59 Cruisers travelled across the great plains of Brandar. The distant mountains of the Maw of the World gradually disappeared into the atmosphere. Similarly, the one-hundred-meter walls that surrounded the Nex Megalopolis came into view.
Massive structures were seen as a civilization’s way of showcasing their might. It was why palaces were usually built over hundreds of meters tall with a compound stretching over several kilometers. But for such grand architecture to be limited to mere walls deeply disappointed the rulers and their aides.
First time visitors were expected to be marveled immediately at the first glimpse of the Nex Megalopolis. Instead, they were greeted by a monotonous pattern of black and off yellow that stretched on for thousands of kilometers.
Still, they would be lying if they said that it was not impressive.
The outer wall of the Nex Megalopolis began from the City of Strings which was well within Emvita’s borders. From there it ran north, passing through the City of Clubs, the City of Spades, the City of Hearts and finally, the City of Diamonds.
Put together and the Nex Megalopolis was easily one of the largest civilizations in Elysia. Few saw the cities as separate entities, but more like different districts within a city which was further segmented into sectors. If one were to put the entirety of the Nex Megalopolis into the Region of Emvita, then it would take up more than 40% of its entire landmass.
Paradise was the single largest walled city in the world. But if one were to rank the sizes of civilization based on territory, then it would be an argument between the Nex Megalopolis, Anids, Insectids, Demons, Elves, Aquatids or the Beastkin. However, in terms of developed urban complexes like that of the Nex Megalopolis – then there were far few in between.
Yanarin took a map of the world, cut it up, drew on it with colored quills and placed it before Princess Mary.
image [https://i.imgur.com/TlG85ST.png]
“Our Empire resides south of the central forests of Emvita. Notice how we barely compare to a single one of their Sectors, let alone an Atelier city. Even if we spent a thousand years expanding our territories and reclaiming the monster-infested lands around us, we would not be able to reach their size.”
Yanarin’s explanation illustrated the sheer scale of the Nex Megalopolis.
“Absorbing other Kingdoms is the only way to progress to their size. They won the civilization lottery. With no competition, they were able to expand however they wished. Pair that with the power of the Ateliers and the Deities that back them, then it’s to be expected. We can’t envy them for being Gods.”
Mary shrugged before adding:
“Elves have a greater living complex. Most of the Nex Megalopolis’ land is fractured at sea. But take the Elves for example. Their Capital in the Velvori Region has twice as much habitable area. But if we’re talking about complexes then we cannot leave out the Anids. Then, there are the Dwarves of Dwarhelven and the Dragons of Drakos. We don’t even know the limits of an Aquatid civilization either. And let’s not forget that the Subderma Layer also exists.”
It sounded like they were trying to downplay the majesty of the Nex Megalopolis and chalked it up to the Ateliers.
What they did not admit was how it did not rely on exporting or importing to survive. What made Brandar’s land so advantageous was that its soil was nutrient and resource rich.
Impuritas corpses did not taint the land like other monsters did, such as the 7 Eyed Toad whose rotting body could destabilize an ecosystem due to its stench alone; the Spiked and the Barbed Boars that were known to destroy ecosystems in Emvita; or Goblins who tended to exterminate fauna within their territories.
As a result, each Sector was self-sufficient. This paired with the miracle that was CogitO’s Reality Replicator allowed for drinkable water to be pumped across the Nex Megalopolis, whereas every other civilization needed to treat their water. The more advanced ones relied on mages who were able to conjure water, or Gifts that can create it.
This in turn allowed its population to boom to over 5 million people, and this was just the number of those registered within the Guild. The real number was easily 3-4 times that.
The Larin Empire did not struggle per say when it came to harvesting their crops. But it was universally advantageous to rely on Adventurers to lend a hand no matter the circumstance. Peasants were not always equipped to deal with problems, and their lack of education often led to slowdown or information being lost in translation as it moved from a knight to a messenger, to a servant, etc – until it reach the ears of someone capable of lending help.
Knights of the Larin Empire could not act until they were given explicit orders to do so. This involved helping its citizens even if they were clearly in danger. The true reason, however, was not due to honor or undying loyalty.
It was because they were under the control of her blood. After all, her most loyal soldiers were called the ‘Red Guards’.
“It’s been months since I last saw a Blessed. This is the place they call home, no?”
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Mary mused as she peered out of a round window. Again, she was not able to see her own reflection. The reason for this was because she was a 3rd Generation Vampire.
Like Honored Ones, Blood Purity was diluted with each generation. Furthermore, those of lower Blood Purity were psychologically bound to the commands of those that were higher than theirs. The Red Guards were not humans, but in fact were 34th Generation Vampires.
They were so low in the Blood Purity hierarchy that they were not even considered Vampires as they did not need to feed on blood. This phenomenon was only seen on Vampires below the 21st Generation.
They finally entered the walls of the Nex Megalopolis. Mary stared in the deep darkness outside as a male voice spoke through a magical intercom.
“Please remain seated for the next 5 minutes. Otherwise, we are not responsible for your sudden disappearance. Fun fact: Cruisers are our third largest class of trains. For kingdoms requiring the service of a Leviathan, please locate your nearest Train Conductor for an inquiry. We will be happy to take away your unwanted prisoners at no charge. Endorse Attachment.”
“I’m sure I’m right. Why else would the Ateliers need prisoners if not for their blood?” Mary hummed to herself. “They don’t predate on their own kind, do they? The Nex Megalopolis is a highly functioning paradise for its inhabitants, but a hell for outsiders.”
The Larin Empire was the same. Despite what was mentioned about the Knights and their citizens, they enjoyed a life of relative safety and security. Outsiders on the other hand experienced hell. The worst part was that the Larin Empire was not the worst offender, but if they were asked by a Peace Flock why they engaged in such activities, then their answer would be either: ‘It’s our right’, or ‘We are not the only ones.’
However, this mindset had previously led to the decline of visiting Blessed.
“The Blessed have stopped visiting since the sudden destruction of the Hyperlink Crystals. We were never able to get our hands on one after all.” Mary sighed.
“A shame, but it wouldn’t have changed the course of our future. We had a few neighbors who managed to capture some, didn’t we?”
“That we did. They’re the ones who tried to sell off the women to us, as they were to your tastes.” Yanarin brushed her grey hair aside. “It became a blessing in disguise. There is no doubt that the Nexus is summoning us solely because we need Healers.”
“Yanarin. My dear, dear Yanarin.” Mary cusped the chin of her Advisor and brought her close. “Now why would the Nexus care about what happens to the Blessed? The ban in Grandis only happened because of the Dozen Winged Bird. It became too dangerous for Blessed and Adventurers alike to travel through its territories.”
There was not a single person in the room – no, in all 59 Cruisers who did not know this. But Yanarin suspected that there was more to it. If it was a normal conference, then there was no need to warn them about the ‘Weight of their sins.’ Furthermore, it was the Amalgam who wished to meet them in person rather than the Ateliers.
The likelihood of this being a transactional Assembly was unlikely.
But Yanarin was unable to admit this out loud to her master, as they had already made up their mind.
Mary was merely the face of the Larin Empire alongside the Queen Catalina, whereas Yanarin was the mastermind who had been advising them in the shadows. She had been overlooking several generations of the D’ Grace lineage. Of them all, Mary was a jewel in a family of mediocre talent.
But her talent was tainted by her bloodthirst and obsession to a single perspective. If one tried to change her mind, then they’d end up dead in the next second.
Her ability to command hundreds of thousands as efficiently as a Hive Queen was how the Larin Empire grew into one of the largest civilizations in Emvita. Though not the largest, one would have to be a fool to consider going against them.
Were it not for the forests, then they would have already conquered their neighbors by now.
* * *
“The City of Clubs. We entered through the City of Diamonds the last time we attended an Assembly. The blue-green color scheme is an eyesore. And aren’t its citizens dressed far too nicely?”
“It’d be surprising of the likes of the Solace Empire leave empty handed.” The Bleeding Petal coldly stated.
“Defenseless as well. They might as well have ‘take me’ written on their backs.”
Mary had the mentality of a conqueror.
Of all the kingdoms she had visited, the City of Clubs had the easiest-looking people to prey on. However, this was only possible because of immense level of security placed within every inch of the City of Clubs.
There were not even walls to divide the Atelier City from its Sectors. Nearly every kingdom had their palace walled off from the masses, but here, there was such a level of trust that there was no need for it. Not only that, but there wasn’t a single sick person that they could find either.
They found themselves in a massive compound where all 59 Cruisers came to a stop. It was easily large enough for an army of one hundred thousand people to stand at arm’s length, and it was used as a luxurious train station.
The concrete floors turned into a dazzling mosaic walkway made of millions of tiny, glossy tiles. Spires, refineries, giant structures shaped like a nest or an egg – these structures could be seen in the distance overlooking them.
Standing at the boundaries of the station were men and women in blue suits and metal arms.
“Why taint a beautiful body with steel?” Mary hissed to herself, gazing deeply into the eyes of the Liquidators that saw them out of their Cruisers.
Soon, thousands of people from 59 different countries spilled onto the station. Banners of their corresponding nation were held high on the end of their pikes. Accompanying them were bands of trumpets, drums and horns.
Magical-based Kingdoms like the Stormweaver Continuity created magical projections of their insignia, proudly displaying their superiority above all else. The pride of an Empire on foreign soil hinged how many knew their name and recognized their banner. If they had come unprepared then would their people be able to differentiate them from the common merchant?
“Raise them higher!” Mary commanded. “How shameless of those insignificant Kingdoms to raise their banner. Have they forgotten their place already because we’re in neutral grounds?”
For the likes of Mary, this was like a declaration of war.
What irked her the most were the Slimes of the Kingdom of Slimia. Giant, 30-meter slimes puffed themselves full of air and floated above like giant hot-air balloons. The faces of ‘>o<’, ‘^w^’ ‘>_<’, ‘>x<’, rather than banners or an insignia annoyed Mary to no end.
“Cursed Slimes. Fine then. Make your hideous faces be known to the world.”
However, unbeknownst to her was that they were instant favorites of the citizens of the City of Clubs. After all, how was one supposed to be angry at something so cute? The leading Slime was a purplish, humanoid slime woman who wore a rusted iron crown.
She was larger than most people but was just as weak. Not only that, but as a slime, she could not speak properly. She had no lungs or auditory organs to support language.
The occasional. “Awa!”, “Hmhm!”, or “Squish~!” were the absolute limits of her vocabulary.