The Emperor and Roa (6): A Night in Fredelia (2)

It was nearly midnight. Most people were settling in for a restful night at home, and there were very few people out on the streets.

Even so, lights spilling from the buildings’ windows softly illuminated the streets, so they didn’t feel lonely at all.

Lapilia and I walked at an easy pace toward the nightlife district, without saying much to each other.

The Empire’s nightlife districts were separated by moats and surrounded by high walls, so there was only one entrance. This was a way to protect residents from the nighttime commotion, and a common sight in Imperial territory.

By contrast, nightlife districts enclosed like this were rarely seen in Rudek. The main reason was the significant difference between Rudek and Imperial culture.

Rudek had some of the strictest laws on late-night business on the continent. Any establishment open past the goddess Waldowart’s bedtime had to provide its own security guards, and soldiers regularly patrolled to ensure the rules were followed.

If the noise got too loud, the patrol would issue a warning. If the establishment failed to improve, its business license would be revoked.

The Empire, on the other hand, had no restrictions on business hours or noise, but only allowed establishments to operate in completely secluded areas.

The large walls around these districts were one way of keeping the noise contained.

As an aside, cheap inns were usually found near the Empire’s nightlife districts. They were popular with drunken patrons who’d spent lavishly in the district, as well as cash-strapped travelers who prioritized low prices over peace and quiet...