The pentagonal stone tablet stood at an impressive ten meters, dominating the small clearing it was built in.
The tablet was inscribed with hundreds of tiny runes that created a star in the center, through which the energy in the area was being absorbed.
"This is concerning." Alina remarked. "Think there are more?"
"I'd say so." Ruby nodded. "While this goes outside my area of expertise, I do know that the range of these can't be too far. There should be several."
After investigating the surrounding countryside, Salem and Ruby found a grand total of two thousand of the energy-sucking tablets, spaced around three large cities in a massive circle.
They placed explosives on every tablet they found and travelled to the centermost city.
The other two cities flanked the north and west sides of the central city, and, combined, were less than half the total size of the central city.
None of the cities seemed to have large roads connecting any of them together, which intrigued Salem, considering how only the outermost cities were growing crops.
"How are they delivering goods if there aren't sufficient roads?" Salem wondered.
"Maybe they're using the collected energy to teleport goods." Ruby suggested, her expression saying that such a thing was absurd.
"That is a possibility." Salem nodded, giving it some thought. "Remember, our standards can't really be applied to other worlds."
Customarily observing the clothing and race of those entering the city, Salem modified their clothing to resemble an otherworldly version of a T-shirt and jeans.
"Most of the people in the city are human, but I do see elves as well, so I do believe that we should be fine if we enter as-is." He mused, glancing at the elves standing on either side of him.
Alina shrugged, deferring to him.
"Alright, then." Salem responded, seeing Ruby nod in agreement.
Easily entering the city, the trio was greeted by the a sight of overwhelming grandeur.
Buildings were enveloped in gold and quartz, refracting light in dizzying patterns onto the bright streets.
The streets were paved in gorgeous black stone that contrasted the bright white and polished gold of the buildings.
"How grandiose." Alina noted, shifting her attention to the bustling crowd.
"If we were to settle down somewhere, this would most certainly be what I would not want to live in." Ruby chuckled. "It's so...Over-the-top."
"It does seem excessive, doesn't it?'' Salem nodded in disdain.
"Hey, beautiful." A catcall sounded from behind them
They exchanged glances, trying desperately to control their laughter.
"Classic." Ruby burst out laughing.
"At least they don't discriminate, right?" Alina joked.
"You dare insult me? Do you know who I am?" They demanded.
Salem guffawed, turning on his heel to inspect the stereotypical 'young master' character. "Who you are does not matter. Status is meaningless in the face of power. Oh no."
"What do you mean 'oh no'?" Alina demanded.
"I've been tainted by their phrases! I've turned into a stereotypical anime villain!" He replied, bursting into laughter once more.
"Do you want to offend Linguinio the house of Marina?" Linguinio demanded angrily.
"Does your house make pasta?" Salem chortled. "Or is seafood more your style? I would kill for some pasta Linguini right now."
"What's your favorite sauce?" Salem continued to taunt the man.
"You bastard! You'll regret your words!" Linguinio shouted, causing the crowd to abruptly part around them.
He began condensing a large ball of light blue energy between his palms.
"Hey!" Salem scolded. "You kiss your mother with that mouth?"
Linguinio's face turned purple.
"Maybe making enemies in the first five minutes of entering a new city isn't a good idea." Salem suddenly reflected.
"Haha! It's too late to reflect!" Linguinio crowed, unleashing a wave of power at them.
Raising one hand and coalescing shadow in front of them, Salem instantly reflected the attack.
Unprepared for his attack to be sent back into him, Linguinio was hit at full power without the ability to block.
"Now it's going to be harder to gather information." Salem groaned, seeing Linguinio lying half-dead on the pavement.