The Empyrean's Reign
Ch.5 - Malchus City

The sound of birds singing was heard in the morning. The leaves flew in the direction where the wind went, leaving the tree that had been his place of life from the beginning.

The blue sky was filled with flakes of white clouds shaped like cotton. The sun shone brightly as if it wanted to show that its rays were invincible.

The day seemed so peaceful and beautiful, until it was all over when the sound of screaming from one of the rooms inside Malchus Palace sounded.

"DON'T!"

"Just give up, Niel. Your magic hair won't go away even if you cut it with magic scissors."

Niel glanced at his best friend cynically, thinking that if he could throw the scissors he was holding right now at Enzo's head. The man with the snow-white mane looked back at himself in front of the mirror.

"Ugh, this long hair is very disturbing." Niel held onto a few strands of her hair and sighed tiredly.

Without notice, Niel and his comrades had been settling in Zendia for almost a month. He has long adapted to his new life at the Palace as one of the Heroes. The things about Lazarus that disturbed his mind in the first week had also been released to those up there.

Nor did Niel have anyone he cared about left behind in Lazarus.

And now the main problem is his hair that is not short even after being cut hundreds of times!

"By the way, I yesterday heard that General Aldios will be taking the two of us to surround Malchus City for the first time today! I'm so impatient, how many days have it been since we came to Zendia?!"

"Uhuk-Uhuk! Khek, did you say?!"

Niel choked on his own saliva when he heard the words of his best friend until even the scissors in his hand almost fell.

"The general said that we've stayed in the palace for too long. So it's time for us to take one step forward so that we can thrive."

Niel covered his face using one of his hands while exhaling a heavy breath after digesting what Enzo said. Though he had begun to feel comfortable while living in the Palace and now there are things that disturb his peace.

Actually, Niel also wanted to explore the city. It was just that today was the day that he had a schedule of reading books in the Royal Library!

"Can we go tomorrow? I have important business today..."

Enzo put both index fingers in a cross position while shaking to Niel, "Can't. General said he also invited us because there is a problem that hit Bluetears Village. Reportedly we'll help him hunt down a group of Hell Beasts that attacked the Village."

"Ugh..." Nor could Niel refuse if that was the reason they left. He still has sympathy, okay.

The beasts Enzo meant were a group of beasts that had Mana in their bodies. Beasts were divided into three groups, namely Sacred Beasts, Common Beasts, and Hell Beasts. Hell Beast is a Sacred Beast or Common Beast that has lost their mind. That was why people usually chose to hunt Hell Beasts to enhance their experience.

Niel and Enzo had already hunted Hell Beasts several times in the special forest belonging to the Kingdom even though the Beasts they hunted were low-level Beasts. So the Azure He Wolf that they were going to hunt this time around was the first mid-level Beast that they were going to hunt first.

Well, even though there was General Aldios on their side.

They are experienced too, though! Either way they were future Hunters in the previous world, Lazarus.

I hope they can return safely.

***

"Gee... It's so amazing!"

Enzo's green eyes shone like jewels as he gazed at the view of Malchus City.

In the eyes of the young man were reflections of the medieval-designed houses they used to see in history books, neatly arranged lined each side of the city with several buildings that had store signage to promote their stores. Street lights that usually emit bright yellow light are still dim because it shows the time is still daytime.

The chatter and laughter of the citizens of Malchus City filled the town square with happy air. Occasionally also heard the melody of the Street Musicians which turned out to be one of the reasons why the City of Malchus is included in the list of West Manvit City that must be visited by the Tourists.

General Aldios smiled happily as he saw Enzo and Niel being amazed by the City he lived in, "I was like you a few years ago as well. I had just finished my training as a soldier and took some time off. When I came out of the Palace gate after how many years, I was again stunned by the view of this City. I am a native of Malchus."

"Who wouldn't be fascinated by this sight? I feel like I just got into the world of Fairy Tale Princess cartoons that kids love." Niel overrides the conversation while looking to and fro. Occasionally blink both eyes dry from opening it for too long.

General Aldios laughed when he heard Niel's lash before turning his head towards Enzo who was still in his own world, "Well, Mr. Enzo, you'd better blink your eyes if you don't want a flick of dust. Our next destination is a Blacksmith Shop. The store owner was an old friend of mine so maybe he'll give you some discounts."

"Hey? I just found out that the General is the type of person who takes advantage of the price of a friend." Enzo taunted General Aldios while tapping the General's hand slowly with his elbow.

The mocked middle-aged man felt a little embarrassed and scratched his nape, "It's not like that Mr. Enzo... Old Lavi is an acquaintance of mine who is a former Royal blacksmith. We are quite good friends because I used to find materials for him. The armour I used to wear was also one of his works."

Niel and Enzo showed stunned expressions when they heard the story of Old Lavi and General Aldios.

"Ah, look. We're too excited to talk until we've unwittingly reached Old Lavi's shop."

General Aldios smiled slightly as he raised his head to look at the nameplate of the building shop in front of him before his actions were followed by the two youths behind him.

"This is the shop I'm talking about. The most famous Blacksmith shop in Malchus City, O'Smith."

On the signboard of the shop, there is a steel hammer logo next to the inscription 'O'Smith', describing what the shop is promoting. Underneath, there is a glass window with a wooden frame that shows two pieces of silver and red iron armor that gives off a luxurious and authoritative aura. Just by looking, people will already know that the price is not cheap.

General Aldios then stepped inside the store through a wooden door that had a hanging board inscribed with 'Open' in the middle. The ringing of bells rang out as the red-haired man stepped his foot in.

Niel and Enzo follow General Enzo's usual actions.

"Ah, Aldios my friend! You haven't shown me your nose for a long time and now you're taking two little boys to my place?"

The thunderous sound of laughter sounded made Niel surprised. A short-bodied middle-aged man then showed himself while putting a wide smile on top of his beard.

"Greetings, Niel and Enzo. Aldios has been talking about you a lot lately when we exchanged letters. My name is Old Lavi, a Dwarf who used to be the blacksmith of the Malchus Kingdom. It's nice to meet you both."