Above The Sky
Chapter 507 - 507 476 Amber Fruit Juice 23

507: Chapter 476: Amber Fruit Juice (2/3) 507: Chapter 476: Amber Fruit Juice (2/3) Imperial Capital, Central Urban District, Fifth Layer.

The layer where the headquarters of the Knight Order of Inspectorate was located always appeared more quiet and tranquil compared to the other bustling layers and the wide, noisy Lower City District.

The streets were nearly spotless, with tall scenic trees swaying gently in the wind.

The central clock tower of the Inspector Knights Headquarters, whose spire was visible from anywhere in the area, only made one aware of the passage of time when it rang to signal four o’clock in the afternoon.

The pedestrians, all dressed in decent formal attire, walked at a relaxed pace, as if they knew they were very safe and there was no need to rush or worry.

Ian walked along the streets here, where he could see the massive steel columns at the center of the layer and the white layer walls on the perimeter.

He noticed that the walls were coated with a layer of semi-transparent crystals which, unless he was mistaken, must be some kind of projection equipment capable of simulating exterior views like skies and seas.

However, it was unclear whether the simulation screens were out of order or The Empire simply deemed it unnecessary to have them on all the time, as they were currently inactive.

Ian had just contacted Yisen Gard using the internal communication device of the Knight Order, informing him that he had arrived at the Fifth Layer of the Imperial Capital.

The other party was especially happy and said they would come to the Fifth Layer right away.

“There’s no need for that.

This isn’t quite the right place.

Arrange a good meeting spot and I’ll take the opportunity to look around the Imperial Capital,” Ian said with a smile.

“The Seventh Layer’s park area?

Okay, I’ll head there later, and there’s no need for you to hurry.”

Leaving the headquarters and following the scent of the Fae, Ian found himself on a street filled with the aroma of food.

Shops were clustered here, with bright signs hanging high and colorful drapes hanging from both sides.

Walking here, Ian even felt a familiar comfort.

In his previous life, aside from his childhood on Earth, he had spent most of his studying and working time in space, and he was long accustomed to the internal recycling systems of many satellite ecocities and space cities.

In fact, it was precisely because he lived most of his time in ‘ecocities enclosed within the infinite cosmos’ that he developed a profound longing for the cosmic starry sky.

Despite being in the vast star sea, limited to life in a small city behind a transparent barrier, it was this contrast that shaped his character.

Planets…

For civilizations they are too narrow, but for individual humans, they are overwhelmingly broad.

Simply exploring the land beneath one’s feet, just wanting to have a home of one’s own on this land, would take a lifetime.

Gravity embraces the souls of the people.

Shaking his head slightly, Ian cast out these familiar thoughts.

He now knew why he felt a sense of closeness—because the layers inside the Imperial Capital also used built-in ecological recycling systems to ensure fresh air and the health of plants and grass.

“If the surrounding buildings were a bit more advanced, I might think this was some kind of retro-themed space city for tourists,” he mused.

Having given his assessment, Ian walked into the gourmet street.

Those who could live in the Central Urban District of the Imperial Capital mostly had stable jobs and decent salaries, so naturally, their desire for food was much more than just being satisfied with enough to eat.

Looking around, Ian spotted a specialties pancake shop from the Rosa Region, a creamy seafood casserole restaurant from the Huanhai Region, and a revolving roast meat store from the Resha Region…

Each store had many customers, which clearly showed that the residents here could afford the prices of these shops and the frequent dine-ins.

Of course, aside from these restaurants, there were also drink stands and taverns offering various beverages.

One tavern was so busy that they had set up extra long tables outside the door.

Many people, all sorts of people, including Elf Dwarfs, were drinking heartily here.

Empty barrels were stacked against the tavern’s outer wall, piling up high enough to almost cover its windows.

The atmosphere here was far livelier, and one could hear all kinds of boasting and discussions.

Ian listened in and realized that the topics ranged from politics and warfare to talking about one’s children or complaining about bosses—altogether very familiar.

“Once the Fifth Legion’s new Armor Suit equipment is completely fitted, those Farflame Fortress Clusters are nothing but an easy backyard to enter and exit!”

“Have you heard?

The Dwarves’ heavy armor legion’s defenses were breached, but it was all a trap!” “Yes, I know; my uncle does business over at Azure Sky Royal Court.

He told me that the Chase Wind Land Fleet was almost entirely annihilated by the Dwarves’ new armaments…

it’s just that nobody knows what this new armament is.”

“The salary for a private tutor keeps going up every year, damn it, I don’t even make as much as they do!” “Consider yourself lucky to find one; I have to pull strings to get a reliable one… I really envy those Nobles.”

“Damn it, I really don’t understand why they have to parachute in those ignorant bosses who love to meddle.

Snatching the fruits of our labor is bad enough, but this is messing up the entire project!” “Maybe that’s the point, some kind of internal struggle…

anyway, you’re getting your salary, so forget about it and have another drink.”

It seems that even in the Otherworld, Humans’ troubles and hobbies are pretty much the same.

(Here, Ian!)

Ian heard the call of Spirit Energy communication, it was Hua’an’s voice.

He turned his head and saw two Fairy Misses in a coffee shop.

Walking into the coffee shop, the waitress who greeted him immediately understood and led Ian to the table where Hua’an and the Frost Butterfly were seated.

“Is it resolved?” Hua’an was relishing the aroma of the coffee, with steam leisurely rising from her head—her so-called drinking coffee was essentially just enjoying the aroma, evaporating all the coffee while she sipped.

On the other side, Ian turned his head and noticed that the Frost Butterfly’s ice wings had taken on a coffee-brown hue.

“It’s resolved, the registration is complete, but this discoloration…

it’ll probably fade gradually over a few hours?”

Ian reached out to touch the Frost Butterfly’s wings, and the Little Fairy shook her head, clearly unaware that she was nearly turning into an earth fairy.

“Don’t worry about it, and besides, don’t you think it smells great?” Hua’an said, unconcerned, “I have a fire fairy friend who loves barbecued meat, and the scent on him, even dragons say it smells wonderful!”

“It does smell nice.”

Ian leaned in closer and found that the Frost Butterfly did indeed have that fragrance of iced coffee on her.

Thinking about Hua’an’s description, he imagined it and couldn’t help but think how amazing the world was, “Then, could there be wine fairies?”

“There are plenty of them—sizzle.” Drinking her coffee, Hua’an spoke with contentment, “In Falling Star City, many fairies like drinking alcohol.

After drinking, they sing songs and recite poems, or fly around chaotically—they never really get drunk; it’s just an act, pretending to be drunk for fun.”

“However, I’ve got a friend in the Imperial Capital who also loves drinking, only to relish the fragrance of alcohol; she never behaves wildly when drunk.”

“I see…

I understand now.”

Ian nodded slightly, noticing that Hua’an also nodded thoughtfully and curiously asked, “What’s up?”

“I think.”

The Fairy Miss said thoughtfully, “I might have figured out where the Frost Butterfly’s catchphrase really comes from.”

Ian and the Frost Butterfly blinked simultaneously.

Before leaving, Ian ordered a cup of ‘Amber Fruit Juice,’ a beverage he hadn’t heard of before.

It was a peculiar fruit native to Far Shore Island, to be precise, fruit from a vine.

The Amber Vine only grows on the tallest trees, where it absorbs the essence of the tree and then produces fruit resembling solid amber, a fruit dearly loved by a certain type of Flying Dragon native to the area, and the dragon’s excrement happens to be the best fertilizer for trees—forming a mutualistic relationship between them.

True to its name, the Amber Fruit Juice poured from a silver pitcher held by a Maid, filling the glass and turning the transparent glass cup into a gently swaying amber-gold cup.

The semi-transparent liquid was somewhere between pale gold and coffee color, emitting an enchanting, rich aroma akin to liquid gold.

If one must describe it, it was probably a blend of honey and coffee aroma?

No wonder the coffee shop sold this juice.

Ian had a sip and found it to be a peculiar kind of sweet taste, refreshing and pure, easily invigorating the spirit, with his mouth and throat feeling cool and refreshed.

“It feels like it can be chilled.

Drinking it chilled would taste even better.”

Ian made such a comment, but he also knew that chilling would diminish the refreshing taste of the Amber Fruit, instead giving way to a sensation similar to the cool sting of mint.

But personally, he preferred that intense kind of stimulation, which was also why he liked eating chili peppers.