As they approached the large wall that seemed to be gold in colour and went up ten meters high, the others couldn't help but feel like they were entering a city, rather than passing through a border. There were several guards posted on the wall as well through the gate where the path way led.

Looking to the left and the right, the wall carried on further than they could see, and the only way to enter and leave the continent was from the gate they were approaching now. There was a separate gate, a few hundred meters away that was for people exiting from the continent as well.

The guards standing outside, were wearing the usual flashy armour that the empire gave their troops. Most of their equipment was in a gold like finish, while the base of the chest piece and armor covering their legs was in a silver that was so shiny that one would be able to reflect themselves easily.

Reaching the gate, the guards approached the carriage and looked at it strangely a couple of times. By now, the group was used to this as every single city or town they had stopped by were greatly interested in the strange carriage. Because of how much attention it seemed to be bringing, Slyvia decided she would take a note and ask Randnin to build a couple before they sold the designs to each city telling them how to build their own.

But for now they would keep the designs to themselves.

Once the guard was finished being noisy about the carriage he turned his attention to the people.

"Papers please.

" The guard said, looking into the back of the carriage waiting for one of them to hand him something.

To get into the empire it was quite difficult. It wasn't like the other kingdoms where people who passed the borders would have to pay a tax. Instead all citizens of the empire who had an ID were allowed inside, or those issued with a special permit could enter as well.

Essentially this menat, at one point or another, every person that was in the empire had been vetted and checked.

Standing up, Slyvia went over and handed her the envelope that had the strange seal. Opening up its contents the knight started to see what was inside. An invitation letter with the official seal of the emperor.

"Let them in!

" the man shouted, and the gate doors were raised while they continued onward in their journey.

The guard then walked over to the others and mumbled something to one of the others.

'Looks like they were right, they have come earlier than expected.' He said with a smile on his face.

It looked like because of the strict entrance and exit policies around the border, it would be impossible to make their early visit a secret one. When entering anyway, the site in front of them was unexpected. They thought that once passing the border perhaps their journey would consist of more fields and mountains for a while until they had eventually reached the empire.

Instead, they could immediately see settlements all over the place. There were people walking around, houses left and right, and pathways for the carriages and horses to explore and go around the city. Or in the distance, there could also be several different larger buildings, and one building that was larger than the others and seemed to be made completely out of gold.

"Reminiscent of all the old kingdoms they took over.

" Slyvia said. The other larger buildings were at one point castles and in the area around them, the people lived. Although the empire had a type of theme going around the place, it was still apparent with the bigger building how there were different structures.

Looking out, just like with the wall, there were more houses and places then they could see with their own eyes.

"We will continue going down the pathway until we eventually reach the main city.

" Slyvia explained.

"Then we need to check out the area, this will be a good chance for us to see just how much power the empire has, perhaps they are hiding something that could turn the tide of the fight they have with us.

"

"What, like a bigger army?

" Kyle said.

"Better equipment, more money, more land, more mages, and possibly hiding something. Remind me why we are in this war in the first place.

"

Hearing this, Martha lifted her foot and stomped hard down on top of his leg.

"Owwww!

"

They knew that it wasn't entirely Ray's fault. They couldn't believe he would do this sort of thing on purpose, and they assumed they would do something like this, eventually. But just that Ray's reaction and what he had done to Blake had sped it up.

It looked like it was still quite a long ride before they had reached the main city. And the sights they continued to see had amazed them more and more. There were more than enough guards out on the street to protect them, and everyone looked kind of happy.

There had been many rumours stating that the people who were kept there would be kept there against their free will, having no choice but to do whatever the empire asked. But looking at the many happy faces they could see as they went through the streets, they couldn't believe what they had heard.

Another thing they noticed. Although it might have just been the path they had chosen, but they were also unable to spot any beggars on the street. Every city and town had its fair shares of beggars and especially in rich areas, as the beggars thought they were most likely to give money.

Looking around, it seemed like a nice area, but then they realised that the whole area was nice compared to most kingdoms, so it was hard to say if the town they were in was considered poor or not.

As they got closer to the city, they could tell that the buildings got fancier, and they also got larger. And before they knew it, they were in the city.

There were no additional checks apart from the initial one they had done at the border.

"You guys can go research and find whatever you need.

" Ray said.

"You can even try to have some fun if you want.

"

"Wait!

" Slyvia said.

"Where are you going? Maybe we can help together.

"

"I promise I will send you a message when I'm done,

" and the next second he was already off and had blended in with the crowd of people. As much as he could blend in any way.

The reason why Ray wanted to split from the others was because one, he could tell someone was following them due to the dragon eyes. Ever since they had entered the border someone had been following them closely, but it was only one man. Splitting up would make them decide to put the manpower on who they were following and why.

The other reason was because Ray was planning to head into the evolution stage as quickly as he could. So what better way to see what beasts he could slay then heading to the public guildhall.

That too was a large church-like building that was easy for Ray to find, even if he had a bad sense of direction. Entering inside, there was the normal scene he was used to.

People drinking and cheering, while some were at the quests boards. This was where Ray wanted to be. He walked over to the bulletin board and started to scroll his eyes up and down.

"Not that one… Not that one… Why do all these quests sound like a pain.

" Ray said.

That's when he noticed that none of the quests had anything to do with killing beasts.

"Sir,.

" Ray called out to a man who stood by his side.

"Are there any quests to defeat beasts on your side?

"

"Oh, I guess you're not from around here or it's your first time here.

" The man replied.

"You see, there is something called the free zone. This is from the east exit, which would be the other side of the front entrance most come in. This is called the Free zone.

"

"Here there is a wall, just like the one when you entered. They had built it behind the empire as well. However, no kingdom can get to this area without going through the empire. But if one was to go into the end-zone, there are many beasts behind it. If you really want an alternative to this, there is something you can do.

"

"What's that?

" Ray replied.

"You can head to the arena. When clearing the place after the takeover of the old kingdoms before. They had tried to capture as many beasts, or at least chase them out of their new land as soon as possible. These beats are now used in the arena. You pick the level of beast you want to fight, and people bet on weather they think you will win or lose.

"You can continue to increase the level of beasts as well.

"

"Wow, that really is interesting.

" Ray said, with a thought in his mind.

****

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