I Can Copy And Evolve Talents

Chapter 1229: The Vallithian Tribesmen [part 3]

Northern was escorted towards the giant dome, towering over the rest. He entered the structure, eyes scanning the interior.

Even inside, there was no ground floor. The river still streamed through, a constant flow of water that divided the space. The Vallithians could dive beneath the surface for long hours, doing whatever it was they needed to do in those submerged depths.

And there were lift systems rising from below the river—platforms ascending into the air, carrying people up to the upper floors. From there, solid ground finally existed.

’Interesting engineering,’ Northern thought as he studied the mechanism.

Northern followed the woman. She landed gracefully on a floating platform, so did he. He observed other people around them, all riding the platforms patiently to the next floor of the domes. His inquisitive expression must have been obvious, because he didn’t even need to voice his questions.

The woman looked at him and smiled softly.

”There are two races of the Vallithia Tribesmen.”

She gestured toward Judgment, whose wings were still unfurled and motionless, unlike the others who had folded theirs back to merge into tattoos against their skin.

”The Seraphae and the Arethamine.”

”We’re the Seraphae...”

She glanced down at the figures diving into the water below.

”They’re the Arethamine, built for the depths of the river while we soar the skies above it. The platforms were created by both races and can be used as a form of convenience.”

Northern noted her words. He observed for a few moments, then looked down at the swimmers below.

’Built for different elements. A complete division of function.’

”Does that mean there are underwater channels for the Seraphae to reach the depths?”

The platform continued rising. They reached a new floor but were still ascending toward the upper level. Northern could now see people moving around the upper floor—the space was built into different sections, blocked off by brick walls, with inhabitants walking in and out of various chambers.

The woman smiled and nodded.

”Of course there is... it is only natural.”

She paused, that small smile still gracing her features, then added:

”But the Seraphae have limited time they can spend underwater, just as the Arethamine have limited time they can spend in the air. We were created for the water and for the air. As much as we create means of coexistence, we must not substitute one for the other.”

Northern nodded in understanding.

’A symbiotic society with hard biological limits. No wonder they’ve developed such elaborate systems.’

”I see... it’s reasonable, and it forms the structural foundation of your society.”

He paused, piecing together the implications.

”I think, to an extent, I can see why your people don’t step outside?”

Wrinkles formed in the corners of the woman’s eyes as she turned to Northern.

”Oh? Why would that be?”

Northern shrugged and spoke with a calculated tone.

”What you’ve built for yourself here—both you and it—would be abused. The world outside has been structured to take too much of everything. Whether it’s the people, or the environment it has grown to be... it’s ruined. Somewhat.”

He paused.

”They’ll take this, and you, and ruin it too.”

Northern looked around.

”This place looks like paradise.”

The lady laughed. The sound was gentle, almost fragile and almost cutting.

”Indeed, you speak the truth. But heaven...”

She shook her head.

”If this looks like paradise to you, then all we have managed to achieve is a pitiful imitation.”

Northern looked at her, expression indifferent. Then he looked around again.

’She’s not wrong. But still...’

The platform finally reached new ground and stopped. The lady gestured toward him.

”Come, child. Your mother awaits.”

She turned and walked forward.

Northern’s heart beat faster and faster, but he kept his face clean and calm.

’Almost there.’

He followed her through the cold hallways. Soon they branched into a staircase that led them to a wide hall with decorative floors and high chandeliers that looked like scattered droplets of water frozen mid-air. There were many people, all with golden hair and ivory-smooth skin, walking around and attending to different tasks.

At the edge of the hall, Northern spotted a woman talking with two ladies—one with a buzz cut, the other’s hair short. The one with the buzz cut had sharp, slightly angled eyes that were naturally narrowed to slits, while the other’s eyes were fairly large.

The woman speaking to them had blonde hair, golden eyes, and olive skin that gleamed beneath the reflective light of the hall. Although her face wasn’t smooth—rather scathed, with a bandage wrapped around one of her arms—her beauty was undiluted.

In fact, she seemed to shine particularly brightest among them all.

As Northern entered the hall and looked at the woman, she had also turned to look at him. She stopped mid-sentence, her gaze locked on him.

Then she just ran.

Through the hall, limping and almost falling, but she ran. Northern smiled somberly and ran to meet her.

’Mom.’

As she was about to reach him, she stumbled and nearly fell—but his speed increased for a brief moment and he caught her in his arms, pulling her into a tight embrace as they both fell to their knees.

Eisha held him tightly, buried her face into his shoulder, and sobbed.

Northern closed his eyes for a moment, patting her back, his heart finally finding relief.

She pulled herself from him, gripping his face gently and sobbing with a smile on her tear-streaked face, muttering through the emotion.

”Your father, that fool... he—”

”Shin is fine, Mom. He’s okay.”

Northern’s voice was steady, reassuring.

”What about Silver?”

She froze for a moment, surprised and genuinely happy at the news. Relief washed visibly across her features. Then she brought herself to respond to Northern.

”Your sister... thanks to him, she’s well protected. She’s with him at the moment.”

Northern narrowed his eyes, doubting who his mother’s words were referring to.

’It can’t be...’

”Him? Who?”

Eisha looked at him, smiling through the remnants of her tears.

”Your friend. The monster.”

She paused.

”He called himself Lord.”

Northern’s mouth hung half-open.

’Ah. Nebulous Lord.’

A strange relief settled over him, mixed with something like amusement.

’Silver is with Nebulous Lord. Interesting...’

That made sense, in a way. If anyone could protect his sister in this chaotic world, it would be that absurd monstrosity. The thought should have worried him more than it did.

But somehow, it didn’t.