Katsuo and Taka approached the towering gates of Gosapor, the capital of Rokatheryl. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the vast plains as the city came into full view. It was a sight that immediately struck Katsuo—majestic, ancient, and intimidating all at once. The city was built like a fortress, its massive stone walls standing high, protecting the sprawling metropolis within. But even from a distance, Katsuo could see that Gosapor was much more than a fortress; it was a city of culture, history, and power.
The architecture was unlike anything Katsuo had seen before. Tall columns lined the city walls, adorned with intricate carvings of mythological creatures and historical figures, each telling the story of Rokatheryl’s long, proud history. The buildings, mostly made of gleaming marble and smooth stone, reflected an almost timeless beauty, their design a blend of ancient traditions and modern functionality. Statues of revered warriors and scholars stood at various points along the entrance, their expressions proud and dignified, as though they were watching over the city and judging all who entered.
Katsuo couldn’t help but stare in awe as they neared the gate.
"It's like walking into a legend," he muttered under his breath, his eyes wide as they took in the grandeur of the scene before him.
Taka glanced at him, chuckling at his reaction.
"First time seeing something like this, huh? Gosapor’s got that effect on people, especially those from places like Furashima. This city’s a hub of knowledge, power, and prestige. You’ll see that soon enough."
Katsuo nodded, still entranced by the sheer scale of the city.
“It’s so different from Furashima,” he said, his voice filled with a mix of admiration and disbelief.
“Everything here feels… ancient but alive. And the people, they look so refined.”
Taka grinned. “That’s Rokatheryl for you. They pride themselves on being a cut above the rest. Education, culture, military prowess—they’ve got it all. But don’t be fooled by the fancy buildings and polished armor. The people here can be just as cutthroat as the worst criminals in Furashima.”
Katsuo nodded again, his focus returning to the road ahead. The gate loomed larger with each step, guarded by towering statues of armored warriors, their swords raised high in salute. It was clear that the city held its military history in high regard, and Katsuo couldn’t help but feel a sense of respect as they passed beneath the watchful gaze of those stone sentinels.
As they neared the gates, a pair of guards stood at attention, their armor gleaming in the light of the setting sun. The city’s crest—a silver hawk clutching a sword—was emblazoned on their breastplates. One of the guards, a tall man with sharp features and a permanent sneer, stepped forward to block their path. His eyes raked over Katsuo and Taka with clear suspicion.
“Halt,” the guard barked, his voice rough and commanding.
“State your business.”
Katsuo immediately felt his temper flare at the guard’s dismissive tone, but before he could say anything, Taka stepped forward, giving him a warning look to stay calm.
“We’re travelers,” Taka said smoothly, his voice calm and diplomatic.
“Here to rest and explore the city for a bit before moving on.”
The guard’s eyes narrowed, clearly not convinced. His gaze lingered on Katsuo, sizing him up with disdain.
“Travelers, huh?” he drawled, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
“You two look more like troublemakers to me. Especially you, kid,” he added, jabbing a finger toward Katsuo.
“You think you can just stroll into Gosapor and cause problems?”
Katsuo’s fists clenched at the insult. His heart raced as his instincts urged him to snap back, but Taka’s hand on his shoulder stopped him.
“Patience,” Taka whispered softly, his eyes never leaving the guard.
Katsuo took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He remembered Taka’s lessons—control wasn’t just about mastering the sword; it was about mastering oneself. He nodded and stepped back, letting Taka handle the situation.
Taka flashed the guard a disarming smile.
“We’re just here to rest, nothing more,” he said smoothly.
“We’ll be on our best behavior, I assure you.”
The guard’s sneer deepened, but after a moment of glaring at them, he finally stepped aside, though not without a final warning.
“Keep your noses clean,” he growled.
“We don’t take kindly to outsiders causing trouble in Rokatheryl.”
As they passed through the gate and entered the city, Katsuo couldn’t help but glance back at the guard, still seething inwardly.
“What’s with these people?” he muttered, his anger simmering just below the surface.
“It’s like they think they’re better than everyone else.”
Taka chuckled softly, shaking his head.
“You’ll get used to it,” he said.
“People here are proud of their culture and history. They see themselves as the pinnacle of civilization. But here’s a tip—don’t let every insult get to you. There’s no point wasting energy on people like that.”
Katsuo grumbled under his breath but nodded. He knew Taka was right. This wasn’t Furashima, where confrontations were common and brute force was often the answer. Rokatheryl was different—a place where subtlety, control, and restraint were valued as much as strength.
As they passed through the gates and into the heart of Gosapor, the sheer grandeur of the city became even more apparent. The streets were wide and paved with smooth, dark stone that gleamed in the fading light. Towering buildings lined either side of the road, each one more ornate than the last. Some were adorned with marble columns and statues, while others featured intricate mosaics and carvings that told the story of Rokatheryl’s past glories—great battles, heroic leaders, and legendary warriors.
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The city was bustling with activity. Merchants called out from their stalls, showing exotic goods and rare spices. Scholars dressed in flowing robes debated animatedly in the courtyards, their voices filled with passion as they argued about philosophy and ancient texts. Warriors in gleaming armor sparred in the open squares, their movements swift and precise, their blades flashing in the light as they practiced their forms.
“This place is incredible,” Katsuo muttered, half to himself as his eyes darted from one fascinating sight to another.
Taka chuckled, clearly enjoying Katsuo’s awe.
“Gosapor is one of the most important cities in Rokatheryl. It’s a hub for knowledge, training, and power. You’ll find everything here—from scholars seeking enlightenment to warriors honing their skills in combat. But don’t let the beauty fool you. This city has its darker sides too. There’s more going on beneath the surface than most people realize.”
Katsuo nodded, still mesmerized by the sights around him. The contrast to Furashima was striking. Where Furashima’s cities were practical and often scarred by war, Gosapor felt timeless and untouched by conflict, its streets filled with life and vitality. But there was a subtle tension in the air that Katsuo couldn’t quite place—a sense that not everything was as peaceful as it appeared on the surface.
The people, too, were different. The citizens of Gosapor moved with an air of superiority, their posture proud and their heads held high. Even the common folk seemed to carry themselves with a sense of dignity that Katsuo wasn’t used to seeing. It was as if everyone here believed they were part of something greater—part of the grand history and legacy of Rokatheryl.
“They act like they’re above everyone else,” Katsuo observed quietly, his brow furrowing.
Taka let out a genuine laugh, clapping Katsuo on the back. “That’s because they think they are,” he said with a grin.
“Rokatheryl prides itself on its culture and education. They see themselves as the elite of the world, the pinnacle of human achievement. It can be annoying, but once you get past that arrogance, you’ll find that there’s a lot to learn from this place.”
Katsuo frowned but didn’t argue. Instead, he filed the information away, mentally preparing himself for the challenges ahead.
Taka led them toward the southeastern district of the city, where the buildings were still grand but less ornate than those in the northern parts of Gosapor. This area seemed quieter, with fewer merchants and scholars. The streets were narrower here, and the buildings had a more practical design, though they still maintained an air of dignity.
“We’ll stay in this part of the city for now,” Taka explained as they walked.
“The hubs here are affordable, and it’ll give us a chance to figure out our next move. Plus, we need to lay low. We don’t want to attract too much attention just yet.”
Katsuo, who had finally snapped out of his awe, turned to Taka with a curious look.
“How do you afford all this?” he asked.
“We’ve been camping and living off the land for the most part.”
Taka scratched the back of his head, grinning sheepishly.
“Ah… well, about that. I’m not exactly rolling in money. I’m technically part of the Aegis Guild, but I’ve been… let’s say, slacking off on my duties, so I don’t get paid much. That’s why I prefer living off the land—cheaper that way.”
Katsuo blinked, slightly taken aback.
“And I’m supposed to be learning from you?” he asked, his tone half-joking, half-serious.
Taka laughed, clearly unbothered by the jab.
“Hey, I might not be rich, but I know how to fight. Besides, what better way to teach survival than by living it?”
Katsuo sighed but couldn’t help smiling at Taka’s carefree attitude. They checked into a modest inn, the hub bustling with other travelers and adventurers. Once they were given a key, Taka wasted no time, flopping down onto his bed with a satisfied sigh.
“Finally, a real bed,” Taka mumbled, already half-asleep.
“It’s been too long.”
Katsuo, still wearing an exasperated expression, set his things down on the other bed.
“So, when are we heading to the Aegis Guild?” he asked, trying to focus on the reason they had come to Gosapor in the first place.
Taka groaned, pulling the blankets over himself.
“Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” he whined, his voice muffled.
“I need my beauty sleep.”
Katsuo rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. After all, they had been traveling for days without rest. He lay down on his bed and let himself relax, the soft sounds of the city outside slowly lulling him to sleep.
The next morning, Katsuo woke early, feeling refreshed and ready for the day. To his annoyance, Taka was still snoring loudly, dead to the world. Katsuo stared at him in disbelief for a moment before deciding to let him sleep. He wasn’t going to waste the day waiting for Taka to wake up.
After a quick breakfast, Katsuo set out to explore Gosapor on his own. The morning light bathed the city in a warm glow, and the streets were already alive with activity. Merchants were setting up their stalls, shouting out deals to passing customers, while travelers and scholars moved through the city with purpose.
Katsuo wandered through the southern district, taking in the sights and sounds. The shops were filled with all kinds of goods, from rare spices and exotic fabrics to finely crafted weapons and armor. The smell of fresh bread and sizzling meats wafted through the air, mixing with the earthy scent of the stone streets.
As he walked, Katsuo noticed that the southern part of Gosapor seemed to cater to the middle and lower classes, with simpler homes and shops. But as he moved north, the buildings grew larger and more ornate, and the people more finely dressed. It was clear that wealth and status played a significant role in the city’s layout.
“Even in Rokatheryl, there’s a divide,” Katsuo mused to himself.
“No matter where you go, there’s always a difference between the rich and the poor.”
His thoughts were interrupted by a commotion ahead of him. Katsuo turned to see a girl, seemed to be about 18 years old, darting through the crowded streets. Behind her, an older man and woman were shouting, chasing after her with desperation in their voices.
“Thief! Someone stop her!” they cried, but the girl was fast—too fast for anyone to catch her.
Katsuo’s eyes narrowed as he watched her weave through the crowd. Without thinking, he took off after her, determined to catch up. The girl moved with incredible speed, dodging between people and stalls with ease. Katsuo pushed himself to keep up, but she was slippery, vanishing into alleyways and reappearing in the most unexpected places.
Finally, he managed to corner her in a narrow alley. Panting, he stood in front of her, blocking her path.
“There’s nowhere to run now,” Katsuo said, trying to catch his breath.
“Just return what you stole, and we won’t have to make this more difficult.”
The girl glared at him, defiant.
“In your dreams, wannabe hero!.”
Before Katsuo could react, the girl used him as a springboard, leaping onto his back and jumping to a nearby ladder attached to a building. In the blink of an eye, she had climbed up to the rooftop, sticking her tongue out at him as she disappeared from view.
“Better luck next time!” she called down, her voice full of mocking laughter.
Katsuo stood there, stunned and embarrassed.
"What just happened?” he muttered to himself, rubbing the back of his head.
As he walked out of the alley, still fuming, he heard familiar laughter behind him. He turned to see Taka leaning against a wall, arms crossed, clearly amused.
“I heard you got shown up by a girl,” Taka said, his voice full of amusement.
“That’s got to sting.”
Katsuo flushed with embarrassment, glaring at Taka.
“She was fast—faster than anyone I’ve seen before.”
Taka laughed harder, clapping Katsuo on the back.
“Welcome to Gosapor. You’ll need to be sharper if you want to keep up with the people here.”
Katsuo grumbled but didn’t argue. As his frustration faded, Taka’s expression became more serious.
“Enough fun,” Taka said, his voice turning somber.
“We’ve got a mission, remember? It’s time to head to the Aegis Guild.”
Katsuo nodded, the memories of his encounter with Grant Russell still fresh in his mind. The thought of the Aegis Guild—the place where warriors like Grant trained—filled him with both excitement and determination. He knew that this was the next step in his journey, a place where he could grow stronger.
Together, they made their way through the city toward the Aegis Guild