The capital was more grandiose than any city in the kingdom.
With the empire raising the development focus for Chrysantheus's capital city, Aurea, to 40%, it was becoming more and more advanced.
However, urbanization and city layout still don't match the level of the most advanced and developed city in that world, the empire's capital.
If we were to compare it with modern Earth, the empire's capital city was somewhere between the 19th and 20th centuries but with its own aesthetic twist, like the fantastical steampunk.
Meanwhile, Aurea resembled the 16th century.
The trio left the Warp Station building after Niveus recovered from warp-sickness.
The roads and streets of Aurea were broader than the last city. Its facilities and buildings gave off a slightly modern feeling due to the emerging Magitech inventions constructed here and there.
It was the definition of a fantasy world, not just a bleak medieval architecture.
A city that was about to reach a new era.
Thanks to that, it didn't feel crowded even though the city was packed with people visiting for the competition.
Towering structures near the inner area could be seen from afar. Those looked like skyscrapers but spire-shaped.
'The magic towers...'
Niveus glanced at the purple-colored magic tower.
The Illusion Tower.
'I need to find a way to enter that tower.'
But there was one problem...
Eliana, who had been navigating through the street while occasionally looking at the map, tilted her head.
"Umm... This city layout is so confusing..."
"Give it to me."
Alphonso took the map from Eliana and examined it. A moment later, he raised an eyebrow while still looking at the map.
"It's not confusing, though?"
"It is confusing for me."
"Understandable. You are from Vyrmoria, after all. I heard the city streets there are easier to navigate. Anyway, we are going to stay at the Commander's family townhouse, right?"
Eliana and Niveus nodded.
"Then, we just need to follow the main road until we reach the inner area."
With that, they continued walking. Then, when they passed an intersection, Niveus stopped moving, eyes glued on a particular spot.
The spot where he looked was filled with carriages. However, there was something familiar with that place, especially the white lines on the road that somehow resembled a parking spot—no, a rental spot!
Curious, Niveus asked Nono, hoping it was as he expected.
'Nono, what is that?'
["That's a Rental Lot."]
'Are they only renting the carriages? Without a horse?'
["No. Those are not normal carriages. Those are self-driving carriages."]
Niveus's eyes widened in amazement.
A self-driving carriage? Really?
'I wonder if it's better than Alset...'
["Alset?"]
'N-nothing... Anyway, how does that work?'
Nono emitted a soft hum as she explained.
["The carriages are operated entirely by Magitech. You simply set your destination point, and the carriage will drive you there automatically."]
'No need for horses or drivers?'
["The magic embedded in the wheels and the carriage itself senses the road, avoiding obstacles, and following the best route."]
Niveus walked closer to the rental lot, examining the sleek, polished carriages.
They looked like traditional ones, those often used by nobles, but with subtle differences. There were no reins, no traces of horses, and instead of wood, these carriages had a smoother, metallic material.
As Niveus approached one of the carriages, someone shouted his name.
"Hey! What are you doing? Have you changed your job into a thief now?"
"I'm not stealing anything."
He could see Eliana elbowing Alphonso and then saying something to him. Soon after, they walked toward him.
Alphonso, now eyes wide, staring at the carriage.
"Are you serious? This is a self-driving carriage?" he said, looking at Eliana.
"Yes, I've always used it when I went to the academy."
With a grin spreading across his face, Alphonso approached the carriage near Niveus. It was larger up close, with soft cushions inside and an intricate panel that glowed faintly with magical runes.
The door opened on its own as Alphonso got near, inviting him to step inside.
"What are you guys doing? Come in! We will use this to get to the townhouse."
Niveus was as excited as Alphonso. He quickly got into the carriage and sat down, examining the inside.
"But that's expensive..." Eliana hesitated.
Snorting, Alphonso pointed at Niveus.
"Don't worry, we have plenty of money."
Although he disliked being pointed at, Niveus sighed and looked at Eliana.
"The Commander gave me a lot of money. Let's use this carriage," Niveus said, trying to not sound excited.
With words from Niveus, Eliana finally got into the carriage.
Scratching his head, Alphonso looked around.
"How do we use this thing?"
As though had expected that, Eliana sighed and tapped the panel thrice. Suddenly, a metallic box emerged from below.
"Woah, what is that?"
"The control panel," Eliana said as she fiddled with the screen on the box. "To start, simply set your destination on this screen, and once you're finished..."
The metallic box let out a soft hum before the screen changed and showed numbers.
"It will ask you to pay."
Pointing at the screen, Eliana continued.
"Here. It says we need to pay 50000 Credits."
Niveus examined the metallic box that looked like a television, trying to locate where he should insert the money.
He was too shy to ask. And him being someone from Earth wouldn't allow him to look more primitive than people of this world.
After some time, Niveus finally located it. However, it wasn't a slit hole to insert the coins but the sensor on the top side of the box.
The currency they used in this world was similar to Earth. But instead of paper, it was coins.
The value of the coin was engraved on its surface. 500 was the lowest value, and the highest was 100000.
Placing a coin with a 50000 Credits value on the sensor, Niveus smiled, a satisfaction palpable on his face.
Eliana tried to ignore it, but she ended up chuckling after seeing his smile.
"W-why are you laughing?"
"Sorry, sorry... I suddenly recalled something funny."
Niveus and Alphonso raised an eyebrow at Eliana.
After the box confirmed the payment and the destination, the runes on the panel shifted, lighting up in a gentle blue hue.
With a smooth jolt, the carriage began to move.
Alphonso looked excited. He couldn't stop looking left and right while the carriage was driving automatically.
Unlike Alphonso, Niveus remained composed, at least on the outside.
He peered out of the window, watching as the city, streets, and people passed by.
The carriage moved effortlessly, navigating turns, avoiding pedestrians, and gliding through the city.
As they approached the Townhouse Square, Niveus couldn't help but wonder.
This city—no, this world—was more incredible than he had ever imagined.
With this one trip to the capital, Niveus felt as if he had lived for centuries because of the big difference between Salhju and Aurea.
It was as if the portal he had gone through was a time machine, bringing him to the future instead of another region within the same continent, the same world.
It was as if he just jumped from one era to another.
But...
'If only you didn't tell me about the looming end of this world, Nono.'
'If only you didn't speak nonsense as soon as you appeared again, Cassie. The chaos destroy this world? What does she even mean by that.'
The carriage slowed down, coming to a gentle stop at the entrance of the townhouse.
With a soft chime, the door opened, signaling the end of their ride.
They stepped out, feeling almost reluctant to leave the comfy cushion of the magical vehicle behind.
Eliana pushed Niveus and Eliana from behind.
"Come on, guys! Let's move. Don't just stand there."
Niveus sighed, while Alphonso let out a small laugh.
'Now, what should I do?'
Both of them, Niveus and Alphonso, the children with contrasting hair colors, thought of the same thing.
What should they do now?