Free Web NovelChapter 79: Outside the City.
"Then we shouldn’t waste any more time. Let’s go."Alaric nodded and stood up from his chair. He carefully gathered the documents spread across his desk, making sure each one was put away where it belonged. Then, he turned his attention to the alchemy furnace, shutting down the magical formation underneath with a practiced hand. The runes carved around the base of the cauldron slowly lost their glow, fading until only the plain bronze metal was visible. Once Alaric was sure everything was in order and nothing was forgotten, he grabbed the dark cloak next to the door and slipped it over his shoulders.Hundao watched the entire process with quiet amusement."You really do have a place for everything."Alaric looked over his shoulder."Doesn’t everyone?""No."Hundao laughed, following him out of the room."Most people finish what they’re doing and leave. You, on the other hand, look like you’d reorganize the room if one bottle were half an inch out of place.""I would.""You’re admitting it?""There isn’t anything embarrassing about maintaining order."Hundao shook his head."I don’t know whether to admire that or worry about it."The servant waiting outside bowed politely as the two emerged from the alchemy chamber. After exchanging a few brief words with Alaric, he stepped aside, allowing them to leave the merchant’s residence without further interruption.The merchant district was much busier now than when Hundao first arrived. Wagons and caravans crowded the streets, with animals standing quietly as workers unloaded crates filled with herbs, ores, cloth, and other supplies brought from faraway cities. Merchants called out to customers from under bright awnings, showing off their goods. Apprentices rushed from shop to shop, carrying heavy account books that seemed almost too big for them. Unlike the wild markets Hundao remembered from Narakar, this place was organized. People moved around each other with little fuss, business went on without trouble, and even arguments stayed calm and respectful."It’s still strange," Hundao muttered as they walked."What is?""This city."Alaric followed his gaze toward a pair of merchants calmly negotiating prices over bundles of medicinal herbs."I’ve been here for months now, but sometimes it still feels unreal.""You’ve said something similar before.""I meant it then, too."Hundao saw an old porter accidentally drop several wooden boxes onto the ground. Before the man could pick them up, three people nearby quickly came over to help. No one asked for money or even waited for thanks—after helping, they just went back to what they were doing, as if this kind of kindness was normal here."In Narakar..." Hundao began before pausing.He smiled faintly."...No one would have helped."Alaric remained silent. He wanted to ask what this ’Narakar’ was, but decided to save that for later."They would’ve watched to see if anything valuable fell out of the boxes first."His tone carried no bitterness.Only certainty."If something had..." he continued, "...the fastest person would’ve claimed it. The old man would probably end up apologizing for dropping it in everyone’s way."Alaric listened quietly."I know the two cities are different," Hundao said. "I just... didn’t realize how much that difference had shaped everything until recently.""The environment shapes people," Alaric replied."It does," Hundao replied in a sad voice."They simply adapted to different circumstances." That’s what people usually do to survive after all. He might not know the whole situation clearly, but he understood such circumstances.Hundao nodded slowly."You’re probably right."For a while, neither of them spoke. They continued through the streets at an unhurried pace, occasionally stepping aside to allow carts or groups of pedestrians to pass. A refreshing breeze drifted between the buildings, carrying the scent of freshly baked bread from a nearby bakery.Hundao inhaled deeply."I think I finally understand why Eva decided to protect this place like a home."Alaric glanced at him, not fully grasping what he was getting at."You wondered before?""A little.""I assumed she simply liked helping people.""You don’t think that’s the reason?""I think it’s part of it."Alaric considered the question for several moments."Eva enjoys helping others. That’s obvious enough. But I don’t believe that’s what gives her the will to protect this place.""What does?""I think..." Alaric looked toward the bustling streets around them. "...she found the kind of place she always wished existed."Hundao quietly observed the people surrounding them.Children laughed as they chased one another around a fountain. A young cultivator patiently demonstrated sword forms to several eager beginners, correcting their stances one by one. Nearby, two elderly women argued over vegetables with such enthusiasm that several passersby smiled at the spectacle."I suppose you’re right."His voice softened."Places like this...""...are worth protecting."Alaric nodded."I believe that’s what she thinks."Hundao’s smile widened ever so slightly."I envy people like her.""You do?""They’re simple."Alaric looked at him curiously."I don’t mean they’re unintelligent." Hundao quickly clarified. "I mean... they know exactly what they’re living for.""And you don’t?"Hundao fell quiet.The question lingered between them longer than either expected.Eventually, he let out a quiet laugh that sounded more resigned than amused."I thought I did."Alaric didn’t ask another question.He had learned that silence sometimes invited better answers than words ever could.Thankfully, Hundao seemed grateful for it.After several more minutes of walking, the city’s eastern gate gradually came into view. The crowds began thinning as merchants gave way to travelers preparing to leave the city. Guards stood watch beside the massive wooden gates, greeting familiar faces while inspecting wagons arriving from neighboring settlements. Beyond the walls, a wide dirt road stretched, bordered by gently swaying grasslands, with the distant forest rising like a sea of emerald beneath the clear blue sky.As they passed through the gates, Hundao stretched both arms above his head."It feels different already.""The air?""No."He smiled."The silence."Archive City was never truly noisy, yet compared to the open countryside, its steady rhythm of daily life now seemed distant. The sounds of commerce faded behind them, replaced by rustling leaves, singing birds, and the occasional chirping of insects hidden among the tall grass.After walking for another few minutes, Hundao glanced sideways."You know...""Hm?""I’ve been thinking about our spar."Alaric’s expression remained calm."I assumed you would eventually bring it up.""I’ve replayed it in my head more times than I’d like to admit.""And?"Hundao rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly."I still don’t understand how you saw through my third feint."A faint smile crossed Alaric’s face."It’s only natural; not a lot of things can escape my perception after all." Alaric gave Hundao a side glance. What truly caught me off guard was that technique of yours; it was quite the sight." He continued."Ah, you mean the technique you created a counter for after seeing it once?" Hundao said in a mocking tone."That doesn’t take away from the profound nature of it." Alaric said, appeasing the boy, "You said you created it yourself?" He asked."Yes, Narakar City was not a place that was kind to the weak. We fought for everything we had; I certainly couldn’t live long if I didn’t learn how to fight my opponents." Hundao gave a solemn answer.’Hmm, so this Narakar is the city he grew up in. Sounds Ominous.’ Alaric thought."Was food in the city that scarce, or was that just part of the culture of that place?" He had come across records of places with a lot of weird culture that could rattle the minds of intelligent beings. He wouldn’t be surprised if that were the case.Hunsao looked a bit puzzled and answered, "It’s a mix of both." He explained, "Narakar is a really isolated city. Trading with other places is hard, so people have to depend on what little they have. The land is dry and not good for growing food, so everyone learned to fight for what they needed. Over the years, this became a tradition, and fighting ended up deciding who was important in society.""That’s a little sad; I couldn’t imagine living in such a place. You are very strong for surviving in such a place.""I am pretty sure you would thrive in a place like that.""Hmm, I am not so confident the current ’me’ would be alive now." Alaric gave a vague reply.The two walked together under the bright morning sky, talking easily as they moved along the road. They didn’t pay much attention to how the forest was getting closer with every step, or how the wind gently moved the leaves in the tall trees ahead.Far beyond the first line of trees...Alaric felt constricted, and his calm breathing became erratic before settling into a calm rhythm again.Hundao noticed the change instantly and asked curiously, "Are you good? Do you notice anything?"At this point, they had already reached where they previously had their spar."How unfortunate. I really had a great time talking to you." Alaric said calmly."Haha, are you trying to seduce me with a compliment?" Hundao gave a playful smile, "I will have you know, I am more interested in women..." Hundao continued, but was interrupted by Alaric."If only you were him." At that moment, Hundao’s smile froze as though space and time had come to a standstill.
