Underground City
[The Dark Side]
Han Dong was not surprised at all by this information.
Han Dong himself would build underground fortifications in his manor, let alone the Holy City.
From many details, Han Dong was able to guess the existence of the dark side.
After all, in this world order, the Holy City must maintain absolute stability... Many troublesome matters need to be dealt with quickly and secretly.
Furthermore, the higher-ups were aware of the presence of spies from outside the city within the Holy City.
This requires stepping outside the obvious and investigating from the shadows.
Han Dong just didn't expect that.
In the shadows, there exists a 'school institution' similar to the Royal Knights Academy... specifically designed to train special talents who operate in the dark.
Mr. Black and White's reminder, to some extent, indicates that the students below must all have unique characteristics and be difficult to deal with.
"Yes, I'll keep that in mind... Perfect timing, next time I'll take the opportunity of meeting with Commander Malone to go underground and take a look."
"Be extra careful when you first go to the Underground Area."
[The Dark Side] To a certain extent, it is independent of the Holy City, not bound by the Holy City's laws, and not directly controlled by the Supreme Council. The humans living below will never care about your identity.
However, unexpected opportunities exist in this region filled with disorder and chaos.
Many rare materials that are unavailable in the Holy City may be sold in the Dark Side... Now that the Dark Side is fully open to the public, opportunities will naturally increase.
"Good..."
At this moment, Mr. Black and White pushed the brewed cocktail in front of Han Dong: "With the election just around the corner, have you already chosen your Knight Order?"
Mia answered first, "I'm not quite sure yet... If any Knight Order takes a liking to me, I'm willing to go."
However, Mr. Black and White's question was clearly aimed at Han Dong.
Let's see how Han Dong responds.
During the Great Betrayer Incident six months ago, two high-ranking Knight Order extended olive branches to Han Dong, especially Malone, who openly wanted to recruit Han Dong into the Hell Knight Order.
"I am willing to follow your arrangements..."
In this matter, Han Dong did not insist on joining a particular Knight Order.
Mr. Black and White and White had done Han Dong a favor, and as long as Mr. Black and White allowed him to stay in the Plague Knights... no matter what benefits Commander Malone offered, Han Dong would not waver in the slightest.
"I have no special plans for you... Just follow your heart and choose accordingly."
The Hell Knight Order and the Terminus Knight Order are both excellent choices.
However, there is one thing I need to remind you of.
Before making a decision, you must understand the characteristics and rules of the Thirteen Knights, and determine whether the internal system of the Knight Order is in line with your personality and goals, and whether it will limit your development.
This year's Knight Selection is undoubtedly the grandest in history, and the conditions offered by the thirteen Knight Order are bound to be more generous than in previous years.
We must strive to gain the upper hand in the general election and secure the greatest possible opportunity.
"I will definitely do it."
This concludes Mr. Black and White's audience.
Han Dong also a little surprised. He thought that Mr. Black and White would ask him to stay in the Plague Knights... but he didn't make any requests during the conversation.
As Han Dong stepped down from the Dark Moon Tower, a hint of curiosity flashed in his eyes.
"Mia, now that the Dark Side is fully open to the public, shall we go take a look together?"
"Sure... I'll go anywhere as long as I'm with you."
However, I heard from my witch teacher that the "dark side" is much more chaotic than we imagine. Before we go there, we'd better prepare our identities in advance.
Hehe... How about we pretend to be a couple?
"It's best to just cover up your appearance properly."
Han Dong's Beak Mask Attire has proven incredibly effective at concealing his identity.
Mia could only pout, covering her body with her cloak, revealing only her purple lips... silently following behind Han Dong.
The only entrance to the dark side is the Hades Staircase.
It is not located with the Three Divine Staircases, but is hidden somewhere in the Moslaby River, the river that marks the boundary between the Slums and the inner district.
Rumors suggest that Second City Wall is hidden in the Moslaby River.
Once the outer city walls are breached, the Slums will fall.
The Second City Wall will be raised immediately, and the defensive line will be narrowed inward to ensure the safety of the inner area.
After the parliament decided that the dark side would be fully open to the public.
Many "river ferrymen" wearing Skull Mask and Black Cloak have appeared in the riverside area... They are responsible for guiding people to the entrance to the dark side.
A fee of 10 Copper Coin is required to cross the river each time you board the boat.
This is First Year money for the average person.
The purpose of such high fees is to ensure that those who go to the dark side have at least a certain level of spending power.
The wooden boat gradually sank during its gliding.
The ship's built-in barrier envelops the passengers, keeping the river water outside the barrier.
"The rumors about the Second City Wall are true..."
The bottom of the river is an all-metal structure with numerous steam-driven devices embedded in its walls.
Once activated, it will allow the city walls at the bottom of the river to rise rapidly.
The entrance to the dark side also exists at the bottom of the river.
Obviously.
The Second City Wall, buried deep in the riverbed, is also the underground city wall of the 'dark side', ensuring that the Underground Area is not invaded by external objects.
When the boat collides with the muddy walls of the riverbed, it instantly penetrates the walls due to the connection of the shared origin and sails into a small river in a cave.
Not far away, at the end of the stream, lies a set of steps leading downwards.
It is part of the Hades Staircase and leads to a hidden, dark area.
"This..."
As you descend the stairs, you officially enter the dark side.
When the magnificent underground city was fully revealed, both Han Dong and Mia were stunned.
The ' Second City Wall ' at the lower end of the inner city's ring river, the Moslaby River, served as a copper barrier, encasing the underground city.
The total height of the underground space reaches 300 meters.
They are building a city of the dead, similar to the one described in Homeric Epic.
Each street in the city features a unique building called a "Pillar Building"—a cylindrical, tower-like structure with numerous Bundle Column or pointed ribbed vaults.
The Pillar Building is much taller than other buildings in the Underground Area, and as the tallest building in the underground city, it directly connects with the ground.
It served both as a bird's-eye view, allowing the Knight Order to observe and scout the overall situation of the Underground Area, and as a supporting pillar, ensuring that the upper Holy City would not collapse when subjected to a strong impact.
These Pillar Building are evenly distributed, numbering nearly a thousand.
The other buildings in the Dark City are all no more than three stories high... After all, there aren't many people living below, and low-rise buildings are easier to manage.
Because the dark side is open to the outside.
The streets paved with black cobblestones were now filled with a large number of outsiders wearing cloaks and face coverings or masks, making the once somewhat desolate underground city bustling with activity.
Because it is not subject to the rules of the Holy City, many special items are sold here.
"Honey, shall we go take a look over there? The election is coming up soon, maybe we can buy some powerful items down there."
Mia immediately spotted the store at the end of the street called [Market Entrance-7].