The two suns continued on their courses until their lights faded. Yet, Regalia was far from dark.
Magic stones glowed in lamp posts lining every street. Green, red, or blue fluorescent signs drew people’s attention to bars and palace-like casinos. Above, the stationary towers even acted like sundials, or were they moondials since it was night? Magic dials perhaps?
The question stumped Julius as the library owner chased him out angrily.
"Do you think I’m running a charity? Don’t ever come back if you’re not buying my books! Tsk. I swear those brats respect honesty no more." The middle-aged man’s brown shirt flapped as he slammed the door behind him. "Back in my days, we would have twisted your ear and sent you off with a well-placed kick in the rear."
Julius heard him continue to curse but just shrugged. There were other libraries in the city, and this one’s magic collection was... disappointing.
’No clue to heal Louise and knowledge limited to the lower part of the C-rank.’ He shook his head with a sigh. ’Commoners won’t have the answers I seek—only the noble district can.’
Still, his learning bore decent fruits. He didn’t know if fate played him a trick or if he was just lucky, but he had found and memorised two tier three potion recipes today.
What made him clench his fist about them was the absence of backlash upon consumption. That was precisely the knowledge Shepard and the summoned needed to improve their craft. But not now. Sleep first, contact the arcanist tomorrow with the communication device.
However, before he could take his first step toward the inn, a man looking in his early twenties moved before him.
His features were plain and unremarkable, but Julius’ fingers reached for his hilt. Eyes narrowed and voice solemn, he half drew his gladius. "State your business or step aside."
The man tilted his head, raised a brow in surprise, then grinned in satisfaction. He placed a hand over his white shirt, ruffling his brown woollen coat. "Quite perceptive, aren’t we? That makes you all the more intriguing—deserving of that recruitment offer in your pocket and our attention."
Julius’ frown deepened. Looks can be deceitful—this man illustrated that saying. He could feel the dense life force fueling what appeared like humble muscles. It was slightly higher than his—an adept.
But the man ignored his suspicions and smiled. "Why don’t you follow me for a chat? I have much to explain to a promising seedling like you and, trust me, it’ll be worth your time."
"Don’t you think night isn’t the best time for a discussion?" Julius circled him, his fingers tight on his blades and his qi rumbling in his meridians. "Let’s postpone whatever you want with me to another day."
The man didn’t move to stop him. His words, however, struck at his curiosity. "Do you think a city can rid itself of poverty, that Regalia is the sparkling haven the royal family shows you? You’re still young and naïve, my friend. And reality... reality is cold and cruel. Perhaps not knowing is better."
He waved his hand. "I won’t force you out of this sweet illusion. But if you ever find the courage to shatter it—to see the truth for what it is—we’ll welcome you with open arms."
Julius paused, his brows twitching in hesitation. He wanted to know, but safety came first. With a determined step, he walked away without glancing back.
Yet, the man’s voice pounded at his curiosity again, more forcefully this time. "They want us to believe they convert solar energy to fuel this colossal barrier, lightning, and fires? Let’s not even talk quantity, just logic. Where does the energy come from on cloudy or rainy days?"
This time, Julius froze, his fists tightening and his nose scrunching in horror. The man wouldn’t bring energy out of nowhere if it was unrelated to poverty, and the implications... chilled his blood in his churning stomach. Even as he spoke, he fought to keep his voice steady. "Don’t tell me..."
The man pointed down, nodding. "Regalia has two sides. For each citizen enjoying the surface, ten live underground like mere energy source drained by the palace daily."
He flashed a dark card contrasted with an unsettling white open eye. "The organisation I’m part of, the Shadows of the True Sun, aims to correct this depraved world. Not only the Lionheart kingdom. We’re like the shadow of vengeance lying in wait in every country. And you, my friend, can join us if your heart bleeds like ours each time you hear about innocent suffering."
Julius pinched the bridge of his nose and let a heavy exhale out. Of course, he wanted to help, but that was precisely why he shook his head. He had dealt with criminals, scammers, thieves, and pirates alike, all believing this unfair world justified their crimes one way or another.
Investigations had to be conducted first. Only if they proved conclusive would he consider joining them. After all, he didn’t doubt those ’shadows’ filled their shelves with dangerous knowledge, not to mention they could become crucial allies to reclaim their province.
With a curled finger, he gestured for the man to give him the card. Then, he nodded. "A friend of mine will contact you in a month or two. I hope I don’t need to remind you, but I will: don’t interact with me until then."
The man bowed again, his smile reaching his eyes as Julius took the card. "Of course. To me, to you—the least we want is to draw attention. Take your time to think it through, but not too long. We’re becoming more active in Lionheart because of the war." His voice grew somber. "And the ripples will soon turn into tides and crash on the capital."
Julius turned without answering, frowning on his way to the inn.
As horrible as it sounded, he had to draw priorities. After all, he couldn’t love strangers as much as he loved neighbors, nor could he love neighbors as much as he loved family. The refugees he had brought with him came first. The others... if an alliance could help, why not? If not, he’d pray for them until his community was safe and he grew powerful enough to make a difference.
Upon reaching his destination, he paused before the door despite the boisterous voices, the scent of alcohol and the warmth of the fireplace to appreciate the starry sky with a melancholic smile. "I know that’s what you would have done, Adam."
Convinced about his choice, he shoved those thoughts to the back of his mind and enjoyed a delightful supper with Arun, Asha, and Louise. They laughed and smiled about their days, recounting how many dresses they had tried while Arun rolled his eyes until they moved to their rooms.
Comforted by Arun’s eagerness to begin their mercenary life tomorrow, he slid under the comfy blankets and grinned. Why was he burdening himself so much again instead of focusing on himself? Elena would deal with this organisation better than him. His only job was to gather knowledge and improve.
His eyes now clearer, he winked at Arun. "Want to bet if we can make our party rise to B-rank in a week?"
Arun rolled his eyes and twisted his lips. "I know what you have in mind... Just a week... I can endure Adam’s training for that long..." His eyes narrowed into slits. "But not a day more!"
Julius nodded. "It should be enough to bring your physique to standard as long as we get you a nice mana cultivation technique tomorrow and brew a few potions."
Arun raised his thumb, then turned on his bed. "I have a better bet. We’ll enter the noble district in a month!"
"I don’t know if I would have attempted this one. Hahaha." Julius’s smile broadened. "But since you’re this confident, let’s do it!"
Eager to tackle tomorrow, they closed their bright eyes and fell asleep.
AN: GL Julius! We’ll see you in a while.