The Imperial Palace, from the Emperor's side, was larger than I had imagined.
Grand... yes, but not the kind of grand to impress outsiders.
It was meant to oppress and emotionally torture people.
It was carved into the mountain in an odd way. Even I didn't know what I was thinking when I created it.
The stones used to make the paths we walked on were like polished granite and diamonds.
They were spotless, not even a pebble lying around.
Shows how much work maids do to make sure the Emperor was satisfied.
I then noticed the dark red pillars that stood against walls of brushed sandalwood.
Lacquered to a soft gleam. The beautifully curved roofs and the gates before every house.
Everything was orderly.
The fountain we passed was alright, and if I could remember, I created four.
One in the palace, and the other three each at the Sapphire Estate, the Forest Palace where the Emperor's main house was.
As well as his consorts and children, and finally, the Eastern Cadet Base located behind the mountain.
Renjun, still silent, walked ahead of me through the last gate that led out of the Imperial Palace.
There were no words between us as we exited. Not that we had anything to say to each other.
I still had pending tasks from the system, and I was clueless about how to kill the reader mentioned.
There was no way I could come back to life.
They would have even disposed of my body by now.
Nevertheless, nothing was impossible here.
Renjun and I walked for a long time.
Sometimes I could feel we were going down a slope, other times we were climbing a hill.
I could still see that Shanlu City was below us, covered by a thin veil of mist, which meant we were still on the mountain.
It made me wonder just how wide and high the mountain truly was.
I never remembered making calculations for that. I only knew it was as large as Mount Fuji, maybe twice its height.
The estate they were sending me to… "Sapphire Estate," was far enough that the skyline of the palace had vanished behind us.
The path we followed was strangely clear and was leading to the estate.
It would probably cut off to another path, since there were other estates and the Royal Family's home annd for reasons I could not explain, or even remember.
The number of birds gliding above specifically above us, was strange.
Hawks, crows, and eagles, about a total of ten.
They were silent, which was quite outstanding.
"It's farther than I thought," I murmured.
"It's not. We're walking in circles. I just wanted to be sure we weren't being followed."
He replied simply and walked off the path and onto another.
Eventually, the path opened into a wide area of land.
We crossed the bridge over the stream and finally
stood before the estate's gates.
It was small compared to the palace, but large, and even more beautiful.
Its rooftops were navy-tiled, curved as well. White stucco walls framed with blue-painted wood.
There were blue and red lilies almost everywhere, and lotuses.
The estate looked too quiet to house the soldier units, and there wasn't a person in sight.
I assumed they were resting, since it was almost nighttime.
But then again, appearances in the East were deceiving.
Renjun finally spoke.
"Your room is second floor, with the largest balcony, north wing. Your meals will be sent to your room, and you will start tomorrow."
Start what?
I didn't ask, since he was already walking away.
I looked around. He wasn't expecting me to just find the building right away right?
I thought but heaved a sigh, who was i kidding, i already know how this world work, so i'd better start doing things myself.
I walked around for a while till i found the building i imagined my room was in.
I saw a guard there, and he wore something similar to the palace guards.
I walked over, showed the badge the emperor had given me, and climbed up the few wooden stairs that led into the building.
Once in, i noticed there was a desk at the corner with a large book, open on the table.
"Must be where the house master stays."
I said to myself and walked past the curtains, and into a hall that led me to where i found a yard and a pool at the center.
I then made my way to the north wing, and to the second floor, there i found my room.
The characters of my name engraved into designs in the door.
Relieved, i slid the door open and stepped in, then I closed it behind me.
The room was traditional as expected.
A raised bed, by the window that had a wonderful view of the mountain and below.
Lucky for me there was alot of air on this part of the house.
Tatami mats on the floors for sitting, with a low desk at the center.
There was shelf opposite the doors that held folded robed, sheets, old scrolls, ink jars, feathers and books..
Then another sliding door that probably led to the bath and toilet.
Modern and traditional all at once.
I exhaled, dropped my bags, the few I carried off my horse.
The prince had said the rest would be sent with the horse so i didn't need to worry.
I exhaled and sat cross legged by the window, pulling off my boots.
The thoughts of living a new life with the memories of the character I created and mine combined l, and knowing I didn't have control here just made me feel worse.
However, I'd have to live as Han and get to my goals so that's worth it.
I had just started to relax when the door slid open without a knock.
A girl stepped in quietly, holding a tray.
I raised my guard immediately, but dropped them when she paused there.
I assumed she was a maid here, probably sent by the prince.
She never said a word, or acknowledged my presence, but I knew she was also a cadet.
Not sure with ward or designation, but I was sure she was under the East Zone, not Khalinovka, her demeanor told me that much.
Her eyes moved over the room like she was checking for dust.
She looked ... young. Maybe my age, or younger by two years...maybe older by one.
She walked across the room, after sliding the door close behind her, and knelt by the table.
She carefully layed out everything on the tray, and also tasted the food to prove it was safe.
Good manners in check.
A red clay tea pot, bowls with rice and soup, if my guess and senses of smell were correct, Misso soup.... chicken too.
Honestly, mixing Chinese and Japanese themes was definitely not a bad idea.
I like all east Asian cultures, and I respect them...alot.
Which was why I made them my favourite continent, and I spent alot of time creating the zones.
Lina made me love them even more..
My least favourite was the south though, for no reason.
North was wonderful, if you were to put aside how they went about with war and with strangers, specifically those who proved to be threats.
However, after laying out the dishes, she raised her head and gave a fist and palm gesture along with a bow.
That was when I noticed her eyes.