'Beautiful...'
Alyse can't help but think so as she steps out of the train into Eden. Her eyes sweep over the red, brick walkways stretching into the depths of the small but vibrant city, a towering inn standing amidst its center. Though the area around the yet-to-be active train station is relatively devoid of people, she can see others milling about happily in the distance.
"Follow me...I'll show you around." (Alto)
Alto's calm voice snaps her out of her trance. Alyse nods absentmindedly as she falls in step beside Alto, making her way deeper into the unfamiliar city. As they walk, she notices some people casting brief glances at her, but most gazes are locked onto Alto in excitement. Alyse is taken aback at first, unused to being mostly ignored by commoners. But once she remembers the amount of rumors she'd heard about the sole elf in Nedonera's group, even back in Wellick, it makes sense to her that the residents of Eden would focus more on their local legend.
Eventually, Alyse's gaze is drawn to an organized sector of the city lined with house-like structures. Normally, she'd be inclined to think that it was some kind of residential area. However, the houses look too similar, too regularly spaced, and many of them appear uninhabited. It's a far cry from normal residential areas she's seen, which emerge in a patchwork fashion as wildly varying houses are built on an as-needed basis by individual owners.
Alyse gives Alto a quizzical look, gesturing at the area in question.
"Alto, what is that collection of buildings over there? They look like homes, but...nobody seems to be living in them." (Alyse)
Following her gaze, Alto registers the question and gives her a small, knowing smile.
"They're basic homes with small land allocations, built off a common blueprint, which allowed quick, efficient construction. The houses were prepared in bulk at the city's expense, and are now being sold to interested parties. It's a strategy from Mizuki's home world that allows large groups of commoners to rapidly settle within a developing city at a much lower cost than if they built their houses one-by-one over time." (Alto)
Alyse's eyes widen in shock.
The development strategy itself isn't so shockingly brilliant to her, though she can clearly see the truth in the benefits Alto described. It's rather the audacity to actually implement it, especially for a first city, when Alara's territory lacked any infrastructure. While having commoners settle the city in large numbers is no doubt a long-term necessity, finite resources typically demand different short-term goals for a new territory's development.
Namely, she would have expected them to prioritize attracting merchants and wealthy families to invest in the area, and developing sources of revenue for the city, keeping it as a kind of tourist destination while they expanded the infrastructure for permanent residents to trickle in later, over time.
'Yet, looking around...it seems they've done both.'
She's heard about the hot springs and other recreational activities of Eden, and she can clearly see the massive inn at the center of the city. To accomplish all this, even with an infinite amount of labor and some clever cost-saving tricks, she's certain that Alara's startup funds were wholly insufficient. It's clear to her that Mizuki must have poured significant resources into supporting Alara, whether that be money, using his strange abilities, or both.
She fixes Alto with a piercing gaze.
"I see...so this is what a Nephilim can do. Aside from these ideas from his home world, what other resources did he provide? Do the Nephilim have enchanted items or abilities suited to city development that he used?" (Alyse)
Alyse's voice is full of wonder as she presses Alto, but her chaperone just gives a smirk and shrugs.
"It's certainly true that Eden's explosive growth would have never happened without Mizuki, but it's not all as direct as you're thinking. Sure, Mizuki gave Alara all the money and refined metal resources that she needed without delay, and part of the city's growth is owed to other Nephilim knowledge, but I think most is owed to Mizuki's indirect influence.
"I'm sure Mizuki would tell you that he just provided some resources and made a couple of formless suggestions, while others are the real architects behind Eden. I think that's him being annoyingly humble, but there's also truth in his thinking. This city grew from the seamless cooperation of a former elven princess, dozens of common laborer elves, hundreds of wolf-kin, a dwarven craftsman, and an Elder Dragon. But that collaboration is it's own small miracle, and one way or another, they all came together for him.
"Nobody else would have imagined, much less facilitated, bringing together such diverse groups. If you ask me, this kind of influence on people is the most impressive thing about Mizuki – the way those around him reflect, evolve, and inevitably find themselves grasping their goals with their own hands. I think he brings out the best in people." (Alto)
Alto's voice starts off casually enough, but by the time she falls silent, her tone has subconsciously become more intense. To Alyse, it's hard to place the emotion in her voice...reverence, devotion...and maybe something else. Regardless, she's once again reminded of just why she was initially convinced that the two were lovers, and she can't help but study Alto in bewilderment.
At the same time, while she's skeptical of this idea that Eden's rate of growth could be achieved with just abundant money and good faith between races, she also can't deny Alto's words about the effect Mizuki seems to have on people. She's well acquainted with Alara's personality, and she can't imagine her working with other races or prioritizing affordable housing for commoners. Yet, based on what she's seen from Mizuki so far, she can't imagine him forcing Alara to do so either.
So to Alyse, the very nature of Eden's existence is proof Alara was influenced by Mizuki. That's to say nothing of the hold he clearly has over Alto and Nedonera. Then, of course, she's experienced his presence herself. Even when she thought he was a powerless, unremarkable human, there was always something about the way he spoke and carried himself that struck her as...unbothered. Like the troubles of the world – discrimination, violence, exploitation – none of it dares touch him or those around him. And the more time she spends with him...
She feels that way, too.
Lost in her thoughts, Alyse doesn't respond to Alto's comments, instead following her through the city in silence. From the street, they observe the public library and school buildings as Alto talks about future development projects for the city. Though neither is yet open for use, Alyse can't help but notice Alto's excitement as she talks about the plans for the library. A small smile forms on her lips.
'So...she's a bookworm after all.'
After expressing far too much regret for not being able to tour Alyse around an unfinished library, Alto leads them to the rec center. Given how popular all its amenities are, and how short-notice Alyse's tour was, they don't get a chance to try any of the games together. Alto can only show her around and explain the various games available. However, Alyse wasn't too invested to begin with, so she's not disappointed.
But, that doesn't mean she has no vested interest in the amenities of Eden. As they exit the rec center, she glances at Alto with a hopeful expression.
"Alto..." (Alyse)
Alto raises her eyebrows.
"Hmm?" (Alto)
Alyse grabs for the hilts of her swords absentmindedly, only to remember that they're stored in Alto's item box.
"Uhm, speaking of recreation...does Eden have an arena or something? Somewhere that people congregate and hone their combat or weapon skills?" (Alyse)
Alto shakes her head regretfully.
"As of now, there's nothing like the Ring, if that's what you mean. Individuals who want to spar or practice with a weapon usually just make use of the Park on their own terms. However, after seeing the Ring during our recent visit, I believe Nina planned to speak with Alara about introducing something similar here in Eden. Since money isn't an issue, if Alara approves, it's just a matter of time." (Alto)
Alyse recalls the scenic lake and large expanse of intentionally undeveloped land in the midst of the city, called the Park. She's disappointed that there isn't really a community of swordsmen here, but she understands why, and she's hopeful that Nina's intention to introduce something like the Ring will bear fruit. Plus, she knows that she can always just take the train back to Wellick in a matter of hours if she wants to visit the Ring again.
She nods at Alto.
"I see...then I hope Alara approves of such a thing. Err, so what's next on the tour agenda?" (Alyse)
Alto purses her lips thoughtfully.
"Hmm...well, that's everything I thought to show you. But it's not time for you to meet with Alara yet, and Mizuki is still away, transporting the nobles. Are you hungry, by chance? Eden has a couple of restaurants and bakeries now." (Alto)
Alyse shakes her head.
"Not really..." (Alyse)
Alto falls into deeper contemplation.
Alyse is about to suggest that they spar with one another in the Park, but then another idea occurs to her, and a sly grin finds its way onto her face. She glances at Alto furtively as a bit of heat rushes to her cheeks. However, she quickly gets herself under control, and tries to speak in a nonchalant voice.
"Hey Alto, weren't there, like, hot springs in Eden...or something? If we just need to kill time, we could go soak in them together, I guess." (Alyse)
Alto gives her a curious glance, while Alyse tries not to let thoughts of a scantily dressed Alto warp her expression suspiciously.
"Oh...right, the hot springs. We have a large, enchanted bath in the mansion, so I kind of forget about them. I suppose we can pay them a visit – they're a major landmark of Eden, after all." (Alto)
Alyse fights to suppress her excitement, a dopey grin threatening to plaster across her face.
'Gods...I could get used to this...'