his words. "I understand."
"Good," Frolocht said with a nod. "We need a strong image for our faction right now."
I glanced at him curiously, there was something I wanted to ask but that could come later. Instead, I turned back to the window and marveled at the city below, knowing that there was much more to explore and discover as I settled into my new role within this powerful society.