Chapter 40: Feats of the ancients (2/2)
”Seems… nice?” Staring at a huge patch of open land surrounded by the high walls, Layn refused to be honest for once.
'Paradise.'
On the outside, the walls loomed over the city menacingly, giving testimony to the capabilities of the power hidden behind them. But on the inside, they only seemed to protect the happy locals from the constant noise of the city.
'It's like a city within a city…' Staring in awe at the cute roads connecting various gazebos sprawling around the place, Layn felt that any attempt at voicing his amazement would end up stuck in his throat.
”Yeah, yeah, pretend all you want. There is only one way to react when seeing this place for the first time.” Despite how hurried she was before, Irea still found the time to just stop and let the archmage have his fill of the sight.
”Okay, I'm okay now. Shall we go?” Lying through his teeth, Layn looked a the cheerful girl beside him.
Once again putting his legs to work, Layn continued to curse his own naivety. 'How could I be so arrogant! It's not even the first time for this world to do me dirty like that!' Internally screaming at his own lack of foresight, Layn could only make sure that the state of his spirit wasn't reflected on his face.
'First that barrier, now this place… I greatly underestimated the ancients!' For the second time ever since he moved in time, Layn noticed the discrepancy between his expectations and reality.
With the arrogance of someone coming from a more enlightened society, he disregarded the fact that the people around him were not powerless either. And looking at this miracle of an architecture that didn't appear to obey the natural laws that Layn knew off, he had no other choice but to admit to the sad truth.
The feat of the ancients didn't fall short even when compared to what modern technology and knowledge could create!
”Stop dozing off! We are almost there!” Noticing how this strange man beside her sunk into his own thoughts, Irea nudged him in the side. Forced awake by the sudden burst of light pain, Layn turned his eyes towards the girl.
As little as this action mattered in the grand scheme of thing, Layn took it for the best sign possible. Back in his original time, whenever he wanted to be intimate with Ortensia, the princess would make a great deal about it. On the other hand, there was this girl on his side.
Even though they didn't reach the stage that Layn did with the future princess, Irea was already far more open to an actual show of gentle friendship, even if only in form of a gentle nudge.
”Okay, okay, I'm all focused now.” Lying once again, Layn didn't even attempt to push the thoughts about the girl from his head.
Taking Layn's words for a good note, Irea nodded her head before pushing the doors of what seemed like a random building open.
”This is where the registration takes place. Just please…” Stopping for a moment, Irea turned her head around with worry. ”Don't make a mess.”