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 came to mind, Dainsleif emerged 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 merely point-to-point but forms a complete network structure."]
Furina exclaimed in amazement, 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 somewhat 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 mentioned 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 emergency food.
"I feel like you're thinking something 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 argument.
"Seeing you both still so lively brings me relief," Dainsleif said, appearing.
"Eek!? He's here!" Paimon exclaimed.
"He's here!" Lumine echoed, the two making Dainsleif seem like some terrifying monster.
This time, 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 method was simple: Dainsleif directly gave Lumine the answers.
[Dainsleif: "The strangeness of this place lies in… the environment here is weakening the effects of the 'curse.'"]
["At this very moment, my body is strongly urging me to—'stay here.'"]
The Hilichurls came here simply because this place offered them a moment 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 moments before their self completely disappeared, the Hilichurls would come 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 immediately 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 me? They should be beating me up! Hit me! Hit me!!
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 came 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 something inside.
When the Traveler approached, they didn't attack immediately. Instead, they let out roars, as if threatening the Traveler, trying to make her back off.
[Former 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 name 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 became 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 aimed at the Traveler. They were meant for the Hilichurls—meaning, "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."