Chapter 439: The Underworld (XV)

The journey lasted nearly three weeks.

Three weeks of rough roads, long nights beneath black trees, cold mornings, crowded inns, endless caravan stops, and more conversations than Gray had expected to have in an entire month.

Somehow, Vessa had found a way to ask him questions every single day.

She even asked him whether Incubi preferred sweet or bitter food, which had led to a twenty-minute argument because Gray had told her that being an Incubus did not mean he had an entire race-wide preference for food.

Riven had listened to most of it with the tired expression of someone who had accepted his fate.

The capital finally appeared on the twenty-first morning.

Gray noticed it before the others.

The road rose gradually over a long black hill, and beyond it, the forest suddenly ended.

A massive city stretched across the horizon.

Gray’s eyes narrowed.

"So that’s the Demon Capital."

Vessa immediately leaned over the side of the wagon.

"Wait, where?"

"Straight ahead."

She pushed herself up so quickly that Riven had to grab the back of her coat.

"Don’t fall out."

"I wasn’t going to fall!"

"You nearly did."

"Liar... hmph!"

Riven sighed.

Gray looked ahead again.

The Demon Capital was far larger than Vhar’Zul.

Its outer walls rose hundreds of meters into the sky, built from enormous slabs of dark stone with crimson lines running through them like veins.

Massive towers stood along the walls, each carrying a different clan banner.

Black flames burned atop several towers despite there being no fuel.

Flying demons moved between the buildings.

Large winged beasts carried cargo above the streets.

Merchant caravans entered through several enormous gates, while guards in dark armor inspected every traveler before allowing them inside.

The city itself seemed to climb toward the center.

The outer districts were filled with markets, inns, workshops, auction houses, restaurants, and merchant streets.

Further inside, the buildings became larger.

Then larger still.

And in the far distance, beyond the countless rooftops, Gray could see several enormous structures rising above the city.

The Demon Academy was one of them.

Even from this distance, its black towers were impossible to miss.

Gray’s eyes narrowed.

’So this is where the entrance exam takes place.’

He had spent weeks gathering information about this city.

Gray smiled faintly.

Vessa noticed.

"You look happy."

"A little?"

"Why?"

"I’ve been waiting for this city for three weeks."

"I guess so..."

Riven leaned forward and looked at the capital.

"The first time I came here, I thought it was enormous."

"First time?" Gray asked.

Riven nodded.

"I grew up in a smaller city. The capital felt impossible when I first saw it. There were so many demons here that I thought I’d never learn my way around."

Vessa laughed.

"You got lost three times on your first day."

"Twice."

"Three."

"Twice."

"You asked a guard where the eastern market was, then walked in the opposite direction for half an hour."

"I... got distracted."

"You were simply lost!"

Riven closed his eyes.

"I regret EVER telling you that story."

Gray smiled.

"You know the capital well now?"

"Well enough to avoid getting lost."

Vessa immediately raised her hand.

"And I know all the good places to eat."

Riven looked at her.

"That’s because you’ve spent most of your time looking for restaurants."

"Food is important."

"Food is not the only thing in the capital."

"It’s one of the most important things."

Gray laughed.

The caravan finally reached the outer gate.

CLANK...!

The heavy gates stood open as several lines of travelers moved through the inspection area.

The caravan slowed.

Guards checked documents, cargo seals, and travel permits.

A few of them glanced toward Gray.

The inspection passed without trouble.

Once the caravan entered the city, Gray felt the atmosphere change.

The streets were packed.

Demons of dozens of races moved between stalls and shops.

Some had horns.

Others had scales, wings, tails, claws, feathers, or strange glowing eyes.

There were demons wearing expensive robes and demons carrying heavy sacks over their shoulders.

Merchants shouted prices.

Children ran between adults.

Street performers gathered crowds.

The smell of roasted meat, spices, bloodwine, fried roots, sweet pastries, and dozens of unfamiliar foods mixed together in the air.

It looked like an ordinary human city... but for demons.

Vessa practically pressed her face against the wagon opening.

"We’re here!"

Riven grabbed her shoulder.

"Please don’t fall out."

"I’m not going to fall out."

"You said that last time."

"I meant it last time too."

Gray laughed.

The caravan moved through the outer district before finally reaching the main station.

The driver shouted for everyone to gather their belongings.

Gray climbed down from the wagon and stretched his shoulders.

After nearly three weeks of sitting, walking, sleeping, and riding, his body felt strangely light.

Vessa jumped down after him.

She landed badly.

"Ow."

Riven climbed down and shook his head.

"I told you to use the steps."

"I forgot."

"You’ve been using them for three weeks."

"I was excited."

Gray looked at her.

"You’re still energetic after three weeks?"

"Of course."

She pointed at him.

"You spent half the journey sitting there looking like some mysterious noble who had been exiled from his kingdom."

’...What the actual fuck?’

Gray smiled nonetheless.

"That’s an oddly specific description."

"You have the face for it."

Riven grabbed one of his bags.

"Don’t encourage her."

Vessa looked at Gray.

"Are you staying in the capital for long?"

"Probably."

"Then you should eat with us."

Gray looked at her.

"Eat?"

"Yes."

She pointed toward the crowded street beyond the station.

"We know this place. There are several good restaurants nearby, and most of the places around the academy are overpriced because everyone knows students arrive with their parents’ money."

Riven nodded.

"She’s right. The restaurants near the academy charge ridiculous prices during entrance season. There are better places in the older districts."

Vessa smiled.

"And I know one of them."

Gray looked between them.

"You two are inviting me?"

"Obviously."

Vessa put her hands on her hips.

"We’ve been traveling together for three weeks. It would be strange to reach the capital and immediately go our separate ways without even eating together."

Riven nodded.

"Besides, you haven’t explored the capital before, right?"

"Not properly."

"Then let us show you around."

Gray looked toward the enormous streets.

He had planned to find an inn, secure a room, gather more information about the academy, and begin preparing for the entrance examination.

A meal would not hurt.

"Fine."

Vessa’s face immediately brightened.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Good. Then we’re going now."

"You’re in a hurry."

"I’m hungry."

Riven sighed.

"She has been talking about this restaurant since the second week of the journey."

"Because you kept refusing to stop there."

"It was two days away."

"Exactly. We were almost there."

Gray smiled.

"Which restaurant?"

Vessa pointed toward a broad avenue filled with hanging crimson lanterns.

"It’s called the Bloodmoon Table. They serve roasted Nether Beast ribs, Blackfire noodles, Crimson Root soup, and this spicy meat dish that makes your tongue go numb."

Gray raised an eyebrow.

"That sounds dangerous."

"It is."

"You’re recommending it anyway?"

"Of course."

Riven shook his head.

"She recommends food based on how much pain it causes."

"That’s not true."

"Last month you told me a dish was excellent because you couldn’t feel your mouth for ten minutes."

"That means it was memorable."

Gray laughed.

"You two really are strange."

Vessa smiled.

"You’ve spent three weeks with us and only noticed now?"

They started walking.

The capital was even more impressive from the street.

It was full of people with cultivation above the Monarch Realm.

Thinking about it, the demons had a different cultivation system, but they adapted to humans’ system.

Vessa noticed his expression, and couldn’t help but asK.

"What happened?"

"Nothing...?" Gray tilted his head at her,

"You stopped smiling."

"I was thinking about the capital... it looks... interesting."

"It’s interesting."

Riven nodded.

"It takes some time to get used to."

Gray looked toward the distant black towers of the academy.

"I think I’ll get used to it quickly."

Vessa followed his gaze.

"You’re going there, aren’t you?"

"Most likely."

"Then we’ll probably see each other again."

Gray looked at her.

"You think so?"

Vessa smiled.

"We’re both going to take the entrance exam."

Riven nodded.

"And even if we don’t end up in the same class, the academy isn’t so large that we won’t cross paths."

Vessa suddenly looked excited.

"Wait. If you pass, I can introduce you to some people."

"Some people?"

"Friends, mostly. A few students from my city are already there. Some of them know the academy’s older students."

"That could help you. The academy has rules that aren’t always written down. Knowing how things work before you enter saves a lot of trouble," Riven added.

Gray nodded.

"That’s useful."

Vessa grinned.

"I told you we’d be useful."

"You mostly asked me questions for three weeks."

"And now I’m offering useful information. That balances it out."

"Mayhaps."

She frowned.

"You really need to stop saying Mayhaps."

"Mayhaps."

She stared at him.

"Pfft..."

Riven started laughing.

Hearing his laugh, Vessa looked betrayed. ℯℯ𝑙.

"You two are terrible."

Gray smiled as they continued toward the restaurant. However... he suddenly halted on his steps as he felt a familiar presence.