Sustaining The King's Life

Even bizarre magical equipment is scattered everywhere. Edifices with peculiar structures standing proudly in towering grounds. Floating islands atop city across the clouds. Air transportation powered by magic beyond the skies.

And the smell of delicious food.

Magierstadt is jam-packed with these things. The moment they arrived at the port, she couldn"t help but part her lips in amazement. The place was filled with bright colors from the slab of beige stones used to build the buildings. It was similar to one of the books showing deserts and infrastructures" trusses with different-looking domes. She believed it was a country long existed in one of Folkmanor"s fictions—Persia. Everything from Magierstadt was so different from Feuersturm.

Magierstadt was culturally distinct as well. Faustina was relieved she took the time to study Folkmanor"s stories. She was able to compare the architecture of Magierstadt to Folkmanor"s fictional world he called "Earth" which he derived from their real-world, Earthland. In Folkmanor"s stories, Earth has seven continents namely: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. He also drew a map and a description of each continent and its countries that one might mistake it was real.

Magierstadt—Faustina could compare it to Folkmanor"s Persia. Its architectural design was almost its carbon copy (except Magierstadt is chockfull of magic and floating islands)—although in Folkmanor"s stories, "Earth" doesn"t have any magic. Faustina guessed Folkmanor wanted to weaken humankind. Bachmernof was another philosopher with interesting stories that resembled that of Folkmanor. But he revolved around the theories of what was evil and what was good. His most famous line was "darkness grows strong when light rules."

Faustina eyes the mages walking around the streets. She met the eyes of one. They arrived at the port early in the morning and were welcomed with a large teleportation circle. A portal powered by magic to take you to the city. Faustina was able to pa.s.s through the portal and arrive at the busy city of Magierstadt. If Feuer capital was crowded, then Magierstadt is overcrowded.

"What is the common compatibility people get?" Orwell asks.

"Earth?" Faustina answers.

Orwell grinned. "Justify,"

"As Folkmanor stated, "we are made through soil, ash, and stone. And soil, ash, and stone we shall return,"."

"Good. I thought you forgot the lessons I taught you." Orwell exclaims.

"Oddly enough, I remember having this conversation with you," Faustina says. "Back at the castle."

Orwell smiles.

They had just gathered Faustina"s uniform from the tailor shop minutes ago, Maddie trailing behind, with her carrying boxes and paper bags. Faustina and Orwell went on ahead with an issue at hand, Orwell"s information-gathering. It was she and Orwell who knew her most real ident.i.ty, after all.

And besides that, when they were still voyaging, Faustina received a fire-message from Sheila asking their progress. Of course Faustina ought to report (and missed out the things such as her defeating the marionette and recovering an object from the cabin in return).

"Oh, is that so?" Sheila says. "Once you arrive at Magierstadt, the king says that you ought to gather as much outside information you could get. It seems like the slipping of intel gets harder once you"re inside the academe."

Faustina nods. "I"ll try my best."

"Well, best of luck," Sheila answers from the fire message.

And so the moment they arrived in their designated place (which is Magierstadt), Orwell went on ahead to talk to some people in the stalls for obvious three reasons; 1) Maddie doesn"t know Faustina"s ident.i.ty, 2) Orwell had to maximize the use of time, and 3) it��s not like Faustina could nudge other people in telling her information?

"Well the town folk gave me advice about a man across the thoroughfare in that dark cloak," says Orwell. "They said he has "red eyes,""

"Meaning he"s . . .?" Faustina says, facing Orwell.

Orwell nods. "He may be an Albino,"

"What would an a.s.sa.s.sin do in Magierstadt?" Faustina asks, and then an Agin girl pa.s.sed alongside them, walking with her fluffy tail swirling gracefully as she walks.

"This country has no specific citizens," Orwell says. "All of us, people who came from different races and different continents came here in equal pursuits."

Faustina closes her eyes a bit as Orwell ruffled her hair. "Everyone . . . well, almost everyone is here for the study of magic."

"Magic . . ." Faustina says.

"Yes. So an Albino would be peculiar but not out of ordinary here in Magierstadt," Orwell then held Faustina"s hand out of instinct. He let go afterwards when he realized he did so. "Oh, I apologize . . . M"lady," he tried to add. "It"s instincts. I used to hold my mother"s hand when we venture through the busy streets so we won"t be separated,"

Orwell smiled, "be careful not to get lost," he then turns to walk forward—

"Wait!" Faustina says, calling Orwell"s attention. He then turned sideways, seeing Faustina"s blushing face.

"Um, w-we can," Faustina then reached Orwell"s hand. "We can hold hands."

Orwell blinks, and then after a moment, he found himself smiling.

"Pft,"

Faustina blushed furiously.

"Yes, yes, M"lady," Orwell says, and paused, as if to realize something—"Oh. You aren"t any "M"lady" now, aren"t you? Magierstadt is mixed with people of different origins and status won"t mean anything here,"

Faustina tilts her head.

Orwell grinned as his eyes warmed around Faustina. "Meaning you"re just "Faustina" right here!"

Faustina"s eyes widened and before she could say anything else, Orwell pulled her to the middle of the streets. Orwell then snapped his fingers, which resulted in a breeze being conjured as the winds enveloped the entirety of the roads; petals of fragrant blue flowers scattered around the whole enchilada whilst Orwell and Faustina ran into the streets.

Faustina stares at Orwell"s hand entwined to hers as he ran towards her to the light. She couldn"t help it but smile and grin as she welcomes Magierstadt in open arms.

Orwell grinned. "Now, Faustina . . ." Orwell says as both of them stopped running. Soon they were like children panting in the middle of the streets. "Find the Albino for the intel, or have fun?" Orwell asks through his round spectacles.

Faustina panted as she positioned her palms to her knees, her head facing the ground as she breathed heavily. She raised her head and grinned.

"Have fun!"

Orwell smiled mischievously. "Now that"s the spirit!"