The Broken Halo

Chapter 1063 - 1062: Behind The Wall

Simon slowed down beside Seraya as they reached Vhal-Sar.

A golden barrier rose from the sea, curving over the entire island. Through its glow, he could barely make out the buildings beyond.

He had expected the Daegrins’ capital to have impressive defenses.

But this...

His eyes followed the runes moving across the surface. Smaller symbols filled the gaps between them, forming circles that overlapped without disturbing one another. Beneath those formations were more layers, some so faint that he almost missed them.

Energy flowed between them without the slightest interruption.

Simon’s expression grew serious.

This was one of the most complicated barriers he had ever seen. The arrangement of its runes, the number of formations, the power contained within it... everything exceeded his expectations.

From what he could tell, it should withstand attacks from a Supreme Demon King.

He glanced at his spatial ring which had the corpse of the Mauler inside of it.

Then why had they been so worried?

That beast could have thrown itself against this barrier until its skull broke.

Were there other threats? Something powerful enough to make even this protection insufficient?

”That’s an impressive barrier,” Simon said. ”Does it have a name?”

”The Wall.”

He looked at her.

”Just The Wall?”

Seraya nodded.

”It comes from an ancient defensive artifact our people discovered long ago.”

Simon watched a ring of runes disappear beneath another.

”I’d have liked to meet whoever made it.”

”You would not be the first.”

He observed the barrier for a few more seconds before looking at her and asking the question that was on his mind.

”Since you have a powerful barrier like this, why were you so concerned about the Mauler? With something like this protecting Vhal-Sar, I doubt it could have harmed anyone inside.”

Seraya’s fingers curled slightly against her palm.

For a moment, she looked uncomfortable.

”I’m afraid I cannot answer that. It concerns a secret of the Daegrins.”

Simon studied her, then nodded.

”Fair enough.”

His curiosity remained, but he had no reason to press her.

Seraya flew forward.

The moment she reached The Wall, the golden surface parted. An opening spread around her, widening enough for everybody to pass through.

Simon took a glance at his surroundings before following her.

And then he finally saw Vhal-Sar.

The city climbed the island in broad terraces, its buildings arranged around gardens, blue pools, and wide streets paved in white marble. Roofs of green, red, and blue tiles shone beneath golden borders. Slender towers rose between them, joined by bridges high enough for flying carriages to pass underneath.

Water flowed down from the upper terraces through narrow canals. It spilled over carved steps, gathered in pools, then continued toward a harbor crowded with ships.

Even the ships were beautiful.

Simon saw silver figures mounted on their bows, brightly painted hulls, and folded sails embroidered with the symbols of merchant families.

Farther inland, trees with purple leaves shaded courtyards. Flowers hung from balconies in thick curtains, while fountains threw water above open squares crowded with demons.

”It truly is beautiful,” he murmured.

Seraya turned toward him.

Simon was still looking down at the city.

”I thought the stories might have been exaggerated.”

He lied.

It was not his first time coming to the capital city of the Daegrins. In his past life, he had come here but it was vastly different now.

The Vhal-Sar he knew of was still beautiful but this one looked even more stunning.

The Daegrins were truly on a different level when it came to wealth.

Seraya studied him for a moment, then she spoke.

”What about now? What’s going through your mind as you’re looking at our city?”

”I’m wondering what else the stories left out.”

Her smile widened and she began to describe parts of the city to Simon, seemingly becoming happy at Simon’s amazed expression.

”That’s the southern harbor. Most foreign merchants arrive there. The long buildings with blue roofs behind it are their trading halls.”

They descended toward the rooftops, giving him a closer view of the streets.

Daegrins made up most of the crowd. Their ash-grey skin and red markings were easy to distinguish among the horns, scales, and wings of other demons.

Silk robes brushed the clean paving. Gems hung from ears and throats, and rings glittered on hands resting against carriage windows.

A Daegrin woman crossed a bridge beneath a white parasol held by a collared slave. Two more followed with small lacquered chests.

Elsewhere, slaves waited beside cushioned seats outside a shop while their owners examined jewels brought out on velvet trays.

Simon’s attention shifted to the bridge beneath the woman.

”Are those railings gold?”

”Yes.”

”For a public bridge?”

”The merchants along that canal paid for it,” Seraya replied. ”They were not pleased when the neighboring street built a more beautiful one.”

Simon looked along the canal.

There were six bridges.

”I see.”

A quiet laugh escaped her.

Below them, young Daegrins gathered outside a weapons shop, comparing blades with jeweled handles. One wore enough gold around his wrists to make Simon wonder how he managed to bend them comfortably.

In a nearby garden, children chased little silver birds that flew just beyond their hands. A boy caught one, laughing as its metal wings folded around a glowing crystal.

His coat had pearl buttons.

Simon watched him release the bird.

”Your children have expensive toys.”

”That boy’s mother sells enchanted ornaments. He probably has a room full of them.”

”And you?”

Seraya glanced at him.

”What did you play with?”

”Miniature ships. My brothers kept sinking them.”

Simon chuckled and glanced at the only brother of Seraya he knew of.

”Darik?”

”He was particularly fond of it.”

Ahead, a pair of flying Daegrins noticed her and immediately moved aside.

”Lady Seraya.”

They bowed in the air.

She acknowledged them with a nod. More greetings followed as they passed balconies and raised walkways. Merchants paused their conversations, and several young Daegrins straightened before bowing.

Many stared at Simon afterward, and their eyes lingered on his horns and his face.

Some were enamored by his appearance and beauty.

After his bloodline evolution, he had become even more handsome. Because he had been in the Abyss after the war, he had not gotten this many stares, but now, he got a lot to the point that Simon himself began to notice them.

Conversations stopped whenever Simon walked past them.

Seraya continued without slowing down despite knowing that many female Daegrins were looking at Simon.

She had expected this and she had known that he was a handsome demon in the first place.

”That building with the red roof is one of our auction houses,” she said, pointing across a square. ”The smaller halls around it belong to appraisers.”

Simon noticed carved beasts along its roof, each holding a crystal between its teeth.

”Your craftsmen are talented.”

Seraya lifted her chin slightly.

”Daegrin work. The carvings, the roof, even the windows. There are merchants who travel here just to hire the craftsmen who made them.”

”I’m not surprised.”

His gaze moved toward the highest terrace.

A building stood there that made him reconsider the others.

Two enormous curved wings enclosed a blue lake, rising in steps toward a central hall. White columns supported balconies lined with flowering trees. Between the wings, glass bridges crossed above the water, their golden frames reflected below.

The hall’s roof was a vast amber dome.

From above, the whole residence resembled an open shell, with the lake held in its center.

”That is where you live?”

”With my father.”

Simon looked at the dome again.

”Is that a single piece?”

”Yes.”

He turned toward her.

Seraya’s expression was entirely serious.

”It took longer to transport than to build the hall beneath it.”

Simon let out a low breath.

”I believe you.”

They landed in a broad outer courtyard. At Seraya’s direction, guards cleared a space where for both of them to land.

The guards bowed at her presence.

Darik left without looking at Simon. The Garrun remained in the courtyard with the others as Seraya led Simon toward the entrance.

Only the two of them went inside.

Warm amber light fell through the dome onto a polished floor patterned with blue and white flowers.

Simon’s steps slowed.

Statues stood between the columns, each carved with such care that he could see the folds of their robes and the fine lines on their hands. Farther along, a silver tree spread its branches from a black pedestal, with hundreds of green gems hanging from it as leaves.

He stopped beside it.

The smallest leaves had veins carved into them.

”That must have taken years.”

”Forty-three years to be exact,” Seraya said. ”The sculptor refused to let my grandfather display it until he was satisfied.”

Simon leaned closer.

”He had good reason to be proud.”

Paintings covered the walls beyond the columns. There were cities beneath unfamiliar skies, ships crossing violent seas, and a garden painted so carefully that he almost expected the flowers to stir.

One showed the current Vhal-Sar from the water.

Simon recognized the terraces, though several towers were missing.

”Hmm... seems the city was smaller then?”

”Much smaller. That painting is older than my father.”

Nearby, glass cases held relics of a cracked crown, engraved tablets, a bronze lamp, and a broken sword laid on dark silk. Each had its own protective formation.

Above them hung mummified beast heads.

Dry hide stretched over a six-eyed skull. Beside it, a tusked creature had a mouth wide enough to swallow a carriage. Another head bore long, curved horns covered in pale markings.

Simon glanced back toward the courtyard.

”Should I expect to see the Mauler up there?”

Seraya laughed softly.

”That depends entirely on my father.”

She led him through a quieter passage and opened a pair of carved doors.

The guest room beyond had deep cushioned chairs, a low table, and a broad balcony overlooking the lower terraces. Pale curtains shifted in the breeze. A bowl of dark fruit rested beside a silver tea service.

Simon approached the balcony.

From here, he could follow the canals all the way to the harbor.

”You chose a good place to receive guests.”

”I know.”

Seraya nodded as she remained by the door.

”Please make yourself comfortable, Blackmoon. I’ll speak with my father and let him know about you. I’ll return once we’ve spoken.”

”Alright.”

She left him there.

Simon settled into a chair facing the balcony. For a while, he watched the ships below, his thoughts returning to the golden barrier and the question she had refused to answer.