My Girlfriends Are Hardcore Yanderes - Chapter 131

Chapter 131: Familiar Scene
In the distance, Alarath came into view, built into the massive trunk of an enormous tree.

The tree’s trunk rose high into the sky, sturdy and unyielding. The buildings seemed to grow seamlessly from its bark, their curved shapes blending perfectly as if they had always been part of the tree.

Bridges made of wood and stone connected the platforms that spiraled up the tree, creating a network of homes and other structures hidden in its branches. The platforms were staggered at varying heights, giving the city a cascading, layered appearance.

Sunlight filtered through the thick canopy above, making the leaves glow faintly gold.

Streams of water flowed from high up the tree, running down its grooves before turning into waterfalls that splashed into canals below. These canals ran through the lower part of the city, adding life and movement to the area.

The sound of the flowing water was constant, adding a peaceful hum to the otherwise busy atmosphere.

Surrounding it all was a thick stone wall, standing strong to protect the city. The walls were covered with large veins of moss and vines, making them seem like an extension of the tree itself. Together, the walls and the tree created a city that felt both ancient and alive.

‘This place is way bigger than my city,’ Asher thought as he looked at the massive area in front of him. He could barely see the other side of the city from where he stood, it stretched out in every direction, overwhelming in its scale.

On the ground, there were plenty of other buildings too. The tallest ones were about six stories high, but most were only one to three floors.

The streets twisted and turned between them, creating a maze of activity. He had expected Alarath to be a small place.

As he kept observing, he noticed a shimmering barrier surrounding the city. Flying straight through it would likely activate some kind of defense. While he knew he could bypass it with teleportation, that option was currently beyond his reach.

With no better option, he descended carefully. His robe, too flashy for subtle entry, needed a quick adjustment.

Muttering a simple spell, he changed its color to a dull gray, blending better with the surroundings. He also adjusted the cut of his robe, making it less formal and more suited for traveling unnoticed.

He merged into the bustling road leading toward the city’s entrance bridge, moving without drawing attention.

The wide stone path, made of polished granite, stretched far ahead. Its sheer width, comparable to a six-lane highway from his old world, hinted at the immense traffic it was designed to handle.

As he walked closer to the entrance, the road filled with activity, a vibrant flow of people and creatures unlike anything he had seen before.

Caravans of various sizes filled the road, each pulled by fantastical beasts. Some were drawn by massive, scaled lizards with tails that dragged along the ground, their footsteps creating low, rumbling vibrations.

Others were pulled by large, bird-like creatures with long, feathery legs that moved quickly and gracefully. They made soft, rhythmic chirping sounds as they walked.

Some caravans were drawn by strong, horned animals that looked like a mix of a buffalo and a rhinoceros. Their tough hides glimmered in the sunlight as they moved steadily along the road.

‘Now it really feels like I’m in a completely different world.’

Moving with the flow of the crowd, he couldn’t help but notice the diversity of beastkin around him.

There were so many different types—wolfkin, foxkin, catkin, and many more—each one distinct in their appearance.

Some had fur that shimmered in the sunlight, while others had features more like their animal counterparts, with sharp claws or tails swishing behind them. It was a mix of busy merchants, travelers, and locals, all going about their day with little attention to one another.

No one seemed to notice him among the throng. With so many different beastkin, his presence didn’t stand out. Some of them gave him curious glances, but they quickly turned their attention back to their tasks.

As he walked through the bustling road, taking in the grandeur of Alarath’s wall, he noticed the steady flow of people moving toward a large stone bridge that led into the the city.

The sight of the guards ahead caught his attention.

Their job was to check everyone who came through and make sure there were no troublemakers trying to enter the city.

They wore polished armor, each marked with the king’s golden lion insignia and equipped with halberds and short swords.

‘Not ordinary beastkin,’ Asher thought, sensing that each of these guards was far more powerful than the ones he had encountered before. However, compared to him, they were still relatively weak.

Continuing forward, one of the guards raised a hand, signaling him to stop.

“Hold there,” the guard commanded.

Asher stopped, sensing the change in the air.

The guard’s eyes narrowed as he stepped closer, his voice firm and controlled. “Do you have an emblem?”

‘Emblem?’ Asher frowned, confused. He didn’t know what the guard was talking about.

He wished he had asked more about how things worked around here. But it was too late for that now. The best thing he could do was stay calm and act like everything was normal.

After a brief pause, he decided honesty was the best approach.

“I’m a traveler. I don’t have any emblem.”

The guard raised an eyebrow, exchanging a glance with the others. A few murmured to each other, but they didn’t seem hostile, just cautious.

“Do you have any identification?” the guard asked, his voice a little softer now, but still firm.

Asher shook his head. “No identification. I’ve just arrived from a long journey.”

The guard studied him for a moment longer, then nodded slowly.

“A traveler, huh? Well, you’ll need an emblem to enter the city. It’s a requirement for all outsiders.”

Asher’s mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. He hadn’t expected this sort of challenge. “Is there any way around it?”

“You can apply for one at the city office. It’ll take some time, though.”

Asher let out a sigh, realizing he had little choice but to comply. “Alright, I’ll do that.”

“Good. Head straight to that building,” the guard pointed toward a three-story structure beside the highway.

Asher’s gaze followed the guard’s direction, finally understanding what the place was for. It was a registration center.

The idea of needing to register just to enter a city was strange, especially since back in his old world, no such rules existed. The thought that this place had more laws than his old home amused him.

But then again, this place wasn’t exactly peaceful, so he could understand why the rules were so strict.

The constant flow of different creatures and the threat of danger made security necessary.

CLICK!

He entered the building and saw a long line, with chairs at the front for those waiting to get their emblems.

It looked like a typical government office, except the furniture and atmosphere screamed fantasy.

He found a seat in one of the rows, the wooden chair creaking under his weight.

‘I wonder how they process things here. I don’t even have any document to show,’ he wondered to himself.