Chapter 40: North Gates (1/2)
”Oh... then you haven't forgotten it” Enatsu snorted. Laughing and joking, the two companions continued to walk the streets of Goldhaven, trapped in its beauty.
In the middle of the morning, the capital citizens were intent on carrying out the most diverse works: from blacksmiths who forged weapons and utensils of everyday use to tailors who sewed fine clothes to display on the streets.
Numerous groups of children played and chased each other, regardless of the people around them. Playful screams, combined with general buzz, contributed to the capital's charm, Tentochu's most populous city.
Without stopping for a second, Yoichi continued to follow a sign he encountered just before, a few meters from the White Rose exit. Like so many other similar signs, it indicated the most significant points of interest. Among them, the North Gates.
Goldhaven was similar to a large jewellery box: the round walls of the city were divided into many inner neighbourhoods, in their turn, enclosed in small walls, lower and less robust.
The beginning of each neighbourhood was sanctioned by imposing inscriptions carved into the rock, several meters high. From their location, the two friends could see, between two buildings, a giant stone arch reading the words: 'Tamer District'.
Letting their careful looks precede words, Enatsu and Yoichi saw dozens of tamers crossing the threshold of that giant door always open, more than ten meters wide and twenty meters high.
Each of them was followed by his demon, perhaps an Oracle or maybe not. I wonder how many of them are part of guilds. Maybe everyone, judging by their shiny armour and the giant demon pets by their side, Yoichi pondered, daydreaming.
”Who knows, maybe, one day, you will be in the midst of all those people too,” Enatsu commented, noting the gaze of his friend lost in the crowd.
”I'm very curious about the real benefits of being part of a guild. I wonder how many there are,” Yoichi replied.
”Do you mean the guilds of Goldhaven?” Enatsu asked, awaiting confirmation. ”So, they should be about twenty. The most famous is undoubtedly that of the Emperor's Heralds”, he explained.
”The one Kato is part of?” Yoichi said, recalling that name.
”Yes, that's right. That's why your victory aroused all that interest, Yoichi. It's not every day that you see a rookie defeat a tamer from such a famous guild. You know, as you can deduce from its name, it is directly linked to Emperor Nishiyama.”
”Are you saying that the tamers of that guild fight at the front? I remember the Nomi Island story. You told me that the last wars between the two factions took place right there”, the young tamer continued.
”It is no coincidence that the Emperor's Heralds are the strongest warriors in Tentochu. You know, tamers from all over the country travel to Goldhaven trying to join it,” Enatsu answered. ”Fighting for the Emperor and his own faction is the greatest honour a tamer can aspire. There are hundreds of guilds scattered throughout the territory, of course, there must be one to refer to in case of sudden attacks by Kamakiri's army.”
”Mmm... I understand. They are the true champions of justice,” Yoichi jokingly commented, referring to the Emperor's Heralds guild. ”However, it's not all gold that glitters. Emperor Nishiyama has hidden from everyone that he has a powers-less daughter. Imagine how many other things he can hide. After all, it enjoys a privileged position. No one can question his word,” he reflected.