After arriving near the City of a Thousand Races, Minos immediately saw that grandiose place becoming even larger up close than he could imagine from afar.
The city stretched out in all directions, with buildings utterly different from those one would find in a human city.
Many buildings looked like artificial coral reefs, with houses and businesses at different points and many swimming areas.
At the same time, there were capsule-shaped buildings that could be attached to each other.
Some properties had only one or another of these capsules. Still, Minos could see from a distance several where dozens of these structures were connected to form immense structures.
Beasts of various sizes came and went, usually in groups of beings of the same race.
Even though this was the city of freedom, where all races were welcome, many visitors passed through daily. And these visitors moved in groups without mixing with beings of other races.
But there were many groups containing beasts of various species moving around the city's outskirts. These were usually local natives, beings already accustomed to living in harmony with other species.
Among these groups full of diversity, one could occasionally find beings with characteristics of more than one race.
These were the famous half-breeds of beasts!
In the Spiritual World, once a being reaches the 8th stage, they can change their body to suit their circumstances. In particular, some beings used this to mate with individuals of other species, beings that would be incompatible in other situations.
Through this, hybrid races existed in this diverse world. Among them, their members shared characteristics of both the father's and the mother's race.
These beings were hated by those who defended the purity of the species, as in the case of the elves, some beast tribes from the Beast Continent, and part of the humans from the Central Continent.
Only in cities like these in the underwater world and in the Divine Continent could these half-breeds live in peace because the rulers of their areas protected them.
Minos saw a half-breed for the first time but felt no revulsion. Henricus Longus had seen many such beings in his long life, so he felt comfortable around such beings, even though he was a human of pure lineage.
Amidst this sight of at least a hundred thousand beings, Minos and his group passed one of the entrances to the City of a Thousand Races.
This place accepted beings of all races, whether terrestrial or aquatic. So Minos faced no difficulty entering this place, having only paid the entrance fee of 50 high-grade crystals.
High-level beings demanded high-level vigilance. So the entry fee varied according to the strength of the one entering this city.
For beings below the 6th stage, it only costs 50 low-grade crystals. Those between the 6th and 8th stage had to pay for 50 medium-grade crystals, and those above that, 50 high-grade crystals.
For Minos, this was not a high amount, so he paid it without problem, soon being directed by Ross to a place that all three fishes had said would be interesting for him to visit.
"Ed, I don't intend to accompany you for much longer. The City of a Thousand Races is a relatively safe place. Few dare to act in here, so you can move about freely without worry." Ross said as it led the way. "Since I am here, I will take the opportunity to settle some matters near where we are going. But if you go further downtown, we probably won't see each other around here anymore."
"Hmm, no problem," Minos said, grateful that this fish got him here so quickly.
Randall then said. "We will accompany you for a little longer. Our business is not urgent, so if you need a guide around this city, I will take you wherever you decide to go."
Sapphire nodded, liking that since she did not know this city and directing Minos around might be a chance for her to see places she and her husband would not pass if they were alone.
Minos nodded and said. "I am after something valuable that can help me on my journey. When I was traveling before meeting you two, I met some elves who gave me a hint.
They said that something that would help me in my goal was waiting for me in this place."
"Elves?" Ross asked.
It knew how amazing these beings were but didn't like elves. Several races of sea creatures were friendly to the elf tribe, but this fish was not one of them.
"Do you trust what an elf says, Ed? These beings are always trying to manipulate those around them." Sapphire warned this human, who could not know about the evil nature of these beings blessed by heaven.
They could be talented and stay out of unnecessary conflicts most of the time. But elves were also usually associated with manipulating those close to them, always trying to alter the fate of others.
Elves believed in fate and had powers consistent with it, something that gave them confidence in using those around them.
This made them feared around the Spiritual World, which is why some races hated them.
These fish belonged to races that didn't like the elves, so they all thought that 'Ed' was being manipulated by one of these terrible creatures.
Minos smiled bitterly, knowing the reasons why some sea races disliked elves.
In the distant past, the elves had helped the Sea Folk create their empire, which was why this race had become so strong and is still an ally of the Elves Island.
But to do this, the elves had to deal with countless beast races, oppressing, threatening, and stealing their talented members' karmic energy.
Minos then said. "I have nothing to do. Even if elves have many reasons to be suspicious, that woman has already made a forced contract with me. So she wouldn't benefit if she lied to me."
Upon hearing that, those three felt enraged, remembering their ancestors who had suffered the same as Minos and eventually died to have their karmic energy collected.
"Damned elves!"
"Abominable creatures! I can't believe they even did this to young Ed!" Randall said, feeling anger at these beings.
Ross strained its fins, feeling anger. "What are you going to do, Ed? Unfortunately, the fate of those who are targeted by elves is not usually promising."
...
