Chapter 168: The Capital [2]

Dominating the royal capital's air were several flying carriages, the same carriages they had used during the Awakening.

The city walls were high, but the towers within rose even higher, cutting into the sky. The buildings, made of solid stone, looked sturdy but not plain. Each structure came in various shapes and had small, precise carvings, and the silver details on the rooftops caught the fading light.

Every street they passed was filled with luxurious carriages that moved in a coordinated line, with pedestrians walking at the sides.

A particular dome-like building loomed in the heart of the city, surrounded by smaller structures. It was unmistakable even from a distance. The dome rose over 180 feet tall, with the top of its grand, sweeping dome piercing the skyline. The structure sprawled across a width of nearly 700 feet, its sheer size making it one of the largest landmarks in the capital. S~eaʀᴄh the nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Because of the structure's imposing appearance, it was difficult not to notice it. Nyx asked her grandpa, and Nathan explained that the dome was the royal coliseum where fights and other events were held. One other notable sight that caught Nyx's attention was the adventure guild—a large hexagonal structure with sturdy stone towers.

Several Awakened were entering and coming out of there. Nyx's gaze lingered there a little before looking ahead.

Further ahead, there was a rushing river with clear crystal water. An ornate arched bridge stretched over this river to the other side, where two castle-like buildings were located on what appeared to be mini islands. Dozens of golden flying carriages rotated around the castles like clockwork; there were magical cannons installed in these, and the operators would fire at any intruders.

Fortunately, Captain Ortega had informed the others in time, and most of them recognized the familiar wyvern. Hence, Doombringer landed just outside the wide courtyard of the castle beside a shimmering waterfall.

As soon as they landed, a butler approached them from inside and did a courteous bow. "His Majesty awaits you, Lord Cromwell."

Some time later, Nathan and Nyx were being led through wide hallways. Several armored knights stood at every corner, keeping a watchful gaze from the visors of their helmets.

Click—click—

The light sound of feet echoed as the three walked in silence.

At the same time, a blond-haired teen was coming from the opposite direction in the company of a knight. The youth was tall for his age, with sharp, angular features that gave him a serious, almost cold expression. His golden hair was slightly tousled, falling just above his piercing green eyes, which seemed to take in everything around him.

Nathan and the butler recognized this kid as the fourth prince of the Vermilion Kingdom and bowed slightly. He was Prince Ainsworth Vermilion. The prince's green eyes swept over everyone before settling on Nyx, who held her head high. Those mesmerizing black eyes were fixed ahead, not even acknowledging the presence of the prince. It was only when Nathan tugged on her that she bowed.

The prince's green eyes flashed sharply. It was customary in the Vermilion Kingdom for all citizens to bow to the members of the royal family if they ever came across one. It was a punishable offense, and before Nathan could apologize, the prince simply waved his hand and moved past the three.

As Nyx and Nathan headed deeper into the hallways, Prince Ainsworth continued to stare at the young girl's straight back, her head held high. Even though she was amazed by the interior of the Vermilion Royal Castle, it didn't reflect in her eyes. There was a certain pride about her that fascinated Ainsworth.

'I need to know everything about her.' The young prince clenched his fist and glanced at his personal knight, who was standing humbly beside him.

"Who is that man?" Though he didn't sound like the practical young master, there was a commanding edge in his tone.

"Your Highness, not many people know him, but that man is the baron of Cromwell Town close to the Armstrong Duchy in the western region," the knight replied in a respectful tone.

"Just a baron." Ainsworth's eyes flickered with a peculiar gleam as he thought, a small smile at the corner of his lips. He rubbed his palms together. 'If he's just a baron, then it shouldn't be that hard to get that girl... I like it when they're prideful and arrogant.'

The prince continued to smile until...

"However," the knight continued, earning a look from the prince. "That man is quite the character..."

Ainsworth raised an inquisitive brow, then asked with narrowed eyes, "What do you mean by that?"

The knight spoke in a serious tone. "That man is one of the war heroes of the Great War of Rebirth."

A bad premonition began to surge within Ainsworth; he had a feeling his plans wouldn't proceed smoothly.

The knight continued, "Though he's merely a baron, he is very well respected by soldiers in particular... there is this common saying among the soldiers that the mad dog could start a coup if he wished."

Ainsworth felt a slight shiver down his spine. Starting a coup was no child's play—nothing even the nobles in the capital could do.

'He must be exaggerating.' Ainsworth narrowed his eyes. 'Now that I think more about it, isn't he a soldier too? Does he admire that old man as well?'

Feeling the weight of Ainsworth's gaze, the knight shifted uncomfortably. The prince overlooked this behavior and asked in a nonchalant tone, "What about the girl, and why can't Father get rid of him? Knowing him, he would get rid of anyone who threatens his reign. Why hasn't he done it yet?"

"That?" There was silence for some time before the knight spoke in a quiet voice as if he were scared of someone overhearing him. "That is because of his son... Arthur Aegis Cromwell."

"Have I not heard of him before?"

"I didn't expect you to... but he's commonly referred to as the strongest human in the whole of the Far West!" The knight's voice was filled with reverence, and his eyes sparkled with admiration. Ainsworth was slightly taken aback because the knight didn't even look at the king like that.

"If Arthur wished, the whole Vermilion Kingdom would be reduced to ruins within an hour," the knight added.