Chapter 420 (1/2)

Cadeceus is not the biggest realm dominated by men, but it was the most prosperous amongst all. There were about dozens of portals to other realms that dotted the place. Based on the scholar’s speculative dimensional bubble map, Cadeceus was in the middle of all. Around it was ten of the inhabited worlds. (‘Worlds’ being the local terminology and not referring to the universe)

Due to this unique structure, the dimension had became the most important traffic route. Aside from humans who make up fifty percent of the populace, other races had also set up outposts and towns in Cadeceus. Thus when there were conflicts between men, Cadeceus would be bound by absolute neutrality based on some ancient accords, and play the role of a sanctuary.

Many scholars even believed that the reason that humans were able to be the most prolific and prosperous race, aside from their ability to learn and expand, was the fact that they had the luck to discover Cadeceus several thousand years ago. That allowed them to control the throat of the world.

Cadessar, the main human settlement towards the west side on the Cadeceus mainland. It was surrounded on three sides by the mountains while the other faced the wide laterite plains. This city was built by the explorers who had discovered the Cadeceus Plane. It was originally a campsite, but had over the years expanded to become the greatest, the most prosperous of cities. The main populace of the city were humans, a third of the populace are civilians of other races. Many envoys from races from other planes had also build embassies and offices in the city. Cadessar is infamous for the sedantary lifestyle her inhibitants lived.

Cadeceus was indeed an rich and important place, that was the common consensus. It was not only the ‘center of the world’ but it was also the first city that the army of the crazed demon king could not breach. The seven most famous heroes of the Ten Year War too had gathered here and led the campaign against the demon king that is now a saga itself.

After teleporting and covering some ground on foot, Hao Ren and the rest had arrived at the historic city of renown.

Hao Ren wore the caster robes that he had secretly ‘borrowed’ from the Allied Army camp, leading the rest who were dressed as wandering mercenaries towards the towering walls of Cadessar. Looking up, he was graced by the grey stone wall that rose hundred of meters into the air. The scars of war was still apparent. Hao Ren felt that Y’zaks was a tad bit overly positive about the whole thing. “This was the first place you tasted defeat? You sure is positive about this… why here?”

Y’zaks looked nostalgically at the scarred walls. The blackened wall and the destroyed tower on east side on the wall was his handiwork. Or at least his underlings’ handiwork. “This was the closest town, Velessa is two hundred kilometers away, and you need to go through a mountain range. Not worth the hassle.”

The demon king was dressed in a rough leather hauberk. His bulging muscle straining against the armor. On his back was a big battle axe that he had nicely relieved from it’s former owner in the camp. He was your typical highland berserker. Well, that would work in deflecting any attention towards that horrifying face of his.

“You sure you’re fine here?” Wuyue asked skittishly. She was thinking along the lines of a normal human and felt that even if she was to change her way of seeing things, it would just be nothing but bitter memories. Thus she was afraid he might get depressed half way through.

“No matter.” Y’zaks shrugged. “War, is something you cannot explain, so it’s best not to. Lets get somewhere to rest. Cadeceus has a very short day cycle. A warlock with a succubus would attract a lot of attention at night.”

The party then headed towards the city gate. Lily suddenly realised something, “EH! Do we have any cash?”

Hao Ren slapped his head as he too belatedly realise the matter of money. Well, it was not his fault that the heroic sagas omitted the fact that the main character had to go scrapping for toll money. Y’zaks however was prepared. “No worries, I have plenty.”

The demon king patted his pouch and a jingle of coins was heard. “I suppose the currency they use are still the same.”

“Where did you get them from?”

Y’zaks laughed.

“My savings that I dug out from the gave earlier. When I came over the other time I wanted to visit the city to see how things were. But I had to forgo that due to some other things. So the money stayed buried until now.”

Well, life is way more dramatic than dramas themselves it seems. There was finally something of use from his past reign!

With their monetary issue resolved, the party continued on towards the gate. Two rows of knights in full armor stood guard. Even as an outsider Hao Ren could tell that this men in tincans were the real deal. The holy light that radiated around them had almost triggered Hao Ren’s shields.