Unlike the streets of the Industrial District, those in the Upper District were extremely clean and well-maintained. They were made from the best pieces of rock available, perfectly cut and even painted.
In addition, the lighting was completely different.
While the Industrial District had dim streets, without any kind of light or with oil lamps, here, magic lamps were everywhere. There was more movement, and pleasant smells were found at every turn, reflecting a higher class.
People were also better dressed and groomed. In the Industrial District, Louis' clothes were for rich people. They probably cost thousands of Jens or more. But in the Upper District, they were just average for the population.
Most people wore more elaborate suits with top hats specially designed by a designer. Women wore beautiful dresses of all kinds, long and short.
Louis imagined that the women here would dress much like they did in the Victorian era, in long ball gowns with multiple embellishments and beautiful patterns. But he was wrong.
In fact, there were dresses from all eras, from ancient dresses that retained their own charm to modern dresses that he had seen many women wear on Earth, the typical ones that clung to the body and enhanced women's curvy figures.
The latter were more common among young or middle-class women, while the typical Victorian dresses were worn by older women or young women of high status.
It was easy to recognize them because women of high status walked with guards at their sides and even butlers, while the rest of the women simply walked with friends or alone.
Although he occasionally saw people wearing amazing costumes with no one around them, the way everyone talked about them made them seem like members of the high nobility who had come out to get some fresh air.
Among so many rich and glamorous people, some with obviously exaggerated costumes, Louis went virtually unnoticed. It was just that his hair was too striking.
Even though it wasn't long, it moved in the wind because it was quite straight and not styled with any hair gel. This made it easy for him to attract attention, drawing the eyes of both men and women.
Many women were naturally attracted to him, but he simply walked on until he reached an outdoor restaurant with a wonderful aroma from the kitchen, and every dish served.
To enter the restaurant, he had to climb long stairs because it was built on a hill. When he reached the center, he understood why this restaurant was for the upper class. With such a wonderful view of almost the entire Upper District and the city, everyone would want to come here. Therefore, hiring good chefs was essential for the establishment.
It was the most delicious smell his nose had ever encountered since arriving in this world, so he entered. As it was outdoors, he simply grabbed a free table and was soon attended to.
"Young sir, this is our first time seeing you here. Welcome to our restaurant, Charred Moon Shelter. You can call me Liam," said the waiter, placing the menus on the table.
"If you are a foreigner, I can introduce you to the dishes."
Louis nodded. "What is the house specialty?" he asked.
Liam smiled. "Good question, young sir. Our specialty is this dish..." He pointed to one of the dishes on the menu.
"Charred Moon. Despite its eccentric name, it's a dish that contrasts creatures from the sea and the land. The main ingredient is giant, fluffy moon snails, smoked and fried in dark-skinned giant oil, stuffed with the inner part of moon chicken bathed in moonlight for 300 nights. It is first charred, then the charred part is removed, leaving only the inside for added flavor."
"Both are smoked with reddish moon wine and the essence of the most exclusive lemon in the south, the high mountain lemon. The perfect accompaniment for this is smoked moon rice or soft spaghetti bathed in century-old wine, both of which are prepared with seaweed that has the peculiarity of floating in the western and southern seas."
"As this is your first time trying this dish, it is served with the house's exclusive dessert: Spring or Autumn 'Grapes of Locked Time' and appetizers of your choice."
Louis, of course, didn't understand a word of what he had just been told. But to keep up appearances, he acted amazed.
All he knew was that it was a luxurious smoked dish, prepared with a bunch of additives that sounded fancy.
And to continue keeping up appearances, he looked at Liam.
"How's the wine? I'd like the house special."
Liam looked at him, a little surprised.
"Are you sure about that? This dish already comes with wine included—a good one made by a Master Sommelier. A different wine from that and the house special would cost you quite a bit more because when you buy one of those, you have to buy the Master Sommelier's service."
"All right. I'd like to order that wine." Louis replied casually, prompting the waiter to nod.
"Very well, shall I bring you that dish?"
"Please."
"Right away, young sir." The waiter then left.
Louis sat quietly, looking at the landscape before him.
It was a fantastic view of the city. The buildings and houses, large and small, were all visible. Even the large industrial plants could be seen in the distance.
There was also a view of the city's castles and the great cathedral he had seen.
Velharthe was such a large city with so many industries constantly belching smoke that it was very difficult to see everything. But the view was breathtaking.
What's more, it was utterly silent. People ate in silence, and the waiters spoke softly.
Everything was peaceful. The only sound was soft, melodious music that seemed to glow gently inside the restaurant.
If anyone wanted to see the small concerts held here, they could simply walk in, as admission was free for customers.
The rest could listen from outside, and for many people it sounded much better from outside, as it was not for nothing that the restaurant was designed to be open-air, looking up at the stars and the beautiful moon shining down on them.
'This kind of peace is great. The dishes they sell here are probably expensive just because of this atmosphere.'
While he was immersed in his thoughts and enjoying this beautiful peace, something suddenly disturbed him. The sound of some people being a little rowdy and making a fuss about something reached his ears.
This immediately attracted the attention of everyone present, who looked annoyed toward the stairs where they were coming from. Some even intended to stand up and scold them, but suddenly they saw that even the security guards weren't moving.
Then, some young faces appeared down the stairs, dressed glamorously. Many of them walked arrogantly, following a young woman.
"Hahaha, boy, you're pretty good at flattering women, but doing that to Miss is ridiculous. I advise you to turn around and go back where you came from."
"Hey, turn around? If a little idiot like you keeps hanging around here, why should I turn around?"
"Tsk, it's just for your own g..."
"Silence. Can't you see you're bothering the other customers?" The woman the two boys were talking about scolded them.
But neither of them took this seriously, much less the two behind her.