Great Rift, Origin City.
A bright silver aircraft, trailing pale blue arcs of light, slowly descended onto the spacious airfield.
Compared to the countless flourishing settlements across the wasteland, this settlement nestled deep within the valley appeared rather unremarkable.
A towering gate stood across the center of the valley. Behind it, rows upon rows of houses covered the rock walls, while a glass curtain wall stretching beyond sight enveloped the mountaintop.
The people living here were like recluses cut off from the world. They hurried along in cloaks, their calm expressions impossible to read as either devout solemnity or numbness.
The survivors living in the Great Rift were much like the Great Rift itself. Most of the time, they showed no interest in anything happening beyond the Sacred Shield.
Unless it was time for them to fulfill their ancient covenant.
And that time had come.
Escorted by a squad of soldiers, the aged yet imposing king of the Lion Kingdom slowly made his way down from the airfield.
At his side was an elegant, richly dressed queen who still retained her charm, while behind him followed a group of lovely young girls in the bloom of youth.
Thin veils concealed their tender, beautiful faces, though it was clear that every one of them was a peerless beauty.
Those women were both his palace maids and his ornaments.
At Charlie Lion's age, indulging in pleasure had already become somewhat difficult.
The dazzling gold ornaments covering his body clinked and clanged with his unsteady steps, while the Great Rift soldiers in power armor fitted with high-tech components acted as though they saw nothing.
They cared about nothing else and were responsible only for the attendees' safety.
Watching the elderly king from not far away, Absek especially spared a few extra glances for