The center of Tivian is the Tivian Royal Palace. The Moonflow River cuts through the vast urban area, making a sharp zigzag turn. It is said that over five hundred years ago, Edward the City-Builder, the King of Pritt, was drawn to this terrain. He envisioned using the Moonflow River, which surrounded the area on three sides, as a natural moat to build a grand castle to protect his royal authority. Thus, the Tivian Royal Palace was erected, marking the beginning of Tivian.
Over the years, Tivian gradually urbanized. As more and more residents flocked to the city, the urban area expanded rapidly around the royal palace. Today, Tivian has grown into a sprawling metropolis and is one of the most prosperous cities in the world.
Modern Tivian, including the central royal palace, is divided into five districts, each with its own distinct functions. The Central Royal Palace is the residence of the royal family, and its surroundings are home to many traditional nobles. North Tivian houses numerous government institutions such as courts, parliament, and municipal offices, as well as prestigious universities and religious institutions, including the Cathedral District.
Unlike North Tivian, East Tivian, located near the sea, boasts a massive port district, a commercial district, and Tivian’s financial center. Many nouveau riche capitalists also choose to reside in East Tivian.
In contrast, West Tivian and South Tivian are far less glamorous. West Tivian is an industrial zone, while South Tivian has the largest slum area. Both districts suffer from poor public security and severe pollution.
Noon, East Tivian.
The thin haze in the sky persists. At a bustling intersection in East Tivian, countless pedestrians and carriages come and go. Shops line the streets, and workers struggle to carry heavy loads along the sidewalks, while gentlemen in top hats and carrying canes stroll and chat.
A carriage stops by the roadside, and Nephthys, dressed in a long-sleeved dress, a headscarf, a veil, and gloves, steps out. After paying the coachman, she walks onto the sidewalk and looks around at the lively streets.
“This should be the address Sister Vania mentioned. But where exactly is the secret society’s hideout?”
Thinking this, Nephthys carefully scans her surroundings. After just a quick glance, she locks onto her target.At the intersection of two streets stands a tall, imposing building. This stone structure, seven or eight stories high, is adorned with intricate stone carvings on its walls. The entrance is flanked by rows of stone columns, giving it a classical and elegant appearance.
Above the building’s main entrance hangs a large sign that reads "Golden Covenant Bank." Below the main text are smaller words listing various services: "Savings," "Credit," "Consulting," "Item Storage," "Notarization," and so on.
“A bank... Is this the hideout of the White Craftsmen’s Guild? Are they using the bank as a front?”
Looking at the building, Nephthys thinks to herself. She then slowly walks to the entrance of the rather large bank.
Since Vania had church matters to attend to, she couldn’t accompany Nephthys here. Facing this unfamiliar environment, Nephthys must now summon her courage and proceed alone.
“As long as I follow Sister Vania’s instructions, everything should be fine.”
“But she did mention that when she comes here on church business, she has certain privileges. She hasn’t gone through the normal process for individual Beyonder transactions... I hope the difference isn’t too big.”
With these thoughts, Nephthys takes a deep breath and enters the bank. Inside, she is greeted by a spacious hall paved with marble tiles. At the far end of the hall is a row of counters separated by iron bars, with many people conducting business with the tellers behind the bars.
As she looks around, Nephthys walks forward and soon arrives at an empty counter. She sits down, and the teller looks up at her, asking.
"Miss, how may I assist you?"
"I need to exchange some old coins."
Facing the teller, Nephthys speaks slowly. Hearing her words, the teller pauses for a moment before continuing.
"May I ask, from which era are these old coins?"
"The era of Edward IV."
Nephthys recites the code phrase Vania taught her. In Pritt’s history, there was no King Edward IV. Upon hearing this, the teller’s expression changes slightly. After scrutinizing Nephthys for a moment, he nods.
"Understood. Coins from that era are quite rare. Please follow our staff to another location for further discussion. Do you know the way?"
"Ah... Sorry, I don’t."
"I see... It seems this is your first time here."
With that, the teller behind the iron bars picks up a bell from under the counter and rings it gently. Soon, a door beside the iron bars opens, and a young man dressed as a server steps out, approaching Nephthys.
"Miss, please follow me."
Hearing the server’s words, Nephthys stands up from her seat. With a nervous heart, she follows the young man through the door and into the building. After a series of twists and turns, they arrive at a room.
This room is slightly larger than an average living room and is lavishly decorated. It has carpets, sofas, paintings, coffee tables, potted plants, and sculptures—everything one could imagine. At one end of the room is a closed stone door. On the sofas sit five or six people, all quietly waiting, as if anticipating something.
"Your number is 027. Please enter the stone door when your number is called. Until then, feel free to rest in this room."
"Alright, I understand. Thank you."
Nephthys replies to the server, who then turns and leaves, closing the door behind him. Nephthys finds a seat and sits down.
Meanwhile, this entire scene is being observed by a pair of eyes.
After sitting down on a sofa, Nephthys curiously surveys her surroundings, particularly the other people in the room.
Through her observations, Nephthys notices that the group consists of both men and women. Some are dressed in suits and wear masks, others are cloaked with their faces hidden in shadow, and some, like her, are fully covered with veils...
None of them seem willing to reveal their appearance. They all sit in their respective seats, silent and unwilling to communicate with others. Each person sits quietly, not moving their head or eyes, not looking around, simply sitting in silence. This creates a very oppressive atmosphere.
Occasionally, a steady voice calls out a number from behind the stone door. The person whose number is called immediately stands up, opens the stone door, and enters. After a long period of silence, the voice calls the next number, but no one who entered earlier is seen coming out.
“That stone door... must be where the transactions take place. And these people are all here for Beyonder transactions, just like me. Are they all related to the mysticism world? But they’re all so silent, avoiding any interaction…”
As Nephthys carefully observes the scene, she thinks to herself. Just as she prepares to sit silently like the others, a figure begins to approach her.
Without warning, a figure suddenly sits down beside Nephthys. Startled, she turns to see a young man with a smile on his face.
Unlike the others in the room, this young man is dressed in casual clothes and hasn’t made any effort to conceal his features. He has short yellow hair and appears to be in his early twenties. Facing the surprised Nephthys, he flashes a bright, cheerful smile.
"Hey, miss, nice to meet you. Are you here for a Beyonder transaction? Are you a Beyonder too?"
The young man asks directly, leaving Nephthys momentarily stunned.