Ichigo himself had to admit that while this version of soul society was highly advanced and modernized compared to the one from his world. He never believed that he would be riding inside a high-class flying car with shielded windows traveling towards what Hashwalf called the Schloss der Regierung (Castle of Governance).
'As you can see, Ichigo Kurosaki...' Hashwalf said as he sat in front of the teen. 'The Silberstadt is the center point of all Quincy government, military, health, technology, and culture. All in the service of protecting and maintaining the balance within the soul society and the world of the living.'
The grandmaster then looked out towards the windows, and when the shingmai followed his gaze. He saw a massive school building filled with Quincy training and practicing techniques within a courtyard with various teachers instructing them.'
'On are left, you will see The Quincy academy founded over a thousand years ago by my predecessor Zeidritz and responsible for training the future generation of the Sternrriter Order, ' Jurgram explained.
'Future generations of Quincy's, huh?' Ichigo mused as he thought back on how Rukia and Reiji described their days in the shinigami academy until he noticed Hashwalf then turned his head.
'And on my right, you can see one of the reincarnation domes next to the academy,' the grandmaster explained, and then Ichigo perked his head up upon hearing that name.
'Reincarnation domes...wait, does that mean that any soul that a Quincy purifies is sent to one of those things?' The soul reaper asked, and Hashwalf nodded.
'Indeed... because Quincy arrows purify not only the souls of hollows but also all the memories of their past life.'
Ichigo then shot a look of surprise. 'All their memories?!'
'Yes. The purifying technique was based on the methods the great noble house of Shiba sought to use on slain hollows without destroying their souls and sending them to the soul society. We Quincy, in turn, was able to utilize that technique into our powers and abilities' Hashwalf then looked over the numbers on the structure. 'These domes act as reeducation centers so that the newly reincarnated souls can become productive members of society. With said information often uploaded directly into their brains'
Ichigo then sweet dropped. 'So what you mean like computer programs?...that sounds a bit unethical.'
Hashwalf then gave Ichigo a look of sympathy. 'It can't be helped. Millions of souls are purified every day, Kurosaki, and that is not including all the souls purified and released from slain menos and Arrancar. He then took a breath. 'Which often unleash entire nations of the worth of souls at once. We just simply do not have the time or resources to reteach an entire populaces manually and daily.'
Ichigo then stared at Hashwalf for a moment and nodded in understanding. 'I get it...still, it would have been simpler if everyone had retained their memories upon being purified. It would have made things a lot easier Ichigo then suddenly remembered something. 'Wait, I purified many souls when I killed the two-eighth Espada with my zanpakuto. So shouldn't they-'
'I wouldn't concern yourself too much about that,' Hashwalf said quickly, almost losing his composer and then readjusting himself. 'Let's say that whatever complications the medical divisions faced. Have already been taken care of.'
Then, the soul reaper eyed the grandmaster uneasily but reluctantly let the subject go.
'If you say so...' Ichigo said, and then from the car's front window, he got a clear view of a giant castle, which Hashwalf took his cue to change subjects.
'And we now come to our final stop. Schloss der Regierung. In which the order of the sternritter and the council of the Quincy resides. Along with it being the one single entry to the royal place above.'
The shuttle car then stopped at the front entrance of the great hall and, compared to the size of the punishment cell within his soul society. This one was roughly about the same. However, it was far more elegant in design, with its pure white stone walls, black ebony rooftops, and golden trimmings encrusted on the side of its structure. Making the castle feel like a place of gatherings and discussions instead of one of containment and trial
But when Ichigo and Hashwalf walked inside the castle, he was blown away as its walls were covered in blue encrusted wallpaper, floors of silver reflective marble. Several chandeliers of magnificent complexity hug beautifully from their ceiling. While various tables holding vases, busts and antiques were lined up the walls.
If the youth didn't know any better, he would have thought this was the royal place.
'As you can see, Kurosaki Ichigo…' the grandmaster explained while walking down the hallway. 'His majesty spared no expense in making the soul society as technologically and culturally advanced as possible. If not for the hollow invasion, the rest of the living world would have followed suit.'
Ichigo then looked and nodded. 'I see…well, you guys prove you are a step up from the soul society from my world…and you are telling that gate to the soul palace is right through here?'
Hashwalf then bowed his head. 'Indeed. Only those who possess the rank of the Schutzstaffel, the grandmaster, or those who are personally invited can travel to the highest point in heaven.' The Quincy then turns to look at the teen. 'Is it not the same in your world?'
Ichigo then paused himself for a bit before sighing. 'Actually, it's a lot stricter. As in, there are no portal gates to the palace. You can only enter and leave by becoming a royal key or something…and that is not getting into the whole cloak and dagger involved with the soul king.'
The grandmaster then raised an eyebrow. 'Does that have anything to do with the sin the shingmai committed against the Reio?' He asked, and Ichigo then let out a sad breath.
'Let's just say the shingmai in my universe was far better in keeping that a secret than the ones in yours,' he said dejectedly, and Hashwalf immediately nodded in understanding.
'Is that so…very well, let us take you to the royal gate then,' the grandmaster said, and soon he reached the end of the hallway and came upon a large door with the holy empire crest on it before opening it up.
Then upon seeing the room behind the doors...Ichigo's eyes widen as he bared witness to a massive beam of light shooting out from a gigantic altar, with several Quincy scientists at computers monitoring it. It resembled the beam that transported the Yhwach from his universe to invade the royal place in many ways. Only now, this one…is little more than a high stylized warp pad.
He also realized that Robert Accutrone and Uryu were also in the same room, taking a different ways to reach the same destination. Who then, along with Hashwalf, stepped into the beam and disappeared into the light, with Ichigo proceeding to follow them and doing the same.
The shingmai existed out of the light and then arrived at his destination. He was then struck with a sense of Deju-Vu and wonder. At the same time, he was walking off from the pad.
The royal palace was similar to how Yhwach remolded it in his world in many ways. The buildings looked the same aside from being covered in ice, and the Silbern lay in the middle...Yet, at the same time, it kept some aspects of it. Such as the floating cities surrounding the palace and a smiler open gateway.
Then much to Ichigo's amazement. He saw Hashwalf, Uryu, and Robert walking beyond the gate and onto the open-air…in which then a blue, glowing reshi bridge formed beneath their feet as they traveled further up to the Silbern. Without further hesitation, Ichigo followed right behind them.
Eventually, after a few minutes of walking, they came upon the front entrance of the palace, which was a massive door with the holy empire symbol encrusted on it. At the same time, several Quincy guards stood beside it.
Hashwalf then turns to face Ichigo.
'Now, keep in mind Ichigo Kurosaki; his majesty does not have that much time to talk to you. Given that in his current condition, he requires much rest to maintain his power. So please, if you have any questions for him. Be quick and precise,' the grandmaster instructed, making Kurosaki leave an eyebrow in confusion.
'Current condition…?' Ichigo pondered.
The doors then opened and revealed the main chamber of the Quincy king, which was shown as a large hall. With banners of the holy king, an emblem hung on both sides of its walls. A dark red royal carpet with gold trimming led to the throne that Yhwach sat in. Along with his elite guards that stood by his side.
Which were Lille Barro, Gremmy Thoumeaux, Askin Nakk Le Vaar, and Genered Valkyrie.
While Ichigo never actually meets any of the Schutzstaffel aside from Askin. He can judge that they are much different than the ones in his world.
With Lille Barro, he was wearing a black vest sleeveless vest that showed off his tonearms. Gremmy, despite Ichigo being once told he was a boy. Looked like a young man in his twenties. They wore a white open button dress shirt. Askin, who sported a white shirt with black and gold armor plating over his chest, and Genrad Valkyrie, who was outfitted with a black muscle shirt and gray pants, fastened with two steel metal gauntlets and a white twisted headband tied around his forehead.
However, in contrast to their king…he hadn't changed at all.
He still had the same white Quincy uniform. The same black tattered cape came down from his shoulders, and the same cold smug smile on his face. That Ichigo knew all too well.
This made the Shinigami wonder if the man before him was even a different version of Yhwach, to begin with.
