Chapter 90: The Capital

Chapter 90: Chapter 90: The Capital

The rest of the journey was much smoother.

After the encounter with the bandits, no one else attempted to stop the caravan.

The days passed without incident.

The roads gradually became wider and busier as they approached the capital. More caravans appeared along the route, carrying everything from spices and medicinal ingredients to weapons, ores, cloth, and other goods.

Tolu spent most of the journey watching the world around him.

It was different from Ilebi.

The closer they came to the capital, the more obvious the difference became.

Then, one morning, they finally saw it.

The capital.

Tolu stared ahead.

Massive walls stretched across the horizon.

They were so enormous that he couldn’t see where they ended.

The stone walls rose high above the surrounding land, reinforced with large towers spaced along their length. At several points, he could see what appeared to be additional layers of defensive structures behind the main wall.

There were people everywhere.

Multiple guards stood near the enormous entrance.

Tolu immediately began assessing them.

Novices.

Adepts.

And even Advanced cultivators.

His eyes moved from one guard to another.

Then he stopped.

Five Advanced.

He could sense them clearly.

Five Advanced cultivators just guarding one of the capital’s entrances.

Tolu looked at the walls again.

Ilebi couldn’t compare.

The city he had called home suddenly seemed incredibly small.

Kenny noticed his expression.

"First time?"

Tolu nodded.

"I’ve never been here."

Kenny smiled.

"Then get used to it. The capital is on another level."

The caravan slowly approached the gates.

Guards checked the merchants and their goods before allowing them through.

Once they entered, Tolu understood exactly what Kenny meant.

The streets were packed.

Caravans moved in almost every direction.

Some were entering the city.

Others were leaving.

Merchants shouted over one another as they tried to attract customers. Wagons filled the roads, while pedestrians squeezed between them.

There were shops everywhere.

Large buildings rose several stories above the streets.

Cultivators moved through the crowds alongside ordinary people, and Tolu could occasionally sense powerful auras disappearing into the distance.

He looked around quietly.

There was too much here.

Too many people.

Too many opportunities.

And too many things he still didn’t understand.

The caravan eventually reached the area where Kenny’s goods would be delivered.

The merchants began unloading their shipments.

Tolu adjusted the strap of his bag.

It was time to go.

He turned toward Kenny.

"I guess this is where we part ways."

Kenny nodded.

"Looks like it."

Tolu smiled.

"Till next time."

"Till next time."

Tolu turned and began walking away.

He hadn’t gone far when Kenny looked up, stopping him.

"Wait!"

Tolu stopped and turned around.

Kenny jogged toward him.

"Why don’t you stay with me for a few days?"

Tolu frowned.

"Stay with you?"

"Yeah. My sister’s house."

Tolu shook his head.

"No. I don’t want to impose."

"You’re not imposing."

"I have things to do."

"You can do them after."

Tolu hesitated.

Kenny continued.

"You just arrived in the capital. You don’t know the city."

"I’ll figure it out."

"You have a map."

Tolu looked at him nodding.

Kenny grinned.

"And?"

"And you still don’t know where anything is."

Tolu sighed.

"I’ll manage."

Kenny stepped closer.

"Come on. Stay for a few days."

Tolu shook his head again.

"I’ll find an inn."

"An inn?"

"Yes."

"Why waste your money?"

"It’s my money."

"Exactly. Save it."

Tolu almost laughed.

Kenny pointed toward the city around them.

"Besides, my sister’s house is close to the merchant district. You can rest there, get familiar with the capital, and then go wherever you need to go."

Tolu remained silent.

Kenny noticed the hesitation.

He pressed his advantage.

"You’ve been traveling with us for weeks."

Tolu nodded.

"And you saved my shipment."

"I helped."

"You still saved it."

Kenny smiled.

"Let me return the favor."

Tolu looked away.

He had originally planned to find somewhere to stay immediately and begin searching for the things he needed.

But Kenny had a point.

He was unfamiliar with the capital.

And staying somewhere free would save him money.

More importantly, Kenny was someone he had traveled with for weeks.

It wouldn’t hurt to accept the invitation.

"Fine."

Kenny’s smile widened.

"Good."

"But only for a few days."

"Of course."

Kenny turned toward the street.

"Come on."

Tolu followed him.

As they disappeared into the crowded streets, Tolu glanced back once at the enormous city walls.

The capital was far larger than anything he had known.

And somewhere within it were the resources he needed.

Rare materials.

Artifacts.

Creatures.

Information.

Perhaps even people who could help him turn his dungeon into something far greater.

For now, though, he had a place to stay.

And a friend to show him the city.

...

Kenny led Tolu through the crowded streets of the capital.

They walked for nearly half an hour before the buildings around them began to change.

The streets became cleaner.

The roads widened.

The shops became larger, and the people walking through this part of the city were dressed in noticeably finer clothes.

Eventually, Kenny stopped before a massive set of iron gates.

Tolu looked up.

Beyond the gates stood a manor.

It was enormous.

The compound alone was larger than the entire manor Folami had lived in.

Several buildings stood within the grounds, connected by paved walkways and surrounded by carefully maintained gardens. Tall trees lined the paths, while decorative pools reflected the sunlight.

The main building rose several floors above the surrounding walls.

Even from outside, Tolu could tell the place had cost a fortune.

He looked at Kenny.

"You said your sister lived here?"

Kenny grinned.

"She does."

Tolu looked at the insignia above the gates.

It depicted the tail fins of a mermaid, its curved form woven into an elegant crest.

"Omimi."

Kenny nodded.

"Her husband is from the Omimi family."

Tolu looked at him.

"That explains the manor."

Kenny laughed.

"Partly."

They passed through the gates.

As they walked toward the main building, Tolu couldn’t help comparing it to Folami’s manor.

Folami’s home had been comfortable.

Large.

Elegant.

But this place was something else entirely.

It wasn’t merely a wealthy person’s residence.

It looked like the home of someone who belonged to a powerful family.

Kenny noticed Tolu looking around.

"My sister’s life changed quite a bit after she married."

"How did that happen?"

Kenny shrugged.

"Long story."

He glanced toward the main building.

"Her husband was actually passing through Ilebi when they met."

Tolu looked at him.

"He was from the capital?"

"Yes. He was traveling around, looking for experience. His branch of the family expected him to spend some time outside the capital before returning."

Kenny smiled.

"He met my sister."

"And?"

"And apparently, that was the end of his plans."

Tolu chuckled.

"What happened?"

"They fell in love."

Kenny said it casually, but there was a faint smile on his face.

"His family wasn’t exactly thrilled."

Tolu raised an eyebrow.

"Because she wasn’t from a great family?"

"Something like that."

Kenny continued walking.

"His branch supported the marriage, though. That’s what mattered."

He gestured toward the enormous manor.

"And since then, they’ve benefited greatly."

"From the marriage?"

"From the connection."

Kenny’s expression became more thoughtful.

"My sister brought her own strengths into the marriage, and her husband gained access to our family’s business connections. His branch of the Omimi family also gave them opportunities they wouldn’t have had otherwise."

Tolu looked back at the manor.

"So your sister married into the Omimi family."

"Into one of the third generation from the main line."

Kenny emphasized the distinction.

"Not the main line itself."

Tolu nodded.

That explained why Kenny spoke about the family as though there were different levels within it.

"But even one branch of the Omimi family is enough to change someone’s life."

Kenny smiled.

"Exactly."

They reached the entrance.

Kenny pushed open the doors.

The inside was even more impressive.

Polished floors stretched across the entrance hall. Elegant decorations lined the walls, and servants moved quietly through the building.

Tolu followed Kenny up a wide staircase.

After walking through a corridor, Kenny stopped before a large door.

"This one is yours."

He opened it.

Tolu stepped inside.

The guest room was larger than the room he had once lived in back in Ile-Esha.

A large bed stood against one wall, covered in clean white sheets. There was a writing desk near the window, several chairs, a wardrobe, and a private washroom.

Tolu placed his bag beside the bed.

"You can settle down here."

Kenny leaned against the doorway.

"I’ll go find my sister."

Tolu nodded.

"Take your time."

Kenny turned to leave.

Then he stopped.

"And don’t wander off."

Tolu looked at him.

"I have a map."

Kenny laughed.

"That doesn’t mean you know the capital."

He pointed down the corridor.

"If you need anything, ask one of the servants."

Tolu nodded.

"Alright."

Kenny walked away.

Tolu watched him disappear down the corridor.

Then he looked around the room.

He was finally in the capital.

And already, he was seeing just how different the world outside Ilebi really was.