Chapter 8:- Fiery Sword City - Market Place

William already had prepared the money. He handed the money to the Nun and then turned around and left without even looking back. Meanwhile, The Nun continued to stare at William's back before sighing.

'Why does he have to be with two Demons?' The Nun couldn't deny that William was an extremely handsome-looking man. He was very charming. Despite her being rude and aggressive, William calmly responded and kept being a gentleman. If William had come here alone, then she would have talked to her nicely.

A part of her even felt ashamed of being so rude. But she did not regret her actions. This man was walking with two Demons. Even though one of the Demons was his slave, as a Nun she naturally hated all Demons and wanted them to die.

Just as Isabella stepped out of the church, she felt the invisible weight from her shoulders being lifted. She now felt much better than before. The same could be said for little Aimee. Obviously, William failed to see Aimee's reaction as she was in Isabella's embrace.

"We will sign the contract once as head to the Inn. But before that, we need to do some shopping." The Capital was the center of The Flaming Dominion Empire. All kinds of goods, foods, and specialties can be found here. William needed to buy clothes for his daughter, for Isabella, and for himself. William treated Isabella more like his daughter's nanny than a mere slave. He wasn't cold-hearted enough to treat her like a slave and not buy her any clothes.

William wasn't really planning on staying at the capital. Being in the Capital at its benefit and its disadvantages. One big advantage of staying in the Capital was that this city was really safe and secure. There was no threat of his child being kidnapped or anyone attacking him in broad daylight. The capital cannot be attacked by the enemies. It was a secure place to live. As the Capital was the place where the Emperor lived, the city was naturally more developed and the most flourishing city of the whole Empire.

But.....

At the same it, it was also very costly to live here. The prices of commodities and house was really high. Even for common-class people, living in the Capital was very expensive. While a family of four people can live in the capital comfortably for 6 months with 100 Gold coins, with the same amount of money, a family of four can live a comfortable life in some other cities within this Empire for up to 8 or 9 months.

As William and others got into the carriage, Joseph got ready. "Where?"

"Grandpa, I want to buy clothes for us. Can you take us to a good place?" William did not mind spending money on buying clothes for his daughter. After all, his daughter deserves the best.

"Alright. Hold tight." Joseph sat on the driver's seat and took the reins in his hand.

While the carriage run on the streets, William took this chance to ask the old man Joseph some questions. "Grandpa, can you please tell me more about this Empire and this city?" Instead of studying the map, it would be better if William can learn about this world from someone like the carriage driver. From the looked of it, Joseph was a very experienced and wise man. Men like Joseph are rare to find even back on Earth.

"This city is the Capital of the Flaming Dominion Empire. The name of this city is the Fiery Sword City. The Flaming Dominion Empire is located in the middle of The Oracle Moon Continent. In terms of size, The Oracle Moon Continent is the 4th largest continent on the planet. The Flaming Dominion Empire is one of the strongest Empires on the Oracle Moon continent."

"I see." In this world, there were no countries. Only Kingdoms, Empires, and Dynasties existed.

"If you're looking for a safe place to live, then I suggest you just live in the Capital. The Fiery Sword City is one of the safest cities on the whole continent. Compared to other cities, the crime rate in this city is very low." The old driver suggested.

But William didn't want to live in the Capital. "Grandpa, thank you for the suggestion but I don't like living in such a big city. Not to mention, the living cost in the capital is will more expensive." The true reason William refused to stay in this city is because of the Emperor. He was even thinking of leaving this Empire and going to some other Empires to live. Another reason William wanted to leave is because of the strong influence of the Sun Goddess religion. After seeing how the church was behaving toward his daughter, he did not want to stay in this Empire.

"Hahaha! That's true. The prices of goods are slightly expensive in the Capital." Joseph agreed with William.

"Grandpa, do you mind telling me what lies beyond this Flaming Dominion Empire's borders?" William wanted to know more about this continent. As Joseph is a native of this world, he naturally would have information about this stuff.

"To the east, the empire's borders extend towards the sea. In the south, the Flaming Dominion Empire shares its borders with another empire called The Solar Lands. On the western side, you'll find the vast expanse known as the Great Wretched Timberland. And in the north, the Empire's borders meet those of The Night Empire." William absorbed the information, his mind-expanding with newfound possibilities. Understanding the neighboring regions would prove invaluable as he contemplated potential destinations beyond the Flaming Dominion Empire.

"Grandpa, what do you think of the Flaming Dominion Empire's King?" William tested the water by asking this question to the old man. If the old man was someone who loved the King, then he would only praise Sariyah. But if the old man was dissatisfied with Sariyah then he would say negative things about him. From the old man's answer, William will be able to find out what kind of King Sariyah really was. One way to know if the current ruler is good or bad is to ask about him to its citizens.

"King Sariyah falls short in several aspects. I have been fortunate enough to witness the era of his father, a wise and benevolent king. During his reign, the empire thrived and prospered. However, King Sariyah possesses different priorities, placing greater emphasis on his personal ambitions. I am not well-versed in politics, but I can say that life has become more challenging since his ascension. For instance, the prices of commodities have risen due to increased taxes imposed during his reign."

William silently digested these words. 'The old man's words have further convinced me that I should leave this Empire as soon as possible. But before I leave, I will need a few things first.' William need as soon he went outside the Capital, he would have no protection on him. For that, he would need to prepare himself first before heading out.

'I will need basic essentials like food, water, and clothes.' The biggest obstacle in William's path was his lack of knowledge about this world. He still wasn't sure where he should go. Should he go to the Night Empire or the Solar Lands Empire or somewhere beyond?

"Grandpa, do you mind telling me more about this world?" The old man and William talked till they reached the Market Place which was packed with people from different races.

As the carriage rattled along the bustling streets, Isabella observed the interactions between William and Joseph, the carriage driver. She couldn't help but be impressed by William's demeanor and the genuine kindness he exhibited. It was becoming increasingly clear to her that he was determined to carve out a peaceful existence for his daughter, rather than seeking glory as a hero.

'This human isn't as bad as I thought,' Isabella mused silently, stealing a quick glance at William. The more she observed him, the more she realized that he possessed qualities that set him apart from others she had encountered. Despite her striking beauty, he had not once attempted to take advantage of her vulnerable position as his slave. Instead, he treated her with respect and kindness, recognizing her humanity even in the face of their disparate circumstances.

Isabella's gaze then shifted to Aimee, who sat comfortably on her lap, mirroring her inquisitive gaze as they surveyed their surroundings together. The similarities in their features and appearances often led others to assume that Aimee was Isabella's daughter. Isabella couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness and affection for the young girl, knowing the pain she herself had experienced in the past.

With each passing moment, Isabella found herself growing more connected to William and Aimee. Their presence brought a flicker of warmth to her heart, a feeling she had long forgotten amidst the darkness and hatred that had consumed her demon existence. And though she concealed her true nature as a demon, Isabella couldn't help but appreciate the kindness and respect that William showed her, regardless of her status as a slave.

As the carriage continued its journey, Isabella reflected on her initial assumptions and prejudices, realizing that judgment based on appearance or status was shallow and often misleading. William's demeanor and the genuine care he displayed towards others, including the elderly carriage driver, reaffirmed her belief that character should be judged by one's actions and intentions, rather than preconceived notions.

As the carriage came to a halt at the bustling marketplace, Joseph's experienced eyes surveyed the chaotic scene ahead. It was clear that maneuvering the carriage through the densely packed crowd would prove challenging.

"Unfortunately, you three would have to make your way on foot from here. The marketplace is too crowded for my carriage to navigate through," Joseph explained with a touch of disappointment in his voice.

Understanding the situation, William nodded understandingly. "That's alright, Grandpa. We can manage. If you don't mind, could you wait for us here until we're finished with our shopping?"

Joseph smiled warmly, appreciating William's respectful manner. "Of course, my boy. I'll be here waiting for you. Take your time, explore the marketplace, and enjoy your shopping."

Curiosity sparked within William as he sought to engage in further conversation with the wise old man. "If you don't mind me asking, how long do you think it will take for us to finish our shopping?"

Joseph scratched his chin thoughtfully before responding, "Well, considering it's your first time here, I'd say you'll need more than 2 to 3 hours to fully explore and make your purchases."

Taking a moment to contemplate, William concurred with Joseph's estimate. "That sounds about right. It's a vast marketplace, and I want to make sure we find everything we need."

Joseph nodded in agreement. "In that case, I'll head home and grab a quick lunch. By the time you're finished, you can be sure to find me here, ready to take you wherever you need to go."

Grateful for Joseph's assistance and companionship, William extended his hand in appreciation. "Thank you, Grandpa Joseph. We truly appreciate your help and the valuable information you've shared with us."

Shaking William's hand firmly, Joseph replied, "You're most welcome, my boy. It's been a pleasure to accompany you on this journey so far. Take your time, enjoy the marketplace, and I'll be right here when you're ready to continue."

With a final nod of gratitude, William, Isabella, and Aimee stepped down from the carriage, ready to immerse themselves in the vibrant and bustling marketplace of Fiery Sword City.

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