That same morning, after having eaten and sated his hunger, Asael left the market area and headed toward the imposing Brilliant Castle. His goal was clear and twofold: to gather as much information as possible and to secure a meeting with Seishan. However, the method for achieving this remained a question only he could answer.
He strode resolutely through the dusty streets of the outer settlement, completely ignoring the wary glances and whispers his presence provoked. He made his way directly to the great fortified entrance, flanked by two guards of severe appearance and challenging demeanor.
Upon reaching the base of the endless stone staircase that ascended toward the main gates, Asael began his climb. He placed one foot in front of the other at a steady pace, feeling the weight of each step. The ascent, composed of countless steps, consumed nearly a full minute of effort until he finally reached the top, where the air seemed colder and the view of the outer settlement stretched out at his feet.
At the summit, the two guardians protecting the entrance wore well-maintained and armor, a sight that made Asael reflect once again on his own condition.
He fervently longed to wear one of those gleaming suits of armor, imbued with extraordinary abilities, but that dream belonged to a distant and blurry future. At that moment, his reality was limited to the struggle for a simple, decent set of clothes.
A sigh escaped his lips as his gaze fell on his own rags, if they could even be called that. His attire was nothing more than a piece of tanned hide crudely sewn together, taken from the remains of a nightmare abomination he had faced. It was a constant reminder of his struggle for survival.
"What do you want, rat?" The harsh, contempt-laden voice of the first guard cut through the air like a whip.
'What lovely manners,' thought Asael, feeling an instant impulse to punch that arrogant face. However, he held back the reaction. Causing a disturbance there would be foolish.
Though he was convinced his strength far surpassed that of those two sleepers or any other inhabitant of the city, he knew he would eventually be overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
Instead of responding with words, he extended his hand and revealed a soul fragment, its faint but unmistakable glow instantly capturing the guard's attention. A greedy smile spread across the man's face.
"Well, look at that. The rat has brought us a gift," he commented with a mocking laugh before snatching the shining crystal. "Go on through. Someone will be waiting for you inside."
Asael gave a cold nod and crossed the threshold between the two guards, shooting them a look so icy and penetrating that their guffaws died immediately, replaced by an uncomfortable silence.
Passing through the heavy, ornate oak doors, Asael found himself in a vast reception hall. The sound of voices and activity came from the upper floors. Looking up, he spotted several young women in similar uniforms removing huge, opaque curtains from the windows, allowing daylight to flood the castle interior. Asael assumed that, when night fell, they would replace those coarse curtains to hide any glow that might attract dangers.
His visual exploration led him to a desk in one corner, behind which a young man with a gaunt face and a nervous air was busily writing on a parchment.
Asael approached. Sensing his presence, the young man looked up, fixing him with eyes that initially showed surprise and caution.
"Hey. I was told someone would be waiting for me inside," Asael stated without preamble.
The young man's demeanor changed notably, adopting a somewhat forced but cordial confidence.
"Ah, yes! Sorry. Welcome to the Brilliant Castle. My name is Harper. I'm in charge of guest lodging. Is this your first time paying tribute?" he asked, showing genuine curiosity.
"Yes," Asael replied laconically.
"Well, congratulations then. It might not seem like it, but I was in your place just a month ago. Lord Gunlaug honored me with his kindness, and I've been living under the safety of these walls ever since. I'm sure you'll love it too," Harper declared with enthusiasm that sounded rehearsed.
'I sincerely doubt that,' Asael thought to himself, though he merely maintained a neutral expression, allowing Harper to continue his spiel.
"So, what's next?" Asael inquired, guiding the conversation.
Harper nodded, took a quill, and unfurled a large parchment on the desk containing an extensive list of names.
"It's simple. I just need to record your name to register your tribute payment, and that's it. We have many rooms available, especially in the Twilight Tower. It's a very quiet area. Would you be interested in staying there?"
"Are there other options?" Asael asked, noncommittally.
"Yes, there's the Dawn Tower. Though, of course, staying there comes at an additional cost."
"How much?"
"Ten fragments," Harper replied.
Without hesitation, Asael extracted ten soul fragments from a small pouch. Harper's eyes widened, impressed by the speed of the payment, and he nodded diligently.
"Yes, right away. What's your name?"
"Asael."
Harper nodded again and proceeded to inscribe the name on the parchment with meticulous handwriting.
"Perfect. Now, let me show you the way," he said, leaving his post behind the desk.
He followed Harper through a labyrinth of stone corridors and staircases, ascending toward the most prestigious and well-preserved area of the fortress. The Dawn Tower, his guide briefly explained, was the original structure of the castle, offering not only the best views but also certain privileges within the hierarchy of the place.
As they ascended, Asael listened with only half an ear to the torrent of explanations and advice Harper provided. His mind was already occupied with making plans.
"Hey, Harper," he interrupted at one point. "Is there a place within the castle where I can get some clothes?"
"Yes, there's a shop. It's run by a man named Stev, although… I suggest you don't go there unless it's absolutely necessary. The prices he charges are exorbitant," Harper murmured, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret.
"The price doesn't matter. I just need decent clothes."
"Where… did you get that hide, if I may ask?" Harper inquired, discreetly pointing at Asael's attire.
"From an Awakened," Asael answered with deliberate evasion. In truth, he had obtained it from an awakened beast, but that wasn't information the young man needed or ought to know.
"I see," Harper muttered, not pressing further.
Finally, they stopped before a sturdy wooden door. "Well, here we are. The Dawn Tower. If you have any questions or need anything, you can find me. My post is usually in the main hall," Harper declared, opening the door and handing him a heavy, antiquated key.
As Harper turned to leave, Asael's voice stopped him.
"Wait, Harper."
"Yes? What is it?"
"One more thing. Down there, in the outer settlement, people talk a lot about Seishan. They say she's… terrifying. Is that true?"
The change in Harper was instantaneous and dramatic. His previously animated face lost its color. A shadow of genuine fear crossed his eyes.
"Yes," he confirmed in a now-quiet voice. "Let me tell you something, Asael. Seishan isn't just a strong sleeper. She is one of the most powerful and fearsome in the entire castle. I… had the misfortune of crossing paths with her once. A single look from her was enough to make me feel like my life was ending." A slight tremor ran through his hands as he recalled it.
Asael nodded slowly, storing the information. Harper's reaction was more eloquent than any description.
"Well, thanks for the warning. I'll keep it in mind."
"You're welcome. Oh, and before I forget," Harper added, regaining some of his usual composure. "Food is served in the main hall. The first service is in about thirty minutes, and the other, an hour before nightfall. So I'll see you there." With a final farewell gesture, Harper walked away down the corridor, leaving Asael alone.
He pushed the heavy door open, entered the room, and closed it behind him with an audible click.
Once inside, he conducted a thorough reconnaissance of the space that would be his temporary refuge. The room was of considerable size. In one corner stood a bed with a sturdy frame, upon which rested a straw-stuffed mattress covered with processed and dried abomination hides for practical use. In the opposite corner, next to a narrow window, was a simple wooden desk. On it rested a water basin carved from a log, several pieces of clean cloth, and an oil lamp. Against the wall, a polished bronze mirror reflected the room's dim light with coppery glints.
Asael walked over to the bed and sat on the edge. The structure let out a faint creak under his weight but held firm. A deep sigh, laden with the day's fatigue and the tension of constant vigilance, escaped his chest.
'The first step is taken,' he reflected. 'For now, my task is to observe and listen. To gather information about Gunlaug, his lieutenants, the power structure, routines, weaknesses. Then, and only then, will I attempt to establish contact with the Maiden.'
His gaze fell again on the sorry piece of hide that served as his clothing. The contrast with his surroundings, though austere, was flagrant.
"But before anything else," he murmured to himself, "I need something decent to wear."
Resolved, he stood up. Although he had eaten before arriving at the castle, he wasn't going to pass up a meal that was not only free but also didn't require a fight to the death to obtain. It was a strange and welcome luxury. He opened the door and headed back toward the main hall, ready to immerse himself in the flow of life within the Brilliant Castle.