As the carriage was treading through the beautiful city, Lucian noticed that there was still a good amount of people walking the sidewalks and there was even a bit of traffic in the streets.
"You weren't exaggerating when you said this was the city that never sleeps." said Lucian with amazement.
"Yes, this city's people don't let the darkness of nightfall stop them from chasing their ambitions. Novus has a very large population as well with about 3 percent nobility, 77 percent middle class, and the remaining 20 belonging to the lower class. The city is also the largest trading and ingenuity capital in the world."
"That's incredible, I never thought a city could be this prosperous."
"That's only because the emperor set a strong foundation for it.", Ozzus interjected.
"That was nearly 7 centuries ago though, and we all know that man was a tyrant." Priscilla shot back.
"He was a great man, and how could you call him a tyrant when there's no solid evidence."
"Oh yeah? then how did he acquire all this land? There is nearly 50 square miles of territory and not to mention the poorly covered up ruins of a past civilization."
"The books describing his achievements describe how he unified multiple nations with his unwavering courage and peace talks. Those texts also have physical proof that they are as old as this kingdom."
"I bet every word in those books were twisted and changed to boast his title!"
This argument is starting to get out of hand. "Would you be so kind as to explain who this emperor is?", Lucian asked while also trying to cool down the heated quarrel.
"Yes of course, sorry about that. Emperor Valerius was a strong and charismatic man who was born of royal blood. His father, Emperor Drusus was often included in many political issues that sometimes led to war.
Valerius was never fond of his father's rule or the wars that ensued with it."
"As Valerius grew older, his hatred for his father eventually grew to a point where he chose to flee the kingdom and go on a journey. During his travels, he came across an escort carrying the prince of another land.
"Valerius was ordered to stop and was questioned on where he was headed to. He stated that he was the prince of his father's kingdom but also told him he didn't obey his father which led him down the path he was currently on."
"The prince found it hard to believe but asked if Valerius would like to join him. Valerius found it odd that a prince would want to be around someone like him, although he didn't dislike the Idea of traveling next to a prince and felt that he finally found someone he could relate to."
"Why would a prince ask a stranger who he didn't trust to travel with him?", asked Lucian with a puzzled look.
"That's what I wondered but the text never explained it. My best conclusion as to why would be that the prince was an Ethereal much like myself."
Before Lucian could reply, the carriage stopped at a street corner. "This seems to be our stop. I'll tell you the rest of the story some other time.
C'mon It was getting interesting!
Once Lucian and the others stepped out of the carriage, Ozzus told him and Priscilla that he was heading to a nearby bar and that Priscilla would lead Lucian to the Crowe family residence.
As the two strolled through the city, Lucian noticed that every building was different with some reaching great heights while others are a mere one floor. lots of distinct features made them stand out, for example, one building seemed to have four pillars in the front holding up a small balcony while another was wider with a small flowerbed in front. Even though every building was different, they were also very similar. I appeared that the architecture in this place was exclusively industrial and ornamental.
Lamp posts in the city made it absolutely beautiful, but it seemed that it was only the noble streets that were lit up. Lucian recalled there being no lamp posts at all in the lower and middle-class parts of the city. The only way he could've known that those parts were devoid of light was due to their carriage having to go around an unusually tall building. This led them to have to take a route that cut through the Lower and Middle-class parts of the city.
I would've thought that the whole city was lit up based on how Priscilla described it. It turns out that the bright light that I saw from the boat was only 3 percent of the city. How does 1.5 square miles shine that brightly!?
"Would you happen to know why only the nobility's section of the city is lit up?" Lucian asked Priscilla will a slightly puzzled face.
"I believe that it is to conserve power, but another reason is that the nobility's section of the city is where most large churches, businesses, and political edifices are."
Remarked Priscilla half guessingly.
"It must be hard for anyone to sleep with all these lights here, no?"
"you're not wrong but, this is the busiest part of the city. If one organization within it slows down, it could possibly slow down city as a whole. The people here get used to it though, that's just how things have to work here."
I wonder what kind of matters the Crowe family deals with. A church isn't what I'd imagine my family operating, perhaps business or political matters?
As Lucian wandered in his thoughts, he came across a massive library that seemed like it contained the entire world's knowledge. It had about seven floors with about five intricately designed windows, and a large double door at the entrance.
I think I know where I'll be getting that book from. Lucian thought while having a small chuckle.
"what's so funny?" Priscilla asked.
"It's nothing, a thought just crossed my mind is all."
A couple minutes later, Lucian was still stuck in his thoughts when he accidentally bumped into formal looking man. He seemed to be out on errands due to the two bags he was holding with one holding 3 loafs of bread while the other seemed to contain other amenities. The man seemed to be in his 50's or 60's with neat grey hair parted down the middle and wearing a black tailcoat with black trousers. He seemed to be an attendant of some sort.
"My deepest apologies sir."
"It's alright, this part of the city can be quite crowded.", The old gentleman remarked.
His voice was deep and flowed with an elegance.
"You're not wrong about that, Hehe."
"I have to be going now, have a goodnight young sir."
"You to."
"You should catch up Lucian, were almost there.", exclaimed Priscilla who was a bit further ahead.
"Right, sorry!", Lucian said loudly.
Afterwards, Priscilla stopped at an extremely large house. It was at least double the length as the regular sized houses and seemed to be about 4 floors high. The building was amazing, every detail was carefully thought out. The double doors had a design of roses with the handle having intricate squarish designs.
There were 4 large windows on each floor that were extremely tinted with most having a rose bed hanging from each. There were 2 balconies, one on the second and another on the fourth floor.
I knew it would be big but not this big!?
"This is it, the Crowe household." Stated Priscilla with a calm tone.
"Should I go knock?"
"Yes but try to explain who you are first. They're known for turning away lots of visitors."
As Lucian treaded towards the door, he felt a strange feeling of nervousness. Now wasn't the time to get cold feet though.
After taking a deep breath Lucian pushed aside his nervousness and knocked.
"Tap, Tap, Tap."