Outside

Ryujin's gaze never left the high-ranked mage until he felt a tug on his arm. 

It was the elf.

He belatedly realized he's been leaning against the elf for some time. 

Ryujin pulled away to stand on his own, but with his adrenaline rush over, his body felt like it had been through a meat grinder. The elf's grip tightened around his arm. 

[Why is he acting up?]

Am I?

[He's bleeding. He needs to be brought to the infirmary.]

Contrary to his delicate 'pretty boy' appearance, the elf's strength was unreal—Ryujin might as well have been a kitten trying to break free from an adult's grasp.

Skinship never bothered Ryujin. Not in the present, not in the past. He's fine being accidentally in skin contact with strangers, and he didn't even mind being greeted by a hug. He didn't even care if the one touching him was a man or a woman.

However, that was not the case with the elf. Ever since he found out that there's a strange relationship between the elf and the original Rio, Ryujin felt uncomfortable being around him. 

Every little touch, every move, always made Ryujin overthink. 

Sorry, dude, but I don't think I can ever pretend to be at ease with you.

Sensing this, the elf gave a sigh before letting go of his arm. He called a knight to come over.

After speaking some words, the knight made a gesture for them to follow him. The elf spoke to Ryujin, his thoughts telling him that they needed to go.

Where are they bringing me?

Ah, could it be…my new room? Or the infirmary?

The journey through the palace was painfully long, but it proved Ryujin's second guess to be correct. Along the way, their group of three passed by some of the more seriously injured being carried through stretchers.

No one died, but there were plenty of injured among the non-combatants unlucky enough to be near the Rift.

It was the first time Ryujin officially stepped out of his bedchamber ever since he came to this world, but he wasn't happy. He didn't like that the chance came to him through an extreme cause.

White-scaled monsters, or what they call drakes, they existed here too.

That was a major discovery for Ryujin.

Rifts…it's a disaster but it's also a blessing in disguise for me. It's safe to say, Rifts connect different worlds. As long as I can enter one, I can leave this world. 

However, entering a Rift came with high risks. 

Ryujin had no idea where he would be transported next. He might be directly transported back to Earth, or be brought back to the world of the gigantic crystal tree. Worst case scenario, it would be a strange new world.

It's going to be a case of trial and error.

The royal infirmary was grand, with marble floors and enchanted crystal lights. Several priests and healers rushed to the elf's side the moment they entered, but the elf ignored them. He made Ryujin sit on one of the beds.

Amidst the ringing in his ears, Ryujin caught a handful of words. Most of them were familiar, words he commonly heard the past few days.

"The Prime Minister… priority…" the elf declared, his eyes sharp. "Heal him."

Soon enough, warm light surrounded Ryujin, soothing the burning sensation in his wounds.

The ringing in his ears slowly faded, and his breathing steadied. The pain dulled, but Ryujin couldn't shake off the weight of the elf's gaze.

Only after making sure Ryujin had fully recovered did the elf leave.

Since his first room was destroyed, Ryujin expected that he'd be transferred to another guest room within the imperial palace, but he found himself riding a carriage next, escorted by knights wearing armors different from those in the palace. 

Ryujin tried to put together the bits of thoughts he gathered from his escorts. He had no idea about the main reason, but it seemed a clash between the imperial family and the aristocracy had something to do with it.

I'm…I'm finally leaving the palace grounds!

The palace gates groaned as they slowly swung open, revealing the sprawling city beyond. Ryujin squinted as the sight before him unfolded like a scene from a fantasy novel.

The streets bustled with life. 

There were towering spires of white marble, entered by people wearing the same robes similar to the mages that protected him earlier, and there was also a large temple with priests in flowing robes offering blessings to passing civilians, their prayers causing the air to shimmer with divine energy. 

In some of the roads, there were also merchants peddling glowing potions and enchanted artifacts. Knights clad in black armor patrolled the streets, their swords humming faintly with magic. 

What captivated Ryujin most, however, were the aristocrats. 

The district directly next to the palace was the residential and commercial area meant for those officials who worked for the imperial family, as well as the titled nobility and their families. Their flamboyant fashion reminded Ryujin of the Victorian era characters he's seen in movies.

So, this is the capital city of the Valtheris Empire!