NOVPUBThe two made their way through a main street and arrived at the bustling commercial center of Pariet in the Floral City of the Poseen Kingdom.
"Meow, this street is so cool."
In Lanci’s hands, Cat Boss looked at the city’s spectacle in the morning and couldn’t help but stand up with stars in his eyes.
"Indeed, going through this street, we’re almost at the Petras Auction House."
Lanci smiled at Cat Boss.
This Crystal Orchid Boulevard, also known as Pilgrimage Avenue, is located on the central axis connecting the Platinum Sen Palace with the new Pilgrimage Gate. It’s one of the three major bustling main streets of the South Continent and is also known as one of the top ten charming pedestrian streets of the South Continent.
It runs across the main east-west thoroughfare of Pariet, the capital of Poseen, stretching for one thousand eight hundred meters, with its widest part exceeding one hundred and twenty meters. It starts from Rose Square in the east and stretches all the way to Star Square in the west.
The annual National Day military parade of Poseen on August 24th takes place on this avenue.
"Several hundred years ago, this was just a swampy field, which was later transformed into a tree-lined avenue by the queen of Poseen at the time."
Lanci pointed to the distant skyscrapers and plazas as he spoke.
That’s why during that era, Crystal Orchid Boulevard was called "Queen’s Avenue."
The evolution of Crystal Orchid Boulevard is closely connected to the urban development history of Floral City Pariel.
According to the history books of Poseen, it all started three hundred years ago when the royal horticulturists decided to expand the view of the royal rose garden and extended its east-west central axis westward to the Round Point Square, creating the initial form of the avenue.
"Its basic planning is actually quite rational, and that’s why we have its current form. The first section mainly offers natural scenery, with flat park-style lawns on both sides, peaceful and serene. The last section is a high-end commercial area, where South Continent’s famous brands, clothing stores, and perfume shops are concentrated. The area is resplendent and elegant."
"How do you even know all of this?"
She had also read "History of the Poson Kingdom in Modern Times" provided by Professor Bolao, which mentioned the construction of Crystal Orchid Street, but not in as much detail as Lanci had described.
Compared to what she read in the book, most of the content seemed like something he deduced from his own observation of the scene.
"If you go to the Northern Continent, the latest urban planning in the Protoss Imperial City of Herram has my devoted contributions."
Lanci’s smile carried a hint of mischief as he began his story.
"It seems you really do have good connections and quite a skill set."
Talia’s words landed softly on his ear.
It wasn’t surprising for Lanci to have a bit of knowledge in many areas.
At least in drawing, she acknowledged his talent; he could portray her so beautifully.
"They say that at five o’clock in the afternoon, if you walk up to the park on the higher ground, you can follow this unobstructed road and watch the enchanting sunset glow disperse along the western horizon."
Lanci looked towards the overlapping eaves on the other side, as well as the gradually ascending road terrain towards the city center.
"Oh."
Talia responded nonchalantly.
It was as if she heard it and yet didn’t.
She gave no indication of wanting to "go" or "not go."
Watching the sunset together, which might seem like a flirtatious act, was not something she would do with Lanci.
Unless it was essential for training their coordination, she wouldn’t consider it.
Lanci squinted and smiled.
It was as if he understood what Talia was thinking.
"Cat Boss, do you want to watch the sunset?"
He looked down and stroked kitty’s head,
"If Tata doesn’t want to go, shall we go by ourselves?"
"..."
Hearing Lanci’s words, Talia’s forehead vein twitched faintly.
She knew Lanci was doing it on purpose.
"Meow!"
Before Cat Boss could respond, Talia snatched it out of Lanci’s hands.
"Cat Boss is coming with me."
Talia’s words were as cold and firm as steel.
Lanci looked at her with empty hands, slightly astonished.
It was as if he was asking her if she couldn’t take a joke.
"You guys are pulling and dragging me around; don’t drag me into your tug of war, meow."
Cat Boss sighed helplessly.
The two people, along with the cat, chatted for a while,
occasionally breaking into squabbles.
And then they arrived at the crossroads.
Tall plane trees stood majestically, their leaves glistening in the morning glow, like emeralds set into the fabric of the streets.
By now, the sun had climbed high, painting the sky a soft shade of light blue.
During the brief wait for the traffic light,
Lanci noticed that Talia’s gaze was fixed on something across the street.
Slightly puzzled, he followed her gaze.
He looked back and forth between the street across the way and her face a couple of times before realizing what she was focusing on.
On the other side of the street, in a display window, from high-end fashion to exquisite jewelry, a well-dressed wealthy person strolled by leisurely, each step seeming like a choreographed move.
Following behind him, a member of the Demon Race wore simple but clean and tidy clothes, respectfully following. In their hands, they carefully held several ornately decorated shopping boxes, maintaining balance as they walked.
The weight of the shopping bags was significant, but the member of the Demon Race had no complaints, only respect.
The bangle on the hands of the Demon Race was the symbol of their subjugation.
Lanci glanced at Talia again and noticed that she had already averted her gaze from the scene that reminded her of the changes in the world.
"Actually, this is not uncommon in Floral City Parriet."
Lanci said to Talia beside him, while watching the traffic light.
As an international metropolis, Pariel too faces the challenges common to modern cities, such as the integration of immigrants, among other issues.
"I know."
She was well aware that times had changed.
She had already come to accept this fact many times before coming to the Poseen Kingdom.
