"She is one of the most prosperous cities in the south of Vardasia. The Babel Tower, built by the Telzi Kingdom hundreds of years ago, still stands beside the Trizzi Palace, gazing down upon this fertile land."
— The History of Ravana
Ravana City, rising from the heart of the Ravana Plain, was indeed one of the most flourishing cities in the southern Vadasia Peninsula. The broad Fabrici River cut the city in two, its banks joined by dozens of sturdy stone bridges.
Fed by the snows of Bratt Mountain, the Fabrici not only supplied the people of Ravana with drinking water and daily needs, but also carried merchant ships downstream from the Shining Sea, bringing vast quantities of goods into the city's bustling markets.
The city itself was girded by three concentric walls and a moat. Each wall, built of tall and solid marble, divided Ravana into distinct districts.
Within the outer wall lay the first district, where the civilian quarter and the commercial quarter mingled together. It was the most vibrant and prosperous part of the entire city.
Inside the inner wall lay the residential quarter of the kingdom's nobility, those who dwelt in the capital. Living so near the Trizzi Palace allowed them constant access to the royal family, strengthening their ties with the throne.
Beyond this quarter rose another wall, enclosing the Trizzi Palace itself—the seat of King Harlaus and his household—together with the ancient Babel Tower and several temples.
Despite its name, the so‑called "Tower of Heaven" did not truly reach the sky. According to records preserved in the royal library, the tower had been begun centuries earlier during the reign of the mighty Telzi Kingdom. Its construction was born of a king's whim, his desire to touch the heavens with his own hands. Yet he died of illness before the tower was completed, leaving behind only the monument to his ambition.
For Richard, this was his first time setting foot in Ravana City. Until now, all he knew of it came from the stories told by his late mother, the queen.
But as he and his retinue approached the city gates, the warning bell suddenly rang out from the walls. Richard's eyes widened as heavily armed soldiers rushed to their posts. From the arrow slits of the towering bastions, massive crossbows were rolled into place, their gleaming bolts already notched and aimed squarely at him and his guards.
At the same time, a company of hoplites armed with spears and kite‑shields trotted out through the gate at their officer's command. Pushing through the startled crowd, they halted before the Praetorian Guard.
The officer at their head leveled his voice at Magnus.
"State your names and your purpose here, Winsters!"
"I am Magnus Barker, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Guards of the Kingdom of Winster. I am escorting the crown prince to Ravana City under the order of His Majesty King Alfonso," Magnus declared, producing the badge that symbolized his authority. He tossed the token to the officer opposite him.
The officer caught it, examined it carefully, and, once satisfied, let out a breath of relief. Gesturing to his men, he ordered the heavy infantry to stand down. With a smile, he said, "So it is our own. General Magnus, welcome—you and His Highness are most welcome in Ravana."
"Hmm." Magnus gave a curt nod, reclaimed his token, and slipped it back into his pocket. "I must bring His Royal Highness to meet your king without delay. Please, take us in."
"This is a reasonable request, General Magnus," the officer replied smoothly. He dismissed his soldiers with a wave, then added, "The rebellion in your kingdom has already reached Ravana. It is said that His Majesty, in the Trizzi Palace, was so enraged he shattered several fine ornaments in his fury."
"Since he was so angered, why did he not send reinforcements?" Magnus snorted.
The officer shook his head with a wry smile, his tone edged with mockery. "If I knew the answer to that, General, perhaps I could be king myself."
"Hahaha…"
Richard and his party were permitted to enter the city after only a symbolic inspection. For safety's sake, however, all but Magnus and a handful of soldiers were directed to the barracks behind the first city wall.
Led by the officer, Richard continued along the main road. The streets of Ravana were broad enough for two horse-drawn carriages to pass side by side. On either side of the paved road ran shallow canals, carrying away the household waste of the residents. The water flowed into the moat, then into the Fabrici River, and at last into the vast ocean.
Everything here felt novel to Richard. The sights and sounds of Ravana were unlike anything in Nord City. Though Nord had been the largest and most prosperous city of Winster, it could not compare to this place.
As Richard pondered this, a lively chorus of singing drifted from a nearby street corner. He turned his head and saw a group of men and women dancing under the guidance of several middle-aged figures clad in yellow robes. Their movements and voices carried a strange, captivating rhythm that drew his attention.
"These are the followers of Lambardenism, holding one of their ceremonies," the officer explained, noticing Richard's interest. "For those who worship the sky, ritual dance is the highest form of devotion."
"That's right," Richard nodded. There had been Lambarden believers in Winster as well, but growing up within the deep confines of the palace, he had never encountered them directly. His knowledge came only from books.
Passing the singing and dancing Lambardians, they walked several more blocks until the Fabrici River came into view, cutting through the heart of Ravana. Beyond it rose another towering wall, enclosing the aristocratic quarter where the nobles of the kingdom resided.
But before they could set foot on the bridge spanning the river, the sharp neighing of horses split the air. A harsh voice followed, shouting with arrogance:
"Out of the way! Out of the way! Do you want to die where you stand?"
Richard was startled. He turned his head just in time to see a four‑horse carriage thundering toward him. Heart racing, he stumbled a few steps aside, narrowly avoiding being trampled beneath its wheels.
"What's going on? How can anyone drive like this inside the city?" he exclaimed.
"It seems to be the carriage of the Strauss family," the officer beside him replied without surprise. His eyes lingered on the family crest carved into the carriage's side, and he gave a wry smile. "The Strauss family has always been domineering. If you were struck down by them in the street, well… you would simply be considered unlucky."
"How can this be?" Richard asked, bewildered. His gaze swept over the terrified civilians shrinking back along the roadside. "Does His Majesty simply ignore such behavior?"
"This…" The officer hesitated, then shook his head. "I cannot say. But the patriarch of the Strauss family is His Majesty's brother‑in‑law. Even if the king scolds them harshly, they will behave for a short while, then return to their old ways soon enough."
"Can power really allow one to do whatever they please?" Richard thought bitterly.
If the Strauss family had heard his unspoken words, they would only have sneered and replied with disdain: "Of course. Power means being able to do whatever you want."