Chapter 7
Five Days later
“How far are we to the capital?” Caleb asked with eyebags, exhausted from traveling five days straight with every little break
Lucien grumbles and is as equally exhausted as Caleb, and has no plan on replying to Caleb, and instead feels annoyed with Caleb’s constant question
“It should just be a few hours or minutes,” Deon replied. Unlike the two, deon isn’t exhausted as he has fully adapted to the long travel, mostly because he was able to sleep peacefully, unlike Lucien and Caleb, who didn’t sleep properly
Although deon and his friends were trained to sleep outside, they still found it difficult to adapt when combined with the long travel
“Ugh… The institute should also give us a carriage. It’s not fair that only the Whitehill family got one,” Caleb said while looking at the carriage with envy and longing
“I’m guessing that the institute is using this travel for us to experience the long travel,” Deon replied
*Sigh*
Caleb sighed when he heard deon and didn’t reply as his head slumped down, completely demoralized.
“Stop complaining so much. Just think that in a few hours, we’ll reach the capital and finally be able to do our awakening ceremony,” Lucien said, ending his long silence to berate Caleb and his constant complaints.
After a short while, the group reduced their speed as they noticed a walled city in the far-off distance.
“Is that the capital?” Caleb asked with excitement
“I think so,” Lucien replied with much anticipation as Caleb
Deon looks at the towering wall of the capital and can’t help but be shocked and amazed at how gigantic it is.
The group was still a few hundred meters away from the walled city, but they could already see the gigantic wall of the capital, making it stand out in the area.
The capital’s official name is ‘The Capitol of the Everwinter Kingdom,’ and it is the largest city in the southern continent, boasting millions of residences.
As they neared the capital, their journey was made considerably more comfortable by the smooth, well-maintained road they traveled on, in stark contrast to the typically rough terrain.
As the group got closer to the city, they soon got overshadowed by the tall wall of the city, making the city more domineering.
From what deon read about the capital, the city wall is around 30 meters tall and 10 meters thick, making it the southern continent's tallest and thickest city wall.
“Woah” Deon exclaimed as he got closer to the wall
All the other grade 9 apprentice knights also looked at the city wall in amazement except for Rayner, who looked at the city wall with indifference
The grade 10 looked at the grade 9 expression and couldn’t help but mockingly laugh and began jeering at the grade 9s
“Don’t forget to close your mouths, or a fly might get in.”
“Bunch of Country bumpkins”
Deon looked at them and couldn’t help but roll his eyes and thought: “Aren’t you guys calling yourselves country bumpkin too? We literally live in the same town.”
The other grade nines heard the grade tens and composed themselves, not wanting to get mocked by their seniors.
At the city gate, deon sees countless carriages forming a line as they enter the capital, with each carriage getting inspected by a couple of guards near the city gate.
Their group ignored the other carriage and went straight to the city gate, making the other people in the other carriages dissatisfied, but they held themselves from speaking out when they saw the 20+ armed guards and the noble carriage.
Instructor Cain took the lead and handed something to the city guards, to which the city guard immediately saluted instructor cain and allowed the group to enter.
When deon and others enter the city gate, they feel like they have entered a tunnel, with how thick the city wall is.
Deon was left wondering how the kingdom managed to construct such a colossal wall as his admiration for the capital grew stronger.
As the group entered the city, they were met with a lively street filled with carriages and people bustling about. The street was lined with towering three-story buildings.
Deon was raised in Whitehill town and has never had the opportunity to visit any nearby cities or towns due to being confined to the institute. However, on his travel to the capital, he visited five different towns, which broadened his worldview. Despite this, when he arrived in the bustling capital, he felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of people and buildings, leaving him feeling that he was still narrow-minded.
Deon stared at the street with amazement and excitement and began looking around as the group ventured further into the capital.
At this point, deon didn’t care about the grade 10s calling him countryside bumpkin and continued admiring the stunning architecture of houses in the street and the fashionable attire of the people.
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It made deon wonder if all the people in the capital were nobles because of how well-dressed they looked and how they carried themselves
Deon even spotted some beautiful ladies that made his head turn around, and he couldn’t help but compare the people in the capital to the Whitehill townspeople
*Sigh*
Deon came to a clear realization that the reason why so many people aspire to live in the capital is due to the significant difference in lifestyle.
Instructor Cain raised his hand, signaling the group to stop, to which the group immediately complied and stopped at the side of the street.
Instructor Cain demounted his horse, went to the Whitehill noble carriage, and knocked.
A steward that was with the young master of the Whitehill family opened the door and walked out, and talked to Instructor Cain.
After a few seconds of talking, the steward looked towards the apprentice knights and waved his hand, motioning someone to come towards him, to which Rayner immediately went towards the steward.
“What’s happening?” Caleb asked
“I don’t know,” Deon replied
“We are separating,” A grade 10 apprentice knight answered Caleb’s question. “Now that we are in the capital, our escort mission is finished, and the Whitehill family has their separate accommodation.”
“Ohh. That makes sense,” Caleb replied
And as the grade 10 apprentice knight said, the group separated into two, with the Whitehill family going in another direction.
Due to their lack of familiarity, the group opted to forego exchanging goodbyes, and Rayner departed alongside the Whitehill family.
The group of apprentice knights continued their travel in the capital and headed to a more secluded part of the city.
The group soon arrived at a large estate that shared the same architectural style as the imperial knight institute in their hometown.
Instructor Cain and the other apprentice knights dismounted from their horses. Deon was perplexed when he saw the estate gate widely open and unguarded, without anyone in sight.
“All right, Follow me and make sure to behave yourselves, or you’ll receive a punishment that even I won’t be able to save you from,” Instructor Cain said seriously.
“Yes, Sir,” the group of apprentice knights replied
“Good,” Instructor Cain said and proceeded to enter the estate, not bothered about that fact there were no guards stationed
Instructor Cain led the apprentice knights toward the stables near the estate's front yard, with the stable boys assisting the group with their horses.
After the horses were properly cared for, the group proceeded toward the main building of the estate without delay.
As they entered the main building, Instructor Cain led the apprentice knights toward the reception, which was located at the center of a spacious lobby.
“Hello, How can I help you?” the female receptionist asked instructor cain in front of her
Instructor cain didn’t say anything and just handed a paperwork to the receptionist.
“Ah. Nice to meet you, instructor Cain. We have been expecting you. The rooms have already been prepared. Please Follow me,” The receptionist said as she stood up to lead the group to their room.
“Thank you,” Instructor Cain said
The group followed the receptionist out of the main building and into another building at the back of the estate.
Along the way, Deon observed a group of individuals clad in identical attire undergoing training in a training ground situated at the edge of the estate.
The receptionist escorted the group to a generously large room equipped with five beds, providing ample space for five individuals to rest with ease.
“This is the room for the grade 9s, and the next room is for the grade 10s,” The receptionist said
“Thank you,” Instructor Cain said
The receptionist nodded: “I’ll leave you guys be then, and if you have any questions, the reception is always open” The receptionist smiled at the group before dismissing herself.
“All right, Listen up. The awakening ceremony will commence two days from now, So make sure to prepare yourselves,” Instructor Cain said seriously. “The rules in the institute apply to this place, so make sure to behave properly unless you want your spot taken away, Is that understood?”
“Yes, Sir,” the apprentice knights replied with enthusiasm.
“Good. As the receptionist said, if you have any questions, just ask them but make sure not to ask any stupid questions. Remember, you guys represent our institute, so don’t get yourselves in trouble, or our institute will also get in trouble,” Instructor Cain said. “And if you want to find me, just ask the receptionist for me, and ill come to you, but if not, then ill meet you guys in two days.”
Without waiting for a response, Instructor Cain walked out and headed to his private room. Unlike the apprentice knights, instructors do not require a receptionist to locate their room within the building.
Upon seeing the instructor walking away, the grade 10s didn’t bother the instructor anymore and went inside their room next to the grade 9s.
Deon and the other three youths looked at each other, smiled helplessly, and entered their room. The room is very similar to their room back at the institute, thus making them comfortable.
The four youths picked their respective beds and began sorting their clothes, with Deon picking the farthest corner bed in the room for more privacy.
“I know this is a bit late, but where exactly are we? Is this an Inn or the Imperial Knight headquarters?” Caleb asked
“The imperial Knight Headquarters isn’t in the capital,” Lucien Replied while organizing his clothes. “This might be the capital branch office of the Imperial Knights or the Imperial Knight Institute's Headquarters.”
“I figure it is something like that, but no one really said anything, so I was a bit concerned,” Caleb replied
“Hmm. I’m more curious about how there were no guards at the front of the estate,” Deon said
“Yes! I’m also quite curious about that. Aren’t they afraid that some criminals might sneak in and cause trouble?” Caleb asked, looking at Lucien for an answer
“Why are you looking at me for? I don’t know. Besides, I don’t think anyone is stupid enough to commit crimes in a Knight office in the capital,” Lucien replied
“I guess that’s true,” Caleb replied
“Still, though, it is quite reckless. Criminals aren’t exactly known for their common sense. If a criminal wants to cause trouble in the office, and there are no guards? That’s just asking for trouble,” Deon said
“Maybe the guards went patrol or something, or maybe they have a security that we don’t know about,” Lucien replied
“Maybe,” Deon said
“Let’s change the topic,” Caleb said. “We have a free day before the awakening ceremony. Do you guys want to tour around the capital?”
“Sure, I’m curious about the capital anyways,” Deon replied and was looking forward to it.
“Me too. I want to visit some museums and the National Library,” Lucien said
“You do realize that we are apprentice knights, right? We should be going to the Coliseum, not the museum or library,” Caleb said mockingly. “And you always get mad when we suggest you become a scholar.”
“Hmph, just because we’re apprentice knights doesn’t mean we should just focus on our physical strength. We also need to hone our minds too. This is why you’re stupid since you only care about your muscles,” Lucien replied mockingly, not wanting to lose to bad-mouthing, especially to Caleb.
Deon ignored the two, who were about to argue again, and spoke to William in the room: “Do you want to come with us?”
William pondered about it and agreed since he didn’t have his friends with him, he might as well socialize with deon and his friends.
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Thought for Thoughts
* Deon is part of the Everwinter Kingdom Imperial Knight Institute
* The capital of the Everwinter Kingdom is the largest city in the southern continent
* The Capital city wall is 25 meters high and 5 meters thick