Chapter 720: Maze
"Genesis, connect to the 'Wisdom Link' and gather information about the city with Golden Tower. I also want more information about this Easica World now." Charles ordered.
[Yes, Host!]
[Trying to connect to the 'Wisdom Link.']
[Error... Error... Error.... Reconnecting... New world's Wisdom Link has been found.]
[Connection Successful!]
[The new world is conformed to be a High Plane called 'Easica World.']
[Gathering information about the city with Golden Tower under the order of Host.]
[Found the answer. The City with a Golden Tower is said to be an ancient port city named 'Amara City' located in the Alastall Woodland. It is also said to be the second capital of the Bidora Empire. Its history is more than 8,000 years old and was built by the Angel of Time. Although the city's strength has been weakened due to the absence of the Angel of Time in this plane for more than six millennia, it was still under the protection of Nature Goddess Helena...] Charles quietly read the information and was stunned a little.
"This city was built by the Sun God Abium?" He slowly turned his attention toward the tower and noticed a powerful presence from inside.
Before he could blink, that presence disappeared.
"May I know your purpose of visiting Amara City, uninvited guests from the other world?" A cold voice of a young girl came from behind, causing both Runeth and Charles to be surprised inside.
Charles slowly turned around and soon saw a young woman in her twenties. But what surprised him most was her unique fox ears and long tail. She had deep-set blue eyes, olive skin, a square face, and long golden hair that almost reached her hip. She wore a bluish long gown with a sheathed short sword in her left hand.
While thinking of an answer, he also cast the [Inspect] skill on her and scanned her.
...
[Name: Umi
Race: Foxkin
Rank: Demi-God (Bloodline Warrior)
Title: Champion of Goddess Nyara
Attribute:
Strength: 89
Agility: 95
Vitality: 93
Wisdom: ????
Bloodline Spells:
Absolute Touch
Crystal Zone
Frozen Domain
Ice Needle Descend
Domain of Mist and Snow
Ice Network
Skills:
??????
??????
???????.]
...
While Charles analyzed her, Runeth stepped forward, bowed his head, and spoke.
"We came from a faraway high plane called 'Edhen World' and means to harm this plane or this city. I came here to search for my belongings and nothing more, Your Highness."
On the other hand, the young woman named Umi slowly turned her attention towards Runeth and furrowed.
"Why do I feel like I have seen you before, mister?" She asked as she walked closer and stared at his face for a few more seconds.
All of a sudden, her bluish eyes widened.
"Mr. Runeth?" She couldn't help but ask in a perplexed look.
"You know me?" This time, it was Runeth's turn to be surprised.
"We entered your pocket dimension when I was a little kid and met your incarnation. We also went to an undead plane under his request and barely managed to return alive." Umi said as she recalled the long-lost memory and soon added while bowing.
"Without your incarnation's help, neither me nor big brother Abium would've come this far and become Godly beings."
An awkward smile appeared on Runeth's face.
"I didn't expect that my little gift to the future generation would end up supporting that Taboo Existence and his friends," Runeth said with a nod and soon asked.
"Do you know how did you guys enter my pocket dimension? Moreover, is it still there? Due to the long time, I almost forgot most of the places of my home world."
"I understand, Mr. Runeth. Actually, it's not that far. We found your pocket dimension right next to the Barekeep City. But after we left the pocket dimension, we lost contact with that place." Umi said as she slowly ascended from the ground, manipulating the chilling wind.
"Follow me."
Saying so, she slowly turned around mid-air and shot towards the extensive mountain range.
Runeth and Charles glanced at each other and slowly ascended before following her.
The trio soared through the skies, led by Umi, towards the mountain range in the distance. The landscape beneath them transformed as they left the city behind, heading towards the untamed wilderness of the Alastall Woodland. Towering trees with thick canopies stretched out below, and the air was filled with the vibrant sounds of nature.
Before long, they arrived at the mountain range, filled with icy caps and chilling winds, and slowly ascended further to cross it.
Soon, the trio moved to the other side of the mountain range and saw a vast land full of greenery and vegetation.
"This is Peral Dukedom; it was once a Kingdom ruled by the Lockridge Family but has now become a part of the Bidora Empire," Umi explained as if she was an acting guide for the due from another world and continued to fly.
"I heard from Big Brother that the Lockridge family did something bad to the Ancient Bidora Empire and even erased it from existence. But Big Brother revived the Bidora Empire after meeting Empress Athena and letting her rule over this southern Continent. She is the sweetest person in the world and always cares for me like her own child." Umi continued to talk like a little kid, causing Charles to furrow.
As they continued to travel while passing through many small towns and cities, Umi started explaining how she met Abium, what happened during the Chaos Era, and so on.
After talking for a long time, the trio finally arrived at a small city next to another mountain range.
"This small city is called Barkeep City; it's where I first met Nicolaus Brother and Abium Big Brother." Umi slowly descended towards the city wall and soon landed on it, alerting the nearby soldiers.
Then, she looked up at the cloudy sky and snapped her fingers.
A second later, the sky started to get darker, and soon, snow descended. The falling snowflakes added a serene beauty to the scene as Umi manipulated the weather. The city of Barekeep became adorned in a layer of soft white in a few minutes, and the inhabitants marveled at the sudden change.
Soon, many started recognizing Umi and waving their hands at her while shouting cheerfully.
"It seems you are more like a celebrity here," Charles commented.
"I come to this city once a month to play with Nicolaus Brother's grandchildren and always roam around here and there."
While talking, Charles, Runeth, and Umi descended into the city, drawing curious glances from the residents. The atmosphere felt festive, and the locals continued to bow their heads at Umi or greet her with flowers.
"Barekeep City has a unique charm," Umi explained as they walked through the snowy streets. "The people here are resilient, and the city has a rich history."
The trio traversed the winding streets, passing market stalls and quaint shops. Umi's presence continued garnering greetings from the townsfolk, and she responded with warmth and familiarity. The snow continued to fall gently, creating a picturesque setting.
As they approached the city's center, Umi led them to a large courtyard dominated by a towering statue. It was a statue of a muscular warrior with a broadsword on his back. But what surprised Runeth was the third-eye-like pattern on the statue's forehead.
"Three-Eyed Titan?" Charles asked.
"Big Brother Nicolaus is walking on the path of Warlock. But he and Big Brother Abium are not here at this moment. They both left this place for too long. Sister Helena said we might have to leave this place in a decade or two to help my big brother." A trace of sorrow could be seen in her tone.
"So, what are we doing here?" Runeth asked, confused by her actions.
"No. Whenever I come to this city, I always come to this statue to see the face of Nicolaus Brother," Umi said with a smile and slowly rose in the sky, alerting the nearby people.
But none paid much attention as if they had used to seeing her coming here and leaving.
"Let's go." She was suspended more than 200 meters above the city and flew towards the tall conical-shaped mountain.
"This is the 'Mountain of Perished.'" While saying so, Umi flew closer to the mountain's base and soon landed near a unique maze-like cavern.
"This is the Mysterious Maze that was connected to the Pocket Dimension. We entered this maze and picked up strange red gems before entering the altar room."
"Ah! I finally remember this place." Runeth slowly moved towards the mysterious maze's entrance and touched the wall before releasing his wisdom power into the cavern.
"Hmm, the multi-transfer Teleportation array is still active."
Just as he spoke, the dark cavern suddenly got enveloped in a golden light and soon returned to normal.
It was covered with dirt and debris and appeared pitch-dark. Many vines were hanging on the cave's ceiling, covering the bright outside light and leaving this cave in perfect darkness.
