I Refused To Be Reincarnated-Chapter 661: Where Rivers Fly and Towers Soar: Regalia

Julius halted cold in his track, his eyes wide in disbelief. Could the sight unfolding before his eyes be true, was it a figment of his imagination, or a lucid dream painting his expectations in surreal strokes?

He shook his head, his heart pounding and breath hastening. No. His imagination wasn’t good enough to create massive ships groaning on flying rivers, their immaculate sails flapping in the sky like shifting clouds.

They entered the city, the cold river splashing like rain on the surrounding fields and providing fresh water to the population, while sailors discharged imported merchandise on broad docks.

Though impressive, he could accept the clever flying river, but how in the realm did they build a city inside a crater? Stationary towers hovered above, some converting sun rays into energy, others using it to deploy a see-through mana barrier at least four times denser than the college’s.

Flat houses constructed against the crater like rice fields extended to the most lavish palace he had ever seen. Even the Franca Empire’s didn’t come remotely close to its curved archways breathing mana like a living being, intricate facade shifting colors like a galaxy of its own, or the grandeur of the materials he assumed to be no lower than the seventh tier—perhaps even the eighth!

Youths flew on flat metallic devices, their feet strapped by something like chains, or even on soft carpets woven in all colors and patterns. That was the part that shocked him most. Those people defied gravity as if it were natural, and he doubted they were all powerful arcanists.

As he gasped at the sight, a firm hand suddenly gripped his shoulder. His wandering mind snapped back on a guard.

Covered in shining plates melding gold and silver and holding a broad war hammer on his shoulders, he glared at Julius, his voice coming out frustrated. "I don’t have time to waste with a brat. It’s my last reminder: show me your identification badge or scram!"

Julius’ eyes darted to the frowning crowd behind him before he scratched his head. Had he been so absorbed that he didn’t hear the guard? Well... the city was just too dazzling, and now that he had snapped from the initial shock, his face burned in eagerness to discover it.

Without wasting a second, he handed his mercenary card with an apologetic bow, noting the same griffon emblem engraved on the guard’s torso. However, an intricate golden crown surrounded the creature this time indicating this was a member of the capital or royal guards, perhaps. In any case, he suppressed his trembling legs, waiting for the guard’s reaction.

"A C-ranked mercenary from the countryside?" The guard passed his shimmering gauntlet over the card, a brow raised.

An ethereal window burst between them, the mana shifting into a lifelike depiction of Julius and rows of texts. As Lana had told him, every known information about him lay bare to the guard, even his empty mission record. But more than that, his depiction moved toward him as if alive.

He shuddered as it phased inside him, fitting perfectly. He could feel how it reached for his elemental affinity and mana, scanning if their signatures were identical. Then, like a dream, it dissolved as the texts shifted to green.

The guard nodded. "Julius. Everything seems fine on my side." He stretched his hand out. "The entry fee comes to one gold. The kingdom will wave it if you take up residence in the capital and pay your taxes on time."

Julius produced a dull coin so worn that the sides were indistinguishable, nodding. Of course, he had done it on purpose to hide its origin. "Thank you, sir."

Before he could leave, the guard leaned closer, slid a piece of cardboard into his chest pocket, and patted it with a grin. "You’re still green but seem like a young man full of hidden potential. Contact me after sharpening your spells for a year or two. I’m sure you’ll make a decent royal guard in training."

With their military dying on the northern front every day, the capital needed fresh blood. Though Julius’ mana was nothing worth mentioning, the tap on his chest revealed something quite shocking. He had a powerful body. Forget about the C-rank, it was inching toward the middle of the B-rank.

Even better, he was around fifteen and could learn a few supporting spells. By playing on his strengths, bulldozing his way through the hierarchy was a real possibility. And as his recruiter, he already rubbed his hand at the hefty reward he would get.

Meanwhile, Julius’ lips curled into a soft smile. He waved his hand, stepping toward the towering gate. "I’ll contact you when I feel worthy to serve the royal family. Thank you for the opportunity, and I wish you a good day, sir."

Julius’ steps echoed under the domed gate. Finally, he’d group with his friends, who had entered the city yesterday, and explore its wonders as they had in Alkemia Al-Nur almost four years ago.

However, he halted the moment he left the gate, his hand blurring in an upward arc. Frowning, he observed the round yellow fruit he had caught and the sweet juice dripping down his fingers, then the hooded youth leaning against the wall.

"You took your sweet time, didn’t you? I almost thought you lost yourself or the guards denied you entry." The man lowered his hood, revealing his emerald eyes and mischievous smirk.

"Hee?" Julius returned the smirk, his eyes sparkling. "I didn’t know you’d miss me after a single day, Arun. Be careful. Asha might become jealous if you spend more time with me than her."

Arun coughed in surprise, then passed his arm around Julius’ shoulders, exploding into laughter while walking toward the inn they resided in. "She’d even be jealous if I adopted a cat anyway, so who cares?" He tucked his fingers around his chin. "Yeah, no, she’s not like that anymore. I mean, we all changed with... everything that has happened, you know?"

Julius sighed. "I know. But this nightmare is behind us now." He pointed at the flow of well-dressed citizens strolling on the terraced streets, smiling at their fair complexions and soft auras of vitality. "Let’s forget about it, learn, have fun, and... Why don’t we become a renowned mercenary group?"

"Hahaha. Sometimes, I wonder if we share the same brain or if you just read my mind. Let’s do it!" Arun’s fist cut overhead, trembling in excitement. "We aim to become the capital’s best group!"

Chuckling and their heads full of dreams, they joined Louise and Asha, ready to live their new lives in the capital to the fullest.

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