Morning sunlight bathed the quiet road as Lyra stepped out of the house, a travel cloak draped over her shoulders.
Evan rested comfortably in her arms, wrapped in a soft cloth.
Today was their first trip back into Lunaris City.
Lyra adjusted the black veil covering the lower half of her face. The fabric was thin and slightly transparent, enough to obscure her identity but not completely hide her features.
It only made her look even more alluring and mysterious.
And that… attracted even more attention.
Evan noticed it immediately.
As they walked along the road toward the city gates, several passing travelers turned their heads.
Some stared openly.
Others tried to be subtle.
It didn't work.
Even covered, Lyra still carried a natural elegance that made her impossible to ignore.
Evan sighed internally.
That veil is doing the exact opposite of hiding her.
Lyra didn't seem to care.
Her focus was completely on him.
"Today we will buy some supplies for the house, my prince~," she said softly.
Evan blinked.
Good.
That meant he could observe the city properly.
If he was going to live in this world, he needed to understand how things worked.
The city gates of Lunaris soon came into view.
Tall stone walls surrounded the settlement, guarded by several armored soldiers standing watch.
They looked alert, though not overly strict.
A pair of large wooden gates stood open, allowing merchants and travelers to enter freely.
Lyra walked calmly through the entrance.
No one stopped her.
Inside—
The world of Lunaris unfolded before Evan's eyes.
The streets were wide but crowded.
People moved everywhere.
Merchants shouted prices.
Carriages rattled over the stone roads.
Children ran between stalls.
The city felt alive.
Evan watched everything carefully.
The buildings were mostly two or three stories tall, built from wood and stone.
Some were simple homes.
Others were shops displaying various goods.
The smaller houses caught his attention first.
Many of them were tightly packed together.
Wooden structures with narrow windows and small courtyards.
It was clear that most of the city's residents lived modest lives.
Not poor, but certainly not wealthy.
Just ordinary people trying to survive.
Evan silently observed them.
Different world.
Same struggles.
Lyra continued walking through the streets with steady steps.
Occasionally, people glanced at her again.
That mysterious veil only made their curiosity stronger.
Evan then noticed something else.
Transportation.
Several wooden wagons rolled through the streets, pulled by strong horses.
But those weren't the only creatures used for transport.
A large wagon passed them, pulled by something unusual.
The creature looked similar to a horse… but not quite.
Its body was larger and covered in rough scales instead of fur.
Small horn-like ridges ran along its head.
Its tail flicked lazily behind it as it walked.
A reptilian horse.
Evan stared.
What the hell is that thing?
He had never seen a creature like it before.
The animal moved with slow, heavy steps as it dragged the wagon forward.
Lyra noticed his curious gaze.
"That is a Drake Mare," she explained calmly.
"They are often used for heavy transport."
Evan blinked.
Drake Mare.
So that's what it was.
He quietly stored the information away.
This world had far stranger creatures than Earth ever did.
They passed several market streets next.
Food stalls lined both sides of the road.
Evan immediately noticed the smell.
It was strong.
Rich.
Mouth-watering.
Large baskets of vegetables sat stacked in front of the stalls.
Carrots.
Cabbage.
Leafy greens.
Many looked similar to the produce he remembered from Earth.
But then—
He saw the meat stalls.
Large slabs of meat hung from iron hooks.
Some looked normal.
Beef.
Pork.
But others were clearly not from ordinary animals.
One stall displayed thick red meat labeled Ironback Boar.
Another sold something called Fire Lizard Meat.
Ever since the system awakened, he could understand local words naturally.It acted like a built-in translator.
Though he still needs to understand grammar and all in a normal way, through writing and reading.
Sigh.
The meat had a faint reddish tint.
Evan stared at it.
Monster meat.
Interesting.
Lyra continued walking, occasionally purchasing items.
As she paid, Evan noticed the coins changing hands.
Copper coins.
Silver coins.
Gold coins.
He paid close attention.
One merchant handed Lyra a few copper coins as change.
Evan immediately began calculating.
Based on what he overheard from nearby conversations, the currency system seemed straightforward.
1000 Copper Coins = 1 Silver Coin
1000 Silver Coins = 1 Gold Coin
1000 Gold Coins = 1 Mithril Coin
Mithril coins were rarely used by ordinary citizens.
They were too valuable.
Also, merchants sometimes used low-level spirit stones for large transactions.
Evan stored the information carefully.
Understanding currency was essential.
Without money—
Even cultivation resources would be difficult to obtain.
As they walked deeper into the city, the atmosphere slowly changed.
The streets became louder.
Rougher.
More chaotic.
Evan spotted several groups of mercenaries.
They wore rugged armor and carried weapons openly.
Swords.
Axes.
Spears.
Many of them looked battle-hardened.
Nearby, a small patrol of royal guards marched past.
Their armor was polished.
Their discipline was obvious.
Unlike the mercenaries, they walked in perfect formation.
Evan watched both groups carefully.
Two different kinds of power.
One served gold.
The other served the crown.
Then—
As they moved deeper into the city, the atmosphere slowly shifted.
The stalls disappeared, replaced by colorful lanterns and louder music.
He saw something that made him uncomfortable.
They had entered a district filled with colorful lights and loud music.
Women stood along the street wearing thin clothing.
They called out to passing men with forced smiles.
Some leaned against doorways.
Others simply waited.
Prostitutes.
Evan quickly realized what this place was.
The entertainment district.
But that wasn't the worst part.
Further ahead—
Then Evan noticed a raised wooden platform ahead.
Several people stood chained together.
A man shouted prices while pointing at them.
Slaves.
They were being sold like livestock.
Evan's chest tightened.
Back on Earth, slavery had long been banned.
Seeing it here…
So openly accepted…
Left a bitter taste in his mind.
He watched silently.
Some buyers examined the slaves like merchandise.
Checking muscles.
Teeth.
Strength.
It was disturbing.
This world truly operated under different rules.
Evan slowly looked away.
One day…
He thought quietly.
If he truly gained power in this world…
Would he allow things like this to continue?
The thought lingered in his mind.
Lyra eventually turned down a quieter street.
The noise faded slightly.
She stopped in front of a modest but clean restaurant.
A wooden sign hung above the entrance.
She stepped inside.
The interior smelled wonderful.
Warm food aromas filled the air.
Stews.
Grilled meats.
Fresh bread.
Evan's mouth instantly watered.
Lyra spoke briefly with a waiter before they were led upstairs.
Private dining rooms lined the hallway.
Lyra preferred private rooms. Less attention meant fewer problems.
She entered one and closed the door behind them.
The room was small but comfortable.
A wooden table sat in the center.
Soft lantern light filled the space.
Lyra gently sat down.
Moments later, the waiter arrived with several dishes.
Grilled meat.
Vegetables.
Soup.
Fresh bread.
Evan stared at the food.
His stomach practically screamed.
This looked incredible.
Unfortunately—
Lyra reached into her spatial ring.
A familiar bottle appeared in her hand.
She smiled warmly.
"Here you go, my prince~."
Evan stared at the bottle.
Milk.
Again.
Meanwhile, the table was filled with delicious food he couldn't eat.
His mouth watered helplessly.
Lyra gently held the bottle near his mouth.
"Drink well," she said happily.
Evan sighed internally.
One day…
He would rule the heavens.
But today—
His lunch was milk.
Again.