Chapter 43: Celestial City II

After finishing the skewers, Liam followed Miriel through the busy streets of the Outer District.

They stopped at several stalls along the way. Miriel introduced him to different kinds of street food, from sweet pastries filled with fruit to crispy snacks covered in a light layer of seasoning.

Liam tried a little of everything.

"This one is pretty good too," he said, holding a small pastry.

Miriel smiled. "You seem to like everything you try."

"What’s wrong with that? The food here is good."

They continued wandering through the streets. Liam looked at the shops and buildings with interest, occasionally stopping to examine something that caught his attention.

At one point, they passed a store displaying several magical weapons behind its glass windows. Liam paused to look at a silver dagger with a blue crystal embedded in its handle.

"Interested in weapons?" Miriel asked.

"Just looking."

Miriel pointed toward the store. "That place sells weapons made by local craftsmen. Some of the better equipment is sold in the Inner District, but you can still find decent items here."

Liam nodded and continued walking.

As they moved farther into the market, he noticed a small stall selling accessories for magical beasts. There were collars, bracelets, and small decorative tags, each engraved with different symbols.

Liam glanced at the scarf tied around his arm.

’So this is where people get these things.’

Miriel noticed his gaze and explained, "Those are beast accessories. Some are used to identify contracted monsters, while others help their owners keep track of them."

Liam looked at her.

"Keep track of them?"

"Some magical beasts are mischievous. They might wander off or cause trouble if their owners aren’t careful."

Liam gave her a flat look.

"Are you implying that I would cause trouble?"

Miriel quickly shook her head.

"Of course not! I was just explaining."

Liam snorted and continued walking.

They passed through several more streets, visiting shops and looking at the different goods on display. Miriel seemed familiar with the area and led him through the market without hesitation.

After a while, they reached a wide plaza with a large fountain at its center. Water flowed from the mouths of several carved stone beasts, gathering in a clear pool below. People sat on benches around the fountain, while children ran around nearby.

Liam stopped to look at it.

"This place is nice."

Miriel nodded. "It’s one of the popular meeting spots in the Outer District. People often come here to rest or meet their friends."

Liam looked around the plaza.

’This city is much more interesting than I expected.’

Miriel glanced at him.

"Are you getting tired?"

"No. We can keep going."

"Then let’s visit the market street over there. They have even more interesting things."

Liam followed her toward the next street, curious about what else Celestial City had to offer.

The market street was even busier than the previous one.

Rows of shops lined both sides of the road, and colorful signs hung above their entrances. Merchants called out to passing customers, while people moved between the stalls carrying bags filled with their purchases.

Liam looked around with interest.

There were shops selling weapons, armor, potions, magical materials, clothes, food, and all kinds of strange items. Some stores even displayed objects Liam had never seen before.

"Celestial City really has everything," he remarked.

Miriel nodded. "It’s the capital of the Rivermoon Kingdom. People from all over the kingdom come here to trade. You’ll find things here that aren’t available in smaller cities."

Liam glanced at a shop displaying several glowing crystals.

"What are those?"

"Magic crystals. They’re used to store energy and can also be used as materials for crafting."

Liam studied them for a moment before moving on.

As they walked, he noticed a group of people gathered around a large board. Several papers had been attached to it, each displaying a different image and a description.

"What is that?" Liam asked.

Miriel followed his gaze.

"It’s a quest board. Adventurers and Dream Walkers can accept missions from it. Some involve collecting materials, while others require them to hunt monsters or escort merchants."

Liam looked at the board more closely.

A few of the notices offered rewards for collecting herbs from nearby forests. Others requested monster cores or rare materials from dungeons.

’This seems like a convenient way to find work.’

He considered checking the board himself, but then remembered that he was currently visiting the city with Miriel.

There was no need to rush.

"Do you ever accept quests?" he asked.

"Sometimes. The academy occasionally assigns missions to students, but we’re not allowed to accept dangerous ones without permission."

"That makes sense."

Miriel pointed toward a nearby building.

"There’s also an adventurer association over there. They handle quests, monster materials, and dungeon exploration records."

Liam glanced at the building. It was several stories tall, with a large sign displaying a sword crossed with a shield.

"Interesting."

They continued through the market.

At one stall, Miriel stopped to examine a collection of small charms. The charms were shaped like animals, flowers, and various magical symbols.

"These are pretty," she said.

Liam looked at them.

"Are they useful?"

"Some of them are. Others are just decorations."

Miriel picked up a small silver charm shaped like a crescent moon. She turned it over in her hand before placing it back.

The stall owner noticed her interest and smiled.

"Young lady, these charms are made by a skilled artisan. They’re popular among academy students. Would you like to take a closer look?"

Miriel shook her head politely.

"Thank you, but I’m just looking."

She moved away from the stall.

Liam glanced at her.

"You seemed interested."

"They’re cute, but I don’t really need one."

"Then why look at them?"

Miriel gave him a small glare.

"Looking doesn’t mean I have to buy something."

Liam shrugged.

"Fair enough."

They passed a few more shops before reaching a large open area where several merchants had set up temporary stalls. Unlike the permanent stores, these stalls were selling unusual items brought in from different regions.

Liam noticed a display of strange plants, their leaves glowing faintly in different colors.

"Those look interesting."

Miriel followed his gaze.

"Some of them are medicinal herbs. Others are used in alchemy. The ones with glowing leaves probably contain magical energy."

Liam approached the stall and examined the plants.

The merchant, an older man with a short beard, noticed him.

"Oh? What a curious little fellow. Is he your contracted monster, young lady?"

Miriel nodded.

"Yes. His name is Liam."

The merchant leaned forward slightly.

"Can he understand us?"

Liam looked at him.

"Of course I can."

The merchant blinked in surprise.

"Oh! He can speak too?"

Miriel smiled awkwardly.

"Yes. He’s a little unusual."

Liam gave her a sideways glance but didn’t comment.

The merchant laughed.

"That’s wonderful. Intelligent contracted monsters are quite rare. You must be lucky to have one."

Miriel nodded.

"I suppose I am."

Liam silently looked at the plants again.

’I’m starting to get tired of being called a monster.’

Still, he didn’t say anything. As long as people treated him as Miriel’s contracted creature, it would be easier to move around the city without attracting unwanted attention.

After leaving the stall, the two continued exploring.

They eventually reached a large building with a broad entrance and several guards standing outside. People were entering and leaving through its doors, and a large sign above the entrance displayed a symbol resembling a golden scale.

Liam looked at Miriel.

"What is that place?"

"It’s the Celestial Trade Hall," she explained. "Merchants can sell goods there, and people can purchase rare materials. It’s also where many large transactions take place."

"Can anyone enter?"

"Most people can enter the public area. But some sections are restricted to registered merchants or people with special permissions."

Liam glanced at the guards.

’This city has quite a few places for trading.’

He was beginning to understand why Celestial City was considered the kingdom’s most important commercial center.

They walked past the trade hall and continued toward another street.

This one was quieter. The buildings were smaller, and there were fewer people around. Several restaurants and tea houses stood along the road, each with outdoor seating.

Miriel slowed her pace.

"Would you like to take a break?"

Liam looked at her.

"Are you tired?"

"A little. We’ve been walking for quite a while."

"Then let’s rest."

Miriel smiled and led him toward a tea house.

The place had a wooden exterior with blue curtains hanging beside the entrance. Inside, the atmosphere was calm, and the scent of tea filled the air.

They found a table near the window.

A server approached them and handed Miriel a menu.

"What would you like to order?"

Miriel looked through the menu.

"I’ll have a cup of moonflower tea and a small fruit tart."

The server then turned toward Liam.

"And for you?"

Liam glanced at the menu.

"Do you have anything sweet?"

"Of course. We have honey cakes, fruit pastries, and several kinds of dessert."

"Then I’ll have a honey cake."

The server nodded and left.

Miriel looked at Liam with amusement.

"You really do like sweets."

"They taste good."

"That’s true."

Their orders arrived a few minutes later. Miriel took a sip of her tea while Liam ate his honey cake.

For a while, they simply enjoyed the quiet atmosphere.

Then Liam looked out the window.

"How far is the academy from here?"

"Not too far. It’s located near the Inner District’s boundary. We can reach it in about twenty minutes if we walk."

Liam nodded.

"Then I suppose we should head back before it gets too late."

Miriel looked at the sky outside.

"We still have time. There are a few places I haven’t shown you yet."

Liam glanced at her.

"Like what?"

Miriel smiled.

"There’s a large public library nearby. It contains books about the kingdom, magical beasts, and different types of magic. There’s also a park where students often gather."

Liam considered it.

"A library sounds useful."

"Then let’s visit it!"

After finishing their drinks and desserts, they left the tea house.

Miriel led him toward the library, explaining a few things about the city along the way.

The streets gradually became quieter as they moved away from the main market. The buildings were still impressive, but there were fewer merchants and stalls. Instead, Liam noticed more schools, public buildings, and places where people could study or practice their abilities.

Soon, a large building came into view.

It had a wide staircase leading to its entrance, and several tall pillars supported the roof. Above the doors, a silver inscription read:

Celestial City Public Library

Liam looked at the building.

"This is the library?"

Miriel nodded.

"Yes. It has several floors, and each floor contains books on different subjects. The upper floors are restricted, but the public sections are open to everyone."

Liam looked at the entrance with interest.

’This could be useful. I might be able to learn more about this world.’

He followed Miriel up the staircase.

As they entered the library, the noise of the city faded behind them. The interior was spacious, with tall shelves stretching across the hall. Several people sat at tables reading books, while others searched through the shelves.

Liam looked around.

There were books about history, geography, magical beasts, cultivation, skills, and many other subjects.

He turned toward Miriel.

"Can I borrow books from here?"

"Yes, as long as you register first. But you can read anything in the public section."

Liam nodded.

"Then let’s take a look."

Miriel smiled and led him toward the shelves.

As they walked between the rows of books, Liam noticed a section labeled Magical Beasts and Monster Classification.

He stopped.

"This section might be interesting."

Miriel looked at the sign.

"Do you want to read about your own kind?"

Liam paused for a moment.

’My own kind?’

He glanced at the books, then gave a small nod.

"Something like that."

Miriel didn’t question him. She simply helped him reach a book from the lower shelf.

Liam opened it and began reading.

The book contained information about different types of magical beasts, their ranks, abilities, and behavior. Some were ordinary creatures, while others were powerful beings capable of human speech and advanced magic.

He turned a few pages.

’There are so many different kinds.’

He continued reading, taking note of the classifications and the descriptions of higher-ranked creatures.

After a while, Miriel returned with a book about the kingdom’s history.

"Look what I found," she said. "This book talks about the founding of the Rivermoon Kingdom and the royal family."

Liam glanced at the cover.

"That sounds useful too."

They found a nearby table and began reading.

For the next hour, Liam learned about the kingdom’s history, its major cities, and the different regions under royal control. He also discovered that Celestial City had existed for hundreds of years and had grown into the kingdom’s largest city because of its location and trade routes.

Miriel occasionally explained things he didn’t understand, while Liam asked questions about the places mentioned in the book.

By the time they finished, Liam had gained a much better understanding of the kingdom.

He closed the book.

’This visit was more useful than I expected.’

Miriel stretched her arms.

"That was a good break. Are you ready to head back?"

Liam nodded.

"Yeah. We’ve seen enough for today."

They returned the books to their shelves and left the library.

Outside, the sun was beginning to lower in the sky. The streets were still busy, but the atmosphere had changed slightly as people started making their way home.

Miriel looked toward the academy.

"We should head back now. I don’t want to get caught outside too late."

Liam glanced at the city one last time.

"All right. Thanks for showing me around."

Miriel smiled.

"You’re welcome. We can explore more another time."

The two began walking back toward the academy.

As they moved through the streets, Liam looked at the scarf tied around his arm.

’At least I got to see the city. And I learned a few useful things too.’

He glanced toward Miriel.

’This trip wasn’t bad at all.’