"Your Highness, if you are resolute in taking action at this moment, I have a proposition," Kenley deliberated for a while and decided to offer a veiled reminder. Whether it could sway Guinevere's decision or not would be left to providence.
"Tell me about it," Guinevere invited.
"The Abbey of Repose is situated at the junction of the borders between the Shakki Republic and the Cain Empire, and the Shakki Republic is a nation renowned for its witchcraft. I wonder if we could first request the wizards of the Shakki Republic to assist us in gauging the situation. With their capabilities, I believe it would not be an arduous task to accomplish this," Kenley suggested.
Guinevere shook her head. "The current internal situation in Shakki is in a state of turmoil, with the three major factions vying for power and wealth. It is highly improbable that we could persuade them to dispatch their wizards to aid in the reconnaissance," she said.
"I see..." Kenley had not paid much heed to the politics of the small nation of Shakki within the game previously, and thus he was unaware of this situation. However, he was acquainted with some wizards and also knew the means to persuade those crafty old foxes to render their assistance.
"Your Highness Guinevere, Tia might have a solution," Tia, who had remained taciturn throughout, suddenly interjected.
Guinevere's eyes lit up. "Please, Your Highness Tia, do elaborate," she said.
"Tia is not entirely certain, but before Tia's kingdom met its demise, there was a royal wizard named Mr. Brad who had been serving the royal family in the palace. He hailed from the Shakki Republic. Prior to the invasion of the dark nobles on the East Coast, he had returned to his hometown in advance due to a letter from his family members, thus fortuitously evading the catastrophe of the kingdom's destruction. Tia recalls that Mr. Brad had left a method of contacting him, but I am unsure whether we can still reach him," Tia said softly.
Wizards... Their lifespans vary widely, and it is not uncommon for some to live for several hundred years. If what Tia said was true, there was a distinct possibility that Brad was still alive.
Guinevere nodded. "Thank you, Your Highness Tia. However, this matter can serve as an alternative plan. After all, an epoch has elapsed, and with the turbulent situation in the Shakki Republic, it remains uncertain whether we can actually establish contact with the Mr. Brad you mentioned. Nevertheless, I will make every endeavor to attempt it. Your Highness Tia, please do not set your expectations too high," she said.
"It matters not. Tia merely wishes to do her part. If the demons truly enter the Aude Continent, Tia surmises that even as an undead being, it would be exceedingly difficult for Tia to escape their clutches," Tia said without any trace of displeasure.
"Thank you, Your Highness Tia. Time is of the essence, and we had best set out today. I truly apologize, Mr. Kenley, but the family banquet will have to be postponed. We need to make every second count," Guinevere said, turning her gaze towards Kenley.
Kenley shook his head. "The fate of humanity holds greater significance, Your Highness. Personal matters are of little consequence. It would be advisable to address the matter of the Abbey of Repose first," he replied.
Guinevere nodded and then led the two of them to the teleportation gate. Halfway there, she suddenly remarked, "Daina has already led the troops and departed ahead of us. We shall travel through the teleportation gate. By the way, is this the first time the two of you have used the teleportation gate?"
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Tia shook her head. "Tia has used it before," she said.
"And you, Mr. Kenley?"
"No, I haven't," Kenley dared not admit that he had used it countless times, considering his current identity.
Guinevere patiently explained, "The teleportation gate may appear similar to teleportation magic when in use, but there is, in fact, a subtle difference. During the teleportation process, regardless of what strange sights you encounter, do not touch them, for you will be torn asunder by the spatial rift. Bear this in mind," she said.
Was the teleportation gate truly that unstable? Kenley furrowed his brows slightly.
However, he did not voice his thoughts and instead nodded silently.
"Very well, then let us depart."
------
In the Main Mountains, there circulates a ballad that goes: We cleave the mountain asunder like a breast, and what we behold is not the warm, blood-red viscera, but the frigid will of the earth.
The Main Mountains, which appear exquisitely beautiful from a distance, reveal the profound significance of the ballad only when one approaches them. Standing atop the mountain peak and gazing down, it is akin to standing on the brink of a colossal cauldron, watching the abyss ceaselessly inhale and exhale the pure white mist of divinity.
The mountain ranges wind and sprawl, intersecting and rising, rising and falling in an uneven pattern. Amidst the shroud of mist and haze, a breathtakingly beautiful landscape of unparalleled splendor is formed.
A deep and shadowy canyon, belching clouds and mist, appears as though it has been cleaved in twain from the heart of the Main Mountains by a cataclysmic blow. Cedar trees carpet the mountains, rocky crags are exposed, and a mysterious abbey can be discerned amidst the black-and-white interlaced mountainside.
From afar, the abbey appears to be of modest size, but upon approaching it, one realizes that it is an astonishingly vast abbey.
The inky-black tiles are stacked in layers, and the massive marble exterior walls encase the entire abbey so tightly that not even a breath of air can pass through. Moreover, from time to time, a strange red beam of light sweeps down from the top of the abbey's spire, and a single glance at it sends a shiver down one's spine.
A peculiar clock hangs atop the tower of the abbey's main hall, but it teeters precariously, as though it has been neglected for ages. Yet, surprisingly, it continues to function normally. Tick-tock, it ticks once every second, and the sound of the massive hands resonates through the canyon. In this tranquil atmosphere, it imparts an even greater sense of eeriness.
"This is the place," Guinevere, accompanied by the soldiers, had already arrived at an observation post that had been set up in advance. She stood on the tower of the observation post herself, closely observing every movement of the abbey.
"Daina, has there been any unusual activity in the abbey these past few days?"
Guinevere had been swift in her actions. While conversing with Kenley earlier, she had already initiated the preparations several days in advance and had stealthily stationed the soldiers here.
No wonder Kenley had not seen Daina earlier; she had been occupied with these tasks.
Daina shook her head. "It is no different from an abandoned abbey. There has been no abnormal activity whatsoever. No one has entered or exited, and no one has come near," she reported.
"This is most peculiar, Your Highness. I have dispatched individuals to peruse all the documents of the Cathedrals of Light, but I have found no records indicating that the Church of Light constructed an abbey in the Main Canyon in any epoch," said Tek, the cleric who had teamed up with Kenley during the battle in the Bronze Trial Labyrinth.
Even Fess was present. He stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, I had previously sent several rangers and thieves to scout this abbey, but the unanimous conclusion was that there were no living beings or creatures present."
"Could it be that those who spread the rumors earlier were afflicted by hallucinations due to their imaginings and thus reported false military information?" someone queried.
Guinevere shook her head. "Impossible. I have already ascertained the name of this abbey. It is called the Abbey of Repose."
"The Abbey of Repose?" Everyone exchanged surprised glances, yet none of them were familiar with it.
