Chapter 487: Fughal
Northern did not particularly perceive Reno as a special threat. They had met only once when he was to steal some sort of map from Helena, and his invisibility was a big deal.
Northern thought for a while if he should copy the ability but decided against it. He didn't think he'd need a reason to be stealthy or invisible in the future.
And should there be, he believed his control of the Void and what his eyes could now allow him to do was more than enough.
With everyone's consent, especially Shin's, Reno was allowed to join the team.
They all trekked to the thick, gigantic tank curricle that was waiting for them in front of the building.
The curricle was powered by four enormous Bulwarks.
Bulwarks were domesticated monsters with antenna-like horns, red beady eyes, and strong faces just like usual bulls. Their bodies were also like bulls but boasted more muscle lines, making them look incredibly strong.
Their speed belied their size; they were the uncensored definition of brute strength and speed. An equal and undiluted blend of both elements distributed in these brawny monsters.
While there was an air of modernity to the curricle, talking about the external plates and body, it was almost like the traditional chariot, supported by a pair of fat black tires to match the pace and strength of their core engine and hauler.
The inside of the curricle seamlessly melded luxury with functionality, echoing the fusion of classic design and cutting-edge technology seen in its exterior.
Upon entering, Northern was struck by the spacious cabin, far larger than what he expected thanks to the innovative design.
The walls were lined with dark, polished wood, inlaid with gleaming metal accents that mirrored the external plating.
These metal strips occasionally pulsed with a soft light, hinting at the advanced systems running throughout the vehicle.
Plush seating dominated the space, upholstered in rich, deep red fabric that brought to mind the beady eyes of the Bulwark beasts.
The seats were generously proportioned and deeply cushioned to absorb the vibrations from the powerful creatures' gait.
A control panel sat at the front, its sleek design a stark contrast to the ornate wooden paneling.
Here, holographic displays provided real-time information on the Bulwarks' vitals, speed, and navigational data.
Despite the high-tech interface, traditional leather reins hung nearby - a nod to the timeless connection between driver and beast.
The ceiling was particularly striking. A transparent dome allowed passengers to gaze up at the sky, but with a twist - it could darken instantly for privacy or to display a map of the surrounding terrain.
Storage compartments were seamlessly integrated into the walls, their handles disguised within the wooden patterns.
When opened, they revealed climate-controlled spaces for refreshments or personal items. This was not a particularly surprising spectacle to anyone... except Northern and Hao, who had never been in any of these before.
Northern, in his expression, appreciated the design, while Hao was intriguingly inspecting with an "Oh oh?" look on his face.
Soon, the curricle got into action, plunging forward with the power of the Bulwarks.
Their powerful steps resonated with the entire functionality and vibration of the vehicle, but it did not tremble or discomfort its passengers in any way.
From this time of the day's rise, till nightfall, where they had to stop at the closest auberge to avoid traveling at night and rest a bit before getting to their destination, it was a smooth ride.
And nothing out of the ordinary had happened. In fact, Northern had been wishing for something to happen.
The moment they got to an auberge, which almost looked like a ghost house, Northern had been expecting that some kind of criminals would barge in on them to steal their stuff.
Then they'd perceive him to be the weakest and take a swing at him or something. But the auberge was so peaceful and empty.
With just a drunkard singing and playing his string musical instrument, apparently very nicely for a drunkard.
But that was the reason Northern was not able to catch a very peaceful sleep throughout the night.
At some point, Northern had even entertained the idea of killing him.
Eventually, he managed somehow and fell asleep while thinking about the man's messed up way of singing.
The next day, they woke up and got ready to go to Fughal. Northern did not know why, but he collected a couple of coins from Shin and gave them to the man with a smile on his face and a "Thank you."
All he did was follow his instincts. The others were shocked and asked him why, but Northern did not respond. While he had a nudging feeling that he and the man would cross paths again, he didn't have all the information, so he didn't want to say.
And thus, they began their journey to Fughal, which was just half a day's journey from their last checkpoint in a semi-wilderness.
Fughal was a republic city that used to belong to the nation of Sierra. They had played a significant role in the making of history.
And due to that, some personnel had spearheaded the city's decision to break out of the nation of Sierra.
It was a pretty underhanded, dirty, and daring play of politics, but in the end, these leaders ended up being successful and ended up making Fughal an independent city, breaking away from the monarchy rule of the royal family of Sierra.
Northern was not a politics guy before his world, certainly, he wasn't right now. But growing up, he had no choice but to read a lot of newspapers.
And a lot of those newspapers were how he connected dots of information regarding the nations of this world.
Fughal reflected its bold and rebellious history in its architecture and overall appearance. The city was a blend of old-world charm from its time under Sierra's rule, with remnants of royal architecture, grand stone buildings, and elaborate squares.
It also had a more pragmatic, industrious feel, marked by the growth of certain functional, rigid structures, symbolizing the independence and hard-earned freedom from monarchy. Tall, imposing towers dotted the skyline, representing the powerful institutions that now govern Fughal, adorned with the city's emblem-a symbol of defiance and unity. Streets were bustling, filled with merchants and workers, with traces of both old-world elegance and modern ambition.
Central plazas, once designed for royal processions, were now filled with public gatherings, where debates were held, and citizens discussed political matters openly, near statues of
leaders who spearheaded the city's independence.
Walls surrounding the city were heavily fortified, so Northern and the others had to wait a little while before they could pass by. It was particularly easy thanks to Shin's status as a
Protector.
Under every circumstance, Fughal was a tightly secured city; entry without an identity card was always difficult.
But it also kept the city safe, well, as best as it could. They weren't particularly safe from
themselves.
Stone walls weathered from the past monarchy's influence contrasted with newer, fortified sections built after their freedom.
The city's heart, an enormous council hall, was modern and polished, with large glass windows representing transparency in their government.
Overall, Fughal was a city marked by contrasts: old grandeur mingling with the symbols of newfound independence.
Straightaway, Northern and his cohort journeyed directly to the Warp port.
From the window, before they got to the port, Northern could see the spearhead of a pale
green crystal piercing the sky, its lower part blocked by several buildings.
Eventually, their curricle stopped in front of a building, where two heavily suited soldiers stood with silver spears crossed over the gate.
The driver exchanged a few words with Shin while Northern and the rest got down from the
curricle.
The walls of the port were brownish bricked and were an out-of-pocket aesthetic that somehow contrasted the entire representation of the city in an odd way.
It was insinuative of the fact that this place was most likely recently built. And it was the government's final act of accepting Fughal as an independent nation of their own. Which most likely made them the smallest nation in the world, at least in the Central Plains.
'Well, that's just my thoughts; who knows, there could be a smaller nation than this one.'
Shin finally got to where they stood and showed the guard his ID, explaining that he was traveling with all of them and they were all underage.
Hao was a bit offended that the guard did not seem to argue with Shin about him. Perhaps it
was an issue of height?
But Northern encouraged him to look to the bright side of how it didn't work against them, so
he decided to do just that.
Which proved to be more difficult than expected for him. All he wanted to do was just go back and smack some sense into the damn soldier.
Immediately, they entered the compound of the port. They were approached by a slick-back,
blonde-haired guide in a simple white shirt, black pants, and black waistcoat, who showed them to the waiting room and collected information on where they all would be Warping to and went away to submit it.
Of course, they would tip him at the end of all of it. Guides had the simple job of just showing
people to the waiting room.
But some of them, as an extended means of hustling, would go as far as helping people
further, speaking with their colleagues to put the list ahead of others. Of course, they must not get caught; they could get suspended for it.
But they did it anyway. As money in this part of the city was not an easy thing to come by, they had to work so hard, and sometimes it wouldn't even be enough.
That was just one of the downsides of Fughal on a lighter mode because it was also common in every other nation; however, far diluted compared to this place.