Chapter 420 - 419: We Found A Dungeon, My Lord

Chapter 420: Chapter 419: We Found A Dungeon, My Lord

Some time later, the atmosphere inside had become noticeably lighter.

The once-tense rivalry between Sorin and Karnessa had quietly transformed into subtle competition.

Both women had watched Alix sample their dishes.

To Sorin’s delight, he praised the cake’s soft texture and balanced sweetness.

It wasn’t overly sweet nor bland. Although there was still room for improvement, it was surprisingly well-made for someone who had only recently begun learning to bake.

Sorin’s smile grew brighter with every compliment.

Meanwhile, Alix also tasted Karnessa’s stew.

Despite the unfortunate fate of the bread, the stew itself was unexpectedly flavorful.

The meat was tender.

The broth was rich.

The vegetables had absorbed the essence of the slow-cooked stock perfectly.

Alix looked at Karnessa with mild surprise.

"The stew is excellent."

Karnessa blinked.

"...Really?"

Alix nodded.

"It is."

"The bread, however..."

He glanced toward the blackened loaf.

"...might be better suited as a defensive weapon."

For a brief moment, the room became completely silent.

Then Sorin burst into laughter.

Even Karnessa couldn’t help covering her mouth as she let out a quiet laugh.

"...I knew you were going to mention the bread."

"I tried baking it three times."

"...That was the best one."

Alix smiled helplessly.

"I recommend focusing on the stew."

"I think you’ve found your talent."

A faint blush appeared on Karnessa’s cheeks.

"...I’ll remember that."

The conversation continued for a while longer.

Eventually...

Both women gathered their empty trays.

Before leaving, Sorin looked toward Alix with a satisfied smile.

"I’m glad you liked it, Your Majesty."

Karnessa also gave a respectful bow.

"I’ll prepare something better next time."

The two generals walked toward the door together.

Although they remained rivals...

Their smiles were noticeably brighter than before.

As the office door quietly closed behind them...

Silence once again filled the room.

Alix leaned back in his chair.

He looked toward the closed door with a puzzled expression.

"..."

After several seconds, he quietly muttered to himself,

"What happened to those two?"

"They’ve been acting... strangely today."

He couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

Ever since the sparring match ended, both Sorin and Karnessa seemed unusually motivated.

Alix simply shook his head.

"Perhaps they’re just in a good mood."

He returned his attention to the mountain of documents still waiting on his desk.

Unfortunately, he barely managed to finish signing one report before another knock echoed through the room.

Knock.

Knock.

Alix looked up.

"Come in."

The heavy wooden door slowly swung open.

A towering figure stepped into the room.

From head to toe, his body was covered in thick black armor forged specifically for his enormous physique. The armor bore countless claw-like engravings, while dark crimson fur could occasionally be seen protruding from the gaps around the joints.

Even with the helmet concealing most of his features, two sharp beast-like eyes remained visible through the narrow visor.

Each step he took produced a dull metallic thud.

The massive beastman stopped several meters before Alix’s desk before lowering himself onto one knee.

"My Lord."

It was Vordon.

Alix set down the report in his hand.

"Rise."

Vordon stood immediately.

"There is something I believe requires Your Majesty’s attention."

Alix rested his elbows on the desk.

"What is it?"

Vordon’s voice remained calm.

"Our reconnaissance team has discovered something."

He paused briefly.

"At the battlefield where Your Majesty fought that unknown enemy..."

"We found what appears to be the entrance to a dungeon."

Alix slowly rose from his chair.

"A dungeon..."

He repeated the words under his breath, his crimson eyes narrowing in thought.

That answer didn’t make sense.

He clearly remembered it clearly.

It was impossible to forget.

That mountain had been where he fought the abomination and the mysterious Tier 8 existence.

The battle had shaken the heavens themselves.

Entire mountain ranges had vanished beneath the collision of Laws.

The earth had split apart.

The skies had burned.

Even now, merely recalling that battle allowed him to remember every movement with perfect clarity.

Yet...

He had never sensed the existence of a dungeon.

Not once.

Looking back at Vordon, Alix asked,

"Tell me everything."

The armored beastman nodded.

"After everything settled, we sent several scouting teams to investigate the surrounding area where you fought."

"Originally, they were searching for traces left behind by your opponent."

"They found none."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"However..."

"They discovered a spatial disturbance near the center of the battlefield."

"It resembles the entrance to a dungeon."

Alix folded his arms.

He had never sensed the existence of any dungeon.

No unusual mana.

No hidden formations.

Nothing.

Which meant, either it had been buried unimaginably deep beneath the mountain. Or, something had caused it to reveal itself only after the battle.

"What else?"

Vordon answered immediately.

"There is one problem."

"We cannot approach it."

Alix raised an eyebrow.

"Explain."

Vordon’s deep voice echoed quietly throughout the study.

"There is... an unknown power surrounding the area."

"It prevents anyone from getting any closer."

Alix remained silent, signaling for him to continue.

"The first scouting squad believed it was simply the lingering pressure from the battlefield."

"So they attempted to force their way through."

"They failed."

"The second team consisted of cultivators specializing in defensive techniques."

"They barely managed to advance another hundred meters before they, too, were forced to retreat."

"The third team..."

Vordon paused for a moment.

"...never even reached the point where the second team stopped."

Alix remained quiet.

He wasn’t surprised.

Instead, the explanation only confirmed what he had already suspected.

Residual Laws.

Alix slowly rose from his chair.

The movement immediately drew Vordon’s full attention.

His crimson eyes carried a faint trace of curiosity.

A dungeon that emerged after. Whatever lay beyond those ancient gates. It was almost certainly extraordinary.

Alix looked directly at the armored beastman.

"Very well."

"Take me there."

Vordon immediately lowered himself onto one knee once more.

"As you command, My Lord."

Without wasting another moment, Alix stepped out of the palace.

The instant he reached the open courtyard, the surrounding mana responded to his presence.

A faint crimson light gathered beneath his feet.

The air around him distorted slightly.

Then...

Whoosh!

His figure shot into the sky like a streak of scarlet light, disappearing above the clouds in the blink of an eye.

A powerful gust of wind swept across the palace grounds, causing countless banners bearing Erevaris emblem to flutter violently.

Vordon reacted immediately.

The beastman bent his knees before launching himself upward with tremendous force.

Boom!

His armored figure soared into the air before spiritual energy erupted from beneath his boots, allowing him to fly after his king.

Although he couldn’t match Alix’s speed. He knew exactly where the destination lay.

The two streaks of light raced across the sky.

Below them, forests, rivers, and mountains rapidly disappeared into the distance.

As they continued flying farther from the City, signs of civilization gradually vanished.

The lush green landscape slowly transformed into barren earth.

Scorched plains stretched endlessly toward the horizon.

Even from thousands of meters above the ground, the aftermath of that catastrophic battle remained clearly visible.

The land itself still bore its scars.

Not long afterward...

The battlefield appeared before them.

Even after seeing it countless times in reports, Vordon still found himself speechless whenever he looked upon it.

The devastation was absolute.

Mountains had become valleys.

Valleys had become enormous craters.