"Huh?"

I stared at Juliet in confusion.

"You know me?"

The Deathwalker nodded, "Yeah. News travels fast in Necropolis and you are the main talk nowadays."

She looked me up with curiosity, "The thirteen-year-old High Prince, Mordred Pendragon."

She looked disappointed, "You sure you're thirteen and not eleven?"

My eye twitched, "What makes you think that, Miss Juliet?"

"You're small for your age, unlike a certain thirteen-year-old I know.", she sighed, "Honestly. What is the Commander even thinking, bringing in a weak kid like you?"

Ouch.

"But you sure are lucky. You survived your first battle and were the only newbie in your unit to fully recover."

She looked at me, "You have phenomenal luck. I just wish Zach had it as well.", she said bleakly.

The air got heavy and I looked down, unable to come up with anything to say.

"I used to look forward to meeting the Crown Princess or even High Prince Gawain. But you are the first royal I have met. Slightly disappointed but it will suffice. It was good to meet you, your Highness.", Juliet gave a slight bow and walked past me.

Argus the mechanical wolf, sniffed me for a few seconds before following its master. I saw them turn left and disappear along the corridor.

"Sorry about that. She just lost her close friend. Argus was Zach's mechanima. It looks like Juliet has taken him in.", Felix told me.

"Mechanima.", I muttered and searched through my new memories.

Ah yes. Found it.

Mechanical automatons of different animals and ardimals. There is a considerable variety of mechanima and they can be modified to any extent.

If you want a mechanical penguin that can make amazing smoothies, bust up some cool swordsmanship, and be capable of shooting lasers out of its eyes, you can get it as long as you have the materials and a skilled crafter.

Felix smiled, "Yeah. Most veteran Deathwalkers have at least one mechanima. They are good companions and very useful on the battlefield."

"Mechanimas are more versatile than combat vehicles and their efficiency is high. Most are used as mounts but there are some used for recon and since we Deathwalkers use them, they are also autonomous weapons."

I just looked at him in wonder, "Felix. You are a veteran. Do you have a mechanima?"

He chuckled, "Of course I have. Mine is a panther named Bob."

"Seriously? Bob?"

Felix nodded enthusiastically, "Indeed. Imagine getting hunted down by Bob the panther."

"That would be a rather unique experience.", I noted. "I'll bring him with me the next time.", he promised.

"Do you need permission to release your mechanima in Necropolis?", I asked.

"Yeah. Mechanimas are programmed to be like their living counterparts with a few tweaks for them to adjust to their sophisticated bodies and to make them friendly and loyal to their masters.", Felix replied.

"But by the end of the day, they are animals, albeit made of metallic parts. You can't just take a lion out for a walk and expect it not to bite someone's head off, no matter how friendly it is."

That is worrying. "Has that ever happened?", I asked.

Felix shook his head, "Thankfully. Not yet."

Very reassuring.

We continued along the corridor and passed more Deathwalkers most of whom gave me curious looks..

Apparently, thirteen-year-old kids are a pretty rare sight in the Shield, especially from the legendary Pendragon family.

But judging by their expression after looking at me, I'm pretty sure that I'm not what they expected. They looked disappointed. Some even looked at me with pity.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Understandable. Please have a good day after gawking at me.

We reached an elevator and went down to the ground level. Soon I was standing on Central Plaza.

And boy, was I blown away by the sight.

It looked more vast than what I saw from the upper floors. The tree in the middle towered over my small body as I gawked at its lofty branches.

"Some things seem very different from a different perspective.", Felix commented, amused by my reaction. He turned around, "C'mon man. We're getting weird looks."

I followed him around Central Plaza, looking around in awe. This place doesn't scream 'city of the dead' to me.

Then I saw a Deathwalker with his arm in a cast another one with an eyepatch, and then another one in a body bag.

Okay. I take back my words.

It is just eerie how no one is even looking at the body being wheeled into one of the corridors. Not even a glance.

"Death has become the norm in Necropolis. You will get used to it.", Felix said, noticing my gaze.

Soon we were standing in front of a weapon store, one of many in the plaza. I read the sign.

Lorvar's Arsenal

"One of the best weapon suppliers in the North.", Felix said and turned to me.

"Do you have money to buy a weapon?", he asked. I just stared at him blankly. His eyebrows furrowed.

"Please tell me you received a few draigos from the Royal Palace."

I shook my head, "I forgot to ask."

Felix smacked his face, "Oh Incarni!"

Draigo is the currency of the Kingdom. In this world, money is exchanged in the form of electronic transactions and paper bills. Although the use of paper bills is becoming rare nowadays.

But seriously? How can people move from gold and silver coins to mere pieces of paper as a form of money?

The future is weird.

Anyway. It appears that I forgot to ask for money, although I wonder if I would've received any in the first place.

I probably would've. Merlin should've reminded me to ask for money.

I swear I will give her a fantastic punch if I survive this place.

"You really are troublesome.", Felix sighed and fiddled with his bracelet and nodded in satisfaction.

"It appears that the commander knew this would happen.", he smiled at me, "He gave me some money to spend for you. Let's go.", he nodded and entered the store.

A delicate windchime jingled as the door closed behind me. Standing on the counter, inspecting a sword was a beautiful woman in her twenties.

She has a curvy yet athletic figure with skin the color of sand and long wavy magenta hair. Her long fingers carefully traced the edge of the blade and her teal-colored eyes carefully examined every detail of the blade.

She wore a grey shirt underneath a denim jacket and black jeans, intricately designed earrings made of a black metal dangle from her ears and I could see a tattoo on her neck. It depicted a falcon with a snake wrapped around its talons.

She was so focused on the sword that she didn't notice our entrance.

Felix tapped on a shield, "Hey Dorothy. You have customers."

With a slight startle, Dorothy looked up and smiled, "Ah, Felix. Good to see you."

She put down the sword on the counter and leaned forward as we approached.

"Who is this cutie?", she asked, looking at me.

My heart skipped as her dreamy eyes looked into mine and her words flowed like honey, trapping me in it. I gulped and bowed my head to hide my red face.

"P-pleasure to m-meet you.", I stammered, mustering all the chivalry I have.

I can't believe it! I, the silver-tongued Mordred stammering in front of this woman!

Such is the power of her beauty!

"Stop teasing him, you witch.", Felix crossed his arms and chastised her, "He's a kid."

Dorothy laughed, "Alright Felix. I'll stop. By the way, who is he? A cousin of yours?", she asked teasingly.

"As if.", Felix snorted, "You very well know that I have no family left."

He patted me on the head and grinned, "This is the second High Prince of the Kingdom, Mordred Pendragon."

Dorothy's eyes widened in surprise, "Oh Incarni!"

She bowed her head to me, "Please forgive me for not knowing your identity and teasing you."

I shook my head, "No it's fine. I doubt you will be aware of my existence. After all, I rarely step foot outside the Dawn Palace."

Dorothy nodded, "True. You were quite the mysterious figure. Many wondered if you even existed."

She gave me a warm smile, "But I am glad you do exist, Your Highness. You are such a handsome young man."

She bowed her head again, "I, Dorothy Lorvar, humbly greet His Highness, High Prince Mordred Pendragon."

I nodded, "Thank you, Miss Dorothy. You may raise your head and please, just call me Mordred. I will be here for the next three years. If I'm lucky."

"Oh My! You've become a Deathwalker?", she looked disturbed and glanced at Felix, "He is not supposed to be here. How?"

He shrugged, "Royal decree I'm afraid."

She sighed, "What is the High King thinking? Sending his youngest son to this hell on earth?"

"You poor thing.", she looked at me with pity.

I gave a sheepish smile, "Thank you for your concern but I'm aware of my situation. No need to look at me with those eyes."

"My apologies.", she stood up and walked around the counter.

She gestured to the different types of weapons on display in the shop, "We're not as popular as the other stores but our weapons are high quality."

"He will not admit it, but my old man is the best crafter in the North.", Dorothy said with pride.

She looked at me, "So What is your preferred weapon, Mordred?"