The party drove their wagon along the forest path and arrived at the southern gate of Aquiln, a majestic structure that revealed the city's dignity and prosperity at a single glance.
Towering high above was an arched gate adorned with intricate carvings, and atop it fluttered a massive flag symbolizing Aquiln in the wind. The flag bore the emblem of Aquiln: golden leaves and a blue star.
On either side of the gate stretched tall, sturdy stone walls, atop which armed soldiers stood vigilant.
"Oh... An elf."
Gravel looked up at the soldier on the wall and smiled.
Two soldiers stood side by side on the battlements. The slender elf with silver hair braided neatly carried a bow and quiver, while the sturdy human soldier with brown hair leaned a long spear against his shoulder, scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes.
They patrolled the walls, keeping watch or occasionally gazing into the distance. Their capes billowed in the wind, and the emblems etched on their armor proclaimed them all as members of this city.
From afar, the fluttering capes and gleaming armor on the walls were clearly visible. The sight of the two guards from different races seemed to symbolize the harmony and order that the city embraced.
Inside the southern gate, the area bustled with countless people. Merchants, adventurers, and wagon drivers hurried in lines to enter the city. The neighing of horses mingled with the noisy chatter of people, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Passing through the gate, a wide road leading to the city's center unfolded. Shops lined both sides densely, each boasting unique signs and colorful decorations. There were stores selling spices and fabrics, shops displaying jewelry, and armories offering weapons and armor for travelers, all arranged in a procession-like fashion.
Dallen spread his wings and leaped from the wagon, shouting.
"Come to the 'Black Goose' tavern right next to the Merchants' Guild building at the western gate."
"It's the tavern with the black-painted roof!"
As their voices echoed along the road, Mau nodded and adjusted the carriage reins. Dallen fluttered his wings and exchanged farewells with Gravel.
Gravel, Iris, and Nia each mounted their horses and picked up speed toward the inner city. Gravel couldn't tear his eyes away from the city's scenery, unable to suppress his admiration. Various races from across the continent were visible throughout the streets.
Nia still seemed a bit fatigued, but she smiled at the sight of the city's new landscapes. She gently pulled her horse's reins to match pace and chatted with Iris beside her.
"Uyo... This place is just like Ixtarn."
Iris nodded and looked around. Her eyes took in the sight of diverse races living together in harmony. She smiled faintly and replied.
"Is it?"
Gravel straightened his posture on horseback and glanced back. Mau and Dallen's carriage was slowly receding toward the Merchants' Guild. He raised his hand in farewell.
"See you tonight, Mau! Dallen!"
Dallen lightly spread his wings and waved back.
"You too! We'll meet soon at the 'Black Goose'!"
Mau gripped the reins firmly and called out.
"Have a good time in Aquiln!"
Gravel and his companions accelerated along the road on horseback. Behind them, the southern gate of Aquiln and its lively scenery gradually shrank into the distance.
*****
The path from Aquiln's southern gate leading to the eastern wall was a road paved with worn, cracked bricks, bearing traces of age in various spots.
Shops of varying sizes lined both sides at intervals, their faded signs swaying, and merchants raised their voices to promote goods, trying to catch passersby. Wagons stood halted along the roadside, with laborers busily moving cargo, while pedestrians hurried along or paused to browse. As the road progressed toward the visible eastern wall in the distance, it gradually narrowed, and the buildings grew more complex in form and structure, revealing vines stretching along the paths entangled with moss-covered walls.
As Gravel's party headed toward the eastern wall, they felt an overwhelming pressure from the shadow cast by the massive structure that revealed itself before them. Nestled between the high, thick walls, Aquiln's gate filled their view completely.
Construction work was in full swing around the eastern wall. At the base, dozens of timbers and shaped stones intertwined to form a colossal framework, atop which scaffolding bustled with workers moving hurriedly.
The tangled pillars and platforms connected like a spider's web in complexity, and the workers traversed dizzyingly high places, filling gaps in the wall or stacking stones. The sight of them walking on swaying platforms in the wind evoked a nerve-wracking tension in observers.
On one side of the wall, a massive boulder was being slowly hoisted via long ropes and pulleys. The ropes, connected to tall wooden structures, were taut, and the laborers, with rough breaths, combined their strength to move the heavy stone. The creaking of wood filling the site and the chants as they pushed the giant rock echoed outward, embodying the efforts toward Aquiln's prosperity.
At the end of the canyon extending beyond the eastern wall stood a massive gate leading to the labyrinth. The gate, spanning about half a tita (roughly 250 meters) in overwhelming size, connected seamlessly to the mountain range's rock face. The enormous cliffs forming the canyon enveloped the gate, giving the impression that it was carved directly into the mountain itself. The wall and gate formed natural curves, blending into the rock, making the boundary between gate and mountain feel blurred.
Upon closer inspection, the intricately carved reliefs on the gate's surface, visible even from afar, captivated the viewer's gaze.
The reliefs filling the gate from top to bottom depicted divine figures. Forms transcending human imagination intertwined and overlapped. On one side was a colossal being with razor-sharp wings spread wide, piercing like needles, and elsewhere, a rugged, solid shape like trees and rocks clutched the earth. Some parts had faded hazily, making original forms hard to discern, but the carvings alone were sufficient to gauge the prosperity of the underground kingdom that once existed here.
Below the reliefs were scenes capturing traces of the ancient kingdom. Long processions of people bowing their heads, ornately adorned heralds kneeling before the gate, and beyond, grand rituals performed before divine shapes. These seemed to silently testify to the kingdom's former glory and faith in sacred beings.
Far below the labyrinth gate, small shadows moved, and upon nearing, they were revealed to be people.
Various adventurers passed through a small crevice at the gate's base. The gap was only slightly open, yet even so, it was spacious enough for three Dawi to walk abreast without their shoulders touching.
The adventurers crossing the gate bore diverse appearances and weapons; some trudged silently with heavy loads on their backs, while others laughed broadly, exchanging jokes with companions. The shadow cast beneath the metal gate swayed subtly with their footsteps, and from afar came the clinking of armor and weapons, the thud of setting down packs, filling the area around the labyrinth gate with the bustle of swiftly moving adventurers. Hands organizing gear and inspecting weapons intertwined, showing everyone busily preparing for labyrinth exploration.
And now, the place where Gravel stood was the Adventurers' Street, encountered upon entering the canyon.
Calling it a street belied its considerable scale; attached to Aquiln, it centered on a long, stretched central avenue, with buildings of varying heights densely packed along both sides of the canyon, large enough to be called a small city.
Along the avenue of Adventurers' Street sat hundreds of shops and workshops. Armories alone numbered over a hundred, with more than 800 artisans honing their skills, the constant sounds of hammering iron, tanning leather, and carving wood echoing through. Before each shop, ornate armors and sharp swords were displayed. The handcrafted items by numerous artisans halted the footsteps of visitors.
The hammering resounding from workshops and the sight of weapons being forged in flames added to the street's vitality.
Appraisal stores dotted the street in various spots.
Those appraising labyrinth finds here were retired adventurers, scholars, and aged wizards. With deep wrinkles and seasoned expressions, they discussed new discoveries, sometimes engaging in theoretical debates.
Inside the small-signed appraisal offices, rare minerals, ancient relics, and unknown magical tools were handled with care.
Taverns, rest stops where adventurers dropped by after completing explorations and returning from expeditions, also infused the street with energy.
Each tavern flaunted its own personality, filled with lively laughter and music. Opening the doors revealed an atmosphere where even strangers could easily mingle, and walls were hung with paintings and items recounting bold expeditions of the past.
Gravel slowly guided his horse along the central avenue, surveying the street's sights. Adventurers chatting everywhere, people buying and selling spoils, and merchants discussing the mysterious labyrinth evoked in him a sense of familiarity mixed with novelty.
"It looks similar to the area in front of Shaumoo's dungeon in Vuul, doesn't it, Iris?"
Gravel turned his head to Iris following behind and asked.
"Yes, since Shaumoo has a massive dungeon entrance like that too."
Iris replied to Gravel, lifting her head to gaze at the distant labyrinth gate.
"Hey~! Gravel~!"
Someone approached from behind Gravel, calling his name.
As Gravel turned his body to look back, there was a man waving one hand vigorously with a welcoming air, approaching at a quick pace. The man's brown hair gleamed softly in the sunlight, and he had sharp eyes.
Yet, contrasting his intense impression, his lips curved up brightly in a smile full of friendliness. Quickening his steps further, he gestured a greeting to Iris as well.
The man wore several daggers at his waist, each with handles carved in different patterns, and on his arms were armguards secured with metal ornaments and sturdy buckles.
On his back rested an elegantly curved recurve bow, and his quiver was slung diagonally at his waist for easy arrow access when needed.
As the man drew nearer and waved once more, his laughter accompanied a heartfelt warmth toward Gravel.
"It's been a long time, Gravel!"
He exclaimed in a joyful voice, unabashedly revealing the delight of reuniting with an old friend. His demeanor went beyond that of a well-armed adventurer, showing a warm humanity.
"Yes, it's really been a long time, Rude."