According to Basphir, he stumbled upon the barrier purely by chance while investigating a legend well-known among the lizardmen tribes in the marshy swamps south of the kingdom of Zanua, ruled by the Great Lion King, Sharif.
"Zanua" is a kingdom of demihumans founded by a prominent warrior from the ogre tribe, specifically a rare evolved species known as a Kijin. This warrior was also named Sharif, and it has become tradition for any king of Zanua, regardless of tribe, to bear that name. The king is selected through a tournament that tests both intelligence and strength. When the top three candidates are chosen, the king selects his successor from among them, while the other two are groomed to become future generals or ministers based on their individual aspirations.
This historical context was crucial for understanding the current situation in Zanua. The reigning king has grown old, necessitating the selection of a new monarch. Consequently, every tribe within the kingdom is preparing suitable candidates for the upcoming tournament. Although the event is still some time away, it promises to be an intriguing spectacle.
Returning to the matter at hand, Basphir informed me that while the barrier does not prevent entry, escaping it proves exceedingly difficult—something I had already confirmed upon entering. However, it wasn't that Basphir couldn't escape; rather, he hadn't attempted to do so because he was captivated by a steel fortress standing majestically in the center of the barrier.
The fortress was as tall as the Dragon King's palace and bore a striking resemblance to it, yet it was adorned with a distinctly demonic architectural style. When I used my spiritual sense to probe the tower, I was taken aback by the powerful energy emanating from it—an energy akin to dragonic power, strong enough to rival the members of the Dragon Council who serve directly under the Dragon King.
I created a spatial portal to reach the source of this ominous presence. To my surprise, instead of finding a being, I discovered a pendant. It featured a bright red gem at its center, a simple yet stunning design that momentarily captivated me. The pressing questions were: to whom did this pendant belong, and who had constructed this fortress?
After surveying the area, I instructed Basphir to retrieve the pendant, but he was unable to breach the barrier that encased it. When I stepped forward, however, the pendant began to resonate with the ring gifted to me by my predecessor—the Ring of the First Dragon God.
In an instant, the barrier retracted as I reached for the pendant. This revelation was astounding, but my surprise was short-lived as the fortress began to crumble and the barrier surrounding it disintegrated.
I quickly took Basphir with me back to the Dragon Realm, where I planned to investigate the secrets behind the pendant and its enigmatic owner.