The closer he got, the slower his steps became.
Moniyan wasn’t just a city.
It was… overwhelming.
The walls rose higher with every step, built from pale stone that caught the early light.
Towers stood like silent watchers, their banners barely moving in the morning wind.
People.
So many people.
More than Liebe had ever seen.
Caravans lined up near the gates.
Merchants argued.
Guards checked documents.
Travelers waited.
Noise.
Voices.
Life.
Liebe stopped for a moment.
Just outside the line.
So this is… Moniyan…
His grip tightened around the wooden sword.
He stepped forward.
“Next!”
A guard’s voice cut through the noise.
A man ahead of him stepped forward, showed a paper, and was waved through.
Another.
Then another.
Liebe’s turn came faster than he expected.
“Name.”
The guard didn’t look up at first.
“L-Liebe.”
Now he did.
His eyes scanned him.
Clothes.
Hands.
Sword.
Paused.
“…Where are you coming from?”
Liebe hesitated.
“…A village.
It was attacked.”
The guard’s expression didn’t change.
But something in his eyes shifted.
“By what?”
“…The Abyss.”
Silence.
Just for a second.
The guard exhaled slowly and stood up straighter.
“You’re not the first to say that.”
Liebe’s chest tightened.
“…What?”
The guard leaned slightly closer.
“Listen, kid.
If you’re here for shelter, go inside and stay out of trouble.”
Then—
“If you’re here for something else… don’t wander blindly.”
Liebe looked at him.
“…I’m looking for the Order.”
That got a reaction.
Small.
But real.
The guard studied him again.
Longer this time.
“…The Order of Light?”
Liebe nodded.
The guard clicked his tongue.
“…You’ve got a long way to go.”
He stepped aside.
“Go in.”
Liebe didn’t move immediately.
“…Where do I find them?”
The guard looked past him, already calling the next person.
“Inside the inner district.
If you’re serious—you’ll figure it out.”
“Next!”
Liebe stepped through the gates.
And everything changed.
The air felt different.
Warmer.
Heavier.
Streets stretched endlessly, lined with buildings of stone and wood.
Voices echoed from every direction.
Vendors shouted.
Metal clanged somewhere in the distance.
This wasn’t a road anymore.
This was a world.
Liebe walked slowly.
Taking it in.
Trying not to look lost.
Inner district…
He repeated it in his mind.
Somewhere ahead.
Somewhere deeper.
A group of armored knights passed him.
Real ones this time.
Their armor gleamed.
Their presence… heavy.
One of them glanced at him.
Just for a second.
And then looked away.
Liebe stopped.
His heart beat faster.
They’re different…
He could feel it. Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
Not fear.
Something else.
Pressure.
“Hey.”
A voice.
Close.
Liebe turned.
A boy.
About his age.
Leaning against a wall.
Watching him.
“You’re new.”
Liebe didn’t answer.
The boy smirked slightly.
“Yeah… thought so.”
He nodded toward the city.
“Looking for something?
Or just trying not to get lost?”
A pause.
Liebe hesitated.
Then—
“…The Order of Light.”
The boy’s smile faded.
“…That’s not a place you just walk into.”
Silence.
Then he pushed himself off the wall.
“But… I can show you where to start.”
He turned slightly.
“Unless you want to wander until night.”
Liebe looked at him.
Carefully.
This city…
Wasn’t like the road.
“…Why help me?”
The boy shrugged.
“Because you look like you won’t survive a day here alone.”
A small pause.
“…And because I’m bored.”
He started walking.
“Come on.
Or don’t.”
Liebe stood still for a second.
Then—
He followed.
Because for the first time since entering the city—
He realized something important.
The journey to Moniyan…
Was over.
But the real path—Had just begun