I emerged from the portal into a large room reminiscent to the one I had been in, in Wolfen.
Although this one seemed to be smaller and lacked the ornaments of the one at Wolfen. But I guess it's to be expected.
After all, the Sapin Kingdom on it's own was nowhere near the Hayes Empire in terms of economy or military might.
It was the smallest nation on the continent after all.
Gagg
Oh shit. My stomach was turning. This was an after effect of travelling through teleportation gates.
Although this only happens to first timers. I couldn't help but notice my fellow less fortunate individuals who had followed me through the portal.
RETCH GAGGG
Their expressions were a mix of astonishment and discomfort, with a large number of them even vomiting while some only appeared to be on the verge of vomiting.
Aw sick. I quickly turned my head away.
When we had all exited the portal, the imposing gate of the chamber swung open, and we began our walk into the main hall.
The presence of troops who stood as strong guards of this portal center dominated the vast region was one of the things that seemed different from Wolfen.
Counters were strategically placed throughout the hall to serve as id validation checkpoints.
As I approached one of the desks, I was met by a receptionist, a kind woman who looked to be in her late twenties, with a professional mannerism.
She took a look at the pass I handed her and nodded.
"Ah, special permission I see," she said. Then continued "Aren't you one of the lucky few?"
I couldn't help but look around as I noticed individuals forming long queues to verify their identities.
"It has its benefits."
I said returning my gaze back to the lady.
"Well, I hope you enjoy your stay in Erantel, If you have any questions or want assistance, please do not hesitate to ask."
"Thank you. Infact I'll take you up on that. What's the best and cheapest inn in the city." I asked.
"Oh. Let me just write that down for you." She then proceeded to tear a piece of paper and wrote the inn for me.
"Thank you." With a grateful nod, I said. Proceeding to leave the receptionist to handle the other travelers.
I went out of the building and was welcomed with the fresh new city, Erantel, a huge city that stood as a tribute to both architectural splendor and busy commerce.
It was an economic center unlike any I'd seen before, and its architecture was breathtaking. In terms of architecture it was only just slightly below Wolfen.
And that's saying something.
Erantel was the most western city in the Sapin Kingdom and in the Southern Continent.
They were just located on the shores near the sea. And although it wasn't the only port city in the world as almost every continent had at least one.
It was the most visited port city in the world.
Its vast harbor was overflowing with ships of all types, from galleons to fishing boats.
The city's economy was inextricably linked to its marine trade, and the constant influx of commodities and people from all over the world gave it a cosmopolitan feel.
Most intercontinental travels were done via ship. And it's not because the teleportation gates can't cover between continents, but rather it's an issue of not really trusting each other.
And teleportation gates running between continents would be asking for trouble. Not to mention dwarves and elves are very distrustful of humans.
For good reasons tho. Although there are exceptions. Examples being royalty. If the royal family of any kingdom of any continent wishes to travel intercontinentally, the gates would be reconfigured to allow intercontinental travel.
But otherwise, it doesn't happen a lot.
I looked around as I walked and once again couldn't help but he marveled.
The architecture of the city was a blend of majesty. The skyline was lined with towering spires and beautiful facades, testaments to the riches and influence of its inhabitants.
Among these luxurious constructions, however, were lively marketplaces and poor dwellings where the working class labored and merchants plied their trade.
I looked around at the different facilities or rather offices.
Erantel Merchant guild, , a massive building that dominated the waterfront, was one of the city's most famous landmarks.
Its marble columns and elaborate mosaics oozed grandeur, and merchants from all over the continent flocked within its halls to negotiate bargains and seek alliances.
There was also the adventurer's guild. Well if you're an avid reader of fantasy fiction, you know quite well what the adventurer's guild is for.
I stopped before a large inn. From the looks of this place, it was most likely a four star inn. I looked at the paper in my hand and the sign on the inn to see if they matched.
They did. And I headed inside.
**************
A white haired individual in a black regal attire could be seen walking in a graveyard with an unreadable expression on his face.
He held a bouquet of flowers in his hand. White roses. He kept walking till he got to a certain gravestone and stopped.
He stared at the gravestone for a while, saying nothing with an unreadable expression still on his face.
He then bent slowly and dropped the bouquet of flowers on the gravestone.
And then stood up.
Grit Clench
He grit his teeth and clenched his fist in anger as he mumbled "Why?"
There was no answer.
"Why did you do that?" He continued. Still no answer. "Why did you have to sacrifice yourself?"
"Why. Yennifer?"
Tap Tap Tap
The sound of footsteps could be heard as a figure walked up to the white haired individual.
"Your grace", they said as they went down on one knee.
Arnolds turned back to look at the figure with a cold expression and asked with clear annoyance in his voice, "What?"
The figure was wearing a golden military uniform. The color of the Morningstar knights.
The figure replied "Sir, Young Master Lucas has gone missing." Arnolds' expression remained unchanged.
"And?" He asked coldly.
"Eh?" The figure was dumbstruck. After all regardless of the things Lucas had done, regardless of how low his potential was, Lucas was still the son of the Duke.
So the Duke's apathetic reaction shocked him to the bone.
"Incase you don't know, Lucas is no longer a Morningstar. He's nothing. Tell the knights not to bother searching for him." Arnolds added with a casual tone and an apathetic expression on his face.
Then turned back to what he was doing. "Leave." He added.
The figure stood up and simply bowed "As you command, your grace."