Chapter 57 – Revisiting Sevensen
Petra's second visit to Sevensen was destined to be different.
The Tower Spider settled down outside the city, choosing to 'land' within the shallows of the forest. Because its size was too big, although still possible, Petra didn't want to take the Tower Spider into the city and waste time looking for a place to keep it.
The girls discussed who would enter the city and who would stay behind to guard the tower.
Petra was followed by Wind, Nebula, and Soryn. The troublesome faces of Bell, Rose, and the Twins stayed behind. Petra took the frog and the snake, leaving the Wolf in the tower.
They alighted, bringing only a few bags and their limited coin towards the city.
Through the forest and into the clearing, Petra was greeted with the grand sight of the Sevensen city walls for the second time.
Unlike before, there was now a certain sense of desolation surrounding the city. The frequent entries that once flooded the city gates had now been reduced to a mere trickle, and the imposing aura that one shrouded the many visitors who came had been beaten back, like a scared child.
This wasn't just an over description, the Sevensen City Gates had a certain level of spirituality. Petra even felt like it was a little cute.
Looking back to the city, Petra could feel it…
This city had changed.
There was an unease that hid within the city streets.
The girls walked over the large stone bridge leading to the city.
Unlike before, the gates were no longer wide open to welcome guests. They split open just enough for one to pass, the small crack guarded by many of the city's soldiers. You could no longer see past the gates and into the city, like a curtain had been hung before the door, blocking prying eyes.
When the girls reached the gate, they were asked for information, names, age, hometown, and the reason for their visit.
Petra naturally gave a fake name.
Her real name had become synonymous with the missing heavens chosen. Petra loved chaos, but if she nonchalantly walked into the city using her real name and real appearance, even if they couldn't do anything to her, that was just asking for trouble.
Petra and the girls were let through.
When they reached the main road, the city opened up to them.
Although that murky tension still hung in the air, the lively atmosphere and the bustling streets still bloomed into a beautiful environment.
As they walked, they looked around.
The damage that the city had received from the calamity was minimal, with small scars only appearing in the less visible areas. On the surface, the city was as lively as ever. The chatter of pedestrians, the calls of hawkers and street vendors, the open displays of adventurers, street performers, and advertisers, things were as lively as ever...
Petra was in a good mood.
She skipped through the streets, her steps taking her slightly further than normal.
Petra found an Inn named 'Warding Wheel Inn' and booked a room.
Petra and the girls were taken to their rooms by a youthful Fox Beastmen. They had booked two rooms, one for Petra and Nebu, and another for Wind and Soryn.
After settling in, the party left the Inn and took a stroll around the city.
Petra walked through the streets, her big eyes darting around.
Although the Ice Demon stampede never breached the city, that didn't mean that there weren't a large number of Ice Demons within the city. The reconstruction work didn't only extend to repairing the damages done by the Ice Demons, it also opened a new door for the city to improve its defences, both inside and out.
Petra didn't know where they had gotten their supplies from, but the changes to the city were quite extreme, from century towers guarding the streets, to magic monitoring systems that spanned entire districts. It seemed like the city had turned its vigilance to those within.
These changes gave Petra an uncomfortable feeling, one that the little snake hidden in her robes wouldn't miss. It poked its head out, narrowing its eyes. Both the snake and the girl agreed that this city was becoming more of an eyesore by the day.
It scanned the surroundings with a judgmental gaze, slowly understanding its master's thoughts. When it finished, it retracted its tiny head back into the darkness, making sure to retreat very slowly. The shadow cast over its face brought an ominous aura, seemingly foreshadowing something.
Wind watched this with a sense of incredulity.
As they walked through the city, they came upon the Old Owls Library.
This was Nebula's old home, so she naturally wanted to come back and take a look. Nebula had heard that it was burned down, but this didn't seem to bother her at all.
After many months of reconstruction, the library had mostly recovered and returned to the state before the fire. Although it hadn't opened yet, the new building was ready.
The girls took a quick stop, choosing to enter the rebuilt library.
When they entered, Petra was amazed by what she saw.
The layout of the library was similar, but this wasn't what amazed Petra. Looking around, the books filling the shelves looked as if they were all new. When Petra nonchalantly walked over and took a look, she discovered that it was just as she imagined, these books were all freshly written.
The library had been destroyed, but this had led to a small rebirth.
Because there was only the scholarly gnome, Petra imagined his little body sitting at a tall desk every night, just filling out books, one after another. He rebuilt the entire library with his own tiny two hands. This somewhat comical scene reminded Petra of her own suffering, like him, she knew the difficulties of having a small body.
When they entered, they were greeted by the gnome.
Nebula and the gnome caught up, while Petra and the girls looked around the new building.
Unlike their last visit, their relationship had slightly changed.
Before, during their first visit, they were only normal customers. Now, after taking in Nebula, Petra and the girls were something closer to family. This scholarly gnome was an old servant of the old man. That could only mean that he was incredibly old.
Speaking of which, this scholarly gnome must not be a small character.
Petra looked at him, trying to see through his strength.
From her perspective, he looked completely normal, almost mortal. Perhaps, this was the biggest abnormality surrounding the scholarly gnome.
Petra crept up from behind, sneaking around what Petra believed should be his blind spot. She 'stealthily' used her mental energy, extending a silent tendril that slowly stretched through the air, approaching the scholarly gnome from behind.
There was no sound, no light, and no shifts in the air, but to the gnome, the world was suddenly filled with the deafening rumble of a moving mountain crashing down directly behind him.
He jumped in fright, letting out a little scream.
His reaction was way over the top.
The quiet room suddenly became even quieter.
Petra quickly dispelled her mental energy, like a naughty child who didn't want to be caught.
When the gnome snapped around, there was nothing.
Only Petra was leaning against a nearby wall, whistling nonchalantly like an innocent bystander.
The girls looked at him, slightly confused.
Even he was a bit confused.
'What the hell was that??'
His little mind couldn't understand what caused that sound.
Behind him was just the cute green haired girl who looked innocent and confused. She looked over, tilting her head slightly, and met his gaze with a 'what's wrong'.
The gnome gulped.
Why did this girl suddenly give him a much more mysterious feeling? Should he say, as expected of the old master?
-
Time ticked by, and they eventually left the library.
When they returned to the streets, the day had already passed.
The sun was setting, and the air was cooling down.
They had walked around aimlessly for the whole day, enjoying the city.
On their way back, they passed a pair of adventurers and overheard something interesting.
Petra's ears twitched, and she listened up.
"Hay, did you hear, a large group of easterners came to the city. They say an envoy from the Storm Tower has come, and apparently, he's looking for an explanation!"
"That's not good, who knows how the city lord will explain this! We should get out of here!"
"It's too late, I heard that there already detaining people who leave the city!"
"How can they do that!"
"They're using the authority of the Laton Castle, there's nothing we can do!"
"What's going to happen?"
"I heard that a large group of inquisitors is coming from the Laton Castle. If the Storm Tower envoy can't make a deal with the City Lord, then Sevensen might get turned upside down!"
"Damn! My old lady was right, this is going to be an unlucky month!"
The duo walked away.
The whispers drifted to Petra's ears.
She wrinkled her tiny nose, suddenly smelling trouble.
She looked over to Soryn and asked. "Laton Castle?"
Soryn frowned. She had heard the whispers, too. "It is, the Laton Castle is the eastern region's floodgate. Mm, it's more like the big boss who can control who can enter and exit the eastern region. Like a gatekeeper." Soryn used her hands to help explain, failing completely.
Petra tilted her head like a curious cat. "Why is that a thing?"
Soryn shook her head and mumbled. "It's an old tradition set by the human founders when they first came to the continent. Only the four towers have a higher authority. They can basically do whatever they want." Soryn tapped her lip with a finger. "If they have an agreement with the northern region's Solarin Castle, then it's reasonable for them to throw around their weight in the Northern region."
"Why? Why would they do this?" Petra asked
Soryn gave a wry smile. "I heard that the Eastern Region's Heavens Chosen disappeared in Sevensen."
Petra blinked.
"You mean like... she was kidnapped?"
Soryn nodded. "Mm, sounds like it."
Petra stopped talking, her little mind spun.
It was that smell again, that smell of 'fate.' It looks like she's bound to run into Dorthy sooner or later.
-
They continued walking through the darkening streets.
At some point, Petra suddenly stopped in her tracks.
She looked to the side, feeling something strange.
Behind her, Nebula frowned.
Following Petras gaze, she looked over to find a small plant shop.
This caused Nebula's brows to furrow even further.
This was a small store named 'Verllisan's Vines.' It was a two-story building with a long emerald vine that intertwined into its brickwork and covered the outer walls with a detailed layer of intertwining vines that had been twisted to form a beautiful mural. Above the door hung an ancient signboard, and through the glass display was a variety of flora. Each plant was paired with a book containing its past, present, and future. The building was new and well maintained, yet its historical shadow would occasionally flicker through the fresh layer of paint.
Petra paused for a moment, before walking towards the front door.
They entered, pushing open the heavy oak door.
This store was curated by an old woman with long silver green hair and an intertwining crown of black vines. Her dark green robe was collared by the branches of a nameless tree, her hand was cloaked in ebony gloves, and her feet were wrapped in long leather boots. Her skin was dry and withered like bark, and her bottomless eyes carried the unusual air of time.
She smiled, her smile carrying a myriad of concepts.
This was Petra's first time meeting such a strange elder.
The reason Petra had entered this store was because she was sure that it wasn't here when they walked past earlier.
The elderly shopkeeper gave an explanation of her business.
Verllisan's Vines was a place for Alchemists, Botanists, and Plant Tamers. Those that had a respect for nature were permitted to enter, but those that didn't weren't even allowed through the door. Verllisan's Vines had a very strict reputation when it came to this. They sold a variety of medicinal ingredients and plant seeds, some spiritual plants, and many strange ungrown treasures. There was medicine, drugs, antidotes, and growth accelerants.
In the back, they sold Plant Beasts, a kind of plant-type beast with spirituality.
Petra listened quietly, nodding her head from time to time.
The curator took them through the store and gave them a tour.
There were shelves filled with colored bottles, racks that hung different plants, boxes labeled as different herbs, and an array of cages that all differed in size. Within these cages were different plants, each moving around like a living creature. Some chewed at their cages while others silently watched people pass.
Petra asked, "How are plant spirits born?"
She had lived in the Green Wind Forest for a long time, but she had yet to see a plant spirit.
The elderly lady looked at her, smiling.
"You must be from the northern forest, right?"
Petra nodded, wondering why that was relevant.
She explained. "The Green Wind Forest is one of the only places on the continent that cannot give birth to new plant spirits."
Petra's brows furrowed. "Why? Shouldn't it be the opposite?"
The woman continued. "The same force that gives vitality to the forest draws away its life. Spiritual awareness cannot be born without a long period of accumulation, and the speed at which the forest grows does not allow for that."
The woman stopped, reaching out to quickly adjust a plant before continuing. "This is the unspoken curse of the Green Wind Forest. A newborn child will not survive in the body of an adult..."
"I never knew that the Green Wind Forest was such a dark place," Soryn added from behind.
The shop assistant shook her head.
"It's not cruelty, it's necessity." She continued walking. "You can't feel it, but for races with a strong connection to nature, for them, the Green Wind Forest is a battlefield that is constantly at war." She looked back at Soryn. "Do you know why only the northern region doesn't have a Mage Tower?"
Soryn shook her head.
Wind spoke up. "I heard that they couldn't build one. Something in the forest wouldn't let them."
The curator nodded. "That's right, there are three guardians in the Green Wind Forest. These three guardians rule the domains of 'Wind', 'Rain', and 'Lightning' respectively. To build a Mage Tower would be an intrusion into their domains. This will never be allowed."
Wind and Soryn were silent, but Petra nodded, suddenly feeling a bit peckish.
She slipped back and pulled on Nebula's robe, looking for some popcorn to wait out this impending lore dump.
Nebula handed Petra a bag of potato chips.
Petra nibbled away, listening to the next part of the old lady's story.
The elder continued. "Have you ever noticed the green mist that leaks from the forest floor during the green tide?"
Soryn nodded her head. "The green mist isn't part of the three-forest guardian's domain? Don't tell me that it's something that they're suppressing underground?"
The old lady nodded with a smile. "That's right. That green mist flows from something that has long been buried beneath the earth. Where I come from, there is a story of an ancient empire that once stood in the northern forest, one that was created completely from plants. This is an old legend that stretched back to the beginning of the Age of Chaos, way before the high elves founded their empire."
The old lady began retelling her story.