The Runic Alchemist

The journey inland was starkly different from their arduous trek to Pyron. Villages, towns, and small cities dotted their path with increasing frequency. It was beautiful—that was the only word Damian could think of as he took in the vast fields of grass, gentle hills, and clusters of simple wooden and stone houses in villages. These were crafted not by magic, but by skilled hands, with cute designs, a testament to the craftsmen of the region.

As expected, monsters and beasts were rare further inland, though they did encounter a few between villages and towns. Their numbers had dwindled to just over 2,500, mostly royal army soldiers with a few from around the nearby villages and towns of the capital area. Considering that Vidalia had marched east with 8,000 soldiers, more people would be mourning their return than celebrating. Still, the job was done. Whether that would matter to their families remained to be seen, though Damian had noticed that Eldoris' people held their royalty and kingdom in near reverence. And dying in battle was honorable and seen as a great sacrifice or maybe that was just propaganda and lore manipulated.

Along the way, lords, both minor and powerful, sought Vidalia's favor, though they stopped only at the most critical seats of power, which belonged to the influential houses, and even then only for rest. They rarely stayed long enough to linger, but in that time Damian managed to observe the subtle differences in each lord's territory as they traveled closer to the capital. Some lords were loved, some feared, and others just wholly ignored by masses until issues arose. Still, the general quality of life remained similar; most people farmed or performed simple jobs. Taxes were collected by the decree of each lord, though the royals had the power to intervene since they had a share in it.

The setting mirrored villages from Earth's 15th or 16th century but with occasional magical touches. Magic tools and local mages were not uncommon, and some first-rankers with basic jobs used their enhanced strength in everyday tasks. It wasn't unusual to see water conjured from thin air or a man lifting two or three sacks of grain at once as if it was nothing. Damian had hoped that with such high levels of intelligence among the populace with their stats, they might have developed more lifestyle inventions, but unlike the scientific zeal of early scientists on Earth, here all innovation seemed devoted to spells and weaponry. Some crafted weapons with runes and refined their smithing skills. Rarely does anyone care for new ideas for a better life.

Damian could understand this focus; with oppressive powers of lords and nobles that was not just in name, unlike earth, being all around, people cared more about individual strength and strength of their community rather doing things just to make life a bit easier. The creativity was all used in the services of others. Damian felt pity for them, but then again they looked happy enough. Ignorance was indeed a bliss, for some at least. Overall though, this civilization needed to advance; those who resisted change often repeated history's mistakes.

The journey took a week, during which Damian, Sam, Einar, the cousins, and Toph traveled on horseback. They camped under open skies, sharing stories, joking around, and unwinding. Though Damian occasionally found moments to do his research and jot down ideas, he too mostly enjoyed the scenery, the people, the lifestyle, and the kingdom they called Eldoris. It was hard to see it around Pyron but as they proceeded further in, it was evident, the life of harmony with nature that the Eldoris people were known for. Also beautiful looking people just going about doing most menial of tasks always gave Damian an amusing scenery.

Finally, in the distance as they trotted up another hill, they saw the largest city in Eldoris, and awe washed over them. It was simply magnificent. Thousands of wooden and stone houses decorated with vibrant designs and greenery stretched in a vast circular pattern. In the center of it all was a colossal, ancient tree, its trunk unbelievably thick and sturdy as it soared into the sky. Even from afar, its scale was incomprehensible, and its leaves, glowing in a radiant golden light, illuminated the entire city like festival lanterns. They arrived just as evening descended, and though the sky darkened, the city shimmered brightly, casting a breathtaking scene.

Damian had seen castles and streets in Vidalia's memories, but nothing like this otherworldly tree that defied natural laws. The awe on everyone's faces, including Toph's, was unmistakable as their horses halted unconsciously. They didn't realize the murmuring around them until they noticed people were stepping back, creating space between Damian's group and the others. Curious, Damian looked back to see Vidalia and Tristan approaching with several lords in tow. The wonder was still etched on Damian's face as he caught Vidalia's faint smirk—an expression barely noticeable and only for those who knew her well. Her look seemed to say,

'Are you impressed, brat?'

As Vidalia drew near, Damian's friends parted to allow her passage. She stopped her horse beside him, her gaze fixed on the golden-lit city ahead.

"So," she asked, "how do you like our city?"

"It's… magnificent," Damian replied honestly, unable to take his eyes off the enormous tree with its glittering leaves. He noticed a small white structure nestled against the trunk's middle on top as thick branches spread in all directions—a castle, no doubt. But it just looked small, considering the distance, the building must be of epic proportions, a castle worthy of the longest ruling royalty indeed.

The city itself was no chaotic sprawl but an organized network of streets and sections. Damian had never expected to find such sophistication in a city from this era. Compared to this, the Faerunia capital seemed barely half its size. But then again, elves had long been stable rulers. In their lands, life had the opportunity to flourish, and flourish it did.