By the time they got to the gates Mamon already had a simple plan on how to get inside.
- For two people the entrance fee is twenty copper please.
- Well about that. We are on an official trip to the temple to help them with their current predicament. I'm pretty sure they would be glad to let us inside once they know that we are here. Please send someone to tell them that a Soul Master has arrived to help them with the ehm... issue they are having.
The guard frowned and thought for a moment.
- I have not received any orders of someone important coming today.
- We were supposed to arrive next week, however my assistant had some issues and we had to hurry up you see.
Mamon pulled Bertha next to him and showed her ragged clothes as she smiled awkwardly. The guard grunted, but asked another one waiting behind the gate to notify the temple. After all if they handle an issue like this poorly they could be in a lot of trouble.
- Now until we wait for a representative to arrive, please wait by the gate so that we can let in others.
They walked to the side so that they don't block the traffic when Bertha pulled him closer to her and whispered in his ear.
- What are you talking about? Helping the temple and I'm your assistant?
Mamon chuckled at her while she looked at him confused.
- I am getting you inside aren't I? Also, I actually have an official business with the temple, they just don't know I'm coming. However they will be really glad that I'm here.
She sighed, but didn't argue because she didn't know what to say at this point.
'After all the temple is in dire need of someone who can handle a raging soul. One of the previous kings that ruled a few hundred years ago turned into an undead and they can not deal with him, because his soul occupies the body over and over again even if they purify it. So they have locked the crypt up and kept it a secret. But if there is someone who can take the soul so that it can not go back into the body? Then they should be the perfect solution without making any ruckus.'
They waited over quarter of an hour until the other guard showed up practically jogging with a priest who was following him. The priest wore the same robes as the one on the 1st level, however this one was a young man with glasses bigger than his eyes making his brown eyes look giant.
When they arrived the priest exchanged a few words with the guard who was standing at the gate and then turned towards them.
- Sir! You are finally here! I'm glad to see you!
Mamon was confused as he was just talking nonsense to the guard about the appointment, but the priest thinks he should actually be here?
- Yes! Thank you for coming to the gate to get us inside. I'm terribly sorry about it, but we had some incident I don't have any money on me now.
The priest shook his head and held out his hand for a handshake.
'That is weird, barely anyone shakes hands in this game.'
Mamon accepted it as they introduced themselves.
- I'm Matthias priest of the God of Light. I tend to the guests and their assistants.
- I'm Mamon, a Soul Master and this is my temporary assistant Bertha.
The priest smiled at them brightly, but then leaned in closely when he noticed the guards weren't looking and whispered.
- Are you really a Soul Master? How do you know about the issue we are having?
Mamon pulled out the Great white wolf's soul. The priest was so surprised he coughed.
- And I have received an oracle that I have to come into this city because there will be need of my expertise.
Matthias grabbed his hands firmly and started leading him inside.
- I understand. Please follow me, time is of the essence!
Mamon was really surprised by him as he didn't know why is he in such a hurry, but it helped him so it wasn't a problem. She waved to Bertha to follow them.
They went through the gate without further issues as the guards just ignored them at this point.
The city was divided into three parts. The entrance of the city was well kept because it was the part that greeted people, but generally the lower parts were for the poor and where the laborer's lived. The cathedral was in the upper area where the rich and noble people lived. It was divided from the first by a wall and was a lot more lavish than any other parts of the town. Even the castle that practically made up the whole third layer.
In the lower layer buildings were really congested with barely any place between them, made of stone and wood. Some were even showing signs of wore. Instead of glass on the windows, they just had some shutters with thick curtains behind them, the doors were also looking like they could fall off at any time and the roof was also missing parts, probably leaking when it rained. Worse yet, this was the better part of the lower layer.
The only good part was the road as it was well kept so that the inner parts can be reached easily. It was filled with people in simple clothes who were going on with their daily lives. As night was coming closer they were mostly going home, though some were going to the pubs and some were just talking with their neighbors.
When they hurriedly reached the inner gate the guards were looking at them funny, but because Matthias was with them they didn't say anything and let them through.
'It is nice to have protection inside a city like this. I hope they will give me an insignia of honor to be able to traverse freely.'
The upper layer looked completely different from the lower. The houses were well kept and spaced out. Some of them were even painted in different colors. They had glass windows, some even had painted panel ones. The doors were made of fine wood and the roofs were tiled with brand new looking tiles.
The people wore expensive looking garments and jewelry showing their status in the city. They were all talking at restaurants or on the terrace of their residence not caring about anything in the world.
'Nobles... The worse people in the game. Always so high and mighty about their status, while they worth literally nothing but their money. Even killing them is worthless as they give the least amount of SP out of anything in the tower. Which make it seem like the devs also hated them in all honesty...'
Mamon's line of thought was cut short with the priest completely stopping in front of him.
- We have arrived.
When they looked forward they saw the cathedral's side. It was a majestic building towering over all the others in the surrounding. Pure white walls, red roof tiles and paneled colorful windows which depicted angels glowing with yellow light and holding a sword against darkness that were on their neighboring windows.
Matthias wiped off his sweat and smiled at them as they entered into a simple room with armchairs and tables. He sit them down at some of the expensive looking armchairs.
- I will announce your arrival to the bishop. Please wait here for the moment.
- Of course.
Mamon looked around and was surprised how expensive everything looked. The tables looked like they were made of mahogany or something similar he never saw. The chairs were covered with red velvet and the wall was covered in paintings of different people and angels.
He finally looked at Bertha who was nervously looking around not knowing what to do and muttering quietly. She was completely lost at the situation and breathing heavily while looking like she could have a hearth attack at any moment.
- Hey! Calm down, nothing bad is going to happen!
Mamon tried to calm her down, but it looked like she didn't even heard it.
- But what if I offend someone? They could take my head! They could look for my family and take their heads as well! Actually worse! They might just burn me on a pyre...
As she was talking nonsense Matthias returned.
- Please come after me, the bishop is waiting for you two.
Mamon stood up and put his hand on her shoulder then pulled her up.
- Come on, we have to go now.
She was at the verge of crying, but followed him thinking it might be more rude if she stayed. Though she needed a little pull because her legs rooted down as soon as she stood up.
They were led through a hallway with different doors leading to different rooms on the right and a few bigger doors leading inside the temple on the other. The ground was covered in a nice and comfortable carpet while the white walls were decorated with even more paintings of different people and angels.
They reached the end of the hallway which led into a big twin door. Matthias knocked on it and when they heard a noise from inside he opened it.
- Welcome mister Soul Master! I'm glad that you have come...