We first entered the Knight District, filled with towering gray-bricked buildings and large rows of townhouses. There were several POIs such as Armory Landing where you could hear the chants and metal clammer of knights-in-training beyond the walls, or Pit Thresher, an arena where knights challenged each other for rank or prestige. Stantview, where most of the knights called home, was the only place I didn’t see most of the knights in full armor; Though some still wore light chain mail or breast plates.

The most interesting place of all was dead center in the district, a large smoky gray building named Marjorie Citadel. As we came closer, the shadow enveloped everything around us like the dark jaws of a dangerous beast. The edges of the building had pointed keeps that connected to spiraling crevices that bulged from its outer walls. An iron spire with a golden spear that pierced the sun sat atop its roof. Apparently, this is where captains, generals, and the highest echelon of knights met. I remembered seeing that girl knight run here when we dropped her off. What business did she have here, of all places?

I followed Lady Cheykina, entering through the broad steel-wooden doors into the main hall. On a black wall laced with silver stood several statues of notable knights. Some were distinguishable, like a man riding a horse with four flaming brandished swords at his sides. The second floor hung emblems of different size and color from the balcony. Some knights knelled down and took off their helm to look up at them as if basking deities grace.

『So, what have you noticed thus far?』 Lady Cheykina asked, while walking outside the citadel’s gates.

I put a hand up to my chin, contemplating all that I’ve seen so far. Most of the knights were men, but I don’t think gender is of relevance. They have an Echelon system that dictates their rank and status based on gems in their armor, but that doesn’t seem like an answer that’s adequate for a big picture view.

However, if I were to think location-wise, they’re situated right next to the Capitol District, and have easy access to the Market District, making it so they never have to leave beyond this side of Phoenia. In fact, they treat those family crests like their praising gods, meaning they have more respect for the influential families they represent than goddesses, like the other townsfolk.

『The Phoenian knights are dedicated more to the noble houses than its people. Along with the fact, introducing a hierarchal ranking system could mean a rift between the people and its protectors, maybe even the protectors itself.』

Lady Cheykina nodded. 『Go on.』

『And because of this…』  I began, but stopped to look at the exiting Market District.

An old man wagoning wares was stopped by a group of knights. They grinned as they took fruit from his boxes. Two children, a boy and a girl, hid behind him; The girl squinted her eyes in fear while the boy scrunched his nose.

One knight bent down in front of boy and rustled his hair with a smirk. 「Don’t worry, kid. We’re just taxing gramps here for protection. We can’t be getting hungry on the job.」

「You jerks always do this! I hate you! I’ll go to the Adventurer’s Guild and get stronger and—」

A knight in their group laughed. 「Yeah! Get stronger and show him who’s boss when you’re older! Maybe you’ll even be able to take his knight echelon so he can’t bully your old man.」

The old man shook his head as the boy opened his mouth. They then strode away, leaving the knights to laugh amongst themselves.

『It’s all deliberately enforced. A system of Machiavellianism that promotes toppling strength in the lower cache system to promote power at the highest level.』

With an approving smile, Lady Cheykina raised her finger.

『You’re correct. You create inner struggle through sacrifice, leading to corruption. It’s one reason why the Phoenian Empire is the greatest military power throughout the Mortal Realm.』

We then entered the Adventurer’s District, a lot livelier and active than the Knights. Compared to the last districts’ stern and serious faces, the adventurers all wore laughing and giddy smiles as they grouped together on street corners. Their outfits were also more colorful and more revealing, from pink bunny suits with furry paw socks to extravagant furred boots and colorful short vests.

We passed by a few food vendors serving a variety of dishes, all intoxicating the senses from nose to mouth. Even Lady Cheykina slowed her pace to stare at some delicacies before stopping in front of a cart. The young vendor offered fried black fish eggs on a stick, smothered with a red-liquid that smelt tangy and sharp. She placed a gold coin on the counter and raised four fingers with a smile. The vendor shook his hands and said it was too much money for his food, but Lady Cheykina insisted, to which he finally gave in.

She walked over and handed me two egg sticks. They smelt like fried yolks and had a texture similar to meat, but spongier. I took a small bite, and in an instant the meaty yolks melted in my mouth, allowing the warm-red sauce to rest on my tongue before gulping it down. It was surprisingly good, and I quickly picked the two sticks clean with a satisfied yet silent burp.

Lady Cheykina then went full throttle, surveying rock-candied meat, alcoholic cake pops, and blue-leafy seeds that became harder the more you chewed. She took genuine interest in the food preparers as well, asking how’d they come up with the delicacy and writing their names for future visits. Apparently, word spread fast that foreign royalty was visiting the stalls, and they began parading around us asking to try their dishes and treats. Initially, she went along with it, smiling intensely, but when things became overwhelming, she composed herself and created a sense of distance that made all the food enthusiasts step back.

We stopped at an outdoor cafe where she ordered two large parfaits, drizzled with various creams and colorful toppings. She hummed while scooping spoonfuls and plowing them into her mouth, looked over, and noticed my slowing pace.

『Getting full, darling? There are some more places I want to visit, but we can slow down if you’d like.』

『Oh, no! Don’t mind me, I actually enjoyed watching you talk with the vendors. Your enthusiasm is really captivating. 』

Lady Cheykina’s eyes widened, and she glanced to the side, slightly embarrassed.

『Sorry dear, if I’m going fast. Vogran is just such an interesting country. I’d like to try several things before I have to head back to Inascovia. Have you enjoyed the food though?』

『Yes, actually. I still can’t believe how real it tastes… I’m even getting full.』

『Mhm! It would be nice if we could eat like this in real life. Knowing my small stomach, I couldn’t possibly do what I just did in a single day.』

I choked on some ice cream and coughed while patting my chest. 『Wait, you’re a player?!』

Lady Cheykina, unperturbed by my question, licked a speck of cream from her lips and tilted her head. 『Yes? I thought we were dropping the roleplay because of your last question. My bad… I’m still new to all of this.』

『N-no, that’s not it. You really took me off guard. I thought you were a bot!』

She smiled for a second, then burst into laughter while wiping tears from her eyes. 『Ha ha! That makes me feel a lot better! You’re quite good at keeping face too, so I tried to do the best I could.』

『So… how did you figure out all that stuff about Phoenia? Did you find written text?』

Lady Cheykina nodded and took another scoop of ice cream. 『Some maps and books helped, but most of it I knew already, like the memories were being flooded to my brain. I read online that your origins may be introduced that way, so I wasn’t too shocked.』

Well, I suppose not every character could be read about in a diary, but isn’t that a tad bit invasive to mess with someone’s mind like that? Learning Inascovian did seem relatively easy, did they implement the language into my brain as well? I’d rather not contemplate on matters I cannot control, another reason to dislike games I guess.

On another note, she seemed ‘motherly,’ even if she was just roleplaying. I wondered…

『May I ask how old are you?』

『Oh? You’re very direct. I put on a good performance so you’d like to know if I’m the real deal, eh?』 Lady Cheykina said with a wink.

She’s very perceptive. I’ll give her that. But that wasn’t just it. Something deep within wanted to get to know her on a personal level. For a long time, this had been the closest thing to a mother-daughter relationship, or a parent for that matter, that I’d had. Not only that, but she’s keen and intelligence. I’d love to have a colleague like that, whether it be in a video game or the real world.

『I’m sorry, it’s just, my parents aren’t usually home, so I can’t remember the last time I was given this much attention. I just wanted to know if you were a mother, any child would be lucky to have you.』

Her smile slowly faded as she leaned back and closed her eyes. 『My husband and I had tried for a child but ended up with many miscarriages. During those days, I was very depressed and cried a lot. It wasn’t until a few months later that I’d finally gotten pregnant, but on the day of her birth she died right there in my arms.』

She then glanced to the side for a moment, as if remembering the scene in her head, and sighed.

『We haven’t tried since. It was a fruitless endeavor in the first place, since many doctors told me after my first miscarriage I didn’t have to body to hold a child.』

Lady Cheykina then crossed her arms, rolled back her shoulders, and began watching the passerby of Adventurers with a sullen stare.

This was the first time I’d seen her morose, or more taciturn, from her usual self. It would be impossible to fathom the loss of a child, or what that could mean to a person, especially a mother, but the look in her eyes said it all.

I reached a hand out but drew it back closed. What could I possibly say to ameliorate this situation? It felt like whatever I could’ve said would be a wrong answer indefinitely.

She noticed my concern and giggled, taking a bit of whipped cream from her parfait and dashing it across my nose.

『I’m sorry! We’re supposed to be exploring the city and celebrating your coronation! I suppose that’s why they say you shouldn’t mix the real and virtual. Am I right?』

I took a deep breath and clasped my hands together. 『My name…. my real name is Reina. I’m a new student at an academy in Yenagree. I don’t like video games, but I think this world is relatively intriguing.』

Lady Cheykina’s eyes widened. She then smiled and nodded her head. 『My name is Ivy, and to answer your earlier question, I’m thirty-three. During the day I work as a business consultant, and started playing games with my husband to relieve some stress from work.』

『Aren’t you a bit too old to be playing video games?』 I asked.

『And aren’t you a bit too young to be giving out your real life info to strangers? I could be lying you know.』

Dammit, she’s right! I got caught up in the moment and just said something without thinking! How stupid am I? I could be talking to some old ass man!

Lady Cheykina then lunged from her chair and stretched her arms. 『Ah, well, that was a nice break. We’ve still got a few more districts to go. I heard the Port District has an assortment of large ships and carriers. Let’s go there next!』

And as if the conversation never happened, she returned to her old self. I wanted to believe she was telling me the truth, although maybe my emotions were clouding my judgment. Logically speaking, most individuals in a game like this would want to take advantage of someone younger than them. That could lead to trouble, so I’ll just settle with the information I’ve got and provided thus far.

I licked the cream off my nose and rose from my chair. 『Let’s walk around this district for a while longer. I want to visit the Adventurer’s Guild that child was talking about.』