City of Venice (Ch3)

I rose and walked towards the mansion. It stood amidst the winding canals of Venice, its weathered stone front bearing the marks of centuries gone by. Lush green ivy wrapped around the walls, tendrils weaving through cracks and curling in the cracks of the iron balconies.

Though the surrounding houses looked cozy and out-of-date.

It felt as though I were stepping back in time.

This feeling stirred an occasional feeling of wonder within me. A feeling I had never known in the nuclear-wasted world from my previous world.

Unbeknownst to me, my lips curled into a smile.

I passed through the ivy-strung metal gate and knocked upon the door.

"Chi xe là?" (Who is there?)

The door opened gently, and a middle-aged man stepped out, dressed as a butler from the middle ages. He looked me over before his eyes widened in recognition.

"Oh! Messer Otto, sìto rivà! Ve prego de scusarme se no ve go accolto ben come se convien nel vostro palasso, mio signor."

──── (Oh! Lord Otto, you have arrived! Please accept my sincerest apologies for not properly welcoming you into your estate, my Lord.) He bowed respectfully.

"Va ben, no me dà fastidio. Podesse presentarme ti e gli altri servitori?" 

──── (It's fine. I am not bothered with it. Can you introduce yourself and the other servants?)

"Sì! Aspetè un attimo, mio signor. Vado a ciamar i servitori!"

──── (Yes! Please wait a moment, my Lord. I will call the servants!)

"No, va ben. Potrete presentarve più tardi nel mio ufficio."

──── (No, it's fine. You can introduce yourselves later at my office.)

"Sì, farò como el comanda, mio signor!"

──── (Yes, I will do as you command, my Lord!)

The man seemed glad to finally meet me. Is it because of Otto's handsome face? I felt like I was dissociating myself with Otto but I shook my head as I stepped inside when the butler introduced himself as Richard.

────(This is exhausting. Let's switch to English for now.)

The interior of the mansion was grand. Marble floors stretched across vast hallways, their polished surfaces reflecting the warm glow of candlelit chandeliers overhead.

As I approached the staircase, a few servants glanced my way, bowing as I passed. They were dressed in black and white maid uniforms, a contrast to the surroundings.

'I'm not used to these bows. I'll have to tell them to stop once I'm in the office.' I sighed, though the servants seemed to mistake it for disappointment, glancing nervously at one another.

However, I gave up on that thought especially that new people would bow to me at every chance due to their culture towards nobility. It would be pointless anyways so I decided to adapt to this new reality.

As I ascended, I took in the entire space.

Masterfully carved wooden panels decorated the walls. Rich tapestries in deep crimson and gold hung from the high ceilings, showing scenes of Venetian history and legend.

Ornate furniture, upholstered in plush velvet with gilded accents, stood arranged as if awaiting a gathering of higher ups from the government body.

The scent of aged leather and faint traces of incense lingered in the air. Amidst the ancient extravagance, porcelain vases held fresh bouquets of white lilies, their flowery fragrance mixing with the ancient scents of the mansion.

'What the heck. This place is too much.' I twisted my head to the front of the hallway and followed the butler.

"This is your room, my Lord." He opened the door, stepping aside to allow me a view of the space.

It was immaculate and lavish. I could hardly find words to describe the wealth of the Apocalypse Family.

.

.

'Also, I never thought the House of Apocalypse's sons would each have their own wealth and land throughout the world. This family is really considered one of the richest. No wonder Otto managed to build so much of PE technology in the shadows.

Although Otto held the title of bishop, he was a direct descendant of one of the Three Noble Houses: the House of Apocalypse, the House of Schariac, and the House of Kaslana. Together, these Houses formed Shicksal, a union rooted in black technology from the Previous Era and knowledge of the Honkai that has plagued the world of natural calamities.

Shicksal Weapons.

These weapons were practically unbeatable, equipped with impenetrable defenses and unstoppable offensive capabilities. No army could hope to break a Shicksal Shield or withstand a Shicksal Lance.

This power brought fear and admiration, as neighboring kingdoms opted to maintain amicable relations with Shicksal rather than provoke their wrath. Most feared of all were the Kaslana, known for their lineage of Valkyries.

Closing the book inside the Void Archive, I let the information settle in my mind. Endless knowledge of ancient technology lay within the Void Archives, but so much of it was still beyond my understanding.

'I lack the necessary foundation,' I mused.

The records here also spoke of the Previous Era, hinting at the possibility of survivors who might be working to rebuild civilization—like the remaining Flamechasers and their grand Projects to save Humanity.

"Do you think survivors from the Previous Era are still out there?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"It's possible," the Void Archive replied, its voice filling the endless library. 

"Malfunctions in the shelters could have kept some of them inside for centuries."

"And wouldn't it be convenient if those experts were here to help me rebuild these technologies," I replied with a smirk.

The Archive's response was an amused snicker. "Convenient? Hardly. But it seems you're serious."

The idea was tempting. Establishing a Council of Science, one that could draw from fields like Biology, Chemistry, and Technology, could accelerate my plans.

Immortality, too, seemed almost achievable with enough honkai energy. In theory, of course.

These fields could attract geniuses, and enhancing them with soulium nanobots—a technology thought lost to the Previous Era—would preserve their knowledge. I would need to find soulium first, hidden away in old shelters or remnants like ruins of the Previous Era.

The Sea of Quanta, too, was a trove of unknown threats and potential treasures. Even Seele had stumbled across something powerful in that place from the Honkai Storyline.

Returning to the real world, I requested the Void Archive to materialize some books into reality, books that covered the fundamentals across various scientific disciplines.

The next day.

Knock. Knock.

"Come in."

Richard stepped in, offering a respectful nod.

"Good, you're here. Take a look at these," I said, passing him the documents.

His eyes widened as he scanned them. "Incredible, my lord. Did you design this?"

He was staring at a blueprint for a textile machine, a compact device made of wood and metal components, complete with a loom and a system of gears, cranks, and pedals.

"Of course," I replied with a grin. The design wasn't made by me, but I didn't know who made this design so it makes sense to take the credits for the creation.

After briefing him on the machine's components—like the warp beam with its adjustable rods, and the cloth beam—I added, "This will operate as I expect it to, even with untrained workers. I don't expect any hours of manual weaving for artisans."

This would revolutionize the textile industry, bringing a lot of money. Even the common folk would be able to afford these goods. Branding would come later when the textile business has gained a foothold to the market. For now, R&D was the focus.

"I'll carry out your orders to the letter, my lord," Richard said, bowing deeply before he left.

Once the door shut, I turned to my other documents and letters, mulling over an invitation from the Mocenigo Family, Pietro, a Venetian Admiral with a powerful grip on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. I didn't know the reason for why he was inviting me, but I made a mental note to arrange a meeting after the textile venture was complete. 

A second letter was about the Republic, which is normal since I am considered a Shicksal ambassador, who has a Bishop authority over this area, a manager of a diocese. 

'When thinking about it, this place is controlled by the nobility.'

I read the official books about the Venice City's government through Richard's reports and gathered some information.

The Venetian "Republic," despite its name, wasn't democratic as what the word 'Republic' implies. Only those whose families were listed in the Golden Ledger—the official registry of noble families—had any real say in governance or had the right to vote. This ruling class formed a tight-centralized council that dictated Venice's political and economic strategies, creating a closed oligarchy rather than a true republic.

For the average Venetian, participation in the Republic's decisions was out of reach, as voting and political influence were reserved exclusively for these noble families. This council wielded considerable power, particularly over trade and maritime dominance, and they kept a stronghold on Venetian wealth and resources. This exclusivity often caused tension with the broader population, who were excluded from the decision-making processes despite their contributions to the city's success.

'However, unlike other italian cities. They are stable in terms of economy. However, there was indeed inequality in terms of wealth distribution, nevertheless, this was common before the modern era.' I placed the letter to the side of the table and glanced at the other documents.

Among the documents was also a list of orphans arriving at the San Michele Monastery, led by Octavia also known as Vera, an Honorary Knight Guard who protected Otto, and Vera, a former knight trainee. Sasha, the little florist girl, was on that list, too—a familiar girl who tugged at something in my chest. I smiled bitterly.

Setting the paper aside, I decided the Monastery renovation would be my next priority.

.

.

Surprisingly, the main church of Venice, the San Michele Monastery, stood isolated and calm. In the modern times, it was known as the city's cemetery, but in the 15th century, it was a holy sanctuary.

Pilgrims came from Venice City or even from afar, boarding small dinghies and larger passenger boats that sailed to this sacred island, where countless masses were held within its ancient stone walls.

"Welcome, Your Holiness." A priest bowed at the monastery's entrance while the sound of the ongoing mass echoed softly from the main chapel.

"You don't have to greet me. I only wanted to check on the orphanage."

"Ah, but it would be rude not to greet the Bishop of the Diocese. Please, allow me to guide you. It's your first time here, isn't it, Your Holiness?"

I nodded. To be truthful, I didn't know much about this place. The priest's gentle smile grew wider as he introduced himself.

"My name is Domenico Codussi."

"Nice to meet you, Domenico." I returned his smile, and he nodded back, leading me into the heart of the monastery.

Unlike what one might expect, the monastery wasn't in tattered ruins. It stood brand new, as if it had just been renovated.

I asked Domenico if the monastery was regularly maintained. He nodded, his expression becoming thoughtful, and he began to share its history.

"It suffered a fire years ago, but the church has stood the test of time since Archbishop Giovanni of Ravenna first built it. 

"Thanks to Shicksal's influence, we received funds from the upper echelons to restore this sacred place under my father's guidance," he paused, looking out over the tranquil waters that surrounded the island.

"Your father?" I asked, curious.

Domenico's black hair swayed in the salty sea breeze, and as I glanced at the shimmering waves, I felt the fresh air cool my lungs.

He continued, "Yes, my father, Mauro Codussi, led the reconstruction. He's remembered for his work here, his efforts making this area a place of peace for those who couldn't find hope in this world... As for your Holiness, I hope you find your peace within the confines of this Monastery."

He gave me a peculiar smile before resuming his stride down a long corridor, his robes sweeping the floor.

"Peace?" I muttered, following along. There was something about this priest that piqued my suspicion. Did he know more about Shicksal than he let on? Before I could question him further, he stopped before a door and gestured with a solemn nod.

"This is the orphanage. The children have been eagerly awaiting your arrival." He smiled and bowed, taking his leave.

I watched his retreating figure, a slight frown tugging at my brow.

"Sussy," I muttered, shaking my head to dispel the lingering doubts. I opened the door, only to be greeted by a blur of motion.

"Sir Otto!" An excited little girl flung herself into my arms, her laughter bubbling over.

"Did you see the sea? It's so beautiful! I've only read about it in books, but now—"

"Sasha, you're scaring His Holiness," her voice was gentle, she scolded softly, gently covering Sasha's mouth and turning her head with a respectful gaze.

"My lord, I've fulfilled your request to bring them safely to the monastery."

Her petite figure kneeled on the ground with her striking amethyst eyes in reverent gaze, what was more striking was her battle-axe which was almost as large as herself resting by her side.

'These are the orphans that Otto takes care of?' I thought, glancing around. Children surrounded me, chattering away with stories of their journey, while an older teenager acted like a stalwart knight in legends.

"My lord, are you well?" Octavia looked up at me with concern. "I heard about the encounter with an Emperor Honkai Beast in the Ionian Sea. I should have been there to protect you. I've failed and am willing to pay with my life if you so command."

"No, I'm fine," I assured her, rubbing my temples. "Please, stop offering your head."

Her dedication was as boundless as her loyalty, it seemed. The children, meanwhile, peered at me curiously, all wide-eyed wonder.

"What is Venice like?"

"Is the food as delicious as the stories say?"

I couldn't help but smile. "I'll show you around," I replied, already planning to put them in the mansion while we renovated the orphanage. The place was lacking—no proper toilets, no playground, and no suitable study spaces for these kids. It wasn't fit for children like them.

There was much to be done. Classrooms, reading rooms—maybe even a small garden where they could play. Why was I helping them, after all? I sighed. It was for Kallen.

Her memory weighed heavily on my heart, nudging me toward kindness where I would otherwise remain indifferent.

Someday, I'll overcome this emptiness and look toward the future even if I am all alone. Perhaps I'd even make a burial ceremony here, a final resting place for Kallen in this city of gentle breezes and tranquil seas where she is away from the corruption of the Church. She would've loved it here.