Arrival - 598

After another brief moment of silence, Li Youcai spoke up. "Regardless of what is true or what is not true, you cannot stay by Master Skymender without it being verified that you pose no threat. We can either take you on board until we reach the Imperial Capital, but you will be under constant surveillance, or we can let you go here. Choose."

The woman did not need to think for long. "I would like to stay until you reach the Imperial Capital. Perhaps I can even become a servant of your house?"

Li Youcai looked at her weirdly. She spoke seriously. "Our meeting can be considered fate. Perhaps I was meant to be here. It's not like I have a home."

Skymender spoke up. "I don't believe in coincidences. It may be some sort of fate for you to meet me, but you are not qualified for my fate to be meeting you. If you want to be a servant, consider yourself in training."

The woman smiled, although Skymender's words were harsh. This gave her a chance to turn her life around. Skymender was a noble after all. 

"Thank you, Master Skymender."

Soon after, the woman left.

Later, Li Youcai asked him a question. "Why let her become a servant?"

"Perhaps she really was meant to meet me here. Who knows, maybe she'll surprise both of us."

Li Youcai shrugged. As long as Skymender was safe, he did not care what happened.

The rest of the journey was uneventful.

Skymender learned that the red haired woman's name was Hope. He did not pay attention to any more information. She would be background checked upon their arrival.

After less than three days, Skymender saw large, white city walls appear in the distance. 

There were golden patterns on these city walls, aiding their majesty.

This was the Imperial Capital of the Faceless empire.

Its history was longer than almost any other known empire in the world.

Only the Ancient Empire had outlasted it.

Skymender calmly looked at the walls ahead, but beneath his calmness was excitement.

He was entering the biggest city in the empire, a behemoth where even commoners could have houses larger than his own. 

This was a place where everything was more expensive, yet where everyone got more money for their work.

The legends of this place were many, and Skymender would finally see this place of legend for himself.

The carriage slowed to a halt outside of the city gates. Skymender and everyone else with him unpacked and got out of the carriage. A nearby building, which was very large, would house this carriage until they left.

Skymender and Li Youcai entered another carriage, one far smaller than the last. Four people could comfortably fit in this carriage, a luxury given only to the extremely wealthy within the Imperial City.

More carriages followed behind them, forming a line of carriages entering the city.

The crowded streets parted for the noble carriage, but there was no surprise among the people here.

Instead, there was only a slight interest.

"The Sky Barony? What are they doing here?"

"The Eldest daughter of Baron Sky is a potential Sword Master of the Imperial Capital. Perhaps someone from the family is visiting?"

"I suppose we may hear about it. It doesn't involve us, but I am a little curious who has come."

Skymender was able to faintly hear such discussions. His window was open, but a faintly see-through curtain blocked the view, allowing only fresh air in.

Skymender could have looked through the tinted windows, but he enjoyed the air more than the view. 

In the air, there were smells of various foods and treats, as well as the smells of wood, concrete, sweat, and a faint smell of perfume.

Skymender was lost in a trance, and only woke up when the smells faded. He briefly smelled a scent of fresh grass and… nobility?

"We are here, Master Skymender." Li Youcai said.

Skymender shook his head and stood up. Walking out of the carriage, he saw a large, elegant mansion ahead. It was white, only slightly less white than the city walls.

Gates were behind him, and in front was a long path with clean bricks inlayed in the ground. To the sides of the path was freshly cut grass, very nice looking.

In comparison to his house, it was a different world. However, the yard was far smaller.

At the end of the path, near the entrance and in front of a fountain, a familiar woman stood. Skymender had seen her a few times.

She bore a resemblance to his father.

Skymender waved, ignoring the fact that he was supposed to be acting "noble" right now. He wasn't dressed in fancy clothes anyway.

Aunt Skyless didn't seem to care, on the surface at least. Who knew what she was thinking. She was a different type of nobility than him, one who had experienced the true faces of so called nobles.

To come this far and have such a status, she was surely scheming and secretive.

She let out a smile. "Skymender. Welcome to my humble abode."

Skymender stopped himself from chuckling after hearing the word humble.

"Come in. I'll show you around."

Skymender nodded and walked towards the entrance. Walking around the fountain with Aunt Skyless, he entered the double doors. Ahead was a long red carpet and stairs that parted to the left and right after going up some.

A classic mansion.

Skymender saw multiple servants, as well as two girls and a boy dressed up in noble attire.

Upon seeing Skymender's comfortable and casual attire, the boy let out an obvious sneer, while the two girls, though well hidden, made a similar face.

Skymender did not care at all. In fact, he looked at them, holding the urge to laugh. Li Youcai silently walked behind him, ignored as a servant.

He saw Skymender's faint trembling and slightly smiled.

'Master Skymender is excited. I would be too if I saw a room of people underestimating and looking down upon me.'