At the edge of the void, two fortresses rose from the ground within three minutes.
It is not an ordinary stone building, but a military fortress formed by magic, combining defense and functionality.
The black walls were covered with runes, which gleamed dimly against the deep purple sky.
The towers stood tall, the crenellations were neatly arranged, and the city gates were heavy and imposing.
Every detail has been carefully designed, making it both beautiful and practical.
"Create Fortress", a tenth-tier magic.
In YGGDRASIL, this spell is rarely used because players rarely need to stay in one place for an extended period.
But in New World, on the edge of a void that requires long-term surveillance, its value is immeasurable.
Higashino Makoto stood atop the eastern fortress, looking down at the hollow below.
The distorted spatial patterns were reflected in her golden eyes, and her long, silvery-white hair fluttered in the wind.
Beneath her fair skin flowed faint ripples.
He still retains the hybrid form of the Time-Eroding Insect and the Space Devourer, and has not changed back.
It's not that I forgot, but rather that I felt I might still need it.
Tingyun stood behind him, her Kohaku eyes looking at him, her fox tail swaying gently behind her.
She didn't speak, but stood there quietly, like a delicate statue.
"Tingyun."
"Exist."
"Kurumi and Haimi arrived yet?"
"We've arrived. We're currently familiarizing ourselves with the surroundings inside the fortress."
Higashino Makoto nodded, turned around, and walked down the tower.
The interior of the fortress is more complex than the exterior.
The corridors meander and twist, and the rooms vary in size and function.
Armory, food depot, magic circle room, communications room, lounge... each room is equipped with the necessary facilities and props.
The mercenaries moved through the corridors, carrying supplies and setting up defenses, busy but orderly.
Higashino Makoto walked through several corridors, pushed open a heavy wooden door, and entered a spacious room.
Inside the room, two people were sitting at the table drinking tea.
A girl dressed in a black and red maid outfit, with black twin tails hanging down her shoulders, her right eye half-closed, and a half-smile playing on her lips.
A black cat lay on her lap, its golden eyes half-open and half-closed, its tail swaying gently.
Tokisaki Kurumi.
The other was wearing a pink backless dress, with golden curls cascading over her shoulders, and her crimson eyes held a hint of aloofness.
Her fingers tapped lightly on the table, the rhythm sometimes fast and sometimes slow, as if she were thinking about something.
Gokusai Kaibi.
Upon seeing Higashino Makoto enter, the two stood up simultaneously.
"Higashino."
"Higashino."
Higashino Makoto waved his hand, gesturing for them to sit down.
No need for formalities.
He sat down opposite the two of them, with Tingyun standing behind him, her fox tail gently resting on his shoulder.
"You all know the situation. The Void connects to another world, and we need to figure out what's on the other side, but don't take risks. Only summoned creatures and mercenaries are allowed to explore; none of you are permitted to enter the Void yourself."
Kurumi's right eye curved into a crescent moon.
"My lord, are you worried about me?"
I'm worried about all of you.
Higashino Makoto's tone was flat.
"That void is distorted in both time and space. If you go in, you might not come out unscathed. Even if you do, you might not emerge unharmed, so you are not allowed to go in."
Kurumi stopped smiling and gave a slight bow.
"Yes, sir."
Gokusai Kaibi nodded, a serious glint flashing in her crimson eyes.
"Sir, what is the scope of our exploration?"
"Explore the interior of the void first. Figure out how those spatial rifts and twisted patterns work. Then, consider the other side."
He paused.
"Aura and Demiurge have been sent by Ainz. The four of you will work together. Share intelligence and resources; don't fight alone."
"Yes, sir."
They both responded simultaneously.
Higashino Makoto stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the huge void.
"I'll be waiting for your news in Novas-Étienne. Contact me immediately if you encounter any situations you can't handle; don't try to be a hero."
"Yes, sir."
Higashino Makoto turned around and walked towards the door.
Tingyun followed behind him, her fox tail swaying gently.
He stopped at the door without turning around.
Kurumi.
"Exist."
"You have time-related abilities and resistance to spatial distortions within the void. But don't let that make you careless. I don't want any of you to get into trouble, understand?"
Kurumi's right eye narrowed slightly.
"I understand."
Higashino Makoto nodded and stepped out of the room.
The door closed behind him.
Kurumi leaned back in her chair, her right eye fixed on the ceiling, her fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.
"Ayomi."
"Um."
What do you think is on the other side of that hole?
Gokusai Kaibi picked up her teacup and took a small sip.
"I don't know, but whatever makes Lord Higashino so cautious must be something extraordinary."
Kurumi chuckled softly.
"That's true."
She lowered her head and looked at the black cat on her lap.
"Zafkiel, what do you say?"
Meow~
The black cat meowed once, its tail swaying gently.
Kurumi's right eye curved into a crescent moon.
"Then let's go take a look."
Novas Etier, Seventh Floor, Private Study.
Higashino Makoto sat behind his desk, a huge sheet of parchment spread out in front of him.
The paper was filled with hollow cross-sectional drawings, with every detail meticulously marked: the distorted spatial patterns, the broken layers, and the occasional cracks that appeared and disappeared.
Tingyun stood behind him, holding a cup of hot tea, her Kohaku eyes fixed on the blueprint.
"My lord, you have been watching for two hours now."
"Um."
"Take a break."
"Need not."
Higashino Makoto picked up a quill pen and added a few more strokes to the drawing.
"Tingyun."
"Exist."
"What do you think we should do if the world on the other side is far more powerful than ours? Can this void be closed?"
Tingyun silent for a moment.
"This humble woman... does not know."
"We don't need to take any risks. To be honest, I'm more worried about the threat from the other world than the resources they might bring."
Higashino Makoto put down his pen, leaned back in his chair, and stared at the ceiling with his golden eyes.
"And Ainz probably thought the same thing. He told me he hoped this void never existed."
Higashino Makoto closed his eyes and began to consider the World Item he possessed, pondering a feasible path.
The "Sand Scepter" can control the desert.
But emptiness is not a desert; it's chaotic space. Therefore, it won't work.
Seed of the World Tree.
The "Seed of the World Tree" can change races.
But a void is not a living thing; it is space.
He put the box back in the drawer and took out a prop from his backpack.
It was a silver-white ring, about ten centimeters in diameter, with its surface covered in intricate runes.
At the center of the ring is Void.
"The Creator".