"Is it a building or just a monument?" Sylvester questioned Avanss. "Why was it named blue leaves?"
Avanss stood up, his interest piqued. "Why such sudden curiosity? Is there something I can help you with?"
"I defeated Niel, but the troubles go deeper than that. I've decided to visit Beastaria regarding a mystery that I have to solve. I can't become the Pope before that happens. To do that, I need to find the blue tree near the crescent." Sylvester briefly explained. "The mystery could be related to the Shadow Knight and the history of our world."
"Hmm… Interesting." Avanss, the ever-so-thirsty adventurer elf, felt his senses tingle. "The memorial was built a long time ago before the foundation of Deca Imperia. What lies beneath it is a mystery to me. But, it also serves as the office of the Deca Imperia Council—the council that houses one governor from each of ten major species in Beastaria."
The Deca Imperia was a land developed as a united city for all the species of Beastaria. It only grew with time and became the largest city in the world, comparable to the Marashia region of old Masan. But, Deca Imperia was one giant continuous city without any division between the rich and poor. It was the economic hub of the continent where the major decisions were made.
Sylvester knew that very well, as the city was finely detailed in many books. It was amazing but far from perfect. For example, the dragons and elves never agreed on anything simultaneously, while the dwarves didn't care about politics.
"And why is it called Blue Leaves?" Sylvester inquired.
"Because each fallen soldier was seen as a leaf of the same tree—Beastaria represents the tree. Blue is probably in the name because Moon Lake is very blue." Avanss answered.
However, it was enough to set bells ringing in Sylvester's head. "Then, if Beastaria is the tree… the building is likely the Blue Tree I'm looking for. I must go and see it myself, Avanss. Can you help me?"
Avanss scratched his head awkwardly. "Nephew, are you sure about that? If they find out about your origins, they'll send out each and every expert from every region to kill you. They know you will be the next Pope, and to kill a Pope is considered the highest victory to many—especially the dragons and elves. And I'm not sure if my brother will be able to protect you."
It was undoubtedly a problem, but far from something that could stop Sylvester. "Then we'll enter Beastaria secretly. I already look like an elf without long ears, so I can easily disguise myself as one of you. As for Sir Dolorem and Dagorith…"
"Slaves." Avanss blurted. "Each elf holds at least one slave in Alfia. Rich ones prefer humans due to their likable, human appearance."
Sylvester nodded his head. Even though he didn't like the sound of it, he knew it was the only way. "We can get a pirate ship from the Broken Mangroves to smuggle us across the sea."
"Will they agree?"
"We won't be asking." Sylvester menacingly replied, and decided to go with the plan. "We leave in two days, so start packing."
Avanss smiled widely, delighted that perhaps the time had come for father and son to meet at last. "Understood, Your Holiness."
"Hah." Sylvester chuckled as he left the room. "Don't get used to it, 'uncle'—or your own people might call you a heathen."
"Let them… I'll just run away… again."
…
Sylvester left the dungeons and went to the front yard of the new Pope's Palace. The building was almost done, and he had to give it to the dwarves; they were masters of their craft, even when they weren't mining and smithing. The building was towering and overbearing to look at, and yet it didn't feel unwelcoming. Its light sandy marble walls blended well with the geography of the city. The various white-framed windows increased the charm by providing some flavor to it.
On the ground, there was grass all around and a few ponds with trees currently being planted. The Clergymen that had taken his side kept the red scarf with his emblem on their necks as they carried out their duties.
"There you are! I heard you destroyed my royal capital city! I'm the Queen of rubble now."
Sylvester chuckled, seeing angry Isabella pouting her lips and puffing her cheeks. "Hear me out first… I have a plan for it."
Isabella still continued to rush toward him with a grumpy look. Though, no matter how much she tried, she didn't look anything but cute. She was just like Chonky in that manner.
Bam!
She punched Sylvester's chest very gently. "There… I did it. I hit the next Pope and still live. Now I'm the strongest monarch in the realm."
Sylvester, being much taller than her, chuckled and patted her head. "You're like an angry puppy."
"..."
"By the way… What are these rumors in high society I'm hearing about, you and this Princess Fernis from the old Masan?" Isabella wiggled her brows, gleaming. "Could it be… the diamond isn't pure anymore?"
Sylvester smiled wryly, and his expression turned solemn. "She was… a Saintess who remained loyal to me even in her death. She left a burden of great favor on my shoulder, Isabella. Consider her as pure as my Mum."
Isabella stopped teasing. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to disrespect her. But, perhaps a grand statue of her in my new capital city will be a good way to immortalize her name."
"Thank you." Sylvester patted Isabella's shoulder and gestured for her to follow along. "Speaking of your city, come with me. I'm going to meet with Elrog, the elder of the dwarves. I have a few modernizing and revolutionary plans for this New Holy Land. If things work out here, I'll design a new city for you—far bigger and more advanced than you can imagine."
Isabella's eyes flickered with newfound hope. Such little things were all she could focus on to find some solace. Otherwise, the memory of Felix and the worry of where he was kept her awake almost every night.
"You've defeated Niel… Will you find Felix then?" She asked him, lowering her voice a little. Unsure if it was the right time.
Sylvester held her hand in his while walking, giving her some assurance. "He's like a brother to me, Isabella. I never stopped looking for him. All the adventurer and assassin guilds are offered one billion in gold to find him."
"What?!" She gasped. "But… Do you have that much money?"
"Of course I do. But don't worry, if they were to succeed, I'll tax their prize money by ninety percent." Sylvester revealed his evil scheme, the bane of any ordinary man—tax.
Isabella chuckled and sighed while walking. Talking with Sylvester always made her feel relaxed. She trusted his competitiveness and almost perfect plans more than her own mind.
Before they knew it, they arrived at the vast underground labyrinth the dwarves had occupied. It rested beneath the Pope's Palace and went way deep underground. But even then, they used mirrors to let sunlight enter their dark chambers and workshops.
A strong scent of steel and ale filled the entire labyrinth. But it wasn't appalling at all since it meant the dwarves were happy and pouring their hearts out into the work.
"Elder Elrog." Sylvester arrived at the main, largest personal workspace of the elder dwarf. It was the old dwarf's home, bedroom, and working area. The furnace never stopped glowing red there.
But what Sylvester was delighted to see were the machines he had offered them before. The steam-powered furnace and the automated hammer looked beautiful. Metal pipes were connected there to carry steam out as well—it was magnificent.
"Your Holiness!" Elrog quickly removed his goggles and wiped his hands clean after taking off the gloves. "We heard about your victory and emptied the entire ale cellar to celebrate."
'They just needed an excuse to drink.' Sylvester knew them too well.
"Then refill them, because I'm about to give you the project of your life. Which, if you construct it as I want, will immortalize your names as the Blessed Dwarves of Solis." Sylvester painted an exciting picture. "You asked me before why I planned the city's streets so wide. Today you shall receive the answer."
Elrog couldn't contain his excitement because the last time Sylvester suggested something, it turned out to be a way to make excellent new roads and bridges. Not to mention the automation machines.
"W-What is it this time, Your Holiness?" The old dwarf asked.
Sylvester smiled and unrolled a few sheets of paper on the elder's table. "Plans for better furnaces to create more steel, it's the first step. Then there's the steam locomotive, but before you appraise the locomotive, I need you to create this."
Elrog looked at the strange long carriage with no horses attached to it. It sat on top of a road with an interesting metal rod protruding on its top. Sadly, it made no sense to Elrog's keen eyes. "What is this strange carriage, Your Holiness? Is this some sort of traveling machine? Where do the horses go?"
"Squished below it… if they do appear in front of it." Sylvester jokingly replied. "This contraption is called a tram, Elrog. It runs on steel rails that are meticulously placed on the streets. I explained electricity to you once, didn't I? A tram is powered by it. A man named Jinn is coming here from the new Masan Kingdom, and he'll help you with all the components. I'll only provide you with the designs.
"The reason why I made all the streets so wide is so these trams can run in the middle, throughout the city's major locations. It will be this city's main mode of travel and excellent carrier for small goods."
Sylvester was a mechanical engineer in his previous life. He could create machines, but when it came to other things, at best, he could design them and leave further planning to others. Of course, his guidance was always there. For example, he had drawn the diagram for a step-up and step-down transformer and a large river dam for electricity generation, as the Snake River flowed right beside the city.
Unfortunately, he had to let the others experiment and come up with ways to make wires and other smaller required items. The same was the case with the city-wide plumbing he had planned. It wasn't viable to make all pipes with iron as they'd rust too quickly, and Sylvester only knew chemical formulas for making plastic, not how to actually make it.
There were a great many things he needed others to develop. So, he never hoped to achieve everything immediately. Well, at least he took solace in the fact that bicycles were quite famous in the city. Sewage, hospitals, and schools were also a thing now.
"This is truly a grand undertaking," Elrog mumbled. "We don't have enough workers."
"That's why I propose that you establish a school to teach a group of humans. Train them to work alongside you. I won't ask you to teach them your secrets, but at least basic work can be done by them." Sylvester proposed a win-win offer to all sides. One that would increase productivity, educate people and decrease unemployment.
Elrog nodded while stroking his beard. "I like the idea, but I must discuss it with the council first—"
BAM!
"Sylvester!" The door to the office was suddenly kicked open, and Gabriel furiously walked in. "Come with me quick. I need you to judge a Clergyman for his heathen activities—that filth!"
"..."
Sylvester had never seen Gabriel so angry before. "What happened?"
Gabriel took out a thin, folded sheet of paper from his robe's pocket. "One of the Clergymen working on a printing press secretly printed these and distributed them in the thousands across the city."
"What is it?" Sylvester took the paper to check.
Immediately His forehead was covered in creases as his brows rose. "This is… porn!"
[A/N: See the stuff... cough!]
Thank you for reading. GT votes are much appreciated.
