You Won't Want to Know So Soon

As one of the most famous cities on the Northern Continent, Ban Ard had coordinates imprinted by every Sorcerer capable of casting a teleportation portal.

Lady Vesemir was no exception.

Moreover, as a major distribution hub for magical material and a producer of semi-finished concoctions—such as Jadeswater, Universal Solvent, and Elemental Essence—Ban Ard possessed many rare alchemical materials unavailable anywhere else. Lady Vesemir even had a safehouse in Ban Ard's upper district.

Of course, that was before Ban Ard had been destroyed by the Wild Hunt.

After that, the entire alchemy industry of the Northern Continent suffered a severe blow. Aretuza, on the other hand, profited greatly by becoming the continent's second-largest magical material distribution hub.

But that was beside the point.

Even though Ban Ard City had once been destroyed, Lady Vesemir had not purchased any more property in Ban Ard New City. Still, she had returned to Ban Ard many times afterward, merely setting her portal's destination on a small hill not far from the city.

A hill from which the entire city could be clearly seen. But now...

Standing atop the hill, Lady Vesemir could see only rolling mountains in the distance and a barren wilderness spread before them.

As for the city...

No, forget the city. There was not even a tiny mountain village.

"Mentor," Mary said as she stepped out of the portal. She looked around, then turned in confusion toward the motionless Lady Vesemir. "Where's the next portal?"

"There is no next portal..." Lady Vesemir said.

"Hm?"

Lady Vesemir turned around, her delicate brows tightly drawn. "This... this is Ban Ard. Ban Ard, the City of a Thousand Towers."

"What?" Mary blankly looked around again at the primitive, lifeless landscape.

She froze for a moment, then looked more closely. The mountain rising from the