Thankfully, Max scolded his horse, allowing Leo to jump on her back as gently as he could, afraid to be thrown by her.

Leo didn’t even try to caress her mane, knowing that it was untameable, only listening to her master.

With his basic knowledge of controlling the horse, a simple gesture on it could be perceived by the horse.

He had the horse faced the direction and said, "I will lead you to the military headquarters first.

Getting an audience with Imperial Captain Draven should be easy for you."

Max nodded.

The horse followed the direction Leo gestured reluctantly while Max followed.

...

Along the way, Leo became a tour guide for Max.

Max listened while being entertained by the places they encountered.

There were customs plaza, market district, caravan square, and finally civic districts, such as the government facilities.

He saw the Arcane District on the east side, but the important structures, such as the tower, institute, academy, and library was far from his side.

On his western side was actually the church district, where major structures such as grand cathedral, healing sanctum, pilgrim hall, and memorial garden could be found.

The Dunmarrow city was vast and filled with houses and massive structures that made it difficult to gaze at them in a single day by walking.

Leo kept telling him information what might contain in the specific district, so he could have an idea what to look for them.

The military headquarters was located at the northern edge of the city.

Hence, Leo led them to detour around the citadel, the heart of the city.

Max constantly had to tilt his head upward, bending his neck, to gaze at the naturally elevated citadel, overlooking every district in the city.

The defensive wall of the citadel made it difficult to see through inside, only catching the peaks of its massive structures almost reaching the sky.

Leo said, "The Citadel of Dunmarrow is the administrative heart of the Dunmarrow Region. Unlike castles built solely for nobility or warfare, the Citadel functions as a combined government complex, military headquarters, judicial center, and emergency command post.

As it is built atop city’s highest natural elevation, it serves as a symbolic representation of Imperial authority throughout the Mirefall Province.

The Citadel houses the offices of the Regional Governor, Regional Military Headquarters, and numerous administrative bureaus responsible for governing the settlements, roads, forts, and frontier villages under Dunmarrow’s jurisdiction.

Although heavily fortified, the Citadel is designed primarily as a center of administration rather than a standalone fortress.

The military headquarters in the past was located there, but due to its expansion, it slowly expanded until the very main military headquarters are located in the northern edge of the city, while some parts of it remained inside the citadel."

Max stared at it and could already imagine why it appeared a fortress and it continued to remain that way.

I wouldn’t be surprised that it was a fortress in the past. Dunmarrow City is just that... just that large...

Max felt it was a pity. The citadel served as the first defensive settlements against the demons and probably the last in the future...

Max swept his gaze at the citadel.

Massive white-gray granite wall, dark slate rooftops, reinforced watchtowers, wide stone courtyards, symmetrical building layout, marble administrative halls, and bronze Imperial emblems engraved throughout.

It gave him a feeling of a restrained and practical aesthetic befitting a frontier regional capital.

As they detoured around the citadel, they eventually reached the walls of the military headquarters.

The military headquarters were constructed upon an elevated stone plateau overlooking the northern section of Dunmarrow.

The headquarters occupied one of the city’s largest fortified compounds.

Thick granite curtain walls surrounded the complex, reinforced with defensive runes and enchantments, with watchtowers maintaining uninterrupted surveillance over the surrounding districts.

Rather than resembling a royal castle, the complex reflected the practical architecture of the Imperial Army—monumental, disciplined, and built for efficiency.

Leo gestured for the horse to stop and sensing that Max was not in a hurry, the horse complied.

Leo took the time to provide information about the military headquarters to Max.

He said, "The headquarters functions as a self-contained military district capable of supporting thousands of soldiers.

Administrative offices, command chambers, barracks, training facilities, workshops, supply depots, and medical wards, everything are all integrated within the compound, allowing the military to operate independently during extended emergencies."

Max nodded, compelling Leo to finally focus around and saw the C-rank knight staring at them in the main gate.

He jumped from the horse and ran towards him.

He briefed the situation to the other C-rank knight, and the latter glanced at Max before fully opening the gate.

Leo returned to the horse and gestured it to enter the military headquarters of Dunmarrow city.

As soon as they past through the gate, Max felt like he had just entered an entire different city.

Their horses stood atop the wide stone avenues, connecting to each section of the headquarters.

At the center was the headquarters, while the surrounding were filled with other buildings and defensive towers.

Leo peeked at Max’s reaction and subtly perceived how astonished Max was.

He was satisfied.

He said, "The wide stone avenues are connected to each section of the headquarters, enabling rapid movement of personnel, cavalry, supply wagons, and military formations. Every building follows standardized Imperial construction, ensuring consistency with other regional headquarters throughout the Empire.

The headquarters is built primarily from dark granite and reinforced limestone, materials chosen for durability and resistance against both physical assaults and magical erosion.

Defensive towers rise above the surrounding walls at regular intervals. They are equipped with signal beacons, observation platforms, and rune-powered communication arrays linked to nearby forts and watchtowers.

Military banners bearing the crest of the Empire of Valtherion and the regional insignia of Mirefall hang throughout the compound. There are also public ceremonial spaces and they are modest compared to the Imperial Capital, emphasizing military professionalism over grandeur.

Although heavily fortified, the headquarters remains accessible to authorized civilians, adventurers, and merchants conducting official military business through designated entrances and administrative offices..."

Although Leo was telling him significant information about the headquarters, it seemed like he had rehearsed what he must say when leading an important individual to the headquarters.

Still, Max listened attentively until Leo felt like his saliva had run dry...

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A/N: Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to show your supports by giving golden tickets, powerstones, gifts, and reviews! It means a lot since this is participating for WSA.