Master Of None

The set up of the city so to speak was surprisingly bright even though the buildings were higher and the massive crystal flame walls would have blocked out light. However, with fire often brought light. Walker could sense some light mana, but he realized that the areas even lacking light mana were allowing him to see without using mana senses. The others also were able to see.

It made him wonder if there was a deeper connection to how fire mana worked at the very core of what it was. If there was some sort of origin to mana that allowed them to share some properties between elemental manas.

The idea was nothing new. Especially for those who knew that natural mana came from the unification and balance of elemental manas. The idea that original mana existed was also just a land of unproven theories which Walker might be able to prove even more later.

”Look at these mansions, they have five floors.” This exclamation from Remey was simply because of the massive mansions in the center of the city that they were guided to were something to behold.

Within Genesis, they had no reason to pointlessly make massive mansions like this. Some nobles of kingdoms would make homes like this but they were often smaller. Then again, they would often be converted in to other important buildings related to trade or mercantile work in general because of their size.

Otherwise, these larger mansions were just for show and an example of strength or wealth. They had no reason to be since that was just that. Why have so much unused space?

”Then we should be more surprised that the one over there with its own walls is also too big.” Su mocked the building ahead. There was not a single staff that appeared to be there for the management of the city. Instead, there were guards and staff dressed the same as servants and maids.

It was easy to tell even with different cultures that this was the case. They were not simply there for working on city matters, they were there to serve and be ready to impress people. ”I feel like we might have a harder time than we thought before.” Gil mentioned this as he shook his head. He was not happy to think that they would be fighting against noble beliefs again. The way this city was built showed they most likely would be doing so.

The moment that the coal guards stopped a mother set opened a larger front gate. The wall for this specific massive mansion was the same as the outer wall but clearly of lesser quality. More like it was made just to look like it was the same so that it would support the idea that this place was just as grand and important.

”The unmoving ember is awaiting you.” A well dressed man in red garments that radiated high amounts of denser fire mana took the lead while Walker left the larger expedition behind. Onyx remained with them since he could communicate mentally more easily with Walker.

This way, if anything happened then he would be able to prepare and guide the expedition forces immediately. Walker also could hear if anything happened while he and the rest of the party went inside.

So far they’d had an easy journey here. Something that they were all thankful for. Now, they realized it was fate being nice to them before they had to handle the more emotional aspects of any leader of a kingdom.

As they walked inside the garden area welcoming them was also larger and had ornate sculptures made of fire mana crystals and wooden fire affinity materials. They were of monsters that most likely lived within the areas, along with heavily adorned knights that most likely led the coal people.

Entering the front door another line of attendants stood with the heads bowed to welcome them. Nonoen seemed ready to speak so the party only followed the man that had spoken before.

As expected, a larger hall was at the end of the entrance along with even more guards and attendants. However, in the center of it all a larger pile of smoldering embers soaked with flame sheet and there. The flame crawling coal that seemed to fuel it all was slowly cracking as time went on.

The crackling embers of the fire crawling coal started to spark up even more as a figure broke free of the flame crawling coal.

The figure of what could only be a larger and potentially less healthy coal person stood in the embers and flares of fire looking at Walker’s party. There was a vague wave of fire mana that left him and returned which Walker could attribute to some form of mana sense.

However, it was weak. Much weaker than anything Walker could do. ”I am then moving ember, the lord of this city and of these people. I remain smoldering as the one who shall know all of this home and all of this land. You may greet me and offer your words.”

It wasn’t so in an air of arrogance that came from this coal person, it was more like one of tradition. Someone who knew their role and stood by it entirely. The same ways that a village elder or a healer would. They would commit entirely and lose their own autonomy to represent those they strove to protect or assist.

”Hello, it is nice to meet another esteemed leader of a race thriving in the fire elemental planes. My name is Walker and these are my trusted allies and family. We have come from a far off place called the world which has recently been reconnected to the elemental planes as existence wills it.”

”We have formed an alliance called Genesis which unites various races from various parts of the world and even some races born in the elemental planes who have found sanctuary within the world and our unified city.”

”On our travels to you as guided by the honorable flame swallowing turtles, we have found some flame crawling coal we believe would help the health and wellbeing of your people. We offer this as a gift and a show of our good faith to form a bond with your race to one day visit our home. Even one day join our alliance which shares knowledge and resources on equal basis.”

When Walker spoke he held back his mana and kept himself calm. He didn’t want to show what he was in terms of race. These coal people might be lower in terms of races within the fire elemental planes and might not grasp what an origin race member was or what they were to the world and existence.

He also didn’t want to taint any potential alliances with force right now. So far this was respectful so he would continue this.

”You have flame crawling coal!” This came from one of the more well dressed coal people in the large group of attendants or what should be nobles. Clearly, this was something very important right now to them.

”We do. We separated it from the polluted flame crawling coal which already has fire mana crystals developing within. I know that quality is very important so the best we have is our gift.” The smile Walker held was enough to show his good faith but also attracted a lot more attention.

As he took it from his high spatial storage many reacted with gasps. Of course they had heard of space elemental planes but now they were beginning to believe that they were meeting prowl from such a place.

”We have yet to be traced by the direct words of the great fire sage. We have heard his warnings of visitors from this the world. That the world is a united place of races and manas. We know not of the truths of that, we do know of the value in such a thing. Please show us more of what you carry, what you are. As the one who embers here I will see it and remember it. I will ensure it is shared amongst all.”

More of what this coal person was began to take shape in Walker’s mind. Not just a ruler for these people but a being that never moved and kept all their history. All their knowledge.

The unmoving ember was the coal person responsible for sacrificing everything they were to become the book of knowledge for their race. They held wisdom and were the caretakers of the history they all used to make decisions.

”Some items I will not take out since they hold water mana that could cause harm, otherwise I will show what we brought and speak a little of the races, is that acceptable?” More embers crackled and flames swept around the room as the unmoving ember seemed to agree with excitement.

For them, who never moved, new knowledge for his race was a feast and a celebration.

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Please say no to piracy! Don’t take part in crime! Don’t patronize thieves!

Drop those golden tickets!