Two weeks had passed since they left the simple and warm stilt village. The long and exhausting journey through dense forests, overflowing small rivers, muddy plains, and rocky mountain paths had finally brought them to the wide main road leading directly to the capital of the Earth Human Empire. The morning air felt noticeably drier, fresher, and filled with the vibrant energy of city life. The wind carried a mixture of road dust, spices from traveling merchants, and the faint scent of horse sweat and machine oil.

Sylvia sat upright on the worn wooden coachman’s seat, the reins loose in her pale, slender hands. Her long black hair flowed freely down to her waist, occasionally stirred by the warm afternoon breeze, making the strands dance gently. Beside her, Stacia sat with sparkling purple eyes full of enthusiasm, an expression rarely seen because she usually got bored quickly during long journeys. The Golden Dragon in its small kitten form curled comfortably on Sylvia’s lap, its gleaming golden fur reflecting the sunlight like liquid gemstones. Meanwhile, Alicia was inside the carriage, occasionally peeking out through the small window with her neatly tied silver hair.

"Wow... finally a truly busy road," Stacia muttered while affectionately leaning her body against Sylvia’s shoulder. Her wide eyes observed the various vehicles passing on the wide cobblestone road. "Look at that! There’s a luxurious horse carriage with the emblem of a major noble family, and... what’s that? A truck?! They already have functioning trucks in this post-fusion world?"

Sylvia nodded slowly, her dark red eyes scanning the surroundings with calm vigilance. "Humans adapt quickly. Look, some still rely on horses and traditional carriages, while others have modified mechanical vehicles with glowing magic runes and mana crystals as fuel. A unique combination of old and new technology."

This main road was vastly different from the forest trails they had traveled before. It was wide enough for four carriages to pass each other comfortably, its surface made of gray flagstones that were slightly worn by time and traffic, but still solid and even. On both sides of the road, trees had been neatly cleared to make space, replaced by mana lamp posts and small thatched guard posts. Imperial flags fluttered on several poles, displaying the majestic golden eagle symbol.

Vehicles moved continuously, creating a symphony of rumbling wheels, the clatter of horse hooves, and occasional engine hums. There were ordinary merchant carriages like theirs, luxurious passenger carriages with golden carvings and silk curtains, and even a few old trucks modified with faintly glowing magic runes on their engine hoods. Thin smoke rose from some vehicle exhausts, mixing with the smell of horse manure, road dust, and the aroma of food from street vendor carts.

Stacia continued watching with childlike enthusiasm. "That street vendor has a magical cart that floats a little! And look at that large caravan with fully armed guards. The capital must be very rich and full of opportunities."

After nearly two hours of travel on this busy road, the city walls finally appeared in the distance. Massive gray stone walls at least nine meters high stretched far across the horizon, with sturdy guard towers at regular intervals. Imperial flags fluttered proudly atop the walls, their golden eagle symbols seeming alive under the sunlight.

Stacia narrowed her eyes. "Hmm... that wall is quite short compared to our Nocture. Only nine meters. Not as tall as our nearly fifteen-meter walls."

Sylvia smiled faintly. "True. But we don’t know the post-apocalypse situation here. The Earth Humans might rely more on individual strength, adventurer guilds, and advanced magic rather than overly tall physical fortifications. Their adaptability is truly impressive."

As they drew closer, the crowd grew denser. A long line of vehicles formed in front of the grand main gate. Sylvia patiently guided their carriage into the queue, her hands steady on the reins. The gate guard’s soldiers in light armor bearing the golden eagle emblem inspected each vehicle thoroughly using simple mana detection tools.

When it was their turn, a bearded captain of the guard approached with an authoritative stride. "State your purpose and identity?"

Sylvia took out the gold merchant card they had obtained from the guild earlier, her voice calm and polite. "We are traveling merchants from the eastern region. We carry spices, fabrics, and quality household goods."

The guard nodded and briefly inspected the inside of the carriage. Fortunately, Sylvia had already moved most of the valuable items into her system storage, leaving only fragrant spice stocks, plain cloth, and ordinary household tools. The strong aroma of spices black pepper, cinnamon, and saffron immediately filled the air as the guard opened the carriage door.

"Very well. The spices smell good. Pay the standard entry tax and you may enter."

Sylvia paid with several silver coins without much conversation, her expression remaining neutral. The massive gate opened with a heavy groooaaan... sound that shook the ground, and their carriage passed through into the capital.

The outer area of the capital, the first section they entered, was quite orderly for a post-fusion city. The roads were still wide, and the houses were neatly arranged, though many were simple wooden and stone structures. Children ran and played along the roadside, laughing cheerfully. Small vendors shouted their wares, and the aroma of street food wafted from every corner: monster meat skewers, cheese-filled bread, and hot soup. There was no strong aura of power here; most residents were ordinary people without significant magical strength.

"The outer area is for common folk," Sylvia murmured softly through telepathy. "A rougher but lively environment."

They continued through increasingly busy streets. After about twenty minutes, a much more magnificent second gate appeared. Its walls were thicker and taller, with more guards fully equipped in heavy armor. This was clearly the divider between the outer and inner districts.

The inspection this time was stricter. Two guards boarded the carriage and checked the goods thoroughly, even using simple detection spells. However, since their cargo genuinely looked like that of ordinary merchants, they were allowed to pass without major issues.

The moment they passed through the second gate, the atmosphere changed drastically.

The inner city was far cleaner, neater, and more beautifully organized. The roads were paved with smooth, polished stones. High-quality stone and wooden buildings stood in orderly rows with small gardens and fountains in front. Mana lamps glowed softly even during the day. Luxurious shops with clear glass display showcased rare goods, and better-dressed people from silk clothing to rune-embroidered coats walked confidently. The magical aura here was much stronger: high-rank adventurers, wealthy merchants, and possibly nobles passed by with their escorts.

"So different," Alicia said from inside the carriage through telepathy, her voice full of admiration. "Like two worlds within one city. The outer for common people, the inner for those in power."

Stacia nodded in agreement while peering out. "The outer area is a bit shabby but lively, the inner is luxurious and well-organized. Classic. Similar to the stratification system in many ancient kingdoms."

Sylvia continued controlling the carriage while carefully observing her surroundings. "Let’s find a good inn in the middle area. Not too luxurious so we don’t stand out, but comfortable enough to gather information and rest well."

They circled the inner district briefly. Sylvia finally chose a three-story inn named "Silver Eagle Inn" located on a busy but not overly elite street. The building was clean with fresh white paint, a spacious wooden terrace for relaxing, and good stables at the back. Wildflowers decorated its windows.

After negotiating the price with the inn owner, a friendly middle-aged man with brown hair and a plump belly, they secured two adjacent rooms on the second floor at a reasonable rate. The carriage and two zombie horses were placed in the back stable for an additional fee, where staff immediately provided them with fresh hay and clean water.

While carrying their belongings up to the room, Sylvia casually chatted with a young inn servant to gather initial information.

"What’s been the talk of the capital lately?" she asked casually with a faint smile.

The servant smiled widely. "So many things, Miss! The Hunter Guild is opening a large expedition to a new dimensional rift in the north that’s said to be full of treasures. There’s also news that the Emperor will hold a grand tournament next month to find new talents. If you’re a merchant, the central market is bustling with rare goods from various regions: mana crystals, artifacts, and even dungeon food ingredients." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Sylvia nodded, neatly storing all the information in her mind. After arranging their belongings in the comfortable room with soft beds and windows overlooking the street, the three sisters sat together in the spacious sitting area.

"Tomorrow, we start moving," Sylvia said in a firm yet gentle voice. "Stacia, strengthen our disguise magic to be more detailed. Alicia, try to sense if there are any stable dimensional rifts nearby. We need a place to increase our strength without drawing too much attention."

Stacia stretched her body happily. "Finally! I’m so bored of being on the road. Time to go shopping, try delicious food, and look for real adventures!"

Alicia smiled gently. "And I want to try the capital’s cuisine. They say there are fancy restaurants that serve high-grade monster meat prepared with ancient recipes."

The golden kitten leaped onto the windowsill, gazing at the bustling city below with wary golden eyes. Their long journey had reached a new important milestone.