The Martial Unity

Rui shared her sentiment.

“Our subterranean carriage technology is second to none,” Sage Delirenn’s expression grew proud. “We have pioneered a technology uniquely native to our own nation, allowing us to directly escort esteemed guests like yourselves directly to our true nation.”

“It is quite impressive indeed,” Rui smiled as he watched them descend beneath the land, wondering how much further they were going to go down. And then, they passed solid ground, entering a massive open cavity that stretched as far as the eye could see. A ceiling that was covered in crystals that shined like stars, lighting up an entire civilization that not only covered the entire ground but also stretched across the walls of the cavity.

Amare and Rui beheld the tremendous visage of the underground metropolis. “This…”

They could feel it. They could feel the sheer weight of the civilization that resided within this single subterranean city. An entire way of life that had evolved over centuries, growing alongside an expanding cavity. They grew enamored by the artistic architecture that spread across the walls, around homes and tunnels, painting a profoundly wondrous picture. It was a breathtaking sight.

“Welcome to the City of Nagara,” Sage Delirenn smiled proudly. “We seldom bring outsiders to our underground cities. This is a rare honor that signifies our trust in you. We hope that you shan’t betray our trust by divulging what you have seen to the rest of the world.”

His words were pointed and straightforwardly conveyed what he wanted to say to Rui. “Of course,” Rui smiled. “While I cannot make any promises in regards to the Kandrian Empire, I swear that I will not divulge any information of the Nest of Terra to the rest of the world.”

The Sage nodded with an expression of satisfaction. He was surely aware that it would be an absurd demand to invite the prince of a nation to their home and ask the prince not to divulge information back to his home. He was satisfied with the oath not to reveal it to any other parties, evidently not concerned about the Kandrian Empire.

Rui, on the other hand, came to understand the Sage and the culture of the Nest of Terra better. They were polite but not necessarily diplomatic, funny as it was. His gaze returned to the expansive underground city, studying it in greater detail.

It was unlike anything he had ever seen before. The city dwarfed even the underground floors of the Shionel Dungeon that had long been gobbled up by the real estate industry. It was considerably more advanced in its esoteric technology, as well, allowing them to shape such a massive cavity to their heart’s desire.

What he found fascinating was that all infrastructure was not constructed atop a foundation.

No, all buildings, homes and houses, and other private and public infrastructure were carved out.

They were carved out of the ground and the walls.

They were part of the ground, and not a single structure was separate from the subterranean cavity itself. Their composition was identical to the ground that they were a part of, and one could even how buildings curved away into the ground around them seamlessly.

There were no distinguishing building blocks to any structure, either, whether it was bricks or cement.

“Incredible…” Amare whispered with a tone of awe. “I have never seen anything like this my entire life.”

Rui nodded. “The Nest of Terra is surely one of the most unique civilizations in the entire world.”

His focus finally turned to the people of Nagara City, studying what little he could of them from within the slowly descending carriage. Like Sage Delirenn, they were starkly albino white with a skin tone that was startlingly close to paper.

Rui was hardly surprised, of course. With the absence of sunlight, it was no wonder that the terrans had come to lose their melanin to ensure that they got the necessary vitamin D. Still, this was only the second nation that he had come across that was dominated by people of a particular race.

Their attires were light. The men merely donned a lower garment while the women wore blouses that covered their chests and light cotton cloth wrapped around their waists and thighs. The temperature was high enough to discourage any additional attire, as was the already dim lighting.

In many ways, it was almost the polar opposite of the Solaris Kingdom. So much so that Rui was already certain that the Solaris Kingdom undoubtedly hated the Nest of Terra for rejecting the sun and light.

“How many times has the Solaris Kingdom attacked the Nest of Terra?” Rui asked with a hint of curiosity.

Sage Delirenn gazed at Rui with a raised eyebrow. “About ninety-seven times in the past century alone.”

Rui heaved a sigh, shaking his head lightly. “Those maniacs.”

“Maniacs indeed, Prince Rui,” Sage Delirenn nodded at Rui’s description of them with a contemptuous expression. “One of the reasons that we have never ascended above ground even after the Beast Domain was long pushed away from our borders was precisely because of the threat those golden-skinned mongrels represented.”

“It’s understandable, though, with a civilization as fantastic as this…” his gaze returned to the Nagara City, “it’s a wonder why anyone would want to return to the surface.”

“I, too, share that sentiment,” the Sage nodded appreciatively. “We have arrived, I hope that you will come to enjoy our nation even more when you actually traverse it for yourself.”

THUD

The carriage gently and slowly landed on the ground amid a particularly ostentatious citadel at the core of the subterranean city.

CLACK

STEP

The very moment they exited the carriage, they found themselves face to face with two rows of Martial Squires, who immediately parted, turning to face each other as they made way for two individuals who walked towards Rui and Amare with a measured gait.

The two consuls who led the Nest of Terra together, elected by the Council of Terra.

Consul Sergenilius and Consul Notera themselves had come to welcome the Dawnbringer.

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