The Sky Fortress Chaos Breaker. I first saw it when I was about two years old, having been reincarnated into this world. At that time, this castle in the sky, reminiscent of a Studio Ghibli animation, didn't feel real to me at all. Its existence back then served only as a constant reminder: this was a world of swords and magic.
After twenty years of hard work, I have finally stood upon the Sky City I had gazed at for two decades. Any boy who loves anime would have dreamed of this castle in his childhood. Now, it is finally beneath my feet. Joe Hisaishi's "Carrying You" seemed to echo in my ears, and I couldn't help but hum the melody under my breath.
Nanahoshi was clearly not visiting this castle for the first time, but after seeing the joy and inner excitement on my face, the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.
After stepping out of the teleportation magic circle room, a massive white castle appeared before my eyes. The fortress floated above a sea of clouds, its fifty-story spires piercing through the churning mist. Gothic pinnacles and spiral staircases flickered in and out of view amidst the clouds, like a giant's chessboard from mythology.
The castle's outer walls were composed of some kind of Evernight Crystal, refracting a rainbow-like halo. Even more staggering was its scale; even looking down from the edge of the clouds a hundred meters away, the fortress still looked like a shrunken miniature, its sharp outlines forming an absurd contrast with the ant-like forests on the ground.
As the first gust of wind pierced the airflow, a sea of eternal flowers maintained by magic suddenly bloomed in the floating garden. When the petals fell, they actually condensed into star-like trails in mid-air.
"This is the domain of my master, Perugius."
A cold voice drifted down from the clouds. A woman clad in a pure white haori robe stood silently at the edge of the magic circle, the night raven feather ornaments on her mask trembling slightly with her breath. She tapped her toes lightly, and pitch-black wings as deep as the abyss unfolded behind her, obscuring the drifting clouds across half the sky.
When I looked, those wings that blotted out the sun didn't make a sound. Only the air currents whipped up by magic stirred the sea of clouds into a vortex, revealing the faint mountains and forests below.
She must be the narrow-minded Shivalir. I stepped forward respectfully and bowed, saying:
"Hello, beautiful lady. I am Daolin Prodia Grellat. I am very sorry for the intrusion and for disturbing your peace. I offer you my apologies."
Nanahoshi seemed a bit helpless seeing me being so complimentary and shook her head. She gave Shivalir a simple greeting.
Seeing my complimentary attitude, Shivalir seemed to be in a good mood. She replied:
"I am the first servant of Lord Perugius, known as The Void, Shiwalier. You are guests permitted by Lord Perugius to enter the Sky Fortress Chaos Breaker; you need not apologize to me. I will take you to an audience with Lord Perugius. Follow me!"
Then she led the way with elegant steps.
Nanahoshi and I followed behind her.
The actual size of the Sky Fortress Chaos Breaker wasn't very large; it was probably about the same size as my family's ancestral castle back home.
But considering the weight of history here and its ability to float in the sky, this must be the most unique castle on the entire continent.
Along the way, I kept observing the reliefs and murals. Since there was no time to stop and look, I could only take a general glance.
Most of the murals and stone carvings depicted the Laplace Campaign from 400 years ago. These must have been commissioned by Perugius over the last 400 years, right?
However, from some of the details in the stone carvings, it was clear that the age of this sky castle definitely exceeded 400 years. I saw stone carvings on the walls with shapes similar to those in the Water God's tomb, the 'Evernight Tide Abyss'.
That would prove this castle has at least 10,000 years of history. I wonder if this Sky City was also floating in the air before 400 years ago.
After walking for about four minutes, we arrived at the Audience Chamber in the center of the castle.
Nanahoshi and I stood on either side of the velvet carpet below. Seated on the throne above was a man radiating an overwhelming presence. He had silver hair and golden vertical pupils similar to Orsted's. Unlike Orsted, his face wasn't as terrifying, but he also exuded a kingly aura—majestic yet wise. Looking at him gave one the urge to submit.
I suppressed the excitement in my heart. Without waiting for Nanahoshi to introduce me, I performed an Asura Noble salute and spoke to the king on high:
"It is an honor to meet you, Armor Dragon King Perugius. I am Daolin Prodia Grellat. Thank you very much for allowing us to step onto the Sky Fortress Chaos Breaker. I am honored to be granted this audience upon your invitation."
"I am the Armor Dragon King Perugius Dora. So, you are Daolin Prodia Grellat? Teleporting you here took a bit of effort."
"I have heard of your deeds. I heard your magic is quite excellent, reaching the level of a King-level Magician at only twenty years old. Your mana reminds me of Laplace. If you had resisted seriously, I would not have been able to teleport you."
Is this an affirmation of my strength? Wait, wasn't this line also said to Rudy?
"Thank you very much for your praise."
"Nanahoshi! Since you have come here, does it mean you have found some clues regarding your otherworldly summoning?"
"Are you prepared to return here to continue studying Summoning Magic?"
I looked at Nanahoshi, and she looked at me at the same time. When our eyes met, she looked away in a panic.
"Lord Perugius, my mastery of otherworldly summoning is still under research, and I have no better results yet. I have come this time to borrow the teleportation magic circle to go to Sharia."
"Currently, I do not plan to study Summoning Magic here. I will continue to come back and seek your guidance after I have made some efforts on my own."
"Hm, very well. You may come to study Summoning Magic at any time. My doors are always open to you. Shivalir, go prepare the teleportation magic circle. Daolin Prodia Grellat, are you also here to borrow the teleportation magic circle?"
"Yes, Lord Perugius. However, I am very fond of your castle. Although I may not be able to stay long this time due to the urgency, may I apply to visit your castle again in the future?"
"All the carvings, murals, and stone sculptures in this castle have a great sense of history and aesthetic value. I like it here very much."
"I have developed a Messenger Summoning Magic of my own. I can give it to you for free. Although my Summoning Magic may seem like child's play to you, it is a token of my gratitude. I hope you will accept it."
I took out the summoning messenger scroll I had made earlier.
Perugius nodded. Almanfi, who was beside him, came down, took my summoning scroll, and respectfully handed it to Perugius.
After observing my summoning scroll for a while, no expression could be seen on Perugius's face, but he spoke:
"Did you create this summoning scroll?"
"Yes, Lord Perugius. I am helping Nanahoshi research otherworldly summoning in Sharia. This is a type of Summoning Magic I developed based on my own understanding of Summoning Magic during the research period."
"Hmm, it is indeed very creative. I agree to let you visit my palace. In fact, as long as you asked, I would not have refused you. But this magic scroll of yours is indeed very thoughtful."
"Very well. Daolin Prodia Grellat, I agree to let you bring your friends to visit my palace next time. You should have a need to bring people here. When the time comes, just blow this whistle at the designated location."
Why do I feel like my thoughts have been seen through? Does he know something?
Judging from the original story, Ariel encountered Perugius in basically every timeline. I have reason to believe that Perugius is also observing Ariel.
I didn't think too much about it. I'll think about these things slowly after I leave!
I accepted the whistle, which was the same model as Nanahoshi's, and said respectfully:
"Thank you very much, Lord Perugius, for your magnanimity."
Perugius didn't say much, and the teleportation circle was quickly prepared. Nanahoshi and I stepped into the circle together and returned to the outskirts of Sharia.
Of course, the Silly Bird came back with us as well. Although I didn't see it during our audience just now, it was standing next to the teleportation circle when we were sent back. It seems Almanfi helped us by bringing the Silly Bird along to the Sky Fortress.
Exiting the ruins of the teleportation circle, I flew into the sky to check our direction; this place shouldn't be far from Sharia. We then rushed toward Sharia together.
Nanahoshi and I remained very silent throughout the journey back.
I was considering some details of this adventure.
Orsted leaving midway and bringing Nanahoshi along must have been planned in advance, or perhaps he didn't have that intention initially.
However, after Nanahoshi took the initiative to ask to come along, he must have designed it that way.
Leaving us ahead of time and giving us the coordinates for Perugius's teleportation circle... He must have known that Nanahoshi had a way to contact Perugius.
His main purpose was to give me the opportunity to meet Perugius, after which I would introduce Perugius to Ariel.
He really went through a lot of trouble just to ensure Ariel becomes the Queen.
I now feel that even his taking me to the ruins of the First Generation Water God was one of the calculated steps. If Nanahoshi hadn't come, he might have personally taken me to the Sky Fortress himself.
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