[Vol. 7] Chapter 118: Visitors to the City of Miracles
[Academy City Sainz] was built on a vast plain.
This region, named after the city itself, was called the Sainz Great Plains. It was one of the two largest plains in the Austre Empire, spanning multiple provinces and bordering the eastern frontier. With its fertile soil and dense population, it served as the empire’s primary grain-producing area. At the same time, its industrial and commercial sectors were highly developed.
Over the past hundred years, this area had evolved into a massive economic and trade hub centered around Sainz City. Alongside the Imperial Capital Economic Zone in the empire’s central region and the Coastal Economic Zone centered on Layla City, the Coastal City, the three formed a network stretching from the northwest to the southeast, connecting the empire’s economy and culture. These three major cities were known as the Austre Empire’s Three Capitals.
However… this also posed a hidden risk.
Neither Sainz nor Layla City were fully controlled by the imperial family. While the empire was currently strong enough to keep things in check, if the Austre Empire’s power were to weaken for any reason, these economic zones could quickly turn from assets into liabilities, potential threats to imperial rule.
For over a century since the empire’s unification, the royal family had been working to strengthen its grip on these two economic hubs. While some progress had been made, the situation remained precarious. Just as Violet had observed before, Layla City was still home to many influential factions that could challenge the official government, while Sainz enjoyed an even higher degree of autonomy, almost like a nation within a nation.
This was undoubtedly a major headache for the ruling class. It might even be one of the key reasons why, despite the empire’s growing military power, the royal family had yet to risk a full-scale war with the Holy Empire. The delicate balance of power could easily be disrupted by the sudden involvement of an external force.
Given this backdrop, the decision to host the World Academy Joint Exchange Conference in Sainz seemed like a move full of deeper implications.
“We’re here… Miss Violet, welcome to [Academy City Sainz], the paradise of scholars, the sanctuary of knowledge, the gathering place of the world’s finest crafts, the City of Magic, the City of Miracles. I believe you’ll soon experience its wonders firsthand.”
Lifting the carriage curtain, Violet followed behind the red-haired woman who was gazing into the distance. As she turned her silver-blue eyes toward the far horizon, a breathtaking sight filled her vision.
"The City of Miracles, huh…"
To be honest, [Academy City Sainz] was very different from a typical city.
At first glance, its sheer scale was overwhelming. It had no towering city walls. Its countless buildings stretched across the vast plains, rising and falling like waves, forming a massive cityscape with no visible end. A winding river flowed through the city, and from the sky, a shimmering barrier of arcane runes cascaded down like a veil of light, enclosing both the city and the river within its mystical glow.
Seven towering magic towers stood proudly throughout the city, their massive magical gemstones at the peak radiating dazzling lights in different hues, piercing into the heavens like divine creations of miracles.
But, these were not the works of the gods.
They were the Seven Towers of Sainz, one of the greatest wonders of the world, a masterpiece crafted through the combined efforts of countless scholars and mages.
This was the "god" that protected Sainz.
As a priestess, Violet immediately recognized the connection, the shimmering barrier covering the entire city was undoubtedly linked to these seven towers. It was a grand magical formation, an ultimate ritual spell on a scale rivaling divine intervention itself.
Compared to the "Angelic Blessing" she had once seen in the Holy Empire’s Angel City, this barrier was even stronger. Just by sensing it, she could tell its barrier had at least reached the pseudo-god level. Even if an adult dragon were to attack, it was unlikely to even shake this incredible defense.
Of course, this didn’t mean that Sainz was absolutely stronger than the Holy Empire’s Capital. The difference was in their purpose, while the Angel City’s barrier was mainly designed for defense and to detect potential intruders, the light barrier in Sainz completely replaced traditional city walls, serving as the city's primary defense against external threats. Naturally, it had to be much stronger.
Besides, history had already changed, the Holy Empire no longer used faith-based magic. What their current barrier was like was anyone’s guess.
Priscilla jumped down from the carriage, walked a few steps forward, and pressed a silver token, engraved with the emblem of Sainz, the "Marina Flower", against the shimmering light barrier. Ripples spread across the glowing surface like water, and the radiant wall that had been blocking the road parted naturally, revealing an opening wide enough for vehicles to pass through.
The red-haired beauty returned to the carriage, smiling slightly at the priestess, as if she was completely used to this process.
"Sainz has no city walls. Entry and exit require a special token, used at specific locations and times. Only a few people have full access at any time, I just happen to be one of them."
"The 'Clearview' Tower monitors all barrier entrances, so they should already know we've arrived. We can head straight to our destination."
"Pretty advanced… Alright, you're the guide, so I'll just let you handle it."
Nodding, the priestess returned to the carriage.
The [Tree] team squad was still busy wrapping up the missing persons case, and Le Qiaoqiao and Hongyan had already said their goodbyes to Violet, officially setting off on their journey to the Holy Empire. That meant there were only a few people traveling with her to Sainz.
Aside from Priscilla and Qionghua, who were already working or studying here, the only other companion was a young dragon girl named Lenka Dorgon, who had been picked up at the Church of Truth Headquarters by a certain little dragon girl and had been tagging along with them ever since.
It seemed that Lucine Constantius had counted her as one of the two special admission slots, and right now, she was riding in the carriage with them, heading into the city together.
Speaking of this little one, she actually had quite an impressive background.
The Dragonkin weren’t a single race but rather a large group formed by multiple different species. Their stronghold was in the Lannas Province, right next to Academy City Sainz. They were typically led by a joint ruler, chosen from among the major clans.
And this somewhat carefree little girl’s mother? She was none other than the actual leader of the Dorgon family, the Governor of Lannas Province, and the head of the Dragon Worshipers faction. If the Dragonkin were considered their own independent race, then Lenka would essentially be a princess.
In fact, the last known location of Xiao Guang’s main body, according to the map and intel provided by Sethlin, was also in Lannas Province. It was clear that her extended stay there had a deep connection to the Dragon Worshipers faction.
More than that, Lenka’s mother, as their leader, might actually hold key information about something even Violet didn’t fully understand yet. The reason behind Xiao Guang’s sudden and mysterious evolution.
This was one of the main reasons Violet decided to accept the invitation to Sainz, she was planning to head this way anyway.
Of course, there was no urgent need to meet the Dragonkin leader right away. Violet had already exchanged letters with Lenka’s mother. After learning of the situation, the mother didn't object to her daughter enrolling at Sainz, and even casually entrusted guardianship to Violet, while she herself would attend the [World Academy Joint Exchange Conference] later.
This level of carefree attitude, seemingly passed down from mother to daughter, left Violet both amused and speechless. But since Lenka’s mother had already made up her mind, she didn’t particularly mind either.
Besides, Xiao Guang didn’t seem to dislike Lenka. Having a peer of a similar age as a fellow student might even help prevent Xiao Guang from being isolated due to her personality.
All in all, there was nothing to lose, only benefits to gain.