[A Certain Heir to a Marquisate POV]
It was a mistake… this is the end of our family… we should not have dared to attack this land!
I was covered with tears, saliva, and sweat, my cries and desperation had turned me into this state, I didn't want to die this way. The guards guided us towards the inner parts of the city. Another wall defended it, this time I could tell it was more guarded than any part of the city.
I saw less activity as the carriage kept moving, and the buzzing streets of the shopping district vanished the moment we entered the inner walls, here I could see soldiers walking around as well as men and women doing their work behind some transparent walls.
I can already tell that this place… was bigger than the castle in the capital… It was a place that could house 10,000 people if it needed to.
As the carriage kept moving we arrived in an open field of snow, but in the middle of it… my eyes became wide in awe.
“The palace of eternal spring…”
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After meeting the prince, his guards escorted us outside the inner walls. Instead of the prison complex, we arrived at a building in the commercial district.
“The Prince ordered that you are to be escorted to the Winter Hotel, this is where you and your aides will be staying, we have already informed the prison guards to transfer your aides here. Although we are allowing you to roam around the village on your own, you will still be monitored by the guards. This entire building is reserved for you until you depart. For now, we will be removing your braces.” they removed the bracelets they placed onto our arms and we felt our magic return.
I looked around the room and I could feel a sense of regality in it.
The room was decorated in a way I have never seen before, it was simple and yet, functional. I can peer outside from the transparent walls of the building.
“This is the city of gods…”
“No wonder our army suffered even before coming here…”
“The Palace of Eternal Winter.”
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While the general discussed as they looked outside the window gazing upon the crowds below them, I started to read the letter the Prince gave us that came from my father.
[Me in the Prince has made a concession, Albert, you may return to Romwell and prepare for your departure for the New Year Festival.]
My family’s crest and my father’s signature are engraved on the paper. Proving its authenticity.
“A land protected by gods huh…”
Even if I am against the gods, if they try to harm my friend, I will burn them to the ground.
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And one of my generals walked around the city, while the others talked with the city officials regarding the 9,000 people who would stay in the city due to their relationship with the people in this city.
“I never thought someone could develop the frontier like this.”
“Maybe they’ve been making it for years.”
“I don’t think so young lord, such a place, everyone would have known. And the council would not have given it to the prince.”
"So everything was built in his reign in this city... in just a few months."
"I do wonder how far they'll go in a few years."
"I don't even want to imagine that."
We walked on the main road as we looked around the city. Now that we’re outside the carriage, we can feel the atmosphere of the city. Everyone was doing different things, there were even those singing and using instruments near the fountain.
“It’s winter…”
“It seems those fountain’s water is warm and clean enough to consume. I assume that's why a lot of people have gathered there.”
As we checked out the bards, my eyes were instead stolen by what was under the fountain…
“Those coins…”
“And no one is taking them?”
“Ah young man, that is called the Lucas Fountain, people throw coins in them and make a wish, it started when the Prince threw a platinum coin in it, and for months now it has stayed that way. It’s not illegal to take them, but I warn you, the other villagers will not be happy if you do. A merchant once tried taking the platinum coins and many villagers refused to do business with him, he could neither buy nor sell anything in the village ever again.”
An old lady told us. She got closer to me she held my hands. The general immediately tried to stop her but…
“Your hands are warm young man, take these.”
She handed me a pair of soft gloves.
“Keep warm now, it’s cold! I own a soup shop near the Red Bear tavern, check it out if you need food.”
She kept walking and the general was left there standing.
“Kind lady.”
“...”
We enjoyed the bard’s music before we returned to our room.
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A few days later most of our soldiers were given the green light to leave. It seems in those few days the Prince has created a road connecting the city of Neverwinter to Romwell as agreed between the Prince and my father. It was wide and well-lit.
"I wonder what those black blocks are made of?"
"It seems horses can carry a few of them without any problem. And those people arrange them based on that paper."
"They said they're from the engineering department of the University."
"University?"
"From what I understood, it's akin to the Royal Academy in the capital."
"They have that in that city?"
"Hmfp, they could just attend the Royal Academy if they wanted to, that way they can learn more important things."
"Don't do that Lord General, they take pride in that University."
"..."
Debates raged on but only one thing remained on my mind.
“This is warm…”
I said while wearing a pair of mittens.