[please give me power stones!!]
"Ars, the capital of Asura, is also the largest city in the world. It takes its name from the legendary hero who led humanity to victory in the Great Human/Demon War."
"The first time a traveler lays eyes on this metropolis, their awe is impossible to hide. The imposing castle in the center, known as the Silver Palace, is surrounded by the grand mansions of the high nobles; beyond the walls that enclose this area, the city stretches in all directions, to the horizon."
"Here lies a vast arena, the splendid training grounds of the Royal Knights, and many beautiful Millis churches. Canals run throughout the city, crossed by countless beautiful bridges. Other notable attractions include the headquarters of the world's largest companies; the original training halls of the great Water God; the famous theaters of the Theater District; the sensual and seductive women of the Pleasure Quarter; and the great gate built to commemorate Asura's victory in Laplace's War…"
"This is a city that truly seems endless. No single vantage point can offer you a glimpse of it in its entirety. It stretches far beyond even the River Alteir, which gave it life: it stretches as far as the eye can see."
"They say that everything in the world is found in Ars, the oldest city in the world. And once you've seen it for yourself, you'll find it hard to argue."
-Excerpt from "Wandering the World" by the adventurer Bloody Kant.
"We've arrived..." Hilda murmured as we got off the wagon.
"Yes..." I muttered with a frown.
It had been two months since we left Roa City and Laws, Anna, and Roxy separated from our group.
I was 11 years old, 150 centimeters tall, and my muscles were finally starting to develop, but nothing too prominent.
These last two months of travel had been completely peaceful, so to speak. I even took the liberty of doing some quests to increase my adventurer rank, and now I have a C rank.
But none of that was too important; it was simply to earn a little more money.
Our objective was now before us.
"So by completely destroyed... they meant absolutely everything..." Flute murmured sadly as she clung to Lilia tightly. Right now, we were in the place where I became a saint in water magic years ago, but the difference now is that the entire terrain looked like a completely desolate desert. For a couple of kilometers, the sky had been cloudy, and the ground had become infertile. But it didn't end there.
Now, we were heading toward the city and mingled with a huge number of wagons, carriages, and caravans of people coming and going from the "city," if you could call it that.
"God..." the words escaped my mouth as I watched the people coming and going.
Most of them looked like ordinary people, and the rest looked like adventurers and merchants.
Years ago, in this distance, the enormous city walls were visible, and in the middle of them all stretched the enormous silver palace...
Now... the once enormous capital was simply simple sleeping tents that stretched around an enormous stone building about thirty meters on each side.
There were only about three buildings under construction. I could identify one, which was an adventurers' guild. I had no idea what the other two were, but they must have been a priority in case there was nothing else. The tents were spread around the entire perimeter of what used to be the noble district.
It took us about two hours to enter the "capital" until we finally reached the residential area.
The tents stretched as far as the eye could see, and most of them were simple civilians. I couldn't recognize any nobles or the construction of any noble houses.
"I don't recognize anything at all... that building must be the king's house, then..." Hilda murmured as she took my arm.
The townspeople stared at us, but most quickly lost interest in us. They, as much as we, were victims of this catastrophe.
"...look there, maybe we can get some information there," Flute murmured as she pointed toward a large tent.
"Yes, we're going there," I murmured.
We left our small wagon in the stable along with our "wildebeest."
Now that our journey was over, I planned to sell it to the highest bidder to have a little more money.
With Saint-level healing magic, I regenerated my mole and walked to the place where the large tent was.
There were about three guards guarding the tent. On either side of it was a huge board two meters long and stretching about ten meters, and behind it were four more just like it.
"..." The four of us walked around the place, and I began to look at the enormous board.
[disappeared]
[found]
[deceased]
All the boards were divided into three sections and were filled with names.
Flute and Hilda started searching the table, and after a few minutes, they found Lilia's father's name. They crossed him off the missing list and added him to the deceased list.
Hilda did the same, as did I.
We spent about half an hour searching this place.
During that time, I added Philip's name to the found list.
Also, in a special area, were the names of the nobles. Philip's entire family was listed in the deceased area, as well as all the Greyrats and their different branches.
"Your entire family except Philemon is reported as deceased..." Hilda said with concern as she looked at me, but I had already expected this.
"Yeah, we've seen this in Millis, haven't we? But I'm still here," I mumbled. Unfortunately, I recognized one of the guards as my father's former bodyguard. The guy's eyes widened as he looked at me, then he ran off.
"Ugh... this shit is going to be trouble," I muttered to myself.
We spent about an hour ticking off and searching the list, and Hilda burst into tears.
As I suspected, her entire family was declared dead, probably killed by Darius, just like Philip said.
All I could do was hold her while she sobbed into my shoulder.
"Young people...I apologize, but...my god!, you look exactly like the deceased Lord Paul Notos Greyrat!" A middle-aged man in a suit suddenly said.
Hilda kept sobbing so I glanced at the man.
"It's because I am Paul Notos Greyrat, I just returned, I was teleported to the great forest and I find out that my entire family is dead" I muttered with my voice full of anger.
The man narrowed his eyes and then looked at my Sakka sword at my waist.
Because it was so finely decorated, the man looked at me more closely and then nodded.
"No, that's impossible, Lord Darius confirmed having found Lord Paul's body!!" The man said as he walked away from me.
"To begin with, who are you and what do you want from me?" I murmured with my eyes half closed.
We weren't getting anywhere and time was running out here.
"Paul...I think I'll go with Flute, I'll give you some space" she murmured as she made her way towards them.
I just stared at her with a frown and then my attention turned to the man in front of me.
"Y-yes, sorry, my name is Stevio Voloban, I am the leader of the search and rescue organization for the survivors of the Mana catastrophe..."And you?" The man said as if he wanted my true identity and I clenched my fists in anger.
"I already told you that my name is Paul Notos Greyrat and I demand to speak with Darius Silva Ganius!!" I declared.
The man visibly shuddered and the guards guarding him moved closer to us.
"Young man... I don't know why you're planning all this, but even if you were the real Paul Notos Greyrat you still won't be able to talk to Darius" Stevio muttered and I frowned again.
I looked around for clues but there was nothing, the large tent only contained a desk full of papers next to its respective chair and nothing else.
I looked into the distance and there was the house about 30 meters high, that must be where he is...
"Okay, okay, I'll keep that in mind," I muttered and walked away from the guy and the guards visibly relaxed.
I walked over to Flute and she was hugging a sobbing Hilda and Lilia was looking at me with a complicated expression.
"Paul...how did it go? Did you manage to find anything?" Flute asked.
"No...that man thinks I'm an imposter after being legally dead for a year at this point..."
"A-and can't you do anything to change that?" Hilda asked between sobs.
"Only if I go there and talk to Darius...besides, I need to know where Philemon is," I muttered sternly.
"Let me go with you" Hilda said and I quickly shook my head.
"No, you will leave the capital with Flute and Hilda, you will stay on the outskirts until all this is over, I know this will escalate into a fight and if everything is true then The Water God will be involved." I declared firmly and Hilda clenched her fists in anger.
I could also see the conflicted expressions of Flauta and Lilia but they didn't say anything.
"It's okay, the capital is beyond saving anyway," Flute said with a smile and I just sighed.
"I'm sorry, after all I couldn't keep my promise" I murmured and Flute stroked my head gently.
"Don't worry, you saved us back in Millis and without you we would never have returned, we owe you our lives" she said and without warning Lilia gave me a big hug.
I blinked in confusion at this and then returned the gesture.
But even now I could hear some quick footsteps and I could see out of the corner of my eye how several guards were running towards me with clear hostile intentions...
"Okay, you should go now, Darius already knows I'm here." I declared firmly, Lilia quickly separated from me and the three of them started running to the other side.
The guards were running towards me, most of them with swords in hand and I just stood there waiting completely motionless.
I knew this was the best way to get into that place. If I forced my way in, that bastard was sure to kill Philemon and my mom...
In less than 30 seconds, around 20 guards surrounded me and drew their swords with murderous intent.
Then one of them stepped forward while looking at me with disdain.
I didn't recognize them so I just raised an eyebrow in response.
"Paul Greyrat, you are under arrest for identity theft and murder! If you resist then we will kill you!!" The man declared and so the others began to advance towards me.
"My full name is Paul Notos Greyrat and I haven't done any of that," i declared and i raised his hands in surrender.
"tch...that cynicism is too much!!!" The man shouted and with a quick movement he tackled me and I fell to the ground.
"Anti-magic handcuffs!!!" The man shouted and my eyes widened.
Oh shit here we go again...
Before those guys put the handcuffs on me, I cast two tiny barrier auras on my wrists so my mana flow wasn't interrupted.
But in addition to that, they took my sword from me and the one who was apparently the leader had his eye on the sword.
"Fine...take it to the castle!" The man shouted with a mocking smile as he analyzed my sword...
Tch... I guess I'll have to go with magic this time.
The men quickly picked me up and we started walking towards the building.
"That was easier than I thought."
"I'm sure this bastard can't even use magic."
"All nobles are weaklings, that's why none of them survived the Mana disaster."
I could hear the murmurs of some of the guards as they escorted me towards the "castle" and I just sighed trying to calm myself.
The building was completely surrounded by a two-meter wall and there were hundreds of guards watching the perimeter.
It reminded me of this Couleon guy's mansion in Millis, only now the king lives here...
When we entered the perimeter of the "castle" the 20 guards escorting me were reduced to just two who held my arms firmly while they guided me through the place.
The interior of the building was surprisingly luxurious, It even reminded me of my own mansion considering it doesn't exist anymore.
The two guards escorted me through the place until I went up two flights of stairs and stopped in front of a large door and knocked twice.
"Lord Darius, we have captured him," the guard's voice sounded firmly.
"Hmm..." A murmur was heard from inside the room and a couple of minutes later the door opened revealing a fat man in a suit that barely fit him...
I had never seen Darius but his actions matched the mental image I had of him even worse.
He was a fat, bald man with a brown skin that reminded me of the tales of desert warriors in Begaritt.
The man was sitting behind his desk in a wooden chair that could barely support his weight. When his gaze met mine, a hint of fear appeared in his expression, but when he saw me handcuffed and without my sword, his expression relaxed.
"Wow... look who we have here. Don't you think it's rude to come to this kingdom and pretend to be Lord Paul Notos Greyrat? We've got enough with the mana disaster, and you come to disturb the peace!" Darius said with one of the most hideous smiles I've ever seen, which even made me shudder in fear, but I didn't hesitate.
"Enough games Darius, where is my family?" I declared with narrowed eyes.
The man's smile widened, his eyes narrowed, and he let out a disdainful sigh.
"I'm sorry young man, but I have no knowledge of who your parents are," Darius said and I clenched my fists in anger.
"Stop acting like a fool Darius!! I know you have Philemon and my mother locked up!! Free them and I'll kill you!!" I shouted as I approached him but was stopped by the guards.
Darius's eyes widened and his lips trembled as that horrible smile on his face vanished instantly.
"You...how do you know that!?, guards take him to the dungeon!!" Darius shouted furiously but I used gravity magic to make myself heavier.
"Nngh...w-what's going on? Why are you so annoying all of a sudden?!" The guards shouted as they tried to move me from my spot without success.
"What the hell is wrong with you idiots?! He's just a kid! He's not that heavy!" Darius spat with disdain.
"W-we're sorry Lord Darius...b-but this child became extremely annoying from one moment to the next!!"
"What?! That's absurd!!" He replied while looking at me with barely contained anger.
"You're on time Darius, give me my family and I promise we'll leave the capital" I said in a calm tone.
Darius's face turned pale as he looked at me, sweat dripping from his forehead and his expression becoming erratic.
"Y-you!!! You think you can come to the capital and threaten me like it's nothing!!" Darius shouted furiously but I could see the fear in his eyes.
"That will depend... I'll ask you again, where is my family!! " I shouted.
"Enough!! Haa!" One of the guards drew his sword and pointed it right at my shoulder.
"hmmp!!
As if it were nothing, I activated my barrier aura and his sword bounced off my shoulder as if it were nothing.
"nngh!!, b-but what?!, damn brat!!"
After his sword bounced off my shoulder, both guards got into position and tried to attack me but their attacks simply bounced off my barrier aura.
At this I looked Darius in the eyes and spoke:
"Last chance...where is my family?"
Darius's face turned into one of terror and he hurried to grab something from his desk.
"!!!"
Darius staggered until he grabbed a ring but quickly used gravity magic and slammed it into the wall.
"w-what!!"
"How is it possible?!! Urrh!!"
Without giving them time to react, he turned the two guards into human mush while continuing to hold Darius in the air.
"nnngh!!!...b-bastard!!" Darius shouted with effort while looking at me with absolute hatred.
"Do you think I'm playing here? Tell me where my family is and I'll let you continue living your pathetic life!" He screamed now without patience while with gravity magic he slightly compressed his body.
"nggh!! Bleew!!!" The guy writhed in my grip and started spitting blood.
"Y-your father is dead!!" He shouted as he looked at me.
"...I already know that, I mean my mother and my brother!!, Where are they!" I shouted.
"They..." Darius murmured softly, I could see the doubt and desperation on his face as he looked around for a way out.
"they?!" I muttered and increased the pressure on his body, his nose and ears started to bleed and the vessels in his eyes broke.
"aaagh!!, your brother!, your brother is on his way to Millis!!!" Darius shouted and I was in shock.
Millis?...this bastard!!
"Haa!!" With wind magic I cut off his left arm and buried it harder into the wall.
"How long has he been gone?!, and where is my mother!!" I screamed in total anger.
Darius's eyes rolled back in pain and a strangled scream came out of his mouth, but I could see his gaze focus on the window of the place and he smiled maniacally.
"Heh...your brother was sent to Millis two months ago...and your mother...your mother was beheaded and her ashes scattered in the trash!" Darius screamed and before he could react the window exploded.
(krooom!!)
The window along with the remains of wood exploded, unbalancing my spell and causing me to crash into the wall.
Darius fell to the ground and I could see him writhing in pain but my mind was still processing his words.
Beheaded...my mother was beheaded!!!
"You fucking son of a bitch!!!" I screamed and tried to get closer to him but...
I couldn't even see her, her movements were too fast...
In less than a millisecond a short woman stood between us.
His hair was black but gray hairs predominated at the roots, his gaze was like that of a falcon looking at its prey.
And he carried a golden sword and in his right hand a black leather glove.
"You really are a troubled child...and to think Darius only hired me to protect him from you!" The woman spoke, and I could hear the sarcasm in her voice.
She was Reída Reia The Water God...
But I couldn't focus on the person in front of me, I could only see the human meatball writhing in pain behind her.
Darius...the bastard who killed my mother!!
"Get out of the way!" I shouted angrily.
"Sorry Kiddo, but I'm paid to protect him" she said, unfazed by my anger.
"Raaaah!!!"
I couldn't think of anything, or anyone else, I just charged mana in my hands and lunged at her with murderous intent.