Chapter 909 — The Price of Knowledge
Blade of Dawn · Page 1 of 4
The changes in Xuānquè City... really were dizzyingly fast.
Metzen Pernia stepped out from the lodgings she had borrowed for the time being, and the bustling, flourishing "Pioneer Avenue" rushed at her like a scene from some garish, bewildering play.
Respectable Cecil citizens and merchants from north and south came and went along this broad street wide enough for twelve carriages abreast; employees stood before the shops lining the road, soliciting customers; strains of music drifted from who knew where, mingled with every kind of human voice and the crisp jingle of two-wheeled carts—all the sounds blended together—while behind the broad display windows the lights shone bright, and the fashions popular this year sat coldly arranged upon the shelves like witnesses to this flourishing new world, watching over this prosperous realm of humanity.
It was near dusk; the setting sun poured down from the direction of the western mountains and forests, and a pale golden glow spread over the city.
Once, dusk had been the hour when the cities of the human world gradually fell quiet—but here, everything had long since become utterly different: this was the hour when laborers who had toiled all day rotated out to rest, when students left their schools, when the shops of the night market opened their doors and made ready, when the citizens began the most leisurely hours of their day. Only at this hour did comprehensive commercial streets like "Pioneer Avenue" come fully alive.
"Wonder what it is this time..." Metzen stretched gracefully in the sunset light, muttering softly to herself. "I only hope this exchange doesn't do too much harm to my health..."
She set off toward the city center, threading her way through the prosperity of the human world.
A few young people walking together came toward her. They wore clothing that was plainly foreign, and they laughed and chatted all along the way—but as they passed Metzen, they slowed their steps as if by common accord, looking toward the lady agent with some puzzlement, as though they had sensed someone there yet saw nothing at all, and could not help growing a little tense.
Metzen gave a soft laugh and walked past these suspicious young people, murmuring to herself: "Dragonborn... still retaining a certain degree of sensitivity toward their own kind. Well, as Rong said, leaving those mountains is a good thing too. The hours when this world flourishes are always precious..."
Several young dragonborn students lingered on the street, hesitating and discussing among themselves; the aura that had appeared and vanished so abruptly struck them as very strange. Then one of the young men glanced up at the street corner, and his eyes suddenly lit up. He strode off quickly in that direction: "Officer! Officer! We suspect someone is illegally using concealment-type magic!"
Metzen, who had not gone far, immediately quickened her pace. "Tch... the first thing they learn abroad is how to report people..."
Cecil Palace stood grandly at the center of the "Royal District" in the heart of the city. This building was in fact no longer the tallest or largest structure in Xuānquè City, but the imperial banner flying high above it gave it forever that "presence" which filled Cecil hearts with awe.
Fully armed soldiers stood proudly at their posts by the gate. Metzen dispelled her concealment and walked toward them openly; the soldiers at once cautiously adjusted their stance—but before they could speak, the gate not far off opened first, and out came a young woman dressed in a black-and-white maid's uniform, bearing the dark-gold insignia of a senior lady official at her breast and cuffs.
"Let her through," this senior lady official called to the soldiers. "She is His Majesty's guest~"
"Miss Betty?" The soldier glanced back at Betty in confusion, then turned to look at Metzen again. "Yes, I understand. But she still needs to register."