Chapter 422: Etheron City
As Zero flew towards Sanctum Aurea, thoughts of his family lingered in his mind. He couldn't help but be grateful for their love and understanding, yet a pang of sadness tugged at his heartstrings, knowing that he would be away from them once more. Still, he was determined to make them proud and ensure their safety in the unpredictable future.
No unexpected problem was encountered and the monster he encountered wouldn't dare to attack Zero who released his mana aura.
Before the sun set, Zero was safely able to reach Sanctum Aurea. He put on his mask and entered the area.
The Holy Guard spotted him but knew of his identity. They let him come in.
Zero walked towards the Church and soon enough he noticed Amelia and Mia talking with Zain.
"You are back!" Amelia said noticing Zero approach them.
"Yeah, thanks for waiting for me!"
Zero said.
"No problem! Did you have a good time?"
Amelia asked.
"Yes! I think I can go to Elven Domain without worrying now."
Zero answered with a bright smile.
"Is that so!"
Amelia said with some sadness in her voice. She was jealous of Zero for being able to have such a good relationship with his parents.
"Now that he is here, we can move to Etheron City as planned."
"It seems that there should be no change in the plan. I will tell the guards to prepare the carriage and we will travel tomorrow as planned."
Zain said. He was discussing with Mia and Amelia about the possibility of Jester ( He doesn't know the identity of Zero. ) not returning. He wanted to discuss whether they should go and another team wait for Jester, in case of him not coming on time.
However, since Zero has come as he has said, there is no need to change anything and they will depart tomorrow.
Mia and Amelia then began talking to Zero about Elves. The two of them had discovered and learned a lot about Elves and their culture, so they wanted to tell Zero and let him know.
As the evening descended upon Sanctum Aurea, the trio, Amelia, Mia, and Zero, engaged in a lively conversation about the elves and their culture.
Amelia eagerly shared the knowledge about the laws of Elves. Since they are going to their nation, it is only right for them to be aware of their rules and follow them.
There were a lot of similarities between the laws of humans and Elves but there were also some rules completely different.
First of all, Elves have royalty and their words must be followed at all times. Although as humans, they might not need to but it shows that they can't disrespect them even if they were weaker.
As Amelia continued to enlighten Zero about the elven laws, he listened attentively, absorbing every detail. He understood the importance of respecting their customs and traditions while he visited their nation. Despite the differences between humans and elves, Zero recognized the need for mutual understanding and cooperation.
"Elven royalty carries great significance in their society," Amelia explained. "Their rulers are not just figureheads but play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of power and harmony among the various elven clans and communities."
Mia added, "Also, in elven culture, the concept of 'Elders' holds immense importance. They are the wise individuals who have lived for centuries and are highly revered for their wisdom and knowledge. Their guidance is sought in matters of great importance."
Zero nodded. In human domains, more than wisdom or seniority, what matters is power. As long as one was powerful, it didn't matter whether he was good at other things, he was considered talented and given a high position.
That's why most of the heads of guilds were aged around 40-70 where humans are strongest. Beyond that, humans could live but they are no longer able to fight as well as when they were at that age.
Even though there are humans who are aged 100 and have much higher wisdom, they wouldn't be given a good position because they were no longer as strong as they used to be.
"Another crucial aspect is their connection to nature. Elves have a deep bond with the natural world, and they strive to protect and preserve it. Their magic is often derived from the elements and the Mia said.
energies of the land."
Mia said.
As their conversation continued, Zero became increasingly grateful for the knowledge Amelia and Mia shared with him. He knew it would be instrumental in navigating the elven culture and ensuring a successful journey.
As the saying goes, 'When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do'.
The night passed peacefully in Sanctum Aurea, and the next day, the trio was ready to depart towards Etheron City with Holy Knights.
"Saintess, make sure to keep yourself safe. You are the chosen one, and your safety is of utmost importance to us. May the divine protection of the goddess be with you on your journey."
The Pope said with a concerned voice. However, he considered this as a trial for the Saintess from the goddess.
Amelia nodded respectfully, acknowledging the Pope's words. "Thank you, Your Holiness. I will do my best to fulfill my duties and become stronger to be able to help more people."
With the Pope's blessing and well-wishes, Amelia, Mia, Zero, and the Holy Knights set off on their journey towards the Etheron City.
Though three of them were able to fly, they chose to go from a carriage which was protected by the Holy Knight. Although three of them could fly, it was not true for Holy Knights who were mostly in Rank-A and B.
Moreover, they could reach Etheron City on time even by Carriage. Why work hard when there is no need.
As they traveled through the lush landscapes, Amelia couldn't help but be amazed by the breathtaking beauty of nature that Being the Saintess, she was held to a higher standard and not exactly allowed to venture outside as she pleased. So, every surrounded them.
Being the Saintess, she was held to a higher standard and not exactly allowed to venture outside as she pleased. So, every opportunity she got to travel was a cherished moment for her, and this journey was no exception.
Accompanying Amelia on this journey were her best friend Mia, and Zero, whom Amelia had developed a crush on.
Mia, though supportive of Amelia, couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy every time Amelia tried to get closer to Zero. She was certain about her feelings but didn't know how to act on it unlike Amelia who had the help of Adeline.
As they rode in a beautifully crafted carriage, Mia and Amelia would spend their time sharing their vast knowledge of elven customs and traditions.
They spoke of ancient rituals, magical ceremonies, and the intricate history of the elven clans. Amelia, being the Saintess, had an even deeper understanding of the elven spiritual beliefs, and she shared captivating tales of their connection to nature and the celestial realms.
During their discussions, Amelia seized every opportunity to sit near Zero, hoping to steal some fleeting moments of closeness with him.
She would often find herself blushing as their eyes met, and she tried her best to maintain her composure. Mia, sitting across the carriage, noticed Amelia's subtle attempts and felt a mix of emotions within her.
She was happy for her friend's happiness, yet the pang of jealousy still gnawed at her heart.
They went from city to city until they reached Etheron City.
They reached Etheron City, two days before the scheduled date. It was because of how strong the three of them were.
Normally, people would avoid dangerous paths and take longer paths to be safe. But for them, it was no problem.
One of them had to release Rank-S mana aura and most monsters would avoid them. And for those courageous monsters, they would immediately get killed by Mia.
Etheron City, situated within the Human Domain, stood as a bustling metropolis at the border with the vast and mysterious Elven Domain. While the two races rarely interacted directly, the city's strategic location allowed for some trade and limited cultural exchange.
As Amelia, Mia, and Zero entered the city, they were greeted by a diverse and vibrant atmosphere. The architecture bore a predominantly human influence, with towering buildings constructed from stone and wood, adorned with colorful banners and flags representing various human factions.
The streets were busy with humans going about their daily activities. Merchants shouted out their wares, selling everything from magical artifacts to finely crafted weapons.
The scent of freshly baked goods wafted through the air from nearby bakeries, enticing passersby.
However, despite the lack of significant elven presence in the city, there were some subtle signs of elven influence. Elven artifacts and enchanting trinkets could be found in select shops, catering to a niche clientele with an appreciation for the elven arts.
They also noticed the human guards patrolling the streets. It was evident that Etheron City valued security, especially given its proximity to the Elven Domain.
The guards appeared vigilant, ensuring the safety of the city's inhabitants and visitors alike.
Although there had been no war with the Elves, it didn't mean that they could treat them as friends. Etheron City was a border between humans and Elves, so they needed to practice cautiously.
Etheron City stood as a fragile bridge between the two realms, and any misstep could potentially spark tensions.