Green City.
The capital of the Lionheart Kingdom.
Green City wasn’t always the kingdom’s capital. A few centuries ago, the third king of the Lionheart family slew a dragon on this very land.
Dragons—creatures closest to nature—were both awe-inspiring and terrifying. Their mere presence demanded reverence, and their power was legendary. Using the slain dragon’s blood, the third king blessed the land, causing its mana density to surge.
With the help of his wife, the third queen—a grand mage specializing in formations—the royal family relocated from the previous capital to this land. By sealing the enriched mana within the region and harnessing the blessing of a dragon that had mastered a law, the Lionheart family, once mere rulers of a small kingdom within the empire, transformed into a formidable force. Their power struck fear into many, and as a consequence, their descendants led the kingdom to its current peak.
Now, the Lionheart Kingdom stood among the three most powerful kingdoms in the empire. If not for their relatively short history, they might have been the strongest of all. Even so, their rise to prominence was nothing short of remarkable.
And it all began with the courage and ambition of the third king and queen.
“The Third King and queen are really amazing,” Michael murmured, a hint of awe in his voice.
His gaze lingered on the massive stone statues before him. They were intricately detailed, almost lifelike, capturing the essence of the legendary rulers who had reshaped the fate of his kingdom.
The statues of the Third King and Queen stood towering over the grand plaza at the heart of Green City. Carved from a single, immense slab of mana-infused stone, they radiated an almost tangible presence, as if the figures themselves still watched over the kingdom they had forged.
The Third King was depicted in his battle stance, clad in intricately detailed armor that bore the crest of the Lionheart family. His right hand rested on the pommel of a colossal greatsword, its blade half-buried in the stone beneath him, symbolizing both his strength and his conquest. His face was stern, yet regal, with sharp, chiseled features that exuded authority. A long, flowing cape, sculpted to appear as if caught in the wind, trailed behind him, further emphasizing his commanding aura.
Beside him, the Third Queen was equally imposing, standing tall with her hands raised in a weaving gesture, as if casting a spell. Her robes, though sculpted from stone, seemed to ripple like flowing silk, layered with intricate arcane symbols. Her face, unlike the king’s stoic countenance, bore a serene yet resolute expression—wise, graceful, and unyielding.
Between the two statues, a carved dragon’s skull rested at their feet, split in two, forever commemorating their legendary battle.
Yes.
Michael was already within the territory of the kingdom.
No, he was at the very heart of it—the capital.
Due to his identity, Michael had not been permitted to follow the knights to the designated landing spot of the flying ship. Instead, he exited alongside Mage Lian through the open exit of the vessel, taking a far more direct approach.
He could still recall the look of shock on Mage Lian’s face when he freefell from the sky, landing on the ground completely unharmed.
Ignoring the slight pain that briefly flared through his body, Michael still considered it a worthwhile trade-off after seeing the expression of shock on Mage Lian face.
He didn’t mean to show off but the feeling felt good.
At the very least, the stunt confirmed that—by normal standards—he was now incredibly hard to kill.
As for Mage Lian, his odd stare wasn’t just because of Michael’s reckless descent but also due to something else—his sheer physical resilience.
Even as a mage, Mage Lian himself wouldn’t have died from such a fall. However, it would have been far more than just painful. The fact that Michael had shaken it off so easily made him reassess the young man’s true capabilities.
After that moment, the two entered the capital through a special gate, which granted them immediate access to the inner city.
Thanks to Mage Lian, who had taken it upon himself to be a proper host, Michael was able to learn more about his current location.
The capital was divided into three major regions:
The Outer City – The largest and most populated section, housing commoners, merchants, and lower-ranking officials.
The Inner City – A wealthier and more regulated district where high-ranking mages, knights, and government officials resided. It was also the heart of trade and commerce.
The Core – The most exclusive and heavily guarded area, where the kingdom’s most powerful figures lived—like the nobles and most importantly, the royal family.
This region contained the palace, the royal academy, and various elite establishments that few could enter without the proper status or invitation.
Michael took it all in, the inner city that is as this was were his fake identity could even get him to, his gaze sweeping across the vast cityscape.
This place was massive.
And for the first time since arriving in this world, he felt the weight of its true scale.
It was magnificent.”You’ll have to excuse me, Sir Mic, but I’ll need to enter the core area of the capital to make my report to the king. I wonder if you’ll need my assistance in finding a place to stay?”
Hearing this, Michael’s expression flickered with conflict.
He was genuinely grateful to the old mage for giving him such a convenient identity, but at the same time, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was taking too much advantage of the situation.
Like right now.
Ideally, it would be best if Mage Lian took charge of his accommodations.
Because currently…
Michael.
Michael was broke.
What he hadn’t expected, however, was—
“Excuse me, Sir Mic, and please take no offense, but are you perhaps… broke?”
For a moment, Michael felt like the sky had never looked more beautiful.
Was it just him, or did the birds in the sky seem to be laughing at him?
Surely… that was just an illusion.
…Right?