Vol. 1 is free on Kindle Unlimited
It was a beautiful day. A cool breeze accompanied them on their journey, as Zenith watched the city of Regulatia come into view. The journey had been quicker than she had anticipated, thanks in part to the good weather and the delightful company of Kaito. They’d talked and laughed, and it had been almost as warm as the two suns.
As they neared the city gates, Zenith’s stomach growled. She’d tried cooking a few times, and it had been an unmitigated disaster. Kaito’s face as he’d choked down her latest attempt made her smile wryly. It had been a little alarming and a little funny to see him turn green.
In fact, it was partly because of those experiments that they’d arrived earlier than expected. With their food supplies running low, they’d been forced to pick up the pace to reach Regulatia before they ran out completely.
Despite the culinary mishaps, Zenith had enjoyed every moment of the trip. A lot. She glanced over at Kaito, riding beside her, and felt a surge of affection. He had been so patient, so understanding, even when she had accidentally poisoned him. She reached out and took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Kaito turned to her, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. “We made it.”
“And in record time, too. I guess my cooking wasn’t so bad after all, huh?” she said, grinning.
Kaito placed a hand over his stomach and raised an eyebrow. “We’ll keep working on that.”
Zenith laughed and urged the horses forward.
The city walls stretched endlessly in either direction, a patchwork of ancient stone and shimmering magical enchantments. The buildings within the city limits were equally impressive, their architecture a blend of old-world craftsmanship and modern designs.
At the gate, a guard stepped forward and directed them to park the wagon off to the side. Zenith complied, guiding the horses to the designated area. Another guard approached them, offering to escort them to the customs office for processing. Everything was very organized. And very impressive. So impressive, she was already making mental notes to incorporate those protocols into Calmo...and maybe even the capital.
The office was a small, cramped space, with a low ceiling and narrow windows that let in only a sliver of light. The walls were lined with shelves overflowing with books and scrolls, and every surface was covered in stacks of paperwork.
A clerk sat at a desk in the center of the room, a middle-aged man with a tired expression, his hair thinning and his eyes shadowed by dark circles. He looked up as they approached, his gaze flicking to the signs that hung on the walls around him, each one detailing a different permit or regulation.
“Welcome to Regulatia,” the clerk said, his voice flat and uninflected. “Please have your papers ready for inspection.”
Zenith glanced at Kaito, who shrugged and reached into his pack for their documents. He handed them to the clerk, who adjusted his spectacles and studied the papers for what didn’t even seem like a second.
“I’ll need each of you to fill out these forms before we can process your entry.” He gestured to a stack of papers on his desk.
She couldn’t help but feel a little intimidated by the bureaucracy of it all. Following Kaito’s lead, she grabbed a packet and a quill from a battered tin cup on the clerk’s desk, then found an empty spot to lean against the wall and began filling out the forms. The room was so quiet that the scratching of their quills seemed amplified, echoing off the stone walls with each stroke. Zenith blew out a soft sigh, already feeling drained by the endless fields of requirements on each page. Just when she thought she was done, the backside revealed another form with liability requirements, awaiting contact information, personal history, and signatures. Despite this, she worked diligently to complete each section with care.
When they were both finally done, the completed forms were brought back to the clerk. “On the left,” he said without taking his eyes off the documents he was stamping.
“I’m sorry?” Zenith asked.
The clerk sighed slowly. “If you are done with the forms, please place them in the bin on the left.”
“Ah, okay, sorry.” And into the bin, the forms went.
“Names?” he asked simultaneously.
“They’re on…the—” Zenith suddenly felt Kaito’s hand on her shoulder. Then saw him shake his head slightly, signaling no.
“Kaito D. Smith.”
The clerk finally made eye contact. “Kaito? Really, that’s your name?”
Kaito nodded.
“S…mith? That’s quite the unique last name. And what does the ‘D’ stand for?”
“Agh…the ‘D’? My parents really liked pirates. It doesn’t stand for anything specific.”
The clerk stared at Kaito for a moment, words lost, before shaking his head slightly and turning to Zenith. “And your name would be?”
“Zenith Daiyu II.”
“Tst, tst. These forms are good to go. Now, show me your entry permit.”
“I’m sorry, did you say we need an Entry Permit to enter the city?” Kaito asked, his brow furrowed.
The clerk nodded, his expression unchanging. “That’s correct. All visitors must have an Entry Permit to pass through the city gates.”
“Okay, so where do we get this Entry Permit?” Zenith asked.
The clerk pointed to a sign on the wall behind him. ‘The Entry Permit Office is located on the other side of the city wall.’
Zenith couldn’t believe what she was reading. She read it again. She looked at Kaito, then stared at the clerk, her mouth hanging open in disbelief.
“Let me get this straight,” she said, her voice rising with each word. “We need an Entry Permit to enter the city, but the office to apply for the permit is inside the city?”
“That’s correct, ma’am.”
She looked at Kaito again, who seemed to be processing the information himself. “Is this a joke? How are we supposed to get the permit if we can’t even enter the city to apply for it?”
“Sir, I don’t mean to be difficult, but this seems like a paradox. How can anyone apply for an Entry Permit if they can’t enter the city in the first place?” Kaito asked.
The clerk sighed, as if he had heard this question a thousand times before. “I don’t make the rules, sir. I just enforce them. If you want to enter Regulatia, you’ll need to find a way to get to the permit office.”
Zenith threw her hands up. “This is ridiculous! Who came up with this system?”
The clerk merely shrugged, already turning his attention back to his paperwork.
“Let’s take a step back, Zee. I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for this. Perhaps there’s another way to get to the permit office?” He turned back to the clerk. “Is there any other way we can get an Entry Permit?”
“If you know someone inside the city, they could apply for the permit on your behalf,” suggested the clerk in his monotonous voice.
Zenith stared at him incredulously. How were they supposed to find someone inside the city when they couldn’t even enter it in the first place? The advice was so impractical that she wondered if the clerk was deliberately trying to be unhelpful.
She was about to voice her thoughts when Kaito spoke up. “Actually, I think I might have something that could help.”
He reached into his magical personal storage, a trick she still hadn’t got Kaito to teach her, and pulled out a piece of parchment—a letter. Zenith recognized the seal on the envelope—it was from the Stratum Nation. She had almost forgotten about it. Neo had given it to them, but she had thought it was only for access to the fiscal records.
Kaito handed the letter to the clerk. “This is a letter from Mister Neo Proudmantle. It should grant us access to the city and the archives.”
The clerk took the letter and examined it closely. His eyebrows raised slightly as he noticed the official seal. “Prodma DS?”
Zenith stretched her limbs and let out an audible sigh, content they’d finally found a solution.
“This letter does indeed grant you access to the city and the archives. However, it has a type A seal, not a type B seal. So, I’m afraid it does not provide sponsorship. You can now legally enter the city, but not without a sponsor.”
Zenith’s heart sank. Even with a letter from one of the most powerful men in the Stratum Nation, they were still stuck in this bureaucratic nightmare.
She looked at Kaito, hoping he had another trick up his sleeve. But he seemed just as perplexed as she was.
The clerk handed the letter back. “I’m sorry, but without the sponsorship waiver, I cannot allow you to enter the city. Those are the rules.”
She knew arguing with the clerk would get them nowhere, but she was fuming and wanted to give him a piece of her mind nonetheless. Or two.
“Come on Zee, let’s sit down for a second and think.”
She complied and followed him off to the side where they were completing the registration packets just moments ago.
She tried to think through their options, but each avenue led to a dead end. They couldn’t enter the city without a permit, but they couldn’t get a permit without entering the city. It was an insane problem that left her feeling helpless and angry.
She closed her eyes and took a series of deep breaths, attempting to clear her mind and approach the problem from a new angle.
As she was deep in thought, the door to the customs office swung open, drawing her attention. In strode a towering figure, clad in gleaming silver and blue full plate armor. The man was formidable, his presence commanding the room the moment he entered.
He removed his helmet, letting his dark wavy hair fall and revealing a scar that ran from above his left eyebrow to his cheek, then approached the clerk’s desk and presented his paperwork.
The clerk examined the documents with the same lack of enthusiasm as he had shown when reviewing theirs. After a moment, he reached for his stamp and marked the papers with a thud. “Cleared for passage.”
The armored man nodded, retrieving his papers and turning to leave.
“Did you see that? He got through with no problem at all,” Zenith said.
Kaito nodded. “He must have had the right paperwork, or maybe he’s someone important.”
Zenith leaned against the wall and crossed her arms. “So, what do we do now?—”
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the armored man approaching them.
“Pardon me,” he said, his voice deep yet smooth. “I couldn’t help but overhear your predicament. First time in Regulatia?”
Kaito nodded politely. “Yes, it seems we’ve found ourselves stuck in a bit of a paradox.”
The man let out a low chuckle. “Ah, the bureaucratic shuffle. I’m quite familiar with it myself.”
He extended a gauntleted hand towards Kaito. “I am Ansfrid Monotoloyo.”
Kaito shook his hand. “A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Mono…lotomoloyo. I’m Kaito, and this is my companion, Zenith.”
Ansfrid laughed heartily. “Call me Ansfrid.” He gave a slight bow towards Zenith.
Despite his imposing appearance, his manner was gracious.
“If I may be so bold, I could assist you in sponsoring your entry,” he offered. “I have the necessary credentials to sponsor your application.”
“You would do that for us?” Zenith asked.
“It would be my pleasure,” Ansfrid replied. “Of course, I would ask a small favor in return, once you are within the city walls.”
Kaito and Zenith exchanged a glance. It was an enticing offer, but Zenith worried what this armored stranger would ask of them. Still, it seemed the only way forward.
“We would be grateful for any assistance,” Kaito said cautiously. “What did you have in mind for this favor?”
Ansfrid waved a hand. “Oh, it’s nothing nefarious, I assure you. I would simply need some help with a quest or two.”
Zenith considered it. A few quests in exchange for sponsorship seemed reasonable. And they were desperate.
“I believe we can accommodate that request,” Kaito said. “Provided the information you seek does not contradict our ethics.”
“Naturally. I would not dream of compromising your principles,” Ansfrid agreed.
He turned and strode back towards the clerk’s desk. Zenith watched as he presented his credentials and began speaking with the clerk in a low voice. His blue gauntlet clinked as he pointed at Kaito and Zenith every now and then.
Within a few minutes, he returned with permits in hand. “It’s done. Shall we be on our way?”
A gentle huff of relief came from Zenith while she took the permit from his outstretched hand. “Thank you, truly. I guess we’ll be owing you a favor.”
Ansfrid inclined his head politely. “Indeed. But I sense we may be of use to each other in the days ahead.”
With permits in hand, the three of them headed towards the city gates together.
Inside, the city was very similar to Daiyudura’s capital: streets were paved with cobblestones, flags of various colors hung from the buildings, and stairs led to different levels of the city. There were statues of lions, eagles, and horses in between major buildings, and the architecture didn’t seem to have any elven, dwarven, or orcish influences—unlike in every other city she’d been to. Everything was very…uniform. Very human.
It didn’t take long before Ansfrid stopped in front of a nearby building.
“This is the main permit office, you’ll be able to validate your credentials there. After that, you won’t need a sponsor to come in and out of the city.”
“Thank you, Ansfrid,” Zenith said.
“I’ve got some business to attend to, so please take down my denizen ID and update your credentials. I’ll catch up with you later for those quests.”
As Ansfrid handed over the scroll, Zenith noticed his grip tighten, his eyes turning serious. The shift in his demeanor was subtle, but unmistakable.
“Kaito, complete the registration promptly. As your sponsor, I could get in trouble if you don’t.”
Kaito’s eyes narrowed, mirroring Ansfrid’s serious expression. He snapped his fingers.
‘Snap’
The action seemed to have an immediate effect on Ansfrid, whose hand appeared to go numb for a moment. The scroll slipped from his grasp and fell into Kaito’s waiting hand.
The tension made Zenith’s tattoos glow. A silent battle of wills playing out in the space of a few seconds.
And just like that, the seriousness in Kaito’s face melted away into a smile. “I assure you there won’t be any problems.”
Ansfrid shook his hand, as if trying to restore feeling to it. After a moment, he seemed to realize he was unharmed. A laugh escaped his lips, the sound rich and genuine. “Thank you for understanding.”
A relieved breath whispered through Zenith’s lips.
Kaito approached the door. “Ready for round two?”
Vol. 1 is free on Kindle Unlimited
It was a beautiful day. A cool breeze accompanied them on their journey, as Zenith watched the city of Regulatia come into view. The journey had been quicker than she had anticipated, thanks in part to the good weather and the delightful company of Kaito. They’d talked and laughed, and it had been almost as warm as the two suns.
As they neared the city gates, Zenith’s stomach growled. She’d tried cooking a few times, and it had been an unmitigated disaster. Kaito’s face as he’d choked down her latest attempt made her smile wryly. It had been a little alarming and a little funny to see him turn green.
In fact, it was partly because of those experiments that they’d arrived earlier than expected. With their food supplies running low, they’d been forced to pick up the pace to reach Regulatia before they ran out completely.
Despite the culinary mishaps, Zenith had enjoyed every moment of the trip. A lot. She glanced over at Kaito, riding beside her, and felt a surge of affection. He had been so patient, so understanding, even when she had accidentally poisoned him. She reached out and took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Kaito turned to her, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. “We made it.”
“And in record time, too. I guess my cooking wasn’t so bad after all, huh?” she said, grinning.
Kaito placed a hand over his stomach and raised an eyebrow. “We’ll keep working on that.”
Zenith laughed and urged the horses forward.
The city walls stretched endlessly in either direction, a patchwork of ancient stone and shimmering magical enchantments. The buildings within the city limits were equally impressive, their architecture a blend of old-world craftsmanship and modern designs.
At the gate, a guard stepped forward and directed them to park the wagon off to the side. Zenith complied, guiding the horses to the designated area. Another guard approached them, offering to escort them to the customs office for processing. Everything was very organized. And very impressive. So impressive, she was already making mental notes to incorporate those protocols into Calmo...and maybe even the capital.
The office was a small, cramped space, with a low ceiling and narrow windows that let in only a sliver of light. The walls were lined with shelves overflowing with books and scrolls, and every surface was covered in stacks of paperwork.
A clerk sat at a desk in the center of the room, a middle-aged man with a tired expression, his hair thinning and his eyes shadowed by dark circles. He looked up as they approached, his gaze flicking to the signs that hung on the walls around him, each one detailing a different permit or regulation.
“Welcome to Regulatia,” the clerk said, his voice flat and uninflected. “Please have your papers ready for inspection.”
Zenith glanced at Kaito, who shrugged and reached into his pack for their documents. He handed them to the clerk, who adjusted his spectacles and studied the papers for what didn’t even seem like a second.
“I’ll need each of you to fill out these forms before we can process your entry.” He gestured to a stack of papers on his desk.
She couldn’t help but feel a little intimidated by the bureaucracy of it all. Following Kaito’s lead, she grabbed a packet and a quill from a battered tin cup on the clerk’s desk, then found an empty spot to lean against the wall and began filling out the forms. The room was so quiet that the scratching of their quills seemed amplified, echoing off the stone walls with each stroke. Zenith blew out a soft sigh, already feeling drained by the endless fields of requirements on each page. Just when she thought she was done, the backside revealed another form with liability requirements, awaiting contact information, personal history, and signatures. Despite this, she worked diligently to complete each section with care.
When they were both finally done, the completed forms were brought back to the clerk. “On the left,” he said without taking his eyes off the documents he was stamping.
“I’m sorry?” Zenith asked.
The clerk sighed slowly. “If you are done with the forms, please place them in the bin on the left.”
“Ah, okay, sorry.” And into the bin, the forms went.
“Names?” he asked simultaneously.
“They’re on…the—” Zenith suddenly felt Kaito’s hand on her shoulder. Then saw him shake his head slightly, signaling no.
“Kaito D. Smith.”
The clerk finally made eye contact. “Kaito? Really, that’s your name?”
Kaito nodded.
“S…mith? That’s quite the unique last name. And what does the ‘D’ stand for?”
“Agh…the ‘D’? My parents really liked pirates. It doesn’t stand for anything specific.”
The clerk stared at Kaito for a moment, words lost, before shaking his head slightly and turning to Zenith. “And your name would be?”
“Zenith Daiyu II.”
“Tst, tst. These forms are good to go. Now, show me your entry permit.”
“I’m sorry, did you say we need an Entry Permit to enter the city?” Kaito asked, his brow furrowed.
The clerk nodded, his expression unchanging. “That’s correct. All visitors must have an Entry Permit to pass through the city gates.”
“Okay, so where do we get this Entry Permit?” Zenith asked.
The clerk pointed to a sign on the wall behind him. ‘The Entry Permit Office is located on the other side of the city wall.’
Zenith couldn’t believe what she was reading. She read it again. She looked at Kaito, then stared at the clerk, her mouth hanging open in disbelief.
“Let me get this straight,” she said, her voice rising with each word. “We need an Entry Permit to enter the city, but the office to apply for the permit is inside the city?”
“That’s correct, ma’am.”
She looked at Kaito again, who seemed to be processing the information himself. “Is this a joke? How are we supposed to get the permit if we can’t even enter the city to apply for it?”
“Sir, I don’t mean to be difficult, but this seems like a paradox. How can anyone apply for an Entry Permit if they can’t enter the city in the first place?” Kaito asked.
The clerk sighed, as if he had heard this question a thousand times before. “I don’t make the rules, sir. I just enforce them. If you want to enter Regulatia, you’ll need to find a way to get to the permit office.”
Zenith threw her hands up. “This is ridiculous! Who came up with this system?”
The clerk merely shrugged, already turning his attention back to his paperwork.
“Let’s take a step back, Zee. I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for this. Perhaps there’s another way to get to the permit office?” He turned back to the clerk. “Is there any other way we can get an Entry Permit?”
“If you know someone inside the city, they could apply for the permit on your behalf,” suggested the clerk in his monotonous voice.
Zenith stared at him incredulously. How were they supposed to find someone inside the city when they couldn’t even enter it in the first place? The advice was so impractical that she wondered if the clerk was deliberately trying to be unhelpful.
She was about to voice her thoughts when Kaito spoke up. “Actually, I think I might have something that could help.”
He reached into his magical personal storage, a trick she still hadn’t got Kaito to teach her, and pulled out a piece of parchment—a letter. Zenith recognized the seal on the envelope—it was from the Stratum Nation. She had almost forgotten about it. Neo had given it to them, but she had thought it was only for access to the fiscal records.
Kaito handed the letter to the clerk. “This is a letter from Mister Neo Proudmantle. It should grant us access to the city and the archives.”
The clerk took the letter and examined it closely. His eyebrows raised slightly as he noticed the official seal. “Prodma DS?”
Zenith stretched her limbs and let out an audible sigh, content they’d finally found a solution.
“This letter does indeed grant you access to the city and the archives. However, it has a type A seal, not a type B seal. So, I’m afraid it does not provide sponsorship. You can now legally enter the city, but not without a sponsor.”
Zenith’s heart sank. Even with a letter from one of the most powerful men in the Stratum Nation, they were still stuck in this bureaucratic nightmare.
She looked at Kaito, hoping he had another trick up his sleeve. But he seemed just as perplexed as she was.
The clerk handed the letter back. “I’m sorry, but without the sponsorship waiver, I cannot allow you to enter the city. Those are the rules.”
She knew arguing with the clerk would get them nowhere, but she was fuming and wanted to give him a piece of her mind nonetheless. Or two.
“Come on Zee, let’s sit down for a second and think.”
She complied and followed him off to the side where they were completing the registration packets just moments ago.
She tried to think through their options, but each avenue led to a dead end. They couldn’t enter the city without a permit, but they couldn’t get a permit without entering the city. It was an insane problem that left her feeling helpless and angry.
She closed her eyes and took a series of deep breaths, attempting to clear her mind and approach the problem from a new angle.
As she was deep in thought, the door to the customs office swung open, drawing her attention. In strode a towering figure, clad in gleaming silver and blue full plate armor. The man was formidable, his presence commanding the room the moment he entered.
He removed his helmet, letting his dark wavy hair fall and revealing a scar that ran from above his left eyebrow to his cheek, then approached the clerk’s desk and presented his paperwork.
The clerk examined the documents with the same lack of enthusiasm as he had shown when reviewing theirs. After a moment, he reached for his stamp and marked the papers with a thud. “Cleared for passage.”
The armored man nodded, retrieving his papers and turning to leave.
“Did you see that? He got through with no problem at all,” Zenith said.
Kaito nodded. “He must have had the right paperwork, or maybe he’s someone important.”
Zenith leaned against the wall and crossed her arms. “So, what do we do now?—”
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the armored man approaching them.
“Pardon me,” he said, his voice deep yet smooth. “I couldn’t help but overhear your predicament. First time in Regulatia?”
Kaito nodded politely. “Yes, it seems we’ve found ourselves stuck in a bit of a paradox.”
The man let out a low chuckle. “Ah, the bureaucratic shuffle. I’m quite familiar with it myself.”
He extended a gauntleted hand towards Kaito. “I am Ansfrid Monotoloyo.”
Kaito shook his hand. “A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Mono…lotomoloyo. I’m Kaito, and this is my companion, Zenith.”
Ansfrid laughed heartily. “Call me Ansfrid.” He gave a slight bow towards Zenith.
Despite his imposing appearance, his manner was gracious.
“If I may be so bold, I could assist you in sponsoring your entry,” he offered. “I have the necessary credentials to sponsor your application.”
“You would do that for us?” Zenith asked.
“It would be my pleasure,” Ansfrid replied. “Of course, I would ask a small favor in return, once you are within the city walls.”
Kaito and Zenith exchanged a glance. It was an enticing offer, but Zenith worried what this armored stranger would ask of them. Still, it seemed the only way forward.
“We would be grateful for any assistance,” Kaito said cautiously. “What did you have in mind for this favor?”
Ansfrid waved a hand. “Oh, it’s nothing nefarious, I assure you. I would simply need some help with a quest or two.”
Zenith considered it. A few quests in exchange for sponsorship seemed reasonable. And they were desperate.
“I believe we can accommodate that request,” Kaito said. “Provided the information you seek does not contradict our ethics.”
“Naturally. I would not dream of compromising your principles,” Ansfrid agreed.
He turned and strode back towards the clerk’s desk. Zenith watched as he presented his credentials and began speaking with the clerk in a low voice. His blue gauntlet clinked as he pointed at Kaito and Zenith every now and then.
Within a few minutes, he returned with permits in hand. “It’s done. Shall we be on our way?”
A gentle huff of relief came from Zenith while she took the permit from his outstretched hand. “Thank you, truly. I guess we’ll be owing you a favor.”
Ansfrid inclined his head politely. “Indeed. But I sense we may be of use to each other in the days ahead.”
With permits in hand, the three of them headed towards the city gates together.
Inside, the city was very similar to Daiyudura’s capital: streets were paved with cobblestones, flags of various colors hung from the buildings, and stairs led to different levels of the city. There were statues of lions, eagles, and horses in between major buildings, and the architecture didn’t seem to have any elven, dwarven, or orcish influences—unlike in every other city she’d been to. Everything was very…uniform. Very human.
It didn’t take long before Ansfrid stopped in front of a nearby building.
“This is the main permit office, you’ll be able to validate your credentials there. After that, you won’t need a sponsor to come in and out of the city.”
“Thank you, Ansfrid,” Zenith said.
“I’ve got some business to attend to, so please take down my denizen ID and update your credentials. I’ll catch up with you later for those quests.”
As Ansfrid handed over the scroll, Zenith noticed his grip tighten, his eyes turning serious. The shift in his demeanor was subtle, but unmistakable.
“Kaito, complete the registration promptly. As your sponsor, I could get in trouble if you don’t.”
Kaito’s eyes narrowed, mirroring Ansfrid’s serious expression. He snapped his fingers.
‘Snap’
The action seemed to have an immediate effect on Ansfrid, whose hand appeared to go numb for a moment. The scroll slipped from his grasp and fell into Kaito’s waiting hand.
The tension made Zenith’s tattoos glow. A silent battle of wills playing out in the space of a few seconds.
And just like that, the seriousness in Kaito’s face melted away into a smile. “I assure you there won’t be any problems.”
Ansfrid shook his hand, as if trying to restore feeling to it. After a moment, he seemed to realize he was unharmed. A laugh escaped his lips, the sound rich and genuine. “Thank you for understanding.”
A relieved breath whispered through Zenith’s lips.
Kaito approached the door. “Ready for round two?”
