The conversation with Count Sriphine was merely an interlude. Robson and Valentino soon arrived at the Royal Palace.
The Frankish Royal Palace was not as luxurious as Robson had imagined. It looked more like a sprawling complex of dozens of connected villas. And though everything was decorated in the classic style so beloved by the human aristocracy, it all looked remarkably new. There weren't even many tall trees.
This was all understandable, as the entire Royal Capital had been breached by the Beastmen just thirty years ago.
The Beastmen, of course, lacked the time and ability to destroy the entire Royal Capital, but the King's palace and the aristocratic manors of North City were indeed stripped bare.
One theory suggested that King Louis had originally partitioned North City among the nobles precisely because he had foreseen a time when the Royal Capital would be threatened, hoping this would compel them to fight to the death for their lands.
