Strongholds

Although Orsini was among the four strongholds of the Kingdom of Partha, each city had it's own unique quirks. Many reasons were responsible for this fact ranging from the situation the city had due to it's geographical location or the fact that their original governors had their own personalities that were embedded and kept in each stronghold for centuries until even now.

For example, Legas, the stronghold directly opposite of Orsini near the southern part of the nation, was a stronghold like Orsini, but was well known for it's vast population of soldiers and trainees. Due to this, Legas eventually became where a good chunk of the soldiers that served and was conscripted by the nation, lived and trained. That city was very strict with it's discipline and rules, almost no crimes take occur due to the harsh penalties that one could receive. However it traded freedom for the peaceful and strict environment, that environment was what gave Legas its own quirk. The environment came to be since the first governor was a famous general known for his military brilliance and draconian personality. He kept the city under tight control. The main reason he was stationed there was because the stronghold was on the side where nation of Partha is bordered with the Yuan Empire, which was one of the three biggest and powerful nations on the continent. Due to this the general was stationed there to make sure if any invasion occurred the most capable man would be defending, this was a tradition and the governors of Legas would always be generals with great abilities and accomplishments.

Meanwhile on the eastern side of Partha, the stronghold, Mifis, stood proudly. Mifis was closer to a normal city and it's only real quirk was the fact that the city had a rather lot of tourists and visitors. This was because the city had many luxuries and enjoyable activities. It developed like this because on the eastern side of Partha, many small nations bordered the kingdom like a bunch of pebbles standing next to a large rock. The only reason they had survived this long was because the many small countries had a long lasting alliance and many countries called them the coalition instead of their respective countries names. Since many visitors would come from the small nations, Mifis developed to be somewhat like a mini Las Vegas or Macau and operated for enjoyment. The governors there were usually more relaxed and easier going.

The last remaining stronghold besides Orsini was the city of Indago. Indago was on the western part of Partha and a huge mountain range acted as natural defense for this side of Partha with half of the mountain being in Yuan Empire territory and the other half occuppied by the Attalid Dynasty. The Attalid Dynasty had not reached the same heights as the Yuan Empire, but it was no push over either. The dynasty had resisted countless of Yuan invasions and attempts of conquest that it had become a level above the Kingdom of Partha, but not quite yet at the size of the Yuan Empire. The Attalid Dynasty could be considered to be on the weaker side of the bigger nations on the continent. However since a mountain side that was even bigger and harsher than the Alps blocked Partha off from the conflicts between the two behemoth nations, Indago became relatively sheltered and safe. This led to many academies being established there and many promising youths were sent to the city for education. This also led to the development of Indago having most of the nations scientists and researchers, thus making the stronghold the center of innovation in the Kingdom of Partha. This city didn't techniquely have a governor, but a council of scientists and important figures in the city that acted as a governor with the same powers.

Finally of course, the stronghold of Orsini. Orsini was the home of most merchants and economic figures only second to the capital of course. The first governor had been an important merchant who was the chief of finance at the time for the kingdom. The trend continued and every governor was an important or successful merchant. Because of this, Orsini was known as the city of commerce and wealth. There used to be an old saying that originated from the city that meant if Orsini separated from the kingdom, excluding the capital, the city would have more wealth than the rest of the country combined.

Leon knew the general points of the information and he witnessed Orsini's quirks at full blast when he was being escorted throughout the city by the four guards. The group was cutting a path throughout the crowded streets of a block full of residential housing. Countless families and grand homes, considering it was one of the poorer regions of the cities, lived here.

With eyes full of curiosity, Leon faced one of the guards escorting the group.

"I noticed that most of the citizens don't look at us strangely. Most seem to not take interest, why is it like this?

The guard kept walking rhythmically like a well oiled machine and replied with a monotone voice.

"We get a lot of VIP's and merchants that require some escort with guards. Usually most people get one or two, with only four being given for official or important business like yourselves."

Being a part of a crowd of people moving ahead like a giant wave that never seemed to slow down or stop, the group eventually passed through the next gate. This scene was quite common for the next two hours as the group crossed the residential parts of the walled city and eventually they reached the work part of the city. Dozens of trading companies could be seen having a branch or building in the zone. Each building looked like they could be a high end building back in Verin and most buildings had intricate, complicated architectural designs and only made of high tier material like high end wood and granite. Even though this is where many people in the cities worked jobs for companies or other stores/professions, the quality of the buildings looked like the city was so rich that Leon wouldn't be surprised if the poorest person here was not even poor.

After walking an hour, Leon eventually reached the giant square of walls that indicated they reached the inner part of Orsini and the sight made his jaw touch the ground.