Divine System: Land of the Abominations

Nero stared at the large gates of the Red House.

For a moment, he didn't know what to do.

Then he turned to his side.

Standing beside him was a rather large middle aged man with strands of grey hair on his goatee and his beard. His name was Master Theo, and he was one of the many workers within the Red House that helped with the smooth running operations.

Nero had no idea what the true details of the man's true post entailed, but if there was anything he was sure of, it would be that he was a devout servant of the church.

Nero sighed internally, wondering how truly agonizing this mission was going to be.

Lyon had assigned him to escort and guide him to his destination. Since Liedenstorm was quite large, it was incredibly easy for one to lose his way, especially if he had never truly been on the streets.

Nero didn't know what to feel about this rare show of concern. However, knowing Lyon, there was probably something else he was cooking up.

Still, Nero wasn't going to let all this ruin his mood.

He absolutely couldn't!

After all, this would be his first time touring the City of Liedenstorm! What was there not to be excited about?!

Since it was situated right in the center of Malady's Garden, bordered only by the Field of Skulls, Liedenstorm's trade was more or less focused on goods imported from other cities as well as materials sources from the Garden.

However, it is impossible for a city, especially one as large as Liedenstorm to survive in just that.

There was on fact, one particular reason for its continued existence. And that was its immense role as a safeguard against something rather treacherous hidden in the depths of the Field of Skulls.

Adam's Light.

Although no one knew what it was or what it looked like, its presence was like a pair of shackles that kept the world in place. It if every vanished or fell into the wrong hands, a catastrophe would ensue.

No one wants those...

Another big contribution to Liedenstorm's economy were the Hunters. Officially, most of them were under the service of the church. Their missions were usually ordained and they received rewards otherwise.

However, it was not only the church that could give out missions. Underground apothecaries were the favorites of the Hunters. Then there was also the massive black market...

Dangerous items, materials, relics, and even elixirs were traded through the dark channels of the large empire wide network, and Liedenstorm contained one of its biggest hubs.

Although the Church had tried to crack down on them numerous times, it had all been in vain as the masterminds were rather slippery.

The sound of horses trutting upon the cobblestone filled Nero's ears, followed by the sound of wheels being turned endlessly as a small carriage approached then.

Nero turned to Master Theo,

"You called the carriage?"

Master Theo nodded,

"Our destination is quite far out. Most of the journey will be horse drawn."

Nero nodded, "Alright then."

The two boarded the carriage and with a snap of a whip, the horses set out into the city.

The carriages customary to the city of Liedenstorm were usually pulled by a single large horse , fastened to a wooden cart by a harness. The cart itself was usually not much to look at, having enough seating for a maximum of three.

There were usually large leather drapes and wooden supports that held them in place to protect the users from harsher weather. These types of carriages were usually employed by the more fortunate. The nobles on the other hand employed much more high end carriages and sometimes even rode on horseback.

Nero gently ran a finger across the wooden surface of the cart. The soles of his feet lightly tapped the wooden floors too as the carriage picked up speed.

Master Theo watched him with rather keen eyes. Then he cleared his throat,

"Young man, what noble family do you hail from?"

Nero paused for a moment.

Then he frowned,

"I am no noble."

The caretaker frowned, "You are not a noble?"

Nero shook his head,

"No. I was a mere guard from a mere ruined town. Before that, I was no one."

"But that makes no sense. Those with commoner blood scour from taint. Their very souls are not worthy of—"

He paused upon noticing Nero's increasingly darkening expression.

"My apologies."

Nero sighed then waved his hands before turning his gaze away.

He hesitated for a moment then spoke,

"The city is beautiful."

It truly was. The streets were clean and the houses far more opulent than any back at Gor had been. The people of the city dressed with a certain opulence that would be missing in a town.

The men were dressed in neat garbs of black, grey and beige colors. Their shoes of leather shine under the grey light of the sun.

The women worse flowy gowns and dresses with frilly hems, unlike the sackcloth the less fortunate donned.

It truly was like stepping into another realm. Once where there was much less suffering.

Of course, Nero wasn't naive enough to believe that was all the city had to offer. After all, he had seen it...

The other side...

"It truly is." Master Theo said after a while.

Nero turned back to face the older man who was wiping a few droplets of exhaustion from his temple,

"Are you from a noble family, Master Theo?"

Master Theo seemed to hesitate for a moment before nodding,

"I am. However, I am from a lesser noble family. My father was a merchant who married into a Baron's family here in Liedenstorm. I've lived here for over forty years."

Nero nodded slowly. It would seem there were ranks even amongst the nobles.

Indeed, that was how it was for everything else it seemed.

Seeing Nero's interest, he straightened his posture and continued,

"You could say I even know the entire city like the back of my palm."

"Is that so..." Nero said with a small smirk.