About ten minutes later, a luxurious carriage pulled by four pure white horses and adorned with several flags at its peak stopped at the entrance.
Ol'ksa ascended, accompanied by the housekeeper and two beautiful maids.
The carriage interior was not only lavishly decorated but also spacious, easily accommodating five or six people.
However, while Ol'ksa sat casually, the other three appeared somewhat reserved, kneeling respectfully beside him.
He paid them no attention, calmly instructing the coachman, "No specific destination. Simply drive around."
Through the carriage curtains, Ol'ksa observed the faint traces of blood along the roadside—a rare moment where he wasn't contemplating anything specific, no spells or future schemes.
He simply appreciated the surroundings, which bore resemblance to medieval European cities from his previous existence.
As a nation with thousand-year history within a magical realm, the Royal Capital of the Marton Duchy was undoubtedly far grander than ancient Earth cities. Its walls alone rose nearly twenty-five meters high, and its roads were meticulously paved and regularly maintained by dedicated personnel—a stark contrast to the filth-ridden streets of medieval Europe.
Its culture and civilization held significant advantages over ancient Earth, yet technological development remained severely stunted due to supernatural power suppression and various complex forces. After seven or eight millennia, it had barely achieved medieval Renaissance levels.
However, now that seeds had been planted, Ol'ksa already foresaw a future where technology would flourish and suppress supernatural forces.
This world's supernatural power system, limited by energy concentration, was ultimately relatively weak and couldn't exert absolute dominance over mortals. Once mortals absorbed the 'nutrients,' supernatural forces would never reclaim history's course, becoming mere sand grains in the current.
Ol'ksa himself held no prejudice or particular admiration for technology, but he believed the technological path, in its initial stages, proved easier to traverse than magic, leveraging numerical advantages and collective wisdom.
This was because the supernatural path, compared to group strength, emphasized individual aptitude and innate talent far more heavily!
Either you possessed capability, or you didn't. A magical formula might produce completely different effects in different practitioners' hands, making widespread implementation impossible. The technological path, however, was entirely different. Mathematical formulas' meanings didn't change due to individual aptitude; at most, there were differences in intelligence and comprehension.
In this regard, purely concerning popularization, technology held advantages.
Even the Abyss contained no shortage of those following technological paths, such as the nuclear-powered demons and mechanical flesh abominations from his inherited memories. Everyone running around with firearms, going "Bang! Bang! Bang!" was perfectly normal.
However, one technological limitation was that when traversing different worlds, data could easily become corrupted or operational formulas could become invalid due to differing fundamental world rules. If fortunate, it meant temporary inability to function; if unlucky, you'd be instantly annihilated by the world's repulsive force.
For example, a physical formula yielding an output of 1 in World A might produce an output of 15 in World B—completely unacceptable for precision technological products.
Therefore, embarking on interdimensional conquests via spaceships, while conceptually sound, often led to crashes and death right at one's doorstep.
Only select forces at technological civilization's pinnacle possessed power to disregard interdimensional rules, freely alter fundamental world laws to expand colonies, and treat the multiverse as their personal ranch.
Though Ol'ksa possessed confidence to pursue technological advancement with the system's assistance, his interests lay elsewhere.
After all, he only needed to manage himself.
There was no point pursuing the technological path—which excelled at group development and civilization building—when he only needed personal advancement. The thought of climbing a technology tree in a place as chaotic as the Abyss felt like a curse.
Those kind and amiable compatriots wouldn't grant him opportunity for gradual development. Compared to that, the supernatural path—where he could simply overcome everyone through muscle and magic—proved far more realistic.
The carriage traveled through the Royal Capital's streets, occasionally drawing curious glances from commoners.
He encountered no impudent individuals; conversely, everyone politely and courteously made way for Ol'ksa's carriage, showing great respect for the royal flags displayed atop it.
This left a somewhat bored Ol'ksa to narrow his eyes slightly, rest his hand against his cheek, and idly observe the crowd's myriad expressions beyond the curtain.
This is tedious. I want to fight someone... he thought with mild frustration.
Noticing Ol'ksa's bored expression, the housekeeper considered briefly before respectfully asking in hushed tones, "My lord, would you like to visit the Zenith Club or the Beast Fighting Arena? Those are the two establishments most favored by the Royal Capital's nobility."
The Zenith Club was the capital's most upscale establishment, where most service staff were women from respectable families who had fallen upon hard times. Both their appearance and demeanor far surpassed ordinary courtesans, and they typically entertained only nobles and wealthy merchants. The Beast Fighting Arena, conversely, resembled the Roman Colosseum—one of the most primitive and barbaric entertainment forms, where condemned prisoners' and slaves' lives were sacrificed for amusement. It ranked among the Royal Capital's most popular diversions.
Both commoners and nobles frequently wagered on arena matches, with many losing entire fortunes.
Ol'ksa considered momentarily before responding, "Let's proceed to the Beast Fighting Arena. I have no interest in places like the Zenith Club. If I had such needs, it would be more appropriate to utilize you three."
Though demons generally didn't concern themselves with fidelity, his memories from his previous human existence instilled certain spiritual fastidiousness and strange possessiveness regarding such matters. Therefore, he wasn't particularly interested in the 'shared resource' concept. If he harbored such thoughts, were the housekeeper and maids beside him merely decorative?
Being specially arranged by Jem Woz, their quality was undoubtedly exceptional. Would they really prove inferior to high-class courtesans?
Upon hearing Ol'ksa's words, the housekeeper's face flushed, but she offered no further comment. As a noble housekeeper, though her status far exceeded a commoner's, she possessed absolutely no ability to resist her master, for all her authority derived from Ol'ksa, and she had long been mentally prepared for such possibilities.
As a woman—and a beautiful one at that—what represented her greatest advantage?
She understood perfectly well.
When selected for housekeeper training, she had prayed to the gods repeatedly, hoping to encounter a benevolent master.
And Ol'ksa, whether considering his temperament and appearance or his status that even the Crown Prince had to curry favor with, could be described as the optimal possible arrangement!
He even far exceeded her initial expectations, causing her to often involuntarily thank the divine powers for their favor, so she had no reason to resist anything...
However, what she didn't realize was that if Ol'ksa knew her thoughts, he would surely declare that her gods were either blind or deceased, and that even a demon like himself could mingle among their faithful, proving the situation beyond salvation!
Shortly thereafter, the carriage halted before a colossal archway carved from marble.
Several young men in attendant uniforms, upon observing the carriage's grand style and the familiar flags hanging from it, immediately began trembling!
With obsequious smiles more fawning than they'd display toward their own parents, they respectfully carried a small mahogany step and positioned it beside the carriage for the arriving guests' convenience.
The carriage door opened, and Ol'ksa looked down at them momentarily before stepping onto the small platform.
The housekeeper and others followed closely, standing respectfully beside him, making clear who commanded authority.
A well-dressed, slightly portly middle-aged man approached quickly with a welcoming smile, preparing to greet them.
But upon witnessing Ol'ksa's handsome yet sinister appearance, his expression immediately froze!
Scarlet hair, red eyes with golden pupils—even he, a man of extensive experience, had never encountered such an appearance.
Soon, however, a smile returned to his features, and he addressed Ol'ksa: "My lord, I am one of the managers here, Manan Oates. You appear quite unfamiliar; is this your first visit?"
He subtly twitched his nose, detecting a scent that intrigued him.
Ol'ksa tilted his head, observing him with interest and inquiring, "Indeed. Do you have any worthy recommendations?"
Seeing Ol'ksa display some engagement, the manager responded enthusiastically, "I knew I hadn't seen you previously—after all, you are truly too striking; once observed, you shouldn't be forgotten. But you've arrived at the perfect moment today, for a duel between a Qiya Demon Lion and a Great Knight is about to commence. Both represent excellent specimens our guild acquired at considerable expense, each possessing strength to challenge a hundred men—absolutely one of this year's highlights!"
Nodding, Ol'ksa replied casually, "Intriguing. Arrange a seat for me—the finest you possess."
"Certainly! I guarantee the premier seating, though since this represents a highlight event, the price will be slightly elevated from usual, requiring 700 gold coins..."
"No problem."
Ol'ksa waved dismissively, gesturing for the housekeeper to handle payment.
Watching Ol'ksa being escorted into the Beast Fighting Arena by attendants, Manan Oates's face, which had been beaming due to another successful transaction, subtly creased with concern.
Half-breed? Or something else entirely?
I hope this doesn't interfere with the plan...
He had never heard of any humanoid race possessing red hair and such peculiar eyes—almost like the legendary dragon eyes described in ancient texts. Simply being observed by him created an indescribable sense of unease, making Manan completely unwilling to interact with the figure.
However, the royal flags hanging from the carriage, combined with the person's own bearing and posture, exuded undeniable nobility, which made Manan Oates reluctant to arouse suspicion. He could only treat him with the same courtesy shown ordinary guests and usher him inside.
Walking through the lavishly decorated corridor, Ol'ksa hummed a terrifying nursery rhyme popular throughout the Marton Duchy, feeling quite pleased.
"What a rich scent of sin—as if I've returned to the Abyss. Such a familiar sensation..."
In his perception, this place possessed two distinct appearances.
One was the golden splendor visible to naked eyes—luxurious yet possessing profound cultural heritage, clearly refined through history. The other revealed that every inch of ground exuded sin, as if painted with countless layers of blood, with innumerable grievances lingering and clinging stubbornly to the atmosphere.
Even many cult sacrificial sites didn't possess such characteristics; only years of accumulated atrocities could achieve such intensity.
The sin and cruelty within even made Ol'ksa recall his simple and honest compatriots dwelling in the Bottomless Abyss.