48 『The Hidden City』 (1/2)
”This is not the main settlement?” The Princess walked beside Vertum as they were traversing across the Village grounds, their personal escorts a few paces behind.
”No,” Vertum's gaze washed over the small village, there were very few people actually out here after the attack from the Black Scripture. Most of them only came out here to tend to the farming, or mend their homes. Though now that the wall was functioning as it should be, there was no worries of that anymore. ”I'll show you, all of you.”
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Ninya approached, separating from the rest of the group and coming right up beside him. ”We're going to your lair?” She asked with a curious smile on her face, her eyebrows at rest.
”If you want to call it that,” Vertum snickered at the word she used. The thought of a Dragon's lair was very different in his mind, consisting of piles of gold and treasure from pillaged cities.
Once they reached the edge of the village, where there were no buildings and the forest was mere feet away from them, Vertum came to a dead stop.
The Princess stopped and looked over at him, blinking a few times. ”We're stopping here?” Her eyes skimmed the area around them. There was nothing here and she furrowed a brow.
”Not exactly, everyone move into rows of three. Silver in front, Adamantite in the back.” Vertum ordered with a casual tone, waving his hand a bout as if to get them moving.
Evileye rolled her eyes slightly as they did as they were told, all of which stood behind Vertum and the Princess soon after. They remained compliant for the time being since nothing weird was happening. That was until he held out a hand to the side, and recited that portal spell again.
Suddenly a massive swirling mass appeared before them, this one being blue in color and its energy much more apparent. Her eyes widened seeing this, only being able to assume the amount of mana having to be used to do this.
Ninya who was standing in the front of the crew, stared with wide eyes at the portal. She was far more amazed than Evileye as she had less experience seeing such extravagant magics.
”This goes to you... 'lair' I assume?” The Princess planted her fist under her chin and tilted her head to the side ever so slightly as she observed the portal.
”Yes,” he said before entering several seconds after answering her question, tugging her along by the shoulder. The rest of the people went following in behind them, remaining close together as they did so.
Renner's jaw nearly dropped as they appeared in a dimly lit, though beautifully built, underground City. They were standing at what appeared to be a hidden entrance, the sounds of the forest being able to be heard rather subtly from the outside.
Ninya immediately darted forward, along with her Adventurer group, looking around in amazement. ”Woah!” She nearly squealed, holding her magic staff in one hand by her side.
”This is amazing...” Laykus walked slowly up beside the Princess, looking at the roof of the underground lair. Then her eyes drifted over towards the massive pillar that appeared to be a vertical standing castle of some sort with fortifications around it.
The Princess looked to him inquisitively, ”This is where you've been staying for hundreds of years?” She let her hand drop down to her side, resting on her hip.
Climb walked up beside his charge before looking over the cityscape as well. Flat roofed buildings, ambient lighting and a water supply that seemed near infinite and clean.
This place wasn't normal, nor natural.
”Most of us stayed in the castle. The exterior was abandoned for generations at a time,” Vertum clarified even though it was just another lie, though he was telling the truth about it being abandoned at one point.
”And it's directly under the Forest...” The Princess uttered under her breath. She could only imagine how much access he had to natural deposits hidden from above ground.
Her mind immediately went back to how he asked what they were going to trade, her eyes narrowed forward, she had been duped. Her eyes flickered on over to him, raising her lower right lid, but didn't say a word. She had gotten what she wanted out of the agreement.
”What is this place called?” Ninya turned on her heel and had all her attentions on Vertum.
”Vilisyrteria,” Vertum stated as he looked over towards her with a small smile across his lips.
The Princess could see the attention Vertum was giving the lone, weaker, adventurer. Could the two of them had shared a moment before? Shrugging to herself, she looked to Climb.
”Are you alright, Princess?” He asked with a big smile across his lips, happy to protect her.
”I'm alright. Climb.” She smiled warmly to him as she reached out and grasped onto his armed arm with her dainty hand.
Vertum turned and looked towards the two Ninja like folks who were silently looking over the area, crouched as they did so. His gaze then traveled towards Laykus who seemed to be in her own little world, then towards Evileye.
Out of all of them, the little blonde seemed to be a killjoy.
”Vertum-sama,” A woman appeared out of nowhere, one that only Vertum knew.
He turned to look towards Silva as she was standing there in her usual militant attire, though she wasn't wearing a helmet. A small grin took over his smiling lips, ”Ah, hello Silva.”