Evolution of the Ruined Heir - Chapter 194

Chapter 194: Sylvastine
They spent the next few minutes in silence, with Rhett trying to flirt with Laila at every turn, only to be shut down constantly.

Renlo couldn’t help but glance at his new captain with a worried look. He didn’t look like the sort of person you trust your life with.

Minutes later, Nyx arrived like a phantom, soundless. And Rhett couldn’t help but give her a very long look.

“Two beautiful maids, huh.” He winked at Malakai, completely ignoring the fact that Nyx was a Bloom capable of razing an entire city.

“I’m starting to like you.” He laughed and gestured to the carriage.

“Make yourself comfortable. You paid for this fancy ride anyway.”

“What about the one on top of the carriage?” Malakai suddenly said.

The group paused.

Renlo and Kiana looked confused. There was someone on top of the carriage?

Meanwhile, Rhett and Laila glanced at each other again. Rhett grinned. ‘He was able to sense her…’

He was a bit stunned. The sense of Sanguine, especially from new node formation evolvers, shouldn’t be that sharp. But Malakai had sensed her, and it seemed like it was from the beginning.

‘Looks like there’s more to him than meets the eye.’

Rhett turned to Malakai before answering. “She wants to ride from the top of the carriage.”

Malakai raised his eyebrows. The figure he had sensed with his Vita Field was a node formation evolver, and she had already formed two nodes.

Equiladors were fast. Riding on top would be uncomfortable. And very dangerous.

Still, it wasn’t his business.

He nodded and stepped into the carriage, with the rest in tow.

With everyone inside, they soon took off into the skies, shooting toward the western end of the dome.

The city of Sylvastine.

…

Throughout the ride, Malakai had been on edge. He had just left the safety of Crimson Hold, headed for a foreign city where his safety couldn’t be assured.

To Malakai, an ambush was almost expected. After everything he did to Varnel, some form of retaliation felt inevitable.

Luckily, nothing of the sort occurred. The hours went by, and as the sun began to set, they finally reached their destination.

“Well, here she is,” Rhett said, gesturing down through the window of the carriage.

As they all looked down, their eyes widened. One thought: it was amazing.

Just below them, the city of Sylvastein was alive.

It was a city built in the middle of an endless forest. All around it stretched trees and flora, wild, untamed, and vibrant.

Though it was already dark, the city was brilliantly lit. Glowing vines wrapped around buildings. Floating lights danced in the air, casting an enchanting glow over everything.

“It’s really beautiful,” Renlo muttered under his breath. And Malakai couldn’t agree more.

‘It’s built just like Vitaemora.’

Malakai had seen the City of Blood countless times from the sky. He knew its layout well.

Just like Vitaemora, Sylvastein had multiple tall and long pathways stretching outward from its center, cutting through vast expanses of forest, each pathway ending at the city’s great outer wall.

‘The districts.’

Malakai identified them quickly. The large outer areas, those were the different districts of the city. One of them was their destination.

The checks at the gate were quick and brief. After confirming those aboard the carriage, they were allowed in.

As they entered through the gates, they moved through the glowing city of Sylvastein. Renlo gawked at practically everything he saw, while Malakai calmly observed.

Just like they had seen from afar, the city was alive. Glowing vines snaked their way through tall and imposing trees.

The ground was bare earth, no pavement whatsoever. The buildings were wooden, from cottages to small shops to large mansions. One look at the city, and Malakai could tell they were deep into nature.

His gaze settled on its people. They were all clad in refined and tailored beast skins. The poor stood out like day; the rich even more so. But what truly caught Malakai’s attention were the beasts.

They were everywhere. Beasts that were considered too wild in Vitaemora roamed freely through the streets, walking calmly among humans. Some were on leashes, others used as modes of transport.

‘Beast tamers.’

Laila noticed the intrigued look on Malakai’s face and decided to explain.

“The people of Sylvastein consider themselves one with nature,” she began. Even Rhett turned to look at her, as though happy just to hear her voice. She rolled her eyes and continued.

“They’re one with the flora, one with the fauna. They embrace the trees and live among the beasts. They have many things considered sacred here, so I suggest you all tread carefully in whatever you plan on doing.”

Malakai could feel the last words were directed at him, and he gave Laila a nod in thanks.

‘I have a lot to learn.’ He thought to himself.

If he was to survive a year in this place, he needed to understand it completely.

The mood became tense after Laila’s warning, but Rhett quickly changed the topic.

“C’mon, what’s with those rotten expressions? This city’s far too fun to not enjoy it. Don’t worry, you’re in good hands, I know all the best spots!”

Rhett could feel Laila’s glare on him, but he shamelessly ignored it. His words eased the group slightly, though the ride still continued in silence.

‘We’re moving towards the outskirts…’

Malakai noticed. They had passed through the main city and entered the Kaerthorn District after another round of checks, and still, they kept going.

‘It’s far from the district.’ Malakai noted. At this point, there were barely any buildings or people in sight. The wooden cottages they passed were abandoned and wrecked. Only trees and greenery remained.

Just as Malakai started wondering where the hell they were heading, his gaze landed on a large building up ahead. The carriage descended and landed in front of it. Rhett and Laila instantly disembarked.

“Alright, this is it. This will be your home for the next one year.”