Chapter 23: Purple Fruit, Word Spirit
The sunlight filtered through the clouds, casting mottled shadows on this hot summer day. The city's streets were bustling with people, and various sounds intertwined, creating a lively and busy scene.
Palu, who was once a slave, walked out of the security office with a somewhat dazed expression. Today's weather was no different from yesterday's, yet to Palu, everything felt completely different.
The sky was so blue and vast, the sun so brilliant and sacred, and this city he helped build was so prosperous. Even those merchants, who used to look down on others, seemed much more agreeable now.
As a former slave, Palu had no expectations for life or the future, but after being sold to Elisium City, his perspective changed dramatically. For the first time, he yearned for freedom.
Because here, the Lord allowed slaves to gain freedom through labor. So, for two years, Palu worked diligently without a moment of slack, until today, he finally accumulated enough labor points to redeem his freedom.
This day would be the most important in his life—he was no longer a slave, but a free man.
At this moment, Palu was filled with indescribable emotions. He turned around, facing the place that witnessed his rebirth, his gaze swept upward past the management office and to the mountain that no city building could compare to, and which couldn't be hidden.
Palu took a deep breath, then slowly knelt on the ground, clasping his hands together, his body gently bowing down. He sincerely worshiped the noble existence residing on the mountain.
"Praise the benevolent Noah! Praise the wise Lord!"
Legend has it, on Mount Elisium resides a benevolent Golden Dragon named Noah, who advised the wise Lord ruling these lands. The Lord took the dragon's advice, allowing freedom to bloom.
All slaves believe in the truth of this legend because they can gain freedom through hard work, a grace impossible to obtain in other noble territories.