Chapter 53: Not so sweet (1/2)
Leaving the south zone, they entered the North one. They were completely opposite and quite far apart, but compared to his hell training, walking such a long way was just like relaxing.
The north zone was under Duke Highland. The Duke was directly responsible of the army as well as the highest-ranked soldier.
If the zone under the Milaris family was full of stores, restaurants, and others such things, the zone under Highland was calmer and sparsely populated. The atmosphere felt more deary and full of solemnity.
This was the zone where different martial art schools could be found.
All the humans could awaken to mana once they reached 15 years old. But only 10% of them could have a capacity high enough to make a contract with a rank E magical being and if they were lucky to obtain an element could they use magic. Only 1 out of 100 people could make a contract with a D rank magical being.
In short, 99% of the human population was unable to use magic. The fact that even a queen like Lilith was unable to do so showed how rare they were. Though Lilith and her daughter were an oddity in themselves.
Looking at the different dojo on their way, Sol couldn't help but feel his hand itch a little.
Since the day he awakened, the only one he fought against was Lilith and it frankly wasn't pleasant. Before that, the sole sparring partner had been Setsuna.
”You will be able to fight all you want tomorrow. For now, let's continue. I didn't want to do it today since it's a rare occasion, but I guess it's necessary.”
They continued to walk a little until finally, stopping in front of a very large terrain.
Sol's eyes opened wide at that because it was
”A cemetery.”
A hill, a large stretch of green filled with tombstones, and at the highest place, a black monolith in the shape of a large pillar.
”People get old and get hurt. When they're tired they collapse. Eventually, everyone reaches their limit. Whether it be an adventurer or a hero. Even if he doesn't die. These days won't last forever.”
Lilith spoke with a slight melancholia in her voice as she walked in the cemetery, Sol in tow behind her.
The first he remarked was how the air felt different the moment he went through the door.
Then, the hundreds of tombstones suddenly changed into thousands or even ten thousand. what's more the monolith that seemed so close seemed so far now.
”So you felt it. This place was created by Jupiter. More precisely, Jupiter used his connection with the witches to create this place. Through space manipulation, the interior of the cemetery is hundreds of times larger than it seems and through time magic even the oldest of the tombstones still seems new and pristine.”
”I see… So why come here?”
Lilith stopped in front of one particular tombstone. On it the word, <<Here rest one of the greatest general Tarrik Luxuria.>>
'Luxuria?'
”In the capital, we have three special cemeteries. The first one is the one that houses all the kings, the second one house all the supreme daughters, and the final one–this one, houses all the dead soldiers, noble and members of the royal family with the highest merit dead during wars and the members of the royal family–when I die, this will be my final place.”
Sol didn't like the way she phrased her last sentence. A bad feeling filled his mind but he decided to not interrupt her.
She then pointed at the monolith. ”Those who have their names there are the individuals who paid the highest price for the kingdom. They are recognized as heroes and the members of their family are assured to live in luxury without having to work for at least three generations.”
With his eyesight, it was easy for Sol to see the name inscribed on the monolith. That's why he recognized the two highest ones.
<<Mars Luxuria>>
<<Blaze Dragna Luxuria>>
”My parents.”
”Indeed.”
Silence settled between the two as the fresh breeze blew in their face. Finally, after a short minute of silence, Sol asked.
”Why bring me here?”
Lilith didn't answer directly, as she closed her eyes before for a short while.
”Sol, it has now been more than a decade since I took you under my wings. Tomorrow, under the eyes of all the citizens, you will officially become an adult and will become capable of flying by yourself.”
She smiled bitterly at that. ”I wasn't the greatest parent. Because of my own problems, I pushed my daughter too much and made her flee. The same went for you. I always kept a certain distance from you. This had made our relationship rather strained in many ways. So, today I decided to act like the parent I should have been and give you some last advice.”
Another bad premonition filled Sol's mind.
”What do you mean?”
”Don't mind the small details.”