Chapter 521: The Wooden City [Part 2]
Elmuish, the Wooden City, manifested a strange charm, perceivable from the moment one stepped into it.
The entire city was built from timber, but not just any wood-this was wood infused with soul essence over long periods of time, giving it strength and durability far beyond its natural state.
Every structure in the city, from the grandest hall to the humblest home, was crafted from the same enchanted wood. Its surface was polished smooth and shone with a faint, ethereal glow.
The streets of Elmuish were paved not with stone, but with wooden planks cut and fitted so perfectly that they seemed to meld together like pieces of a grand puzzle.
Overhead, wooden bridges and walkways stretched between buildings, creating a labyrinthine network of paths above the ground where pedestrians could move without disturbing the hustle and bustle below.
The buildings themselves were masterpieces of craftsmanship, their walls carved with intricate patterns that told the history of Elmuish and the ancient kingdom of Sassex.
Tall spires and towers rose up like trees in a forest, each adorned with swirling engravings of animals, plants, and mythical creatures.
Many of the structures resembled giant trees themselves, their walls textured to mimic bark, while their rooftops curved gracefully, resembling the branches of an ancient oak.
The air was filled with the earthy scent of wood and sap, and the faint, ever-present sound of creaking timber added to the city's unique atmosphere.
Despite its wooden construction, the city never felt fragile. Instead, it radiated a feeling of resilience, as though it had grown from the earth itself and would endure as long as the trees that surrounded it.
From the point of entry all the way to the harbor, the city was a marvelous sight to behold. Northern was certain there would be at least some metal.
To his dismay, however, there was not a single sighting of metal.
"How can this be?!" Northern lamented, his voice thick with disbelief.
Every single structure was built of wood!
"I get that there's an abundance of wood in this place, but seriously, what's the deal with everything being built from it? Even the knights! Wooden armor. What if they get stabbed by metal?"
"The armor is stronger than most plated armors," Alystren explained, smiling as they walked through the street. "The wood has been reinforced by soul essence over centuries. It has a resilience that ordinary wood shouldn't have."
Alystren continued, his tone lighter as he gestured to their surroundings. "The abundance of wood here led Sassex to maximize its use, reducing the need to spend financially on other resources when their uncommon wood could make up for it.
"In conjunction with that, their wood trade is very limited. In fact, it's not one of the main sources of the country's finances."
"That's odd," Northern said, furrowing his brow. "Why would a country this rich in a material others don't have not be making a fortune from it?"
Alystren chuckled, his smile deepening as he glanced around the bustling streets of Elmuish, his hands clasped behind his back.
"That's because the wood from Sassex is sacred," he explained. "They believe selling it in large quantities would diminish its power. It's not just a commodity to them-it's a gift from the ancient forests. This isn't ordinary wood. It holds significance that transcends wealth."
Northern furrowed his brow further, glancing up at the towering wooden spires above them. "Sacred or not, I still can't wrap my head around it," he muttered, his gaze moving over the knights patrolling the streets in their wooden armor. "If it's this powerful, shouldn't they be dominating the trade markets? They'd be unstoppable."
Alystren shrugged.
"Perhaps, but that's not the Sassex way. Their wealth isn't measured in coin but in tradition and the preservation of their heritage. What you see here," he gestured at the wooden structures around them, "is a testament to their respect for the land. Their connection to nature runs deep, and they'd never risk losing that bond for the sake of riches."
Northern remained skeptical, but he couldn't deny the strange charm of the city. The architecture was unlike anything he'd ever seen before, and despite its complete reliance on wood, the city had a strength and mystique that were palpable.
"So, they're rich in spirit," Northern said sarcastically, kicking a small pebble along the wooden street. "That doesn't help them when they need to put food on the table, though, does it?"
Alystren chuckled again, shaking his head.
"You underestimate them, Northern. Sassex has other ways of maintaining its wealth. Their influence isn't rooted in trade alone. Their resources extend far beyond what you see here. And don't be fooled by the wooden buildings and armor-this city is not as vulnerable as it appears. There is a strange spell art infused in every structure, in every knight's armor. It's far more powerful than you might think."
Northern's curiosity was piqued despite himself. "Spell arts, huh? You mean to tell me this whole city is enchanted?"
Alystren nodded.
"Indeed. The soul essence that flows through the wood is constantly rejuvenating it, making it stronger with time. It's alive in a way. Harm could come to Elmuish, but it would be like trying to cut down a tree with bare hands. You might leave a mark, but the tree will heal and continue to grow."
Northern fell silent for a moment, considering Alystren's words.
"So, no metal," he said finally, "but soul essence flows through every plank and every beam. This city is practically alive, isn't it?"
"In a sense, yes," Alystren replied. "And that's precisely why Sassex doesn't trade their wood -they'd be trading away their lifeblood."
Northern glanced at the nearest knight, his wooden armor gleaming in the faint sunlight.
"Still, it's strange to me," he admitted. "Wooden armor, wooden buildings, a wooden city that's somehow stronger than steel. I've never seen anything like it."
"You won't," Alystren said. "Not anywhere else in the world. Elmuish is one of a kind."
Northern sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Well, I guess it's growing on me."
Shin smiled as he watched Northern and Alystren converse deeply, feeling somewhat impressed and at peace with the air between the two of them.
After a few more minutes of walking, they reached the city airport.