Anomaly of Fate
Chapter 81: The Clockwork Kingdom

Chapter 81: The Clockwork Kingdom

Velren climbed out of the carriage, his boots hitting solid ground. He stretched his stiff limbs, rolling his shoulders after the uncomfortable ride. But the moment his gaze lifted, all thoughts of soreness and fatigue vanished.

The sight before him left him speechless.

"Welcome to Caelestoria, kid."

Caelestoria. Stood atop the mountains like a kingdom carved from the bones of the earth itself. Towering spires of dark stone, reinforced with plates of metal, loomed against the sky, their surfaces etched with intricate patterns of brass and copper. Gigantic gears and mechanisms adorned the outer walls, some turning with slow, rhythmic clicks, while others remained still, embedded as part of the city’s aesthetic. Steam vents hissed in the cold mountain air, releasing plumes of white mist that coiled around the buildings like ethereal specters.

Bridges of iron and stone spanned across chasms, linking different tiers of the city like veins feeding into a mechanical heart. Along the roads, glowing crystalline fixtures hummed with energy, illuminating the pathways with a soft, bluish-white light. The walls weren’t merely high—they were fortress-like, reinforced with layers of interlocking steel and laced with mineral veins that shimmered under the daylight.

"Wow..."

So this was Caelestoria.

Their carriage rolled forward, approaching a massive gate of metal and stone. Thick pistons and gears lined the sides of the towering entrance, hissing with steam as the mechanism creaked to life. However, before they could pass through, a group of armored guards stepped forward, their uniforms marked with sigils resembling interwoven cogs.

"Halt," one of them called out. "State your business."

Nico, who had been holding the reins up front, lifted a hand in greeting.

"Weaponry supplies from Elyndra."

He reached into his coat and pulled out a sealed document, passing it to the nearest guard.

"Here’s the paperwork."

As one guard took the document and began reading it over, another circled around the carriage, peering inside. Velren stood off to the side, watching silently. However, as the first guard flipped to the next page of the document, his gaze suddenly shifted to Velren.

"You." His voice was firm, but not hostile. "Your uniform is covered in blood. What happened?"

Before Velren could respond, Nico beat him to it.

"The kid’s from the Academy. He was escorting me and had to deal with a few nasty creatures along the way."

The guard studied Velren for a moment longer before nodding.

"I see. Caelestoria’s roads aren’t exactly known for being safe these days."

He closed the document and handed it back.

"Everything checks out. You may proceed."

With that, the massive gates rumbled open, revealing the heart of the city beyond.

As their carriage rolled inside, Velren took in the stark contrast between Caelestoria and Elyndra.

Where Elyndra was an elegant display of Victorian refinement—ornate buildings, cobblestone streets, and gas-lit lamps—Caelestoria was a kingdom of industry and innovation. The roads were broader, paved with dark stone and embedded with rail tracks for cargo transport. Towering chimneys exhaled columns of steam and smoke into the sky, giving the air a faint metallic tang. Elevated walkways and bridges wove between the buildings, some leading to massive gears that rotated with a constant, mechanical hum.

Instead of gaslights, street lamps pulsed with energy from glowing mineral cores, their crystalline structures humming softly. The people here dressed differently as well—thick coats, sturdy boots, and gloves designed for working with metal and machinery.

This wasn’t just a city.

This was a fortress built upon craftsmanship, innovation, and raw, unyielding power.

Velren leaned back slightly, his sharp eyes flickering with intrigue.

Nico glanced at Velren, smirking as he let out a short chuckle.

"Kid, you look like a damn tourist."

Velren blinked before scoffing. "Aren’t I technically one?"

Nico only chuckled again, shaking his head.

With a light push, Velren hopped onto the spot next to the old man, settling himself on the wooden bench as their carriage rolled deeper into the city. The rhythmic clatter of the wheels against stone blended with the distant hiss of steam and the faint whirring of unseen machinery.

Even as they moved forward, Velren’s gaze remained restless, taking in every detail—the elevated rail tracks above, the bustling crowd adorned in work gear, the towering structures reinforced with plates of gleaming mineral. It was so vastly different from Elyndra, from everything he had known.

After a moment, he turned to Nico.

"You ever been here before?"

Nico kept his eyes on the road ahead, with the reins still steady in his hands.

"Couple of times. Caelestoria’s always been a hub for trade, especially if you’re dealing in weapons, minerals, or machinery."

Velren hummed, glancing around again. It made sense. The sheer level of industry in this city was unlike anything he’d ever seen. Even the air smelled different—tinged with metal, oil, and a faint, almost electric charge.

"But," Nico continued, casting a sidelong glance at him, "never stuck around long enough to really take in the sights. Unlike you, kid."

Velren scoffed.

"Yeah, well, hard not to stare when the place looks like this."

Nico chuckled, shaking his head.

"Just don’t gawk too much. People around here got sharp eyes. You stand out enough as it is, what with that uniform all bloodied up."

Velren grimaced. Right. He still looked like he crawled out of a battlefield.

"That aside, kid. You alright?"

Velren blinked, momentarily caught off guard. He rolled his shoulders, feeling the lingering stiffness in his limbs. There were a few cuts and bruises hidden beneath his uniform, but nothing serious.

"Yeah," he exhaled. "Nothing I can’t handle."

Nico studied him for a moment before letting out a quiet grunt, as if deciding whether to push further. But in the end, he simply nodded and shifted his attention back to the road.

"Good. ’Cause we’re staying the night."

Velren raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"It’s already evening," Nico pointed out, gesturing toward the sky where the last traces of sunlight painted the horizon in muted orange.

"Heading back to Elyndra in the dark’s a fool’s gamble, especially with the roads being the way they are."

That much was true. The path between the two kingdoms was dangerous enough during the day—nightfall would only make it worse.

Velren was living proof of that.

"Besides," Nico continued, "you should get yourself cleaned up. You look like you wrestled a beast and lost."

Velren scoffed.

"If anything, the beast lost."

Nico chuckled but didn’t argue.

"Either way, we’ll get the supplies delivered first, then find a place to stay. I know a decent inn near the lower districts."

Velren leaned back slightly, gazing at the city around him. Staying the night here, huh?

"Works for me."