When Mavuika admitted that she was inferior to Ronava, there was a moment of silence.
The expressions on the faces of the Natlan people who were watching changed from jeering to astonishment. Several young warriors covered their heads with their hands, mouths agape, while Kachina squeezed to the front, her eyes filled with shock.
" Pyro Archon Vulcan... lost?"
"I lost. I let everyone down."
Mavuika turned to the crowd and spoke.
She swept her red hair back, walked up to Ronava, and extended her hand. Ronava looked at her hand and took it.
Ronava withdrew her hand and led Lin En back.
Mavuika stood there, watching her figure disappear around the corner of the stone house, then turned her head and asked Xilonen a question.
When will the car be fixed?
Xilonen shrugged, indicating that he was powerless to help.
After resting for a night in the Children of Echoes, Ronava woke Lin En before dawn the next day.
Lin En groggily got up, tied up his bundle, and followed her out of the stone house. The settlement was still quiet, with only a few early-rising dragon beasts strolling leisurely in the open space.
" Natlan's Celestial Nail is in the Night Kingdom."
Ronava spoke as she walked.
" Natlan's Celestial Nail is different from others; it's not on the real ground. The Night Kingdom is Natlan's underworld, and ordinary people can't enter; a special passage is required."
Do you know where the passage is?
Lin En took a bite of the biscuit she carried with her, swallowed it, and said something.
"Um."
Ronava took out a folded piece of paper from her sleeve, on which a simple map was drawn.
"The black stone tablet is one of the entrances to the Night Kingdom."
The two left the settlement and walked along the dirt road to the north for a while, eventually finding the stone tablet behind a low rock wall.
The stone tablet is entirely black, with intricate gold patterns engraved on its surface.
Ronava placed her hand on the stone tablet, and black energy surged into her palm.
The patterns on the stone tablet lit up for a moment, then split open from the middle, revealing a dark portal that slowly unfolded. Behind the portal was complete darkness, and nothing could be seen.
"Walk."
Lin En followed her inside, and the moment her feet touched the floor, a cool sensation shot up from the soles of her feet, a world completely different from the heat outside.
The portal closed behind him, and it was very dark all around. He could only see a short distance away, with a dark blue light hanging overhead. Lin En looked up for several seconds before he realized that it was Celestial Nail.
"This place..."
Lin En looked around, but he couldn't see anything in the darkness. He could only vaguely feel the hard rocky ground beneath his feet, and in the distance, there seemed to be some blurry outlines, like hills or buildings, but they were all dark and gloomy.
"Is there a ghost?"
He looked around again and felt a chill, as if countless eyes were watching him.
" The Night Kingdom is located deep within the Natlan Ley Lines."
Ronava's voice came from the darkness.
"In reality, when the Natlan people die, their souls pass through this place; they're kind of like ghosts. Normally, no living people come here."
" The Ruler of Death?"
A deep voice came from the side. Lin En turned his head and saw a figure emerge from the darkness.
"A ghost!!!"
Lin En yelled and hid behind Ronava.
He was a tall man, dressed in dark clothes, with an old scar on his face running from his forehead to his chin, and sharp, steady eyes.
Capitano, First Seat of the Fatui Harbinger, the Captain.
Lin En subconsciously moved closer to Ronava, Ronava gaze fell on Capitano.
"Um?"
I never expected to run into you here.
Capitano stopped a few steps away, his gaze sweeping between Ronava and Lin En.
Who is this?
Lin En said.
" Lin En."
Capitano nodded to Lin En as a greeting.
When Lin En was on Earth, he respected the Captain very much. He was kind, strong, and always put the big picture first, making him a true hero.
Now that he's seen her in person, he even has the urge to go up and ask for her autograph.
What are you doing here?
Ronava asked.
" The Ley Lines here don't fully accept me, so they've remained in this state."
Capitano raised his hand; his body was translucent, shimmering faintly in the blue light.
What are you doing here?
"For the Nail of Retribution."
Ronava said.
" The Nail of Retribution? Two people entered the Night Kingdom a few days ago. They seemed to have made some kind of modification. After they left, I checked it out myself; it appears to be an energy enhancement device."
Capitano recalled earnestly that ever since entering the Night Kingdom, he had felt a sense of rejection, and his memory had been deteriorating.
Asmoday?
"Hmm? You know him?"
Capitano tilted his head to look at the Celestial Nail above him.
"She left after setting up the device. I tried to get closer, but that barrier repels souls, so I couldn't get in. You'd better be careful; that device is no simple matter."
"Know."
Ronava nodded.
Lin En looked up at the Celestial Nail, the dark golden light reflecting on his face. He suddenly noticed that there was indeed a very faint, almost invisible pattern around the nail, like a spider web extending outward from the nail and disappearing into the darkness.
What is she doing setting up the energy enhancement device?
He asked, "The other Celestial Nail all show signs of energy extraction, so why is Natlan the only one that's been enhanced? What is she planning to do?"
"Have no idea."
Ronava said.
"But based on my understanding of her, she wouldn't act without a purpose, and since she has already pledged allegiance to a new master, she is even less trustworthy."
Ronava looked at the barrier above her head and remained silent for a few moments.
"Could she be planning to use the Celestial Nail? No, the Celestial Nail can't actually harm Phanes at all, so why..."
Ronava withdrew her gaze and looked at Capitano.
When did she arrive?
A few days ago.
Capitano said.
"If you need to break the barrier, I can help you."
Ronava looked at him, her golden eyes scrutinizing him.
Why did you help us?
Capitano was silent for a few seconds.
"Although I don't know what's happening outside, I feel you've changed; you're no longer that aloof and superior person."
He added.
"Moreover, the Abyss is infiltrating deeper and deeper into Natlan. If this nail can help fight the Abyss, then I will be helping the entire Natlan."
Lin En looked at Capitano's face. The way this man spoke, looked at people, and made decisions all suggested that he carried responsibility on his shoulders.
Thank you.
Ronava spoke, she turned to the Celestial Nail above her head and took out the spear, black energy flowing through its body.
"You two, please stand guard near the portal. If anyone tries to come in from the outside, block them."
"Good."
The two spoke in unison.
Ronava raised her spear, and the patterns on the barrier began to flash violently as the spear tip approached, causing the entire Night Kingdom to tremble.
Attracted by the commotion, many monsters rushed over.
Thank you so much, Mr. Crow in the Rain, for the amazing certification! If you don't abandon me, I'm willing to become your godfather (◦˙▽˙◦)