As Enea had described before, a shimmering dome of energy enveloped the city ahead of them. Kazuki could only think to describe it as a luminous blue barrier stretching across the horizon. Despite being a few kilometers away, the city itself was vast—so large that even from this distance, they could only glimpse a portion of it. The dome, however, didn't rise from the ground. Instead, it began at the top of towering walls constructed from a pitch-black metal, at least twenty meters high, which extended far beyond what Kazuki's eyes could follow.
Kazuki gasped, overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the structure. He couldn't fathom how such an enormous city had been built in a place so dangerous. And that dome—what kind of technology could create something like it?
"Schleifer-san," he asked, his curiosity spilling over, "what is that energy dome covering your city?"
Sigrid smiled, her pride evident in her voice as she replied, "That's Lichtdom, a barrier created by the greatest scientist our city has ever known: Sigmund Lichtforscher. He lived over ten centuries ago and was so far ahead of his time that no one since his death has managed to replicate most of his inventions. Lichtdom prevents any form of life from entering the city while still allowing air to pass through, protecting us from flying reptiles and dinosaurs."
Enea, who had been silent for most of the journey, chimed in. "Does it harm the living beings it touches?"
"No," Sigrid replied, "but as far as we know, it's completely indestructible. Even our most powerful modern weapons can't leave a scratch on it."
As they talked, the group approached the massive city gates embedded in the black walls. The gate itself was at least three meters tall and two meters wide. Guarding it were two men clad in suits similar to those worn by Sigrid and the novice hunters. Upon spotting Sigrid, the guards immediately snapped to attention and gave a sharp salute.
"Welcome back, Vice Commander," one of the guards said. "How did the novices' first hunt go? Judging by the state of them, I'd say it didn't go too well."
Sigrid sighed but maintained her composure. "The hunt itself was successful—they managed to kill a Plateosaurus. But on our way back, we were ambushed by a rare pack of Wiehenvenators. I'd already prepared myself for the possibility of losing some of the rookies, but fortunately, these two travelers, Mr. Enea Draghi and Mr. Kenmoto Kazuki, came to our rescue, and we managed to avoid any casualties."
Both guards stared at Kazuki and Enea, their expressions a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Travelers?!" exclaimed the second guard. "That's rare news. The last time travelers came to this city, I was still a kid. I'm guessing you'll want to take them straight to the commander, right? Don't worry about the rookies or the Plateosaurus carcass—we'll handle it. Klaus and Peter are about to take over our shift anyway."
"Thank you, Werner. Manfred," Sigrid said gratefully. "Next time we go out for drinks, let me buy you both a round."
"Really, Vice Commander? You've got yourself a deal!" Manfred grinned.
Turning to Kazuki and Enea, Sigrid gestured toward the gate. "Mr. Kenmoto, Mr. Draghi, please follow me to the Association's base. As I mentioned, I need to speak with the commander to arrange your stay in our city. I'm sure he'll want to meet you as well."
Both boys nodded silently.
Sigrid pulled a small card from her suit and held it against a scanner embedded in the wall beside the gate. The gate hummed to life, slowly sliding open. Just as they were about to step through, Werner called out, "Vice Commander, the sword!"
Sigrid froze for a moment, then raised her weapon, holding it by the hilt. "Activate portable form," she said.
Lines of neon orange light flared across the blade's surface, marking where it began to segment. The sword broke into smaller pieces, each glowing faintly, before shrinking and reforming into the shape of a sleek briefcase.
Noticing Kazuki's wide-eyed expression, Sigrid offered an explanation. "Within the city, it's forbidden to carry Eidechsenverteidiger armor in weapon or combat form unless it's for self-defense."
"That sword is your armor?" Kazuki asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"Yes. I apologize for the confusion, Mr. Kenmoto. If Eidechsenverteidiger are rare where you're from, you've likely never seen armor like ours in action. They have three forms: weapon form, which you saw earlier; portable form, like this briefcase; and combat armor form, which I would have used if not for your intervention. Combat armor enhances all of an Eidechsenverteidiger's physical abilities many times over, but it comes at a cost. The stamina drain is immense, and prolonged use can harm the user's body. Most of us can't sustain it for more than ten minutes at a time."
Her explanation complete, Sigrid stepped through the gate with Kazuki and Enea following closely behind.
The moment they crossed the threshold, Sigrid spread her arms wide and announced with enthusiasm, "Welcome to our city—Kuppelheim!"
Kazuki's breath caught as he took in the sight before him. The city was a marvel of contrasts. Massive, gleaming white buildings rose into the sky, their futuristic designs evoking visions of a utopian world. The streets were tiled like those of ancient European cities, though the materials were clearly modern.
What truly captivated him, however, were the creatures soaring from building to building. Black-feathered dinosaurs—Archaeopteryx—flitted through the air. They carried small backpacks and disappeared into apartment windows, their movements almost birdlike.
Enea's reaction was more subdued. His expression remained calm, but his eyes gleamed with curiosity as he silently observed the bustling city.
Sigrid noticed their contrasting reactions and smiled, pride radiating from her. "If you have any questions, please ask. It would be an honor to act as your guide until we reach the Association's base," she said warmly.
Kazuki was quick to take her up on the offer. Pointing to the flying creatures, he asked, "What are those?"
"They're domesticated Archaeopteryx," Sigrid replied. "Nearly every household in Kuppelheim owns at least one. We use them as messengers. The backpacks you see contain letters or small items being delivered around the city. I have one myself back at my mansion."
Kazuki's mind raced. Even as someone with limited knowledge of dinosaurs, he recognized the Archaeopteryx as one of the earliest known birds. To see them alive—and being used like carrier pigeons—was surreal.
"Kuppelheim truly feels like a paleontologist's dream come to life," Kazuki thought, unable to suppress a small smile.
After taking in the city's sights for a while, Kazuki and Enea resumed following Sigrid. The town was strikingly quiet, its streets orderly, and the people they passed seemed content, even cheerful. Kazuki found it difficult to believe that a rebellion could be brewing in such a seemingly peaceful place.
The thought crossed his mind to ask Sigrid directly about the possibility of rebellion, but he dismissed the idea almost immediately. Asking something as blunt as, "Is there a rebellion happening here?" would not only make them appear suspicious but could also offend Sigrid, who clearly took great pride in her city. It was safer to wait and gather information discreetly once they settled in and had opportunities to talk to the locals.
After about ten minutes of walking, the group arrived at what appeared to be a futuristic train station. Kazuki glanced around, puzzled.
"Are we taking a train to reach the Association's base?" he asked, his surprise evident.
Sigrid nodded. "That's correct. The main base is located near the city's outskirts, just beyond the noble district where I live, closer to the center. It would take several hours to walk there. Don't worry about tickets; as your temporary guide, I'll cover it."
Inside the station, Sigrid quickly purchased three tickets, and they waited for the train. To Kazuki's amazement, the train arrived almost immediately and turned out to be a sleek maglev model. The ride was incredibly smooth and astonishingly fast; what would have taken hours on foot took only a few minutes.
After disembarking and walking for another five minutes, they reached the Eidechsenjäger Association's base. Kazuki's eyes widened as he stared up at the building. It was colossal, far taller than any other structure he had seen in the city so far.
"We've arrived," Sigrid announced, gesturing toward the towering structure. "This is the base of the Eidechsenjäger Association."
Enea raised an eyebrow, his expression curious. "Why is it so tall? Is there a reason?
"Yes," Sigrid replied. "This building isn't just the Association's headquarters; it also houses a school and training center for new recruits. But come, let's head inside. I imagine Werner and Manfred have already sent word to the commander about our arrival using an Archaeopteryx."
Kazuki and Enea nodded, following Sigrid into the building.
The interior of the building's first floor bore a striking resemblance to the adventurer guilds often depicted in fantasy anime. However, this one had a futuristic twist, its sleek and pristine design giving it a modern edge.
Sigrid led them to a receptionist—a young woman who straightened up and gave a crisp military salute upon seeing her.
"Welcome back, Vice Commander Sigrid, and welcome, travelers," the receptionist said formally. "The commander is expecting you in his office."
"Thank you, Hanna," Sigrid replied, then turned to Kazuki and Enea. "Let's take the elevator. The commander's office is on the top floor."
The three stepped into a nearby elevator, and Sigrid pressed the button for the 20th floor. Considering the height of the building, Kazuki expected the ride to take at least a couple of minutes. To his surprise, the elevator reached its destination in mere seconds.
When the doors opened, they stepped into an office that felt completely anachronistic compared to the rest of the city. The room was dominated by warm, polished wood, with massive bookshelves lining the left and right walls, packed with thick tomes. In the center stood a sleek glass table flanked by two armchairs, and at the far end, a large wooden desk commanded attention.
Behind the desk stood a striking man who appeared to be in his thirties. His short white hair ended in dark green tips, and his sharp eyes matched the green hue. He wore a dark green military-style uniform, unbuttoned to reveal a plain white T-shirt beneath. Despite his formal attire, his demeanor was relaxed, and a faint smile curved his lips.
The man addressed the group with a calm but authoritative tone. "Thank you for coming so promptly, Sigrid. And welcome, travelers. I'll get straight to the point—Manfred's letter mentioned you'd be arriving with two travelers, but I'd like to hear the full story. Vice Commander, could you explain what happened during your novices' first hunt?"
"Yes, sir," Sigrid replied crisply. She recounted everything: the success of the Plateosaurus hunt, the ambush by the Wiehenvenators, the intervention of Kazuki and Enea, and their request to remain in Kuppelheim for a while.
The man listened attentively, his expression thoughtful. When Sigrid finished, he nodded. "I see," he said. Turning to Kazuki and Enea, he added, "Thank you both for saving our novices from such a dangerous situation. My name is Siegfrid, and as you may have guessed, I'm the commander of the Eidechsenjäger Association."
He stepped out from behind his desk and approached them, extending a hand.
"If I understand correctly," he continued, "you'd like to stay in Kuppelheim for some time?"
"That's right," Enea replied, shaking his hand.
"How long are you planning to stay?" Siegfrid asked.
Enea paused, considering the question. "We don't have an exact timeline, but at least a week. We've been traveling nonstop for a while, and we'd like to rest in one place for a bit."
Siegfrid nodded thoughtfully. "That presents a issue. In Kuppelheim, there's a law requiring all adult residents without noble titles to hold a job if they wish to stay longer than seven days. Those who don't comply are expelled from the dome. However," his smile widened, "given your strength, I have a simple solution: would you like to become Eidechsenjäger?"