Chapter 37 - Entering Town

I thought that he was Ego's Emissary and I wanted to take his power.

"What could his power possibly have been, even if he was an emissary? Speed? You're an idiot." Acrimony said, shaking her head.

"Look, wait for a while. Once the demonoid leaves town, follow him, and kill him. We can't let Ego know our moves if we want him to be our next target. So unless you kill that demon, then we'll have to change our target for now. Understand?" She asks as I could feel she was preparing to send me back.

I understand, I'll wait until he leaves town and kill him.

With a satisfied smile, she waved her hand and returned me to my body within this world.

--- Point of View: Antonio Icefield ---

As we left the forest, we could finally see the town ahead of us.

Well, to say we could see the town is a bit of an understatement.

What we could see was a fantasy-looking city, with a huge white spire located in the center, towering over the entire town. Even in my last life, I've never seen a building that large, reaching higher than even the Eiffel Tower.

The town was located in a crater, allowing us to see most of the city from where we stood. Yet, it appears as if the city was surrounded by a huge pit, either floating or being suspended by the white connectors at each of its cardinal directions.

"What's the huge spire?" I say, pointing towards the strange white building.

"What, have you never been to a town within the Magic Kingdom? That's their protective tower, it protects the city from opponents that would be able to get into the city without relying on the bridges." Teresa said, pointing first at the spire and then the four marble bridges connecting the town to the outside world. "It makes sure that only people who pass inspection can get in. It also protects the city from harmful weather and climate. Every city within the Magic Kingdom is set up in a similar fashion." She said, finishing her explanation before continuing towards the city.

Yet, I was stunlocked. Sure, I've lived in a tribe of demons for the last four years, and before that a manor with servants and magic, but this is a bit of a culture shock. Something that can only exist in a magical world, a floating city protected by a magical barrier.

"There's no need to be nervous," Teresa says, confusing my hesitation with fear or nerves.

"I know, I'm coming," I say, snapping myself out of my daze and following her down into the crater.

As we approached the Southern Bridge, we were stopped by two guards wearing an intricate set of armor.

"Halt! State your names and reason for coming." A tired-looking guard said in a monotone voice walking towards us holding what looks to be a clipboard.

Taking the initiative, I step forward and speak first.

"My name is Antonio Razorhog Icefield, and I'm escorting Princess Teresa," I say, repeating the bow I remember my father in this world using a few times when speaking to other people.

"It is as he said, I am Princess Teresa Delarus, heir to the throne of Elarus. This young human mage has been acting as my escort after my guardsman were ambushed. I would act as his sponsor to register with the Adventurers Union, afterwords we aim to stay in town for a few days before departing towards the capital." Teresa says in a very dignified tone, as the guard has visibly woken up and has been furiously writing stuff down.

"We are deeply honored to receive you, your majesty. Would you like an escort to the Union building?" He asks, giving a deep bow before asking. Damn, I ought to throw Teresa's name around a bit more while I still can.

"Naturally. I would also like a recommendation on where to stay." She says, slowly walking towards the guards and beckoning me to join.

"I'm sure the Lord would happily welcome your presence within his guest house, your majesty. Aye! Go alert the Lord that the Princess of Elarus has arrived! Your life is on it!" He barked back to one of the younger guards on the bridge, causing him to begin to hurriedly move deeper into town.

"I do appreciate the warm reception," Teresa said, giving a small nod and smile.

"Of course madam, although it is hardly my place to say, I would simply ask you remember our humble city once you rise to the throne." The older guard says, giving another deep bow.

After a few more minutes of waiting, a platoon of soldiers led by an older-looking mage could be seen walking towards us.

Teresa took the initiative this time, giving a very slight bow to the older gentleman, who was now a mere ten paces from us.

"It's a pleasure and a privilege to be greeted by you personally, Archmage Arthun."

"The pleasure is mine, Lady Teresa. Who might your escort be?" The archmage says, turning his head towards me and looking me up and down. Man, if looks could kill I'd be long dead by now.

"My name is Antonio Razorhog Icefield, and I have been escorting Lady Teresa during this last leg of the journey," I say, dropping to one knee. Based on how the guards and Teresa are treating this dude, he ought to be some big fish.

"I see you've yet to be taught basic etiquette despite being of what I can presume is noble birth. Nobles and Mage's of your caliber needn't drop to a knee in front of anyone outside of royalty." The City Lord says, his voice is filled with a twinge of malice, yet it wasn't targeted towards me.

Standing up and giving him a small bow, a question pops into my mind.

"Thank you, Lord Arthun. But what do you mean by a mage of my caliber?" I ask, looking up at him quizzically. I've yet to cast any semblance of a spell in front of this man, especially with my arms being injured and all.

Does he just assume that I'm skilled based on the fact I'm with Teresa?

"Either you're too naive to realize it or too proud to care, but your magic power is strong enough to leak out of your body. The average person probably feels threatened even glancing at you, and to say that you're doing it unconsciously, leads me to believe you have an uncanny amount of magic power. Get that under control before you head into town or you'll attract the wrong kind of attention." The Lord said, looking me up and down as a small snarl could be heard on the tail end of his speech.

Fuck really?

I could tell that some magic power was constantly leaking out of me, but I just kind of assumed everyone did that!

Closing my eyes, I focused on my mana network, trying to draw all of the mana that was leaking out back in, as well as keeping it from flowing out again.

It was working slightly, but it was the equivalent of using tape on a leaking pipe. Some water eventually always got out, so unless I was focusing on it, I would start to leak again.

That being said, the residual pain in my arms seemed to disappear when I stilled my flow of mana.

"An impressive feat to learn to suppress yourself that quickly, unless it was a bluff this entire time." The Lord said, forcing me to open my eyes and snap out of my reverie.

Everyone's eyes were focused on me currently, which makes sense since I was mid-conversation with the City Lord and just randomly went silent and closed my eyes.

I really need to stop doing that.

"Very sorry Lord Arthun, I was just surprised and intrigued at what you said." I end up saying, giving him another bow.

"No need to apologize, you fixed the problem I had with you in an efficient manner. If you weren't employed by Teresa, I'd even consider trying to persuade you to stay and study within this city. The Magin Kingdom could always use more mages to bolster their numbers, even if they aren't born here." Lord Arthun said with a gentle smile. Too many questions and not enough answers.

"How do you know I wasn't born in the Magic Kingdom?" I ask, yet I can tell Teresa is getting slightly fed up with the conversation and not participating in it.

"First of all, you're speaking West Tounge. Second of all, if a child, human or demonoid, had one-fifth the magical prowess you just demonstrated having, they would have immediately been invited to one of the Royal Magic Institutes and turned into a mage for the Kingdom. I should know, as the same happened to me." He said, with a slight chuckle before turning back to talk to Teresa.

"Very sorry about the grilling of your bodyguard, but as a member of the Higher Court, it's my responsibility to investigate magical talents. I'm sure you understand well, given that you recruited the boy. Now, if you'll follow me, I'll lead you to where you two will be staying during your time here." With no further questions or waiting, Lord Arthun lead Teresa and me over the huge marble bridge.

My first step into the Floating Fortress City of Sanmara.