—

As Kieran listened to Agatha speak, he looked around in awe, gazing at the sparkling crystals embedded in the towering hills surrounding them. A few enormous deep blue chrysalis protruded from the water, creating forks in the stream.

These streams were formed naturally, but they served as a guideline to different areas in the Mystic Rune Colony.

When they arrived in the Rune Chrysalis Gorge, Wykins of all ages stepped outside their rustic homes and greeted the Agatha and the Keepers of Serenity. However, their expressions grew troubled and somewhat frightened when their eyes fell upon Kieran.

Due to the mystic practices, most, if not all, Wykins were aware of their history, so they carried an intrinsic fear of humans. Kieran expected a situation like this, but to be shunned like this wasn’t the greatest feeling.

Kieran could only sigh mentally while cursing the humans for their past actions.

‘Even if it takes ample work, I’ll ensure my presence is isolated. Destroying the relationship between races was a truly foolish move. As humans, there are certain aspects we’ll never surpass the other races in.’

As Kieran thought about how to prove his earlier affirmations, Agatha raised her hand with a gentle smile. “Be at ease, my people. There is no threat. Do you believe I’d allow danger to befall you as your Heiress?”

“No, Heiress.”

“We are mistaken, Heiress.”

“Please forgive our insolence.”

The nearby Wykins spoke up, but Agatha’s expression remained warm and tranquil. “You have made no mistake. It is your right as an individual to be weary. I just ask that you have faith in me to help protect you when it is required.”

“Thank you, Heiress. We cherish your magnanimity.”

Kieran glanced between the servile Wykins and Agatha in slight astonishment. The level of respect she garnered from these Wykins was astonishing.

Without a doubt, this would be impossible to accomplish within a kingdom or empire without using some kind of force, whether it be financial, physical, or mental.

“We are passing through the Rune Chrysalis Gorge, and it is where most of our Wykin Race practices the mystic arts or simply lives. It is easy to appease them because they are inherently meek people. But… where we are going, it may not be as effortless. It will all depend on the words of the Enchantress,” Aciayla commented at the front.

Glancing back at Kieran, she continued to speak. “You’re lucky the Heiress arrived when she did. Otherwise, even our words may not be enough to keep them from acting.”

“Them?” Kieran blinked, looking to Agatha for clarification.

“The Mystic Guardians. The personal force of the Enchantress. Do you recall that mystic golem you faced outside?” Agatha answered.

“I do. Wait, how do you know about that? Were you there?”

Agatha’s lips curved faintly. “I was nearby. But, your tactics intrigued me, so I remained distant. Though I could sense that Scar hadn’t taught you much, you were exceptionally fast.”

“Anway, I digress. A fledgling Mystic Guardian controlled that golem you faced. If one of the true Guardians had emerged, you would have undoubtedly died.”

“Oh…” Kieran muttered incredulously.

That was a fledgling?!

Kieran’s thought churned as he blinked blankly. ‘The more I journey through this world, the more I realize the powers of these races are more unfathomable than I know. Imagine that a fledging Mystic Guardian conjured a golem on par with a high-ranking Advanced Being. How insane…’

Kieran couldn’t mull over his thoughts for long because they soon floated before what could only be described as an immense castle-looking edifice. The archaic stone layout was complemented by mystical blue leylines that flowed through the grounds and up the walls.

〈System: You have entered the territory of the «Mysteria Citadel».〉

A few seconds later, the raft reached the shore outside the citadel, and everyone disembarked. Agatha had Kieran get off after the Keepers of Serenity because scattered layered wards protected the premises.

If he were to disembark first, his presence would undoubtedly trigger many of them. The aura the Keepers of Serenity and Agatha exuded masked his energy signature, so they avoided the situation.

Still, they couldn’t wholly avoid scrutiny.

A lithe figure with a cold appearance stepped from within the Mysteria Citadel’s grand walkway and stood in the center of two pillars, seemingly made of ivory.

“Mystic Guardian Illiad,” Aciayla said, lowering her head similar to how she submitted to Agatha.

As Kieran looked forward, he felt Illiad’s frigid silver eyes pierce the essence of his being despite her not performing a single action. It was an instinctual feeling, one Kieran never doubted.

Illiad was undoubtedly stronger than Agatha.

「 Lv. ??? First Mystic Guardian, Illiad – Descendant of Illum (Ancient NPC)

Class: Mystic Sorceress

Health: ??? 」

‘Oh, brother! This woman is an Ancient NPC!’ Kieran inwardly gulped.

An Ancient NPC meant their power had transcended Mythic NPCs after reaching a ridiculous realm of power. Kieran suspected Lord Veradin was an Ancient NPC, but for some reason, he couldn’t confirm any information about Lord Veradin.

The same rang true for Agrianos. It was like an impenetrable veil covered their sensitive information, and Kieran couldn’t puncture it even after staring at them intently.

Illiad’s information appeared because she didn’t raise any defenses.

Even then, her level was unknown, so Kieran remained apprehensive and skeptical. However, Kieran understood how the Wykins avoided total annihilation if their upper echelon possessed characters of this strength.

Not to mention, there was still the unknown Enchantress, which acted as the ruler of the Wykins.

“A human? I suppose it was the Heiress that authorized the human’s entrance?” Illiad questioned, speaking in a distant voice.

If a tone could freeze over hell, it would undoubtedly come from Illiad.

“Not quite, but she did arrive in the middle of our reflection,” Indhira replied.

“What does that mean? Elaborate, Young Indhira,” Illiad shifted her gaze from Kieran to Indhira, who stood a few steps away.

“The young human entered alone after passing through Illiueta and opening the Stone Mystikum Doorway.”

“Oh? Is that why my little girl has gone mute?” Illiad’s expression changed to little intrigue after glancing at Kieran again. “I guess she felt embarrassed after failing what she believed to be a crucial task.”

‘Little girl? In other words… Illiueta is the daughter of this Mystic Guardian?’

The thought of this relation made Kieran rejoice that he didn’t become hostile. What would his treatment become if he was regarded as an unreasonable monster that attacked Wykins in training?

Kieran simply didn’t want to think of that outcome.

The short silence was broken by Illiad speaking directly to Kieran. “It was said that you opened the Stone Mystikum Doorway. But, your understanding of mysticism must be high to accomplish that in my daughter’s presence.”

“I wouldn’t claim that my understanding is high; rather, it all clicked in the severity of that moment. Death is an accelerator of many things,” Kieran replied, gaining Illiad’s chuckle that seemed… ghastly.

“Are you inferring that our mystic sequences are simple enough that the threat of death is enough to reveal its secrets?” Illiad questioned.

In response to this question, Kieran grimaced. It was a layered question that was phrased in such a way that the answer could be disrespectful if answered incorrectly. ‘This lady is ruthless! But…’

“I’m in no way undermining the complexity of the Wykin’s practices. I know by experience that my comprehension tends to amplify when in death-inducing situations.”

“Oh? Is that so?” This time, Illiad smiled cryptically while looking into Agatha’s eyes. “Do you believe he is similar to you?”

“Perhaps. But as you know, I’m not skilled in unearthing the identity of souls.”

“I’m aware. For this… we require the Enchantress,” Illiad responded. “I will grant entry into the Mysteria Citadel, but it will be up to the Enchantress to decide if the reason for his presence will be visited.”

Afterward, Illiad gestured for everyone to follow her. Kieran looked around, slightly shocked by the situation at hand. Why did Illiad seem more reasonable than the rest?

Kieran naturally didn’t understand that opening the Stone Mystikum Doorway in such a short amount of time was an incredible feat. Not even some Wykins could do it so quickly.

Setting aside the enmity of humans and Wykins, their main objective was unearthing the source of mystery and debunking Kieran’s capabilities.

Could Kieran’s soul belong to an ancient Wykin?

After walking through the Mysteria Citadel, which possessed hidden wards that could kill Kieran instantly, they arrived at a particular door similar to the Stone Mystikum Doorway, except there were no dials.

The only way to enter this doorway is to know the mystic sequence and create it personally.

For this, Agatha was the one to act. She was the only one present that could create a long-lasting doorway.

Upon completing the sequence, a walkway leading to an ethereal feeling shrine appeared.

“This is the abode of the Enchantress. Please follow my every step unless you want the mystic forces to tear apart your soul,” Agatha urged.

After listening to her warning, Kieran followed behind Agatha, stopping a few seconds later. Curious as to why they stopped, Kieran leaned to the side.

A lady with a relaxed expression and closed eyes sat on an altar chair.

「 Lv. ??? Hekaina, Head Mystic Enchantress (???)

Class: ???

Health: ??? 」