Leo woke before dawn to sounds of movement in the hallway.
Today they left for the capital.
He dressed quickly, packed his few belongings into the storage beads around his wrist, and headed downstairs. The Scarlet Anchor's common room stood nearly empty. A few early-rising adventurers nursed drinks and scanned quest boards.
The delegates gathered in the private dining hall. Breakfast was quick: bread, fruit, and tea. Everyone ate fast and efficiently. Even Akane seemed quieter, though her eyes still sparkled with excitement.
"Ready?" Iori asked, standing.
The group nodded.
Carriages waited outside. First House guards sat mounted on horseback. The sun had just begun to lighten the eastern sky as they rolled out, wheels clattering over cobblestones through Crescent Bay's waking streets.
---
The gate district sat on the western edge of the city, a huge complex built around multiple teleportation platforms. Even at dawn, the place buzzed with activity.
Leo stared as their carriages approached.
The main building rose four stories high, white stone covered in glowing runes. Multiple archways led to different platforms, each marked with destination sigils. Imperial guards in full armor checked credentials at every entrance.
Travelers packed the plaza: wealthy merchants with heavy crates, noble families with servants, and official groups like theirs. The air hummed with magic. Leo's new mana ring vibrated in response.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Akane said, leaning across the carriage. "Gates like this exist in every major city, but Crescent Bay's is one of the largest."
Their carriages stopped at a VIP entrance. The guards spotted the First House insignia and waved them through without questions.
Inside, the facility felt even bigger. High ceilings, polished marble floors, and enchanted boards showing destinations and times. Hundreds of people moved with clear purpose.
Iori handled their booking at a priority desk. Leo watched official mages weave complex patterns with their hands to keep the gates stable.
"First time?" Daichi asked quietly.
Leo nodded.
"The sensation is... unpleasant," Daichi said. "Especially for first-timers. Try to relax."
"Noted."
An attendant led them to a private platform reserved for important travelers. The circular area glowed with intricate runes pulsing with power. Other VIP groups waited on nearby platforms.
"Everyone on the platform," the lead mage announced. She was a middle-aged woman with silver hair. The group stepped forward.
"Destination: Imperial Capital, eastern commerce gate. Brace yourselves."
Leo positioned himself between Akane and Daichi and gripped the railing.
The mage's hands moved. Runes flared brilliant white. Reality twisted.
Leo's stomach lurched hard. The world stretched and squeezed at the same time. Colors smeared together. A high-pitched whine filled his ears. His body felt both weightless and crushed.
It lasted maybe thirty seconds.
Then everything snapped back into place.
Leo stumbled and caught the railing. His vision swam. Nausea hit him in waves.
"Easy," Daichi said, steadying him with a firm hand on his shoulder. "Breathe. It passes."
Leo focused on breathing, fighting the urge to throw up. Akane looked completely fine. Yuki was pale but steady. Even Takeshi looked a little green.
The new platform looked similar but felt different. Different architecture, different guard uniforms, different crowds. They had crossed hundreds of miles in seconds.
"Welcome to the Imperial Capital," Iori said.
---
They moved through the massive arrival facility. This one dwarfed Crescent Bay's. Processing took only minutes thanks to their status. Then they stepped outside.
Leo stopped in his tracks.
The Imperial Palace dominated the skyline.
Even from miles away, it demanded attention. A massive complex sat atop a central plateau like a mountain of carved stone. Golden spires caught the morning light. Walls inside walls, towers reaching high, flags snapping in the wind.
But the palace was only part of it.
The city stretched endlessly in every direction. Buildings packed together as far as the eye could see, streets disappearing into the haze. The gate district plaza alone was bigger than the entire outpost town. Crowds moved like a constant river.
"How..." Leo started, then stopped. He didn't even know what to ask.
"Big, isn't it?" Akane said cheerfully. "We're in the eastern commerce district now. The noble quarter is about four hours by carriage toward the palace. The academy is northwest of here, and the Grand Arena is near the palace. You'll see it during the Jubilee."
"How big is this place?" Leo managed.
"It takes a week, non-stop, to cross the capital end to end," Daichi said. "The city has twelve major districts, dozens of minor ones. It wouldn't be a stretch to say some people never leave their own district their entire life."
Leo tried to wrap his head around it. Each district could be its own city. Crescent Bay suddenly felt small.
"You'll learn the important areas soon enough," Daichi continued. "For now, just focus on not getting lost."
Carriages waited for them, nicer than the ones in Crescent Bay and marked with imperial permits. The group climbed in and started the long ride deeper into the capital.
---
The journey took just over four hours.
Leo watched through the window as districts changed around them.
Commerce gave way to the craftsman quarter. Forges rang with hammers. Tailors hung bright clothes. The air smelled of coal smoke and dye. Busy workers filled the streets.
A temple district appeared next. Monks in plain robes walked beside priests in rich vestments. The area felt quieter, more reverent.
Then the streets grew wider and cleaner. Buildings turned grand. Gardens and fountains appeared between them. Guards in polished armor stood watch.
They had reached the noble quarters.
Wealth showed in every detail. Servants trailed well-dressed nobles. Magical constructs swept already spotless streets. Everything looked designed to show power and status.
The carriages finally stopped at an elegant estate nestled among other noble properties.
The First House capital compound.
It was smaller than the Scarlet Anchor but far more refined. Curved Oni roofs blended with straight imperial lines. Black and crimson accents stood out against white stone. A walled courtyard and neat garden waited inside.
Guards stood at attention. The gates opened smoothly. Staff waited to greet them.
A head steward, an older Oni man with graying hair, bowed to Iori. "Lady Iori. Welcome back to the capital. Your quarters have been prepared."
"Thank you, Kaito." Iori gestured to the group. "See that everyone is settled. We'll convene in the meeting room in one hour."
---
The interior felt elegant and practical. Dark wood panels mixed with sliding paper screens and low tables. Cultures blended smoothly for diplomatic work.
Staff showed Leo to a private room in the guest wing. A large bed with fresh linens, a desk by the window, and a small sitting area. Outside, the courtyard garden held a small pond reflecting morning light.
He set his belongings down and stood there a moment.
From forest survivor to this. From running for his life to standing inside a noble estate in the empire's capital.
It still felt surreal.
A knock came at the door. "Master Leo? Lady Iori requests your presence in the meeting room."
Leo took a breath and headed downstairs.