Edited Chapter 28: Serpents…

While holding the fruit, and seeing the dangerous old man slowly walking towards her like a predator that’s about to attack at any moment, the muscles on Annette’s entire body slowly started to squirm violently around, as if they were little serpents that were slowly waking up from deep slumber. The fruit in her left hand quickly started to disappear as the muscles on the palm that was holding the fruit turned into tiny flesh colored serpents of various shapes and sizes with mouths filled with jagged teeth. They started gnawing at the fruit ferociously, until it was devoured completely within a millisecond.

Looking at the young lady whose once beautiful face slowly morphed into a grotesque one filled with wriggling muscles that looked like a bunch of tiny serpents squirming around violently, the old man could only raise his hands in the air and say calmly, “Don’t worry child, I come in peace. My name is Trent Shiler. But you probably may not have heard of me.” as he continued chewing on the fruit in his mouth. The dangerous aura that made Annette’s hairs stand on end, also dissipated, as if it was all an illusion.

Hearing the old man call out his last name stunned the high-strunged Annette. She then slowly calmed down after the dangerous aura around him dissipated, as her wriggling muscles slowly wriggled back to their original position on her body, before lying still, like a den of snakes going back to sleep. After calming down, she couldn’t help but stare into space in thought. For she knew that although she did not recognize the old man before her, or his first name, she knew that the entire district of the city that they were currently in was governed by the noble Shiler family.

Since he was an elder of the Shiler family, she decided it was best to be respectful in front of him, since it seems he didn’t enter her chariot with ill intentions. “Let’s talk outside. The little one is still asleep.” Trent Shiler softly said, as he then slowly walked by the stunned Annette, and left through the opened chariot doors, leaving her inside of it, while she was still lost in her own thoughts.

After seeing him leave, Annette quickly went over to inspect the sleeping Elena, to make sure she was doing fine, before following the old man out the chariot’s door. She couldn’t help but wonder as she left, ‘Why is a noble from the great Shiler family inside my chariot? How did he even get in? Also, why was he eating the food in my kitchen?’

“How’s my granddaughter doing in there? Is she still sleeping?” The other old man that was outside, slowly walking towards Hui Shi, and Lain, asked Trent Shiler, the moment he stepped down off the levitating chariot that was levitating about 2 feet off the ground.

Edited Chapter 27: Divine…Murder…

The old man, standing in the dark night, brought an extremely discomforting feeling to Lain. Causing Lain to grip the handle of his curved bamboo sword, as he slowly walked forward, for he knew the man before him may be as dangerous as the Fang clan man from before.

Lain’s aura slowly started to change the moment he took his first step towards the old man, as the short black hair on his head, as well as his eyebrows, slowly started to change to the color of red. After the second step, he slowly exhaled while staring at the old man in front of him and muttered under his breath, “Divine…murder…”

The moment those foul sounding words came out of his mouth, the thick stench of blood permeated the air, causing Hui Shi who was nearby to shiver slightly, in slight anxiety, as he immediately knew that Lain was about to do something very dangerous.

Smelling the thick stench of blood coming from Lain that almost made him suffocate, Hui Shi couldn’t help but walk over to him quickly, before saying, “Brother Lain, I recognize this man. Please lay down your sword and let’s talk.” As placed his hand over the hand that Lain was using to hold the handle of his sword, trying to stop him from drawing his sword from its sheath.

Hearing Hui Shi’s words, Lain could only take in a deep breath, before calming down and saying “If you believe he’s not a threat, brother Hui Shi, I’ll let the matter rest.” After saying this, he slowly let go of his sword’s handle, as his hair turned back to black, and the thick stench of blood permeating the air, suffocating everyone around him, disappeared.

While watching Lain slowly calm down, the old man smiled, as he began walking towards the group, saying, “I’m glad you didn’t start a fight with a small old man like myself.” The discomforting feeling that made Lain very uncomfortable, also slowly disappeared, making Lain feel as if the dangerous predator that had been watching them in the darkness had finally closed its eyes.

Meanwhile, after opening the door of the chariot, Annette quickly entered the living room, only to be baffled by what she saw. Inside the room, she saw the still sleeping Elena. But the moment she turned towards the doorway leading to her kitchen, a decrepit old man that looked to be in his 80s, wearing red trousers, and a pink, long-sleeve shirt, slowly walked out of it. He then tossed a green, oval-shaped fruit towards her, which she instinctively caught in surprise.

“Eat this! I bet you’re hungry, right?” the elderly man said. He then began biting on another green, oval-shaped fruit that he had in hand, while slowly walking towards Annette.

Seeing the dangerous aura emanating from the old man that made her heart shiver in extreme anxiety, Annette couldn’t help but ask, “Who are you?” as she gripped hard on the fruit in her left hand that she bought at a market a few days prior. Ready to attack him at any moment, if he tried to harm her or the sleeping Elena on the couch.

Edited Chapter 26: A Strange Voice

Annette couldn’t help but curse loudly after hearing his words, “What a rotten man! Killing your own family is blasphemy! Why didn’t you notify the authorities of his actions?” as she looked at Hui Shi in slight indignation.

Hui Shi, quickly replied in righteousness, “I did report it, but it seems his sect somehow covered up for his crimes. The Glorious Myth Sect is a very powerful sect in our kingdom. I could only continue coming back home, after finding out years later that nothing came out of my report to the authorities in the capital for his heinous crimes.

As for the warrant for my arrest? I’ll ask my father to help me get rid of it, once I arrive back home. My church of Ensieth is also a powerful force within the kingdom of Sval. And lastly, If Vic Yure ever decides to come after me himself? He’ll have to taste the power of my fists! ” He then balled up his fists in great indignation.

“Don’t worry, brother Hui Shi. I’m always willing to help you solve the matter, if this evil man called Vic Yure or his sect ever comes looking for you themselves.” Lain added, in righteous anger, as he balled up his two fists tightly.

“It seems you’ve been through a lot, little priest. Why don’t you count me in as well? I’ll always be willing to beat up a spoiled brat like Vic Yure any day.” Weirdly, a random voice rang out, in the dark night, that didn’t belong to the three of them.

Looking towards the direction of where the voice came in surprise and slight anxiety, the three of them saw a short old man, dressed in a blue gown with a belt on his waist, standing in front of them, with a light brown, wooden cane in his hand.

After seeing this old man, with a face covered in wrinkles, and a white beard that reached down to his chest, the three of them looked around anxiously as they started to realize that they’ve not moved a single inch from the spot where they placed little Elena into the chariot a while back, although they’ve been walking forward the entire time.

As they were looking around, Lain, noticing something was wrong with the carriage, couldn’t help but alert Annette. “Sister Annette, please go check within the chariot!” Annette then quickly jumped towards the door of the carriage with speed faster than her body’s small four-foot tall frame should be capable of producing.

While Annette rushed into her chariot, Lain couldn’t help but place his hand on his bamboo sword as he stared at the old man in front of him. Hui Shi, looking closely at the old man, also steadied himself, as he stared at the old man, then at the chariot next to them in alertness, before slowly realizing that the man looked kind of familiar.

Edited Chapter 25: Unwilling

They then turned on the old man, who they had then brutally beaten, until he almost passed out, yet they couldn’t pull the secret from his mouth. After seeing the old man’s life slowly start to slip away, they quickly left the scene in regret and indignation.

A short while later his son who was nearby watching, could only come out of the darkness, pretend to be surprised by what just occurred and ask the old man one last time, gently, where he left the secret treasure, saying if he had the treasure, he will use it to avenge the deaths of his dear family.

But yet, the old man refused, as he continued to slip away into unconsciousness. Noticing his refusal, the son immediately howled in anger, as he told his dying father the truth. That after all the money he spent hiring his close friends to torture his family to death, he still came up short. Feeling despair, the son violently stepped on the head of the dying old man angrily, before walking away.

After the old man told me this, it felt like all the grief and indignation in his heart poured out. The poor old man, who was already nearing the end of his life before the fiasco occurred, then closed his eyes one last time and never opened them again, dying from old age, as he no longer desired to live in a world where his own son could betray him.

Watching the old man die, I could only try everything in my power to heal him and bring him back to life, but after a few minutes of prayers, my holy god, Ensieth indicated to me that his time had come, and a man of his age cannot be resurrected, as he didn’t die of injuries, but of natural causes.

After watching the old man die in my arms, I could only bury him in the most fitting way possible, by the rest of his loved ones, before leaving the capital and traveling abroad for a couple of years. I then slowly made my way back home, until recently when I was in the outskirts of the kingdom, close to home and was told by my fellow clergymen in another city that I was wanted for theft.

They told me after some investigation, that the person who alerted the authorities of my crime, was called Vic Yure, from the Glorious Myth Sect situated in the capital. And that he wanted the law enforcement of the kingdom to arrest and bring me in for questioning, for I stole something of his, and he would like to have it back at all cost.

After hearing the words of my fellow clergymen, I could only sigh in grief, for the son of the old man, was named Vic Yure. From my understanding, It seems that he somehow became aware that I revived his dying father and accompanied him until his dying breath, and now believes I may know the secret location of the treasure, and wants the law enforcement of the kingdom to arrest me and bring me to him for further questioning using the powers of his sect.”

Edited Chapter 24: A Gifted Child. An Ill Omen

Annette then also echoed “Praise my dear god Enseith, for his great mercy and grace.” as she, and the man hidden in the shadows, bowed for a brief moment, before righting themselves back up. Lain, on the other hand, not being a worshiper of Ensieth could only quietly contemplate the contents of Hui Shi’s story, on the side, while waiting for him to continue.

The group then continued walking unknowingly towards the man in front of them, as Hui Shi continued his speech, “Years back, the old man gave birth to a gifted child. After realizing the potential of the child, he, his wife and his two older children went through hell working to help that poor son of his get into a mighty sect in the area. After 5 years of hard, gruesome work, his son was finally accepted into the sect, using the money the entire family raised to bribe the officials of the sect to let his youngest son in.”

Pausing to take a deep breath, as the weird feeling of being watched by something slightly irritated him, Hui Shi continued, “The son was then raised by the sect, and came home once a year for a visit. One of the years that he came for a visit home, the old man, being too drunk after a night of celebration, blabbered on about a secret treasure that his father hid somewhere, back in the days when he was a grave robber. Due to the treasure being unique, and easily identifiable by the powerful noble family that it belonged to, his father warned that it would lead their family to its downfall, if anyone were to ever find out that the treasure was stolen by his father from a coffin of their deceased loved one.”

Looking around in confusion, and finding no one in sight, Hui Shi couldn’t help but continue speaking, as the other three listening, also looked around as well after seeing his actions, in futility as they couldn’t see anyone in sight, other than the four of them, and the chariot being pulled beside them. Even though the old man was still a few distances ahead of them, standing still, while they walked towards him.

“His youngest son, hearing his words, became obsessed with finding the location where the treasure was hidden, but the old man, listening to his late father’s words, could only keep the secret location of the hidden treasure buried in his heart in fear of his father’s threats. After years went by, and he wouldn’t tell his son the truth, the son could only come up with a devious plot.

He ordered a few of his friends within his sect to attack his parent’s home, on the night he was to return from the sect. His friends then attacked and tortured his elder brother, and sister, as well as his mother, as they asked them individually where the secret treasure was hidden, in hopes that his father had divulged the secret accidentally to them. But it was fruitless, as only the father knew the secret. The friends driven into desperation could only torture them to death before their father’s eyes.

Edited Chapter 23: Burnt Down House

Hui Shi couldn’t help but answer them with a slight bit of bewilderment in his mind, “Honestly, I don’t know who I offended, but I do know who’s at fault based on who requested for my arrest.”

He then paused for a brief minute in thought, before continuing, “You see, a few years prior, I just graduated from my seminary back in Yearning Saint City, the capital of our Sval Kingdom. During that period of time, I often roamed the city streets, while helping those in need, preaching the gospel, and also exploring a small hobby of mine, which is looking for and reading old manuscripts that record hidden knowledge of the past.”

He then paused for a few minutes as he contemplated his next words before continuing with a slight sigh, “One day, as I was walking on an old, quiet backroad, situated at the distant outskirts of the capital, I chanced upon a burnt down house that was built close to the old road.” Explaining up to here, his handsome face could only be filled with a look of melancholy so great that it made all three listeners depressed at the sight.

He then continued solemnly after a brief pause, “Inside the house, I saw three corpses, and the badly bruised body of a dying old man. Driven into desperation, I tried my best to heal the poor old man, who quickly recovered with the help of his holiness Ensieth. After healing the old man, I took him while he was still unconscious due to the recent trauma, to a nearby hotel that I rented, before going back to his home to arrange for the removal of the corpses, after alerting the local authorities.”

Hearing his words, Annette could only quietly sigh in grief at the difficulties that the average citizen of this world experiences on a day-to-day basis. Lain could only listen while contemplating the sad words coming from Hui Shi’s mouth with depression in his mind.

As they were listening to Hui Shi, an old man silently appeared by the side of the road a few distances in front of them, silently listening in as well, but the group of four were too engrossed in the current story to notice his presence.

Not realizing they were being watched, Hui Shi continued, “A couple days went by before the old man woke up from his slumber. After waking up, I could only tell him who I was and what I saw at the burnt down house, as memories flooded the mind of the old man, and he began sobbing. In deep sadness, the old man recounted his story to me.”

At this moment, he took a deep breath as he couldn’t help but curse, “It’s a sad thing to see when a son turns against his own family. Praise my dear lord, Ensieth, for his mercy on this world.”

Edited Chapter 22: Jealousy?

After hearing his questions, Annette couldn’t help but reply, “Yes. Gremlins are very powerful creatures with steel-like tails that could reach over a mile around them. The spiked tips at the end of their tails can easily smash apart the hardest naturally made materials on the planet.” as she pointed to the tail end of one of her gremlins, where a coiled tail could be seen.

Hui Shi quickly continued where she left off, after seeing her gesture, “Their tails are not the only things that make these creatures powerful. Although their tall and gaunt figures make them look slightly emaciated and weak, they’re very fast and agile creatures that can run over 200 miles an hour very easily, for days on end without feeling the slightest bit of exhaustion.”

Hearing their words, Lain could only reply gently, “I see… Thanks for your answers. It seems these chariots are worth their price, being protected by such a ferocious monster.” as he continued walking forward before jealousy slowly started filling his heart. Soon his thoughts also reflected his jealousy as he couldn’t stop thinking in his head ‘$200,000 Yearning Dollars…200 miles an hour…powerful gremlin…’

As Hui Shi and Annette saw the aimlessly walking Lain, with eyes that showed extreme jealousy, Annette couldn’t help but think ‘Is he jealous of me? He can’t be jealous of a young lady like me, right?’ Before being drowned in her own thoughts that were filled with questions about their origins, that she currently couldn’t bring herself to ask.

Hui Shi on the other hand could only feel embarrassed, while looking at the quietly walking Lain, as he noticed his jealousy as well, before looking away with a slight sigh.

The four then continued walking for 10 minutes in silence, before Hui Shi looked around him casually in doubt, as he thought ‘Have we walked pass this area before?’ Seeing Hui Shi look around, Lain also began to feel weird. He then also looked around in silence as they continued walking forward, with thoughts of doubt gradually filling his head as well.

But as the two were quietly contemplating, they were interrupted by the voice of Annette as she asked “There’s something that has baffled me that I would like to ask you, brother Hui Shi.”

Pulled out of his thoughts, Hui Shi could only reply awkwardly to Annette, “What’s the issue, my dearest sister?” Hearing their words, Lain, also came out of his train of thoughts as he anticipated her question.

“Why are you a wanted man? A great priest of Ensieth like yourself is usually held in high regard all over the empire. Who have you gone against to cause your current predicament?”

Hearing her question, Lain also added, “I’m also quite baffled about this as well. Please brother Hui Shi, who’ve made themselves your enemy in the past?”

Edited Chapter 21: The Price Of A Gremlin

He felt so small standing on the left edge of the large road that was over 10 miles wide, situated in the middle of two forests of gargantuan grasses, that he started to question why the forests of grasses were left unkept by the city’s government, while they kept the grasses outside the gates well trimmed.

After thinking this, he then looked forward at the road, towards the direction in which he was walking towards. The road, in the middle of the night, that he saw, felt like it led nowhere, as its end reached all the way into the horizon.

Due to Lain’s unique constitution, his eyes could see very clearly, even from countless miles away. Yet, he couldn’t see the end of the road that was paved in white granite-like stones, in which he walked.

Being baffled by the uniqueness of his current surroundings, he could only control his thoughts, and look towards Annette who was walking beside him, before asking, “Miss Annette, please help me answer these questions. What is that vehicle of yours called? How much does it cost to acquire them? And lastly, what are those beasts pulling it?”

Hearing his words, Hui Shi could only smirk slightly, as he looked towards Annette, waiting for her answers quietly. After thinking for a couple of minutes, Annette replied to Lain with a beautiful smile on her face, “My vehicle is called a chariot. Most chariots cost about $40,000 Yearning Dollars to acquire, on average, with the more luxurious brands costing over a million Yearning Dollars. My chariot was custom-made to my unique specifications and desires, giving it a higher production cost of over $200,000 Yearning Dollars.”

She then paused for a few seconds to make sure that her words were understood by the listening Lain, and Hui Shi, before continuing, “The beast that is pulling my chariot is called a gremlin. Most chariots are required by law to be pulled by one or more gremlins, along with standard protection runes that create a shield to block attacks aimed at the chariot. This is why there are runes embedded on the outside walls of my chariot. The world being filled with quite a bit of danger, forced the government to enforce these laws in order to protect the weak citizens of the empire.”

Hui Shi couldn’t help but nod at her words as he added, “The world is filled with a lot of dangerous creatures, many of which we may have never encountered before. This is why the Emperor of Gilagesh forced chariot producers to give a trained gremlin to each chariot owner to pull their chariots.”

Lain, hearing their words, couldn’t help but ask in bewilderment, “Are gremlins powerful? Although they look pretty strong, what are their capabilities?”

Edited Chapter 20: A Small Carriage

The two of them looked directly into the living area of the carriage, that the outside carriage door led to and saw a light pink colored stone table situated at its center, surrounded by a large, four sectional sofa, that was also made out of the same light pink colored granite-like stone material.

On the left and right side of the large living room were open entryways with light pink holographic screens covering them that lead to two other rooms. The light pink screens that covered the entryway from top to bottom were see-through, allowing Hui Shi, and Lain to see the two rooms within, one of which appeared to be a kitchen of sorts from the small glimpse that the two could see from their current location. But before they could accurately tell what type of room it was, Annette’s slightly masculine but gentle voice rang out from behind them, “Please brother Hui Shi, and brother Lain, I have to bring little Elena inside now.”

Hearing her words, the two could only give up and walk away from the mysterious, levitating carriage, to allow Annette through the door.

While standing by the side of the carriage, waiting for Annette, Lain couldn’t help but marvel at the technology that powered the small carriage. Not only was its levitation technology very interesting, the inside also had a magical space enlargement effect, that made it much larger on the inside than it appeared on the outside.

Hui Shi on the other hand, could only think about other matters while he waited for Annette, as the technology within the carriage was nothing new to him, since he was someone who grew up within the upper class section of the city.

After entering the carriage for a few minutes, Annette came back, nodded to the three waiting for her outside before saying, “She’s sleeping on the sofa in the living room.”

The group then continued their walk forward, with Emily walking next to the carriage with slight concern for the sleeping Elena inside of it that she couldn’t see.

As the group walked, Lain, who was lost in thought, couldn’t help but look around at his surroundings while he formulated a question in his mind to ask Annette. As he looked around, he was immediately stunned by the differences of the surroundings inside the gates versus outside the gates.

Outside the gates of the city was a plain of short grasses, with beautiful flowers of pink and blue, accompanied by fluorescent insects prancing about in peaceful bliss. Inside the gates on the other hand, as far as the eyes could see, was a covering of tall grasses that were over 2000 feet in height.

Edited Chapter 19: Masculine Energy

The drowsy Elena, looking at the smiling Annette, could only see a human shaped creature with ripped muscles, exuding the strongest masculine energy she’s ever seen in her entire life. Annette’s slightly beautiful face could only look plain and ordinary in the eyes of the little girl, as she replied to her in a slightly groggy tone, “Please join us big brother Annette.” before lying forward weakly on Emily’s back in tiredness.

Hearing her words, Hui Shi could only correct her awkwardly, “Little sister, sister Annette is a young lady just like you.” Annette couldn’t help but blush in shame, so she looked down at the ground as she walked and replied as well. “Yes, little sister, I’m a young lady just like you.”

She then looked up, after uttering her shame-filled words, only to notice the almost sleeping Elena nod at her, before falling asleep on the red feathered back of Emily. Feeling a bit of empathy, she couldn’t help but ask, “Hey little sister, why don’t sleep inside my carriage. The ride is much smoother, and you won’t be woken up by our conversations.”

Hui Shi, and Lain, hearing her words, could only find it reasonable. But Emily on the other hand became a bit more alert as her antennae went wild, and went towards Annette's body, before roaming around her frantically for a few seconds, then withdrawing.

After seeing Emily’s antenna probing, Hui Shi couldn’t help but say to Emily. “It’s not a bad idea. It’ll definitely help her sleep better.” Annette quickly added as well, “If you don’t feel secure, you can check the inside of the carriage yourself. I’m a lady of my words.” as she walked towards the door that was situated on the side of the black colored, square shaped, small carriage that was engraved with many light blue runes in the shape of little snakes, and opened it.

Walking up to the opened door, Emily swiftly used her antennas to roam the insides of the carriage before sticking her head in. After looking into the carriage for a few seconds, she quickly removed her head. She then sat down, and looked at Annette, as if telling her to carry the sleeping Elena into the carriage.

Hui Shi, and Lain, seeing this could only become curious as well, as they also went over to the narrow door opening, to look inside it, in order to make sure it’s safe as well. As the two were looking within the carriage, Annette quickly went around them towards Emily, as she began to pick the sleeping Elena up.

Looking inside the carriage, Hui Shi, and Lain felt like they entered another world. The inside of the carriage was surrounded by pink walls, with extremely tiny, light pink runes engraved all over them, also in the shape of various serpents of different sizes. The space inside of it was weirdly larger than the side of the small little carriage. It felt like they were looking into a large 3-bedroom house. But unlike a normal house, the furniture inside were all made of granite like stones.

Edited Chapter 18: Arrest Him Immediately!

Hearing his words, the holographic application screen in front of the guard automatically filled up with words that were written in a foreign language, as a picture of Lain miraculously appeared in the upper left section of the application. The guard then said to Lain, “That’s all we’ll need from you. As for your weapon…” Before he could continue, Hui Shi couldn’t help but butt in and say gently, “Please brother, my brother Lain here is tired. Can you allow him in on my behalf?” as he placed his hand on the shoulder of the guard, with a slight aggression to his body language.

Seeing the slightly aggressive Hui Shi, the guard could only acquiesce to his demands, due to his feeling of reverence for the holy man. He then turned to Lain and said, “You are free to enter the city, but you have 30 days to find a place to store your weapon, or get the required license to carry it within the city.” before walking to the side to allow him to leave, as the light blue application screen in front of him disappeared before his eyes.

The group then carried on walking through the large opening of the gates that were opened towards the outskirts of the city and rested against the outer walls. Looking at the back of the receding group, holographic screens soon popped up in front of the guards again, as a picture of Hui Shi appeared on them, accompanied by blaring warnings echoing within their helmets. “This criminal is on the premises! Arrest him immediately! I repeat! Arrest him immediately!”

The guards could only ignore the warnings as they continued staring at the back of the walking group, before turning around to greet the next person in line, Annette Duet.

After walking for a few minutes, Annette Duet quickly caught up to them while walking alongside her carriage, as she greeted “Hello there! I hope you don’t mind if I tag along with you guys, do you?”

Hui Shi quickly replied with a dashing smile, “Sure, sister Annette. We have a long journey ahead of us. You may call me Hui Shi. These two before me are brother Lain, and little sister Elena. Emily is the beautiful Griffith that little sister Elena is sitting on.” as he introduced the group to her.

While Hui Shi spoke, Lain could only look at Annette while thinking thoughts about the carriage that was being pulled beside her, as she held onto the reins that controlled the two monsters pulling it.

After Hui Shi finished speaking, he couldn’t help but add, “Please accompany us. I have a few questions to ask you if you don’t mind me bothering you with them.”

Edited Chapter 17: A Couple Questions!

Looking at the heroic lady who walked up to him, Hui Shi couldn’t help but say in admiration, “It’s nothing, my sister Annette. It’s the duty of us priests to help everyone in need.” as he bowed slightly to her.

With his handsome and calming aura bathing her in peaceful bliss, Annette couldn’t help but smile at such a divine and charming priest, as she said, “If you’re in a hurry, you’re free to take my place in line. Being graced by your presence is truly a great fortune to everyone here.”

She then stepped back, and walked towards her small black carriage that was pulled by two ferocious looking hard carapace beasts, that were similar to the ones seen by Lain earlier during the day.

After the woman stepped back, Lain couldn't help but marvel again at the beauty of these carriages, and the monstrous beasts that pulled each and every one of them. After thanking her, he then turned back, towards the gates, as the bored Emily and Elena began walking forward.

The bored Elena couldn’t help but urge Emily forward, as she was starting to get tired, as the peaceful night sky made her very drowsy. The guards at the entrance could only allow them to pass by.

Seeing Elena, and Emily start walking through the opened gates, Lain, and Hui Shi could only move forward in order to catch up. But as Lain was walking forward, he was stopped by the guards, one of them then said in a serious tone. “We must ask you a couple of questions before you can enter Yearning Peace City, as a newcomer. You must also have a license to carry a weapon in this city, unless you're a hero.” As he pointed to the curved, green, bamboo blade that was harnessed at Lain’s waist.

Hearing this, Elena, Emily, and Hui Shi could only stop and turn around, in guilt, as they had forgotten about Lain, who had never visited the city before.

Hui Shi could only walk back towards the guards slowly, as the previous guard continued, while the slightly tired Lain listened carefully. “What’s your name, and location of birth? And lastly, what’s the reason for your entry into this city?”

Lain listening to this, could only answer the guard’s question, as a holographic application screen appeared in front of the guard magically. “My name is Lain. I was born in Yearning Sweet Town. Lastly, I’m here to enjoy the beauty of the city. I was told this city had wondrous places that could enhance my view of life.”

Edited Chapter 16: Lady Annette Duet

The previously shoved guard, lightly chuckled once he heard Lain’s questions, as he tapped on his helmet, and a 360 view of their current surroundings appeared in holographic form. Inside the hologram, all people within a circumference of five miles were shown, with the ring at the center of the circumference. Showing this, the shoved guard then started speaking, “This ring is an instrument that allows us to have a 360 view of its current surroundings, regardless of its distance from any nearby cities. It also gives us the ability to teleport to its location in less than a second with just a simple thought, in case any noble’s life is at risk.”

Soon after, the guard with the ring, quickly snapped his fingers, as the ring in his hand disappeared magically, before continuing where his fellow guard left off, “The ring has always been given to her, to ensure her protection, since she started leaving the city months ago. It is usually monitored, like all rings, by a team of specialist within the city, that are always ready to come to her rescue at a moment’s notice.”

Hearing his words, and seeing the vanishing 360 view hologram, Lain, and Hui Shi, couldn’t help but relax again, as it seemed their assumptions were wrong. Quickly apologizing, Hui Shi said, “I’m sorry, my brothers. Please forgive my previous actions.” as he bowed humbly to the guards, in relief, and humility.

Seeing the extremely divine being bow down to them so humbly, the guards couldn’t find it in their hearts to hold a grudge against him, and one of them quickly said to Hui Shi in endearment “You're fine, my priest. It’s your duty to protect and look after the wellbeing of all children, in place of our divine god, Ensieth.”

At this point in time, a woman, who seemed to be the next in line at the gates, walked up, as she greeted Hui Shi, with a sense of curiosity. “Our dearest priest of Ensieth. I may be mistaken, but it would seem that you were the one who rescued us from the ailment we suffered a few hours earlier. If so, please accept my graceful thanks. My name is Annette Duet, and I’m a hero of this city, that’s just returning from my arduous journey elsewhere.”

Hearing her words, Lain couldn’t help but think ‘What’s a hero?’ but he kept his thoughts to himself, as he gazed at the approaching young woman who looked to be around the age of 20. She was dressed in a red shirt, and a blue floral skirt. Her shoes were also blue in color, as they glowed slightly in the evening night due to the entirety of them being covered in light blue rune markings.

Her body exuded the look of bravery, as her sharp eyes, and slightly beautiful face made her look charming and brave. The parts of her body that could be seen, were all covered in strong layers of muscles, as though she’s been a battle hardened warrior her entire life.

Edited Chapter 15: An Honest Mistake

Hearing the warning, the two guards were in utter shock and awe, as they gazed at the holy priest in front of them, whose anger was still visible on his face. But weirdly, instead of trying to arrest Hui Shi, the previously shoved guard that at some point in time, finally righted himself and stood up from the ground, and in wonder and awe said cautiously to Hui Shi, “My humble priest of Ensieth. Are you truly Hui Shi, from the Holy Myan District?”

Seeing the angered state that Hui Shi was in, and the wanted poster on the holographic screen, and lastly the words uttered by the guard, Lain could only come forward, as he placed his right hand on Hui Shi’s shoulder, while saying “Brother Hui Shi, there’s no need for such aggressiveness. I believe they may have a reasonable excuse why they would allow young Elena to wander about outside the city gates.” Then he also looked at the guards questioningly.

Elena, hearing her name, finally realized that the current conflict was her fault, so she shrank her neck due to shame and hid behind the large neck of Emily. Hoping Hui Shi and Lain wouldn’t notice her.

Seeing Elena’s overreaction to the situation and hearing Lain’s words, Hui Shi could only calm down his righteous anger, before replying to the guard’s question. “Of course, my brother. I am Hui Shi. Now, can you kindly answer my question? I’m truly curious to know your reasoning behind allowing a child to leave the city’s gates unsupervised.”

He then pointed to the hidden Elena, in grief and indignation, hoping the city’s law enforcement agency hasn’t degraded to such an unjust level within the span of the few years that he’s been away from home.

Hearing his question, the shoved guard could only answer him truthfully. “I’m sorry, but we guards are incapable of stopping a young noble lady from either entering or exiting any cities within the empire of Gilagesh.” As the other guard calmly went towards Emily and Elena, before reaching out his hand toward the guilt ridden Elena. Seeing the out stretched hand of the guard, with practiced experience, Elena easily pulled off a small ring that she had worn on the pinky finger of her left hand, and handed it to the guard.

Seeing this action, Lain, could only become curious. But before he could ask his growing list of questions, the guard with the ring continued off where the other guard stopped, by saying, “Due to the fact that we had to allow her to do as she wished, all law enforcements by law have to provide a protection ring to all young nobles that ventured outside any city, until they’ve become of age. Making sure the ring is on their person, at all times.”

Hui Shi then wondered to himself for a few seconds as he gazed at the ring. Watching the ring, Lain couldn’t help but ask, “What are the functions of that ring? How does it guarantee their safety?”

Edited Chapter 14: Majestic Beauty

They were all drawn in such a life-like way, using the same glowing light blue runes that painted the walls in incandescent light, that Lain could feel their presence emanating from the wall. The majestic and mystical presence of the creatures drawn on the gates all seemed to want to escape the confines of the gates, and bath the world in terror and destruction, as well as delight and joy.

Entranced by the beauty of the scenery, Lain, could only gawk at its splendor. Even Elena and Emily, who’ve experienced these scenes before countless times, couldn’t help but smile in relaxation as they also looked around them in bliss, marveling at the beauty of life.

Hui Shi, who was too busy with certain thoughts that plagued his mind throughout their journey here, was the only one who wasn’t entranced by the view, as he walked up to the guards aggressively.

The two guards were just about to start asking questions, when Hui Shi, immediately approached one of them and shoved him back violently. Saying to them with an angelic but angered voice, “Why did your men allow such a young child to wander outside the city? Isn’t it a crime to let an innocent child go to dangerous places unsupervised!?”

Steadying himself on the ground, the guard that was pushed was immediately driven into anger, but as soon as Hui Shi’s angelic voice reached his ears, his anger seemed to wash away from him, as he couldn’t help but gazed at the charming, and handsome man with a golden halo in front of him. The resplendent golden light, that was emanating from his body, could only fill the guard with endless warmth and deep comfort.

Being too tongue-tied by the beauty of the priest before him, the guard could only try to get up slowly. The other guard, seeing the altercation, couldn’t help but also be entranced by Hui Shi’s voice and presence, with the desire to exact revenge on Hui Shi, and help his fellow guard, completely washing away from his heart by the second.

He determined instead, to just answer the question that was asked by the holy priest before him, as his heart couldn’t bare to hurt such a divine being. But before he could answer Hui Shi’s question on his friend’s behalf, a light blue screen appeared in front of him.

On the screen was the image of Hui Shi, that came with a blaring warning, that reverberated within the helmets of both guards, “This criminal is on the premises! Please arrest him immediately! I repeat! Arrest this criminal immediately!”

Edited Chapter 13: A Look Around

Hearing his words, Elena felt defeated, as she had only heard a couple words, due to her being too preoccupied with playing with the holographic screen in her hand. Another reason for her feeling of defeat was due to the fact that what Hui Shi said was also a bit too complicated for her young mind, and she couldn’t fully understand the concepts that he uttered from his mouth, so she could only accept her defeat, and continue playing with the holographic screen in her hand, while the group continued on with their journey.

Feeling enlightened, Lain on the other hand quickly thanked Hui Shi for his explanation, as he thought ‘There are so many interesting things in this world. First was the evil man with his creepy insect, now there’s such a thing as runes and instruments. It seems I still have much to learn on this journey of mine.’

The group then continued on their journey in peace, hoping to get to the gate before the day was over.

After hours of trekking, the group finally arrived at the front gates, just when the two glowing suns in the sky, one green, and the other golden, disappeared into the horizon and the evening sky filled with stars welcomed them with open arms.

The group, feeling tired, were met by the two guards that were dressed head to toe in armor with complicated light blue, glowing rune lines carved all over them.

Having arrived, Lain couldn’t help but look around him once more at the outskirts of the city, before they went inside the gates. The moment he looked, he was greeted by the most peaceful sight that he’s ever seen in a while. The night, filled with stars of various sizes, was truly wondrous to see. Then there were the green grasses that were covered in a hint of evening dew, that at some point in time had grown long green stalks with beautiful pink and blue flowers situated at the top end of them. Giving Lain the feeling of standing within a wondrous river of pink and blue.

The fresh breeze blowing in the night sky permeated a slightly sweet smell into the air that seemed to erase all feelings of hunger and tiredness from Lain’s body, as colorful butterflies and incandescent insects of various colors danced around in the air, while going from flower to flower.

The opened gates, upon closer look, were magnificent to behold. Countless miles in height, and over 20 miles in length, Lain could only gawk at the intricacies of its design. Drawn on the gates were complicated runes in the shape of majestic creatures that he had never seen before in his entire life. There were creatures with lithe figures, looking like they were prancing majestically through a mystical forest, bringing delight and joy to those who chanced upon them, as well and large, ferocious and monstrous figures that looked like they could devour the world, and destroy the heavens.

Edited Chapter 12: What is an Instrument?

After hearing his words, Elena immediately pressed down at the center of the card, as a large holographic screen appeared in front of her, with a red dot in the middle of it. She and Lain were immediately marveled at such a wonderful object. As Lain drew closer to Elena in order to see the card’s screen better, Emily also leaned in as well, as she turned her head to face her back where Elena was sitting, for a closer look at the screen in curiosity and bewilderment.

Looking at the complicated map screen, curiosity overwhelmed Elena, as she couldn’t help but reach towards the red dot on the holographic map, that was a few inches in front of her body. As soon as she touched the red dot, both her, Emily and Lain, immediately saw a complicated red line start to form, that shot directly from the red dot towards a distant region on the map, as the map seemed to zoom outwards.

After a couple seconds, the long line that zigzagged through the map, went through a long wall on the map, and seemed to stop at their current location, connecting their current location to the red dot that was previously at the center of the map.

Seeing this, Lain was bewildered as he thought to himself ‘It seems, if we follow that line, it’ll lead us to the pet shop. What an interesting instrument.’

Thinking these thoughts, he was curious to what an instrument truly was. But before he could ask Hui Shi a question, Elena had already pressed down at the middle of the card again in excitement as she blurted out to Hui Shi, while the holographic screen silently disappeared after her actions, “What is an Instrument?”

Seeing the holographic screen disappear, she couldn’t even wait for Hui Shi to answer, as curiosity quickly overwhelmed her mind, as she pressed down on the card one more time, as the holographic screen appeared in front of her again. Seeing this, she was hopelessly entranced by the mechanics of the device and continued to press down on the card over and over again, while the holographic screen blinked in and out of existence, as Hui Shi decided to slowly answer her question anyway.

He then turned to Lain, as it seemed he was just as curious as her in finding the answer to her question, before saying in a dignified, and holy voice “An instrument is a magical device that’s created using the blood of powerful creatures. Using a creature's magical blood, individuals called rune crafters draw complicated lines on objects, using special techniques that enhance or alter the magical properties of the blood, in order to create one or more effects. These objects that have been carved on with blood are called instruments, while the complicated markings made out of blood that are carved on them are called runes.”

Edited Chapter 11: An Instrument

Seeing the look in her eyes, Hui Shi couldn’t bear to turn her down due to her young age, so he said, “Sure, little sister. Once you grow up, I’ll take you to our church and help you become a priest, just like me.”

As soon as his voice died down, the few people in line that noticed his priest attire, after hearing Elena’s shout, quickly realized that he was likely the cause of the great phenomenon, and couldn’t help but come forward to tell him thanks for his miraculous help.

A slightly short, 4 foot tall man within the group, surrounded by bodyguards also said to Hui Shi, and his group, after a couple minutes of heartfelt praises, “For helping us so gracefully, I wish to invite you to my pet shop. If you’re ever in need of a pet or mount, please feel free to come to us. By the way, my name is Drunter Dwarg, of the Dwargian Pet Foundation.” He then handed white cards covered in dark blue rune markings to Hui Shi, and his group, before walking away with his bodyguards.

Looking at the card in his hand, then turning to the group of people, Hui Shi quickly said to them with a smile, in a voice so holy, gentle, and memorable that everyone couldn’t help but quieten down and listen to him patiently. “You’re welcome, my fellow brothers and sisters. I thank you greatly for showing your appreciation, but me and my brothers and sisters here have an important matter that we have to attend to immediately, so please have a great rest of your day. May god Ensieth bless your souls with prosperity!”

Hearing this, the group of people, including Mon Dupa, quickly dispersed in great happiness, as Hui Shi, Lain, Elena, and Emily quietly continued on their walk towards the gates that would require a few more hours to arrive.

While walking, Lain couldn’t help but ask, “So, how does this card work? There’s nothing but complicated lines on it?” as he looked at the card in his hand in curiosity.

Elena also looked at the card in her right hand, before trying to bite it, to see if it’ll either break or tear. Seeing this, Hui Shi couldn’t help but laugh gracefully, as he warned, “That card is very durable. Biting it will only hurt your teeth, little sister.” Hearing this, Elena couldn’t help but pause her actions in defeat, as she held the card in hand.

Hui Shi then continued as he looked at Lain with his closed eyes as they walked, “That card is a simple Instrument. If pressed gently in the middle, it will open up a holographic map, with a red dot that points to a certain location. That location is likely the pet shop mentioned by the brother who calls himself Drunter Dwarg.”

Edited Chapter 10: Manifestation of a God

Noticing this, Hui Shi couldn’t help but stop his words and look around, as the group also looked around in curiosity and empathy at the aching people that were lined up for miles.

Feeling deep concern, Hui Shi couldn’t help but take immediate action, as he reached his right hand into the air.

The moment his right hand was raised, a holy feeling permeated the entire area, covering miles of land within half a millisecond. All the people waiting in line, including their mounts, started glowing in a divine golden light, as their injuries and mental traumas started to heal. Those on the ground quickly felt so uplifted and relaxed that they couldn’t help but smile in glee and satisfaction as they stood up and looked at the golden glow that emanated from their bodies in shock and awe.

Most even saw small beautiful, fairy-like butterflies flying around them in the most mystical and graceful ways, causing many children to happily chase these mystical creatures around. Even Elena, couldn’t help but desire to get off her mount in order to chase these graceful sprites around in glee, as their mesmerizing dance entranced her mind.

The entire scene felt like a great god of nature was manifesting his great presence into the world, as even the old injuries of the people gotten by them in the distant past, healed within a span of seconds.

The grasses that were around the people in line, also danced in glee as they waved around in peaceful bliss. The mounts and various creatures accompanying the people also gave out happy sounds from their mouths, as they joyfully enjoyed the healing experience.

Lain, Emily, and Mon Dupa, couldn’t help but enjoy the peaceful glow that originated from their bodies, as all the stresses of life from their past till now that have been wearing on their poor souls, slowly melted away in seconds.

But in just seconds, the blissful experience came, and also in seconds the experience left them as well. With Hui Shi’s hand coming back down, as he prayed in a quiet, low voice that everyone in the area could mysteriously hear, “Praise be to my father, Ensieth. May your blessings never be forgotten.”

Feeling the blissful experience disappear, everyone couldn’t help but look around, hoping to find the cause of it. But due to the length of the line being multiple miles long, they could only give up searching for answers after a few minutes of searching with their eyes, as they started gossiping hectically amongst themselves in glee and wonder.

Elena knowing what just happened couldn’t help but shout in reverence, “You’re so awesome, big brother! Can I become a priest too!?” As she looked at Hui Shi with hope filled eyes.

Edited Chapter 9: Mon Dupa

Looking at the handsome man before him, and the 20-foot-long, levitating carriage next to him that was colored in cyan, and was in the shape of a rectangle, with its sleek design, and the ferocious creature pulling the ropes connected to it, Lain couldn’t help but wonder to himself ‘Such a magnificent and wealthy looking man! Riding that carriage must save him a lot of effort when traveling. Even the creature pulling it looks extremely dangerous.’

Hui Shi, who seemed oblivious to Lain’s curious and jealous glances at the interesting looking carriage of the flame haired man, said to the man, “That creature can only be found within the lands of a different empire. Also brother, my name is Hui Shi, and these two are my brother and sister, Lain and Elena. Who might you be?”

Seeing the smile on Hui Shi’s extremely handsome and divine face, and the gentle golden glow that radiated off his body, the aching and irritating feeling of nausea and disgust, quickly washed away from the mind and body of the blue flame haired man, as he couldn’t help but smile as well in reverence of such a holy priest, as he replied with a light laugh, “Divine priest of Ensieth, my name is Mon Dupa. I feel blessed to have encountered you here today.” as his left hand reached his head and stroked his slightly messy blue flamed hair down, to make sure they’re resting neatly over his shoulders.

Looking at the joyful Mon Dupa, and feeling the golden glow emanating from Hui Shi’s body, Elena’s mental trauma also disappeared completely, as she started noticing the weird features on his handsome face. His handsome face had a beard and mustache that were nothing but blue flames, as well as the long, and slick, hair on his head that reached down to his shoulders that were also blue flames. Upon seeing them, Elena couldn’t help but want to reach out and touch them in curiosity, as her young mind took in the visually stunning experience in great wonder.

Mon Dupa continued, oblivious to the young lady’s thoughts, “Do you happen to know what empire that may be? I’m truly curious about the origins of that man.”

Listening to his words, Lain also nodded in agreement and added, “Please let us know, brother Hui Shi. I’m also quite curious.”

“That man is a very dangerous man, from an evil family called the Fang clan. This clan is a powerful clan that dwells deep within the Arkate Empire, which is a neighboring empire…” Starting to speak, Hui Shi couldn’t help but stop halfway through as the sounds of the aching people waiting in line reached his ears.

It seems the countless people waiting in line were all heavily affected by the nauseating smell that emanated from the insect of the Fang clan villain. Many were still vomiting on the floor, in distress and pain, while the others standing still held their stomachs in extreme anguish.