Chương 14: Magic Lines

Elise arrived in Ambergrad without another delay. There were no more attacks, which worked perfectly for the adventurers and the guards. All were relieved that they'd made it without another hold up. The baron had tried to stop her from leaving his side when they reached the city, but he didn't press the issue. The elf gathered more eyes as usual, but this city was much larger than the last. She couldn't even see the end of it without spreading her senses.

What's more, there were small lifts taking people towards the upper districts from the bottom. Quite curious. They looked like hot air balloons, but instead of using fire and the air, the balloons ran off magic to set destinations. They flowed more like a gondola than balloons, each of them going in perfect synchrony. Elise narrowed her eyes and channeled magic into her vision, using a similar inspection technique as she did on the pastry boy.

She could see blue magical lines holding the rows of flying devices in a row. So, it is some kind of line like a tram? Was this the work of another worlder? Perhaps our 'Leon' friend had something to do with this. In the game, sights like these weren't that rare. There were tons of magical devices within cities, and it was common to see players and NPCs alike using them. However, she'd not seen anything like that in the baron's territory, and she had her doubts that it was a natural concoction.

Ultimately, she shrugged her shoulders. All of that we can learn in due time. For now, I need to get to a nice suite and fulfill my promise of meeting up with the others. She walked up towards the small booth where people of high standing were paying to take a ride. There were merchants and nobles among them. The guy manning the station looked like one of those conductors who checked the tickets on old trains. It reminded Elise of a movie she watched when she was a child.

The guy had a well-fitted blue blouse with golden buttons. There was even golden stitching around his cuffs, and he wore a similar hat. He looked at her with the smile of a professional.

"Is this your first time boarding?" Elise nodded.

"I have no idea about the procedure, but I have enough coin to pay."

"Alright, it's 3 gold pieces if you want to go to the upper district. If you want let off in the middle, then it will be 2." The queen sighed.

"It's a pretty penny for a ride, isn't it? Why does it cost that much?"

"Pretty penny?" He asked with a tilt of his head. After a second of her not saying anything he nodded.

"It is a bit pricey, I admit, but that is so we can pay the magic handlers of the Mage Society. If not for them, we wouldn't have this contraption at all."

"I understand," she said, taking out the money, and placing it in his palm.

"We'll go to the upper district. There is a nice inn there, I was told."

"You're quite right, madame. However, this is 7 coins."

"A trip for me and my maid. That extra coin is for your services rendered." He smiled and stored 6 of the coins in a magic device near the station. The other coin, he put in his breast pocket.

"Thanks for being considerate. Even if you're an elf, you already know how things work around here."

"Don't mention it," Elise said, stepping through the door he held open. Rela followed behind her with eyes narrowed towards the conductor man who joined them. Elise gave her a pat on the shoulder, and that was enough to placate the maid. Once the queen was inside of the magic balloon, she looked up and saw that there was in fact no fire. Instead, the conductor actually had a small lever that was affixed towards the basket's edge. His black glove glowed blue, and he pulled the lever.

The balloon instantly started rising along the line and flowing towards the top of the city. From up above, Elise could make out the tiles of slate and stone roofs. People moved about on the streets below, bustling with the day's activities. Further up towards the direction they were heading, Elise saw a manor that towered above the ones surrounding it.

"Hm, you noticed, did you? That is the count's manor. Usually, a city this big would have belonged to a duke, but the Evencrest family declined to rule."

"Evencrest?"

"That's right. They stuck to the capital and have close ties to King Bjorn The Third. Count Regulus has a lot of dealings with the Mage Society." He pointed his hand towards a tall municipal building with a waving red flag. Inside of it, there was a white sconce that shone with blue fire. He pointed towards another tall building that had a royal bed emblem.

"That is where you'll be wanting to stay if you have the coin. The food there is to die for, and all of the patrons are of high class. You won't find a better bed to sleep in." A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Rela crossed her arms and scoffed.

"No human made beds could be suited for My Lady." Elise reached over and pinched the maid's side. The man laughed heartily and pulled the lever once again when they started getting closer to the ground.

"I am glad that you allow your servant so much leeway. Some of the nobility can be different, so make sure you're careful around here..." Elise pulled out yet another gold coin.

"One more thing, do you know anything more about the Evencrest family?" The man pushed the coin away from himself.

"I apologize, Madame. I know very little about them. I am but a humble conductor that has taken a couple of classes with the mage society." Elise insisted and pushed the coin closer to him again.

"Then, tell me what that magic device on your hand is for." His eyes widened and he grinned after taking the coin.

"You're quite astute with magical items, but I guess it makes sense if you're an elf." He held the gloved hand in the air, presenting it as if it were a rare artifact.

"This thing links me up with the magic line that travels up and down. It allows me to use magic that is way above my skill grade for the act of controlling this vessel. If I didn't have this glove, even moving this lever would be impossible for me."

"How strong would you have to be in order to move it? And do you know who made this whole system?"

"For the first question, you would need to be at least the level of an Adept within the Mage's Society. Unfortunately, I can't answer the second question. I have my guesses, but all of the information regarding its invention was sworn to secrecy by higher ups within the society and within the high nobility. I am sure you need to be at least a count to know that information." Elise nodded.

"Thanks for the ride. It was most interesting." The streets on higher were more empty than their lower counter parts. It was a bit different than the last city where some adventurers could still be seen in the wealthier district. Here, it was like everyone was tasked with staying as far away as they could from the poor. Either way, she didn't bother to treat anyone of high society like they were any different. No, all of them are still insects within my grasp.

It didn't take her long to reach the inn, and it was as nice on the inside as it was on the outside. It was completed with a red carpet sprawling across the lower floor. Black cloths were draped over the tables, and there were flower vases in the center of each. Elise thanked her lucky stars that the reception area was empty at this time. Aside from a lone noble drinking water in the corner of the room and the receptionist herself, there was no one else. The receptionist greeted the two of them with a smile.

"Good day, what kind of service can I provide for you, Madame?"

"The two of us would like the best suite you've got on hand right now, and we'll be staying there for an extended period of time."

"The best suite? Would you like one with a balcony?"

"Naturally."

"Alright, the prices are pretty steep with a balcony. It would be a platinum coin a day, but I am sure that will be no problem for you." No problem? You're already trying to rob me of all of my borrowed money, woman. Had I not just borrowed a few platinum coins from Ava'Koz, I might have had to pay with a coin that has my own face on it. Elise cleared her throat.

"That will be no problem."

"Alright, your meals will also be included, but if you want a maid service..." The woman looked towards the glaring Rela and realized her mistake, correcting herself.

"Right, so a platinum coin is all we'll need and your name of course."

"Emerald," Elise said, handing over a coin.

"Your name matches your pretty eyes, if you don't mind me saying." I don't mind at all, but I think you're making Miss Envy very mad, and if you want to keep your life, please don't compliment me. Elise held out her hand.

"That is of no consequence. The room key, please."

"Ah yes." She reached under her desk and fumbled with several keys, the metal jingling beneath.

"Here, the room number is attached. The first number corresponds with the floor, and the second number is the room itself. If you don't feel like walking the stairs, you can make a small deposit down that hall, and there is a magic elevator." Magic elevator? Another coincidence? No way, there are definitely players here somewhere. Or maybe it is a mistake to assume that? Just because I got transported here with my character doesn't mean that they also did.

Now that I think about it, it's possible that others simply reincarnated in another way. She took the key and thanked the lady before traveling down towards the magic elevator. She wasn't going to try it out, but she sure did want to see how it worked. Much like the balloons it was a box that went straight up with a magic line attached to it. However, this one did not have a conductor. It had an attached small inventory space with a place to insert coins.

If Elise wanted to, she could have manipulated it, yet she chose to take the stairs anyway. Besides, the handiwork of the staircase was something to be adored. It was smooth white stone, and the red carpet continued up the middle. Elise could not find much dirt at all. She looked down at her key and narrowed her eyes.

"Room 905, so there are only 9 floors."

"Still much less grandiose than your castle, My Lady. Besides, even if it gets a pass for cleanliness, it doesn't get a pass in terms of design. There is not enough black here for our queen of death." Elise nodded in agreement as the two of them continued up the spire. It didn't take them very long to reach the 9th floor, and once she did, she noticed that the doors were more spaced out up here. The long floor was graced with golden etchings and each entrance to any of the chambers was trimmed with gold as well.

"Talk about a gaudy design. I can see why nobles would pay a platinum coin a day to stay here. If that is 3 mithril coins a month, then one would have to be very high class to stay here for an extended period." Rela nodded.

"Still, the least they could have done was begged for you to take their room for free. You shouldn't have to pay for any mortal lodging, My Lady." Elise laughed and found room 905. She opened the door with the key, a small amount of magic pulsing before the lock clicked. The door opened, and she was greeted with an expensive room, waiting her arrival. Not only that, but there was a certain other elf who had already made herself present.

"So this is where you were hiding, Tyralith?"