"Behold, ahead lies our great capital, Pompeii. ”

A day later, a knight on horseback suddenly spoke with affection.

Immediately, William's eyes also looked into the distance, but his eyes involuntarily flashed with excitement.

"Yes, even under the shining stars, its brilliance is still so dazzling. ”

At this moment, on the Imperial Post Road in the middle of the night, a little starlight is hanging down like pearl silk, full of infinite blessings at the same time, and people can't help but yearn for a higher level.

"Did you know that? Legend has it that every traveler who passes through this place at night adds a zeal to the light on the road to the city that never sleeps. ”

William's tone seemed slightly impassioned, and he opened his arms, as if to meet something extremely noble: "But no one has ever wanted to compete with the sun and the moon on his own, otherwise the great powers of the world will surely bury all his ambitions." ”

Then he sighed in a low voice, like a light-chaser who had finally been granted his wish.

"Now, please look up ahead of you. There, the most majestic city on the continent stands not far away!"

Ai Suyan suddenly raised his head.

Then, a shocking sensation that had never been felt before hit his whole body.

There's a city ahead... It should be the imperial capital. But, oddly enough...

Faintly, Ai Suyan felt that the light released by the city itself seemed to be far beyond the sum of the moon and stars overhead.

It is also composed of walls and other basic structures, but it has a majestic feeling, and it shimmers with a dreamlike golden light, which in turn illuminates the otherwise dark and silent night sky.

Even the area where Ai Suyan and the others are now is within the scope of this light.

The lights are bright, like a magnificent palace made of fluorite... At night, the city is even brighter than during the day.

Including Xingyu City, the four sides of the continent have never had a second such a wonder.

"It's unimaginable that many of the city's buildings are made of real gold. William recounted with some pride.

Then more stories were slowly unfolded in front of everyone along with his words.

"Legend has it that at the beginning of the establishment of the Holy Wing Empire, many skilled craftsmen racked their brains for the construction of Pompeii. ”

It wasn't until the Emperor: Pompeii Pendria succeeded in dispelling the night in the final battle that these architects were inspired by a certain genius. ”

"The rumored 'King of Wizards' Uragard possessed a wand that turned stone into gold, and in search of this power, they traveled thousands of miles to the 'Snowy Mountain Caves' in the north, which is rumored to be a mysterious area of ice and fire. ”

"They found the wizard and promised that if you were willing to be loyal to the great empire, you would receive all the value and wealth of the entire Southern Realm. ”

Hesitantly, Uragard finally agreed to their request, and he went to the walls of the imperial capital, and then waved the wand of legend, and in an instant, all the stones turned into shining gold. ”

The other magicians shook their heads and sighed, claiming that this strange phenomenon had used the power of magic to the extreme. ”

"But Uragard only shook his head and said solemnly, 'My wand is the source of all magic, and if it is destroyed, all the riches and light of the imperial capital will be completely dissipated in an instant. ’”

Then, after his tragic death, the legendary wand was placed in the care of the Emperor and hidden in an unknown place in the palace. ”

"Since then, the architects have built countless 'crystal lamps' in every corner of the city, and at night, their light illuminates the walls of pure gold and reflects the dazzling and dazzling brilliance of the road. ”

That's why we, who are thousands of miles away today, are able to bask in such light. ”

"To this day, everything here still symbolizes the 'undying glory' of the entire Holy Wing Empire. ”

William breathed a long sigh of relief, and then continued unhurriedly: "As for the millions of Imperial people in the city, they also feel deep glory and happiness for this. ”

Ai Suyan nodded, and then he noticed that Shaka, who had been silent beside him, suddenly lowered his head, as if he was troubled by something.

"What's wrong?" he asked softly.

Shaka's answer was somewhat unexpected.

"I'm not qualified to meet the emperor with you, so after that, you have to come to the 'Academician Settlement' in the southwest of the city to find me..."

He frowned slightly: "Trust me, you will be pleasantly surprised." ”

"Hmm. Ai Suyan said sincerely.

Time passed quickly, and after some time, the group was already in front of the wall made of gold.

"Hey... The warriors in gold armor came. A guard stopped the group: "Please explain your intentions and show clear evidence." ”

After some negotiation, the guards finally opened the gates, and a blue-robed attendant walked with a serious face.

"If you want to go to the palace, follow my instructions. ”

Along the way, Essyan discovers that there are many strange-shaped buildings scattered around the edge of the city. Shaka then left his side after saying goodbye.

At the same time, he noticed that there seemed to be a number of bustling clubhouses on both sides of the road, with signs written in human script, names such as bars, shops, bathhouses and even brothels, and the decoration of the outer perimeter of the house alone showed a sense of simplicity and elegance and exquisite realism.

The floor is also very clean, so to speak, spotless... Ai Suyan carefully observed: there were also a large number of merchants and soldiers who were active around the streets day and night, and it seemed that the management was very strict.

As for the street lamps that can be seen everywhere, with the purest crystal as the light source... According to William, it really illuminates everything and gives a bizarre yet luxurious feel.

"It was an 'entertainment and living quarter', and it was said to be the long-term residence of idle aristocrats and wealthy merchants. William suddenly said leisurely on horseback: "But the 'work city' we just walked through is the place that contains the most secrets. ”

Ai Suyan lowered his head and pondered: In other words, the 'academician settlement' that Shaka talked about, and the peripheral areas like the 'council chamber', are the real important places of the empire?

After a while, he looked up and saw the temple in front of him standing like a golden giant.

"This is the Imperial Palace, which covers an area of about three hectares and is the center of Pompeii, the residence of the royal family. Knight William solemnly bowed his head and commanded.

Ai Suyan was slightly stunned, the light in front of him was a little dazzling, and then after the report of the attendants, a heroic young guard rushed forward, and then greeted William excitedly.

However, when his gaze swept over Ai Suyan's body, it still surprised everyone present.

"This newcomer. He seemed to see Ai Suyan's qualifications at a glance: "How can the scabbard of that sword at your waist be engraved with the mark that belongs to my father alone?"

Looking at his somewhat surprised gaze, the prince couldn't help but think of it for a moment.

I remember that Mr. Blacksmith at that time also mentioned that he had a son who served as a palace guard...

"My name is Lauro, and you know my father, so did you bring news of him?" asked Lauro further, but the people present remained silent.

Now it's finally certain... Ai Suyan thought: the son of a blacksmith, a lucky and unfortunate fellow...

After making up his mind, he presented the iron sword to Lauro.

"This is your father's request on his deathbed, and he asked me to send this sword to you as a gift. Ai Suyan said with some sorrow.

Lauro was stunned.

"Who are you, how dare you deceive me on the spot?" Lauro suddenly drew his sword, and he didn't believe all this, but just scolded the other party sharply.

"If I lie, you can slaughter me on the spot. Ai Suyan blinked, but his expression was as firm as ever: "Your father also said that he is not a coward. As far as I know, he just lost to an assassin. ”

"An assassin?" Lauro looked into the distance in amazement, he put away his sword, and seemed to contain his anger slightly, "I will avenge him, sooner or later." ”

Then he ended up with the scabbard in Ai Suyan's hand, and his sad look was overflowing.

"Damn it... It hurt our heads..."

Later, under the arrangement of the attendants, the luxurious and elegant Holy Wing Palace finally opened its arms to them.

"I didn't expect such a beautiful scenery to be hidden here. After stepping into the garden in the center of the palace, Ai Suyan exclaimed from the bottom of his heart.

"Its waters gushed out like a whole shrunken river. ”

William pointed to a huge fountain with his finger: "This magical thing, which occupies the size of the foundation of a church, is filled with pure water that flows down from the snow-capped mountains of the north." ”

"As for this garden, it occupies a third of the area of the palace, and there are all kinds of exotic flowers and plants, and even the best explorers have only seen some of them. ”

At this time, with a loud bell, everyone suddenly raised their heads collectively.

"The emperor has summoned him to an immediate audience. ”