Chapter 37

To be clear, we didn't actually know whether it was the right place or not, but there are several signs pointing to it. For one, the capital was covered in mostly black patches. Around seventy percent of it, including the buildings, had black color on them.

It was the largest settlement we came across so far, with three massive walls surrounding the place. In the center, built on top of a hill, was a large castle like building. A part of it had been shattered, while other parts was floating in the air. A small section floated high in the sky, linked with a black thread with the areas down below.

Just looking from afar commanded awe and respect. It felt like going to the final boss’ lair, a dungeon even.

I turned on the drone and let it took to the skies. The drone flew high above, scanning the city underneath. I expected there to be at least several monsters guarding the city, but there was none. None at all. It was completely empty, desolate.

“What happened here…” such a big city without any life inside… it felt unsettling. My question was answered immediately when I noticed a portion of the city I seen before.

“It's the market…”

Gone was the hustle and bustle, replaced with an eerie stillness. There was no noise, no people, no trade. Not even the stalls remained, all had been destroyed, level with the ground.

“I don't really want to go there… but we don't have a choice do we?”

“Scared?”

“I'm surprised you're not the least bit unsettled.”

Angen shrugged her shoulders. “Been years, right? Just like any old ruin.”

We've come this far, so not checking it out would be a waste. I took the drone back and charged it, and Elerina and the rest set up camp. We decided to take some rest for tonight. I have some important tasks I need to do, and we've been traveling for a while. Whatever lies in front of us will most likely require a lot of energy, so it's best we take a break.

The next day, I spent the morning at university. Unlike the days before, Elerina and the others didn't move while I'm at campus, as they'll need drone support. This time, I'll need to concentrate. The slightest mistake could cost them their lives.

Once classes ended, I headed back immediately. My antics had drawn attention from my classmates, who all think I'm acting weird. The fact that I've drawn attention from someone other than Frederick is an alarm, but I couldn't exactly stop.

Luckily, Frederick didn't stop me this time, and I could return immediately.

“Are you ready?” Elerina asked.

“Ready.”

The three began their journey into the city.

•••

With over than seventy percent of the city engulfed in the black patches, moving around is difficult. They couldn't even bring their equipment and hoverboards inside. It's too risky, so they ended up storing it underneath their tent outside of the city.

The three, meanwhile, progressed deeper. I looked for routes from above.

“There's a path on your right. You can use it to pass that building.”

“Alright.”

Their destination is the castle. It felt like the most logical conclusion.

“Say… all those stuff aren't going to just fall, right?” Memorus pointed toward the parts of the castle that were floating middair. We've seen many floating structures before, but they're different from the ones in the elven territory. The ones in the empire had an aura around them, which wasn't too visible when it comes to the smaller ones in the town. But here in the capital, the black aura was clearly visible, and the black threads that connect each part were larger than the ones in the smaller towns.

“I don't like this.”

“You worry too much. Honestly why even come if you're going to act like this?” While Memorus was, understandably, concerned, Angen paid it no mind. If anything, her curiosity drove her to take the lead, walking in front of the group.

They reached the castle's entrance. The castle had an empty moat surrounding it, with an extended drawbridge between its entrance and the city. The fact that black patch covered the entire drawbridge was quite problematic.

There was a couple of spots where they could cross the dry moat using a rope, but that would be difficult.

“I wonder if there's away to restore the drawbridge.”

“There probably is, but we can't use magic.”

Not being able to use magic really does reduce their options. That gave me an idea, however. I went to the toilet and gave Elerina my toilet cleaner.

“... What's this?”

“Try pouring it on the black patches.”

Elerina tried, but unfortunately, it didn't work. Instead, the cleaner floated above the patches, forming a puddle. We don't have time to wait for it to sink, so we tried thinking of another way.

“So, we're crossing?”

“Don’t really have any other way, do we?”

Luckily we had prepared for this. In one of the boxes stored in my room were several long ropes. We had expected to use them. Elerina looked for several unaffected rocks, while Angen and Memorus set the rope on the ground. The rope’s length was long enough to get them down to the moat.

They then stacked numerous rocks above the rope, made sure the rope didn't move under weight, then began descending. They arrived on the moat’s floor safe and sound. After walking over to the other side, I gave Elerina a grappling hook. She threw it to the top of the moat. I checked its top with a drone. Using her unrivaled physical prowess, she practically ran up the moat side, reaching the hook before it slipped.

She pulled the hook and stabbed it into the castle's wall. Angen and Memorus held on tight and began their climb, while Elerina pulled the rope from the other side. Eventually, all three manage to cross. I had several more of those, sourced from… less than legal sources, but they're grappling hooks. They're not dangerous. So the three left it there and entered the castle.

Behind the castle's inner walls was the courtyard. It was massive, around sixty meters by thirty meters in size. The massive courtyard was empty, though. Nothing stopped them as they strided across the field. The patches intensified, until eventually, there was no space for them to walk.

The entire entrance and the buildings behind it were covered by black patches.

“Is this as far as we go?”

“Is there really no way to deal with this?”

“If only there's a material that can resist it.”

Then something occurred to me. When Elerina poured the toilet cleaner, the cleaner didn't sink immediately. Maybe…

I took my trash can and gave it to Elerina.

“Should I pour this?”

“Yes.”

I didn't want to litter, but various materials that I no longer used were there. Maybe something would survive. Elerina did as I said and flipped the trash can around. Tissue, paper, and various other stuff fall out.

Everything remained there. Not a single thing sunk. Now I actually feel bad for littering.

“Wait… are things from Nicho’s world not affected?”

“Maybe because magic doesn't exist there?”

I quickly looked through my shoes. I couldn't tell their sizes, but apparently Elerina's feet was smaller than mine. While holding Angen's hand, she stepped on the patch. Nothing happened.

“Are you feeling dizzy?”

“No.”

“Are you sinking?”

“It feels like walking on solid ground.”

Angen let go, and Elerina began walking around. She didn't even look hindered by the black patches. When she stepped out of the darkness, nothing stuck to the shoes.

“Please wait a bit.”