Within a vast, circular chamber, the formation on the floor suddenly lit up at this moment.
Thereafter, the space suddenly twisted, and bright light flickered out, and Aceâs cloaked figure stepped from the formation onto smooth blackstone tiles veined with streaks of abyssal crystal.
He looked around and saw the circular chamberâs vaulted dome covered in runic etchings that pulsed faintly with suppressed spatial power. Heavy obsidian pillars encircled the space, carved with ghostly patterns that seemed to shift whenever one looked directly at them.
Unlike the bustling public teleportation arrays of lesser cities, this one was deathly still, its silence only broken by the faint hum of power lingering in the air. It wasnât difficult to understand whyâthis array was forbidden to all but one person; the Dread Duchess herself!
At this moment, Aceâs eyes flickered slightly as he caught faint whispers of movement before a tall, elegant abyssal devil entered the chamber.
He was clad in flowing robes of midnight silk embroidered with faint silver patterns, his horns long and polished, his bearing exuding the natural authority of one who had ruled for a long time.
The moment he saw the array had been activated, his composure nearly cracked. His soul quiveredâhe had been certain it must be Her Highness herself. Dropping every matter at hand, he had rushed here with his heart thundering.
But when he arrived, his gaze landed not upon the dreaded Duchess of Myriad Hollow but upon a cloaked figure whose presence was deep, unfathomable, yet not oppressive. Relief surged within him like a crashing tide.
Still, that relief did not loosen his caution. For a figure capable of using
this
teleportation array could only mean one thing. This mysterious man had an extraordinary relationship with the Dread Duchess herself.
Thus, the abyssal devil bent with perfect respect, his voice smooth and deferential, "This Earl greets esteemed guest. Welcome to the Black Hermit City. I am Khazar, the appointed Lord of this city."
Ace arched a brow under his hood, faintly surprised by the other partyâs real identity, not to mention his overly polite tone and enthusiasm. Even though he hadnât revealed anything of note, he was greeted as if he were some honored guest.
But then suddenly, a thought pricked at the back of his mind, and his thiefâs instincts stirred,
âSo, Mirage Shadow mustâve used a teleportation channel reserved for the Dread Duchess, and itâs not doubt she had the Duchessâs permission. Thatâs why, when the teleportation channel was activated, the City Lord was alarmed and hurried over here to welcome the Duchess â but instead, he found me.
âMoreover, Mirage Shadow must be watching from within my shadow... just like Vaultkeeper before. So, I can safely assume that this warm welcome isnât aimed at meâitâs aimed at someone with an extraordinary relationship with the Duchess or at the shadow behind me!â
For a fleeting moment, Aceâs gaze dropped to the ground where his own shadow lay still against the blackstone. He felt the faint ripple of alien existence hidden within it.
He truly wanted to pry into that ability or spellâmelding into anotherâs shadow so seamlesslyâbut hesitation held him back. If it were a bloodline skill of the abyss, asking would be meaningless.
Still, if the chance came, he might ask, and perhaps the Dread Duchess herself might not mind explaining.
He didnât let his real thought or amusement show. Instead, his tone was calm and polite, "I see. This junior is Nomad, and Iâm only here for a personal matter, nothing to worry, Lord Khazar."
Khazar, meanwhile, smiled faintly, the gleam in his devilish eyes betraying his thoughts,
âThis Nomad didnât carry himself with arrogance, despite his connection to the Duchess. Amiable, measured, even a little approachable. Such figures are rare and dangerous, but also opportunities revolve around them...â
"Lord Nomad," Khazar continued warmly, "It would be beneath me to allow such a distinguished guest to leave without proper hospitality. May I invite you to my Lordâs Castle? The Black Hermit City is yours to command, but at the very least, you must permit me to host a grand welcoming meal in your honor."
âDoes he want to use my connection with the Dread Duchess to have a favorable impression? Tsk, typical...but itâs also a chance for me...â
Ace didnât reveal his true intentions and paused as if considering, then inclined his head. "Then I shall accept out of courtesy. Iâll trouble Lord Khazar."
Khazarâs heart swelled with satisfaction, but his face showed only composed gratitude. He gestured elegantly, and together they departed the teleportation hall.
The chamber doors opened with a resonant groan, revealing the teleportation pointâs outer hall. It was shaped like a labyrinth of onyx corridors, its walls etched with spirals of abyssal inscriptions, flickering dimly in ghostly light.
Guards in jet-black armor stood like statues, their crimson eyes forward, betraying neither recognition nor thought. The atmosphere here was silent, disciplined, suffocating.
But as the two figures crossed the last threshold, the darkness broke, and the Black Hermit City unfolded.
From the high steps of the teleportation hall, Aceâs gaze fell over a sprawling metropolis built upon a vast plateau of shadowed stone.
Its streets gleamed faintly silver under the glow of abyssal lanterns, each one fueled by some unknown ghostly flame. Tall spires rose like jagged teeth against the abyssal sky, their peaks wreathed in veils of mist that drifted like living phantoms.
Crowds thronged the wide boulevardsâdemons of every shade, devils with curling horns, creatures cloaked in black. Yet despite the press of life, an order prevailed, the kind only possible in a city long under the grip of a ruler with steady, ruthless hands.
From the cityâs heart rose a towering silhouetteâthe Lordâs Castle. Built from seamless blocks of black crystal, its structure seemed grown rather than built, as though it had sprouted from the very bones of the abyss.
High walls curled upward like the ribs of a colossal beast, and within them, tiered spires pierced the mist, crowned by banners marked with Khazarâs insigniaâa coiling serpent.
As they approached in a luxurious carriage, Khazar cast a careful sideways glance at Ace and said with practiced warmth, "Lord Nomad, please rest within my castle. I will see to a feast prepared personally for you. It is only fitting that the Black Hermit City honors your presence properly."
His words were honeyed, but his mind was sharp as a blade. In his mind, this Nomad was no ordinary pawn of the Dread Duchess. If he could forge a cordial tie here, perhaps he might strengthen his own standing under Her Highnessâs watchful gaze.
Ace has been watching the city from within the carriage, especially as they approached the Lordâs Castle.
He glanced at Khazar and only gave the faintest of nods, his lips curling in the shadow of his hood, "Very well."
With that, the gates of the Lordâs Castle groaned open, the abyssal light spilling across the blackstone path as the city lord personally guided his cloaked guest within, utterly unaware of the tragedy he was about to start with his own hands!