Chapter 666: Toy City

Thornwick is known as the Land of Flames.

However, the weather across Britannia did not seem to agree with the name.

Snowfall is common throughout the Kingdom, and Thornwick is no exception.

Even on days when the sun shone brightly, the cold air could make anyone feel as though they had travelled to a region far colder than the one they had left behind.

The reason behind Thornwick’s nickname was not difficult to understand.

Four of the largest cities within the Dukedom were known for their volcanoes, each bearing a name associated with the city it belonged to.

Solcrest, the capital, had the Sol Volcano.

Redhaven had the Red Volcano.

Crimson Bay had the Crimson Volcano.

And Saintsbury had the Saints Volcano.

These volcanoes contained hot magma deep within them.

The heat they produced warmed the air around the mountains, creating a difference between Thornwick and other regions of the Kingdom.

Visitors who arrived from warmer or colder cities often noticed the change in temperature, even if they had not travelled far enough to expect it.

The mixture of snow and volcanic heat was one of the strange features of Thornwick.

It was also part of what made the region distinctive.

***

Inside the small Royal Dirigible...

The tour guide of the Sol Resort continued explaining the history of the volcanoes to the passengers.

She spoke about how they had been discovered and how each had received its name, pointing out parts of the landscape as the airship moved higher.

The Dirigible had already climbed above the lower slopes of the Sol Volcano.

Through its windows, the passengers could see the mountain rising beneath them, its broad body covered in dark rock and patches of snow.

The higher they travelled, the more of the volcano came into view.

Its slopes stretched across a wide area, with ridges and uneven sections marking the mountain’s surface.

Some parts looked rough and broken, while others formed long, steep inclines that disappeared behind the higher ground.

Snow clung to places where the heat beneath the mountain did not reach the surface, leaving pale streaks across the darker stone.

The passengers could not see its full depth of the volcano body from their current position and the foggy clouds that filled the area.

Even so, the size of the body made it clear that the volcano was no ordinary mountain.

"Excuse me."

A noblewoman raised her hand while looking at the volcano.

The small Royal Dirigible had climbed closer to the upper part of the mountain, giving the passengers a clearer view of the peak.

"Please, ask any question."

The tour guide replied politely.

The noblewoman held her baby securely against her chest.

Her husband stood beside her, looking out of the window with the same curiosity.

"Does the volcano ever reach the point of eruption?"

She asked.

The tour guide nodded.

"Yes."

Her answer was simple.

Several passengers gasped.

Some had visited volcanic regions before, but others were seeing such a place for the first time.

The thought that the enormous mountain in front of them could erupt was enough to make them look at it differently.

Lucy was among those who appeared shocked.

She shifted her gaze from the volcano to the tour guide, then looked outside again.

"But, as many of you may already have guessed, the Duke House of Burnwick handles the measures required to prevent an eruption from affecting the whole of Thornwick."

The tour guide explained.

Her words helped settle some of the unease among the passengers.

The volcanoes were not left without supervision, and the ruling Duke House was responsible for managing the danger they posed to the surrounding region.

She continued with another part of the explanation.

"Mining operations are also carried out inside these volcanoes. They are among the main sources of several valuable ores, including copper, gold, magnetite, platinum, molybdenite, cinnabar, and many others that I cannot list in full."

She paused after naming the commonly known ores.

The passengers listened while the airship continued its flight.

The volcanoes were not only landmarks.

Their mineral resources were also important to the Kingdom’s industries, making them valuable to the people who controlled and operated the mines.

However, there were materials the tour guide did not mention.

Like the...

Renite, Novarite, Draconium Lacrimal Extract, and several other rare resources were also mined within the volcanoes.

Their extraction and use were not matters that the guide discussed with ordinary visitors.

Ezra already knew about these resources.

He had studied the Kingdom’s mineral resources as part of his research, particularly because he needed to understand which materials might prove useful for his inventions and firearms.

The information was not new to him.

He listened quietly while the tour guide continued explaining the Sol Volcano and its importance to Thornwick.

Soon, the small Royal Dirigible approached the peak.

The passengers moved closer to the windows, looking down into the opening.

From their higher position, they could see the broad rim surrounding the crater and the dark interior beneath it.

There was no visible magma.

The opening looked black, its depth hidden by the lack of light.

The rocky walls descended into darkness, and no glowing streams of molten rock could be seen from above.

Some passengers leaned towards the windows, trying to get a better view.

The tour guide pointed towards the top of the mountain.

"The seal you are looking at was installed by the mining company responsible for the Sol Volcano."

She explained.

The passengers shifted their attention towards the structure covering the opening.

"During ordinary conditions, the top remains sealed. Only when an eruption occurs is the seal removed."

She added.

The explanation drew several nods from the visitors.

Some continued studying the peak, while others brought out their cameras and began taking pictures.

Snap!

Snap!

Lucy was among the busiest.

She raised her camera which was basically her Starlix 11 and took a picture of the volcano from one angle.

Then she shifted her position slightly and captured another, trying to include more of the enormous peak in the frame.

She looked through the window again before taking a few more pictures.

"I’ve never had the chance to see a volcano in my life, but seeing one now is so cool."

She said, turning towards her Master with a satisfied smile.

The tour guide standing beside Ezra found her reaction rather endearing.

Lucy’s excitement was easy to understand.

The volcano was large enough to impress even someone who had read about it before, and she was seeing one with her own eyes for the first time.

Ezra looked at her quietly.

Then he turned his attention back to the Sol Volcano.

There was another piece of information about this particular mountain that the tour guide had not mentioned.

Which Ezra already knew.

The information was recorded in the illegal Book of Andraver.

According to the book, the Sol Volcano was an artificial formation.

It had not originally existed as a volcano.

Instead, it had been created through the effects of a Sun Alchemy attack that transformed the former Sol Mountain into a mountain filled with hot magma.

The event had taken place during an epic battle between Andraver and the Duke of Burnwick of that era.

Andraver had melted a vast hole through the mountain, reaching deep into the earth beneath it. The attack had gone far beyond damaging the surface.

It had changed the mountain itself.

Solcrest was already close to Redhaven and the Red Volcano.

The damage caused during the battle eventually connected the Sol Mountain to the magma produced by the Red Volcano.

The result was the formation that now stood before Ezra.

A volcano had been created from the aftermath of a battle.

Ezra looked at the sealed opening.

The fact was rather amusing to him.

The people below saw a natural landmark and an important source of minerals, while the truth behind its creation was tied to a fight between powerful Alchemists.

I wonder if he left anything interesting inside the volcano for his disciple to find.

Ezra thought plainly.

He did not say anything aloud.

He simply continued observing the mountain as the Dirigible completed its tour of the peak.

The visit lasted for several hours.

During that time, the passengers were given more opportunities to observe the volcano and learn about its history.

Lucy took more pictures whenever she found a view she liked, while Ezra listened to the explanations without asking questions about information he already knew.

Sometimes...

Lucy would take a picture of him while he focused on the Volcano or the Tour Guide talking.

Ezra did notice every time she took his picture, but he didn’t stop her.

Eventually, their visit to the Sol Volcano Resort came to an end.

Ezra, Lucy, and the tour guide of The Eclipse left the resort and headed towards their next destination.

It was one of the major cities of Thornwick.

Toy City.

Like Northwick and Metallica, Thornwick had several cities known for their main industries.

Northwick was famous for its glass production, including windows, ceramics, and other glassworks.

Metallica, on the other hand, was known for firearm production, Ironstride Walker manufacturing, mining, and other forms of metalwork.

Thornwick had its own specialty.

Toy production.

The Dukedom had other industries, many of which were similar to those found in Metallica, but its toy-making business was the most recognizable.

The craft had become so important that one of its major cities was known simply as Toy City.

The city had grown around the many companies, workshops, and shops involved in producing toys.

Its streets were filled with displays of crafted figures, mechanical playthings, and other products made by the local artisans.

As the Royal Phantom Rolls approached the city, the change became clear.

A giant human-like structure stood near the entrance, towering over the surrounding buildings.

Its broad figure had been built to resemble a person, and one of its large arms was raised in a welcoming wave towards the vehicles entering the city.

The structure moved with a slow mechanical motion.

Its raised arm shifted slightly as the vehicles passed beneath its gaze, making the giant appear to be greeting the visitors one by one.

Lucy leaned towards the window to get a better look.

The giant was only the beginning.

Beyond the entrance, rows of shops lined the streets.

Their windows displayed toys of different sizes, from small carved figures that could fit into a child’s palm to larger mechanical creations that occupied entire display stands.

Some shop windows held miniature transport systems.

Others displayed toy monsters, human figures, and mechanical animals.

There were also models of Steam Vehicles, with carefully shaped bodies and tiny wheels that allowed them to roll across the display tables.

The city was filled with signs of its main industry.

In one shop, a small train moved along a set of miniature tracks.

Its wheels turned as it travelled around a curve, pulling several little carriages behind it.

A thin trail of steam escaped from the tiny engine, making the model look like a smaller version of the real Steam Trains used throughout the Kingdom.

Children gathered near the display, watching the train complete its route.

Some pointed towards it whenever it passed.

Others tugged at their parents’ sleeves, eager to show them another part of the demonstration.

The shopkeeper stood nearby, ready to explain how the toy worked.

Further along the street, other displays attracted their own crowds.

Small mechanical figures moved their arms, miniature vehicles travelled around prepared tracks, and carved creatures stood in shop windows with their mouths open as if they were about to roar.

The amount of work put into the toys was clear even from outside the shops.

Their shapes had been carefully formed, and their smaller parts had been fitted together with care.

Even the models designed for children showed the skill of the people who had made them.

However, one attraction stood above the rest.

A large holographic screen had been installed in a prominent area of the city.

Its display showed toy figures of Royal Academy students, including Ezra himself.

The figures were part of an advertisement for merchandise featuring some of the Academy’s top first-year students and other popular young Alchemists.

The screen also displayed figures of several leading students from Crimson Academy.

The images changed as the advertisement continued, presenting different figures and showing their appearances from multiple angles.

The merchandise was intended for people who still wanted to own figures of their favourite young Alchemists.

Ezra’s own figure appeared among them.

The fact that his likeness had become part of a commercial display showed how much attention he had attracted after his achievements at the Royal Academy.

Lucy stared at the screen.

"This is so cool!"

She said, completely amazed.

Her gaze moved from the holographic advertisement to the shops lining the streets.

There were so many different types of toys that she could hardly decide where to look first.

The city had figures of people, monsters, and vehicles.

It also displayed miniature transport systems and other creations that could be turned into toys.

Every direction offered something different.

The Royal Phantom Rolls continued towards one of the secured parking areas reserved for visitors.

The driver followed the designated route and brought the vehicle to a stop in an available space.

Ezra and Lucy stepped out.

The tour guide joined them, ready to lead them through the city.

Once they had gathered their belongings, the three began walking towards the main shopping streets.

Lucy barely managed to keep her attention on one thing for long.

She stopped to look at displays that caught her eye, then followed the tour guide to the next attraction.

Some toys were simple enough to understand at a glance, while others had moving parts that made her pause and watch how they worked.

Whenever she found something she liked, she took a closer look.

Ezra followed at a steady pace.

He observed the shops and their products, paying attention to the workmanship displayed in the toys.

Some of the figures had been carved with a level of detail that was impressive even to someone who was not particularly interested in collecting them.

The small parts had been shaped with care, and the finished figures showed how much time the artisans had spent on their work.

Ezra’s expression remained mostly plain, though he appeared faintly impressed by the craftsmanship.

The tour guide led them through several parts of Toy City, showing them the different displays and explaining the attractions along the way.

They eventually visited the Toy Museum, which contained a complete toy construction of Thornwick.

The museum displayed the region’s toy-making work in one place.

Its exhibits included crafted figures, miniature vehicles, mechanical creations, and models representing the industries and landmarks of Thornwick.

Lucy moved from one display to another.

She took numerous pictures, trying to capture the toys that caught her attention.

Sometimes she paused to examine a figure before lifting her Starlix.

At other times, she took a picture immediately, then looked at the result to see whether she had captured the details she wanted.

The number of pictures she took continued to grow.

Ezra did not stop her.

He remained beside her as they went through the museum, occasionally looking at the exhibits himself.

The level of craftsmanship was worth noticing, particularly when a toy contained small details that were easy to miss at first glance.

The tour continued until the three of them had seen a good portion of the city’s attractions.

Eventually, the guide called out to them.

"Sir Ezra Ashenlocke, Miss Lucy."

Ezra and Lucy turned towards him.

The guide stood a short distance away, pointing towards another street.

"Would you like to get customized figures of yourselves? There’s a top-tier toy creator not far from here."

He said.

Lucy looked towards the direction he indicated.

The suggestion caught her attention at once, though she waited to hear what her Master would say.

"I already have figures of myself, so let’s go get yours made."

Ezra said calmly, looking at Lucy.

Lucy’s eyes widened slightly.

She adjusted her grip on the bags of toys they had bought during their visit.

For a moment, she seemed unsure how to respond.

"Really?"

She asked.

Ezra had already begun walking in the direction the tour guide had pointed out.

"Let’s go."

He said plainly.

Lucy watched him for a moment.

Then a warm smile appeared on her face.

She followed behind him, holding the bags close while the tour guide led them towards the shop.

Few minutes later...

The shop was not as crowded as Lucy had expected.

People still entered and left at regular intervals, and the quality of the place was clear from its appearance.

The building had been designed to suit a high-end business, with a neat entrance and a well-maintained exterior.

The people visiting it also seemed to belong to a certain class of customers.

Some entered with servants, while others carried small boxes or bags containing items they had purchased.

A few left the shop holding carefully wrapped packages, suggesting that they had collected their finished orders.

The tour guide approached the entrance.

"Excuse me."

He said politely before opening the door.

Ezra and Lucy followed him inside.

The shop’s interior was spacious, with display shelves arranged around the main floor.

Several toy figures had been placed where visitors could examine them, and the workmanship was easy to appreciate at close range.

Some figures represented people, while others depicted different subjects.

Their clothes, faces, and smaller features had been carefully formed, giving each one a distinct appearance.

The tour guide looked around.

"We have guests!"

A lady’s voice echoed from the upper floor.

Her voice carried through the shop, reaching the people standing near the entrance.

A familiar voice answered her from above.

"Ehnnn... you go meet them."

The reply sounded lazy, as though the speaker could not be bothered to come down.

The lady did not seem pleased.

"You lazy cousin of mine! Don’t you see I’m busy? Do you want me to report you to my father?"

She replied angrily.

There was a brief pause.

"Okay, okay. I’m already on my way. Sheesh."

The familiar voice answered lazily.

Footsteps soon sounded from the upper floor.

Lucy turned towards Ezra and gave him a small smile.

"Master."

She said with a low voice.

Ezra glanced at her.

"Yeah. What are the chances?"

He replied plainly.

The footsteps grew closer as the person descended the stairs.

A moment later, Cyrus appeared.

He wore a tired expression as he looked towards the visitors waiting inside the shop.

His gaze moved across the masked Ezra, Lucy, and the tour guide.

"Welcome to Wendy and Ralph Toy Craft. How may we be of help to you?"

Cyrus Burnwick said.

Tomorrow, might only be one Bonus Chapter or worse...

No Bonus Chapters.

But the Next Bonus Chapters will be for the GT Top 15!

We are so close to No. 14.

Let’s Push forward guys!!