Anti Netotare Villian

Chapter 24: Date? - 2

Chapter 24: Date? - 2

The castle stood within walking distance of the bustling city of Ramio, a vibrant hub renowned across the kingdom for its blacksmithing expertise and abundant rare earth metals mined from its nearby quarries. The city's reputation wasn't just built on wealth but on its strategic importance; nearly half the kingdom's weapons were forged here, crafted by blacksmiths whose skill was unmatched. The quality of their swords was the stuff of legends.

"Damn, this city is huge! Look at all this architecture!" Reich's thoughts raced as his gaze wandered across the towering structures. Majestic gothic spires pierced the skies, their intricate stonework casting long shadows over cobbled streets bustling with life. Ramio's architecture seemed to tell its own story, each gargoyle and arch whispering secrets of a storied past.

Despite his awe, Reich kept his composure. However, he wasn't alone in his admiration. The city's beauty often left first-time visitors speechless.

"Is it your first time visiting the main city?" Reich asked casually, his voice measured.

"No—no, Master—" the young woman beside him stammered, only to have Reich press a finger to her lips. He leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I told you, no calling me 'Master' here. We're on a concealed visit, and I don't want to stir up unnecessary attention among the common folk."

She nodded quickly, her cheeks flushing. "Then what should I call you, my lo—apologies!" she corrected herself hastily.

"Call me whatever you like," Reich replied with a shrug. "Actually, on second thought, let's avoid my real name altogether. You can call me Conrad."

"Conrad?" She tilted her head. "Is that alright?"

"Perfectly fine. It's simple, inconspicuous, and you won't feel awkward saying it. Right?"

"Thank you, Con—Conrad," she replied, testing the name hesitantly.

"Good. Now, continue answering my question." He gestured slightly, his hand lifting just enough to indicate he was listening.

"Conrad, I was saying that I've only been to the main city once before, when I was a child. My parents brought me here, but I don't remember much. I was so young then." Her voice softened as she spoke, a note of nostalgia creeping in.

Reich frowned slightly, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "But you're local, right? From the outer walls? How come you never visited the inner city again?"

Her expression changed instantly. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as painful memories resurfaced. She hesitated for a moment before answering. "They... died. My parents were attacked by bandits, Conrad."

A pang of guilt struck Reich. He hadn't expected such a tragic response. "I'm sorry," he said sincerely. "I didn't know. May their souls rest in peace."

"It's alright," she said, her voice steady despite the weight of her words.

Reich's jaw tightened as resolve hardened within him. "I'll make sure nothing like that happens again—not in my territory. Not to anyone."

Though she doubted the feasibility of such a promise, something in his tone made her hopeful. She had already noticed subtle but meaningful changes in Reich's leadership, and his words carried a weight that made her believe in his intentions.

Breaking the heavy silence, Reich smiled faintly and gestured around. "Well, since it's like your first time here, let me tell you a thing or two about this place."

He pointed to the bustling marketplace around them. "This is the Monastery Market. A long time ago, this was the site of a grand monastery dedicated to Goddess Freya, the deity of love and fertility. But about two centuries ago, when King Charles took the throne, things changed drastically."

Reich's voice lowered as he delved into the city's darker history. "King Charles was a devout follower of the God of War. He issued an edict to purge all other religions and enforce the worship of his god across the kingdom. What followed was known as the Great Purge. People either converted or fled, and those who resisted were slaughtered. Monasteries, temples, and shrines were destroyed or seized, and their clergy were either killed or exiled."

Her eyes widened as she listened, the weight of history heavy in the air. Reich continued, his tone somber. "This monastery was abandoned during that time. Merchants, ever the opportunists, took over the vacant space and turned it into a thriving market. That's how the Monastery Market came to be. It's unique—there's nothing quite like it anywhere else in the kingdom."

"And what happened to King Charles?" she asked softly.

"He didn't last long," Reich said with a grim smile. "His tyranny earned him many enemies, and he was assassinated not long after. His nephew ascended the throne and restored peace to the kingdom."

"What about the priests who fled? Did they return?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Some did," Reich replied. "But the lands and buildings they once occupied were either destroyed or claimed by others. In Ramio, when the clergy of Freya returned, they demanded the monastery back. But my great-grandfather, who ruled this territory at the time, proposed a compromise. He built them an even grander monastery outside the city, while this market remained in the hands of the merchants. The chapel, however, was preserved and integrated into the market as a reminder of what once stood here."

"Even though almost everyone agreed with the creation of a new and even grander monastery, a small but vocal group of devotees protested. They demanded that the original monastery be returned to them, insisting it was sacred ground that should not have been repurposed," Reich continued, his tone measured. "However, their request was swiftly rejected. By then, the Monastery Market had already become a vital hub of commerce. What started as a modest collection of five small shops had grown into a bustling marketplace in just five years, transforming the city."

He gestured around, as if to emphasize the liveliness of their surroundings. "Before the market, Ramio was a relatively small and unremarkable city, offering little to its residents and even less to outsiders. But the establishment of this market marked the beginning of its golden age. Merchants flocked here, bringing goods from across the kingdom and beyond. The flow of wealth revitalized the city, and its population nearly doubled within a decade."

Reich's voice grew more animated as he recounted the city's meteoric rise. "Around the same time, prospectors discovered vast reserves of rare earth metals beneath Ramio's soil. That discovery changed everything. These metals became the foundation of the city's prosperity, fueling the blacksmithing industry and making Ramio indispensable to the kingdom's economy. By then, the market wasn't just a place for trade—it was the lifeblood of the city."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "So, when the clergy demanded the return of the original monastery, there was no way the request could be granted. The market had become far too valuable, both economically and strategically. The city had grown into one of the kingdom's most important territories in less than a decade, and the idea of disrupting that progress was unthinkable."