1454 Into the Palace



Alex wondered what was the connection between the Northern Continent and the Eastern Continent. How was it that both of these continents had similar geographies in the colder regions?

Why was there, not a single hot region where lava flowed underneath a land, warming it up more than the other pieces of land?

The thing that concerned him more was that he had a certain feeling that these were not the only two places he knew where something like this happened. He had a feeling he saw something in the inheritance he received. 

However, he didn't want to check it at all.

He ignored his concerns and looked around at the city.

Compared to most other cities he had been this, this one seemed a lot more cramped. The size of the roads was small, the houses stacked next to each other with not a bit of space in between.

The houses were all covered in gold as if liquid paint had been used to cover them. Other than that, golden drawings were inscribed where there wasn't any paint.

Golden this and golden that. It was all golden in this city, which had given it the name.

"You came at a very opportune moment, your majesty," one of the two guards of the King said. "Outsider population at Goldheart is at an all-year low. You will have a very easy time going through the Golden Mine."

"Your next month of mining should have no problem," the other guard said as well.

"Is that so?" Alex asked. "And the auction starts in 2 months, right? So I will have 2 months to go through the mine?"

"Yes, but I will suggest you do not spend more than a month inside the mountain. During the final month, people will start gathering for the Auction and the mountain is where they will go to visit every single time."

"I see," Alex said. "I will leave if I feel like I've stayed there enough. Speaking of Auction though, I'm very curious about this auction. Do you think it will have something for me too?"

"I…" The two guards hesitated a bit. 

"I'm sure you will find something of interest in the Auction, your Majesty," the King spoke finally. "If not something of interest, I'm sure you will at least find entertainment."

Alex nodded. "That's not bad. I don't really believe there will be anything here that is going to be worth my attention. As long as I have a fun time, I will consider this a successful visit," he said.

It was a rather arrogant declaration in front of the King of the Golden Kingdom, but that was what he felt like, so there wasn't any reason for him to worry.

He doubted there was much in this city for him and he let them all know.

"Don't know the possibility just yet, your majesty," the King said. "You never know what you will come across here. Speaking about that, will you be participating in the auction by any chance?"

"Of course i— ah, you mean as the seller," Alex asked.

"Yes, as one of the people that provides for the auction. Do you have anything that you will get rid of that others will be happy to get their hands on?" the king asked.

Alex thought for a bit and shook his head. 'I'm afraid that I don't have anything on me that I can give away," he said. Anything he could, he would rather give to his own family.

"What about pills?" the king asked somewhat excitedly. "An alchemist like you would definitely make one of the best pills out there."

"That I can do," Alex said. "Sure, if I have some time, I cook up a few pills to sell to the others. I can add to people's enjoyment."

The king gave a small smile and nodded.

"I'm sure you will be more than happy to do it," he said. "It will be in the spirit of the auction."

Alex said nothing and looked around. He looked at the many houses and buildings and soon reached a river that was not a river.

A blue glacier flowed through the city, going perpendicular to the largest road in the city. It, along with the road, cut the city into four different. Quadrants. 

The corner of the 2nd Quadrant was where the palace was.

Alex and the others were welcomed into the palace. The palace was also golden inside and outside, with more gold than anywhere else in the city.

Each piece of furniture, each door handle, and each painting frame were all made out of gold. It got to the point that Alex wondered if it was just a little too much.

The King took Alex to a hall where he provided him with some refreshments. The King didn't really seem to want to hold a conversation, but the other two heads weren't of the same mind.

They wanted to learn more about Alex and asked questions which Alex continued answering without much hesitation.

The king also tried to participate with questions of his own, but it was clear that he wasn't the social type at all. He would rather not have to deal with people if possible.

"Your majesty came from a long journey, so it would be wrong of us to keep you here for any further. Let me take you to your resting area," the king said.

King Tan himself stood up and led Alex and the two elders toward the guest rooms where they would be staying.

He showed the elders the room and took Alex to his.

Alex entered the room and saw more golden items. He could only sigh at the sight. 

"Please rest for now, your majesty," the king said. "I will prepare for your trip to the mines in the next few days as per your wish."

"I can leave tomorrow," Alex said.

"Then I can have it set up for tomorrow," the king said. "Rest well, your majesty. You will be mining for a long time starting tomorrow."