Chapter 39:

The Capital

The Children of Eris


Themis, the capital of the Holy Empire, was a lively, bustling place with people from all over the world.

There were humans, elves, dwarves, beast people, lizard people and other races David couldn’t recognise lining the market, all talking and trading happily with one another.

With a population of one million people, it was the largest and most populated city in the empire.

Mímir’s reports said that the city watch was fifteen thousand strong and that there were, normally, twenty thousand members of the Holy Legion stationed at Themis, but that force had marched to Black Port.

Themis was far grander of a city than what Mímir had described.

Unlike the other cities in the empire, Themis was divided into three ringed districts: the Outer, the largest on the city’s edge, the Inner, the second largest, and finally, situated in the dead centre of the capital, was the Jewelled.

David was amazed at how beautiful and well maintained the Outer Ring District was.

The walls were made of flawless white stone with gold trimmings along the battlements and towers. The streets were well maintained and looked after, with carriages and wagons easily passing along the cobbles without any accidents or rocking. There were barracks at every major gate and the rest were lining the Jewelled District where the emperor’s palace was.

For the first time since he had arrived in this new world, David had taken the entire day off to relax.

He’d lied to his generals and told them he was going to gather intel on the capital personally.

To prove he hadn’t lied to them, David made sure to survey the city’s defences, its layout and the quality of the guard’s equipment as he walked.

I bet this would be a great place to live. David’s eyes began to wander. I hope we don’t ruin all these people’s lives too much when we take it.

The only reason David could comfortably walk around the city was because of how he was dressed.

Mímir’s Raven that usually accompanied David on his ventures away from Castle Kelsey was busy on another assignment, so David had come in a disguise.

He was wearing a brown cloak with its hood up and a full-face mask that only showed his eyes.

While David judged that it was only his eye colour that would make him stand out, he had decided to hide as much of his appearance because of what Jorōgumo had told him.

If there were others that sensed his arrival in this world, then that meant other people could identify David at a glance just like she had.

David didn’t know if his disguise would stop someone from doing that, but he hoped it’d be somewhat effective.

I haven’t been stopped by anyone yet to ask me about why I look like this, so that’s something.

After wandering without a break for a few hours, David bought some chicken skewers from a vendor, sat down by a bench beside a water fountain, and took off his mask, keeping his head low.

David considered hiding in an alleyway somewhere to eat, but then he could’ve been targeted by thugs or thieves. If that happened, he might have no choice but to kill them and that would mean making the same mistake Mania and Mímir had.

If someone sees me with my mask off, they could figure out my real identity.

The world around him turned grey.

That’s…not what I should be worried about. David closed his eyes. I care more about being spotted than what I’ve done, what I’m going to do.

If everything went according to plan, the peaceful Holy Empire would be destroyed in just a few hundred days.

The Demon Empire would rise from its ashes and it would be a cold and cruel one.

It had to be, or Eris could punish him.

A deep disgust grew in his chest.

What would mum and dad think if I said that to them?

Kara would despise me.

Hailey would never forgive me.

David grimaced. I’m doing this for them…He shook his head. Why am I still worrying about this now?

It’s far too late to turn back.

With a heavy heart, David stood up, mask and skewers in hand.

However, his hood was so low that it obscured his vision, meaning he didn’t notice the woman in front of him before he’d bumped into her, dropping everything he held.

“Hey, watch-” the woman started to say until she spotted the items on the ground.

Assuming the worst, David grabbed his mask and ran.

If she’s recognised me, I have to get out of here!

With great speed, David fled deeper into the market, weaving his way through the crowds and trying to find an alleyway to hide himself. Despite his great speed, the woman was able to keep track of him and pursued him.

I’ll lose her and then teleport back to the castle.

He dove into a narrow alleyway and then went down lots of back streets until he reached a dead end with only one way out: the way he’d come.

Before David summoned his portal, his pursuer caught up.

“Why did you run away?” She asked, panting heavily. She leant against her spear and sighed, flashing him a small smile.

“Because you were chasing me,” David whispered, not sure of what he should do next.

If he teleported now and didn’t kill her, then he was screwed.

If he did kill her, it would be the first time he’d kill someone with his own two hands.

What do I-?

The woman held up a small coin pouch and shook it a few times. “You dropped something else when you bumped into me.”

“O-oh.” He patted his sides and realised that that was his pouch.

“Here.” The woman threw the coin purse to David who fumbled catching it.

As he went to thank her, his stomach rumbled loudly which made her giggle.

“Want to get something to eat? My treat.”