It takes us about half a day to reach the small hill that provides access to the castle. For safety reasons, I send a servant to the main gate to see what will happen. He steps onto the drawbridge, each footstep echoing, and calmly reaches the other side. Nothing happens, so I give the order to proceed. Upon arriving, I can see that everything is still in good condition, just a bit dusty, but nothing more.
"MT, send the Iron Servants to explore the castle and its surroundings, and have them back within two hours. We will all leave together afterwards, so if there are any traps, we will know in advance."
"Perfect, my Lord. I will do as you wish. I can communicate with them in real time, so I will know which areas they will explore and which ones they won't."
"Good," I say, patting his back, satisfied with the plan of action.
.....
Two hours later, the Iron Servants returned after exploring a section of the compound and the main building. There were still a few buildings, warehouses, the rest of the enclosure, and the back tower to explore. So far, no traps have been detected, which is surprising, I thought as I listened to MT's report. I decided to make my way to the central building, which appears to be the main structure.
On the way, what was once a busy road is barely discernible through the weeds and grass that have overrun it. A gentle breeze rustles the tall grass in the abandoned gardens that have surpassed their artificial boundaries and begun to occupy parts of the streets and houses. Most of the building doors are still in their frames, as if nothing has changed. A few are slightly ajar, as if they were hastily left open. Approaching the central building, it is easy to notice that the city is a true marvel, fully modernized. Magical streetlights are still in operation, as well as the fountains. Judging by the architectural design, the cloud-island must have once drifted in the sky, as the vast majority of the buildings are designed to fully embrace the climate with large windows and lush gardens.
We finally arrived at the main building. Upon entering, slender magical braziers are attached to the inner side of each of the fourteen basalt columns. They illuminate most of the throne room, enveloping it in a yellow-orange glow. Tapestries depict a black background, a large pale blue star, and a white whale hanging from the arched ceiling, dancing in the flickering light. This must be the emblem of the ancient kingdom; I think to myself as I carefully examine my new surroundings.
In the throne room, the walls are dark blue and adorned with drawings illustrating important events. A dark blue carpet divides the room in two, from the doors to the throne. Immense glass windows are adorned with curtains of the same blue color as the carpet. A few marble benches are aligned in perfect symmetry.
Most impressive of all is the blue jade throne flanked by two rather ordinary-looking seats, probably for those who aided the person in power in managing the kingdom's affairs. The throne is adorned with imposing sculptures depicting some kind of whale and a golden sun affixed to the backrest. On the armrest of the throne, there is a dark blue armband. I pick it up and examine it. The equipment appears to be of good quality and in perfect condition. I decided to try it on to see if it fits me; otherwise, I will exchange it for some gold coins. As I put it on my right arm, the armband starts to glow and tremble slightly. It trembles a little harder and adjusts to my size.
I feel a strange sensation washing over me, not the kind that makes you nervous or sick, but rather like the sun's rays beating down on your skin on a cold winter day. It starts at my wrist and spreads throughout my entire body. Once the sensation reaches my head, a multitude of information enters my brain. Most of the information pertains to the workings of the cloud-island, its geography, and the rest is about the bracelet itself. After a minute or two of assimilation, the equipment stops shaking and glowing. I now know that we are connected. In the sense that no one else can wear this bracelet unless I die or undergo a forced separation. This discovery is fantastic for several reasons. The first is that I will now be able to control the cloud-island, knowing that the previous master is dead and won't come after me to reclaim his treasure. Secondly, this island can serve as a base for my future plans. I pondered the gained information and called out to MT.
Thanks to the information obtained through the bracelet, I explain to MT that the central tower is furnished with numerous halls, provision warehouses, suites, lounges, kitchens (with pantries that magically replenish food stores every full moon), and laboratories suited for arcane and alchemical studies. Additionally, each guard tower has rooms and barracks that can accommodate up to fifty people, as well as an adjacent stable that can hold up to twenty medium-sized, flying or land-based mounts. Each of the buildings is still stocked with provisions and equipment (swords, spears, bows, arrows, crossbows, shields, armor, catapults, etc.).
After explaining everything to MT, I get the feeling that all the castle's inhabitants left without taking anything, as if they vanished, I think, pondering a potential reason, but nothing comes to mind.
I inform MT that the large rear tower houses a library and that we might find some answers there, at least I hope so.
"We no longer need the iron servants, MT. You can start having them bring back all those bones, try to put them somewhere I can use them retroactively," I tell him, leading the way to the rear tower.
"Understood, my Lord," MT complied, ordering the servants to attend to their new task.
Only MT and I remain to explore the rest of the castle. As we approach the bridge to the rear tower, I can see the merging of clouds into cliffs. With my vision, it's easily possible for me to see all the small details from this distance. Anything that should be made of rock is meticulously reproduced in clouds with various shades of white. The bridge is almost identical to the one leading to the cloud-island, but it is entirely made of dark blue stone.
The rear tower is more restricted, more private. After all, knowledge is power, I think to myself as I cross the bridge with MT.
We reach a large double door made of beautiful polished white wood. Opening it is easy, and a gust of dry air blows in my face, allowing me to smell the scent of paper and ink.
The entrance of the library is adorned with imposing columns and detailed sculptures, bearing witness to historical scenes that are unfamiliar to me. Once inside, my eyes are immediately drawn to an impressive staircase that rises majestically in the center of the room.
The staircase is a true work of art, constructed with precious materials. Each step is finely carved, adorned with intricate patterns and meticulous details that tell a story. The railings of the staircase are richly decorated with floral motifs and geometric shapes, adding an additional artistic touch to the structure.
The rest of the room is still in good condition. The library shelves extend around the staircase, forming galleries and upper floors that house thousands of books, manuscripts, and valuable scrolls. The shelves are made of dark, polished wood, with carved details that add a touch of sophistication to the whole.
Filtered light through large windows creates a warm atmosphere inside the library, while sparkling chandeliers hang from the ceiling, casting a soft glow and providing an ambiance conducive to reading and studying.
According to the information received through the armband, the upper floors are arranged similarly to this one. Only the basement should be different. Looking around to see if I could find something useful, I only came across things related to the Blue Empire. In short, from what I can see, the cloud-island was called the Blue Empire because it alone is as powerful as any other empire on the continent.
I never thought this legend was true, I think to myself. I have heard stories about the fantastic exploits this empire committed, but I believed they were just legends.
Eventually, I will have to appoint someone to assist me in sorting through all these books and gathering information from this library. There's far too much for me to do alone, I think to myself as I contemplate all the books in the library.
Otherwise, apart from the books, everything looks the same, shelves filled with books and tables that seem to have been left in disarray, scattered here and there. Ink pots have dried up with their quills, as if everyone left without tidying up! So far, the situation is intriguing, I tell myself.
As I descend, I explain to MT that we will need more Iron Servants to collect the bones outside the castle and assign some to tidy up the interior of the cloud island. He assures me that he will make sure it is done as quickly as possible.
The stairs are numerous, and the descent is long. At regular intervals, one can see glowing stones illuminating the path.
Finally reaching the bottom floor, the stairs give way to a large hall lit by luminous stones and adorned with runes that are unfamiliar to me. As I reach the bottom of the stairs, I immediately catch sight of a gigantic blue and black creature at the far end of the floor, hovering heavily, resembling a whale. Orbs and arcs of energy shine around it, coiling around its body, giving it a cosmic appearance. I cannot help but find this monster imposing and majestic, but what is most striking is the fact that the creature seems to be imprisoned. Above its head is a formation of runes, which must be the origin of the ten small golden portals surrounding the monster, restraining it with chains of the same color. The "floating whale" appears lifeless with its eyes closed. I observe it, trying to discern more details that might be useful to me when suddenly a soft, feminine voice resonates in my head.
"Oh, I have company!"