Chapter 46 – Noble Area
The wall loomed large, a fortress of metal, stone, and crystals, with protective spells pulsing along its surface.
Lines of aura fluttered like ethereal currents, forming a protective field visible to anyone who understood magic. This barrier was not just a physical structure—it was an impenetrable shield that separated the inner realm from the outside world.
The sentries atop the wall wore impeccable tactical gear: fitted, long-sleeved jackets and flexible pants, both made of a fabric reinforced with metal fibers for impact and cut resistance.
The jackets had hidden magnetic closures, strategic pockets, and a high collar for added protection, while the pants had reinforced knees and adjustable belts for storing equipment without compromising mobility.
On their feet, black leather boots with non-slip soles and metal toecaps provided stability and protection. Semi-rigid gloves enhanced weapon handling, and some wore enchanted visors that projected information and enhanced night vision.
Elves, Oni, Goblins, Vulpinus, Tigrinus, and countless other races were present, forming a diverse but uniformly disciplined group. Rigid postures and watchful eyes betrayed years of relentless training.
Their weapons varied according to their specialty: short swords forged from enchanted alloys, double daggers strapped to their thighs, longbows with special arrows, and short spears magnetically attached to their backs.
Each warrior seemed a perfect extension of her equipment, prepared for any threat.
Below, in the main guardhouse, another team of guards monitored the arrival of the carriage. As the vehicle approached, one of the officers raised a gloved hand, signaling for them to stop before the entrance.
His uniform was similar to that of the sentries at the top of the wall, but with gold-embroidered insignia on the shoulders, indicating a higher rank.
"Identification, please." His voice was firm, but professional. His sharp gaze swept the carriage, analyzing every detail without taking his attention away from the coachman for a moment, as he waited for the answer.
"Here, I am a licensed coachman from the city hall." The coachman replied, handing over a thin, black crystal plaque. At first glance, the plaque seemed blank, without any visible information.
The guard took the crystal deftly and infused a bit of her own aura into it. Immediately, the surface glowed and a series of information was revealed, detailing the coachman's identity and permissions.
"All right..." She handed the crystal back, but maintained her alert posture. "Please wait a moment and, for everyone's safety, avoid sudden and unnecessary movements."
After returning the document, the guard walked to the carriage door, stopping at a safe distance.
"Excuse me. Good afternoon... Identification, please." The sentry maintained impeccable posture, stopping at a precise distance from the carriage—close enough to observe clearly, but without invading the space in a way that could appear threatening. His eyes assessed every detail with calculated precision, without haste, without hesitation.
Without patience for the procedure, Inessa did not even look up, just sighed, showing a clear disinterest in anything that required more time than necessary.
"Hendrina, can you take care of this?" Inessa murmured, her voice thick with boredom.
For her, leaving the house was already a nuisance, and formalities like this only made it more exhausting. Abigail shared the same silent disgust, impassive in the face of the approach.
"Leave it to me, Lady Inessa." Hendrina answered without hesitation, straightening her posture as she discreetly collected her tail, which until then had been wrapped around Edgar's foot.
Upon hearing the answer, Inessa took a red insignia from her pants pocket, a medallion carved from a deep crimson jewel. The gold and silver filigrees formed a refined coat of arms, almost hypnotic in its complexity.
The artifact seemed to vibrate slightly in her palm, as if it carried a presence of its own. And the same could be said of Abigail's insignia—a similar jewel, but white as polished ivory, with carvings that caught the light in an almost ethereal way.
Hendrina took the two insignias in her hands with delicacy and care, but in addition to them, she also gathered up the crystal plates of Edgar, Aglaya, and her own, stacking them carefully. When the sentry extended his hand to receive them, his gaze became more attentive, analyzing the insignia with the seriousness that protocol demanded.
As soon as his fingers touched the medallions, he adjusted his posture, maintaining the firmness of someone who had already dealt with this type of identification, but still recognizing its importance.
Her gaze swept over the jewels for a brief moment, taking in every detail before nodding slightly. With one efficient movement, she turned on her heel and carried the insignia to the verification device inside the guardhouse, her steps marked by discipline and precision.
The device, a piece of advanced arcane technology, emitted a soft glow as the runes surrounding the jewels began to light up. The activated spell analyzed the aura imbued in the artifacts, tracking their authenticity and checking for any trace of outside interference.
The process took only a few seconds. With a discreet beep, the system confirmed the legitimacy of the insignia and transmitted a signal directly to the Avaris monitoring center. The information was clear: Inessa Crimmont and Abigail Lumivelo were there.
Once the device completed the verification, the sentry carefully removed the insignia. Before returning them, she took a thin cloth and carefully cleaned them, polishing the surface to remove any traces of dust or contact with the equipment. The gesture was automatic, almost ritualistic, reflecting the importance that those artifacts carried.
Taking a deep breath, she returned with firm steps, her posture even more formal. With a precise gesture, she extended the insignia back, keeping her gaze sharp and her voice polite.
"I apologize for the delay. Welcome to Avaris. We are available to assist you at any time, so please do not hesitate to call us if you need anything, whatever it may be." Her voice was polite, accompanied by a slight bow.
"Thank you." Hendrina took the insignia carefully, ensuring that they were in perfect condition before putting them away.
Her gesture was meticulous, demonstrating not only respect, but also a subtle sense of ownership over the artifacts. The sentry relaxed slightly after the return, allowing himself a moment of naturalness before straightening his posture again. Then he raised his voice to be heard inside the carriage.
"As a matter of security protocol, we will be escorting you to your destination, ensuring that you arrive quickly and without incident. We apologize for the inconvenience."
"No problem." Hendrina responded promptly, climbing back into the carriage without wasting any time.
Meanwhile, the sentry exchanged a few words with the coachman, ensuring that he was aware of the procedure before moving away to the guardhouse. There, he activated an arcane communicator, transmitting the order to the unit on the other side of the gate.
A few moments later, the enormous doors began to open. The metallic sound reverberated through the surrounding structures, a deep, heavy noise that echoed through the passage.
On the other side of the gate, three sentries mounted on Iron Horses were already waiting in position, motionless as statues. They remained like this until the carriage had completely crossed the pass.
Leading the carriage, one of the sentries advanced with calculated precision, taking the lead of the group. His posture was impeccable, demonstrating total control over the robust creature beneath his saddle.
Shortly after, the other two sentries began to follow the carriage a few meters behind, following the vehicle at a strategic distance. They were mounted on identical beasts and moved in unison, adjusting themselves to the formation with exemplary discipline.
The Iron Horse is a Level 2 Aura Beast, an exquisite fusion of strength and speed. Its muscular body is covered in thick, semi-metallic hide, reflecting a subtle sheen in the sunlight. Despite its colossal size, the creature moves fluidly, its hooves resounding like hammers against the ground with each firm step.
Its metallic mane, shiny like polished steel, gleamed as it moved, creating a mesmerizing visual effect. But more impressive than their appearance was their precision—the Iron Horses were so well trained that they needed no verbal commands to understand their role.
They were living extensions of their riders' will, so masterfully trained that they responded to subtle movements as if they were one with their riders. Now that the escort was in place, the carriage moved forward, leaving the fortified gate behind.
The road ahead became more secluded, quieter. The hubbub of the city faded, replaced only by the rhythmic clatter of metal hooves and the occasional creak of wheels. As the carriage moved forward, the surrounding landscape underwent a marked transition.
The more compact and practical urban setting was left behind, giving way to a district of grand architecture. The streets became quieter and emptier, with a few people strolling through the splendid gardens, where the very air seemed to carry a weight of exclusivity.
Edgar looked around with renewed attention. The buildings around him were stately mansions, built with a peculiar balance of tradition and innovation. Though they shared similar proportions, each had its own identity—some boasted classical columns and pitched roofs, while others displayed modern features and exotic details.
Balconies jutted out like suspended terraces, adorned by lush gardens whose vines cascaded down in fragrant cascades. Ornate fountains gushed crystal-clear water, reflecting the golden glow of the afternoon sun, and the doors of the residences were works of art in their own right—tall, carved from metal and adorned with intricate patterns, like mystical portals that led to other worlds.
The change was evident. Where once they had been in the midst of a functional city, they now entered a land shaped by luxury and influence, where every detail bore the signature of generations who had built this district with purpose and power.
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