"I never get tired of seeing this," Emma said wistfully.
"Surprisingly, it hasn't changed much in the past few years," Ruby said.
"Teacher, when you say 'few years', you always mean a loooong time..."
"Hmph. I grow tired of explaining this every so often. To me, humans are like what humans think of rabbits. Short lifetimes, ridiculous amounts of breeding-"
"Okay, Teacher, we get it..."
I, too, was somewhat taken aback when I laid eyes on the structure in front of us.
Its stature was a bold outward display of the kingdom(?)'s intellectual prowess.
*I think we're in a kingdom, anyway... It's gotta be something like that.*
Intricately carved limestone walls towered over a hundred meters in the air, as if to display the might of the talented stonemasons and carvers. Kaleidoscopic stained glass windows swirled across the walls as if it were a twister shredding through houses. Though, there was some order in this chaos, which made it all the more beautiful.
Golden crests of some lion-with-wings-looking mythical creature adorned the corners of the rooftops, and inferior-looking versions of it perched atop the sturdy oak doors. These doors were outlined with more intricacy, this time showcasing the prowess of the metalworkers and blacksmiths, as the detailed black metal danced with sophisticated patterns.
*Where have I seen that before... Ah.*
I glanced at Emma's dress - the plain white garb with rose-like embroidery.
*So that's what it is. Must be some symbol of this nation.*
All this ancient fancy architecture was nothing like I'd ever seen in my old world. I would say it looked like those nice old buildings, but on steroids.
It was all the elaborateness of old architecture mixed with the scale and grandeur of modernity. There really was nothing like it in my old world.
*It's what I call box theory... Everyone's miserable due to being cramped inside rectangular buildings all day. If only, in the modern world, we took more of an effort to surround ourselves with natural shapes to placate our unevolved monkey brains.*
I subconsciously stepped forwards, and Ruby immediately stuck an arm out to stop me.
"You shall not pass."
"You look like a little girl, not an old bearded man..."
"What?"
"Oops. Nothing."
"Hmph. Out of respect for my student, I shall pretend like I heard nothing. Run along now," Ruby said, making a shooing motion with her hand. "Don't embarrass us any further."
"Teacher," Emma butted in, grabbing Ruby's hand with both of hers. "Can't we *please* let him come along?"
"No."
"Pleeeeeaseeeee!"
"No."
"Is there anything I could do to let you let him come, please please please-"
"No."
"Guh-"
Emma pouted like she'd been punched in the gut.
*She's even more desperate than I am.*
I did want to see what was inside, but it wasn't killing me *that* much. I didn't have a problem with exploring this town, or city, or whatever.
*>System Quest: Locate an Adventurer's Guild. Expires in 3 hours.*
*What?? Alright, these quests are stacking up. I actually need to get out of here.*
"It's alright, Emma," I said, waving my hands. "I'll take a look around town. I've never seen anything like this place before."
"Really?" she said, raising an eyebrow. "You really don't know the most simple things..."
"Can I have some money?" I shamelessly asked. Surely I needed some cash if I wanted to have proper experience.
"Haaaah? You really have *nothing*?" Ruby squawked. "You had nothing for survival on your person when we found you. How did you make it out that far into the middle of nowhere?"
I shrugged. "I would like to know that as well."
From Ruby's perspective, it made sense. It took us over a day to reach a settlement by the power of ground wyrm, which I estimated could run at 50 km/h.
"Forget it," she said, throwing a small pink felt pouch at me. "Don't spend it all in one place."
"Thank you," I said, genuinely grateful.
"Shoo now. Sh sh sh-"
"Alright, alright."
I didn't want to waste any time. This quest was the quickest to expire yet. Though I was wondering...
*>System Message: Yes, the penalty for not completing the quest is indeed death.*
*... figures.*
"Emmu..." Emma said, sulking. "Let's meet up somewhere afterwards, okay? Let's all have a meal at Shokan's!"
"Hmph. I suppose that is a well-structured compromise," Ruby said.
"Emmu..." Riche spoke up.
"Hm? You've been awfully quiet."
"I wanted... to apologize for my unruly behavior," he said, bowing suddenly.
Emma and Ruby looked at him like he'd eaten something weird. Apparently, it wasn't the Riche they knew.
"It's whatever," I waved it off. "Just enjoy your sister's accomplishment for now, and we'll talk more during our evening mealtime."
"... Right."
"Okay, get out of here, seriously," Ruby said sternly. "We can't dilly-dally much longer. Come on, kids."
I waved to them and the two kids waved back as the regal oak doors automatically slowly swung open. Eventually, their figures became obscured by said doors as they closed behind them.
I sighed.
*Time to get this new quest over with.*