64

Rivenstone, as the name suggests, was a city built in the split of a rock. A giant, grainy boulder of grey concrete was split cleanly into four parts. The boulder was as big as a mountain, and the split created narrow gulleys, like a plus symbol.

Those gullies were now filled with flocks of budding mages. Most of them were Level 1. This city was like an administrative city for the Shattared realm; even the mages here had skills that helped them with bookkeeping. And there were non-mages in stalls on the street, huddled together, their faces lacking the shine that humans had as if they were afraid. Bags under their eyes as they did things mechanically.

The city itself was not much developed; scaffoldings were used as support over two-story buildings, with small shops opened in front. Some even used ropes and tied the buildings to the ever-high rock wall. The narrow gulley created an adequate place for the high wind to just roll and rock the whole place every few moments. And the hanging buildings would flap but would stay relatively in place. Iris assumed that's why they were made like that—to make them flexible but not fold over with humans and supplies inside.

Iris had created a barrier around them as they entered the narrow gulley, which was still wide enough to house six rows of houses with space to park cars in between. The city at its highest point of the day was like evening, and in the evening, right now, it was already completely cold. Firelamps were lit up on the street poles, and stalls were set up on the side, selling a few items of local speciality.

Entrance did not take much effort. Once Hecate showed her identification and Ianthe and Iris were with her, they were allowed in, but not before paying five silver. Iris chuckled at that.

Iris’s neck was wrapped in bandages that, according to Ianthe, would not react to her unique situation. Iris had split a weaver’s orb and created two bracelets that were in Hecate and Ianthe’s hands. Since they would be having a look around while she healed in the lodging, Ianthe would arrange the entrance tickets. Tickets were things that people used to enter the Shattered Realm.

"This place is quite different from what I expected," Iris said, trying not to show her village girl awe. She was the most responsible one here.

"Woah, this is amazing!" Iris felt a pang of jealousy at Hecate's lack of care for such a worthless face. Iris swore to do better.

"It truly is," Ianthe breathed, equally in awe, her head turning upwards, trying to find the zenith of the wall that rose from either side of the city. "I cannot help but wonder how someone cut it."

“If you had seen Lady Ilona’s magic on the night of the devil, imagining this happening would have been easier,” Iris said. She was still on her platform, half a foot above the ground; it made her feel like life was short—no! Less super tall. Yes, she was less super tall than Ianthe and Hecate.

“The man we just met—he's the one to split this boulder, though; I do not know how a boulder this big came to be,” Ianthe replied.

“Did he now?" Iris muttered to herself. She could imagine him doing something like this. “Do you know about him?"

“He’s a pissy bastard,” Hecate muttered as she pulled her coat closer, her brows slanted in grimace. She had not said much since their encounter. But it had only been a few hours since then, so Iris wasn’t expecting her to be over it this quickly.

“He’s an ancient—do you know what ancient is?”

“Humans who have lived for more than a century,” Iris replied. They were not a real species of different humans, but they were simply too strong to die of normal life expectancy.

“Raynold Winchester is the man of no institution. In current Ira, where everyone capable of being counted on the list of strongest has found a place of allegiance, he remains unchained. His strength is comparable to Roundtable Rivals, The Emperor Tianming, or people of similar strength."

“Comparable to Master..." Hecate muttered.

Not Ilona, Iris shook her head; it did not matter. “Then, it is a good thing that he was not seriously trying to kill me. What is it that he does now? Other than wandering and scaring younglings?"

“I do not know—he’s named the eccentric lord of roses; I do not know the reason behind it, but I can search for him if you want,” Ianthe replied. She was observing the city.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Hecate spotted something and seemed to want to run off, but Iris was sure that earlier events would chain her to them. If she found something exciting enough, though, Iris knew she would be off.

"Since he doesn't want to meet us, we shouldn't either. Let's find a lodge, and then you two can wander around. But remember, don't get into any conflict without informing me."

"Hm." Hecate nodded. “Don’t worry, I will not find another fight."

“You’re not the one to blame for what happened. Rest easy,” Iris muttered. Was it the third time? Or fourth? Iris did not mind assuring her, that too was something she had expected when she agreed to take Hecate with her.

“I have a feeling this place would be too Rattley for us to sleep,” Iantha said as another gust swept through the gulley.

The stalls had umbrella-like awnings that vendors pulled down to protect their food from the dust and wind. He rushed to the side as another gust buffeted and pulled the awning, saving his cuisine.

“Why have they not plastered the flooring? That way, they would not have to worry about dust,” Hecate said as she sneezed. Iris tilted her; how did dust get past her barrier?

“The question is who will undertake such a job, especially when only people who will benefit from this are non-mages,” Ianthe said. Iris nodded. There were no mages in this area; it was most likely a slum part of the city. “The city is divided into four gulleys and a cross-section; this gulley is a living area for non-mages. We will find our ticket as well as lodging in the centre"

“Huh, this is what the world becomes once Lady Diantha is not in charge of the city."

“Of course, civilians are second-class citizens who do not provide much of an advantage in terms of anything other than mouths to feed, so they are always flocked into the worst part of the city to live in,” Ianthe replied. “We should go; do you want to use those?" She pointed at big buffalo-like animals with horns as big as the body. Their skin was white with a black snout with snot and saliva coming off, and were those flies on their rear?

“No… I can fly both of you faster than that animal would ever,” She created two platforms: “Get on."

“No! I suggest we ride those... Whatever they are, we are travelling; why not experience the local life?

Iris looked at Hecate, betrayed. Iris nodded in despair. “You two can ride, but I have no interest in getting close to that animal."

“You’re a killjoy," Iris ignored Hecate’s words.

“Alright!” Hecate sighed. “We will race to the cross-section... Let’s go!” Hecate dashed.

“Wait!” Ianthe dashed behind her. Only a black and blue afterimage was left by the time Iris began to move. She was not in a hurry. Victory was no doubt hers.

“When will you learn?” Iris muttered and shot forward. A purple spark was left in the spot where she previously stood.

…

They found a somewhat sturdy lodge after capturing Hecate , more than once, from running off into a lodge that hung on ropes, requiring them to climb a dangling ladder.

Iris was tempted to try it, but risking her physical safety was never a good idea. The current lodge was better than the last. It only creaked when Ianthe stepped on it. There were a few splintered planks in the floor, and Iris could see the abyss through the gaps between them.

A tall man was leading them to their room. They had taken one. He wore a checkered robe with a black shawl over it. He spoke very calmly, like a wise sage. His steps were evenly spaced, far enough apart that the strange blanket-like cloth he wore instead of pants never stretched. Somehow, his footsteps also made no sound, even though he was taller than Ianthe and barely fit in the narrow corridor.

“Young ladies, this is the room assigned to your name. Here’s the jade key to open it.”

Ianthe took the key. It was a dim square crystal, red, with something engraved on it. The same engraving was on the door. Both engravings lit up when Ianthe channeled mana. "Thanks," Ianthe said, pocketing the jade key.

"As you requested, there are no sleeping arrangements in this room," the man said as he opened the room. He stepped aside, letting Hecate peek in.

"Wow! How did you empty the room so fast?" Hecate exclaimed.

"It was empty from the very start. We receive many guests who request to use their own sleeping equipment, so we have both rooms with beds and without," he replied sagely.

"Thank you," Iris said. "You can go now if there's nothing else." She peeked in as well. It was mostly an empty room with a desk and chair stacked on top of each other. The walls were clean and free of peeling paint, and the ceiling had a half-hanging plank. It was the best they had found so far, out of a total of five inns.

"There's actually something else," the man said with a bow. "The city has been swept by dark winds, and people have gone missing more than once. It's my humble advice that young ladies like you should not wander out until morning. The missing people are causing problems for our inn as well."

"I understand; we will keep that in mind," Iris replied. "And the food? Can you send it to our room?"

"I apologize, but our inn does not provide room delivery service. Guests are expected to eat in the dining room or parcel their food with their own hands."

"I see… Thank you," Iris said as she stepped in, and Ianthe followed behind. Hecate stared at the man a minute longer, making him step back in confusion.

"Can I help you with something?" he asked, using his loose sleeve to wipe his shiny forehead and bald head.

"It's nothing," Hecate replied. She stepped in, her eyes still trained on the man. Even as she closed the sliding door, she continued to peek at him until it met the edge with a dull thud.

"Was there something on him?" Iris asked. Ianthe laid down their bedding, filling the whole floor, as Hecate and Iris took to the edge.

“I don’t know... I saw something, but I can’t say what. It’s probably related to my Reaper class."

"All right, we should search for a ticket counter tomorrow; you two can go and get the food while I heal."

“Okay, let’s go!” Hecate smiled. “New dishes, new place, new meat to eat!”

Iris chuckled. She raised her hand to her hair, but Winny was not there. Iris sighed in disappointment. For the first time since finding her, Winny was not with her. The decision, however, was correct. The simple thought of having Winny while meeting Winchester was disastrous.