Up until now, there had been some minor setbacks, but the overall direction of events was still within his own expectations.
Inside the carriage, Lynn silently thought as he watched the street scenes rapidly recede outside the window.
After leaving the dinner venue of the Royal Transcendent Academy, this group of knights whose identities were unknown had taken him, Eunice the Fourth Prince, and others onto three separate carriages, and then sped toward the Imperial Palace District without a word.
At this moment, Eleanor was holding his arm tightly, her petite body pressing forcefully against him, hugging him like a clingy octopus.
Not only that, the little girl also pressed her face tightly against his chest, taking deep breaths of his scent.
It was as if she was making up for the lack of family affection she had missed out on over the past year.
Just why did it always feel...as if this familial affection had gone somewhat sour?
Moreover, the little girl seemed to lack a sense of security, as if she wanted to merge herself into his body.
Not only that, but she even stroked his chest back and forth as if confirming whether the brother in front of her was truly alive in this world.
After pulling Eleanor's cold, delicate little hands out from under his clothing for the umpteenth time, Lynn said helplessly, "Eleanor, your brother is right here, don't be afraid."
Upon hearing this, Eleanor lifted her small head, her red eyes fixed on the young man in front of her.
"I always feel...that brother seems to have changed a lot." After a long silence, she spoke softly, "Do you still remember our past?"
Upon hearing this, Lynn's heart tightened.
He did have memories, and after returning, he had dealt with that incident decisively, without changing the original character's setting too much.
Yet, for some reason, Eleanor had still noticed some clues.
However, naturally, he would not be swayed by such matters, and touched Eleanor's little head: "What incident are you referring to?"
"For example, a certain little rascal who always liked to secretly wet their pants, and then pretended to cry every time, calling for brother to help change underwear?"
Although the interior of the carriage was quite dim, Eleanor's little face turned visibly red at the speed of sight.
She let out a "yelp" and then gently pressed her small face against Lynn's shoulder.
After a while, a light groan of either shame or comfort resonated through the carriage.
Compared to Orn City, the Imperial Capital was undoubtedly many times larger and many times more prosperous.
In general, the entire city of Grossting was divided into three areas—the Imperial Palace District, Upper City, and Lower City District.
The class distinction was clear-cut, and even the division of urban districts reflected this.
And each district was further divided into four large areas—east, south, west, and north—interlocking with each other, protecting the Emperor's Palace in the central area as well as the holy wonder unique to the Saint Laurent Empire.
Looking out of the carriage window, in the distant center of the city, a slender yet towering tree stood at the edge of the world with lush branches and leaves, only visible in its entirety by looking up.
It was a bronzed color throughout, and its upper branches and leaves, under the embellishment of the moonlight, showed a holy and noble golden color.
The faint glow illuminated the night that should have been dark, bringing a touch of mystery to the Imperial City of Grossting.
The Holy Spirit Tree, also known as the Holy Oak, had an unknown origin and was planted by the first Saint Laurent Emperor, seemingly possessing a miraculous power to bless the Imperial Capital.
The reason the Saint Laurent Empire is also known as the Holy Tree Country is precisely because of this wonder.
Besides the Saint Laurent Empire, the surrounding great empires also have their own unique wondrous giants.
For example, the Dust Sand Country of Tutankhamun, neighboring the Saint Laurent Empire, is famous for its massive triangular pyramid tomb, which is rumored to contain the remains of a deity within its enshrined coffin.
Focusing on the Golden Tree that seemed to penetrate the heavens and earth, Lynn squinted slightly.
Having read the original story, he knew very well what value these national wonders possessed.
If the playing card from Pine, which he held, contained one fifty-fourth of a pathway to divinity, then the Holy Spirit Tree before him symbolized another path.
Though equally fragmented and incomplete, it was much more complete than the card.
He would indeed like to observe this tree up close.
However, it had the characteristics of a large Sealed Object, and one couldn't simply view it through normal means.
Only those chosen by the tree could approach it.
Otherwise, no matter how hard you try, even if you traverse the whole Imperial Capital, you would never be able to get close to it; you would only see it forever standing at the end of the world, neither far nor near.
As Lynn was lost in thought, the carriage gradually came to a stop.
He instinctively looked up, and then saw a majestic and solemn ancient building emerge before his eyes.
With a domed roof, the overall structure was arched, and four corners of the building were engraved with the totems of the major families, guarding the central emblem that belonged exclusively to the Saint Laurent Royal Family, as if symbolizing the power structure of the nation.
Lynn even saw the snow eagle totem of the Mosgla family and the bull totem of the Bartleion family.
This was the Empire's Council Hall. The Imperial Building standing behind it was the power center of the entire nation, and also the headquarters of the administrative assembly.
Moments later, several knights in armor slowly opened the carriage door.
"Get out immediately!"
Their tone was somewhat rough.