?elare walks through the city of Alpha, taking in the new environment. The building density is even greater than in Periculand Town. Looking down at the map he was given, it is larger by at least an order of magnitude- so vast that he can barely believe it. He has spent over an hour wandering aimlessly, visiting numerous businesses and buildings, overwhelmed by the sights and sounds to the point of setting aside his mission temporarily.

  As he steps out of a café, his sensitive ears pick up what sounds like a scuffle, which he instantly decides to investigate. The sound leads him to a back alley, where he sees three ruffians surrounding an odd-looking girl with waist-length, purple hair. She looks somewhat pale, and is covered in minor wounds. Another man, similar in looks to the three, lies unconscious on the ground beside her. The one in the centre speaks as he takes a step back.

  “Hey, darling, we don’t need to fight! All we wanted was a bit of cash, y’know?”

  ?elare notices the man’s right hand push aside his cloak slightly, subtly reaching for what is probably a weapon, and so he decides to intervene.

  ?elare’s body flickers, before disappearing entirely as he envelops himself in a field of light element.

  Once fully veiled, he walks briskly over to the man, unsheathing his dagger at the same time.

  The scoundrel notices the footsteps at the last second, turning around and striking out with his dagger, but he does not connect with anything. “Who's there?” he shouts, before feeling a heavy impact on his forehead, and everything goes dark.

  The other two men look around frantically as their leader collapses. The girl chuckles, her eyes fixed on where ?elare stands despite his invisibility.

  “You can see me?” he asks. As she responds, the two scoundrels finally decide on their next action- fleeing.

  “Not precisely. I can sense your life energy.”

  ?elare steps to the side as quietly as he can. Sure enough, her gaze follows him. Seeing no reason to waste more mana, he stops releasing light element. His body returns to a state of visibility.

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  “Fascinating. Also, are you alright? I believe I heard you fighting this guy,” he says, gesturing to the man who was unconscious when he arrived.

  “Yes, mostly. He didn't have time to draw his weapon before I beat him unconscious.” She raises her fist, revealing it to be coated in blood and making him do a double take. He hesitates for a bit, before extending his left hand.

  “...?elare.”

  The girl reaches out her non-bloodied hand and shakes it.

  “Astraea.”

  “Astraea, you seem like someone who could help me. How can I meet the Emperor? I need an audience with him to save my village from a Unique Monster.”

  Her eyes widen in surprise, and she takes a folded page out of her pocket. She unfolds it and shows him the writing, letting him read before speaking.

  “You assisted me with those villains, even if I would have been fine. So, therefore, it is only right that I return the favour. I will take you with me to meet him- let us not delay needlessly.”

  ?elare smiles and replies.

  “Thank you.”

  She leads him further into the city of Alpha, leaving the two men on the ground.

  The pair stop just outside an enormous gate that stretches up nearly fifteen meters vertically, curving round horizontally as far as the eye can see. Beyond it, a single, enormous palace is situated, surrounded by a kilometer or so of empty field. They take a moment to admire the architectural wonder before Astraea speaks.

  “This is the barrier between Alpha Secondary and Alpha Primary. According to your map, we simply must walk down from here to find the entrance. I will then give this to the guards, and… I am unsure of what will happen next.”

  ?elare nods and they begin walking, finally reaching the entrance after twenty minutes. Two armoured guards stand with spears planted on the ground, in front of the only entrance to the Emperor's residence. Astraea takes the lead, confidently approaching the guards.

  “Who goes there?” the left one asks her.

  She hands him the page, replying, “I have received a summons from the Emperor and am bringing a guest with me.”

  He takes the note and reads it, before handing it to his companion.

  “Ferrin, test this for me.”

  Ferrin takes it and, after reading it as well, places his right hand on the face of the paper. A vibrant orange glow is created, and the writing disappears.

  “It is legitimate,” he states.

  The first guard turns back to Astraea.

  “Very well, you may enter. Your guest, too.”

  He walks to the side of the gate and places a finger on a cuboidal object protruding from the gate. ?elare senses a minute flow of mana entering it from the man, and the gate slowly opens.

  The two guards return to standing at their post. Either side of the path ahead is decorated with a perfectly maintained garden stretching nearly twenty metres, fading at the far end into low-cut grass. ?elare and Astraea begin travelling towards the palace.