133 – Imperial Capital, Izesti (1)
Befitting the capital of an empire that is the heart of history and power, the exterior of Izesti was very extravagant and grand.
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The castle walls stretched so long that the end could not be seen and were so high that one could not dare to climb them. Perhaps because of the large magic circles carved here and there, they gave off an even more majestic atmosphere.
The castle gate was equally gorgeous and magnificent.
The huge castle gate was painted green and decorated with dense gold lines and wonderful carvings, but the highlight was the blue dragon pattern that had a three-dimensional effect, perhaps because it was drawn using magic.
Suddenly, the castle gate, which appears to have enormous weight, slowly opens, and through the gap, about twenty human figures standing in a row on horseback begin to appear.
“Oh…”
Although it was clearly a sight I had seen countless times in the game, I reflexively let out a small exclamation.
Certainly, the grandeur of the empire that I encountered in person was so impressive that it could not be compared to what I saw through the monitor.
“Brother Carmel, this is your first time seeing something like this. You don’t have to worry. It is just a small ritual from the empire to welcome us on our pilgrimage. Now then, shall we go down slowly?”
Did he think I was scared when I let out the exclamation? Priest Varhal did not miss the opportunity and began to protest, but as soon as he felt his carriage stop, he stood up.
“It’s nothing special, so don’t show that you’re nervous, but follow along while managing your facial expressions well. “You just need to stand behind your left side.”
Duran, who just looked at me with a nervous expression on his face, stood up, patting my shoulder, which wasn’t tense at all.
“After the greetings between the two sides are over, we, the guards, will ride the white horse over there with you and march to the imperial palace. I’m saying this out of old age, but considering that it is the image of a holy nation, when you march, don’t look nervous in front of people like you do now, but smile leisurely. Oh, I’m worried, I’m worried. “Our country bumpkin Camel.”
Duran, who had the most stiff expression in the world, said that and got out of the carriage, and I followed him out.
“Wow…”
I had to let out an exclamation once again as I put my feet on the floor and looked at the scenery in sight.
The knights, wearing splendid armor, dismounted from their horses and held their swords firmly against their chests with both hands. They are lined up neatly on either side of the two men in the center.
The two standard men were wearing nice uniforms and antique sword scabbards, and were kneeling in front of Lily, who was standing in a dignified manner.
Among them, what forced me to let out an exclamation was the appearance of Lily standing in front of the knights, looking nobler and more beautiful than ever.
The spring breeze is blowing.
Glossy light purple hair flutters over the pure white priest’s uniform.
Lily’s pretty eyes close, and pure white light begins to burst from Lily’s hands that were neatly gathered on her chest.
A group of faint but warm lights spreads out in all directions, and in the field of view, white feathers are seen slowly falling, fluttering here and there, and pure white wings are spread out behind Lily’s back.
“I was waiting for your arrival. “Blessed by the Heavenly Gods, a unique and noble person who will bring blessings to the continent.”
As she stood next to Lily, she saw the face of a swordsman, a man casually spouting words that made her cringe, and a familiar face kneeling next to her on one knee.
Sigh.
When my gaze and the man’s gaze meet, the man nods his head with a friendly smile.
‘Huh?’
The man’s identity was none other than Darren, a porter from the warrior party and the head of the Duke of Bluemont’s family. I had to tilt my head when I recognized his face.
‘Did this guy originally come out here?’
I looked back on my memories of the time when I was a stagnant person, but no matter how much I thought about it, there was no case where Darren came out to greet the saint. There may have been a time when the corrupted Darren attacked a saint.
‘It really has changed a lot.’
Is it because I keep experiencing things that never happened in the game? I feel it again. How much the story in the game has changed because of my existence.
‘I guess it’s the same here.’
Ijesti, the capital of the empire.
Originally, the city was like a bonus map where players who progressed through the pilgrimage episode could proceed with maintenance or side quests before moving on to the Holy Kingdom.
In the game, it was a safe city where people could just reap the benefits without any danger, but it was clear that this would not be the case in the current Ijesti.
Because, I came here.
I have been in quite a bit of trouble over the years.
I have cut down quite a bit of evil, and thanks to that, quite a few enemies have emerged and are targeting me.
Moreover, this place has a large population, is spacious, and has meaning, making it the perfect place for those who are looking for me to plot something.
It was completely natural. Being caught up in events and conflicts that I have never experienced in a game, and being at the center of them.
If my prediction was not wrong, Ras, the Sin of Anger, would be waiting for me somewhere here, and several corrupt nobles would also be targeting me in equal numbers.
‘Well, anyway…’
No matter what happens, no matter how strong the opponent appears, the result will be the same. To be honest, I was even excited about this situation.
Because, rather than going to the trouble of going to the trouble of finding and punishing bad guys one by one, it is much easier to deal with those who stick their necks out and say, ‘Please kill me.’
“Thank you for the imperial hospitality.”
While I was lost in thought for a moment, Lily held out the back of her hand to her sword saint and opened her lips in her benevolent voice.
“May your sword, imbued with the will of protection, always be filled with blessings.”
“Immanuel.”
-Side.
After kissing the back of Lily’s hand, Geomseong stood up, took a neat posture, and then lowered his head.
-Crash.
The knights who were watching this simultaneously stabbed their swords in a consistent motion and bowed their heads following Yan.
It was the moment when the story began in Ijesti, the capital of the empire, the heart of history and power.
****
Twitweet was in my coat pocket, and before I knew it, he poked his head out and started talking to me through the consciousness connected to me.
[Dad, why are there so many humans here? Interesting!]
“This is the most prosperous city on the continent. “There are bound to be a lot of people.”
I, who answered Tweet in a whisper, was equally amazed at the scene unfolding before her eyes.
I didn’t feel any excitement from the game.
As she was marching on horseback among the thousands of people who had gathered to actually see the saint, her mood was strange in many ways.
[So, do they mate a lot here?]
“···.”
Today, as always, I was left speechless by Tweet’s question, which was beyond my expectations.
I doubt it. Where on earth did it go wrong that the word ‘mating’ was deeply engraved in this little bird’s head?
‘It’s because I didn’t raise him properly.’
After thinking about it for a while, I was able to come to that conclusion, and I answered with the thought that from now on, I will have to raise a bird that has correct thoughts and is even smart.
“Yes. That’s why there are so many people. “Contraceptive devices have not yet been commercialized in this world.”
[Aha…! But what is a contraceptive device?]
“It’s an item that prevents life from emerging during mating.”
[Then isn’t it a bad thing?]
Contraceptive devices are bad products. I had to take some time to think about this truly unexpected question.
How much did you worry about that?
I wanted to teach Tweet proper gender concepts, so I answered in a quiet voice.
“Yes. “It’s something you can do without.”
[Why?]
“Think about it. Wouldn’t it be cooler to just pick your nose with your finger? Or would you rather pick your nose with a plastic-covered finger?”
[Dad, Tweet doesn’t know what bullsh*t you’re talking about!]
Why can’t I understand this?
Failed to engrave my upright s*xual notions into my child’s head, I complained and did not answer, and Tweet looked ahead and asked another question, whether I did so or not.
[Dad, but who are the males in front of me?]
Following Tweet’s gaze, I saw Geomseong and Deren leading the saint and her companions at the front of the procession.
“The stupid-looking person on the left is Darren, and the person on the right is a person named Geomseong.”
[Your name is Geomseong…?]
“No, my name is Jan. His full name is Jan van Galantus. But why are you asking about those people’s names?”
[I asked because he has much more mana than other humans.]
“Can you understand that? How?”
Surprised that Tweet could sense other people’s mana, I tilted my head and asked.
[Molu? I could have known from the moment I was born?]
“Oh, really? “Then you must have been feeling the mana I possessed?”
[Of course. You idiot dad. Lets think. If my dad didn’t have someone I could trust, would I have followed him then?]
“At that time?”
[The nest where I lived! At that time, I chose my dad. I do not remember?]
“···.”
I remembered, but I couldn’t answer because I lost my senses.
Because, I thought I had saved him, but I found out that this arrogant bird had been thinking that he had chosen me all along.
[Ugh. I don’t know why I’m having such a hard time because I happened to meet a poor father who can’t even mate.]
“···.”
The sight of Tweet sighing and lamenting makes me feel dizzy.
‘Anyway, has he always been this good at speaking?’
I suddenly felt a doubt and looked down at Tweet, and I noticed that Tweet was noticeably bigger than before.
I didn’t know because I saw more polymorphs.
Not long ago, it seemed like it was only the size of a finger, but due to how much food it had been eating, Twitwi gained weight so much that it was no longer the size of a fist.
While I was once again so surprised.
[Dad, why is that old male so talkative?]
[Dad, why does that ugly male face look like that?]
Twitter, who was very curious, rolled his eyes eagerly and bombarded me with questions, and I answered each time with sincerity.
“It’s just an explanation.”
“It’s because I’m nervous. “I was originally ugly.”
Did he even like my honest answer? Tweet shook his body and laughed, then tilted his head and asked.
[Dad, but that light purple female…]
Following Twitter’s gaze, we see Lily waving to the crowd and showing a bright smile.
It’s beautiful. She was looking at Lily, a figure that could only come to mind with such a qualifier, and my gaze met hers as she scanned the crowd as equals.
But why? Lily made eye contact with me and frowned for a moment, then immediately turned her head the other way.
[Why are you mad at Dad?]
“Well… I don’t know either.”
I shook my head and answered, but I was also curious.
I continued to wonder for several days.
No matter how much I think about it, I don’t remember doing anything wrong to Lily.
Strangely enough, Lily has been extremely avoiding me for the past few days, and whenever I even make eye contact with her, she gives me a disgusted look, like she’s seen a rapist, and she lowers her head like she does now. I whirled and turned.
It was an extremely unfair thing for me, who was still a virgin.