At dusk, a bonfire blazed on the vast grassland.
The sky gradually darkened, and the wind on the grassland was overwhelming, like incoming tidal waves. Sparks burst out like molten lava as Teest threw a pinecone into the flames, causing the fire to flicker in response to his action.
Fischer was currently situated at the border between Desolation Island and New Gemino.
To the west lay the Endless Sea, and to the east stood the desolate and treacherous Brick Mountain Range. Due to this mountain range running north to south, New Gemino was protected from direct corruption impact.
The corruption blocked by the mountains had accumulated in this narrow border area, spawning countless deformed monsters. This place was as dangerous as the center of the "Black Forest" and was called "Brick Shadow".
Knowing Fischer's location, their only remaining task was to hurry on their way.
Nol cheated using Kando, spatially jumping towards their destination several times. However, there were too few places on this long journey he could recall, so they had to complete the rest of their journey on skeleton horses.
With days and nights reversed, they traveled and slept during the day and galloped on horses at night. In a few minutes, when the sunlight disappeared completely, he could wake Nol.
At this moment, Nol was leaning on his shoulder, appearing to be deeply asleep.
Lately, Teest had been diligent in his morning and evening prayers, and Nol graciously accepted. Their relationship seemed unchanged, but Teest felt something was off.
Teest shared his "faith", and Nol gently responded. It felt like wanting to eat roasted meat but filling the stomach with oilless potatoes and greens. Satisfied, yet still hungry.
A feeling both novel and vexing.
Teest couldn't think of a solution for a while and decided to nudge Nol awake. When those gentle blue eyes gazed at him, the hunger slightly eased.
"Mm…" Nol rubbed his eyes. "Is it dark?"
"Yes. Would you like some hot soup? I've made some creamy mushroom soup in a cup."
"Thank you," Nol said politely.
Teest also sipped his soup. "Do you see those mountains? Those are the Brick Mountains… Ah, I forgot. You'd know better than me."
"The Brick Mountains were indeed in the design." Nol nodded. "There are some mid-level dungeons there. It's actually a scenic spot… The sea view there used to be beautiful."
He reminisced about the golden sea and pink twilight he saw during the test, and his expression softened.
Teest sighed. "Now, all that's left are gray clouds and water. Such a pity."
"Have you been to Brick Shadow?"
"No, no, there are almost no humans there. I wouldn't go." Teest shook his head quickly. "I'm in search of the truth of the world, not a tragic end—I've only been to Eternal Day City at the foot of the Brick Mountains."
Eternal Day City, the capital of New Gemino, was located at the foot of the Brick Mountains.
Nol hadn't designed this city. It likely rose in the past two hundred years. It was close to the Demon King yet far enough from Old Gemino—perfect for a king wanting to establish a clear stance.
"In the past centuries, the Demon King was quiet. Now with the Demon King active and the appearance of The Manor, Eternal Day City must be under pressure," Teest lamented.
Nol paused. "You seem very familiar with Gemino."
"When I was little, my parents took us to Eternal Day City a few times to visit distant relatives. I have some memories of that." Teest smiled. "The Flama family ancestors were from Gemino. Honey, you created our nation."
He just finished his soup, with some residue on his upper lip. Nol instinctively used a handkerchief to wipe away the "white beard". As the soft cloth touched Teest's lips, Nol hesitated.
Teest leaned in, brushing his cheek against Nol's. Nol then continued to wipe off the foam.
"It's time to move on," Nol said, summoning two skeleton horses.
"Ah, these days, I haven't been able to properly do my evening…"
"I don't mind," Nol chuckled, folding the handkerchief. "You're a general believer, and I'm a temporary god. Missing a few times doesn't matter."
That empty feeling returned.
Teest watched as the handkerchief disappeared into Nol's pocket before mounting his horse.
...
Eternal Day City was far more magnificent than what Nol had imagined. Roughly four or five times the size of Whitebird City, it rested against the grayish-yellow Brick Mountain Range. According to Teest's description, the streets here were mostly made of light yellow and milky white stones.
The buildings were also white, with surfaces seamlessly joined, as if poured as a whole. As expected from a new city, there were hardly any stains, damage, or cracks on the walls, and the city walls were much taller than most cities.
This was the capital of New Gemino, a city that never existed before. Currently, an army was standing guard outside Eternal Day City. There was a sparse line of people waiting to enter the city, moving slower than at a public restroom in a tourist area.
Once they got closer to the crowd, Teest hastily changed back to his black hair appearance and used his earring to decrease his presence. Even though there weren't many people around, he firmly held onto Nol's wrist.
"I know you're there," Nol whispered.
"It's safer this way," Teest insisted, not letting go.
Nol sighed internally, feeling an awkwardness like that after an office romance had ended. Looking at the slow-moving queue, he gave Teest a new suggestion.
"Just max out the 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' effect, Teest," Nol said. "It might look like I'm entering the city alone, making it easier for you to move around—without my hand holding you back."
Indeed, it was a great idea. Teest quickly activated his earring, then leaned forward from behind, hanging onto Nol's shoulder like a thick and heavy cloak.
Nol: "..."
He flexed and relaxed his fingers, resisting the urge to touch Teest's hair.
They queued from noon to evening, finally reaching the city gates. The guards looked at Nol with suspicion, as if they had already pegged him as an enemy.
"Proof of identity and reason for visit. Standard search." The guard with a small mustache, after glancing at Nol's face, frowned even more.
"I am Ross from Grape Collar, here to visit distant relatives." Nol handed over a fake ID and calmly said, "It's been many years since I visited. The defenses here have become much stricter, haven't they?"
The guard snorted. "Do your distant relatives belong to a family?"
"The Blanco family." Nol promptly borrowed Teest's relative's name.
Hearing this, the guard looked up and examined Nol more closely with a hint of relief in his eyes. "No wonder you look like this…"
With a wave of his hand and a softened tone, he ordered, "Search him."
Two senior guards approached and began a thorough search—it felt more like pinching all over his body. The entire process took half an hour, and Nol's discomfort grew.
Their focus was on potential vulnerabilities of humanoid monsters. If Nol was a shape-shifted creature like a siren, succubus, or fairy, the pain would have exposed him.
Was Eternal Day City always this cautious? Nol felt both relief and concern. He was lost in thought and didn't notice Teest's irritated gaze, who seemed ready to bite off the hands of the guards with just his glare.
"He's human." Finally, the guards returned to their position.
[It seems this city hasn't encountered a Lich yet,] Teest commented sarcastically.
[Nor have they dealt with a Mad Monk with perfect invisibility.] Nol shrugged. [But you have to admit, they did their best.]
"Welcome to Eternal Day City, Mr. Ross." The lead guard nodded coldly. "The Blanco family moved to Crystal Street last year. Please don't get lost."
"Thank you for the reminder."
Nol massaged the pinched spots on his body as an old man behind him squealed when he was twisted.
The moment they crossed the city gate, a system notification eagerly popped up.
[Rare Area Quest: Monster Manor]
[Normal Completion: Help Eternal Day City deal with The Manor's threat.]
[Perfect Completion: Help Eternal Day City deal with The Manor's threat; Uncover the mystery behind The Lord of the Manor's power.]
[Quest Rewards: Money [Normal]; Reputation in Eternal Day City [Normal]; Skill Enhancement Stone [Perfect]; Permanent Land Deed (Small) [Perfect].]
[Failure Penalty: Ban from entering Eternal Day City.]
Nol suddenly stopped, and Teest nearly bumped into his back.
…Why did a system quest involve his potential neighbor?
The system shouldn't have a stance. If it was naturally on the side of humans, there wouldn't be quests like "Save the succubus tribe". And even if Players had to combat monsters, they should be predetermined monsters. But now, it clearly showed hostility toward "The Manor". Nol wished he could access its code and logs.
There must be many secrets inside The Manor. This trip was truly worthwhile.
[Skill enhancement stone? Permanent land deed?] Teest's voice brought Nol back to the present. [These don't sound very valuable.]
[The skill enhancement stone is valuable, the land deed is average. I'll explain it to you later.] Nol shook his head. [It's not dark yet. Do you want to see your distant relatives?]
[Of course… Yes.]
Teest's reply was unusually hesitant. He quickly glanced at Nol. [Remember not to mention any relation to the Flama family. Just say you're from the Aquina branch.]
How suspicious.
Nol hummed in response and headed towards Crystal Street.
There were hardly any vendors selling vegetables or grains on both sides of the street. Occasionally, when one was spotted, the prices were shockingly high. Out of every ten pedestrians, barely one had a smile on their face, and three out of five shops had their doors firmly shut.
One could tell that the main street hadn't been cleaned for a long time as Nol could smell rotting rats—a sight hard to imagine on the entrance street of Grape Collar.
Even in the upper town on Crystal Street, the situation wasn't much better.
The Blanco family's house was still quite grand, standing out immensely in the upper town. Its architectural style was a blend of Shiva and Gemino styles, full of vitality, but the vines and hedges on the fence had all died.
Upon seeing a "lone" young stranger, the old servant who came to the door looked stern.
"I am Ross from the Aquina family," Nol quickly said. "I came to Eternal Day City for work and wanted to greet…"
"We have no jobs or money for you," the old man said gruffly. "Only a dinner. Nothing more."
[Old Dill's temper is still so bad,] Teest thought. [Even in the wealthiest times of the Flama family, he couldn't crack a smile.]
"Well, I apologize for the intrusion." Nol bowed politely. "I actually just wanted to meet someone reliable to learn about the city… Of course, I'm willing to pay for any information."
Old Dill gave him a skeptical look, from the not-so-fancy cloak to the mud-streaked shoes, and said, "Come in."
Inside the house, the atmosphere was no different from the outside—gloomy and lifeless. All the vases were empty.
"A few months ago, the masters went to seek refuge," Old Dill said with a hoarse voice. "Only a few servants remain to look after the mansion. We have the right to decide to let you stay. If you change your mind, you can still leave."
It seemed he considered Nol as some poor relative coming to mooch.
"I just wanted some information," Nol said, maintaining a polite smile.
"Then you can dine with us." Old Dill paused briefly. "Dinner includes turnips, beans, pickled meat, and eggs. I'll call you when it's ready. Wait in the reception room for now."
He pointed to a door and left without saying another word.
...
[Your idea isn't bad. The information here should be more reliable than what's out there.] Nol relaxed in an armchair in the reception room.
[It was your idea,] Teest grunted. [I just suggested we come and see.]
Things were getting awkward again. Recently, the reasons for the Mad Monk's displeasure seemed more and more peculiar. After pondering for five minutes without any conclusion, Nol decided to observe his surroundings.
The reception room still retained its former spaciousness and splendor, but the vases remained empty.
Nol looked up. The room was adorned with numerous portraits of men, women, young, and old—likely notable members of the Blanco family.
His gaze rested on a portrait of a beautiful woman holding an empty vase, which seemed rather old with some peeling paint.
[Do the Blanco family have an obsession with empty vases?] Nol couldn't help but ask.
Teest didn't answer immediately. He was engrossed in browsing a bookshelf nearby. Soon, he came over excitedly with an old photo album.
Nol made space for him, placing the album on his lap. [What's this?]
[The Flama family.] Teest pointed to a particular old photograph.
Nol was stunned.
Although the photo had faded slightly, the facial features were clear. At the time, Teest's younger sister wasn't born yet. Mr. and Mrs. Flama smiled radiantly at the camera, with a young boy and girl in front of them, also beaming with happiness.
The only one not smiling was an incredibly cute little boy held by Mrs. Flama. His gaze was directed outside the frame.
In the photo, the entire family had brown hair and golden eyes, showing some Wilder characteristics.
[That was me when I was young. Dad dyed my hair for me.] Teest pointed to the little boy who wasn't smiling.
Nol gently ran his finger over the photo. It was strange. Beneath those radiant smiles, the tragic memories of severed heads faded in his mind.
Teest shifted his weight, leaning closer.
"I'd like to reintroduce my family," he said softly.
The author has something to say:
Teest: (A bit unsure about what to do, so he snuggles.)
Nol: (Even though he knows exactly what to do, he can't resist snuggling too.)
The young couple snuggles!