Chapter 119: Reaching Star Radiance City

At the prow of the ship stood a young woman with shoulder-length blonde hair. She wore a simple blue dress with minimal embellishments, accented only by modest lace and decorative red ribbons. The collar and short sleeves were white, giving her an air of rustic, pastoral grace—unadorned, yet serene and refreshingly clear. Curiously, she cradled a doll dressed in a black gown, an detail that made her presence all the more striking.

What truly struck Link as peculiar, however, was not her appearance, but the fact that a five-meter radius around her remained entirely empty. While the rest of the deck was crowded, no one ventured near her, despite the bow being the most popular spot on the ship. Link observed for a while and realized that others seemed unable to see her; they would unconsciously detour around her five-meter perimeter without even noticing anything unusual.

"That blonde woman is strange," Link thought to himself. Staying cautious, he blended into the crowd to keep a watchful eye on her.

Soon, the woman turned, revealing her face. Link’s eyes widened involuntarily; she was breathtakingly beautiful. Her beauty defied description, as if she were the Creator’s most flawless masterpiece. Her crystal-blue eyes were mesmerizing, and her features were without a single blemish. She appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen, with skin so delicate and smooth it lacked even the pores of a human, appearing more like a high-end computer-generated image than a living person.

Link had never believed in the existence of such world-shaking beauty, but after seeing her, he was convinced. Her charm was beyond what any normal person could resist; it was enough to turn the most hardened heart. Yet, it was strange that she walked about so casually, while those around her treated her like an invisible phantom, continuing their business as if she were made of glass.

As Link watched this unsettling scene, he wondered about her identity. The girl seemed to sense his gaze and turned toward him. Link quickly looked away, feigning interest in the scenery. Whether she noticed him or not, she soon retreated into the cabin. Link lost interest in the view and returned to his suite after a few minutes.

His companions noticed his troubled demeanor and asked what was wrong. Link recounted what he had seen on the deck, which surprised them all. As they speculated on her identity, Altair offered to investigate, but Link declined. Since she had no connection to them, there was no need to invite trouble. In a world full of wonders—where even legendary Holy Spirits existed—he had learned to accept the inexplicable.

Two days passed without another glimpse of the girl, and their journey concluded without further incident. On the morning of the third day, they arrived at the port of Star-Glory City.

As the capital of the Star Kingdom, Star-Glory City was far grander than Bath City. With a permanent population exceeding 800,000 and a daily influx of over 50,000 visitors, the port was a hive of activity. The city’s towering walls loomed in the distance, a majestic sight that drew gasps of wonder from the passengers.

Once the ship docked, the crowd rushed ashore. Shortly after Link and his group disembarked, the blonde girl appeared again, still holding her black-clad doll, as ethereal and detached as a fairy. She vanished into the crowd, leaving no trace. Link was stunned to realize that not only the commoners but even Altair and his two hidden spirit pets had failed to detect her presence. It was as if she were truly transparent.

This realization made Link shiver, and he felt relieved that he hadn't sent Altair to investigate. If even they couldn't perceive her, how could they track her? It would have only invited suspicion and potential conflict.

Following this, an envoy sent by Count Lothar arrived. The leader was a man Link recognized: Johnson Danny, a retainer of the Bath family. He immediately led Link’s group toward the royal capital.

However, Johnson did not intend to take them directly to the palace. A high-ranking figure had arrived unexpectedly: Grand Duke Balthazar Star-Crusher, the half-brother of the current King, Kael Star-Crusher. Known as the "King of the South," Balthazar commanded the three southern provinces and was the most powerful vassal in the kingdom. His brilliance rivaled, and perhaps even surpassed, his brother’s. Many believed he was better suited for the throne, though his status as a son born out of wedlock—the product of the late King’s drunken dalliance with a palace maid—barred him from succession under the kingdom's strict monogamous traditions.

To avoid fratricidal conflict, the late King had granted Balthazar the southern provinces. For decades, the brothers had maintained a fragile peace. However, with the capital currently a powder keg of political tension, Balthazar’s sudden arrival was highly suspicious. His influence was immense, even overshadowing that of Princess Sylvanas. Many doubted his claim of merely visiting his sick niece, yet with only three hundred guards, he was difficult to bar. To avoid unnecessary complications, Johnson suggested Link wait before approaching the palace, noting that this was Princess Sylvanas’s own request.

Link agreed, and the group settled into a villa owned by the Bath family, which served as their base in the capital.

"The capital is truly prosperous," Link remarked, looking out from the second-floor window.

Johnson smiled beside him. "Archbishop Neil, the Star Kingdom has flourished for over a hundred years. People from all over gather here. Since you are here, it would be a pity not to explore."

Link hesitated, citing the political instability, but Johnson assured him that the public remained unaffected and that the villa’s connection to the Bath family was discreet. Tempted, Link decided to go out. He declined Johnson’s offer to act as a guide, preferring to keep a low profile with Lin Xi, while Altair went to gather intelligence and Reimu remained at the villa.

This was the first time Link and Lin Xi had been alone in eight years. Link, oblivious due to his focus on analyzing the city’s political landscape, remained entirely professional. Lin Xi, however, was nervous, stealing glances at him and blushing, her mind clearly elsewhere. While it was a rare moment for a romantic outing, Link treated it as a serious inspection, his mind occupied by the intricacies of the city he had come to observe.