The showers ended up being exactly what I thought they would be. A massive, open indoor shower room.
First, there were racks of towels available as soon as you walk inside; then you see all the countless naked individuals showering. Both women and men. However, it did seem that the women kept to one side and the men to the other.
What really surprised me was the showers that looked a lot like modern showers from Earth. A metal fixture for the shower head through which water flowed and is released above one’s head. I do doubt that it’s the same working mechanism as back home and is most likely using runes like the tents do.
Still, I wasn’t going to stand around and think about the matter, so I set my clothes and towel at an empty spot on a nearby bench, and found an empty shower.
I was pleasantly shocked to feel the hot water hit my skin as I turned the knob to let the water come out. I grabbed the bottle of some sort of soap and used that liquid to wash myself. It was intriguing to see how everything worked around here, as I even saw the water drain underneath me into some kind of underground pipes.
When I turned around, I saw some of the women Knights on the other side of the room, glancing at me, specifically my nether regions, while gossiping amongst themselves. I made sure to get some glances of my own at their very athletically toned bodies, which they did not seem shy about.
In fact, so far, the people of the Imperium, at least among the Knights, have been open about nudity without shying away. I especially like how gorgeous all the women have been thus far, since I don’t think I have seen one ugly or displeasing to the eyes woman so far. Of course, the princess is still the most stunning woman I have seen thus far.
Well, I soon finished up in the showers, dried off, and wore my clothes, heading back to the room. It is in my best interest to get chow with the captain, after all.
Luckily, I didn’t have to wait long for everyone to get back, including the captain, to which he led the way for all of us toward the Chow Hall. He guided us up to the second floor first, to where we went out one of the balcony doors. It seems he’s taking us across one of the upper walkways to the dining facility.
It was interesting how firm the walkway felt, as I had thought it would be more springy based on how it looked. It ended up being a quick journey to the other building, and I was once more amazed when we got inside.
Just as expected, it is a massive, expansive space inside, where I saw rows upon rows of long tables where people sat down to eat. At both far sides is what looks like a buffet table that connects to a kitchen, where various cooks place food for people to put upon their plates as they choose.
We quickly joined one of the lines, each of us grabbing a tray with a few plates. The options weren’t a whole lot of variety. Only a few different kinds of meat, vegetables, fruits, bread, various drinks, and even some desserts. I decided to try a little bit of everything and something that looked like some kind of tea to drink.
After we had all gotten our food, we found a sizable empty space for us all to fit in and sat down to eat. When I looked around, I saw that you could find a mix of everyone eating here, including non-cultivators, Knights, and Sentinels.
While I was eating, I decided to try to learn some more things. "Captain, what do you think we’ll be doing for the while we are here at home base?"
He looks up from his food, swallowing. "Not much. Mostly just waiting and training. The nation is still at war, so no vacations are allowed. As soon as we stock back up on personnel and supplies, I am sure we’ll be shipping back out to either the Eastern Front or the Southern Front. The general has probably already sent in the request to Karakadrim."
I hesitate for a moment, wondering if I should ask or not, since I have no idea if Karakadrim is something that would be suspicious to ask about or not. In the end, my curiosity wins out, though I decide to ask cautiously. "What is Karakadrim like?"
The moment the question came out of my mouth, the entire unit looked at me with blatant confusion plastered upon all their faces. "Huh?! Have you not been? How’d you become a Knight, then?" Captain Ogman quickly asks back, his brows furrowed.
"Uh, General Ataras took an interest in me and helped me awaken," I replied a bit trepidatiously.
The others all froze in shock, with many dropping their various eating utensils, causing others in the Chow Hall to look over curiously.
"No way," Uther muttered, his mouth wide open.
Ynar shook his head, both eyes glued to me as if I were insane. "Fuckin’ mad lad."
"I can’t believe I actually met someone crazy enough to do it," Onna said, a clear show of interest toward me on her face.
"Are you saying you had the general perform an infusion upon you to awaken?" The captain asks as he stood up, then pauses as if thinking of something else. "Wait, are you that single Death Charger that survived?"
I placed my hand on the back of my head a bit nervously at all the sudden attention I was getting from everyone, since I did not understand the shock they all had. "Yes, and yes."
That elicited another wave of exclamations and various utterances from the members of my unit.
"You truly are insane," the captain muttered as he sat back down. "Looks like we’ve got a real survivor with us this time, guys. Survived both the Death Chargers and mana infusion!"
I ended up having to endure multiple smacks on my shoulders and back, while they gave me congratulations and further remarked how crazy I am. "Is it really that crazy to awaken that way, I know its rare, and was certainly painful but aren’t more people willing to take the risk?" I couldn’t help but ask due to their reactions.
Captain Ogman shakes his head as if exasperated. "Why would most people take the risk of exploding? I mean, sure, it’s a very quick way of awakening your Mana Veins. Nevertheless, it only takes a few years’ training at Karakadrim to awaken and become a Knight."
"Yeah, millions of peasants apply to the military and go to Karakadrim to become Knights each year. All of us here went there," Dalia chimes in. "Guess you really couldn’t wait, huh?"
"Karakadrim is also a sweet gig. I’d love to get stationed there. It’s the third largest city in the Imperium, and the second most defensible fortress!" Joster says with an excited sigh, as if dreaming he could be there.
"Right, it’s one of the coolest places. Half the city is for the civilians and regular folk, while the other half is completely military. Split right down the middle!" Uther says in agreement.
The captain nods his head, jumping in. "Well, Karakadrim is the military headquarters for the entire Imperium, and the training center for Knights. It has to be that way, especially since those who get stationed there are there for life, so they have their families and homes in the conjoined civilian districts. I remember my days there fondly."
"I have always loved the fact that the city is attached to the mysterious Lonely Mountain. It’s one of the continent’s great mysteries as to why one of the tallest mountain peaks is all by itself!" Knight Drake joins in.
The conversation continued with everyone telling their stories about the fortress-city of Karakadrim, to which I quietly listened, soaking in the information.