My Demon Pet System

Chapter 40 - North Gates

"Oh... then you haven't forgotten it" Enatsu snorted. Laughing and joking, the two companions continued to walk the streets of Goldhaven, trapped in its beauty.

In the middle of the morning, the capital citizens were intent on carrying out the most diverse works: from blacksmiths who forged weapons and utensils of everyday use to tailors who sewed fine clothes to display on the streets. ??

Numerous groups of children played and chased each other, regardless of the people around them. Playful screams, combined with general buzz, contributed to the capital's charm, Tentochu's most populous city.

Without stopping for a second, Yoichi continued to follow a sign he encountered just before, a few meters from the White Rose exit. Like so many other similar signs, it indicated the most significant points of interest. Among them, the North Gates.

Goldhaven was similar to a large jewellery box: the round walls of the city were divided into many inner neighbourhoods, in their turn, enclosed in small walls, lower and less robust.

The beginning of each neighbourhood was sanctioned by imposing inscriptions carved into the rock, several meters high. From their location, the two friends could see, between two buildings, a giant stone arch reading the words: 'Tamer District'.

Letting their careful looks precede words, Enatsu and Yoichi saw dozens of tamers crossing the threshold of that giant door always open, more than ten meters wide and twenty meters high.

Each of them was followed by his demon, perhaps an Oracle or maybe not. I wonder how many of them are part of guilds. Maybe everyone, judging by their shiny armour and the giant demon pets by their side, Yoichi pondered, daydreaming.

"Who knows, maybe, one day, you will be in the midst of all those people too," Enatsu commented, noting the gaze of his friend lost in the crowd.

"I'm very curious about the real benefits of being part of a guild. I wonder how many there are," Yoichi replied.

"Do you mean the guilds of Goldhaven?" Enatsu asked, awaiting confirmation. "So, they should be about twenty. The most famous is undoubtedly that of the Emperor's Heralds", he explained.

"The one Kato is part of?" Yoichi said, recalling that name.

"Yes, that's right. That's why your victory aroused all that interest, Yoichi. It's not every day that you see a rookie defeat a tamer from such a famous guild. You know, as you can deduce from its name, it is directly linked to Emperor Nishiyama."

"Are you saying that the tamers of that guild fight at the front? I remember the Nomi Island story. You told me that the last wars between the two factions took place right there", the young tamer continued.

"It is no coincidence that the Emperor's Heralds are the strongest warriors in Tentochu. You know, tamers from all over the country travel to Goldhaven trying to join it," Enatsu answered. "Fighting for the Emperor and his own faction is the greatest honour a tamer can aspire. There are hundreds of guilds scattered throughout the territory, of course, there must be one to refer to in case of sudden attacks by Kamakiri's army."

"Mmm... I understand. They are the true champions of justice," Yoichi jokingly commented, referring to the Emperor's Heralds guild. "However, it's not all gold that glitters. Emperor Nishiyama has hidden from everyone that he has a powers-less daughter. Imagine how many other things he can hide. After all, it enjoys a privileged position. No one can question his word," he reflected.

"I've already explained it to you, my friend. Watch what you say. The Emperor's men may be among us, ready to kick your ass," Enatsu replied fearlessly. Out of the corner of his eye, the merchant looked left and right.

"I wonder if Sui has returned to the Palace safely..." he replied, continuing to walk with his backpack.

After about four miles travelled through the streets of the immense Goldhaven, the North Gates were finally visible. An architectural structure similar to that of the Main Gates, but less evident, stood imposingly beyond the buildings.

Carved into the thick outer walls, the enormous wings of the iron door were wide open towards the Bronzeforest, geographically north of the city.

"Here we go, we're almost there" Enatsu pointed out. "According to what I remember from my father's bestiary, the Inoshumas usually water at the lake in the middle of the forest. Do you remember how to get there?"

"Er... no!" Yoichi replied, scratching his head. An innocent expression appeared on his face. "Come on, it'll be a child's play for you and Sora to find it, right?" he asked, turning the tables in his favour.

Enatsu responded with a disliked grimace. Yoichi's statement made sense, but he did not want to give him the satisfaction of being right once again.

The two adventurers reached the foot of the large gates north of the walls. Many people were queuing towards them, arranged in two neat rows, one headed outwards and another towards the city's interior.

As with the main gates, the guards closely monitored every movement of citizens and travellers from the north of Tentochu. Unlike that grumpy guy they met upon their arrival, those men in armour seemed much kinder and friendlier towards the neighbour.

Very quickly and without too many questions, the people in line came out one after the other. When Yoichi and Enatsu's turn came, one of the guards greeted them cordially.

"See you soon, travellers! Glory to Emperor Nishiyama!" the man greeted, clenching a fist on his chest.

The two friends, not knowing how to react to that harmless statement, stood still for a few moments. "Glory to the Emperor!" Yoichi affirmed, imitating the guard's gesture and emphasizing it with a false smile.

"Glory to the Emperor" Enatsu repeated, confused as always.

The Bronzeforest's colours gradually reappeared in front of them like patches of green paint on a canvas. The chaos of the city, step by step, was replaced by the cheerful chirping of birds and the sound of wind in the treetops.

"Finally, some piece and quiet around here. All that chaos was clouding my mind," Yoichi breathed, enjoying that long-awaited peace.