Chapter 24: Chapter 24

ASH'S POV 

After exiting the inn with Sack, Claire, and my mother, we left a note with Luna informing my father and Carl of our rooms and absences. It would have been easier for Luna to inform them herself, but we believed it to be more appropriate for us to leave a note. The idea originated from my mother, and I wholeheartedly agreed with it.

It goes without saying that we will not be present when they return. They will likely have questions that deserve answers, even in our absence. Claire was the first to depart, followed by my mother and Sack, with me bringing up the rear. The bustling crowd remains unchanged from my first impression, consisting of a diverse array of individuals from adventurers to everyday citizens, as well as individuals from all walks of life.

The spectacle is truly incredible to behold up close, and Sack's reaction is only further testament to its overwhelming nature. Upon stepping outside, a peculiar sensation overwhelms me, as if someone is staring directly at me. Turning my attention to the source of the feeling, I notice the noble girl from earlier staring at me. I offer her a small, almost imperceptible smile, though I am unsure if I truly smiled or not. However, her reaction indicates that she did indeed notice my smile.

The girl quickly averts her gaze from me, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. Her maid looks on in confusion at the girl's peculiar reaction. I pay no mind to her cute response and continue on my way, but as soon as I take a step forward, a strange sensation overtakes me. It feels as though someone or something is examining my very essence, my soul. As if they are assessing my strengths and weaknesses. My body reacts on instinct, or more accurately, my inner self, my soul, defends itself against the odd sensation, the intruder.

There was an intense internal conflict within me as I launched an all-out assault on the strange force that had attacked me. In a mere fraction of a second, my onslaught was successful and the force was overcome. The intensity of my attack was so great that I was able to witness the strange energy being pushed back towards the attacker, a noble girl who was clearly taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. The energy took on a variety of colors as it dodged anyone in its path, charging straight at the frightened girl with even greater force. It was a truly surreal sight to behold.

Despite the many people who passed by, none noticed the girl standing motionless in the middle of traffic. Her eyes betrayed a sense of fear and anxiety, as her pupils dilated and constricted rapidly and her breathing became shallow. Her maid, noticing her master's strange behavior, asked with concern, "My lady, are you all right?" The girl remained frozen, unable to respond to the maid's query.

Despite the chaos, my mother and the others continue walking, seemingly oblivious to the situation. I decide to simply ignore it, not wanting to get involved. The bustling crowd around me is a sight to behold. There are people of all shapes and sizes, each with their own unique style and demeanor. I take in the sights and sounds of the city, admiring the various shops and buildings that line the streets. Despite the chaos, I find myself drawn in by the sheer energy and vibrancy of the city. As I continue walking, I can't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to experience such a diverse and dynamic place. I know that this day will be one that I remember for a long time to come.

The bustling city around me is a clear indication of the advancements in society. The sheer number of people present is staggering, and the speed at which they move and interact is impressive. It is a far cry from the more quaint and serene communities of the past, but it is a testament to the progress and growth of humanity. I can't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder as I navigate through the crowds, taking in the sights and sounds of this vibrant and lively city.

A FEW MINUTES LATER 

We have been spending our time walking around and taking in the sights of the city. The unique architecture and bustling crowds have been a sight to behold, but after a while, the constant walking has become somewhat tedious for me. While my mother and Claire are filled with nostalgia, Sack is overwhelmed by his surroundings. Despite their differing reactions, they are all more engaged than I am. At first, I was captivated by the city, but my initial curiosity has waned. I do not have the boundless energy and excitement of a child, despite my youthful appearance. Unlike my mother and Claire, I have no memories or connections to this place, as this is my first time here. Overall, while the city has been interesting to explore, I have found myself growing bored with simply walking and admiring the sights.

So, naturally, I can't help but feel a bit bored. There's not much to see around me besides people walking, talking, and promoting their businesses. But every now and then, I spot something that catches my eye - an adventurer passing by with a weapon in hand. It's fascinating to see the variety of weapons they carry, from massive broad swords to delicate daggers, and from strangely shaped instruments of destruction to beautifully crafted pieces of art. These weapons are a reminder of the dangers that exist outside of our comfortable, civilized lives, and they add a touch of excitement to an otherwise dull day.

As we continue on our journey, I can't help but feel that the solution we have found is only temporary. Like my own curiosity about this unfamiliar place, it will eventually fade. With a sigh, I fall behind the group, taking note of the nostalgic couple and the excited boy in front of me. Eventually, we come upon a bridge, but not the kind that spans a river or a valley. This bridge is designed to safely cross a busy street, allowing pedestrians to pass overhead while wagons and other vehicles pass beneath. It is a clever solution to a common problem, and I can't help but admire its ingenuity.

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From my vantage point, the rationale for constructing this bridge becomes evident. The sheer volume of wagons traversing from one street to another is impressive. Without the bridge, the road would become congested and impassable. In fact, there are not just one, but four bridges that are interconnected, adding to the efficiency and utility of this infrastructure. We pause at the apex of the bridge to take in the panoramic view below. The bustling activity of the people and wagons, as well as the imposing architecture of the buildings, is a sight to behold. My mother points to the tallest building at the end of the street and explains, "That is the church, as you can see."

As I gaze upon the gleaming white church, I cannot help but wonder how such a large structure can maintain its color. It almost seems to reflect the sun itself, its pristine white hue standing out in stark contrast to the surrounding landscape. "Oh, yes," Claire remarks, noticing my fascination. "The church is quite obsessed with the color white. They claim that it is the purest and most bleached of all impurities." I am taken aback by her words. I have never heard anyone speak of colors in terms of purity before, and the concept that white is the most bleached of all impurities is a new one to me. I cannot help but question where this belief comes from and what it means for the other colors that are considered impure.

It is amusing to consider the idea that colors are impure with the exception of white. Such a notion seems ridiculous and nonsensical to me. However, I recognize that this may be a belief held by certain individuals or groups in this new world I find myself in. As I am now a part of this world, I must either adapt to or ignore such beliefs in order to survive and thrive here. While I may not agree with or understand these beliefs, I will not judge them as they are a part of a different culture or religion than what I am familiar with.

Instead of gazing at the imposing white castle, I focus my attention on the people below, interacting with one another. Many of them are children my age, accompanied by their parents, and a few individuals are dressed in white robes. "Could those people in white be members of the church?" I ask, gesturing towards the group in question. My mother and Claire both follow my gaze, and my mother responds with a hint of mockery in her voice. "Yes, as you have astutely observed, they are indeed members of the church. What gave them away?" I laugh along with my mother, despite the insincerity of her jest. "I don't know, maybe it's the fact that they're all dressed in white," I reply, rolling my eyes at her feeble attempt at humor.

My mother and Claire both let out hearty laughs, attracting the attention of those around us. Sack and I also softly chuckle, joining in on their amusement. "Yes, very funny," my mother says after her laughter subsides, "but you both should not make fun of any clergyman when one is present." Her tone is stern and serious, and Sack and I both immediately stop laughing. I understand why she is cautioning us - the church holds a great deal of power, and if a clergyman were to hear us mocking them, it could be disastrous. We should be more respectful in the future.

Sack nods in confirmation as I simply say, "I understand." We continue our tour once we've had our fill of the magnificent sight. Before we leave, I take one last look around, only to see a group of five robed individuals emerging from a dark area. The apparent leader of the group looks up at me, startling me with his unexpected action. I quickly look away, not noticing the strange sensation I feel as the man smiles at me.

??? POV

I ask, "Is everything ready?" My deep, commanding voice echoes through the room, causing the people kneeling in front of me to tremble in fear. "Y-yes, my liege," the man in the front stammers, his voice shaking with fear. "Everything is in perfect order." My smile widens, heightening their fear of me. I don't care if they fear me or not, as long as they follow my commands without fail. They are merely pawns, tools to be used for my own ends. Their sole purpose in life is to obey me without question, and if they fail to do so, their lives will cease to end. In a more demanding tone, I say, "Excellent. Now, rise and carry out my orders." The people quickly scramble to their feet, eager to fulfill my every command.

"This is a decree. Find me more gifted children. If you do so, you will be rewarded. We will use these children to accomplish our goals. We will forge them into ideal weapons, into perfect killing mechanisms that follow orders without complaint." I utter while at the same time thinking, perhaps if I do this, "He" will forgive me and allow me to join his ranks once again. 

I was overjoyed when "he" offered me the opportunity to join his army. Despite my lack of stature as a mere mortal, he saw potential in me that I did not recognize in myself. In his service, I will assemble a force of skilled individuals to support his rule over the world. Accompanied by four of my most trusted companions, I emerged from the alleyway, only to encounter a young boy with a piercing gaze that seemed to belie his youthful appearance. It was as if he was evaluating us with the wisdom and experience of a seasoned man.

I observe the boy with great fascination, noticing that he has an extraordinary amount of mana, even though it is currently inactive. His mana surpasses my own, despite my years of training to increase my own output. I am amazed by this and decide to have one of my companions follow him to learn more. The designated companion nods in understanding and sets off after the boy, disappearing from view as they enter another alleyway. 

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