NoGift

Chapter 135: inside victoria city

THE carriage carrying Argent, Aurum, and Clay parked at the designated parking space for carriages and the likes. It's because these vehicles were not allowed to enter the city. Argent walked out of the carriage followed by the two. Then she stared at the looming wall in front of them. She already knew that the city was surrounded by a tall wall. She just didn't expect it to be this tall.

"What an overkill," Aurum commented when she saw the wall.

"It even has a tighter security in comparison to other small countries," Clay added. The black mask covering the lower part of his face was now replaced by a thin white mask that Argent gave earlier. It now covered the upper half of his face. He still chose to wear a mask just in case. "A lot of high ranking knights are stationed here. All to protect the city and the Pope. We should be careful or else we might not get out of here in one piece."

Aurum raised one of her brows. "What's this, are you actually scared?"

"No." If he was, Clay wouldn't even bother to go here and risk his life to save that elven boy. "I'm just worried. I still want to leave here alive."

"As long as you won't do anything stupid, you won't die," Argent said. "Let's go."

They walked towards the gate toll. It's an area just beside the entrance where one needed to go first before they could enter the city. It was being guarded by two knights while there were another two knights standing on both sides of the entrance.

The three lined up and it didn't take long before it was their turn. Which wasn't really much of a surprise. It's still 12 days before the Festival of Creation. People planning to visit the city didn't go there this early. Normally they would go five, three days before the festival.

Argent paid the amount for three people who planned to stay in the city for 13 days. The toll gatekeeper almost immediately stared at her for a second longer. Probably because she didn't even bat an eye paying such a huge amount. But seeing her temperament and the expensive materials of her clothes, the gatekeeper no longer stared. Probably thinking that she was a rich noble.

The gatekeeper took a box containing three red spherical crystals that were each attached on three separate armbands. "Please wear this before entering the city. There are no inns or hotels inside. You could only live at Casa Royale. Present these crystals there and you'll be able to stay there for the duration of your visit. And please be reminded that you have to leave the afternoon after the day of the Festival of Creation."

Argent took the box. She didn't know that there were no inns inside the city nor that they would personally provide a place for their guests to stay. Well, considering the high amount one needed to pay in order to enter the city, it's only right for them to do that. She gave the two crystals to Aurum and Clay. The three tied the armband where the crystal was attached to into their arms. Then the three walked inside the gate.

The inside of Victoria City was completely different from that of Achea. There were no people crowding the streets, there were no vendors selling on the side, it was quite peaceful and harmonious. Argent wondered where they would find the Casa Royale, but she really didn't need to worry. Because on their right, a ten storey building stood. A sign at the entrance said 'Casa Royale' in graceful font.

"Is that where we're staying?" Aurum asked looking at the tall building. "Should we check in?"

"Let's look for a restaurant to eat lunch first," Argent said taking back her gaze away from the building.

They didn't need to look that far because just two buildings away was a restaurant. Walking there, they noticed that most of the people they passed by were wearing a priest's robe while other's were wearing a knight's uniform. The same could be said when they entered the restaurant.

A waiter very entusiastically welcomed them once he saw the red crystal hanging on their arms. "Welcome, dear guests. Would you want a table for three or your own private box?"

"Private box," Argent answered.

"This way, please."

The waiter led them to a private box on the second floor. They ordered food and it didn't take that long for the food to arrive.

"Are all the people in this city related to the Temple?" Aurum asked while eating her salad. "We only saw, what, two to three civilians so far? Aside from the waiters in this restaurant, of course."

"It's because most of the population living here are either priests or knights. Even the shopkeepers in restaurants like this one is most probably connected to the Temple one way or another," Clay said, cutting his steak.

"You sure do know a lot," Aurum said with a bit of a teasing tone.

"Not nearly enough. What I know are just the things that I found out while I was staying in Achea."

"The people here are most definitely connected to the Temple. This is their turf. The people who could put up a shop here are those that were approved by the Temple. That's why we need to be careful. Don't say things we shouldn't when there are people around. We should also avoid discussing things when we're at that Casa Royale. Since it's a place directly connected to the Temple, they probably have ways to spy on their guests," Argent said.

The two nodded in understanding.

"What's our next step going to be then, Brother?" Aurum asked reaching for the orange juice.

"I'll do surveillance. You and Clay find information about that elf," she answered.

Aurum furrowed her brows. "Do I really have to work with this guy?"

"It will be more productive if the two of you work together. And doing surveillance would be better if I'm alone."

"You're not even worried that I'm going to be alone with a guy? You changed, Brother. You don't care about me anymore," Aurum said, full of grievance in her voice, with matching fake tears.

"Don't worry, I'm not interested in you in that way," Clay said in a lazy tone.

Aurum didn't understand but that answer kind of really pissed her off. She turned to Clay. "Oh really? Well, the feeling is very mutual."

Argent looked at the two. She wouldn't really leave her sister with someone with a questionable character. Good for them, Clay wasn't one.

"Then it's decided. We'll start tomorrow."

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Kingdom of Albion, Royal Palace.

"Are you certain about this?" the King asked his second son.

Winter was standing in front the King's desk inside the royal study. "Yes, Father. According to the information I found, that person older sister has been in contact with is connected to an organization under the Temple of Gaia. I'm just not sure what that group was," he said, making sure to not mention anything about the Apostles and just led the King into thinking about them. Just like how Argent said.

"An organization under the Temple of Gaia?"

"Yes. I heard it was personally founded by the current Pope."

Arthur frowned. The only group he could think of was the Apostles of Gaia. They were a dangerous group. Although the Temple was powerful, he never once thought of attaching his kingdom to them. Because he knew that once he did, they would be the one in charge. Not him, not the royal family of Albion.

And yet his oldest daughter actually attached herself to them anyway. He didn't doubt what Winter said. Because he knew he was not the type to lie about these things. Even if he did hated his sister. Did Icelyn actually sell this kingdom just so she could be Queen? If it was so, then he needed to immediately cut that ambition.

"Call the head of the royal guards," he said.

"Yes, Father," Winter answered. He turned around. Now this would definitely be the end for Icelyn.