Chapter 4 Arrival in Orario

As Orario's gates grew larger, massive stone walls became visible. They rose like an unbreakable castle, enclosing the city.

The iron doors at the entryway were large enough to allow a dozen soldiers to walk through side by side.

Luthar lifted his gaze, his left mechanical eye buzzing slightly as it zoomed in and adjusted its focus.

The Babel Tower, a gigantic ivory-white monolith arching into the skies, pierced the sky in the center of Orario. Even from here, it dominated the skyline, its pristine surface gleaming in the midday sun. It was a beacon, impossible to ignore.

"Amazing, right?" Lyra grinned, noticing his stare. "That's Babel Tower! The gods live there, you know! And the lower floors have magic shops, blacksmiths, and all kinds of crazy stuff!" Her voice was brimming with childlike wonder.

Silent, Luthar's gaze lingered on the tower. It reminded him of the grim, stratified hive spires of the Imperium—where the upper classes looked down upon those suffering below. But unlike those filthy, oppressive structures, Babel was pristine. Too pristine. Its immaculate façade felt almost artificial, a stark contrast to the grime and struggle he was used to.

Lyra tugged on Luthar's sleeve, her enthusiasm infectious. "Come on! We've gotta get inside!"

Lyra and Luthar reached the main gates, where stoic guards in light armor stood watch, their gazes sharp as they checked travelers. Their eyes lingered on Luthar longer than necessary, taking in his robes and the unusual glow from his eye.

"Business in Orario?" one of them asked, his hand resting casually on the hilt of his sword.

"Adventuring!" Lyra declared proudly, her chest puffed out.

Luthar said nothing, his arms remaining crossed.

After a brief but thorough check, the guard stamped their entry pass and waved them through.

Inside, Orario exploded with sound and movement. The streets thrummed with the vibrant energy of its inhabitants. Merchants' cries mingled with the laughter of children and the hustle of countless footsteps.

Adventurers, easily identified by their worn gear and confident strides, brushed shoulders with travelers from all walks of life. Towering buildings climbed toward the sky, casting long shadows over winding alleys, and the rhythmic clang of distant hammers rang from blacksmith forges.

The rich scent of spiced food mixed with the metallic tang of industry.

After asking for directions from a friendly street vendor, they made their way toward Loki Familia's estate.

A large mansion with a sturdy iron gate, decorated with a playful emblem of three interlocked rings, stood before them. Beyond the gate, neatly manicured gardens hinted at the wealth and prestige of the familia.

Taking a deep breath, Lyra strode forward, clutching a sealed letter in her hands. Her knuckles were white.

"I'm here to join Loki Familia! I also have a letter from my village chief!" she announced to the guards, her voice a little louder than intended.

One of them, a man with a trimmed beard, raised an eyebrow before taking the letter. He inspected the seal, exchanged a meaningful glance with his companion, then muttered, "Wait here," and disappeared inside.

Lyra rocked on her heels, turning to Luthar with barely contained excitement. "Okay! This is my big moment! But don't worry—I'm sure they'll let me in!" She bounced on the balls of her feet.

Luthar said nothing. His mechanical eye subtly scanned the estate, noting watchpoints, high walls, and strategic entry points. He mentally mapped the layout, assessing its defenses and vulnerabilities.

After a few minutes, a figure emerged from the mansion. The red-haired goddess stretched lazily and let out a loud, unladylike yawn.

"All right, who is having me do papers today?" she mumbled, her voice raspy with sleep.

Her sharp, crimson eyes flicked to Lyra first. A smirk tugged at her lips. "Aren't you a cutie?" Loki leaned in, inspecting her up close. "White hair, silver eyes—with pointy ears—ah, what a precious little elf! It's a miracle you made it here in one piece!"

Before Lyra could react, Loki squished her cheeks between both hands, shaking her slightly.

Lyra's face turned red. "I—I can take care of myself!" she protested, prying Loki's hands off.

Loki grinned. "Young and energetic, but it doesn't matter."

Lyra hesitated. Her ears twitched, her voice quieter. "…Well, I did get some help." She cast a quick glance at Luthar.

Loki's amusement faded. Her crimson gaze shifted—this time, toward the second figure.

Unlike Lyra, he didn't react. He simply stood there, arms crossed, his entire form wrapped in heavy, red robes.

The fabric was stained with dust and oil, and where his left eye should have been, a single red mechanical lens glowed faintly beneath a metal mask. He was an enigma, utterly unreadable.

Loki's smirk widened. "Well, well, mystery man." She tilted her head, sizing him up. "Ya got a name under all that metal?"

Silence.

Lyra blinked. "Wait…" She turned to Luthar, realization dawning. "You never told me your name, did you?!"

Luthar finally shifted. His mechanical eye adjusted with a faint whirr as he glanced at her. "Luthar Ferranus Cogbane." His voice was low and gravelly, almost robotic.

Lyra pouted. "Hmph! Took you long enough!"

Loki's smirk twitched. "You wouldn't happen to be some runaway noble, would you?" Her tone was light, but her eyes were calculating.

Lyra giggled. "Oh, I doubt it! He's terrible at talking fancy."

Loki chuckled, her guarded and calculating demeanor evident. She glanced back at the letter in her hand. Then, without even opening it, she tossed it back to the guard.

"Alright, Lyra, you're in."

Lyra's ears perked up. "Really? Just like that?!" Her face lit up.

Loki stretched, yawning. "Yeah, yeah. You made it all the way here; you're cute. It's enough for me."

Lyra grinned brightly. "I won't let you down!" Then she hesitated. "Wait… what about Luthar?"

"What about him?" Loki's voice held a hint of impatience.

Lyra frowned. "He helped me get here! And he is strong enough to join."

Loki raised a hand, cutting Lyra off. Her crimson eyes studied Luthar once more, a faint, almost imperceptible frown touching her brow.

"Nah. I'm not taking him."

Lyra's face fell. "Huh? Why not?"

"Don't get me wrong. He's got something interesting going on. But I can feel that instead of joining me, he's thinking something bad about me." Then, as if making a final decision, Loki jerked her thumb toward the direction. "Just go in that direction, and you can find Guild Headquarters. They'll take anyone with a pulse."

Luthar met her gaze for a long second, his red eye unblinking, betraying no emotion. Then, without a word, he turned and walked away, his heavy boots making soft thuds on the paved path.

Loki watched him leave, a thoughtful expression on her face for a moment. Then, with a loud clap of her hands, she dispelled the silence.

"Weird guy," she mumbled. "Lyra, let's go inside. We've got papers to fill out."