A Tour of the City

AELIUS

Waking up is impossible. Curse the human body’s need for sleep. Why is it so hard to fall asleep and even harder to wake up?

As a god, sleep was not mandatory. I miss my old self

After finally getting my body to wake up, I walked over to the balcony. Looks like Iris already left early in the morning.

Looking over the city, a stranger would not be able to tell that there was an attack yesterday. Scaffolding line the damaged areas of the streets, most of the rubble has already been removed. The palace itself is as good as new. Magic is so convenient.

My stomach let out a low growl. It is time for this vessel to replenish its need for nutrients. I also realized I did not eat at all yesterday.

“Ah, master, you’re awake!”

Iris came into the room, tray in her hands.

“What is this?”

“I-I’ve brought you some food. It’s already noon but you still haven’t eaten yet.”

Seriously? I’ve been asleep for that long?

---

“That feels nice. The food is not half bad here.”

“I’m glad you like it, master. It’s been carefully prepared by the castle's royal chefs.”

“A change of topic, by the way. Have you seen the Head Knight? I have not encountered him once after the attack since yesterday.”

“H-he’s attending to important matters right now. He said that you should go explore the city on your own for today.” Iris finished cleaning up the tray and headed towards the doorway.

“Wait, Iris.”

She paused in her steps, “Y-yes, master?”

“I need you to show me around the city.”

“E-eh? Right now?”

“Of course not. I still need to prepare myself. Meet me outside the palace in an hour.”

“O-okay.” She quickly turned around and left the premises. 

There should be a limit to how shy one can be, I thought. How did she even get a position as a castle maid?

---

Outside the castle gates, I got a clear image of how tall the castle is. The walls surrounding it are almost around 10 meters high and the guard towers are even higher.

The castle itself is huge and has several high-rise towers with the tower holding the Level Restriction Device being the highest point.

“It’s magnificent, isn’t it? Even a Greater Dragon could not tear this place down.” One of the nearby soldiers boast about the castle.

“Ha, let the demon army come. This place is impenetrable!” His companion agreed with him.

Ignoramuses. We would all be dead if it was not for my huge contribution yesterday.

I glanced at the watch tower and thought how Iris was taking a while to arrive. I told her that I would be waiting for an hour, not an hour and a half. I continued looking at the borders.

The kingdom of Sol is built on a plateau with the palace at the top and the city below it. The city itself has four distinct corners, with a river running along the northern borders. Big houses over there, small houses over here, and public places in between. That was all I can observe right now. Seems I do need Iris to guide me around this city.

Now, looking back at the palace, its geography alone makes it hard to attack. You would first have to get through the city which steadily elevates the further you go inland. It is a huge disadvantage for any normal attackers owing to high ground cover. The city is prone to aerial attacks though as the anti-air defenses are few and far between save for the palace itself.

“M-master!” Iris ran toward me. She was wearing a dress that further accentuates her curves, compared to her maid uniform. I am indeed right about her being the silent as well as a kind beauty.

“You took your time.”

“Ah! S-sorry, I had a couple of things I needed to finish first.” She quickly bowed. 

I turned around. “Let us proceed then.”

“Okay!”

We visited a lot of places within the city. I got to know a little more about the way the people socialize by approaching some of them. We also ate Sol's street foods, and she recommended me a few places to visit when I had the time. 

Hours after the tour of the city, we stopped by a nearby park.

“I fancy this experience. I would not mind going here from time to time.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it, master.” Iris beamed like the first spring flower after an arduous winter. I could not help but smile back.

“Ms. Iris, admittedly, I liked being called a "master" at first. However, I request for you to call me by my name from now on.”

“A-are you sure a-about that?” Iris's arms were frantically waving.

“I am, so just call me Aelius.”

“Alright then… Aelius.”

Her face went red like roses. 

Is it really that big of a deal? Well it is since I am supposed to be their god, but they do not believe that I am one.

The church bell rang. Hold on, a church?

“Iris. Come, we must proceed to the church.”

Iris, seemingly in a trance, quickly snapped out of her flush. “Wh-what? Church?”

“Yes, the church. I have something I need to check there.”

“O-oh, so that’s what you meant.”

She tried to hide her face. Does she not want to go to the church?

“Let us make haste.”

Afternoon mass just finished as soon as we arrived to the Kingdom of Sol's church. Several people lined the entrance, either about to leave or about to enter the sacred place. A large statue of their god Aelius- which is me- stood at the front.

The idea to visit this place did not even occur to me since the day I was summoned here in this world as a human. Which was yesterday... or the day before that. Now, I am about to try to establish a link to the Heaven Realm.

I dragged Iris along as I sauntered inside the church's premises, searching for a priest who will allow me to communicate with the Heaven Realm.

“Excuse me, are the two of you here looking to get married?”

Nice timing. 

The priest stared at us in sparkling curiosity, his glasses shining as if to further improve the point. He looked as if he was a little older than us, most presumably someone who just graduated to priesthood. Iris continued covering her face.

“Yes, is there a private place where we can discuss the details?”

Iris suddenly gasped. Her face is a mess of red right now.

“Wh-what-!?”

I whispered to her ear, “Just act along.”

“!" 

She then nodded at the priest and embraced my arm. “Y-yes, w-we are.”

“Oh, my. Very well, come, follow me.”

We accompanied the priest into an office-like room.

"Now let us discuss-”

“Pray to Lord Aelius.”

The priest blinked his eyes numerous times.  “Pardon?”

“You heard me. Pray to Lord Aelius, and tell him that Aelius needs to talk.”

The priest looked displeased. “What are y-”

An ice spike appeared near his throat. The priest is shocked. Iris was too, but chose to kept her mouth shut.

“Just do as I say.”

“Alright, alright! I'll do as you say.” The priest clumsily took out his prayer beads and began chanting.

“Lord Aelius, your humble servant calls out to you. A person named A-Aelius requests for your attendance.”

“Good, now tell him that he must command Lady Amaris to speak through you.”

“I can’t jus-”

The ice spike inched closer to his neck. The priest let out a nervous gulp. 

“Lord Aelius, please tell Goddess Amaris to speak through me.”

“…”

Nothing happened. It seems a calling requires someone of a higher ranking to establish a connection, assuming someone would actually answer. I sighed and beckoned Iris to pack up our satchels and leave the place.

“W-wait I can hear something, no, someone!” The priest exclaimed. Thank Goodness.

“What did she say?”

The priest looked overjoyed, so much that he seemed to have forgotten the hazard placed right on his throat.

“Absolutely. We thank you for gracing us with your presence, o kind and merciful goddess!”

The priest's eyes focused towards me with newfound respect, both his eyes and glasses seemed to be twinkling. He then briskly prostrated himself before me.

“Please forgive this humble servant for being so disrespectful!”

“Eh?”

GRAYSON

“Captain, it’s useless. They’d die before we get a word out of them.”

“Alright, thank you for your work.”

The knight gave a salute before leaving the room. 

Those guys, jeez… Either they’re loyal to a fault, or being controlled.

“I suggest we should proceed to execute them for their brazen assault of our kingdom and citizens. They are useless now for an interrogation anyway.”

A blonde man wearing a similar heavy armor as my own leaned on the cement wall next to the door.

“They will break. Just give it time, Cael.”

The blonde knight named Cael sighed and walked over to me. He’s shorter than me and smaller in frame as well. Nonetheless, it is foolish for anyone to underestimate him; for he is not just any knight. He is Cael, the second strongest warrior of the kingdom of Sol, the Captain of the Third Ray.

He examined the documents I’m reading with his sharp eyes. “What is the situation with the otherworlder? I hear that the hero of the Kingdom of Luna has already finished multiple dungeons runs. Though, it was mostly B-ranks, it is still no small feat.”

“My soldiers said that he managed to injure a Greater Dragon by himself. That’s no small feat either.”

“Oh? I wish I had been there to witness it." His piercing eyes glided over to meet my gaze, "What a peculiar man.”

I shook my head, “It was good that you didn't. The southern border would have been in a more miserable state if you weren’t there.”

Cael sat down in a chair nearby. “And may I also inquire about you? Reports said you fought against a demon in the sixth district’s marketplace?”

“She wasn’t just any demon. Her skin was the same color as us.”

“A female demon, huh. Was she pretty?”

I ignored him and signed the documents. Cael grinned.

“She was, wasn’t she? Your face is too obvious.” He proceeded to chuckle, amusing himself for a moment. I couldn't bring myself to reply. 

Cael's chuckle abruptly stopped, and he dropped his tone a little. “But her skin being the same color as humans… you are right. That is very unusual too. I will investigate further on this matter.”

He stood up, still with a small smile on his face,  and walked towards the door. He paused as he held the doorknob, “Oh, a word of advice Grey. From a friend to another. Do not forget. She is an enemy. All demons are a threat to mankind and must be wiped out.”

The door closed before him. I let out a sigh. 

Of course, I won’t forget what the demons did to us.

---

I’ve done what I can for today. I think it is time to check on how Al is doing. Iris did tell me that they were gonna go see the city.

I walked towards the castle from the barracks. I plan to just wait for them at the gates. 

The knights posted there immediately stood at attention when I arrived. 

"At ease soldiers" I gestured at them.

“Captain Grayson Fujihara. What brings you here?” a familiar voice called out.

A woman wearing a formal attire, a captain’s uniform, had also arrived at the gates. The afternoon sun dyed her hair scarlet red. Lines of soldiers and mages were in formation behind her.

“Captain Valerie. It’s nice to see you here. I’m just waiting for someone.”

“Oh? I wonder why you would meet someone at the palace gates by yourself. Also, I take it that the Saintess has been summoned?”

Valerie, Captain of the Sixth Ray. In charge of protecting the outskirts of the territory around Sol. Seems like his Majesty sent a letter to update her on that matter. Except the Saintess part. It would have been better if the hero was a Saintess. No offense Al.

“You’ll understand when you talk to his Majesty. By the way, if you arrived sooner, we could have used your help.”

“Help with what?”

“A Greater Dragon attacked the castle yesterday.”

Valerie lightly gasped, “Oh, how terrible, I’m sorry about that. We got held along the way, a skirmish with some demons invading one of the towns in the outskirts.”

“It is fine. We were able to hold them back," I shrugged. "You seem to be in a good mood though. I’m glad you’re fine.”

“Ha, of course, I’d be fine. Why wouldn’t I be?"

“Haha. Alright, alright. Well then, I shouldn’t take more of your time. You should head inside.”

We nodded our farewells to each other. I watched as her party went through the gates. Everyone hated the demons, but Valerie’s hatred is on another level. It was the reason why she volunteered to join the Sixth Ray, in charge of the defense of the territorial outskirts.

“You’re here. Mr. Head Knight.” 

I turned around to see the voice that chimed in behind me. It’s Al and Iris, at long last.

“Yo, did you enjoy your time exploring the city?”

“More or less.”

A boy in priest robes walked up behind them. “Ah, it’s Captain Grayson! The strongest warrior in the kingdom!” 

Huh?

“Uh, Al, who is this guy?”

Al looked at the priest, then at me. “I shall tell you once we are inside.”