The Solarin Castle was a huge mountain fortress built into the northern side of the Blackstone Mountain Range. It spanned seven mountains, with dozens of fortified towers and multiple layers of defensive walls surrounding it like a shell.
Atop the unageing walls was an uncountable number of weapons. These weapons ranged from cold weapons to a variety of arcane armaments. Cannons the size of buildings and magic shields strong enough to stop a behemoth were stationed atop each tower. Every wall had a series of runes carved in stone and filled with spiritual energy so heavy that the wall seemed to bend under their weight. Spell Seals were embedded in each brick, and Dwarven Echoes still resonated within the cold stone. Unknown technologies and untold secrets were hidden deep beneath the fortress's foundation, silently awaiting the day when they could once again awaken.
At the foot of the castle was a massive city that sprawled out from the northern face of the mountain fortress. Like the castle, the city was surrounded by multiple layers of defensive walls and an uncountable number of guard towers. Its lively atmosphere hid a certain militaristic undertone, and the racial variety far exceeded any of the other northern settlements.
To enter the city, one had to first pass through the 'Grand Gate'.
This massive gate was the only way in and out of the Northern Region. The gate alone stood thirty metres tall, not to mention its massive list of defensive features.
When the Tower Spider approached, Petra whipped out the carriage and had Nebula nonchalantly drive it through the front door. The seventy guards that were on duty were completely unaware of the massive spider that casually swaggered past.
-
After entering the city, Petra immediately felt the difference.
Unlike Sevensen, which had a certain sense of unorganised freedom, the Solarin Castle was heavily regulated, its laws dictating what you could and could not do, and its army strongly upholding its rules. There was a guard on every street, and a small team on every block. The constant patrols and unending vigilance seemed to permeate every inch of the city.
There were dozens of districts, ranging from housing for the commoners to the homes of nobility. There were market districts and educational districts, military districts and industrial districts.
The Tower Spider took them around the city.
Although they could only move freely within the normal city, Petra was sure that there was even more 'fun' within the main stronghold. Unfortunately, she didn't have time to go up the mountain to play.
After having one of the girls alight and ask around, Petra had the Tower Spider move towards the area between the slums, the land for commoners, and the noble's district. This was a small region that was nearly abandoned, but it was perfect for Petra.
The annoyingly long walk took thirty minutes, and when they arrived, Petra found an empty plot of land to plant the tower.
The Tower Spider plopped its butt down and shrank its body.
They had set up shop between an abandoned bakery and a closed jewelry shop. It was a location that would draw attention, but not too many questions.
-
Tower Spider, First Floor.
The next day.
Petra sat at the front desk, her little feet swinging back and forth while drinking a cup of honey cream milk. While waiting for the new girls to return with some information, Petra read through the homework that Levy had prepared for her. She scrunched up her face in frustration, cursing Levy for the unreasonable expectations she seemed to have for the girls.
While Petra was angrily scribbling on her textbook, the maids were hard at work preparing the shop for the next few days.
While Dorthy wrote up a ledger, Lilly cleaned the tables and Luna swept the floors.
Mell arranged the display cases to make the room more presentable, while Wind and Soryn cleaned up the plot of land outside. They worked together with Bell to do some quick landscaping and turned what was once a dilapidated and empty plot of dirt into a vibrant and eye-catching storefront.
In the back, Rose organised the ants into small groups of guards. They patrol the exterior of the building like silent shadows, always ready to defend if needed.
The bunny girls got dressed and prepared to take customers, while the Bird, Dwarves, and Elves continued to work hard in the back.
As time ticked by, things slowly came together.
-
Later that day.
Following the sudden chime of a bell, the front door was pushed open, and an elderly lady walked in, followed by a single guard.
This kind-looking elder wore formal clothes, but nothing too fancy. Her steps were slow and steady, reflecting a long life of self-discipline. Her back was hunched, and her eyes were deep. She held a long cane that she used to support her weight, relieving her frail body.
She reminded Petra a little bit of the old neighbourhood auntie who always used to bother Elena back in Evergreen Town.
As for the guard that followed her, he wore thick iron armour that covered his entire body. His face was concealed, and his armour lacked any signs to indicate his allegiance. He was a common knight that didn't even have a sword, yet he gave off a strange feeling, almost like he was more than just a knight.
The elderly lady looked around, sweeping her old eyes from shelf to shelf, nodding from time to time.
After a while, she tilted her head, seemingly not understanding something.
The elderly lady looked at Petra. This adorable child didn't seem to fit whatever she was looking for, but she walked over anyways, her cane tapping on the ground with each step.
"Little girl, do you know who's in charge here?"
Petra looked up from her textbook and replied, "Mm, I'm the only one in charge right now, how can I help you?"
The elderly lady narrowed her eyes.
"You're a bit young to be in charge, aren't you?"
Petra snorted. "It's ok, I'm old enough!"
The elder asked, "Since that's the case, perhaps you can answer my question. When did this place open, and where did it come from?"
Petra rolled her eyes.
Who was this snoopy old lady trying to fool?
With a cute smile, Petra explained. "We've just opened today! You're our first customer! Please help yourself, we're very poor and need the money."
Petra sat up straight, like an obedient little clerk in training.
The elderly lady smiled. "I haven't seen you before, where did you come from?"
Petra replied, "We just came from Sevensen a few days ago."
"Then, did you build this place?" the elder asked, her frail body leaning slightly closer, almost like she was trying to share some kind of secret.
Petra pouted. "Grandma, do you always ask so many questions? Why do you ask such boring things, I'm not a child who you can trick so easily!"
"Haha, yes yes, I'm just very free, you see. That's all."
"Grandma, if you're so free, why don't you help me with my homework? Maybe I can answer a few questions if you do!"
The guard looked over.
The elderly lady laughed. "Ok ok, it sounds like a deal, but you should tell me something in return first."
"Ok, what do you want to know?"
The elder's eyes turned sharp. "Who are you?"
Petra grinned, her feet continuing to kick under the table. "Granny~ if you can help me with my homework, then I'll tell you, hehehe~"
The elder's expression softened. She shuffled over to Petra and sat down behind the table opposite to her, then Petra pushed over the textbook containing her 'first year' curriculum.
She turned to the page she was stuck on, then looked at the elder with an expectant gaze.
The elder took the textbook and looked through it. The guard behind her scanned through it, then his eyes twitched violently. From the little that he could understand, he understood that this was completely ridiculous, even for their best researchers.
What the heck was this?
This was homework?
Who are you trying to fool?!
The elderly lady frowned. "Little girl, are you sure that this is your homework? Isn't this a little too advanced?"
Petra puffed out her cheeks. "Right!? That's what I said! This should at least be the second year's curriculum! No, it's just the entry-level stuff, for now... Ah! Ah~ya~ya It's so unfair!"
Petra kicked the wooden post with her foot.
"I-Is, is that so?" The elderly lady suddenly looked a bit embarrassed. She looked at the guard, and the guard shook his head.
With a sigh, "I fear I may not be able to help you."
Petra rolled her eyes, and with a giggle, she spoke. "That's ok, I'd probably get into trouble if you did anyways."
"Mmm"
Turning away, the elderly lady looked around.
She felt like she had lost her face to this strange child, so she tried to change the subject.
"So, what would you recommend I buy?"
Petra threw the homework to the back of her mind.
She looked at the old lady before recommending something.
"Mm, we sell a lot, but we mostly specialize in poisons." She jumped up from behind the desk, walked over to one of the displays, and pulled out a small box containing a bright yellow vial.
Petra returned to the front desk and pushed the box to the old woman with both hands.
When the elder heard the word 'poison', she frowned. "Little girl, did you know it's illegal to sell poisons in the Solarin Castle?" She didn't even look at the box, she just tapped her finger on the desk.
Petra tilted her head. She mumbled to herself in a low voice, "Ah? Is that so? Then I guess we can't stay here for long."
Petra pushed the small box directly into the elderly lady's arms.
"Grandma, this is Banana Bonanza, a personal creation, please buy it."
The guard behind the old woman reached out and took the box. He inspected it, but the box was sealed tightly, not allowing him to even reach in and inspect the yellow vile.
The old woman looked at him from the corner of her eye.
She turned back to Petra and asked. "What does it do?"
Petra grinned. "It's a secret! You'll know when you need it! It's a great cure for hidden ailments!"
With a frown, the old woman shook her head.
Although it seemed that this young girl was referring to her, she was sure that her body was fine.
Not long after, the duo left.
Petra watched their backs as they left.
She secretly wondered if that old woman would be smart enough to use it on herself when the poison that was buried deeply in her heart acted up.
Such things were up to fate, not Petra.
* * *
After leaving Poppy's, the elderly lady's guard spoke for the first time. "My Lord, what do you think? Should we send someone to deal with her?"
The old lady chuckled. Her footsteps were much more powerful than before. She no longer walked with a hunch, and her arms were folded behind her back. "Don't be silly, there's no one in the district that can deal with that little girl."
"Is she strong?"
"I'm not sure, but she's not a bad person, so we can just leave her alone. Perhaps, if she was, even I would want to run. Just send a guard to watch over her in passing. That strange tower came out of nowhere, so I wasn't sure at first, but I am now. That place is definitely alive. For such a thing to sneak into the city, how terrifying must it be?"
The guard laughed. "If the others heard that the famous Steel Reaper was scared of a small child, how do you think they would react?"
"Hahah! My boy, you don't understand, that place was terrifying, you just can't tell! But all jokes aside, give it to me, I want to see just what that little girl wanted me to buy."
The iron guard reluctantly passed over the small box to the elderly lady.
She asked, inspecting the strange vile. "Do you know what this is?"
The man shook his head. "I do not, but we can ask the district alchemists when we return."
"Mm, indeed we can. But why do I feel that they won't be able to help?"
"My lord, you're overthinking things. She's just a child."
"Hmm, I hope so..."
* * *
Around the time the sun had set, the girls that had gone out to scout for information finally returned.
Petra listened to one of the maids explain the general situation of the Solarin Castle City. There wasn't a lot that interested her. Soon, Petra learned about the alchemy competition that was being held in a week. This was meant to decide who was going to represent the Solarin Castle in the Grand Gathering.
Interested, Petra decided to stay and watch the competition.
In addition to staying, she also decided to sign up the Cockatiel Beastmen for practice.
* * *