The Traveler accepted a commission and ventured into the depths of the Chasm, where she discovered a city—a city suspended upside down.
She had encountered such an inverted, bizarre sight before, with Venti's statue. Seeing this similar scene, readers naturally thought of the Abyss.
Just as the Abyss ca to mind, Dainsleif erged from a portal. As expected, wherever the Abyss was, he was sure to appear.
Dainsleif told Lumine that he had been tracking an Abyss Herald, but the enemy opened a portal and escaped, leaving him teleported here.
[Dainsleif: "Based on recent experiences, I can only deduce… the teleportation ability controlled by the Abyss is not rely point-to-point but forms a complete network structure."]
Furina exclaid in amazent, wasn't this even more impressive than Lucian? Lucian's teleportation was still just point-to-point.
This already gave many people headaches, but the Abyss's ability was even more terrifying.
Others quickly recorded this information. A network-based teleportation ability was a daunting thought, as you never knew where their portals might be.
If the Abyss invaded, areas with Ley Lines could sowhat resist their teleportation abilities before the Ley Lines were damaged, preventing the Abyss from teleporting freely.
But in places without Ley Lines, the Abyss could freely establish their teleportation network, which was the opposite of the Traveler's situation.
Without Ley Lines, while you're fighting upfront, the Abyss could open a portal behind you, delivering a "thousand-year kill." The thought alone was uncomfortable.
The people of Natlan were in such distress, having lost the protection of Ley Lines.
Everyone was pleased to gain intelligence on the Abyss, but Aether felt a headache coming on. At this rate, the Abyss Order's abilities would completely overshadow Lucian's.
In the story, Dainsleif even ntioned that he and Aether had once been travel companions.
"What a true 'Paimon' for my brother…" Lumine scratched her head, glancing at her own Paimon, thinking, Why are you so small?
Moreover, Dainsleif was the "Twilight Sword," the captain of Khaenri'ah's royal guard, while Paimon? Just ergency food.
"I feel like you're thinking sothing rude!" Paimon pouted.
"And that guy is not Paimon. Paimon is way cuter!" Paimon stomped her foot.
As the two bickered, a voice suddenly interrupted their argunt.
"Seeing you both still so lively brings relief," Dainsleif said, appearing.
"Eek!? He's here!" Paimon exclaid.
"He's here!" Lumine echoed, the two making Dainsleif seem like so terrifying monster.
This ti, Dainsleif hadn't been teleported by a portal. He had read this story and actively sought out Lumine.
Regarding this story, he felt he had to personally take part.
Thus, both the real-world Lumine and the story's Lumine began acting alongside Dainsleif.
In the story, their progress was faster, as they were already investigating the Hilichurls.
The investigation thod was simple: Dainsleif directly gave Lumine the answers.
[Dainsleif: "The strangeness of this place lies in… the environnt here is weakening the effects of the 'curse.'"]
["At this very mont, my body is strongly urging to—'stay here.'"]
The Hilichurls ca here simply because this place offered them a mont of respite, a break from the pain brought by the curse.
The curse on the Hilichurls made them immortal while turning them into monsters, which is why they wore masks.
But this immortality wasn't true immortality. As "erosion" accumulated, one day, their sense of self would vanish.
In the final monts before their self completely disappeared, the Hilichurls would co here to bid farewell to centuries of suffering. This place was their coffin.
As they talked, the duo and their floating companion were ambushed by Black Serpent Knights.
Readers imdiately grew furious. These were the ones who killed our beloved Katheryne! Traveler, go! Give them a couple of slaps!
After driving off the Black Serpent Knights, the readers felt satisfied. Yes, just like that!
Dainsleif told the Traveler that these Black Serpent Knights were once part of the royal guard, his subordinates. Now… perhaps they, too, had succumbed to the curse. After all, it had been five hundred years.
As they spoke, they noticed a gaze. Another Black Serpent Knight was staring at Dainsleif, but strangely, it showed no intent to attack.
This was odd. Abyss creatures typically attacked living beings on sight, which was why miners found it strange when Hilichurls ignored them.
Why aren't the Hilichurls attacking ? They should be beating up! Hit ! Hit !!
Curious about why this Black Serpent Knight didn't attack, the Traveler and Dainsleif ventured forward to investigate.
Along the way, the Traveler didn't need to solve any puzzles—Dainsleif handled them all. The riddles ca from Khaenri'ah, and he was all too familiar with them.
In the upside-down city, inside a brightly lit room, several Black Serpent Knights stood at the entrance, seemingly guarding sothing inside.
When the Traveler approached, they didn't attack imdiately. Instead, they let out roars, as if threatening the Traveler, trying to make her back off.
[Forr Black Serpent Knights: "「——————!!!」"]
However, the Traveler wasn't intimidated by their threats and showed no intention of retreating.
The Black Serpent Knights roared and charged at the Traveler, looking ready to fight to the death.
Unfortunately for them, they were up against Dainsleif and the Traveler. The Black Serpent Knights were no match and were quickly defeated, collapsing to the ground.
The Traveler and her companions seized the opportunity to enter the room and saw what the knights were guarding.
It was Hilichurls—a group of Hilichurls preparing to face "death."
The defeated Black Serpent Knights rose again, roaring and closing in on the Traveler. Even against formidable foes, they refused to back down.
Suddenly, the Black Serpent Knight who had been staring at Dainsleif let out a roar, and upon hearing it, the other knights surprisingly stepped back.
[Dainsleif: "…Halfdan?"]
Dainsleif recognized this Black Serpent Knight. He told the Traveler that his na was Halfdan, a young elite of the royal guard.
When disaster struck, Dainsleif had given Halfdan an order.
["'Tell all the Knights, no matter what, protect the people of Khaenri'ah.'"]
Halfdan had fulfilled this order, as had the other Black Serpent Knights.
For five hundred years, even after becoming monsters, even after Khaenri'ah's people beca monsters, even after their consciousness had been nearly eroded away.
They still protected "the people of Khaenri'ah."
This ruin was Khaenri'ah, and these Hilichurls were the citizens they were sworn to protect.
Their roars earlier weren't threats or warnings aid at the Traveler. They were ant for the Hilichurls—aning, "Flee quickly."
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Traveler: About Requiem of the Echoing Depths
Traveler: "What exactly is my brother planning…?"
Paimon: "Lumine, don't worry too much. We'll definitely find him."
"Find him and ask for the reason! I'll always be by your side!"
Traveler: "Mm, thank you, Paimon."
Paimon: "Ehe."
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