Chapter 6 “O, wonder! How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world, That has such people in ’t!”

The warm air of the city slowly descended. On that bright and calm afternoon, much like the day before, the young man gazed at the cityscape and breathed in the fresh air through the window opening of his horse-drawn carriage.

Perhaps because he felt he had been inside the cathedral for too long, constantly hearing the mantras and prayers uttered by the pastors and Holy Sisters, he now found some peace in the tranquil atmosphere of the Holy City.

Truth be told, the young man didn't actually hate being in the cathedral. Even though he received delicious food and drink and was treated with great respect, he still felt confined because he wasn't allowed to do anything without their supervision. Moreover, he had to listen to the endless chants and prayers echoing in his ears almost all the time.

“Wow, this city is really beautiful, isn't it? Although I've seen it before, the closer we get to the city center, the more it feels like the buildings in this city become even more beautiful, don't you think?” the young man asked while observing the cityscape through the window of his carriage.

“Oh, you just noticed it huh? Your observation is correct. If you look carefully, there's quite a noticeable difference between the buildings in the city center and those on the outskirts. But that's not a big issue for the residents of this Holy City. They say justice and prosperity are well-maintained and organized here based on our past good deeds.” explained Kalina.

“Hmm? Good deeds? What does that mean?” asked the young man.

“Ah, right. Um... how can I explain it? Oh, I know! Like this! According to them, in our previous life, we were sinners. But because we've done good deeds and tried to cleanse our sins, we have now been reborn and found a place to live comfortably and pure in this heavenly city,” clarified Kalina.

After hearing Kalina's explanation, the young man furrowed his brow in bewilderment.

“Hmm? What did you say!? So, you mean we were all sinners before!? And because we've become pure, we're allowed to live in this city!?” the young man said to confirm her statement.

“Not become pure, but born pure. What I mean is, if you become a good person now, in the future, after your death, you will be reborn as a pure being and live in this Heavenly City. And if you are currently a wicked person, then in the future, after your death, you will be reborn as a lowly animal or a sinner living outside this Holy City,” explained Kalina.

“What about people like us who are currently considered residents of this Holy City? Will we be reborn as Holy City residents again?”

“Hohoho, of course not! They say that if we become good and civilized humans, we will be reborn in the Heavenly Palace at the center of this Holy City, where the Emperor is currently guarding and protecting us.”

“Heavenly Palace?” the young man asked.

“Yup! Heavenly Palace! The place where the righteous and holy people reside! The place where all your desires and cravings are fulfilled! The place where food and drink come to you! And the place where hatred and envy are useless! That is the true paradise!” exclaimed Kalina with fervor.

“The true paradise... Rebirth as a pure person...” muttered the young man as he gazed at his palms.

Kalina, who had been sitting in front of her brother, only glanced at him before shifting her gaze out the window.

“Hey, Kalina, do you also desire a life like that?” the young man asked.

“No way! Boring! A dull life like that doesn't seem like something I'd want. When you think about it again, that's the place many people aspire to go, and who wouldn't want to live where everything can be obtained without working hard? But thinking about it again, a life like that is not the life we should rightfully pursue,” said Kalina, resting her chin on her palms and looking at the scenery outside the window.

“What do you mean?”

“Look at the land we're standing on right now. Ask it why and how many times it caused earthquakes that could swallow our treasures. Look at the sea out there. How many times did it create waves to make it difficult for us to pass through? And look at the ferocious animals in the forest. How many times have they pounced and killed our families? But even with all these obstacles and difficulties, humans still continue to try and learn to face them! That's why, in my opinion, humans are destined to keep learning in this world. Look at how many territories we have conquered in this world through learning! See and feel the results of the hard work of our ancestors who learned and went through all of this! This is evidence that we shouldn't pursue the comfort and dullness of paradise! Because what we should pursue is the journey to continue learning and understanding all the truths in this world and make use of them! This is our destiny as the strongest beings in this world!” Kalina exclaimed with a cheerful smile.

Kalina's words and thoughts might sound absurd to all the humans currently chasing after the promised paradise. They might say that Kalina's teachings would make people aimless, only ending up surviving in this transient world. But...

“If what you're saying is true, then when can we rest and find happiness?” the young man asked.

“Hah!? Since when my brother became so weird? Haven't you ever slept and felt happy all this time?” Kalina asked in amazement.

“Well... I mean not that kind of rest and happiness! I mean...”

Suddenly, the young man's words were interrupted by Kalina's laughter.

“Hahaha, forget what I said. Besides, if someone hears my words, they'll probably call me crazy and report my words to our parents. Maybe you forgot, but never, ever make our parents angry because...” Kalina suddenly stopped her speech.

“Because... what?” the young man asked.

“Because they're both naggy! I know I'm a bit weird! But please! Can they not scold me in front of many people! Don't they know that I can feel embarrassed too!? “ grumbled Kalina.

“Wow, I never thought you still had a sense of shame?” Said The young man.

“Hah!? Who does my brother think I am? I am the sister of the leader of the Seven Legendary Holy Knights! Every step I take, everyone will look at me! Every time I toss my hair, everyone will be mesmerized by me! And every time I smile, everyone will fall in love with me!” Kalina proudly exclaimed.

“ Umm... “

Hearing Kalina's words, the young man fell silent, unsure how to respond to her statement. Observing her brother’s behavior, Kalina then began to speak with a sour expression.

“Laugh.” Kalina commanded.

“...Why?” the young man asked.

“I was joking, Now laugh!”

“What!? All your earlier words were just a jokes!?”

“Of course, I was joking! How could I seriously say something like that!” said Kalina with her earlobe starting to turn red.

“But your joke wasn't funny.”

“That's why you should laugh!”

“Haha... haha... ha?” replied the young man with forced laughter.

“…...”

After hearing the fake laughter from his Brother, Kalina fell silent. She then put on a pouting expression and turned her face towards the window once again.

Perhaps because Kalina had been very noisy since earlier and couldn't stay quiet inside the carriage they were riding, the young man now realized that the city had truly felt quieter than the first day he arrived.

The calmness in the city felt a bit strange. He remembered that when he entered the city with a woman named Cecilia before, the city appeared lively and full of life. In contrast to that time, it now seemed as if this beautiful and clean city had lost all the life it once had.

“Sigh... so quiet. Hey Kalina, by the way, do you know why the city has become this deserted? Because when I first entered this city, almost all the streets were filled with horse-drawn carriages and people bustling about. But why does it look so empty now?” asked the young man.

“…...”

Kalina didn't respond to her brother's question and just gazed at the orange-tinted sky.

“Hey... Kalina, are you even listening?” the young man asked again.

“......”

But Kalina remained silent, ignoring her brother's question.

“Poke-poke.”

The young man playfully poked Kalina's cheek several times with his index finger, and suddenly Kalina stood up from her seat and snapped.

“Albert! Take us to the festival in the town square right away!” Kalina ordered loudly, surprising the young man and causing him to accidentally hit his back on the seat's backrest.

“Uwaa! Why are you suddenly yelling like that!? And who's Albert!? Isn't my name Wallace?” the young man asked.

Then a man's voice was heard from the front of the horse carriage, responding to Kalina's command.

“Apologies, Miss, but Madam said we must promptly escort Mr. Wallace to your residence first. Perhaps tomorrow you can take Mr. Wallace to the festival,” said Albert, who turned out to be the carriage driver.

“Don't be foolish! If we wait until tomorrow, the festival will be over!” Kalina retorted.

“But isn't Miss's parents waiting and preparing a welcoming party for Mr. Wallace right now?” Albert asked.

“Hmm...”

Kalina thought, scratching her chin with her index finger.

And a few moments later, she suddenly clapped her hands and said,

“Albert! A few days ago, when you were fooling around with your whip in the backyard, you accidentally broke my mom's favorite flower pot, didn't you?” Kalina asked, smiling cunningly.

“Did... Did Miss see it!?” Cold sweat slowly trickled down Albert's neck.

“I even know where you buried the pieces of the flower pot,” said Kalina, tilting her chin and folding her hands.

“Please, please keep this a secret. Don't let Madam find out,” Albert pleaded with a soft voice.

“In that case, take us to the festival right away!” ordered Kalina.

“Alright...” replied Albert, sounding resigned.

Then the young man, who had been sitting and listening all along, began to feel uneasy with Albert and started expressing his opinion.

“Uh... Shouldn't we head home now?” the young man asked Kalina.

“Hah!? Big Bro wants to object too? Just be quiet and follow my instructions! Because today, I'm going to make my brother happy and let him rest for a while!” Kalina exclaimed.

“WHAT!?” replied the young man in astonishment.

“Umm... Is all of this because of our earlier conversation?” thought the young man.

Then, following Kalina's orders, the horse carriage redirected its destination to the town square where a festival was taking place

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