Chapter 210: ConvergenceOf Races 4
Perhaps because of the upcoming convergence of races, the road to the capital was particularly crowded. Luxurious carriages being pulled by exotic beasts lined all the way to the city from where we stood.
Everytime we passed by a luxurious carriage, the group would throw me a look filled with resentment. With a glance I could tell what was going on in their heads. ’Couldn’t we also come in a carriage like this?’ Was what was probably going through their heads. The funny thing was that Misra was also part of it.
Though, I completely ignored them. It wasn’t like we were the only ones walking on foot, there were countless demons also doing the same, but those were probably from nearby cities, unlike us who walked from the border of the demon continent to this place.
As we neared Valon’s gates, I could already feel it, the amount of aether in the air rivalled that of aether stone mines in sheer density and quantity. It felt euphoric, and addicting.
"Damn, these people really are enjoying themselves, they get to live in such an aether centered environment." Khloe said without much consideration for our surroundings.
As expected, A demon walking with his family of three heard that and turned towards me with a frown.
"You should train your slaves on when to speak and when not to, lest they bring calamity unto yourselves. Why even take a creature a human under your wing?" The man shook his head as if he couldn’t understand me.
Yeah, slaves. That was the reason I morphed myself into a demon. A bunch of human going around doing as they pleased in the demon continent wouldn’t look too good. We’d all be scrutinized at every turn.
But a demon going around with his slaves gave a better cover and a compelling story. But what about a ’couple’ of demons, with human slaves as their retainers? Well that gave an even more compelling story which is why I didn’t kill Misra in the first place. That and also the fact that it’ll keep people away from trying to capture us all as slaves.
Just like underground auctions in the human domain occasionally sold other races like a commodity, of course the demons also did such. If I didn’t change my form into a demon and if the others weren’t believed to be my slaves, we wouldn’t be talking about this now, it would be another story entirely.
"Yes, you are right." I nodded at the man. "These humans don’t know when to speak and when not to. If not for my honey wanting humans as slaves," I dragged Misra close by the arm, "I never would have bought these filthy beings."
As I said that, I could literally see Vera and Khloe rolling their eyes behind me, while Pixie and Bob tried to surpress their smiles.
"Yes, yes, you should do that." the man’s wife replied this time. After that she asked questions on top of questions, it wasn’t until it was their turn to enter the city that I was finally set free.
"Goddamn." I cursed. ’I guess humans weren’t the only ones who were nosy.’ I shook my head bitterly.
Soon the family of nosy three passed the verifications and went into the capital and it was finally our turn.
"Halt!" a guard captain said the moment we moved forward. "You!" he pointed at me. "Come forward."
"Stay here." I said to the others before moving forward and standing in front of the guard.
"What is your purpose in coming to the capital?" The guard captain asked.
"You needn’t ask do you? Of course it’s because of the upcoming event, I wouldn’t want to miss it." I replied smoothly.
"What about those humans?" he asked, the disdain in his eyes not hidden.
"Oh, they are but my servants." I said with a smile.
His eyes squinted, as they moved from Khloe to Vera. "Quite the taste in servants you have there, if you know what I mean." He said in a whisper with a knowing smile.
"Shhh, lest she hears you." I gestured to Misra behind me with a smile.
"You’re free to go, you’re a comrade." He patted my shoulder, then motioned to the other guards to move aside.
The others walked forward and we were soon let into Valon’s gates. The moment I stepped into the capital, I saw the outline of a barrier suddenly appeared in my vision, completely enveloping the city.
The barrier scanned over my body, but I didn’t panic, I already knew about it. This barrier was set up using an ancient spell that enables the demons to determine individuals who have dark energy inside of their body. If a heretic were to dare to tread into this city, they’d be detected in an instant, and instantly get captured or outright eliminated.
"What were you and that guard whispering about?" Vera asked curiously after we made it through the gate.
"Its something between men, you wouldn’t understand." I replied. "Now shut up and let me take this in." I said taking in the entirety of Valon, or perhaps all I could see.
Valon, the capital of the demon continent, and where the demon royal family resides was just at the base of the trunk of the divine tree.
The city on its own was the epitome of wooden architecture. Where every structure was primarily made of wood, and not just any wood as you must have guessed, but the wood from the divine tree.
The streets were made of pasty-coloured pebbles and single lines of grass crossed in-between every couple of meters of the road, further adding vibrancy to the environment.
Tall towers overlooked the entire city, bridges made of wool soared over streams that ran through the city. Everywhere looked so lively I almost felt envious, almost.
"Woah, they’re living in paradise." Khloe muttered in awe. I guess something’s would never change, like Khloe never being able to keep her mouth shut.
Due to the divine tree, all the cities under its canopy including Valon itself were always in perpetual night.
There was no concept of day here because the sunlight couldn’t penetarate through the branches. Though, the soft golden light the leaves of the divine tree give off more than made up for that. The entire valon was illuminated by this soft golden light, giving an otherworldly feel to the city.
"Instead of taking it in, don’t you think it’s better for us to find somewhere to lodge in? I reckon everything would constantly be rising up due to the upcoming event." Vera suggested.
And she was right, we had to quickly book a lodge for the next month or so. I was this close to sending the resourceful Khloe to go do it, but this wasn’t the human domain, so it was something I’d have to do myself.
Though, I knew that humans and the other two races would also begin arriving maybe within next week, so by that time, Khloe and the others wouldn’t stand out too much.
For now though, I had to do everything by myself, and there was a lot I have to do. "Ahhh, how frustrating." I muttered.
"What’s wrong, Boss?" Pixie asked.
I sighed.
"Apart from finding a place to lodge in, We also need to find a shop."
"What do you need a shop for? Don’t tell me you’re trying to set up another shady organization." Khloe said.
"Okay Khloe, first, our organization is not shady, so there is no concept of ’another’ here. And second, I do need a shop of course, how else do you think I would sell my merchandise?" I asked.
"What merchandise?" Vera asked with a raise of her brow.
"Meh, you’ll know in due time." I waved my hand in dismissal. "For now let’s go find us a shop." I said in excitement, but it seemed Vera wasn’t having that.
I suddenly saw her eyes glow, indicating she wanted to use her ability on me.
"Not this time." I promptly disappeared. Before I disappeared, I thought about whether they’d be fine without me, but soon shook my head, maybe it was time to let them fly.
"They’ll probably be fine." I shrugged. ’But that woman, Vera, I have to find a way to resist that troublesome ability of hers.’ I thought as I left to explore the city, but of course I still kept an eye on them... maybe.
Anyway, the reason I wanted to find a shop to rent was because I was planning to hit it rich during this upcoming event. Imagine a shop that would sell the precise abilities and power levels of the most notable youths of all four races.
I would make it so that the higher the status of the individual, the higher their information costs. I was thinking for the prince and princesses of the four races, maybe a Gamma rank artifact would suffice. I mean, they’re royalty, it’s not like they lack treasures.
Though, that was big coming from me, I was also royalty, and it wasn’t like I had a lot of treasures, just a whole lot of quirky subordinates.
Anyway, I knew my money making scheme would draw both the right and wrong kind of attention, so I had a lot to prepare.