Chapter 8: [Ch.8] Return to the Scholar's Capital

Sylvia took the lead to ensure everyone's safety on our journey to the Capital. Despite her limp and only having one arm, she was still terrifyingly strong. It wasn't a wonder she could survive a post-apocalyptic world.

Eventually, we made it to the Capital City. A large wall that spread for miles was erected around it with no sign of weakness. The guards at the gate glared at us, "Present your identification tags."

I frowned. Neither Sylvia nor I had such a thing. When has this been a requirement for the Scholar's capital? They were famous for having open borders.

The guard put the spear in my face, "Show us or get lost!"

Sylvia growled at them, "Watch where you are pointing that thing!"

More guards surrounded us as soon as they heard the commotion and noticed our suspicious appearances. The one leading shouted at us, "You! Remove your hood! Or else we will attack!"

Sylvia stepped behind me and whispered, "Mo… What should we do? If I take off my hood..."

Then they would realize she wasn't a living human.

I looked at the guard with a sharp look, "My friend here is badly disfigured. She is shy and wishes not for those to laugh at her."

"Shy?! Who cares about your petty feelings! If you both don't wish to die, then remove your hood now!"

Hatsuyo heard the commotion and quickly came to our side. He pulled out a white jade tablet with a large lotus inscribed on it. It was a tag that only those associated with the Royal family in the Phoenix Nation could have. He showed them with a frown, "These are my bodyguards. Naturally, I can guarantee their identities."

The guards looked at the tablet and immediately withdrew, "Terribly sorry, your highness. You may proceed."

My eyes widened at the sight of the tablet. "Your father is Michiya?"

Hatsuyo was startled by this, "You shouldn't speak the Emperor's name so freely."

Emperor?!

I felt like I had just been slammed into by a truck. How could Michiya have become Emperor of the Phoenix nation? His mother had been a famous dancer in a traveling troupe and his father was unknown.

I looked at Sylvia who knew immediately what I wanted. She whispered into my ear as Hatsuyo led us inside. "After your… Death… The Emperor of the Phoenix Nation grew sick. He had to establish an heir. However, Mona had disappeared."

My eyes widened, "Mona disappeared?!"

I can't handle any more surprises.

She nodded solemnly, "Yes… After Amanda was killed she ran away… No one could find her. Then, with all the current events it was impossible to track her down. I have no idea where she is now or if she is still alive."

I frowned at the news, "...I see."

Sylvia continued, "Since Mona was gone, that left no one with the Royal's true blood… Since as you know, Mino had died in the Great War…"

I closed my eyes as I tried to shake away my dark thoughts, "But that doesn't explain how Michiya became Emperor. Wouldn't Yoichi be the next logical choice?"

She snickered, "If Yoichi could even have children."

I raised my eyebrow, but she didn't elaborate her meaning.

"At the time, Michiya was still in the Scholar's nation at the Academy. He had received a very high position as a head magician at the Academy. The Emperor came to the Headmaster to ask for his help on finding an heir to replace him. The Headmaster used a magical rod in order to point out the next heir for him. However, no one could have guessed it would lead to Michiya! Not to mention that Michiya had Royal blood."

It suddenly all made sense to me. I gave a serious nod, "The previous Emperor was his father."

She nodded quickly, "Exactly! Everyone was shocked. It's said that the Emperor had gotten drunk and slept with a dancer. Who knew he would produce an heir from the affair! It caused a lot of chaos, but Michiya proved to be an excellent ruler. He saved more people than any other leader at the time. When other's shut out people from the large cities, he kept the gates open to ensure no one would be left to die."

"How commendable." I smiled so softly that it wasn't caught by Sylvia before I frowned again, "What about the Headmaster? Is he still alive?"

She shook her head gravely, "He actually died from old age not too long after."

I let out a sigh, "He was old, so I guess that isn't much of a surprise."

Yet, I definitely thought he had to be immortal.

Hatsuyo suddenly spoke, interrupting our private conversation. "Welcome to the Capital, my saviors!"

The Capital was far busier than I remembered. Before I had left the Scholars nation when I was Moao, the atmosphere was uptight and scholarly. They didn't care for flashy things and only wished to chase after knowledge. However, now it was completely different.

Loud, rambunctious music filled the streets as children ran around laughing and people of various nations chatted leisurely. There were flower petals being thrown from roofs onto passersby and kites being flown in the sky. The bright vibrant colors were so powerful, I had to look away.

Hatsuyo turned to us, "How about we go to some shops? I would rather not have my bodyguards dressed in stitched up clothing that doesn't fit them."

I glanced at Sylvia and nodded, "Many thanks then."

There was no use in turning away free things.

We followed him into a store where he motioned to us, "Feel free to grab anything. I have more than enough money."

Sylvia spoke timidly, "I am fine with just a cloak…"

Hatsuya looked at her suspiciously, "Are you really disfigured?"

She hesitated before giving a nod. He seemed to understand that he had asked a delicate question. His face flushed with the realization, causing him to look away shamefully, "I see… Give me one moment."

As he disappeared, I went to walk around the store before I was stopped by a female worker. She glared at me hatefully, "Get out of here! We don't serve your kind here!"

I frowned at her words, but made no move to leave. Another worker heard her shout and rushed over. She snapped at her, "Watch your mouth! This is Highness Hatsuyo's bodyguard!"

The other was shocked, "What?! But it's a Duang mutt!"

It seems that even 150 years into the future, the people from the Hong Duang nation can't escape their past.

The worker who had come over to yell at the other, turned to me with a smile. "Please allow me to help you… Would you like to look at the women's selection… Or…" Her eyes looked me up and down in confusion, "Men's selection?"

I forced myself to smile at her, "Men."

She nodded quickly, "Follow me."

As I followed her, I noticed a long flawless white robe. My heart felt as someone grabbed it and tightened their grip around it. I stared at that garment feeling a strange mix of emotions. She noticed me staring at it and spoke up, "Did someone you know die?"

In this world, only the dead wore white. Those who were living didn't wear white in fear that it would bring bad luck and their deaths.

I gave a weak smile and walked past her while muttering, "Not yet at least."

She pondered my words for a moment, before shaking them off. She rushed after me quickly and showed me to a section of the store, "Unfortunately we don't have any traditional clothing from your lost country, but we do have some traditional clothes from the Phoenix nation."

I nodded, "That will work."

She grinned, "Perfect! The season is warm so I suggest a yukata. With your delicate looks and beauty, I suggest this one."

She pulled out a yukata that was black with silver butterflies at the hem. I nodded in admiration, "This will be perfect."

"Wonderful! Allow me to dress you."

I kept my inner garments on as she placed the yukata over it. The body I was in lacked any identifying sex characteristics so I didn't worry about her discovering that I was actually a genetic female. Once she finished, she placed me in front of the mirror. She nodded, "Truly a flawless beauty."

I turned around to appreciate the reflection. Sure enough, this is my ideal body. An androgenous beauty who was born looking naturally coy.

The workers also tried to help Sylvia, but she refused many times. She grabbed a new cloak, but didn't want any help putting it on. The workers could only relent as they gossiped about why she was so stubborn about showing her appearance.

The more one tries to hide their face, the more people want to see it.

After we finished getting dressed, Hatsuyo appeared back into the shop carrying a bag. He grinned at us, "You two look much better! Now no one will dare say I force my bodyguards into rags."

Sylvia scoffed, "Your bodyguards? I thought that we were only escorting you to the city."

He scratched his cheek bashfully, "Well… I was hoping you would escort me a bit longer. I don't know anyone here and the rest of my companions have yet to arrive. I-I can pay handsomely of course! I have more than enough money… What do you say?"

Sylvia glanced at me, "What do you think?"

Seeing that I was going to make the decision, he panicked more. "I-I can buy you dinner! I will even pay for your inn! Please?!"

I spoke apathetically, "It's not like we have anything better to do."

He let out a sigh of relief, "Oh… That's wonderful… Should we go get something to eat?"

"Lead and we will follow."

As we walked to the restaurant, Sylvia glanced at his bag and asked, "What did you buy?"

He stopped and pulled out a fox mask that had an eerie smile and a cinnabar tear beside it's left eye. He spoke proudly, "Since you seem shy and want to hide your face, I thought I would get you a mask. Well? Isn't it cute?"

Sylvia took it from him as her hand trembled, "Cute?"

I frowned at it. Cute? It didn't look cute at all. In fact, it looked quite ominous.

She giggled happily, "It's adorable!"

"..."