Chapter 138: Gatekeeper

The cave-like structures of the Moonshadow Clan are quite interesting.

Although they are essentially caves carved directly into the mountain wall, they are equipped with doors and windows, and even divided into layered structures connected by stairs. From the outside, it looks as if doors and windows have been carved directly into the mountain itself.

Of course, such a design poses significant concerns regarding the weight-bearing capacity of the houses, requiring consideration of the risk of collapse. The Moonshadow Clan seems to have resolved this through magical means.

While magical beasts are more adept at utilizing their innate abilities, it doesn’t mean they can’t grasp magic. With intelligence comparable to humans and a generally abundant reserve of magical power, as descendants of the God of Magic, they exhibit their own unique style in utilizing this wondrous force.

For instance, the magical runes carved into the inner walls and various corners of the stone houses seem to reinforce the walls and share the load, making the act of directly hollowing out a room within the mountains possible.

Sitting by the fireplace in the room, watching the crackling flames dance, Miss Vilyric couldn’t help but sigh. It seemed that the magical beasts of the Mountains of Ten Thousand Demons have a certain fondness for primitive forms of lighting and heating, like bonfires, while also holding in her hands a cup of an unknown translucent liquid that Vanessa had just poured for her, reminiscent of an ancient copper wine vessel from Blue Star, gently sipping a taste.

It was mildly spicy with a hint of sweetness, but that was about it.

“So, what is this?”

She wasn’t worried about the other party adding something odd to the drink; on one hand, they were in a cooperative relationship, and the Moonshadow Clan was not like those underhanded types who would stab you in the back. On the other hand, poisons and similar substances had virtually no effect on the Divine Race.

Of course, the same went for restorative potions.

Unless it was a potion made from rare materials, like the high-quality magic recovery potion Vilyric had once gotten from a certain princess, which actually had some noticeable effect when consumed, most ordinary foods provided by living beings would only lead to simple taste sensations for the Priestess.

Even so, the effects of the former would diminish significantly, falling short even of Vilyric’s natural recovery speed for magic points, and there was no need to mention healing potions.

“Um… In human terms, this would be called liquor. You can call it ‘Moonlit Wine’; it’s brewed by our Moonshadow Clan using dew gathered under the moonlight and some rare herbs. It has the effect of replenishing magical power and refreshing the mind. It’s quite beneficial for the body, but I’m not sure how alcohol-tolerant you are, Miss Vilyric. If you feel uncomfortable, please let me know so I can get you a different drink.”

Holding a similar copper cup, Vanessa quickly downed the drink in one go and casually filled it again. She then turned her gaze to the tree spirit girl and the commoner man sitting on either side of her without changing her expression.

“Let me introduce you. This is Barta Lingmu, a renowned traveler and strong warrior of the Tree Spirit Race, known alongside Mr. Walter of ‘Nan Dao’ as ‘Dancing Blade Maiden,’ famous within the Mountains of Ten Thousand Demons, and her strength is not beneath mine.”

“Not at all. Lady Vanessa is just flattering me; I’m far from your match.”

The girl named Barta seemed to have the typical taciturn nature of a swordsman. Not only did she sit upright and silent, but she also merely shook her head slightly with a neutral expression at the praise from the clan chief, her full cup of wine untouched, reminding Vilyric of Lan before she took on the role of Acting City Lord.

Their personalities were somewhat similar, and both were practitioners of the blade.

Vanessa smiled without commenting further and instead directed her gaze to the man whom the Priestess was quite concerned about.

“This gentleman is an old friend of mine; I’m not sure how to introduce him… How about letting him introduce himself?”

The commoner youth pointedly smiled.

“Ha ha, little Vanessa still likes to pass the troublesome introductions to others, huh? Alright then, I can only recommend myself.”

Recommend himself?

Wait a minute, that idiom…

Vilyric’s heart skipped a beat, and her gaze towards him suddenly turned a bit peculiar.

But the youth, possessing an ethereal or perhaps pretentious charm, seemed unaware of this detail. He simply set down his cup, reflecting a bit as he spoke to himself.

“Speaking of which, it’s been a while since I did any self-introducing. Let me think… As for names, there have been many, but the one I’m most used to being called is ‘Min Chen’; it’s an old name of mine, and can basically be considered my real name.”

He smiled and continued.

“Of course, you can also call me ‘Gatekeeper’ just like everyone else does now.”

“?”

At these words, Vilyric couldn’t help but be taken aback.

Wait, is this guy trying to show off?

To be fair, Vilyric had indeed heard of ‘Gatekeeper,’ known as the mentor of Mr. Walter of ‘Nan Dao.’ On their way here, Aiste had told the Priestess several times about the legends involving the core area and sacred land of the Mountains of Ten Thousand Demons, particularly emphasizing the strength of the ‘Gatekeeper.’

It was said to be a fearsome existence that could hardly be rivaled even by true dragons from myth, guarding the gates of the sacred land for three hundred years, with no enemies ever able to surpass a single inch. He stood as the last line of defense for the treasures left behind by the Lord of Magic.

But… this format of introducing oneself by just tossing out an obscure name, saying “I’m called xxx,” then rambling on, only to suddenly add, “Or you can also call me xxxx” toward the end…

Isn’t that a bit too deliberate?

If you really wanted to declare your identity, wouldn’t it have been enough to just say “I am the Gatekeeper” right from the start?

Sensing the suddenly frozen atmosphere in the room, a thought flashed through the Priestess’s mind.

Um… So according to logic, I should act really shocked right now to give him some encouragement… or something like that?

Of course, it would be a lie to say that Vilyric wasn’t a bit surprised, but since she had already determined the hidden strength of the other party through his aura, a demigod-level powerhouse at lv80, she could guess that if he really mastered some relevant information, the range of his potential wasn’t that small.

Seeing the other party remained silent for a long time, the Priestess hesitated for quite a while, only managing to let out a feeble “Oh…” as if she finally reacted, causing the smile on Mr. Gatekeeper’s face to stiffen for a moment.

Of course, he clearly possessed rich experience and composure. Soon, he adjusted his expression, lifting his cup again for a small sip, slightly raising his head as if waiting for Vilyric to ask questions.

Because indeed, there were many uncertainties that needed answers, the Priestess didn’t want to put the other party in a difficult spot. Despite not keeping up with Mr. Gatekeeper’s pretense at first, she quickly regained her footing, revealing a slightly awkward smile before continuing the earlier topic.

“So, is it you who Teiyelu mentioned would come to see me? Why doesn’t she come herself? If you’re out here, then who’s guarding the gates?”

“Uh, Miss Vilyric…”

This time, it was Vanessa who looked somewhat embarrassed, while Miss Barta frowned slightly, seemingly displeased.

Perhaps they hadn’t expected that the girl named Vilyric, knowing that the ‘Gatekeeper’ was personally present, would dare to speak so bluntly, even in a somewhat offensive tone.

After all, magical beasts respect strength; great strength naturally represents a high status, not to mention the ‘Gatekeeper’ was an existence that appeared only once in a hundred years, a distant figure that existed only in real legends.

   

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