Chapter 515: 516. Old Memories

That’s Dame Vesuvia? Nil asked in an almost mocking voice. She’s somewhat less impressive than you described her to be.

On some level Dallion agreed, and yet he still should shake the old image he had of her. Back then, she had been over ten times his level, possibly the closest thing to absolute power. She was someone who had defeated a chainling virtually on her own. Looking back now, he could reason that the creature had been wounded, and also she wasn’t alone, but accompanied by a squad of veteran soldiers and quite a few awakened volunteers. In his current state, Dallion could tackle such a chainling without an issue, even if he preferred to avoid it.

I was a lot weaker, then, he said, reluctantly.

“I heard you won last year’s tournament,” the dame said in casual fashion.

Hearing her address him, Dallion straightened up. It didn’t seem so long ago that she had to use someone else to send a compliment.

I’m not the boy I was, Dallion told himself. Even so, it was difficult to get out of the habit.

“I didn’t reach the finals,” he said.

“No one did. Someone in the Archduke’s family told me all about it.” The dame was savvy enough not to refer to the near destruction of the city. “He actually made a point to come to me to complain about it.”

“Complain about the tournament?”

“Complain about you nearly destroying a valuable heirloom.”

“Itella?” Dallion didn’t expect to meet the former contender again. A moment later, he wished he hadn’t.

The name made it clear that Itella was part of the Archduke’s family—hopefully not a direct relation. Given that their fight hadn’t ended in the best of terms, Dallion could only hope that they wouldn’t cross paths. However, after hearing Vesuvia’s comments, that seemed less than likely.  

“I’ll gladly repair the weapon, along with my profound apologies,” he added.

“That’s already done. It’s not what you’re here for.”

Dallion swallowed. Less than ten minutes in the city and he already felt he was in trouble. He gave a sideways glance to Eury. The gorgon didn’t seem bothered one bit. A cluster of her snakes moved about, saying that he shouldn’t be either.

The dame led the group down the main road of the lowest city level. The streets were objectively far more crowded than those of Nerosal, but far more organized, making everything seem a lot more relaxed. Naturally, it helped that the people moved aside as the dame approached.

Shops, inns, and taverns were everywhere, along with a seemingly endless number of stalls. Everyone was selling everything from food to clothes to furniture and devices that Dallion hadn’t seen. If it could be said that Nerosal was at a late medieval level of technology, this Linatol had reached the renaissance, at the very least.

“Gear shops?” Dallion asked, looking at a sign that had a picture of a simple mechanism on its board.

“Things are a bit more advanced than Nerosal here,” Dame Vesuvia said with a hint of pride. “Don’t buy much, though. It’s just for show.”

Dallion nodded. Given a chance, he was going to have a look around. After a while of walking, he noticed a pattern: while the shops were abundant, there didn’t seem to be a single guild hall in sight. Forts or public buildings were also absent, leading him to the conclusion that the ground level was created exclusively for visitors and those of lesser status. It was no accident that the vast majority of people he had seen were non-awakened.

“Where are your awakening shrines?” he decided to be subtle about it. “I’d like to go say my thanks as soon as I’m able to.”

The question made Dame Vesuvia look over her shoulder. He could feel concern emanating from her and her partner.

“There are a few shrines on the first platform,” she said. Her voice was polite, but Dallion could tell through his music skill that she didn’t really want him venturing there. Quite possibly she didn’t wish to let him venture anywhere. “You’ll have a chance to go there at some point.”

“Thank you.”

“I take it that our patron wants to see us?” March interrupted, putting the conversation back on track.

“That’s not for me to say, lieutenant.”

It was just a slight inflection of the voice, but Dallion got the impression that the two knew each other, possibly even before March’s fall. As Nil would say, that’s a past best not spoken. Even so, Dallion remained curious.

Soon enough, the group reached one of the pillars that held the platforms above. To no surprise, it was made of indestructible bricks and had no guardian of its own. Dallion was half tempted to enter the realm just to look around.

A large opening led to the inside of the pillar, where platforms rose up one after the other.

An elevator? Dallion thought. After all this time, he’d seen an elevator? Not even the Star’s towers had any of those. The locals didn’t seem in the least disturbed, getting on at regular intervals. Similar to the people on the street, then cleared out the moment Dame Vesuvia and her group got near.

“It’s quite solid,” Vesuvia said both as a boast and reassurance. “The main thing is not to split.”

“I won’t.” Dallion said, earning him a few glances.

Boarding the “platform” was a very different experience from the lifts on Earth. Unlike the standard modern elevators, this one only went one direction and never stopped. Platforms constantly rose, ten feet apart, allowing people to freely walk in, often with a little jump. Dallion didn’t want to think how goods were transported in these conditions. Probably the inhabitants of the city had gotten used to the timing, making it a sort of second nature.

The speed was slow, encouraging conversations. However, since neither March nor dame Vesivua had started one, Dallion had no intention of being the group’s chatterbox. Mosaics made of light crystals provided light on the walls, depicting scenes of the city’s past, almost like a movie of sorts. Looking closely, Dallion was able to make out that Linatol had been established early on in the empire’s history, quickly turning into an important center. It seemed that one of the old emperors had built it himself in an effort to expand to the south.

All the provincial capitals are clustered close to the imperial province, Nil said. Attempts were made to move some of them further towards the center, but none succeeded.

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Long-lasting traditions? Dallion asked.

Rather, the emperor likes to have his powerful subjects close at hand, lest anyone gets some ideas. That’s why even during the Wars of Succession in Wetie province, no one dared build an alternative capital. Inner squabbles are one thing that the emperor often overlooks. Disturbing anything of his… that gets a quick response.

I get what you’re saying.

The first floor came and went, and as it did, a new part of the city’s history came into view. From what Dallion could tell, it involved a lot of construction, or excavations, causing it to significantly grow. Just as the “good part” started, it was time to get off. They were only being escorted to the second platform, after all.

“You’ll be staying on the first platform,” Dame Vesuvia said as she nudged her horse forward. “Before that, you’re to receive instructions here. I strongly advise you to get back down when done.”

“We know the drill,” March said.

“And it’s my duty to make sure you don’t forget it.”

The second platform was a lot different from the ground. The buildings were far larger and more sophisticated. The Roman style of building went well with the materials, which Dallion could only assume had been originally taken from the Nerosal ruins back in the day. The result—a city of imposing, indestructible, guardian-less buildings… or at least those located on the second platform. Meadows, lakes, and lush forests were visible in-between districts, all lit by lanterns with light crystals.

For the most part, the buildings seemed residential, many with their own crest of arms, though Dallion did manage to catch sight of an awakening shrine, as well as several structures he couldn’t identify.

The streets were fairly full, though nowhere as much as on the ground. More interestingly, they seemed to treat Dame Vesuvia as an equal, moving aside more of politeness than obligation.

Lesser nobility? Dallion asked, recognizing the hallmarks of authority he had seen in the Nerosal noble sector.

Along with some awakening temples, a few major shrines, and one or two trade organizations, the echo added. The really important people are at the top. Make no illusions, you’ll not see that place. Not until you pass the next gate.

The mansion Dallion was taken to was bigger than most, though not the largest Dallion had seen on the platform. It was of note that neither the dame nor the noble that accompanied her went inside. The moment they knocked on the door, a servant dressed in a sophisticated suit of onyx thread, took the trio in, closing the door behind them.

“This way, please,” he said with open disdain, as someone forced to have a deal with people below his status. “The mistress doesn’t wish to prolong this, so the moment your meeting with her is over, you’re to leave the estate and go to the first platform. Lodgings have been arranged.”

The “butler” had a blocker item, making it impossible for Dallion to determine anything about him. Based on the weapons he had hidden on his person, he was a high level, matching Dallion, at least.

“This isn’t my first time here,” March said.

“I didn’t assume it was, ma’am.” The servant didn’t skip a beat, implying that his warning was addressed to the other two.

I’d forgotten how much fun it was being treated as riff-raff, Dallion thought.

They entered what appeared to be a large study. Shelves of books covered the walls, each made of leather-bound crystal. Exotic plants were everywhere, along with furniture made of magical wood. A tall platinum blond in an expensive black suit was standing close to a table, a glass of some alcoholic drink in his hand. He didn’t seem to pay the group any attention, looking, instead, out of the window. Assisted by a pair of maids, a woman in her forties sat on a couch of fine velvet, a book of crystal in her hands. As much as Dallion tried, he couldn’t see any distinguishing features from her. In fact, he wasn’t even able to describe what she looked like.

“The hired help, madam.” The servant announced. “Lady March and associates.”

“Thank you,” the woman said, handing the crystal to one of her maids. “That will be all.”

“Of course, madam.” The man quickly left the room.

“The first sword is almost cleared, ma’am,” March was the first to break the following silence. “A few more months and the item will be ready to have its destiny fulfilled.”

“A bit behind, but to be expected.” The noble didn’t sound overly pleased, though not too disappointed either. “That’s for another time, though. How much were you told?”

“The guild master only mentioned that a third sword has been found and that it might be related to the spreading plague.” There was a slight pause. “I was to assemble a trusted team and get further instructions here.” March paused again, giving the blond a quick glance. “I was not aware the overseer would be involved.”

“He’s here as a friend,” the noble replied dismissively. “So, you weren’t told a thing? Seems some people can’t kick the habit of being useless.”

“The guild master didn’t want to overstep his bounds,” March said firmly.

The noble let out a partial snort that only someone with practice could muster. It was delicate enough so as not to appear rude, but conveyed every bit of disapproval one could think of.

“A fallen imperial lieutenant, a gorgon hunter, and a boy that caused the mess in Nerosal. That’s what that person had sent, and you’re telling me he doesn’t want to overstep his bounds? If it were up to me, I’d never have him set foot in this city again.”

“We’re here because of our skills, ma’am, not our past. If you find us inadequate, we’ll be on our way back.”

“Insolent as always.” The noble snapped her fingers. Instantly, both her maids disappeared. So fast that Dallion could barely keep up, they rushed in both parts of the hall, then dashed back towards the group from behind. Both Dallion and Eury reached for their weapons. Only March remained still.

Don’t, Nil said, as Dallion was about to split into instances.

Dallion had only a split second to decide. Taking a chance, he decided to go with the old echo’s advice.

The maids finished their actions. When they did, a pair of medium-sized benches were placed just behind March’s group.

“Sit,” the noble ordered. “It’s time to get the details.”

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