‘This does look… amazing.’
Perhaps overly engrossed in my own thoughts, I didn't even notice the exact moment the scenery changed.
However, with hundreds of dry branches and vibrant orange-red leaves, often woven into beautiful tiaras or wreaths, the atmosphere in Kaom's Voyage street was distinctively different from that of the main street - the one connecting the Plaza of Devotion and the nearest city gate (whose name I didn’t even remember) - which barely had a few leaves and branches scattered here and there.
Beyond that, the street itself was different.
The main street, despite housing a few churches and shrines, still felt like a ‘regular’ city street soon after exiting the plaza, with many residential or commercial buildings, made of the same gray or white brick that's been pretty common around the city, and built in a somewhat similar design to the other ‘high end’ buildings in Northern – a design which combined some elements, which would be called ‘Roman’ and ‘Gothic’ on Earth. Actually, if I recalled correctly, this style was closer to ‘Renaissance’, although I wasn't really sure, as I was never into architecture.
Of course, there were a few differences from the old depictions of buildings that I remembered. One major thing was the constant reuse of certain ‘standard’ arcs and beams, and even frames such as those used for windows and doorways.
Not only did they often share one of few particular shapes and forms, but upon closer inspection, they always appeared to be singular blocks of stone, not a single gap or a sign of mortar visible upon their surface.
This was especially prevalent in one high-end building I glanced at on the way, but I didn’t really pay it much attention.
Of course, this was something I only saw in Northern and the more decent parts of Eastern, but still…
Thinking back to the uniform corridors below the Ministry building, and the spells Jerold listed yesterday, I could hazard a guess as to the origin of such building blocks, but this wasn't something I cared enough to confirm.
On the other hand, the street before me was composed solely of religious buildings, as well as a few shrines scattered in patches between them.
What gave away their identity wasn't just the plethora of religious symbols, often curved into the side of the building itself, or sculpted statues atop their roofs or domes; No, first and foremost, it was their unique designs.
Many of them leaned closer to the Gothic design from Earth, but some were completely different, ranging from dome-like structures to what was almost reminiscent of Brutalism, making extensive use of custom blocks made of uniform stone, which were found in abundance among high-end religious buildings in general.
Moreover, the color of the stone - sometimes dyed, but often natural - was highly varied, ranging from the monotonous gray-and-white to shades of yellow, blue, or even green.
Also - and this was especially noticeable with the smaller shrines - some of the more exquisite structures had decorations sprouting directly out of the stone, ranging from their own crests to intricate flowers and leaves, weapons, waves, figures, or even whole murals depicting a complex scene.
As I walked down the curving street, captivated by many unique sights, I also noticed some symbols and structures which I could recognize, at least per Amelia's description.
‘That small church with the raincloud mural… That’s Lerenia, the goddess of rain.. and water, I think?’
One would expect this type of goddess to play a more significant role in her pantheon, but perhaps the abundance of freshwater and rains in the kingdom had something to do with her lower position. Or perhaps there was something in the pantheon lore which I didn’t know about.
I also remembered there was a different deity ruling the seas, but they were even less known around these parts. I did hear that the northern provinces bordered the sea, but it was months away from Silverveil (by regular caravan travel), which was located around the midway point between the northern and southern edge of its province… Which itself was located in the southeastern part of this massive kingdom.
‘This shrine with two rapiers at the sides of its entrance – I think this is Urvelion, the Knight in Scarlet’.
The god of justice and retribution, partially sharing his domain with Trista, The Lawbringer, had neither temple nor churches, yet one could still find his shrines in various corners of the kingdom.
Unlike most major gods, he had neither clergy nor a paladin order, however, from what I heard, the few who were chosen as his champions were by no means lesser when compared to paladins, and some would end up becoming heroes praised in song.
Of course, only few of them ended up living long enough to achieve such feats – after all, the cries answered by The Avenger were of a very particular kind, and many of his champions would not survive their journey towards fulfilling their desperate wishes, while those who succeeded would often lay down their arms, embarking on a search to find new meaning in their hollow existence.
‘Umm.. I think this one is familiar, too?..’
I stopped for a moment, looking at one of the smaller shrines, standing amidst others inside a large yard.
It was quite humble, composed of gray, unassuming bricks, joined by regular gray mortar one could find throughout most of the city. It housed no stone crests, morals or statues, and the forecourt directly in front of its entrance was covered by what looked like leftover stone shards, the type often discarded by masons.
What caught my attention was the olive tree planted beside it, which stood in stark contrast to most other shrines, which, at most, had a small flower garden beside them.
Actually, this was the first time I saw a fruit tree (to the extent one can call olives fruits) up close in this world. I saw a few trees that might have held some kind of fruit around the fields behind Pine Harbor, but never paid them any particular attention, and the city streets were free of any greenery, besides a few potted plants or vines here and there, and the couple of parks which I only saw on the map.
‘Ah, yes! Olaria… her symbol was an olive branch, so this is probably her shrine. Her domains had something to do with peace, although not exactly… Hmm… I think it was something like natural balance and harmon-’
My thoughts were cut short, as I felt something bumping into me from the left.
I instantly jumped to the opposite direction, my right hand reaching for the hilt at my back – even when distracted, I would certainly hear a regular person approaching me, unless their step was unnaturally light.
However, what I saw before me was not an assassin.
On the ground, amidst a scattered pile of brown branches and yellow leaves, lay a young woman, her slightly tan skin covered with a simple olive-colored robe, her long brown hair scattered across the dusty gray cobblestone, and a look of confusion in her deep brown eyes.
“I-I’m sorry!”
I was about to reach out my hand, but she was already crouching, haphazardly gathering her trove, some of which had already begun scattering farther, carried by the gentle breeze.
“N-no, no. It was my fault.”
Her voice was soft and quiet, and her tone held a measure of aloofness, and a subtle tinge of nervousness.
“I said it’s fine… You don’t have to do this.”
“No, let me at least help you now, before they all fly away. I shouldn’t have stood in the middle of the road, anyway.”
I felt a bit bad about this accident, given the fact that I wasn’t completely without fault. I also didn’t want most of the hard-earned leaves, which she probably spent quite a bit of effort gathering and carrying here from one of the few parks in this city, to scatter in the wind,
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“T-thank you.”
Her words sounded apologetic, guilty, even.
“Think nothing of it.”
For a bit, we both quietly gathered the scattered leaves, with the sounds of chirping birds and distant conversations in the background.
“Are.. is everything alright?”
Something about the subtle twitchiness in her expression, the traces of weariness mixed with nervousness in her eyes… I couldn’t shake the feeling something was weighing heavily on her mind.
Of course, this was not really any of my concern, so if she simply brushed it off, I wouldn’t force the issue, but after piling one more small burden on top of whatever she carried, I couldn’t help but at least ask.
She remained silent, with only a flicker of something akin to regret flashing in her eyes.
As per my own decision, I simply finished gathering the last branches, and stood up, handing her my pile.
With slightly shaky, hesitant hands, she extended her own bundle, slightly smaller than mine, and I carefully put my leaves and branches on top of hers, making sure nothing more fell off.
“Are… are you happy in this city?”
Just as I was turning to leave, I heard the woman’s quiet voice from behind the bundle of foliage.
“Huh?”
For a moment, I was taken aback by the question.
“Do you… think this city is a good place?”
Did I like this city?
“When I arrived a few days ago, first thing to greet me was a bunch of bandits. After I killed them in self defense, their parent gang sent an assassin, and now that I’ve killed him, they’ll probably go to great lengths to see me dead.”
My welcome to Silverveil was far from endearing. If this world had a review site, I’d rate the safety 1/10, at least for Southern.
“Some of the people I met were petty pricks with fragile egos. I’m pretty sure they aren’t done with me, either.”
The guys from the guild, including the young noble brats I met there, certainly didn’t improve my impression of this city.
“However, it wasn’t all bad.”
After all…
“There were people who helped me, too, without asking for anything in return.”
I looked back to Webmire, who sold me an amazing watch for a relatively cheap price, driven by nothing beyond his passion as a craftsman.
The Slayer guy from the guild also came to mind – even if acquiring a new customer could be considered an ulterior motive, it probably wasn’t worth risking his relationship with two of the other trainers.
“Some people try to help others because of their faith.”
I looked back to the Sun temple, and the people I got to meet there, even if our acquaintance was brief.
“Some people are getting by.”
I thought of the bartenders, receptionists and shopkeepers I’ve met. I thought of the countless people walking the streets, most out of my eye’s reach, but not out of ear’s.
“Some people just do what they can to survive.”
I recalled the faces of the factory workers and slum dwellers, and even those of the gangsters I’ve killed.
“And some are trying to keep all of this together, by whatever means they can muster.”
The face of the deputy MIS branch leader flashed through my mind.
“This place seems dangerous for those who seek danger. It also holds opportunities for those who are willing to accept that danger.”
Was it a good place?
“I really don’t know if this city is good, or bad. I think it’s just a place with a lot of people. Some are good. Some are bad. Most just live their lives.”
I suddenly noticed I’ve been talking for like a minute. I did try to answer her in earnest, but… this was a bit too much.
‘Did Thomas’s speeches rub off on me?’
Just as I was about to apologize for yapping, the woman in front of me spoke.
“I-I see…”
Her voice did not sound relieved – if anything, it sounded even more conflicted than earlier.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to-”
“Thank you.”
Her soft words of gratitude caught me off-guard yet again.
“I.. umm, yeah.”
I couldn’t fully see her face behind the bundle of leaves, but it looked like her lips curved in a faint smile at my awkward answer, if only for a moment.
“Anyway, I should go.”
I took a look at my watch, realizing it was best to turn around and go straight to the temple, lest I miss lunch.
“On the day of the festival, you should visit Western around sunset.”
“...hmm?”
Just as I turned around, her soft voice came from behind me, making me turn my head.
“I heard t-the fireworks there will be especially beautiful.”
Her parting words, said in a strange tone, felt… strange, if nothing else. However, I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
“Thanks. I might check it out.”
As she turned to walk, I spoke once more.
“My name is Sebastian, by the way.”
Unexpectedly, a very subtle shudder went through her body upon hearing my name.
“Olevia.”
Her voice was barely stronger than a whisper, and, for some reason, it was laced with sorrow. She quickly turned away, continuing her way towards the shrine I’ve looked at earlier.
‘If I could leave Northern, maybe I’d take a look.’
Unfortunately, all I could hope for was that the fireworks in this district were equally impressive – if I had any time to watch them at all.
With those thoughts, I began walking back towards the Plaza Of Devotion.
***
“Here…
huff
… you go, sir!”
After eating lunch, this time sitting at the regular guest table, I returned to the hospital (with my room on its 2nd floor), only to meet the kid from earlier near the entrance, with a large hempen sack containing my equipment.
He was still catching his breath, and his curly hay-colored hair was drenched in sweat, just like the plain white garments covering his relatively thin body.
It was a stark reminder that some things which were trivial to me, given my Attributes and general size, were far from easy for someone this small.
“...Thank you. Great job.”
Feeling a bit guilty, I threw him another silver coin, which he nearly caught, before it escaped his hands, rolling to the ground.
The young boy, however, was not discouraged by this development, promptly crouching down, with excitement shining through his light-blue eyes.
“Thank you, sir! If you need anything, please find me at the orphanage!.. Ah, my name is Jimmy.”
Seeing the boy wasn't discouraged, and remembering the joy in Amelia's voice when she talked about the few precious coins she and her friends used to save every month, I simply nodded, my guilt dissipating before it even took root.
After a quick check, everything appeared to be in place, and in excellent condition, demonstrating the skill and professionalism of the Guild's smithy.
Nodding in satisfaction, I returned everything to the sack, carrying it back to my room.
Today, those protective pieces of gear would not see use – I had scheduled a meeting with an obnoxiously rude light orb, and I wouldn't give up until it stopped ghosting me and finally showed up.
***
When the 3 o'clock bell rang, I was still sitting atop my bed.
‘Damn it, so if it twists like this when I try to stabilize the other line, I'll just make them slightly thicker and apply opposite force starting from that moment.’
The light became progressively dimmer, with my window facing eastward.
‘So it can shift like that? Fine! I'll keep manipulating it in small increments, and try to counteract each ripple when it comes!’
As the bell tolled once more, I wasn't even paying attention.
‘It stayed for over two seconds this time! Hmm… maybe I should try tuning out most of the nearby tides, and just focus on what's near my sigil?’
knock
knock
Hearing no answer, the teenage girl, wearing the white robes associated with attendants-in-training (which were regular, Pathless people tending to the clergy and maintaining the temple), opened the door to my room.
“Excuse m-”
Her words were cut short, as she stared with open eyes at the orb of light hovering above my hand, with my lips curved in a strained but satisfied smile.