Chapter 92: Sigrid’s Test

The guesthouse prepared for the envoy group by the Kingdom of Azure is located in the upper left corner of the nine-square grid, in the “Reception Area.”

This “Reception Area” could also be called the “Living Area (Out)”, and is similar to the “Living Area” located in the lower right corner of the Sky City, which is exactly opposite in position.

Due to cultural differences between different races, especially for immigrant outsiders and local winged people, it could lead to various inconveniences and conflicts if they lived together. Thus, the Kingdom of Azure specifically designated these two areas to provide separate living spaces for local residents and outsiders.

The reason for calling it the “Reception Area” is also to avoid harsh criticism suggesting that the government holds biases against its local residents and immigrants, making it a somewhat reluctant choice.

The port where the envoy group currently resides, where the Son of Leviathan is docked, is also one of the nine divisions and is rather plainly named “Port Area.”

Its location is directly to the east of the Sky City, adjacent to the “Reception Area.”

Similar to the experience in the Island of Spris, the envoy group took about half an hour to reach their destination using a vehicle provided by the Kingdom of Azure.

Perhaps due to the division, Vilyric did not see a bustling night market along the way.

Though there were shops, residences, and passersby on both sides of the road, they clearly did not meet the standards of a truly large city. Even upon entering the “Reception Area,” there were not many changes.

After all, this is the capital of the winged people, situated high above at least six thousand meters, and immigrants and travelers are ultimately in the minority.

Staying in the vehicle, Vilyric didn’t spend much effort trying to distinguish the races of those who occasionally brushed past and cast curious glances.

The guesthouse is a multi-story building luxurious enough to be called so, equipped with gardens the size of two or three football fields, accommodating about a thousand occupants.

The winged troops led by Sigrid escorted the convoy to the guesthouse, with some staying close by, while others, under the command of their captain, left—most likely to rest or perform other tasks.

Philena was orderly arranging the accommodation of her subordinates, while Sigrid, who seemed to have finished all her work, headed straight for Vilyric, who had just gotten off the vehicle, with only her own pet by her side.

“Sigrid? Are you here to say goodbye?”

Vilyric initially wanted to add something like “If you’ll miss us, you can stay a few more days,” but considering the events with this person before, she forced herself to keep quiet.

“Say goodbye? It’s not like I’m going away anytime soon… Actually, I’ve been out on missions for quite a while and planned to come back and take a break for some time. I shouldn’t be leaving the Sky City anytime soon.”

“Oh, I see…”

Vilyric remained noncommittal; after all, this person still hadn’t mentioned what she came here to express. Directly telling Philena would have sufficed.

Sure enough, after hesitating for a moment, Sigrid continued to speak.

“I say, Vilyric, what are your plans next? Or more clearly, what are your specific objectives for coming to our capital this time? I can see that you, along with your group, are merely traveling companions of the kingdom’s envoy. Could it really be as you said before, that you came here for tourism?”

Hmm…

Considering Sigrid’s identity, Vilyric pondered for a moment.

“Let me first confirm, are these words of yours your own doubt, or do they represent the official inquiry of the Kingdom of Azure?”

“Wow… no need to be so guarded, right…”

Sigrid could only shake her head awkwardly at the priestess who laid out her stance right from the start.

During the battle on Omoland, she witnessed Vilyric helping Dolina, who was only of Earth level, to leap to the level of a transcendent and defeat the rampaging Abyss Worm.

The subsequent series of cataclysms and phenomena, though Vilyric hadn’t explained them, were evidently tied to her sudden disappearance at that time.

Vilyric is strong; she is likely a transcendent who can rival the Wing Emperor himself, or perhaps even more daunting. Sigrid is fully aware of this.

Even her companions during this time, those playful girls, including Leila and Renée, are at least of legendary caliber.

For some reason, strong individuals always seem to gather around this beautiful black-haired girl, who can be frivolous at times yet remarkably reliable when it counts.

Such immense power, if mishandled even within the Sky City, could undoubtedly lead to substantial consequences. Thus, it’s only normal for Sigrid, as a high-ranking member of the “Free Wings,” a trusted aide of the Wing Emperor, to come and test the waters.

However, strangely enough, the captain nodded once but then shook her head again for some unknown reason.

“We are not strangers, so I’ll just speak plainly. I have indeed reported your situation to the emperor; that’s my duty.”

“But there was no clear instruction for me to probe for intelligence. This inquiry comes from my personal standpoint, as a friend; I do not wish for any friction or misunderstanding between you and the “Free Wings” or the government.”

Vilyric looked at the ponytailed girl’s candid expression for a few seconds.

After spending this long together, she knows Sigrid well enough; she understands her personality and has a rough idea of what she’s like.

Unless the other party is one of those duplicitous types who perfectly disguise their true nature from the start, she’s just a simple, outgoing girl. People like Mona with depth are still the exception.

Since that’s the case, there’s no harm in trusting her just this once; after all, some things have to be laid bare with the winged side sooner or later.

“I’m here to seek the God of Sky.”

At this, Sigrid was somewhat surprised.

“To meet with the God of Sky? For what purpose?”

“Well… to seek some answers to questions, I suppose. I’m planning to sit down and talk amicably, as long as He isn’t too unreasonable.”

“Pfft…”

The white-winged girl couldn’t help but chuckle.

“With the way you say it, it sounds like you’re ready to resort to fighting if things don’t go well? After all, that’s the great God.”

Vilyric didn’t refute her, shrugging her shoulders helplessly.

“So isn’t it a matter of following courtesy before arms? I’m a pacifist, and wouldn’t resort to violence unless absolutely necessary.”

“Alright, alright~”

Sigrid evidently took this as Vilyric giving her a way out and didn’t think much more of it.

“Then you’ve come to the right person.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

The white-winged girl smiled as she extended her arm, slightly rolling up her sleeves to reveal a ring-shaped personal magic item beneath.

“By the way, Vilyric, you probably don’t know yet.”

She took off the ring, revealing the fair skin underneath and the beautifully etched wings of a special magic emblem on top.

“Don’t be fooled by my appearance; I also happen to be a candidate for the next High Priestess.”

   

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