Chapter 227: A Glimpse of Harmonia

The flowers bloomed, and trees grew lush as spring embraced the land, painting the city in shades of green and new beginnings.

Then came summer, when golden light bathed the rooftops and the streets buzzed with life under the warm, unrelenting sun.

Autumn followed with its graceful decay— crimson and amber leaves carpeting the cobbled roads, whispering stories with every step.

Finally, winter arrived with the delicate descent of the first snowflake, silently announcing the close of another cycle and the quiet start of a new season.

The seasons passed again and again, time flowing like a gentle stream, shaping the city as it grew.

From the dusty foundations of a city still under construction, Harmonia had matured into a sprawling marvel on the brink of its grand inauguration.

Spanning seventy-three square kilometers, the satellite city of Ligera radiated elegance and order, its outer walls shaped in a striking hexagonal pattern.

The architecture was a seamless blend of artistry and function, evoking the refinement of the old world while embracing the emerging strength of modern craftsmanship.

Each district bore the hallmark of its people.

Though Harmonia was a symbol of unity among the races, the city’s layout respected cultural nuances, carefully preserving the sanctity of familiar spaces.

Districts were designated not only by geography but by heritage.

The Human District lay to the southeast, orderly and efficient.

The Elves claimed the southwest, where elegant homes rose beneath vast canopies of sacred trees.

In the northeast stood the District of the Beastkin, where buildings melded with nature—terraced roofs blooming with greenery and paths that curved like rivers.

To the northwest, the Dwarven District rose strong and steady, its stonework a testament to generations of unmatched craftsmanship.

Access to each of these districts was managed with care.

Only those belonging to a race— or those accompanied and vouched for— could pass through their respective gates.

It was a compromise born of wisdom, acknowledging that while unity was the goal, peace sometimes bloomed best when nurtured in familiar soil.

At the heart of it all was the Central District: a cultural and economic crossroads where the races mingled freely.

Estates here were highly coveted, where the City Hall, Temple of Light, Adventurer’s Guild, Midas Merchants’ Markets, and other important buildings stood shoulder to shoulder beneath banners of every kind.

Though the city’s vastness might have daunted newcomers, Harmonia’s intricate tramline network turned vast distances into short journeys.

The tram system was the lifeblood of the city, with tracks weaving above and below ground, even branching into elevated lines that offered breathtaking views of the skyline.

Two tram types ensured flexibility for all: the high-speed lines, marked with a vibrant yellow motif, were used by travelers, merchants, and those on urgent errands.

The standard blue-line trams offered a slower, scenic pace for daily commuters, giving them time to breathe, read, or simply watch the city pass by.

It was a city where cobblestone paths met iron rails, where arcane lamps glowed beside mechanical signs. Harmonia did not erase the past— it built upon it.

A city of compromise.

A city of hope.

A city waiting to become a symbol for what the world could be.

That was Harmonia, the City of Harmony.

***

Amidst the bustling streets of the Central District...

A young man had just gotten out of the City Hall with a joyful smile on his face.

"I still can’t believe this..."

In his hand was a simple metallic card that was made from white gold and adorned with golden engravings, with the carving of a beautiful woman with angelic wings sprouting from her back.

HARMONIA CITIZEN IDENTIFICATION CARD

May the Goddess of Light be with you

Universally Recognized Across Affiliated Kingdoms and Territories

Regis

Age: 14

Sex: Male

Address: No. 5, Gilded Row

Central District, Harmonia

Autonomous City under Ligera

Acheron Kingdom

It was none other than the Official ID provided to the citizens of Harmonia.

His blood red eyes were tinged with emotion as he remembered that one particular night when he was having dinner with Aunt Amabel and Dahlia.

"I’ve finally got it..."

Regis muttered to himself as he glanced at the sky, ’I hope you’re seeing this, Aunt Amabel.’

He could still vividly remember the amazement on his and Dahlia’s faces as they looked at the so-called IDs for the first time.

The one he had now was a more detailed version of the one that Amabel had, but he still felt that it was lacking something.

’If only they’re by my side right now...’

This thought arose from Regis’s mind, his expression turning that of a melancholic one.

He then went ahead and got another card from his pocket.

This time, it had a minimalist, rugged look that spoke more of function and resilience than flair.

Alias: Devil’s Spawn

Affiliation: Decadence Tea Party, Platinum ★★★

Profession: Grand Magician

Rank: Mid Stage Five Star

Expert Adventurer

As Regis’s eyes hovered over the "Affiliation" row, a faint twitch ran through his brow, though his expression barely changed.

After all this time living under a bizarre party name, he had grown used to it.

"Besides, it won’t be for long..."

He muttered under his breath, shifting his focus to the details listed beside their adventurer party name.

They had already completed enough quests to qualify for forming their own corporation.

But with each member preoccupied with individual training, the matter had stayed on the back burner.

Now, however, they were planning a meeting to finally discuss the next steps their adventurer party would take.

Holding the two cards side by side, a smile bloomed on Regis’s face.

In the blink of an eye, three years had passed since they had first arrived at Harmonia City.

As he walked through the bustling streets, people of different races would regularly nod at him with a smile.

At that moment, an elven mother passed by with her young child in tow.

The toddler pointed excitedly at Regis and called out in a loud voice, "Mom! Look! He’s the Angelic Devil my friends were talking about!"

"Shh! That’s rude! You should never call anyone a devil, okay?"

"Yes..."

The child’s joyful expression dimmed at the gentle scolding.

The mother then turned to Regis with an apologetic smile.

"I’m sorry. I should have taught him better."

"It’s alright."

Regis replied kindly, "It’s partly my fault too. I don’t mind."

He crouched down to meet the toddler at eye level and gently patted his head.

"Make sure to listen to your mother, okay?"

"Can I be like you one day?" The child asked, eyes shining with wonder.

Regis smiled warmly, "Are you kidding? You’re going to be even greater than me."

He ruffled the boy’s hair one more time as the mother and child bid him farewell.

Regis waved as they walked away.

"Angelic Devil, huh?"

He muttered with a soft chuckle. "What a strange nickname..."

Regis appreciated the view of the nearly completed Harmonia, its skyline etched against the soft hues of morning light.

The sight stirred memories—three years’ worth of moments flashing through his mind like scenes on an old movie reel.

He could still recall the look of disbelief on the receptionist’s face the day he registered under the name "Devil’s Spawn."

At the time, he had not settled on an alias since becoming an adventurer.

So, he chose to embrace the very stigma that had followed him since birth— those blood-red eyes that marked him as different, sometimes feared, often misunderstood.

Ironically, the nickname he came to be known by— the Angelic Devil— was born from the complete opposite of what people expected.

Over the years, he took on quests of every kind.

He joined expeditions into dangerous, uncharted territories outside the city, helped subjugate beast hordes roaming near the borders, and responded to urgent calls from the city guard when they needed a helping hand.

But he never turned away from the smaller quests, either— repairing a dwarf’s forge, delivering herbs to elven apothecaries, or even helping beastkin children find their lost pets.

He became a familiar figure across Harmonia.

Despite the intimidating name and his striking crimson gaze, his presence was a welcome sight.

His actions spoke louder than his origin, louder than rumors or prejudice.

Children whispered stories of him with awe.

Elders offered him blessings as he passed.

The dwarves would sometimes invite him for a drink, while the elves would sometimes present him with fresh herbs and fruits.

Slowly, affection eclipsed fear, and admiration replaced suspicion.

Thus, the people gave him a title—odd, contradictory, and yet strangely fitting:

The Angelic Devil.

Not because of what he was, but because of how he lived.

A symbol of light born from the shadows.

A symbol that the kid who had experienced the darkest side of the world was finally able to reach the light he was in pursuit of for so long.

At that moment, Regis finally arrived at his residence— the very gift he, Killian, and Pandora had agreed to accept when Aurum first proposed it.

The house stood beside Aurum’s own, though it had undergone extensive renovations after being purchased for them.

Every detail had been adjusted to suit their tastes, turning it into a home that reflected not only their preferences but also the journey they had shared.